Manual Handling (People) Generic Risk Assessment

Document Type / Manual Handling (People) Generic Risk Assessment
Author / Operations Team
Owner (Dept) / Director of Operations
Date of Review / May 2018

Generic Risk Assessment Form

Assessment No: / Project/Service Address / Related Risk Assessments: / Category of those persons involved in or affected by the task: / Special Groups: (Where individual assessments will be required)
Assessment Date: / Assessor Name: / Service User /  / Service User / 
Employee /  / Employee
Task / Activity / Area Assessed:
Manual Handling - People / Contractors / Contractors
Visitors / Visitor
Others / Others
Hazards Identified / Potential
Outcome
(P) / Current Control Measures in Place / Likelihood
(L) / Score
P x L = R / Risk
H / M / L
The Task:
Holding the load away from the body; twisting, stooping, reaching upwards
Lifting, or carrying over a distance,
Insufficient rest or recovery time
Repetitive Handling
Managing a Falling Person
Manual Lifting of an Individual
The Person:
Weight, unsteady, immobility, attachments e.g. catheter drainage bags, unpredictable movements e.g. spasm, seizure, cognitive impairment, history of falls, tissue viability, service users’ wishes
The Environment:
Restrictions on movements or posture from clothes, personal protective equipment
Lack of space to move freely
Variation in levels, steps/floors
Slippery/wet/uneven floors
Wear and Tear of Equipment
Equipment
Individual Capability:
The job:
Requires unusual capability
Constitutes a hazard to those with health problems
Constitutes a hazard to those who are pregnant
Calls for special information or training
Employee who people handles lacks competence / confidence / 5
3
5
5
8
8
3
10
3
5
5
5
5
5
5 /
  • Employees trained in safe Manual Handling and training records maintained. Employees aware to apply the safe principles of manual handling if unable to avoid handling, i.e. maintain a mobile, stable base, keep the load close to the body, keep the spine in line.
  • Suitable handling and lifting aids provided where required and well-maintained, to reduce/eliminate the need to handle and transport loads.
  • The task or load is redesigned as appropriate to provide sufficient rest / recovery time.
  • An ergonomic approach to the task is used that includes varying work routine, job rotation and team handling.
  • Employees on Moving and Handling training made aware of the techniques for managing a falling person and the associated risks.
  • Only undertaken in life threatening or exceptional circumstances, where no other option is available.
  • Evacuation chairs used in the event of emergency situations.
The Support Plan is informed by:
  • A person centred Individual Risk Assessment that includes details of the individual’s moving and handling needs, day and night. The risk assessment is reviewed every 6 months and whenever circumstances change. The Risk Assessment identifies hazards relating to the Task, Individual, Environment (including equipment) and Person to be handled. Suitable control measures implemented and the support plan specifies:
  • what the individual is able/unable to do independently
  • the extent of the individual’s ability to support their own weight and any other relevant factors e.g. pain, disability, spasm, fatigue, tissue viability or tendency to fall
  • the extent to which the individual can participate in/ cooperate with transfers
  • whether the individual needs assistance to reposition themselves/ sit up when in bed or chair, and how this will be achieved e.g. electric profiling bed
  • the specific equipment needed- including bariatric where necessary- and, if applicable type of bed, bath and chair as well as specific handling equipment, type of hoist and sling, sling size and attachments
  • the assistance needed for different types of transfers, including the number of staff needed
  • the arrangements for reducing the risk and for dealing with falls, if the individual is at risk
  • information about the individual, including an assessment of their weight, height, Body Mass Index,
  • Least restrictive, appropriate personal protective clothing / equipment provided. Policy on suitable clothing and footwear enforced. Environment redesigned where required to give sufficient space to move freely whilst adopting a good posture and use mechanical aids (e.g. hoists, stand aids) where required.
  • Convenient grab rails provided where required. Floor coverings suitable and safe. Employees aware to use an alternative, safer route where possible. If not, employees use safe manual handling techniques, including appropriate handling/lifting equipment.
  • Access is not permitted to slippery/ wet/uneven floors.
  • Equipment maintained as required by Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and /or the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Equipment checked for defects before each use and not used when doubt about its reliability.
  • Employees trained in the safe use of equipment and assessed as competent in its use. Records maintained. Equipment is operated by the number of trained employees identified in the equipment risk assessment and in line with manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Individual risk assessment carried out and appropriate control measures implemented. Employees who people handle provided with suitable information, instruction and training, and records maintained.
  • Employee attends further training, and does not work unsupervised until competence /confidence is gained.
/ 2
2
2
2
5
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2 / 10
6
10
10
40
40
6
10
3
5
5
5
5
10
10 / Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
X / Likelihood Given Controls in Place (L) / Risk Rating Table
10 / 8 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 10 / 8 / 5 / 2 / 1 / 40 -100 / 15- 39 / 1-14
Fatality / Severe injury / Lost time
Injury / Minor
Injury / No injury / Certain / imminent / Very likely / Likely / Unlikely / Remote / HIGH / MED / LOW
If P x L (with existing controls) give a risk > 39 discontinue activity immediately. Inform line manager, only resume when risk has lowered with additional control measures
If risk is greater than > 14 but less than < 40 continue activity with phased implementation or further control measures.
If risk is less than < 15 continue activity and review at appropriate intervals.
Action required (note any temporary action / control measures required): / Review Date / Responsible Person / Date Completed
  • Employees who handle people attend appropriate training in the techniques for managing a falling person and are assessed as competent in approved techniques, have a high level of skill and physical fitness, enabling them to assess and respond quickly and with confidence.
  • An individual Manual Handling Risk Assessment must be completed that is specific to the service user and employee who is people handling.

Further actions that may require longer term consideration:
None required.
Further assessments required:
Fire / COSHH / Manual Handling / Display Screen Equipment / New/Expectant Mothers / Young Persons
If any issues are outstanding from the ‘Action Review’ date, detail the reasons:
Signature: / Date:
Assessment Review Date (as required): / Assessment Review Date (as required):
New risk assessment required: / Yes / No / New risk assessment required: / Yes / No
Completed by (Name): / Completed by (Name):
Signature: / Signature:

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