Organisation:
Task: Sweeping
Task objective: Safely sweep floor of residence
Risks:
Muscle strain through any of the following;
- repetitive action for extended periods
- moving heavy furniture
- using a heavy broom
- bending the back when using a short handled broom
- over reaching to sweep around or under furniture
Tools and PPE:
Broom Enclosed footwear with non-slip sole
Dustpan
Training and instruction:
Induction training Manual handling / back care training
Steps
Prior to procedure:
· Clear area to be swept of any obstacles. Do not move heavy furniture.
· Check broom is in good working order and obtain dustpan
· Carry items to floor area to be cleaned
During procedure:
· Hold the broom with your arms close to your body, your shoulders relaxed and wrists in neutral (like shaking hands)
· Use short sweeping strokes in line with leg lunging.
· Transfer your weight from foot to foot, using a forward/backward lunge or sideways lunge. Create the movement with your lower body and continue to move with the dirt you are sweeping.
· If sweeping under furniture, only sweep as far as you can safely reach and apply any of the following:
- forward/backward lunge
- half kneel
- semi-squat
· Continue to move so that you are always standing close to the area you are sweeping, rather than over reaching or leaning around furniture.
· Sweep around heavy furniture and large floor mats.
· Adopt a half kneel or semi-squat to use a dustpan and brush once finished. Alternatively use a long handled dustpan and brush if available.
Post procedure:
· Empty dustpan into rubbish container
· Replace broom and dustpan in storage location
· Wash and dry hands
Precautions:
· DO NOT USE BROOM IF HANDLE IS TOO SHORT OR BROOM HEAD UNSERVICABLE
· Avoid sweeping for long periods of time. Break up the tasks that require similar actions (i.e. sweeping, mopping, vacuuming).
· Do not lift or move heavy furniture but rather sweep around it. Move a short distance if on wheels/castors only.
· Follow correct manual handling techniques
Read by: / Signed: / Date:
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SWMS – Sweeping November 2012 Review date: