Manual Handling Training for Aged Care Workers

Welcome to the Manual Tasks in Health Care & Aged Care course. This course has been designed to provide you with an understanding of why injuries from performing hazardous manual tasks occur, as well as some practical tips on how to work safely.

After completing this course, you will have an awareness of the relevant legislation and your responsibilities. You will also have an understanding of:

1. the physical principles that relate to manual tasks
2. how to perform hazardous manual tasks safely, and
3. how to assess and reduce the risks associated with hazardous manual tasks. 

This course has been designed to comply with best practice national health and safety standards. Terminology has been chosen for clarity and ease of comprehension across jurisdictions. For example, ‘employer’ has been used to signify the broader term ‘PCBU’, while ‘WHS’ represents both work and occupational health and safety.

This training is not a substitute for professional legal advice. If you require further advice or information, please contact the health and safety regulator in your jurisdiction.

A Certificate of Completion is issued on successful completion of the course and you are required to get an 80% pass mark to be deemed as understanding the content. It is recommended that training is conducted every 2 years to stay refreshed.

Run time 50 minutes.

More info on Manual handling in Aged Care Training

Although manual handling is common in older care, many people don't understand what it means or why it's done. Many of our physiotherapy patients are in the age group of aged care so it is logical to discuss manual handling.

We'll be discussing what manual handling is in aged care and the hazards associated with it. Also, we will discuss some of the equipment that can be used to manual handle. 

What is manual handling in aged care?

Manual handling is required for many occupations. It involves a wide range of tasks that are common, but not as common as you might think. Manual handling refers to any activity that requires someone to use force to:

- Carry
- Hold
- Lift
- Lower
- Make a Move
- Pull
- Push
- Restrictions

The following is an extract from the Australian Government Department of Health Aged care is "The support given to older persons who are unable or need assistance in their own homes."

Personal care workers, nurses, physios, and other caregivers of the elderly can perform manual handling. Training is vital to minimise risk.

You will almost certainly need to do manual handling if you provide care for the elderly. Manual handling is required for many tasks in aged care, including:

- Assistance walking
- Wheelchair pushing
- Assistance with standing and sitting
- Moving, lifting, supporting or transporting patients
- Moving or adjusting medical equipment, such as beds, wheelchairs, and trolleys.

As many elderly patients need assistance with daily activities and medical care, manual handling is an essential part of aged care.

Five Common Hazards of Manual Handling in Aged Care

There are risks involved in manual handling of aged care. You should take extra care when handling tasks that require manual handling. Manual handling in aged care can pose several hazards, including the following:

- Physical stress caused by incorrectly supporting, lifting or moving patients
Neglecting to properly position patients when handling them
- Physical stress caused by incorrectly moving or adjusting medical equipment, such as beds, trolleys, or wheelchairs
- Moving or lifting too heavy medical equipment
Patients with confusion or stress may be subject to violence

The many manual tasks involved in aged care can lead to physical injuries. Untrained people may incorrectly perform or use dangerous manual handling techniques.

This includes lifting objects too heavy, performing incorrect tasks or lifting them with an incorrect technique (e.g. from the lower back).

A musculoskeletal injury is one of the most common outcomes of incorrect or unsafe manual handling techniques. Musculoskeletal injuries can be either short-term or long-lasting. These injuries can occur in muscles, nerves and joints.

Here are some musculoskeletal injuries that can be seen in manual handling of aged care:

- Abdominal hernias
- Ligament damage
- Strained or strained muscles
- Herniated or prolapsed discs in the spine
Tendonitis or damage to the tendon, most often in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists
Nerve pain, nerve damage

These musculoskeletal injuries could affect your work ability and your daily life. Manual handling training is essential for healthcare workers to avoid injury.

The 5 most common hazards of manual handling in aged care are not a cause for concern if you have the right training and take precautions. Below is a brief overview of the proper techniques for three commonly-used tasks.

Lifting:
Lifts should be done from a semi-squat to avoid putting too much strain on the body. Make sure your abdominal muscles are engaged, and that your spine is straight.
Lifting a heavy object or even a small one should be done from the legs.

Pushing:
Pushing is safer than pulling or lifting heavy objects.
Pushing is best done with a broad base of support. Start movement with the lower limbs. Use your body weight to support your elbows and keep your elbows near your body.

Pulling:
Face the object that you are trying to pull and use your arms to pull it.
Place your feet so that your body weight is evenly distributed. Then, move from the lower limbs.

Moving around in an aged care facility is a common task. These tasks can be done lifting, pushing, pulling and other manual actions.

Manual handling equipment in aged care

You may often find yourself using manual handling equipment when you are in an aged care facility. Sometimes, it is called lifting and handling equipment.

Both the healthcare provider and the patient's success depends on the ability to lift and handle equipment. Both patients and providers can reduce the chance of being injured or killed by this equipment. Patients will feel more independent with this equipment.

8 pieces of equipment are commonly used for manual handling in aged care.

1. Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are a very popular mobility aid. In Australia, up to 93% of residents in aged care facilities use them.
Patients can move around in their own way with the help of a wheelchair.

2. Stretchers

Patients are transported to and from facilities using stretchers. Stretchers are used by providers to transport patients to their beds. They can be used to lift the patient off the stretcher or slide sheets.

3. Slide Sheets

Slide sheets are used to transfer patients to their beds and to adjust the patient's position in bed.

4. Transfer Board

Transfer boards, which are small pieces of manual handling equipment, allow providers to safely and quickly move patients while they are seated or lying down. Transfer boards can be used to transfer patients from their chairs or wheelchairs to their beds, baths and cars.

5. Mobile Hoists

Mobile hoists can be used in many places, including aged care facilities and private homes. Mobile hoists can lift and move patients. These hoists can be used with stretchers, slings and other equipment to help patients get out of bed.

6. Ceiling Hoists

Ceiling hoists can also be used in private homes and aged care facilities. These hoists are similar to mobile hoists, but they can be permanently tracked and mounted to the ceiling.

7. Slings

There are many sizes of slings and they can be used to help patients move from sitting or lying down to standing. Slings can also be used for bathing and dressing. Many times, slings can be used with hoists.

8. Transfer Belts

Also known as walking or handling belts, transfer belts are also called walking belts. They are worn around the waist of patients and have handles that providers can hold onto to assist mobile patients.

Manual handling equipment can make aged care more comfortable and safer for both the patient and the provider.

Manual handling training for healthcare workers

Manual handling training is essential for healthcare workers in order to provide the best possible care and minimize hazards.

Training may be offered by employers to employees. Employers may offer training to employees.

Manual handling training could be required depending on your location.

You can reduce your liability and improve safety at work by completing manual handling training. This will also increase the satisfaction of your patients.

Family members can receive one-on-one training to assist elderly relatives at home. This will greatly improve your quality of life and the lives of your loved ones. This can help you feel more at ease in assisting with daily tasks.

OHS.com.au offers online training services 24 hors a day. Courses can be purchased online and certificates are generated at the end of program.