Direct and collateral effects of staff-worn protective equipment on injury prevention from child aggression

Abstract

Objective: The present study measured arm and other body injuries to classroom staff that were caused by a student who had developmental disabilities and treatment-resistant aggression.

Methods: Following a baseline (no equipment) phase, staff wore protective equipment on their arms but not on other areas of their body.

Results: The frequency of self-reported arm injuries increased with protective equipment, but injury severity decreased. Wearing the protective equipment was also associated with more injuries to other areas of the body.

Conclusions: Staff-worn protective equipment may reduce the severity but not the frequency of staff injuries from aggression; as well, the presence of protective equipment may set the occasion for increased injuries to non-protected areas of the body.

• Injury prevention
• clinical safety
• protective equipment
• developmental disabilities