4. Aim
To recognise the principles of safe moving and
handling and the importance of risk assessment
prior to any moving and handling task
5. Learning Outcomes
• Have an understanding of legislation relating to
moving and handling
• Understand basic anatomy and physiology of
the spine
• Understand and practice the principles of safer
moving and handling
• Assess moving and handling
operations, reducing the risk where reasonably
practicable
• Understand the principles of safer moving and
handling of people
6. Changing Attitudes
We need to change attitudes that:
• Back pain is an accepted part of the job
• The client / service user always comes first
• The doctor will make it better
7. Related Legislation
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations
1992
8. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• To ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the health, safety and welfare at
work of his employees
• Provision of necessary
information, instruction, training and
supervision
General Duties of Employers
9. Duties of Employees
• To take reasonable care of their own health
and safety and the health and safety of
anyone who may be affected by their acts and
omissions
• Must cooperate with their employers or any
person to enable legal obligations to be met
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
10. Management of Health and Safety
at Work Regulations 1999
Risk assessment
Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient
assessment of the risks to the health and safety of:
• His employees
• Persons not in his employment
11. Manual Handling Operations
Regulations 1999
Employers have a duty to:-
• Avoid a hazardous task taking place where
reasonably practicable
• Make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all
such manual handling operations to be
undertaken
• Take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of
injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable
• Take appropriate steps to provide those
employees with precise information
12. Manual Handling Operations
Regulations 1999
Duty of employers:-
Any assessment shall be reviewed by the
employer if:
• There is reason to suspect that it is
no longer valid
• There has been a significant change
in the manual handling operations to
which it relates
or
• There has been a moving and
handling incident relating to that task
13. Manual Handling Operations
Regulations 1992 (as amended)
Duty of employees
Each employee while at work shall cooperate with
the employer and use anything that is provided
within the interests of Health and Safety
14. Lifting Operations and Lifting
Equipment Regulations 1998
The employer must ensure that any lifting
equipment provided for use by employees at work
is suitable for the activity and complies with the
LOLER
15. Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations 1998
Summary:
The regulations apply to the provision and use of
all work equipment, including mobile and lifting
equipment
Employers must:
• Purchase equipment that is suitable for the job
• Provide training and instruction in the use of the
equipment
16. RIDDOR
• Death
• Major injuries, such as amputation, fractures,
dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine,
loss of sight (temporary or permanent)
• Over 7-day injuries
• Work related diseases
• Dangerous occurrences
The Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1995 requires certain
events to be reported to the HSE or local authority
23. Cost of Manual Handling Injuries
• 31% of all reported incidents in the workplace are
due to manual handling
• Highest reported cause of workplace injury
• 37,842 RIDDOR reported incidents in 2009/10
• 4 out of 5 people suffer from back pain at some
time in their lives
• In any one day 230,000 people are off work
because of back pain
• Back pain alone costs the British economy over £3
billion per year
HSE statistics 2011 for 2009/10
24. Cost of Manual Handling Injuries
Group Work
• Group 1 – imagine the impact on
your life if you receive a manual
handling injury
• Group 2 – imagine this is your
business – what will be in impact of
one of your staff receiving a manual
handling injury?
25. Cost of Manual Handling
Potential costs to the employee:
• Disability
• Pain
• Loss of employment or career
• Loss of earnings
• Psychological illness
• Strain on family life and social
activities
• Strain on colleagues due to staff
shortages
• Stress
26. Cost of Manual Handling Injuries
Potential costs to the employer:
• Disruption of normal work activities
• Increased sickness pay and associated benefits
• Temporary staff costs
• Compensation claims
• Prosecution and fines
• Increased insurance costs
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of experienced staff
• Low morale amongst staff
27. Common Manual Handling Injuries
• Back pain
• Prolapsed disc
• Hernia
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts, bruises and abrasions
• Fractures
• Work related upper limb disorders
(WRULD’s)
28. Back Pain
Causes of back pain:
• Poor physical condition
• Poor posture
• Poor manual handling techniques
• Straining
• Excessive weight
• Old age and disease
• Pregnancy
• Muscle imbalance
