When Care Goes Manual: The Real Risks for Staff and Patients

In healthcare environments where efficiency and compassion must coexist, manual patient handling remains a widespread practice. Whether in aged care homes, hospitals or disability support services, carers are often faced with the challenge of transferring or repositioning individuals with limited mobility. While the intentions behind manual handling may stem from urgency or necessity, the risks — both to staff and patients — are significant and often underestimated.

Understanding the Risks of Manual Handling

Manual handling involves lifting, moving, or supporting a person without mechanical assistance. Although common, it presents serious physical risks. For healthcare staff—particularly those in aged care or disability support—repetitive lifting and awkward movements can result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including chronic back injuries, shoulder strain, and joint issues. According to Safe Work Australia, manual handling injuries are among the leading causes of workers’ compensation claims in the healthcare and social assistance sectors.

Patients, especially those who are elderly or physically impaired, are also vulnerable during manual transfers. A misjudged movement, imbalance, or loss of grip can lead to falls, bruising, fractures, or emotional distress. For individuals with conditions like osteoporosis, even a minor fall can have long-term consequences.

Compliance and Legal Implications

Beyond physical harm, neglecting safe handling procedures has legal ramifications under Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. Employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment, which includes managing manual handling risks. The Model WHS Act, adopted by most Australian states and territories, requires that risks to health and safety be eliminated or minimised as far as reasonably practicable.

Healthcare providers must also comply with state-specific regulatory bodies:

• WorkSafe Victoria
  
• SafeWork NSW
  
• WorkSafe Queensland
  
• WorkSafe WA
  
• NT WorkSafe
  
• WorkSafe ACT
  
• ReturnToWorkSA (South Australia)
  
• WorkSafe Tasmania
  

Failure to implement safe handling strategies—such as staff training or equipment provision—can lead to regulatory investigations, financial penalties, and reputational damage.

Why Manual Handling Persists

Despite clear risks and regulatory frameworks, manual handling still occurs frequently. Several factors contribute to its persistence:

• Staff shortages: In high-demand environments such as public hospitals or under-resourced aged care facilities—an issue highlighted in the Aged Care Royal Commission—staff may feel they have no choice but to perform quick manual lifts to save time.
• Limited access to equipment: In some facilities, the right tools may be unavailable, poorly maintained, or inconveniently stored.
• Cultural norms: Longstanding habits or lack of regular refresher training can lead staff to underestimate the importance of using mechanical aids.
• Patient preferences: Some patients may refuse equipment out of embarrassment, fear, or misunderstanding, prompting carers to improvise.

These barriers highlight the importance of fostering a culture that prioritises safety for both carers and those they support.

Solutions: Encouraging Safe Handling Practices

Minimising the risks of manual handling requires a shift in both mindset and operations. Healthcare providers and caregivers can take several proactive steps:

1. Invest in Training

Regular and comprehensive training ensures staff understand how to assess risks and use equipment correctly. Courses should cover topics like manual handling techniques, body mechanics, and the psychological needs of patients during transfers.

2. Use Appropriate Equipment

Mechanical aids, such as patient hoists, slings, and transfer boards, drastically reduce the strain on carers and offer a more dignified experience for patients. These tools are essential in promoting independence, safety, and comfort.

3. Foster a Supportive Culture

Encouraging a workplace culture where safety is prioritised helps overcome resistance to change. Open communication, accountability, and consistent reinforcement of protocols are crucial.

4. Engage with Patients

Education is equally important for patients. Explaining the benefits of assistive equipment can alleviate fear and encourage cooperation. Involving patients in their care promotes autonomy and mutual respect.

Empowering Safer Transfers with the Right Tools

Rather than relying on risky manual techniques, caregivers should always move patients safely using a portable patient hoist whenever a transfer is required. These devices are purpose-built to reduce strain on staff, prevent injuries, and offer a more comfortable and dignified experience for the individual being moved. With a range of hoists available to suit different mobility levels and care settings, they are essential tools in any safe handling strategy.

Final Thoughts

Manual patient handling might appear quicker or more personal in the moment, but the long-term risks far outweigh the short-term convenience. By embracing proper equipment, training, and a patient-centred approach, healthcare environments can deliver safer, more respectful care. Protecting those who give and receive care should never be a matter of compromise — it’s a shared responsibility that begins with knowledge and ends in action.