Outcome: Staff will be trained in safe manual handling techniques appropriate to their role at Leuchie House.
Introduction
1.1 This policy relates to the manual handling of objects (inanimate loads).
Leuchie House is committed to ensuring that when manual handling activities are undertaken the safety of guests, relatives and carers, staff, visitors, contractors and others will be paramount.
1.2 Due to the nature of the care activities at Leuchie House, it will require staff to undertake the handling, carrying and supporting of loads, whether this is a guest or inanimate load. Compliance with this policy whilst performing such tasks does not guarantee that an injury will be avoided. However, it is expected that compliance with the policy will help to significantly reduce the likelihood of an injury occurring.
1.3 It is important to understand that there is no threshold below which manual handling operations may be regarded as “safe”. Manual handling injuries can happen to anyone regardless of capability, age, strength or fitness.
1.4 Inappropriate manual handling practices are likely to result in musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries can occur as the result of one single incidence of poor manual handling, but are more commonly caused by repeating poor manual handling techniques.
1.5 It is the aim of Leuchie House to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries by eliminating the need for employees to carry out manual handling. So where possible, manual handling activities should be minimized with a view to being eliminated where possible. However, where this is not possible a risk assessment should be carried out on tasks involving manual handling using the object handling risk assessment, see Appendix 1.
1.6 Guideline figures for loads are provided in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) (MHOR). For an illustration of these guidance figures, see Appendix 2.
1.7 Leuchie House will comply with the legal requirements of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and associated guidance.
1.8 This policy covers everyone that is employed by Leuchie House whilst in the course of their duties including temporary staff and any visitors to Leuchie House.
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Objectives
2.1 The objectives of this policy are:
- to ensure Leuchie House complies with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) and associated guidance.
- to assist all employees of Leuchie House to adopt a positive approach to safer manual handling, and
- to introduce documentation within Leuchie House to enable risk assessments to be carried out in relation to manual handling.
Definitions
3.1 Manual handling operations
Manual handling can be defined as activities in which human effort is applied to a load. That is the lifting, supporting, setting down, pushing, pulling or carrying of a load by hand or bodily force.
3.2 Load
‘Load’ is a generic term and includes people, objects, equipment, stock etc.
3.3 Employer
This term relates to any person within Leuchie House who has responsibility for the safe working practice of others also employed within Leuchie House. The ultimate responsibility rests with the Chief Executive but may be discharged to those with managerial or supervisory roles.
3.4 Employee
All staff up to and including the Chief Executive are employees of Leuchie House. All are therefore governed by the legal responsibilities for employees as laid down by the MHOR and associated guidance.
3.5 Competent Person
A person can be deemed as competent on the basis that they have sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable them to identify hazards, assess their importance and put measures in place to reduce risk.
Employer’s responsibilities
4.1 To AVOID the need for hazardous manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable.
4.2 To ASSESS the risk of injury from any manual handling operation that cannot be avoided.
4.3 To REDUCE the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling as far as is reasonably practical.
4.4 To REVIEW the assessment as and when changes occur.
4.5 To provide TRAINING to managers and employees in how to
carry out manual handling risk assessments.
Head of Nursing Operations and Facilities Manager responsibilities
5.1 The thrust of the MHOR is to make handling in the workplace safer. The Head of Operations and Facilities Manager are therefore required:
- To identify manual handling activities undertaken in Leuchie House.
- Where it is not possible to avoid manual handling activities, then the Head of Operations and Facilities Manager are responsible for ensuring that a manual handling risk assessment is completed.
- To ensure that the risk assessment addresses all the factors related to that activity including:
- Load
- Task
- Environment
- Individual capability of the handler.
- To ensure that any risk assessment is carried out by a competent person
- To ensure that the findings of the manual handling risk assessment are recorded using the appropriate manual handling risk assessment checklist, see Appendix 1.
- To ensure the findings of the manual handling risk assessment is communicated to those staff undertaking the manual handling activities.
- To ensure the risk assessment documentation is available for all staff in Leuchie House to view.
