Why Is Moving And Handling Training Important

Why is moving and handling training important in aged care, disability services and health? Because every transfer puts two people at risk, not one.

The worker risk is well understood. The other half is less discussed. A transfer done badly can cause skin tears, bruising, shoulder injury, fractures in someone with fragile bones, or a fall. The person being moved often cannot brace, cannot correct a mistake, and in many cases cannot report what happened clearly.

That doubles the stakes and changes what the training has to cover. Communication with the person before and during the transfer. Recognising when to stop. Reading the mobility plan. Preserving dignity, which is not a soft consideration when someone is being lifted in front of others.

Safe Work Australia publishes the model code. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s manual handling course for disability and healthcare workers and workplace compliance courses.