Manual Handling and Assisted Transfers Procedure

Purpose. This procedure sets out how workers assist people to move, transfer and reposition safely, and how manual handling risks in the home are assessed and controlled.

1.Scope

This procedure applies to all assistance with movement in client homes, vehicles, short term accommodation and community settings. It covers standing and walking assistance, bed and chair transfers, repositioning, showering and toileting and the use of hoists, slide sheets and transfer belts.

2.Before assisting

The worker must read the person's Individual Support Plan and the manual handling section of the Home Environment Risk Assessment before the first shift. The plan states the transfer method, the equipment and the number of workers required. Workers must never use a method or equipment that the plan does not list, and must not lift a person's full weight manually.

3.Assessing on the day

At each visit the worker must check how the person is feeling, whether their mobility has changed, whether the equipment is working and whether the space is clear. If the person cannot safely assist as the plan expects, the worker must stop, keep the person safe and phone the coordinator. A change in mobility must be recorded in the progress notes and the plan reviewed.

• Person's pain, dizziness, fatigue or confusion
• Footwear, clothing and flooring
• Brakes on beds, chairs and wheelchairs
• Battery and sling condition on hoists
• Clear pathways and adequate lighting

4.Safe technique

Workers will explain each step to the person before moving them, position themselves close to the person, keep a stable base, bend at the knees and avoid twisting. Workers will encourage the person to do as much as they can themselves. Two-worker transfers must not be attempted alone.

5.Equipment

Hoists, slings, slide sheets and transfer belts must be inspected before use and any faulty equipment tagged out and reported to the rostering desk. Hoist slings must be the size and type prescribed for the person. Equipment servicing dates are tracked by the People and Operations team.

6.Incidents and near misses

Any fall, slip, strain, near miss or equipment failure during a transfer must be reported in the Incident and Hazard Register the same day. The coordinator will review the plan within two working days and arrange an occupational therapy review where the method needs to change.