Home healthcare workers can be vulnerable as they face an 

unprotected and unpredictable environment each time they enter a 

client’s community and home. The spectrum of violence ranges from 

verbal abuse, to stalking or threats of assault, to homicide. 

Verbal abuse from the client, family members, or people in the 

community is a form of workplace violence. Verbal abuse may be 

subtle, such as asking for help beyond the scope of the job (such as 

with cleaning), or it may be obvious, such as complaining about job 

performance or worker appearance—or even threatening to cause harm.

EMPLOYERS SHOULD

•	 Establish a zero-tolerance policy for all incidents of violence.

•	 Train workers on recognizing and preventing workplace violence.

•	 Investigate all reports of violence.

•	 Work with police to identify dangerous neighborhoods where 

special precautions need to be taken and provide that information 

to employees.

EMPLOYEES SHOULD

•	 Participate in violence-prevention training.

•	 Report to your employer all incidents of violence, no matter 

how minor.

MANAGING VIOLENT SITUATIONS

•	 Consider working with an escort in high-crime areas, and if 

possible, schedule visits during daylight hours.

•	 Be sure of the location and have accurate directions to the house 

or apartment.

•	 Always let your employer know your location and when to expect 

you to report back.

•	 When driving alone, have the windows rolled up and doors locked.

•	 Park the vehicle in a well-lit area, away from large trees or shrubs 

where a person could hide. 

•	 Keep healthcare equipment, supplies, and personal belongings 

locked out of sight in the trunk of the vehicle.

•	 Before getting out of the car, check the surrounding location and 

activity. If you feel uneasy, do not get out of the car.

 How to Prevent Violence on the Job
•	 Stay in your car and contact your manager if you notice anything 

that might threaten your security, such as strong odors from a drug 

lab, gunshots, or shouting and sounds of fighting.

•	 During the visit, use basic safety precautions by (1) being alert, 

(2) evaluating each situation for possible violence, and (3) watching 

for signals of impending violent assault, such as verbally expressed 

anger and frustration, threatening gestures, signs of drug or alcohol 

abuse, or the presence of weapons.

•	 Notify your employer if you observe an unsecured weapon in the 

client’s home.

•	 Maintain behavior that helps to defuse anger by (1) presenting 

a calm, caring attitude, (2) not matching threats, (3) not giving 

orders, and (4) acknowledging the person’s feelings.

•	 Avoid behaviors that may be interpreted as aggressive (for 

example, moving rapidly or getting too close, touching 

unnecessarily, or speaking loudly).

•	 If possible, keep an open pathway for exiting.

•	 Trust your judgment.

•	 Avoid situations that don’t feel right.

•	 If you are being verbally abused, ask the abuser to stop. If the abuser 

does not stop, then leave and notify your employer.

•	 If you cannot gain control of the situation, shorten the visit and 

remove yourself from the situation. If you feel threatened, leave 

immediately.

•	 If you need help, use your cell phone to call your employer or 911, 

depending on the severity of the situation.

•	 If you observe a crime, contact the police.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

This is one in a series of six fast fact cards developed to provide practical advice for home healthcare workers 

and is based on NIOSH Hazard Review: Occupational Hazards in Home Healthcare, NIOSH Pub No. 2010–125.

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO | TTY: 1–888–232–6348

Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov | Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/healthcare

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012–118

February 2012

Safer - Healthier - PeopleTM