Our Ohio Workers’ Comp Law Firm Understands the Risks Childcare Workers Face
Childcare workers play an important role in nurturing and educating children during their formative years. The dedication of preschool teachers, daycare employees, nannies, or individuals who run in-home daycares often goes hand in hand with physical demands and risks that may lead to injuries on the job. Understanding these risks is essential for ensuring the well-being of both the workers and the children under their care.
If you’re an Ohio childcare worker injured on the job, the team at Monast Law Office can explain your rights. We’ll determine if you’re eligible to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits for your work-related injury. 
Roles of Childcare Workers
Childcare professionals encompass a diverse range of roles, each with its unique responsibilities and challenges, and include:
- Preschool teachers. Educators who work with children ages three to five focus on early childhood development and prepare them for elementary school. In addition to the preschool teacher, the classroom often has a teacher’s aide to help with the kids and daily activities.
- Daycare employees. Individuals working in licensed daycare centers oversee children of varying ages, often in group settings.
- Nannies. These professionals provide personalized care for children at their homes. This is one-on-one attention and support tailored to the family's needs.
- In-home daycare providers. Individuals who run daycare centers from their homes offer childcare services to a smaller group of kids in a more intimate setting.
Physical Demands of Childcare
Childcare, like many other professions, comes with the risk of being injured on the job. Caring for children, especially babies or individuals with special needs, can be physically demanding, and workplace injuries occur for various reasons. Here are a few situations our clients have faced.
Lifting and Carrying
Constantly lifting and carrying infants, toddlers, or children with limited mobility strains muscles and joints, particularly the knees and back. Childcare workers also often need to move play equipment or furniture, such as tables or chairs, which also increases the chance of injury.
Physical Restraint
Handling children who exhibit challenging behaviors or require help with mobility may involve physical restraint, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Long Hours on Their Feet
Childcare workers often spend extended periods on their feet, leading to foot and leg discomfort and exacerbating existing musculoskeletal issues.
Exposure to Infectious Diseases
Working closely with children puts childcare workers at risk of contracting contagious illnesses, especially in settings where hygiene practices may be challenging to enforce. This constant interaction increases the likelihood of suffering from infectious illnesses, ranging from common colds and influenza to more serious infections such as mumps, strep throat, or meningitis.
Cleaning Chemicals Exposure
Regular cleaning and sanitization of childcare facilities expose workers to potentially harmful fumes and chemicals. Over time, this can cause respiratory issues or skin irritation.
Scattered Toys or Cluttered Conditions
Maneuvering around small furniture, many toys, and tiny people heightens the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls. Inadequate floor maintenance, upkeep, and cleaning further compound the risk of injuries, including fractures, sprains, and concussions.
Workers' Compensation Coverage in Ohio
The state’s workers' compensation coverage extends to certain childcare workers but not others. These benefits typically cover full-time and part-time employees and temporary workers in licensed daycare centers or schools. However, individuals providing childcare services in their own homes, such as babysitters or domestic workers, may not be covered unless the employer voluntarily provides coverage.
Families that employ domestic workers and pay them more than $160 per year must carry workers' compensation coverage for them. This regulation makes sure domestic workers, including those providing childcare, have access to necessary benefits in the event of a work-related injury or illness.
Injured while working in childcare? Learn about the risks involved in this profession and how we can help you recover Ohio workers’ comp benefits.