Aged care

Hazards and Solutions

1. Hazard 1 Lifting and assisting residents

   • Eliminate manual lifting of patients, except in life-threatening situations.
   • Encourage patients to assist in their own transfers.
   • Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg overhead tracking, hoists, mobile hoists, wheeled equipment, slide sheets), and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Develop a patient care plan that includes information about recommended mechanical aids and equipment, plus safe handling methods (including how many people should assist with transfer). Review the plan regularly.
   • Train employees on safe handling methods (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body) and how to safely use any mechanical aids and equipment.
2. Hazard 2 Pushing and pulling equipment (eg trollies and wheelchairs)

   • Ensure building layout / design limits the need to push or pull equipment (eg good path design, floor surfaces are appropriate for trolleys and wheelchairs, pathways are clear of obstructions).
   • Ensure floor surfaces are appropriate for trolleys and wheelchairs and pathways are clear of obstructions.
   • Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg height adjustable trolleys) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Ensure equipment is light, adjustable, easy to use and maintain, and suited to the person and the task.
   • Minimise pushing / pulling distance (eg arrange for patients to be dropped off at closest entrance to their accommodation).
   • Train employees on safe handling (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body) methods and how to safely use any mechanical aids and equipment.
3. Hazard 3 Slips trips and falls

   • Keep rooms tidy and remove unnecessary items and clutter (eg by providing sufficient storage and ensuring things are put away).
   • Ensure floor or ground surfaces in work areas, car parks and entrances are clean, well lit, clear of obstacles and in good condition.
   • Ensure floors throughout work areas are level.
   • Ensure all steps and stairs have appropriate handrails.
   • Ensure ladders used are designed for moving between levels using three points of contact at all times.
   • Develop policies on how to safely carry objects (eg no unstable or unbalanced loads), particularly on stairs.
   • Provide height access equipment (eg mobile steps with handrails) for reaching objects or performing work above shoulder height.
4. Hazard 4 Work-related stress bullying and harassment

   • Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for workplace bullying and harassment.
   • Encourage employees to report any workplace stress factors (eg work demand, low control, poor support, lack of role clarity, organisational culture) and control appropriately.
   • Encourage a positive workplace culture, including reporting of bullying and harassment.
   • Ensure all employees understand what bullying, harassment and workplace stress is and the procedures for reporting incidents (eg policies and procedures should be promoted during employee induction and workplace bullying prevention training).
   • Provide access to and encourage employees to use employee counselling / support services, where possible.