Example: identify manual handling hazards and report in line with workplace procedures

Daniel is an 80 year old man with Parkinson’s disease. Daniel requires physical assistance with all of his transfers and mobility related tasks. The care facility where Daniel lives has special equipment including slide sheets and mechanical hoists to help to assist Daniel with his mobility without harming him or the support workers assisting him.

Last week a support worker named Brooke noticed that the hoist she was using to transfer Daniel from his bed to the commode chair was awkward and difficult to manoeuvre.

Brooke felt more tired than normal after transferring Daniel and mentioned it to a fellow support worker named Anna.

Anna reminded Brooke that according to their manual handling policy Brooke should report her discomfort as a potential hazard.

Brooke filled in the hazard report form and it was followed up by her manager. Brook’s manager advised that the reason the task felt more difficult than usual was because the hoist was malfunctioning and needed to be recalibrated. Thanks to Brooke’s hazard report the hoist was fixed before it could cause injury to Daniel and the workers.