Moving and handling in health and social care means helping a person safely transfer, including lifting, turning, transferring, or supporting someone in care. It also covers using lifting equipment like hoists or slide sheets. The goal is to provide a moving and handling process that helps minimise the risk of injury for both the service user and care workers.
In the health and social care sector, employers have a legal duty under health and safety legislation to ensure staff are trained. This is part of the health and safety at work rules, and it applies to social care settings too.
What is Moving and Handling?
Manual handling is about tasks that involve lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, or supporting of a load. Here, “load” may mean a person, equipment, or object. Manual handling tasks are everyday duties that can pose a risk if not done properly. These tasks are covered under the manual handling operations regulations (also known as Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992).
3 Types of Moving and Handling Equipment in Care
Here is a short guide to different kinds of moving equipment found in care settings. These tools support handling activities and ease the burden on care workers. Each type has a special role in helping people in care and those assisting them.
1. Lifting and Transfer Aids
Lifting and transfer aids are tools used to move people safely without putting too much strain on care workers. These aids help in lifting and moving someone, reducing manual handling risks. They support safe moving and handling practices, and training in moving and handling is essential before using them.
- Hoists: A hoist is a device that helps lift a person, often from bed to chair or chair to toilet. It may be manual or powered. Using it reduces the bodily force required from care workers. It must be maintained and inspected so that the equipment is safe. A handling risk assessment will decide if it is needed.
- Slide Sheets and Slide Mats: Slide sheets and slide mats allow staff to slide a person across a surface, such as a bed. They reduce friction and help in turning or repositioning someone. They are lightweight and easy to use. These aids prevent back pain and injuries from overexertion.
- Transfer Boards: A transfer board is a flat, rigid board placed between two surfaces (e.g. bed and chair). The person can slide over it with help. It reduces the lifting load. It is useful when the gap is short and the person can assist a little. It helps with small handling tasks with minimal strain.
- Handling Belts: Handling belts are worn by a person in care. A care worker can hold onto the belt during transfers. It gives extra grip and support. It should only be used when recommended in a care plan. It supports proper moving and handling without forcing.
- Standing Aids: Standing aids support someone when they stand up from a seated position. The person is guided to stand using the aid. It reduces heavy manual labour for staff and makes small transfers safer. It is used when the person has some ability to bear weight.
2. Mobility and Transport Equipment
Mobility and transport equipment help a person move across distances or be moved with support. These aids reduce the need for manually lifting the person over longer distances.
- Wheelchairs: A wheelchair allows someone to sit and be pushed or self-propelled. It supports mobility, reduces the risk of injuries, and is a common tool in social care. It must be properly sized and maintained.
- Stretchers: A stretcher is a flat device used to move someone lying down, for example, in a hospital or during care transitions. It helps staff move a person without lifting them in awkward positions. It is used for people who cannot sit or stand.
- Trolleys: Trolleys are wheeled platforms used to carry equipment or service users in bed or on bedding. They reduce carrying loads manually. Use of trolleys decreases the chance of injury and supports safer movement.
- Walking Aids: Walking aids include frames, crutches, or walking sticks. They help a person stand or walk with support. They reduce the load borne by care workers when assisting someone who can partly walk. They also make tasks easier and safer.
3. Other Supportive Equipment
Other supportive equipment fills gaps that the previous tools do not cover. These tools assist in complex moves or special situations. They help ensure safety and comfort during moving or handling.
- Electric Profiling Beds: Electric profiling beds can change shape to help with movement, such as raising the head or legs. They reduce the need to manually lift parts of the body. They support better care and safety.
- Ceiling Hoists: A ceiling hoist runs along rails fixed to the ceiling. The person is lifted using a sling hung from it. It removes the need to carry heavy tools around. It is very helpful in hospitals and care environments.
- Turntables: Turntables are plates placed under someone’s feet or chair that let them twist or rotate gently. They reduce twisting strain during transfers. They help when space is tight and safety is key.
- Lifting Cushions: Lifting cushions use air or mechanical pressure to raise someone slightly. They support small elevation adjustments. They reduce the need for staff to lift. They are helpful in repositioning or small height changes.
3 Principles of Safe Moving and Handling
When staff perform safe movements, they should follow certain principles. These principles help prevent manual handling injuries and ensure staff safety. They are basic steps in good practice: assess, plan, and prepare.
