Part of the SafeHands Employer’s Guide Series – People & Patient Handling
Moving and assisting people is very different from handling inanimate loads. A patient or service user may have limited mobility, experience pain, become unsteady or be unable to follow instructions, meaning their needs and the risks involved can change from one situation to another.
For employers in healthcare and care settings, effective patient handling risk assessments are therefore an important part of protecting both employees and the people in their care.
This Employer’s Guide explains what a patient handling risk assessment should consider, when assessments should be reviewed and how appropriate training, equipment and working practices can help reduce the risk of injury.
For an overview of employer responsibilities and training, read our Patient Handling Training Requirements in Ireland – Employer’s Guide.
What Is a Patient Handling Risk Assessment?
A patient handling risk assessment examines the potential hazards involved when employees assist a person to move, transfer, reposition or carry out other activities requiring physical support.
The aim is to identify risks to both the employee and the person being assisted and determine the safest way for the task to be carried out.
Unlike handling an object, patient handling involves an individual whose mobility, health, behaviour and ability to assist may vary. This makes careful assessment particularly important.
Why Are Patient Handling Risk Assessments Important?
Poor patient handling practices can contribute to musculoskeletal injuries, particularly affecting the back, shoulders and other joints.
They can also place patients or service users at risk of falls, discomfort or other injuries.
A suitable risk assessment helps employers identify potentially hazardous tasks and put measures in place to reduce those risks before an incident occurs.
What Should a Patient Handling Risk Assessment Consider?
There is no single approach suitable for every patient or handling situation.
Assessments should take account of several factors, including:
- The task being carried out
- The individual being assisted
- The capabilities of the employee or employees involved
- The working environment
- Any equipment required
Looking at these factors together helps determine the safest approach.
Consider the Patient or Service User
The individual’s needs and abilities should be central to the assessment.
Factors may include:
- Their level of mobility
- Whether they can bear their own weight
- Their balance and stability
- Their ability to understand and follow instructions
- Pain or discomfort
- Their ability to assist with the movement
- Any unpredictable movement or behaviour
Where possible, the person should be encouraged to participate in the movement according to their individual abilities.
Assess the Patient Handling Task
Employers should consider exactly what employees are being asked to do.
Common patient handling activities can include:
- Repositioning someone in a bed
- Assisting a person to stand
- Moving between a bed and chair
- Helping with mobility
- Using a hoist or other transfer aid
- Assisting someone who has fallen
Different tasks present different risks and should not automatically be approached in the same way.
Consider the Working Environment
The physical environment can have a significant impact on whether a patient handling task can be completed safely.
Risk factors can include:
- Restricted working space
- Furniture or equipment creating obstacles
- Slippery or uneven flooring
- Poor positioning of beds or chairs
- Limited access to handling equipment
Employers should consider whether changes to the environment could make the task safer before relying solely on employee technique.
Consider the Employees Carrying Out the Task
A risk assessment should also consider the people providing assistance.
Relevant factors may include:
- The number of employees required
- Their knowledge and training
- Familiarity with the equipment
- Physical demands of the task
- Whether additional assistance is required
Employees should not be expected to carry out a patient handling task that cannot be completed safely with the people and equipment available.
When Should Patient Handling Equipment Be Used?
Where appropriate, equipment can significantly reduce the physical demands placed on employees while improving safety for the person being assisted.
Depending on the task, equipment might include:
- Hoists
- Slings
- Slide sheets
- Transfer boards
- Standing aids
- Other mobility or transfer equipment
Equipment should be suitable for the individual and the task, maintained appropriately and used by employees who understand how to operate it safely.
The availability of equipment does not remove the need for risk assessment. Employers still need to determine what equipment is appropriate and how it should be used safely.
Is Patient Handling Training Part of Risk Management?
Yes. Training is an important control measure where employees are required to move or assist patients or service users.
Effective People & Patient Handling training can help employees understand:
- How to assess handling situations
- Safer movement and transfer techniques
- Appropriate use of handling aids
- The importance of communication
- When additional assistance may be required
- How to avoid unnecessary physical strain
Because these are practical skills, hands-on, face-to-face instruction allows employees to practise techniques and receive feedback from an instructor.
For more information about employer training responsibilities, see our Patient Handling Training Requirements in Ireland – Employer’s Guide.
Why a Generic Assessment May Not Be Enough
Patient handling risks can vary considerably between individuals.
A procedure that is appropriate for one person may not be suitable for another because of differences in mobility, strength, medical needs or ability to participate.
This is why patient handling arrangements should take account of the individual person and the particular task rather than relying solely on a generic approach.
When Should a Patient Handling Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?
Patient handling risk assessments should be reviewed when circumstances change or there is reason to believe the existing assessment is no longer suitable.
This may include:
- A change in the person’s mobility or condition
- A new handling or transfer requirement
- Introduction of new equipment
- Changes to the working environment
- Following an accident, incident or near miss
- Employees reporting difficulties with an existing procedure
In healthcare and care environments, an individual’s needs can change quickly, making ongoing review particularly important.
Common Patient Handling Risk Assessment Mistakes
Common problems can include:
- Treating every patient handling task in the same way
- Failing to consider the individual’s abilities
- Using unsuitable equipment
- Not reviewing assessments when circumstances change
- Failing to consider environmental restrictions
- Employees attempting tasks without sufficient assistance
- Relying on technique alone instead of reducing the risk at source
Effective patient handling requires assessment, planning, appropriate equipment and suitable training to work together.
How Can Employers Reduce Patient Handling Risks?
Employers should aim to avoid or reduce hazardous handling wherever reasonably practicable.
Depending on the circumstances, this could involve:
- Encouraging appropriate patient independence
- Changing how a task is carried out
- Improving the working environment
- Providing suitable handling equipment
- Ensuring sufficient staff are available
- Providing appropriate People & Patient Handling training
- Reviewing assessments as circumstances change
The objective should always be to find the safest practical method for both employees and the person receiving assistance.
How SafeHands Can Help
SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions provides practical, onsite People & Patient Handling Training for organisations across Ireland.
Our training helps employees understand safer handling principles and develop practical skills for assisting people with movement and transfers, including the appropriate use of patient handling equipment.
Face-to-face instruction gives participants the opportunity to practise techniques under the guidance of an experienced instructor, helping build the competence and confidence needed when carrying out patient handling tasks in the workplace. Contact our team today to discuss your People & Patient Handling training and certification requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a patient handling risk assessment?
A patient handling risk assessment identifies hazards associated with moving or assisting a patient or service user and determines measures that can reduce risks to both the individual and the employees providing assistance.
Does every patient need an individual handling assessment?
Where a person requires assistance with movement or transfers, their individual abilities and needs should be considered when determining a safe handling approach. A generic procedure may not adequately address individual risks.
When should a patient handling assessment be reviewed?
It should be reviewed when there is a significant change affecting the handling task, such as a change in mobility, environment, equipment or assistance required, or following an incident or near miss.
Is patient handling training enough on its own?
No. Training is an important part of risk management, but it should be supported by appropriate risk assessments, suitable equipment, safe working practices and regular review.
Is onsite patient handling training better than online training?
Patient handling involves practical skills that employees need to apply in real situations. Face-to-face instruction allows participants to practise techniques and equipment use while receiving immediate feedback from an instructor.
Related Employer’s Guides
- Patient Handling Training Requirements in Ireland – Employer’s Guide
- Manual Handling Risk Assessments – Employer’s Guide