- To ensure staff comply with the safe system of work as identified by the manual handling risk assessment.
- To monitor the manual handling safe system of work within their areas of responsibility
- To ensure that staff attend for appropriate training to develop, maintain and update their manual handling skills. The Head of Operations and Facilities Manager must ensure that their respective employees attend this training on an annual basis as a minimum.
- To identify the resources required for the purchasing and maintaining of equipment needed for the tasks, as identified by the risk assessment process.
- To investigate all accidents and incidents relating to manual handling activities. To ensure these accidents are reported in accordance with Leuchie House’s incident reporting procedures.
- To review risk assessments post accidents/ incidents and put in place action to prevent a recurrence.
Employees’ responsibilities
6.1 Employees are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of others when carrying out manual handling activities.
Employees are therefore required to:
6.2 Follow the manual handling safe system of work as identified by the risk assessment process
6.3 Use equipment provided for their safety as identified by the manual handling risk assessment
6.4 Follow Leuchie House’s procedure for the reporting of incidents or injuries arising from manual handling activities involving employees, guests and others, as well as any such incidents in the community where staff carry out their duties whilst escorting guests on outings.
6.5 Attend appropriate manual handling training, which is mandatory for all staff. It is the responsibility of individual members of staff to attend training sessions organised for their benefit. Records of training attendance are kept for reference.
6.6 Ensure that clothing, footwear and general attire are suitable for the task and does not contribute to the risk of injury from manual handling activities.
6.7 Co-operate with the Head of Operations, Facilities Manager and employer on health and safety matters and inform of any condition affecting them personally which might influence their ability to safely undertake any manual handling tasks.
6.8 Report defects in equipment to the Head of Operations and Facilities Manager and remove from use until the problem is remedied.
6.9 To bring to the Head of Operations and Facilities Manager’s attention any deficiencies in the arrangements the Leuchie House has for the management of health and safety and any deficiencies related to manual handling issues.
Manual handling advisor’s responsibilities
7.1 Leuchie House expects all members of staff to attend manual handling training and as a responsible employer will provide this training using the services of a manual handling advisor.
The Manual Handling Advisor will:
7.2 Organise and deliver appropriate manual handling training to staff employed by Leuchie House.
7.3 Provide each new member of staff with two hours induction training in manual handling on commencement of employment.
7.4 Provide each member of care staff at Leuchie House with one hour annual update training in manual handling skills.
7.5 Monitor and evaluate the training provided to ensure that it is effective.
7.6 Act in an advisory capacity to all relevant departments within Leuchie House regarding manual handling issues.
7.7 Evaluate manual handling aids and train staff in their correct use.
7.8 Maintain records of staff attending training courses.
7.9 Liaise with an Occupational Health Service with regard to staff injuries relating to manual handling activities.
7.10 Review accident/incident documentation and investigate as appropriate.
7.11 Maintain his/her own professional developmental and ensure his/her manual handling skills are updated.
Training requirements
8.1 Leuchie House will ensure that all members of staff will receive the required level of manual handling training for them to fulfill their individual responsibilities identified in this policy.
Guidance and further reading
- The Health & Safety at Work Etc Act 1974
- The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (Amended 2004)
- The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- The Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Appendix 1
Object manual handling risk assessment form
Manual handling activities, which do not involve guest care, should be recorded on this form.
This should identify the hazards and allow for an action plan (or safe system of work) to be formulated to reduce the risk of injury.
Once completed the form should be returned to the Head of Nursing Operations or Facilities Manager for action.
Risk assessment documentation and the associated safe system of work should be available for all staff to see.
Risk assessments should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and when circumstances change.
