Purpose. The purpose of the policy is outline ensure that Horizon Care and Education Group meets it Health and Safety obligations, under Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Scope The policy applies to all Horizon Care and Education Group Staff. Application of Policy This policy should be referred to in conjunction with overall Health and Safety Policies; Risk Assessment (General) ; Risk Assessment Policy. C.20 MANUAL HANDLING C.20.1 Horizon Care and Education Group recognises that a large percentage of accidents which occur within the healthcare sector arise from manual handling and it is the policy of the Company to comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. C.20.2 The Company will therefore take the following action: C.20.2.1 C.20.2.2 C.20.2.3 Avoid the need for employees to undertake manual handling operations which involve a risk of injury; Make a suitable and sufficient Assessment of any manual handling operations which give rise to risk and which cannot be avoided; Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable where manual handling tasks cannot be avoided. C.20.3 Where a handling operation cannot be avoided then mechanisation of the task will be pursued so far as is reasonably practicable. Moving and Handling of Young People we Support C.20.4 The Company recognises that the moving and handling of the people we support gives rise to potential significant risk in that the handling of human beings is substantially different to that of inanimate loads. People we support can help the manual handling operation, they may feel pain and anxiety, may suffer from inappropriate handling and also have personal dignity which employees must respect at all times. Some people we support may become agitated when lifted or handled, and others willing to assist at the start of the lift may suddenly find themselves unable to continue. Health and Safety Policy Page 1 01/12/2014
C.20.5 The Company will implement a minimum lifting policy which will avoid the need for employees to undertake manual handling of service users as far as is reasonably practicable. C.20.6 In order to pursue the hierarchy of controls required by the Regulations, the Company policy regarding the handling of people we support, is as follows: C.20.6.1 C.20.6.2 C.20.6.3 C.20.6.4 The Young People we support should be encouraged to undertake manoeuvring tasks on their own so far as is reasonable without, of course, compromising the care/support of the person; Where moving and handling is required then use of mechanical handling aids and associated techniques will be applied where practicable; These should be regularly maintained and of required provided by the person we support or their family. A Manual Handling Assessment of each person will be carried out taking into account all of the relevant factors and the Assessment will be kept with the individual person s support plan. This will be reviewed on a weekly basis or in the event of significant change in the service user s condition. Format for recording of manual handling information is contained within the Company s Care Policies.. The Company s Policy regarding minimum lifting of the people we support will be discussed with persons family/carers/care manger/ occupational therapist themselves, where appropriate. C.20.7 The Home Manager or Head Teacher will ensure that regular Assessment of lifting and handling mechanical aids is undertaken and in particular an analysis of the following: C.20.7.1 C.20.7.2 C.20.7.3 C.20.7.4 C.20.7.5 C.20.7.6 The provision and location of grab rails in bathrooms; The provision and availability of bath devices; The provision and availability of walk-in showers with seats; The provision and availability of bathroom hoists; The provision and availability of mobile hoists; The provision and availability of other lifting and handling aids such as easy slides, PAT slides etc. C.20.8 Reference should be made to competent advisors regarding the current available lifting and handling aids so as to ensure that lifting and handling aids are current and safe with annual audit of aids as appropriate. C.20.9 The Home Manager/ Head teacher should negotiate with the equipment owner/ person we support, that all lifting equipment are subject to six monthly Thorough Examination by Competent Person with records available within the support plan. Health and Safety Policy Page 2 01/12/2014
C.20.10 Formalised training of employees must be provided on an annual basis regarding current lifting and handling techniques as advised by the Competent Person. Manual Handling of Inanimate Loads C.20.11 The Home Manager or Head Teacher must arrange for the suitable and sufficient Assessment of all manual handling tasks involving inanimate loads using the protocol and format contained at CCSS/20.1. C.20.12 Consideration must be given in the first place to the elimination or removal of any dangerous manual handling tasks by automation, mechanisation or redesign of the task layout and such matters should be identified as part of the Manual Handling Assessment process. C.20.13 Manual handling technique training in the form of kinetic lifting and handling training must be provided to all staff who carry out manual handling tasks involving inanimate objects and this should be provided in addition to any training provided regarding the manoeuvring of the people we support.. Accident Investigation C.20.14 All accidents and incidents involving manual handling must be subject to detailed investigation using the Company s accident investigation procedures detailed at C.2 of this Policy Manual. Health and Safety Policy Page 3 01/12/2014
MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS REGULATIONS 1992 GENERL ASSESSMENT OF MANUAL HANDLING OF LOADS To be used in conjunction with guideline figures reference sheet CCSS/20.1 SECTION 1 - BACKGROUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: REF NO: ASSESSOR: SIGNATURE: DATE: PROPOSED REVIEW: SECTION 2 2.1 ARE OPERATIONS CLEARLY WITHIN NUMERICAL GUIDELINES? YES/NO If YES go to 2.2. If NO go to Section 3 and continue 2.2 DO OPERATIONS INVOLVE RISK OF INJURY? YES/NO If YES go to Section 3 and continue. If NO go to Section 8 and continue SECTION 3 - THE TASK If the answer is yes consider level of risk by reference to guideline figures where appropriate Yes Level of Risk Yes Level of Risk High Med Low High Med Low 3.1 Task performed standing, 3.8 Is carrying of load seated, kneeling, other (circle relevant factor) - - - - involved 3.2 Is load held from trunk YES/NO 3.9 Is pushing or pulling involved 3.3 Does task involve lifting with poor posture 3.10 Is there likely sudden movement of load 3.4.1 Is twisting of the trunk involved 3.11 Is task carried out without sufficient rest or recovery 3.4.2 Circle angle 30º, 60º, 90º - - - - 3.12 Is rate of work imposed by process 3.5.1 Is stooping involved 3.13 Is task carried out by team 3.5.2 Circle angle 30º, 60º, 90º - - - - 3.6 Are twisting and stooping combined 3.14 Is task carried out frequently 3.7 Is lifting/lowering involved 3.15 Is change of grip required Health and Safety Policy Page 4 01/12/2014
SECTION 4 - THE LOAD If the answer is yes consider level of risk by reference to guideline figures where appropriate Yes Level of Risk Yes Level of Risk High Med Low High Med Low 4.1 Is the load too heavy for lifter s capacity 4.5 Are contents liable to shift 4.2 Is load bulky/unwieldy 4.6 Is the load intrinsically harmful 4.3 Is load difficult to grasp 4.7 Is centre of gravity offset 4.4 Is load unstable/unpredictable SECTION 5 - WORKING ENVIRONMENT If the answer is yes consider level of risk by reference to guideline figures where appropriate Yes Level of Risk Yes Level of Risk High Med Low High Med Low 5.1 Does space constraint result in 5.4 Are there extremes of unsatisfactory posture temperature/humidity 5.2 Are floors uneven, slippery, 5.5 Are there strong air unstable or otherwise poor movements 5.3 Are there variations in levels 5.6 Are there poor lighting conditions SECTION 6 - INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY If the answer is yes consider level of risk by reference to guideline figures where appropriate Yes Level of Risk Yes Level of Risk High Med Low High Med Low 6.1 Does the task require unusual strength/height 6.2 Does task call for special information/training 6.3 Does the task pose a risk to someone with health problem or who might be pregnant SECTION 7 - OTHER If the answer is yes consider level of risk by reference to guideline figures where appropriate 7.1 Does the use of personal protective equipment interfere with task Yes Level of Risk Yes Level of Risk Hig Me Low Hig Med L h d h o w 7.2 Are there any other factors which affect individual capability Health and Safety Policy Page 5 01/12/2014
SECTION 8 - OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF RISK TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE ABOVE S AND CONSIDERING MATTERS IN SCHEDULE 1 OF THE MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS REGULATIONS 1992 WHAT LEVEL OF RISK DOES THE ACTIVITY POSE INSIGNIFICANT LOW MEDIUM HIGH SECTION 9 - ACTION SIGNIFICANT PROPOSED REMEDIAL ACTION PRIORITY PRIORITY 1 - PRIORITY 2 - PRIORITY 3 - PRIORITY 4 - Complete as soon as possible; Complete within 6 months; Complete within 12 months; No reasonably practicable solutions Health and Safety Policy Page 6 01/12/2014
MOVING AND HANDLING RISK ASSESSMENT FOR PEOPLE WE SUPPORT NAME OF PERSON SUPPORTED D.O.B. HANDLING RISK CATEGORY HANDLING RISK SCORE SCORE Ability to assist/ weight bear Level of awareness and ability to maintain balance Environmental hazards e.g. poor lighting, uneven floors Number of staff to assist when using the bath/shower Ability to get in or out of bed/chair Unaided Ability to get on / off the toilet unaided Ability to walk unaided HIGH 3 MEDIUM 2 LOW 1 INSIGNIF -ICANT 0 Poor Fair Good Very Good Poor Fair Good Very Good Frequent Occasional Intermitte nt Rare More than 2 Two One None Poor Fair Good Very Good Poor Fair Good Very good Poor Fair Good Very Good Date Date Date Date Date Date Risk of Falls High Moderate Slight None Risk posed by medication e.g. sedating medication High Moderate Slight None Weight ( ) Extra Large Large Average Slight Health and Safety Policy Page 7 01/12/2014
Aids required Wheelchair / hoist / slide sheet / handling belt / stick (circle as appropriate) Action: TOTAL 0 8 (evaluate monthly) 9 14 (support plan required and evaluate monthly) 15-30 (support plan required following consultation with GP and tissue SIGN viability nurse and tissue viability assessment) Follow the actions above. Do not circle the boxes above as this form is to be used over a period of 6 months assessment. The place the total score in the total box and sign below. Report any concerns to the manager. Each month, enter the date and score for each item in the risk Health and Safety Policy Page 8 01/12/2014
MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS REGULATIONS 1992 ASSESSMENT OF MANUAL HANDING OF LOADS NUMERICAL GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSMENT Introduction The following numerical guidelines provide an initial filter which can help identify those manual handling operations deserving more detailed examination. The guidelines set out an approximate boundary within which operations are unlikely to create a risk of injury sufficient to warrant more detailed Assessment. There is no threshold below which manual handling operations may be regarded as safe. Even operations lying within the boundary mapped out by the guidelines should be avoided or made less demanding wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. Individual Capability There is a wide range of individual physical capability, even among those fit and healthy enough to be at work. For the working population the guideline figures will give reasonable protection to nearly all men and women for the respective guideline figures. It is important to understand that the guideline figures are not limits. They may be exceeded where a more detailed Assessment shows that it is appropriate to do so. Guidelines for Lifting and Lowering Guideline figures assume the load is readily grasped with both hands and that the operation takes place in reasonable working conditions with the handler in stable body position. Guideline figures take into consideration the vertical and horizontal position of the hands as they move the load during the handling operation. Health and Safety Policy Page 9 01/12/2014
Full height Shoulder height 10kg 10kg 5kg 5kg Elbow height 10kg 20kg 10kg Knuckle height 25kg 15kg 25kg 15kg 20kg 10kg 10kg Mid lower leg 10kg 10kg 5kg 5kg If the hands enter more than one of the box zones during the operation, the smallest weight for this should be used. Twisting Reduce by 10% where twist through 45º Reduce by 20% where twist through 90º Frequent lifting and lowering Reduce by 30% where repeated 1 to 2 per minute Health and Safety Policy Page 10 01/12/2014
Reduce by 50% where repeated 5-8 per minute Reduce by 80% where repeated >12 per minute Carrying Guideline valid for up to 10 metres without resting If carried on should assessment may show it is safe to exceed guideline figures Pushing and Pulling Starting and stopping 25kg (250 Newtons) Keeping motion 10kg (100 Newtons) (Assumed hands are between knuckle and shoulder height) Health and Safety Policy Page 11 01/12/2014
Seated 5kg If twisting or handling beyond box zone then detailed assessment required Team Handling As an approximate guide the capability of a two person team is sum of their individual capabilities. For a three person team the capability is ½ the sum of their individual capabilities. Health and Safety Policy Page 12 01/12/2014