This organization recognizes its responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to provide and maintain working conditions that are safe, healthy and compliant with all statutory requirements and codes of practice. Manual handling is also covered specifically by the following legislation:

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 were the result of an EU directive, issued in 1990, and are firmly based on a minimal handling approach to manual handling. Under the regulations, employers must avoid the need for employees to undertake any manual handling operations that involve a risk of their being injured, and, where such activities cannot be immediately eliminated, a suitable and sufficient assessment of all such operations is mandatory. This being done, employers must take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable.

This policy is intended to set out the values, principles and policies underpinning this organisation’s approach to moving and handling.
Moving and handling is a key part of the working day for most employees; from moving equipment, laundry, catering, supplies or waste to assisting service users in moving.

Poor moving and handling practice can lead to:

Employers must reduce the risk of injury to staff and people using care services by:

Employees must:

Moving and handling risk assessments help identify where injuries could occur and what to do to prevent them. It should be possible to complete the majority of assessments in-house as no one knows your business better. The person carrying out the assessments has specific training and is competent to identify and address the risks from the most complex handling activities you undertake. This usually requires specific training.

One of the most important factors is identifying risks. Activities that may increase the risk include, for example:

Some care/support staff may have to adopt and hold awkward postures as part of their work. Stresses and strains arising from adopting awkward or static postures when caring people need to be addressed.

Two types of risk assessment are usually needed:

This organisation balances the safety of employees with the needs, safety, and rights of the people using care services.
Policies and practice should not place unreasonable restrictions on service users’ rights to autonomy, privacy, or dignity.
Risk assessment should be part of a wider needs assessment process to achieve the best outcome.
Health and safety issues will then be identified and built into the complete care package.

This organization works closely with the occupational therapist and/or other outside professional such as district nurse when assessing moving and handling risk for individuals.

The assessment is person-centered and, where possible, involves the service user or their family in decisions about how their needs are met. This can reassure them about the safety and comfort of the equipment, and how it and the methods used will ensure their safety and the safety of staff.
Risk assessments are recorded in the care plan. Include detail on the individual’s moving and handling needs, day and night, specifying:

An individual’s needs and abilities can change over a day. Staff should understand the impact this may have on moving and handling practices.
Individuals may become upset or agitated when being moved. Others, though willing to assist at the start of a maneuver, may find themselves unable to continue.

A natural reaction, while helping with walking, for example, is to try to prevent a fall. Injuries have occurred to both staff and the service user in such circumstances. Properly positioned, as trained the care worker may prevent a fall or allow a controlled slide. Having made the individual comfortable, they can determine how to move them safely – often with mechanical aid.

Specialist advice on how to help some users with specific moving and handling needs will also be useful. Sources of advice include

Risk assessments are reviewed regularly with the care plan and whenever circumstances change to ensure they remain current along with moving and handling activities which are monitored to ensure that correct procedures, techniques and equipment are being used.
Any changes will be recorded and discussed with the Occupational Therapists immediately and their new plan put in place.
Examples of equipment used

Moving and handling equipment used for health and social care may be classified as medical devices. The supply and design of such devices or equipment are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Information on how to report defects, adverse incidents or problems with medical equipment is found via the Yellow Card Scheme. https://www.gov.uk/report-problem-medicine-medical-device

Safe working procedures must be followed during hoisting to avoid accidents that can result in serious or fatal injuries.

The individual’s risk assessment and care plan for hoisting should specify:

This risk assessment is also kept in the service users care plan and easily accessible for staff.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 set out the obligation for employees to make full use of systems of work laid down for their safety in manual handling operations. This is in addition to their obligations under other health and safety legislation, including making proper use of equipment provided for their safety. To conform with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, this organisation requires its staff to adopt the following three-stage model:

The successful implementation of this policy requires total commitment from all employees; each individual has a legal obligation to take reasonable care for their health and safety, and for the safety of other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

It is also the policy of this organization that, under s.7 of the HSWA 1974, it is the duty of every employee at work:

Manual handling accidents are covered by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). According to RIDDOR, all manual handling accidents and injuries should be recorded and also reported online to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), especially if they result in staff being off work for three days or more, or if they involve faulty equipment (see Accident and Incident (RIDDOR) Policy). All staff injured at work will be given appropriate support, and any staff who have suffered a making handling injury should see their GP as soon as possible. Any necessary alterations to a member of staff’s job after an accident will be considered in line with current Equality Act 2010 guidelines.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergencies Reporting (RIDDOR)
Health and Safety
Risk Assessment

HSE Getting to Grips with Hoisting People:
http://www.hse.gov.uk

HSE Moving and Handling in Health and Social Care:
http://www.hse.gov.uk

RCN Moving and Handling:
https://www.rcn.org.uk

Yellow card:
https://www.gov.uk/report-problem-medicine-medical-device

Everyone in the organisation will be given adequate training and information on moving and handling risks and how to avoid them. Training should focus on specific tasks and equipment, as well as on the more general information required to carry out safe manual handling. All staff should be trained to assess whether or not a load is too heavy to carry.

All new staff are encouraged to read the policies on health and safety and manual handling as part of their induction process. All staff are required to attend annual manual handling refresher training. In addition, all staff will be appropriately trained to perform their duties safely and competently, and those staff who need to use specialist equipment will be fully trained and supervised whilst developing competency.

Note: Bariatric services are specialist activities where advice will be sought, before the commencement of the service. Where we assist with or undertake such a service, staff will be fully trained by a specialist trainer.

Date Reviewed: May 2021
Person responsible for updating this policy: Carly Fortune
Next Review Date: May 2022