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Become a Carer
James Bowdler
11 September, 2019
2 min read
Moving or supporting a load by hand, bodily force, or with equipment:
Moving and handling is a central part of caring for the elderly. As a family member or a friend, it is essential that you keep up to date with the key manual handling regulations before moving your loved one.
‘Manual handling’ refers to a range of activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying. The ‘load’ can be animate, such as a person or animal, or inanimates, such as a box or trolley.
All independent carers are taught safe manual handling techniques as part of their mandatory training, and will not undertake any transfers they believe will cause harm. It is recommended that, if you are taking on a significant role in the care of a loved one, you undertake training as well.
There are several courses available:
Our manual handling guidance applies not only to moving or supporting loads, by hand or bodily force but the use of any equipment which assists in these processes, too. This includes walking frames, wheelchairs, slings, hoists, and any other equipment required to move or support your loved one.
In what follows, we offer some useful information on manual handling, which will help ensure the safety of yourself, your loved one, and anyone else providing care.
Practising safe manual handling techniques can significantly reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others. DO NOT wait for an injury to occur before taking action. Learn the correct lifting and carrying techniques from the beginning, and make sure you understand all of the risks and precautions before handling a load.
Responsibility for safe handling lies with the individual providing care. All individuals must work according to mandatory policies and procedures. We advise that all persons administering care regularly update their manual handling training. This can be done by seeking out refresher courses with organisations such as St Johns Ambulance (www.sja.org.uk) or other registered training providers.
Failing to lift or move a load correctly may result in injury. Potential injuries include slipped discs, dislocated joints, fractures, breaks, bruises or scrapes. Remember that poorly supported individuals also risk suffering the same serious injuries.
These injuries can have long term effects. With the following information and guidance on the safest manual handling practices, we aim to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries to those administering and receiving care.
We advise that you NEVER attempt to manually lift any person. This refers to lifting the whole, or any significant part, of a person’s weight.
We suggest that you only break this rule in the case of a serious emergency, whereby leaving an individual in their current position puts them at serious risk of injury or death. In these exceptional circumstances, the situation must be assessed to find a reasonable balance, to ensure that one party’s benefit does not significantly increase the other party’s risk. Always call 999 before attempting to manually lift any person, and closely follow all guidance given.
We further advise that, prior to moving or handling people or objects, you read and understand what reasonable steps can be taken to reduce the risk of injury.
To stay safe, remember ‘TILE’ (T-I-L-E): TASK, INDIVIDUAL, LOAD, ENVIRONMENT
If you have found this useful or if we have gotten anything wrong, please do let us know. And if you have any questions, please get in touch, by clicking on the chat icon to the right of your screen, or by going to the contact us section.
James Bowdler
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