1. Assess
Before doing any task, staff should assess. They should think about the risks to staff and the person in care. They use a handling in health and social assessment or checklist to decide the right approach. They must also check for prior or existing injuries. Proper review helps avoid accidents and minimise harm.
2. Plan
Once the review is done, the next step is to plan. Planning means deciding who will help, which suitable equipment to use, and what method to apply. The plan takes into account timing, environment, and communication. It ensures safe systems of work. It also includes a handling policy and fits the care plan and environment.
3. Prepare
Preparation means getting ready before moving starts. This includes checking equipment, clearing obstacles, and briefing helpers. It also means ensuring equipment is maintained and safe. Staff may do small stretches and keep your back straight to prevent injury. The person in care should be told what will happen. This step helps avoid mistakes and keeps everyone secure.
The Role of Equipment in Safe Moving and Handling
Equipment plays a central role in keeping care safe. Using tools correctly lessens strain and accidents. With the right aids, even difficult moves are easier. All devices must be maintained, and staff need ongoing manual handling training. Employers follow the management of health and safety guidance to meet standards. Regular checks by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ensure the tools are safe. These steps prevent common injuries like a musculoskeletal disorder and make work smoother.
3 Injuries That Usually Occur as the Result of Moving and Handling
Moving and handling people, if done poorly or without planning, can cause harm. In the task of health and social care work, these are the most common injuries. Knowing them helps staff stay alert and protect others.
1. Falls
Falls happen when someone slips, trips, or loses balance during a move. They may injure the care worker or the person being moved. Wet floors or tight spaces make it worse. Proper support, training, and equipment can prevent falls in most cases.
2. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Muscle or joint injuries build up over time through poor lifting technique or awkward posture. They can cause pain and working days lost due to absence. Training and proper tools lessen the risk and keep staff healthy.
3. Hernias
Hernias occur when strain or pressure causes part of the body to push through weak tissue. In lifting, this can happen suddenly. Safe technique and using equipment stop this from happening.
Mobility Aids That Make Moving and Handling Easier
Mobility aids help people move more independently. These tools reduce the need for manual effort and require moving and handling support. They include wheelchairs, walking aids, and standing aids. The right aids reduce strain on staff and protect the person’s safety. Each should match the care plan and the ability of the person. In good care work, this balance promotes comfort and confidence and helps ensure the safety of staff.
Finding the Right Aid Through a Mobility Specialist
A mobility expert helps you choose the right equipment to keep care safe and comfortable. They assess each person’s needs and the environment to make sure every move is handled correctly. Their role includes reviewing current practices, recommending training, and checking that lifting aids are used properly. They also carry out individual risk assessments and make sure all safety procedures are up to date. With their guidance, both carers and those receiving care stay protected and compliant with workplace safety rules.
Need expert help choosing the right moving and handling equipment? Get in touch with Enhance Mobility today for professional advice and support.
FAQs
How does moving and handling apply to people who use electric wheelchairs?
Even if someone uses an electric wheelchair, safe movement still matters. They might need help during transfers, like getting from bed to the wheelchair. Care workers should assess risk, decide if handling aids may help, and plan safe methods. Proper training and supervision prevent strain or injury. Employers must include such cases in care plans regarding moving and handling.
What kind of equipment helps make moving and handling safer at home?
At home, several aids help make tasks safer. You might use slide sheets, transfer boards, or belts for small moves. A lifting aid may be needed for transfers. Walking aids help if the person can stand partly. All these tools ensure that the correct methods are applied and help protect everyone involved.
Do I need special training to help a loved one with mobility challenges?
Yes, proper training ensures safety. Training in moving and handling teaches you correct handling, individual risk assessment techniques, how to plan, and how to use tools. Without it, there is a greater risk of strain or falls. Care organisations or mobility specialists offer courses. Refresher training also helps when equipment or needs change.
What are the signs that someone needs an updated moving and handling assessment?
You should review and update a plan when anything changes. If a person’s needs shift, the environment changes, or equipment becomes faulty, a new review is needed. Early reporting of symptoms or new staff members may also trigger a review. Updating ensures handling activities stay safe and no one gets hurt, keeping all moving and handling tasks in line with policy.
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