MANUAL HANDLING PROCEDURE

Transcription

1 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 1 OF 7 Document Name: MANUAL HANDLING PROCEDURE Issued: 03/04; 09/07, 04/10 Prepared by: D. Brown (03/04) Updated: K Harrison, T Roberts, J Smart (07/07) T.Roberts (04/10) Review : 3 Authorised by: SPE Committee Due for review: Restrictions: NIL Risk rating: H SCOPE This policy applies to all sites titled South West Healthcare (SWH). 2. PURPOSE The OH&S Act 2004, commenced operation from 1 July The Act sees an expansion of existing obligations and the introduction of a more prescriptive legislative regime for employers, occupiers, designers and suppliers (duty holders) of workplaces, plant and equipment. The Act impacts upon the roles of facility managers in their management of facilities and in the refurbishment, design and construction of those facilities used as workplaces. The Act seeks to clearly identify duty holders and their obligations to eliminate risks as far as is reasonably practicable or, if not able to do so, to reduce those risks to health and safety as far as is reasonably practicable. The Manual Handling Regulations 1999 came into operation on 1 July 1999 with the objective to reduce the number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders associated with tasks involving manual handling. Manual handling covers a wide range of activities undertaken by the staff within the organization. Most tasks involve some form of manual handling. As manual handling causes a significant number of work place injuries, occupational health and safety regulations require employers to protect employees from the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). This procedure provides guidance on the processes to be taken to identify, assess and control manual tasks in work areas, which could cause MSDs. 3. DEFINITIONS Musculoskeletal disorder" (MSD) means an injury, illness or disease that arises in whole or in part from manual handling in the workplace, whether occurring suddenly or over a prolonged period of time, but does not include an injury, illness or disease which is caused by crushing, entrapment or cut resulting primarily from the mechanical operation of plant. "Manual handling" means any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object. "Object" includes an inanimate or animate object, plant and any substance or material contained by an object.

2 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 2 OF Hazardous Manual Handling: Involves any of the following: Repetitive or sustained application of force; Repetitive or sustained awkward posture; Repetitive or sustained movement; Application of high force; Exposure to sustained vibration; Manual handling of live people; or Manual handling of loads that are unstable, unbalanced or difficult to hold. The employer must ensure that any task involving hazardous manual handling is identified: before any task involving manual handling is undertaken for the first time in a workplace; before any alteration is made to objects used in a workplace or to systems of work which include a task involving manual handling, including a change in the place where that task is carried out; before an object is used for another purpose than for which it was designed if that other purpose may result in the person carrying out hazardous manual handling; if new or additional information about hazardous manual handling being associated with a task becomes available to the employer; if an occurrence of a musculoskeletal disorder in a workplace is reported by or on behalf of an employee Task Analysis: The methodical investigation of activities specific to a task. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 Department Managers & Supervisors: Are responsible for ensuring that: Each position involving manual handling is assessed to identify any tasks that may involve hazardous manual handling; Any manual handling risks are identified; and that All records of manual handling risk assessments are kept by the relevant manager and a copy forwarded to the Environmental Safety Manager (ESM). 4.2 Employees: All employees have a responsibility and duty to: Work safely, participate in hazard identification, risk assessment and control when requested; Follow any information, training and instruction received; and Use the risk controls that have been provided.

3 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 3 OF 7 5. PROCEDURE 5.1 Identification, Assessment and Control: a. Identify all positions in the department which involve manual handling in consultation with employees or their representative; b. Undertake a task analysis of each position identified in 5.1(a) and by examination of postures, movements and forces involved in the task, the duration and frequency of the task and the environmental factors and assess if the task is hazardous and likely to cause a musculoskeletal injury; c. Implement control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury through: Altering the workplace or the environmental conditions where manual handling tasks are carried out; Change the objects used to carry out the manual handling task; Alter the systems of work used to carry out the manual handling task; or Implement the use of mechanical aids. te: if none of the above controls are practicable, information, training or instruction in manual handling techniques may be used to control the risk. d. Where the risk assessment indicates a risk of MSD, records of the method used to assess the risk and the results of the assessment must be kept. e. Generic assessment may be carried out one that is common to several employees and to more than one site or type of work. However if specific factors exist that prevent a generic approach from adequately controlling the risk factors, then a specific risk assessment should be carried out. f. Multi-agency working practice: where staff from different employers work together on a common task, then risk assessment and safer work systems information should be shared. Where different agencies work with the same patient / client then manual handling risk assessment information should be shared to promote maximum quality patient care and worker safety. n- Compliance South West Healthcare will support staff in their decision to refuse elements of manual handling where the health and safety of staff or the patient outweighs the patient s right to choice. However this decision would need to be ratified via a robust risk assessment which also needs to embrace wider issues eg human rights, disability, discrimination act, and other factors. All risk assessments need to demonstrate balanced decision making, clinical reasoning and shall be evidence based. It is recommended that the advice of the Safety and Security Manager (SSM), the Lift Coordinator or the Education Manager is sought in these situations (depending upon the situation). Employees have an important role in the assessment and management of risk from manual handling and must notify their manager of any manual handling operations that cause concern.

