Moving and Handling of People

Creating safer working environments

with people who care

Housekeeping

• Fire Exits• Fire Alarms• WC• Refreshments• Mobile Phones

Aim

To recognise the principles of safe moving and handling and the importance of risk assessment prior to any moving and handling task

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

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

Related Legislation

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

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

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

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

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

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

Manual Handling OperationsRegulations 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

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

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 equipmentEmployers must:

• Purchase equipment that is suitable for the job

• Provide training and instruction in the use of the equipment

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

Anatomy & PhysiologyAnatomy & Physiology

Vertebral Discs

Fibrous outer layer

Soft jelly-like inner layer

The Spine and Spinal Cord

Load on the 3rd Lumbar disk in a 70KG man

Prolapsed Disc

Manual Handling Related Injuries

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

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?

Cost of Manual HandlingPotential 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

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

Common Manual Handling Injuries

• Back pain• Prolapsed disc• Hernia• Sprains and strains• Cuts, bruises and abrasions• Fractures• Work related upper limb disorders

(WRULD’s)

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

Hernia

Rupture of the cavity in the abdomenCauses protrusion of part of the intestine

Sprains and Strains

Tissue being stretched beyond its normal capability

Common sites include the back, arms and wrist

Other Common Injuries

• Cuts, Bruises and AbrasionsUsually caused by handling loads with unprotected corners or edges• Fractures Usually caused by dropping loads• Work related upper limb disordersUsually caused by bad practice or repetitive strain

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

Risk Assessment

Ergonomics

Ergonomics means ‘fitting the task to the person’

Design and arrange the area to fit the task

• Environment

• Equipment

• Work organisation

• Training

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

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment should be performed before any manual handling task is carried out

T - TaskI - IndividualL - LoadE - Environment

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

Risk Assessment - TASKFactors 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

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

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

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

Risk Assessment – ENVIRONMENT

Factors to consider:• Space to move• Obstructions• Floor surface and levels• Temperature• Lighting• Ventilation• Weather• Equipment• Presence of other hazards

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

Personal Safety and Principles of

Safe Handling Techniques

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

Safe Handling

P - PlanP - PrepareP - PositionP - Perform

Safe Handling or Poor?

Safe Handling

Foot placement

Feet to the side of the

load

Use a lead foot

Place feet hip width

apart

Safe Handling

Body positioning

Grip load with palms of hands and roots of fingers

Tilt load to test weight

Relax knees and sink down

Safe Handling

Body movement

Upward movement begins by straightening the head

Keep arms close to the body

Lifting Techniques of Inanimate Loads

Power lift

Tripod lift

Golfers lift

Power lift

Golfers lift

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

Team Work

Words of command

Clear

Authoritive

Rhythmical

Easily understood

Ready - Set - Move

Object Handling Practical Exercises

Handling People

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

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

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

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

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?

Person Handling Practical Exercises

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

COURSE CONCLUSION & EVALUATION