1. Overview
Please note if you are a provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and with premises located in England, they are the relevant regulatory body for patient safety matters. You can find guidance on the Care Quality Commission website[7].
These pages are for employers and workers in the health and social care sectors involved in moving and handling, particularly those who assess moving and handling needs and carry out handling activities. Some of this guidance may be useful for people who receive care in their own homes.
Moving and handling is a key part of the working day for most workers; from moving equipment, laundry, catering, supplies or waste to helping residents move.
Poor moving and handling practice can cause:
- back pain and musculoskeletal disorders, which can lead to inability to work
- moving and handling accidents, which can injure both the person being moved and the worker
- discomfort and a lack of dignity for the person being moved
You must take action to prevent or minimise the risk of injury.
What you need to know
Moving and handling people is a regular task in health and social care. If it is not done safely, it can cause serious injury to service users and staff. These pages concentrate on reducing the risk from people handling.
HSE’s musculoskeletal disorder web pages[8] have more guidance on the risks that can lead to injury.
The manual handling web pages[9] have more information on risk assessments for inanimate/object handling.
What the law says
The following legislation may be relevant for assessing moving and handling risks:
- Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA)[10]
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) [11]
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations[12]
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)[13]
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)[14]