4 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 4 OF Patient Assessment: The Bariatric Patient and Management Plan: If a decision is made that a patient is not independently mobile (or, in the case of a bariatric patient who is but may need assistance or may need specialised equipment) a manual handling risk assessment should be completed or may already be in existence. (See the Lift Clinical Guideline and the Care of Bariatric Patients Clinical Guideline, located on the South West Healthcare intranet). This should be clearly documented and accessible, and all staff made aware. The assessment should be reviewed regularly or when a change has occurred. If a change has occurred then a re-assessment should be completed. Identifying Bariatric Patients - See Care of Bariatric Patients Clinical Guideline located on the South West Healthcare intranet site. 5.3 Reporting of accidents, incidents and near misses: All adverse events related to manual handling will be reported using the accepted incident reporting system utilised by South West Healthcare. This is the Riskman electronic database, or associated hard copy incident forms. Any occurrence of back disorders or other ailments possibly associated with manual handling or poor working postures should be reported and investigated by the manager of the department in consultation with the SSM and the Employee Health and Wellbeing Manager. It is also important to record the number of days / hours absent from work if the person affected was a member of staff. All incidents and follow up reports will be recorded on the database and this will enable information collation regarding: - the number of incidents occurring - where the incidents have occurred - types of incidents - types of injuries This information will be analysed to establish underlying trends and reports on this data will be presented to the Board at least annually.

5 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 5 OF 7 6. INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION & TRAINING Employees should have an understanding of the nature of hazardous manual handling; the risks associated with tasks involving hazardous manual handling and the reasons why risk controls have been set in place and how to use them. Manual handling information, instruction and training must be given to employees who: Carry out manual handling tasks (as well as managers, supervisors and health and safety representatives); Select and purchase tools and equipment to be used in manual handling tasks; Design manual handling tasks or systems of work, or the layout of a workplace where manual handling is carried out; and Are involved in identifying hazardous manual handling, and the assessment and control of musculoskeletal risks. The Safety and Security Manager is able to assist in the assessment process and the provision of manual handling training. Staff are instructed to discuss any manual handling concerns or issues during training. Staff are also requested to report to their line manager any concerns relating to safe handling or working postures. They are encouraged to promote good practice with colleagues at all times. Induction Training All new staff will receive manual handling training at induction (orientation) which comprises: - Theory in basic back care and inanimate load handling - Practical patient handling instruction for clinical staff Update Training All staff will be required to attend annual manual handling training. The training will include generic reminders regarding issues such as health and safety, risk assessment, safe systems of work, 24 hour back care, ergonomics, good body mechanics and posture. Additionally practical demonstrations or practice as required by a particular group of individuals will be available as indicated or requested, eg. administration staff may receive training around work place ergonomics. Students SWH accepts students on clinical work placements. These students must have received suitable and sufficient manual handling training to enable them to carry out their tasks in a safe manner. The onus on who is to provide this training will be contained in the agreement between South West Healthcare and the Educational Institution. Volunteers SWH will provide volunteers with suitable and sufficient levels of manual handling training and instruction relevant to their roles and associated risk assessments.

6 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 6 OF 7 Training Records Comprehensive training records will be kept in each department by the relevant manager of all training delivered. A training database will be kept and managed by the education department. Checks and Audits Random checks may be carried out from time to time by the SSM to ensure compliance with this policy and audits will be carried out to ensure compliance with risk assessments. All measurable data relative to policy compliance and effectiveness will be collated, measured and then reviewed by the relevant management Committee, or other Board sub-committee at least annually. All relevant incidents and accidents will be documented via Riskman and the internal incident reporting process. The data is reviewed by the SSM and the OH&S Committee. 7. CONSULTATION The Regulations require employers to consult with the health and safety representative if practicable when undertaking hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control processes. South West Healthcare acknowledges the experience, knowledge and ideas of employees in developing effective risk control measures. 8. REFERENCES OccupationalHealth&SafetyAct (2004) lations/acts+and+regulations/ Manual Handling Regulations 1999 Occupational Health & Safety Manual Handling Code of Practice 2000 The Victorian OH&S Act 2004, FM Legal rwich Trust NHS Manual Handling policy August 2005 Occupational Health & Safety Issues Associated with Management of Bariatric Patients NSW Health 2005 Care of Bariatric Patients, Clinical Guideline, 2005, (SWH) Patient/Manual Handling Lift System, Clinical Guideline, 2005, (SWH) 9. DOCUMENTATION Manual Handling Risk Assessment Form (located on South West Healthcare intranet OHS Policies Risk Assessment Worksheet) 10. ADDENDUM Manual handling flow chart

7 SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE OH&S GUIDELINES PAGE 7 OF 7 ADDENDUM Manual Handling Flow Chart How to follow the Manual Handling Regulations 1999 Do the Regulations apply i.e. does the work involve a manual handling operation? Is there a risk of injury? /Possibly Is it reasonably practicable to avoid moving the load? Is it reasonably practicable to automate or mechanise the operation? Does some risk of manual handling injury remain? Carry out assessment /Possibly Determine measures to reduce risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable Implement the measures Is the risk of injury sufficiently reduced? End of initial exercise