Object manual handling risk assessment form
| OBJECT MANUAL HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
Summary of assessment: Overall priority for remedial action Operations covered by this assessment NIL LOW MED HIGH (CIRCLE) ……………………………………………………. Remedial action to be taken ……………………………………………….…… ………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………….… ………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………….…… Date by which action is to be taken ……………. Locations………………………………………… Date for re-assessment………………………..… ………………………………………………….… Assessors name PRINT………………………….. Date of assessment………………………….… Signature…………………………………………… |
| Section A – Preliminary (Circle) |
|
Q1 Do the operations involve a significant risk of injury? YES / NO
If “yes” go to Q2. If “no” the assessment need go no further if in doubt answer “yes” Q2 Can the operations be avoided/mechanised/automated at reasonable cost? YES /NO If “no” go to section B overleaf. If “yes” proceed and check the results are satisfactory. |
| Section B – detailed assessment as listed overleaf. |
|
Section C – Overall assessment of risk Circle as appropriate
What is your overall assessment of risk of injury? INSIGNIFICANT If “insignificant” the assessment need go no further LOW Any other category, go to section D MEDIUM HIGH |
| Section D – Remedial Action.
1. What remedial steps should be taken, in order of priority? |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
And finally – COMPLETE THE SUMMARY ABOVE
– COMPARE IT TO OTHER MANUAL HANDLINGASSESSMENTS
– DECIDE ON YOUR PRIORITIES FOR ACTION
– TAKE ACTION AND CHECK IT HAS THE DESIRED EFFECT
Section B – more detailed risk assessment, where necessary
Questions to consider Level of risk Possible remedial action
(If the answer to the question is “yes” (tick as appropriate) (make rough notes in the
Place a tick against it, and then column in preparation for Consider the level of risk). completing section D).
| YES | Low | Med | High | Comments | |
| The Tasks – do they involve:
Holding loads away from trunk? |
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| Twisting? | |||||
| Stooping? | |||||
| Reaching upwards? | |||||
| Large vertical Movement? | |||||
| Long carrying distances? | |||||
| Strenuous pushing or pulling? | |||||
| Unpredictable movement of loads? | |||||
| Repetitive handling? | |||||
| Insufficient rest or recovery? | |||||
| Work rate imposed by a process? | |||||
| The Loads – are they: Heavy? | |||||
| Bulky/Unwieldy? | |||||
| Difficult to grasp? | |||||
| Unstable/Unpredictable? | |||||
| Harmful e.g. sharp/hot etc? | |||||
| Working Environment – are there: | |||||
| Constrains on posture? | |||||
| Poor floors? | |||||
| Variations on levels? | |||||
| Hot/cold/humid conditions? | |||||
| Strong air movement? | |||||
| Noisy conditions? | |||||
| Poor lighting Conditions? | |||||
| Individual Capability – does the job: Require usual capability? | |||||
| Constitute a hazard to those
With health problems? |
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| Constitute a hazard to those
Who are pregnant? |
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| Call for special information and
Or training? |
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| Other factors | |||||
| Is movement or posture hindered
By clothing or personal equipment? |
When you have completed section B turn back and complete section C
Appendix 2
GUIDELINE FIGURES
Please note, the guideline figures for lifting and lowering assume:
(a) the load is easy to grasp with both hands;
(b) the operation takes place in reasonable working conditions; and
(c) the handler is in a stable body position.
Appendix 3
Process for managing the risks associated with
the manual handling of objects
Manual and handling of objects
Staff must follow the advice and guidance for the handling of loads or objects:
- Loads must be handled at waist height and as close to the body wherever possible.
- Use of equipment must be considered to assist with the transporting of loads.
- Staff must lead with their head upright, spine in line (no twisting) and bend at their hips and knees when lifting a load to maintain a safe posture.
- Staff must ensure they have a safe, secure grip when handling a load.
- Staff must not handle loads where they have uncertainty concerning their ability.
Staff must complete a risk assessment for manual handling of loads (See Appendix 1 of this policy)
- All manual handling activities that involve object handling should be recorded on this form.
- This should identify the hazards and allow for an action plan to be formulated helping reduce the risk of injury. It should identify a safe system of work that staff should follow.
- Once completed the form should be returned to the service manager for appropriate action.
- Risk assessment documentation and safe systems of work should be available for all staff to see.
- Risk assessments should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and especially when circumstances change