Description

This course is designed for healthcare workers who undertake or may be exposed to manual handling activities and require an awareness of the hazards, risks and safe working principles associated with manual handling in healthcare environments. The course introduces manual handling and the types of musculoskeletal injury that may result from hazardous or poorly managed activities. Learners consider responsibilities for manual handling safety and the risk management process, including identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing appropriate control measures and monitoring and reviewing their effectiveness. Particular consideration is given to patient handling, including the risks associated with moving and transferring patients, assessing individual mobility and encouraging patient independence wherever appropriate. Learners are introduced to the principles of avoiding unnecessary manual patient lifting and the role of handling aids and equipment, including hoists, sliding aids, walking aids and sit-to-stand equipment. The course also considers the additional requirements associated with supporting bariatric patients. Learners also consider other manual handling activities encountered within healthcare settings, including lifting and moving equipment and supplies, safe storage, repetitive activities, working posture, housekeeping and the handling of tools and equipment. This eLearning course provides healthcare-specific awareness and underpinning knowledge only. It does not provide practical moving and handling competency or authorisation to use hoists, slings or other patient-handling equipment and does not replace task-specific instruction, practical training or competency assessment where required.

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