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The person
Some people can help move themselves. If the person can move themselves, there may be no need for employees to help them move. The risk of hazardous manual handling can be eliminated. Consider the following questions when assessing whether this is the case.
- Can the person move themselves?
- Can the person stand unsupported?
- Can the person balance themselves?
- Does the person have a history of falls?
- Can the person move their own body when on a bed?
- What is the person’s medical condition?
- Has medication been prescribed that may impair the person’s function?
- Can the person carry their own weight?
- Is the person in pain?
- Is the person’s hearing impaired?
- Can the person understand instructions and cooperate?
- Is the person’s vision impaired?
- Is the person tired or sleepy?
- Is the person attached to a medical device?
If the person is unable to move themselves safely, suitable furniture and mechanical aids may be needed to move them.
Employee factors
Employee factors to consider include the following.
- Are employees with adequate training and experience available to complete the move?
- Are employees aware of hazardous manual handling risks and how to avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)?
- Is the employee working alone?
- Is the employee physically able to help the person move?
- Does the employee need supervision while performing the move?
- Is the move urgent or can it be done slowly?
- Can employees stop the task if the person resists or is obstructive?
- Do employees know what mechanical aids or assistive devices to use?
System of work
Employers must provide and maintain for their employees systems that are safe and without risks to health. This includes systems for moving people. The systems should include procedures that do the following.
- Ensure a person’s care plan is checked for a risk assessment before any move. The risk assessment should include information about:
- the risks of falls
- the person’s pain levels
- the person’s cognition
- any prescribed medication
- the environment
- mechanical aids or assistive devices needed
- staff resourcing.
The care plan should be reviewed regularly.
- Require consultation with the person being moved.
- Provide guidance for assessing the person’s current condition and ability to help with the move.
- Confirm the risk assessment in the care plan reflects the person’s current condition. Ensure there are processes for reassessment and risk escalation if needed. Some equipment can be a ligature risk. If used, this equipment needs to be documented on the person’s care plan.
- Ensure care plans are updated as required and in line with organisational procedure.
- Include steps for preparing and informing the person about the move.
- Require planning of the path and confirmation the path is clear and safe.
- Ensure safe set-up of the environment. This includes considering other hazards, for example, wet surfaces, carpet, cords and mats.
- Confirm the person’s weight and dimensions do not exceed the load limit or person envelope of mechanical aids.
- Ensure mechanical aids are ready for moves.
- Ensure mechanical aids are regularly inspected and maintained.
Environment
Environmental factors to consider include the following.
- Has the environment been prepared for the move?
- Have obstacles been removed?
- Is there a clear path to the destination?
- Is the furniture in good condition, does it function correctly and is it suitable for use?
Mechanical aids and assistive devices
Before moving people using mechanical aids or assistive devices, consider the following factors.
- Is the mechanical aid or assistive device appropriate for the task?
- Does the mechanical aid or assistive device display its safe weight and dimensions limits for people handling?
- Can employees easily identify the safe limits of the mechanical aid or assistive device?
- Does the mechanical aid or assistive device accommodate the person’s dimensions?
- Is the safe weight limit of the mechanical aid or assistive device appropriate for the task?
- Is the mechanical aid or assistive device in good working condition?
- Is it easy for employees to identify if the mechanical aid or device is in good working condition and has been maintained?
- Are there back-up battery packs available if required?
- Has the mechanical aid or assistive device been maintained and inspected as specified in the requirements?
- Are aids such as slide sheets functional? Immediately replace slide sheets that do not slip, are damaged or are worn out.
- Has the employee been trained to:
- safely use the mechanical aid or assistive device?
- troubleshoot if equipment fails?
Using hoists and slings
Hoists are a commonly used mechanical aid that come in various types, including:
- mobile floor hoists
- wall or overhead tracking hoists.
They come with various attachments, including slings.
- Buying and installing hoist systems
Consider the following factors when buying and installing hoist systems.
- The person buying any new device should:
- have the appropriate knowledge of hoisting apparatus
- follow all manufacturer’s recommendations for device specifications.
- Aim to provide the same type and brand of hoist wherever possible across a single service or site.
- The person installing a wall or overhead hoist system should be licensed and understand the potential dangers of hoist failure.
- When considering the use of wall or overhead tracking hoists, install a traverse system over head tracks, rather than a single linear track. This will increase the hoist’s room coverage.
- Install overhead units with inline charging systems rather than plug-in units, wherever possible. These charging systems should:
- clearly show where the unit charges so there can be visual confirmation of charging
- have an audible and visual alarm that indicates when charging is required.
- If plug-in units are used, place them next to a power source so power cables are not pulled out. The use of extension cables with plug-in units is not recommended.
- Ensure hoist systems are permanently fixed where possible.
- Ensure floor hoists are permanently and readily available in case the overhead track system or unit malfunctions. An additional battery should be charged and available.
- All floor hoists should be fully electric and eliminate the need for manual lifting during transfers. Consider the forces required to push and manoeuvre floor hoists, particularly on carpeted surfaces where rolling resistance may be greater. Where these forces are excessive, motorised floor hoists should be considered to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorder to employees.
- The person buying any new device should:
- Using hoist systems
The following procedures are recommended when using hoist systems.
- Regularly do safety checks and servicing in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Load-test overhead track devices and document the results, either annually or in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Maintain a register of service checks for all devices.
- Regularly audit and maintain equipment. This will also ensure that equipment has not exceeded its use-by date.
- Develop systems to manage atypical hoist procedures such as device failure.
- Ensure that there are available emergency procedures to follow if a person in care falls to the floor.
- Collect hoist-related incident report data, including for incidents where no injury occurs. Periodically review reports of hoist-related incidents. This should be done by the executive management team and escalated to the board as appropriate. Consider including hoist-related injuries on the organisational risk register.
- Ensure that documentation on the approved way to move a person is available at the point of transfer.
- Ensure that 2 or more employees are always available to safely hoist people. Consider the need for additional employees to provide on-site training, including for on-call staff.
- Training employees on using hoist systems
Consider the following factors when training employees on using hoist systems.
- Provide information, instruction and training on the general operational and safety principles of overhead rail systems and floor hoists. Have employees do annual refresher training.
- Maintain complete and accurate employee training records.
- Develop systems to manage atypical hoist procedures, such as device failure. Ensure employees have access to these and practise them annually.
- Mentor and observe novice employees using hoist devices. This can help to improve their confidence and reduce risk.
- Incorporate into routine annual training emergency procedures for when a person in care has fallen to the floor. This may include using specific equipment and arranging ongoing care.
- Slings
Consider the following factors when using slings.
- Slings should be visually inspected before every lift. There should also be a detailed inspection every 6 months or in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Replace damaged or excessively worn slings.
- Slings that are not endorsed for use on a specific lifting device or have an unknown durability and lifespan are not recommended.
- Multiple loops or hooks on slings are not recommended. Single-hook or single-loop slings appropriate for the size of the person being moved are recommended.
- Appropriate slings should be available to use with a floor hoist in case an overhead track system fails. Some slings may not be compatible for both systems.