29. Hernia
Rupture of the cavity in the abdomen
Causes protrusion of part of the intestine
30. Sprains and Strains
Tissue being stretched beyond its normal
capability
Common sites include the back, arms and wrist
31. Other Common Injuries
• Cuts, Bruises and Abrasions
Usually caused by handling loads with
unprotected corners or edges
• Fractures
Usually caused by dropping loads
• Work related upper limb disorders
Usually caused by bad practice or
repetitive strain
32. Manual Handling Risk Factors
Examples of risk factors:
• Force
• Repetition
• Poor posture
• Personal risk factors
• Poor lifting techniques
• Dropping a load
• Lifting sharp-edged or hot loads
• Lifting a load too heavy or cumbersome
34. Ergonomics
Ergonomics means ‘fitting the task to the
person’
Design and arrange the area to fit the task
• Environment
• Equipment
• Work organisation
• Training
35. Risk Assessment –
Hazards and Risks
Hazard
• Anything which can harm or injury
• To clients, carers, other persons or property
Risk
• The probability of a hazard causing harm or
injury
• How bad that injury or harm is likely to be
36. Risk Assessment
A risk assessment should be performed before any
manual handling task is carried out
T - Task
I - Individual
L - Load
E - Environment
37. Risk Assessment
Every risk assessment must be balanced and
care taken to consider all of the individuals
involved: resident / patient / client, carers
and staff as well as any legislative
requirements before coming to a workable
solution accepted by all
38. Risk Assessment - TASK
Factors to consider:
• Frequent repeated or prolonged work
• Excessive lifting, lowering or carrying distances
• Holding or moving at a distance
• Twisting, stooping or reaching up
• Insufficient rest or recovery periods
• Sense of urgency
• Possibility of sudden movement of load
• Imposed high rate of work, or exceptional
circumstances
39. Risk Assessment –
INDIVIDUAL
Factors to consider:
• Need for unusual strength or height
• Health problems or pregnancy
• Experience
• Special information or training required
• Clothing and footwear
• Loose hair / Jewellery
• Safeguarding issues
40. Risk Assessment –
LOAD (General)
Factors to consider:
• Weight
• Centre of gravity
• Size, shape and ease of management
• Sharp edges, hot or otherwise hazardous
• Stability
• Handling aids available
41. Risk Assessment –
LOAD (Person)
Factors to consider:
• What can they do for themselves?
• Centre of gravity moves
• Body shape
• Injuries
• Handling aids available
• Behaviour – mental capacity
• History
42. Risk Assessment –
ENVIRONMENT
Factors to consider:
• Space to move
• Obstructions
• Floor surface and levels
• Temperature
• Lighting
• Ventilation
• Weather
• Equipment
• Presence of other hazards
43. Risk Assessment –
Other Hazards
Factors to consider:
• Patient’s clothing
• Monitor leads / tubes / catheters
• Privacy / Modesty
• Patient’s feelings
• Human rights
• Paralysis / spasm / lack of muscle tone
45. Personal Care
• Rest and exercise
• Gently stretch before and after lifting
• Work in a good posture
• Avoid bending and stooping
• Follow risk assessments and care plans
• Get comfortable when working and when
standing
• Avoid bending and twisting at the same time
• Avoid stress
52. Team Work
Role of the team leader
• Identify the best approach
• Identify equipment needs
• Identify other team members individual needs
and capabilities
• Plan the whole manoeuvre
• Instruct the other team members of their roles
• Give commands
• Ensure the safety and comfort of all involved
53. Team Work
Words of command
Clear
Authoritive
Rhythmical
Easily understood
Ready - Set - Move
56. Effective Communication
Sensitivity
• Seek cooperation and ask permission where
appropriate
• Consider the client’s feelings
• Be patient
• Be helpful
Respect
• Respect the client’s point of view
• Maintain dignity
• Be polite
57. Effective Communication
• Verbal: Use of words, tone, clarity, speed and
loudness
• Non-verbal: Posture and body language
• Behavioural: Communication by actions or
inactions
Methods of communication
58. Effective Communication
• Verbal: language, dialect, accent, meaning
of words, speed and volume
Barriers to Communication
• Non-verbal: Posture and body language, anything
. which obscures / hides the mouth
59. Effective Communication
• Behavioural: turning / moving away, talking
across patient / client to colleague
• Environmental: distractions, other activities in
room, noisy environment – radio, TV,
kitchen noise, cleaners
Barriers to Communication
60. Effective Communication
Is the client clear about:
• Why they are being moved?
• Where they are being moved to?
• What the move involves?
• The proposed method for the move?
• What equipment will be used?
• Their role?
• Your role?
• What to do if they feel unsteady?
Do we have informed consent?
62. Review of Learning
Outcomes
• Have an understanding of legislation relating to
moving and handling
• Understand basic anatomy and physiology of
the spine
• Understand and practice the principles of safer
moving and handling
• Assess moving and handling
operations, reducing the risk where reasonably
practicable
• Understand the principles of safer moving and
handling of people
