In aged care facilities, manual handling hazards are a serious concern that can affect the health and well-being of both the residents and the care workers.
It is important to understand what manual handling hazards are and how they can be prevented to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved.
Understanding Manual Handling in Aged Care
Manual handling refers to any activity that involves the use of physical force to lift, move, or support a person or object.
In the context of aged care, this often includes tasks such as transferring residents from one place to another (like from a chair to a bed), assisting with personal care, and handling equipment and supplies.
While manual handling is an essential part of providing care, it can also pose risks if not done correctly.
Proper manual handling techniques are not only important for preventing injuries but also for protecting the dignity and independence of the elderly residents.
By ensuring that manual handling is carried out safely and respectfully, caregivers can help maintain the residents’ physical and emotional well-being.
Common Manual Handling Hazards in Aged Care
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common manual handling hazards in aged care:
Physical Injuries and Strains
One of the primary concerns in manual handling tasks is the risk of physical injuries and strains. Lifting or moving heavy objects or residents without knowing proper technique and without proper mechanical assistance can put significant strain on the workers’ muscles and joints, leading to sprains, strains, or even long-term musculoskeletal disorders.
Risk of Falls
Another hazard to consider is the risk of falls during manual handling activities. Whether transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair or assisting them with walking, there is a potential for slips, trips, or falls if the proper precautions are not taken.
Falls can result in severe injuries, such as fractures, head trauma, or even fatalities. If the resident is also involved in the slip, trip or fall the result can be catastrophic.
Psychological Stress and Burnout
While physical hazards are often the focus, it is important not to overlook the psychological impact of manual handling tasks on carers in aged care.
The demanding nature of the work, combined with the emotional challenges of caring for vulnerable residents, can contribute to stress, burnout, and mental health issues among workers.
Proper support training, information, supervision and resources must be in place to address these psychosocial risks.
Factors Contributing to Manual Handling Hazards
Several factors can contribute to the presence and severity of manual handling hazards in aged care:
Inadequate Training and Knowledge
Out of date or insufficient training and knowledge about proper manual handling techniques can significantly increase the risk of hazards.
It is essential for workers to receive comprehensive manual handling training on lifting techniques, proper body mechanics, and the use of mechanical lifting aids to ensure their safety and the safety of the residents they care for.
Out of Date or Poorly Designed Equipment and Facilities
The design of equipment and facilities can also play a role in manual handling hazards. Inadequate or poorly maintained equipment, such as wheelchairs or hoists, can make tasks more challenging and increase the risk of injuries to both the resident and the carer.
Similarly, facilities with narrow doorways, ramps, corridors or cluttered spaces can impede safe manual handling practices.
This is why it’s crucial to assess your equipment and surroundings prior to performing manual handling tasks in aged care facilities and ensure that everything is working as it should, and properly cleared for a smooth moving process.
High Workload and Staff Shortages
High workloads and staff shortages are common issues in aged care settings, which can lead to shortcuts and errors in manual handling tasks.
When overstretched, workers may not have enough time or resources to follow proper procedures and may be more prone to accidents or injuries.
Time must be allocated to use mechanical aids and eliminate where possible lifting of residents by hand.
Prevention and Management of Manual Handling Hazards
To minimise manual handling hazards in aged care, preventive measures and effective management strategies are essential:
Implementing Safe Manual Handling Techniques
Proper training and education on safe manual handling techniques should be provided to all workers involved in care tasks. Mechanical aids should be employed first in all patient moves, with lifting as a last resort. Staff must learn to apply the right Backsafe methods, creatively, utilising the equipment available.
Training includes teaching workers how to lift equipment and stores correctly and transfer residents correctly being mindful of their capabilities per the care plan for each resident.
Mechanical aids are to be used first and when appropriate other methods as set out in an individuals care plan. Carers should apply The Patient Hierarchy of Controls.
Regular refresher courses and ongoing further education can help reinforce these practices.
Use of Appropriate Assistive Devices
The use of appropriate assistive devices, such as hoists, transfer belts, slide boards, and slide sheets, can greatly reduce the physical strain on workers during manual handling tasks. Ensuring access to these aids and promoting their proper use can help protect both residents and workers.
Regular Risk Assessments and Safety Training
Regular manual handling risk assessments should be conducted to identify potential hazards and implement suitable control measures. Particularly when a non-standard or peculiar new client is introduced to the facility.
Additionally, ongoing safety training should be provided to ensure that workers are up to date with current practices and aware of any new risks or procedures.
The need for manual handling training in aged care
By prioritising the prevention and management of manual handling hazards, we can create a safer and healthier environment for aged care workers and residents alike. It is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between workers, employers, and regulatory bodies to ensure the well-being of everyone involved in aged care.