6 – Unit 43 – Safe Movement and Handling of Individuals in Accordance with Own Care Plan

1.1 Identify current legislation, national guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols in relation to moving and handling individuals

Legislation:

• The main legislation related to moving and handling individuals is the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended in 2002) in the UK, which requires employers to reduce the risk of injury to employees who undertake manual handling at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidelines for manual handling, including the ‘Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations’ (LOLER) 1998 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998.
• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended in 2002) in the UK sets out the legal requirements for the safe moving and handling of loads in the workplace. It requires employers to assess the risks associated with manual handling activities and take steps to reduce the risk of injury to employees.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in the US requires employers to provide a safe working environment, including safe manual handling practices and sets standards for the design of manual handling equipment.
• The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 in the UK requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, including providing equipment and training for safe manual handling.

National Guidelines:

• The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK provides guidelines for safe manual handling in health and social care settings, covering assessment, equipment, training, and risk management.
• Public Health England (PHE) in the UK provides guidelines on safe patient handling and movement, including the use of manual handling equipment, proper lifting techniques, and worker training.

Policies:

• Employers should have a manual handling policy in place, outlining their commitment to providing a safe working environment and reducing the risk of manual handling injuries. This policy should be reviewed and updated regularly and made available to all employees.
• Organisations should also have a policy on the use of manual handling equipment, including the selection, use, and maintenance of equipment, as well as the training of employees on its safe use.

Procedures:

• Organisations should have procedures in place for the proper selection, use, and maintenance of manual handling equipment, as well as the regular training and retraining of employees on safe manual handling techniques.
• Employers should also have procedures in place for reporting and investigating manual handling incidents and near-misses and for regularly reviewing and updating manual handling policies and procedures.

Protocols:

• Specific protocols should be in place for handling individuals with specific conditions or needs, such as bariatric individuals or those with spinal injuries. These protocols should be based on the latest evidence and best practice and reviewed and updated regularly.

In conclusion, there are a number of pieces of legislation, national guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols in place to ensure the safe moving and handling of individuals. Organisations should take these into account when developing their manual handling policies and procedures to ensure a safe and compliant working environment for their employees.

Other answers in the full document:

• 1.2 Summarise own responsibilities and accountability in relation to moving and handling individuals
• 1.3 Describe health and safety factors in relation to moving and handling individuals
• 2.1 Outline the anatomy and physiology of the human body in relation to moving and handling individuals
• 2.2 Describe the impact of specific conditions on the movement and handling of an individual
• 3.3 Describe the action to take in relation to identified risks
• 3.4 Describe the action to take if the individual’s wishes conflict with their care plan
• 4.5 Describe the aids and equipment that may be used for moving and positioning
• 5.1 Describe when advice and/or assistance should be sought in relation to moving or handling an individual
• 5.2 Describe sources of information available in relation to moving and handling individuals