IHSS Worker Safety Rights During Home Visits in California

IHSS Worker Safety Rights During Home Visits

Working in someone's home is different from working in an office or factory — but IHSS providers still have legal rights to a safe working environment. California law and the IHSS program require that certain safety standards be met.

Your Right to a Safe Workplace

Under California Labor Code and IWC Wage Order 15, IHSS providers have the right to:

Be free from physical harm, verbal abuse, and threats from the recipient or family members
Receive proper training or equipment for physically demanding tasks (lifting, transfers)
Have unsafe conditions corrected before you are required to work in them
Refuse unsafe work without fear of retaliation

Common Safety Issues in IHSS

Physical hazards:

Lifting or transferring a recipient without proper assistive equipment (hoyer lifts, transfer belts)
Unsafe home conditions — broken steps, no handrails, cluttered walkways
Exposure to biohazardous materials (blood, body waste) without gloves or PPE

Interpersonal hazards:

Verbal threats, abuse, or harassment from the recipient
Hostile or threatening family members in the home
Domestic violence situations in the home environment

Environmental hazards:

Pest infestations
Mold or toxic substances
Extreme temperatures in the home

What You Can Do If Conditions Are Unsafe

Tell your county IHSS social worker — they are responsible for the recipient's care plan and can require conditions to be corrected

Document the hazard — take photos if possible, write down what happened and when

Request a safety assessment — ask your county for a home safety evaluation

File a Cal/OSHA complaint for serious hazards at dir.ca.gov/occupational_safety or call 1-800-963-9424

What If the Recipient Is Abusive?

You have the right to leave a home where you are in immediate danger. If a recipient is physically threatening or violent:

Leave the home immediately and call 911 if necessary
Report the incident to your county IHSS office and Public Authority
Document everything in writing
Contact your county domestic violence resources or the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

You cannot be fired for reporting abuse or leaving an unsafe home.

Resources

Cal/OSHA: 1-800-963-9424 | dir.ca.gov/occupational_safety
County IHSS Social Worker (find at cdss.ca.gov)
SEIU 2015: 1-866-756-1021