Moving a person off the floor
How to control risks to employees from moving people off the floor after a fall by using general OHS information and equipment recommended for best practice. This guidance is for employers at workplaces where people are moved, including in the healthcare and social assistance industries.
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Assess the person
A qualified health professional should assess the person for injury before moving them from the floor. If the person has been injured, the injury can affect decisions about what techniques and equipment to use.
Working environment
If the person cannot help themselves move, the task may require multiple employees and some equipment. For the method chosen, each employee will need sufficient space for the tasks or tools involved.
Floors need to be:
- flat and have low friction if wheeled equipment is used
- free from spills and clutter.
Beds and trolleys should have an automated or self-drive function to make them easier to move. Any furniture and equipment should be easy to move and adjust to the person’s dimensions.
Systems of work
For each method, employees should have easy access to:
- information about which method to choose, based on the highest order of risk control
- equipment required
- the training to use the method.
When choosing a method, employees should:
- refer to the person’s care plan and manual handling information
- follow the organisation’s instructions and training
- always explain the move to the person being moved.
Tools to help with the move
For this task, consider the following commonly used pieces of equipment. Not all possible options are included.
Chairs or couches, or mechanical raisers (images not shown).
Air transfer and air lift devices:
Patient transfer board:
Slide sheets:
Wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted hoist with overhead tracking, or mobile hoist, used with sling:
The tools needed will depend on:
- the person’s ability to help with the move
- the medical condition of the person
- any special precautions.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or the organisation’s procedure documents when using all mechanical aids and assistive devices.
Multiple tools can be used together for this move. For example, an air lift device, an air transfer device and bed mechanics may be used to help move a person from the floor to a bed.
When the person can help with the move
The person being moved may be able to help with their move. In this case, consider the following methods.
- Verbal instructions
Assessment of the person is required. Where it is clinically applicable, employees should instruct and encourage the person in care to use their own body movements to help with the task as much as they can.
For more information, also see Preparing for safe moves.
- Chairs or couches
If the person can get themselves to a kneeling position, they can use a chair or couch to help themselves up from there.
- Mechanical raisers
This emergency lifting chair unit can be fitted to a person on the floor and move them into a seated position.
- Air lift devices
Air lift devices can be used to help raise a person off the floor. Once stabilised, the person can be transferred to a chair or bed.
When the person cannot help with the move
The person being moved may be unable to help with their move. In this case, consider the following methods.
- Air lift and air transfer devices
For this task, consider air lift and air transfer devices to lift the person from the floor and move them to another surface.
- Patient transfer board
Body-length transfer boards bridge gaps between surfaces. They allow a person in a lying position to be moved across surfaces. Transfer boards should be used with slide sheets.
Caution: The transfer board surface is hard and can injure the person being moved if the procedure is rushed or not done correctly.
- Slide sheets
Placing 2 slide sheets under the full body of a person who cannot help with their move works best for repositioning. When the move is complete, remove both slide sheets to prevent risks to the person, such as slipping, falling and pressure-related injuries.
A slide sheet is made of low-friction material. Slide sheets can vary in quality. They may have different coefficients of friction and promote slip in different directions. Provide the highest-quality slide sheets in various sizes to accommodate a variety of people moves.
Ensure the slide sheet is functional. Replace slide sheets that do not slip. Refer to manufacturer’s guidelines on when to replace slide sheets.
- Wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted hoist with overhead tracking
Wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted hoists are connected to overhead tracks. They move people inside a sling from one point to another.
Hoists come with a variety of attachments including:
- weighing devices
- spreader bars
- motorised tilt functions.
These attachments can make it easier and more comfortable to safely handle people. Suitable attachments should be available and conveniently stored for ease of access.
The safe working load for moving the person is the minimum safe working load of either:
- the hoist
- its attachments.
Ensure that wall and ceiling hoists and their attachments are inspected and tested before each use. A detailed inspection should take place at least once a year or as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A suitably competent person should do the detailed inspection.
Damaged hoists or attachments should be reported and not used.
Wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted hoists can only be used inside the room they are fitted in. They do not help with falls where they are not fitted. This includes, for example, corridors, some bathrooms, dining rooms and foyers.
Floor-mounted hoists are also available but are less common.
- Mobile floor hoist
Mobile floor hoists lift, carry and reposition people inside a sling. The hoists have wheels and can travel across the floor.
Mobile hoists come with a variety of attachments, including:
- weighing devices
- spreader bars
- motorised lifting and tilt functions.
These functions can make it easier and more comfortable to safely handle people.
When mobile floor hoists are used, ensure there are systems or procedures in place so employees consider the:
- required elevation and position of the person in the sling
- suitability of the hoist attachments.
Suitable attachments should be available and conveniently stored for ease of access.
The safe working load for moving the person is the minimum safe working load of either:
- the hoist
- its attachments.
Ensure that mobile floor hoists and their attachments are inspected and tested before each use. A detailed inspection should take place once a year or as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A suitably qualified person should do the detailed inspection.
Damaged hoists or attachments should be reported and not used.
Hard, smooth and slip-resistant flooring is preferred for safe and efficient movement. Surfaces that are irregular are not recommended in areas where wheeled equipment is used. For example, carpet and some tiles.
Carpet can make moving items like mobile hoists and beds more difficult and increase risks, especially when done manually. Risks increase in tight spaces or when equipment needs to be moved over long distances.
If considering carpet, do force measurements and equipment trials with a sample of the proposed carpet.
All floor hoists should be fully electric and eliminate the need for manual lifting by employees during transfers.
- Appropriate sling
Slings are fabric supports for lifting and carrying people while being moved with a hoist.
There are different types of slings. Ensure the:
- chosen sling is endorsed for use on the lifting device
- weight and dimensions of the person being lifted do not exceed the sling’s size and safe weight limit, or the limit of the hoist, whichever is lower.
Ensure that slings are visually inspected before every lift. A detailed inspection should take place at least every 6 months or as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A suitably qualified person should do the detailed inspection. Replace damaged, worn-out and non-compliant slings immediately.
Slings are not ‘one size fits all’. Choose slings appropriate for the task and the body, height, weight and shape of the person being lifted or transferred.
For more information, also see ‘Using hoists and slings’ in Preparing for safe moves.
Related OHS information
Employers should also consider the occupational health and safety information outlined in the related guidance: