Back pain
Over a third of injuries in the workplace, which lead to time off work, are a result of poor moving and positioning.
Legislation is clear that you will need to learn the correct techniques for safe moving and assisting before you move objects and before you assist people to move. This involves lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving objects by hand or by bodily force.
Not recommended!
You are not allowed to carry out any tasks relating to moving people until you have received appropriate training and instruction and your manager has checked and recorded that you are safe and competent to do these tasks.
You can acquire some knowledge and support through various methods like eLearning, watching videos or attending a training course.
This will include more about the relevant legislation and how to minimise the risks. Just attending a training course or doing eLearning and getting a certificate of attendance does not evidence you are competent. Your knowledge will need to be assessed and your practice checked by a competent person.
It is likely that you will carry out simulated practical activities which can be done in the work place or in a classroom. It is helpful if you yourself can experience being moved in a hoist so you know how it feels for the individuals you are supporting.
If you already have experience in moving and positioning people, you can take a knowledge assessment and avoid repeating learning unnecessarily. You can then focus only on the gaps in your knowledge and having your practice checked.
This will save time and money. You can use our moving and handling course to support you with this.
You will need to learn how to use equipment with each person you support.
You should have plenty of opportunity to practice safe moves and should try out the equipment yourself. These are some examples of the equipment you might use:
.svg)
