Forbes Health Service Manual Handling
Greater Western Area Health Service
Abstract
In 2006, Forbes Health Service formed a manual handling committee to develop a project to address the problems of injuries in the workplace.
The goal of the Manual Handling Committee was to implement a manual handling program and provide an opportunity for employees to have input into developing a program. After consultation with employees a need to provide training was evident. The last Numerical Profile Survey also provided evidence to support the need for manual handling training at a facility level.
Forbes Manual Handling project aimed to improve nurses’ ability to manage manual handling safely, by raising awareness and building a culture based on a risk management approach. The scope of this project is to implement training in practical manual handling.
Aim
This practical manual-handling project aims to assist nurse managers and those with supervisory responsibilities to implement a manual handling program increasing nursing staff skills and ability to manage patient care safely.
Nature of the Problem
In 2005-2006 the risk of manual handling injuries was exacerbated by a number of unpredictable variables. These included a lack of manual handling training, the need to up date equipment, fluctuations in staffing levels, and staff trained in the use of equipment. The culture of correct manual handling in patient care was faltering and the need to change was evident. This problem became a high priority in the work place. Staff had noted the lack of manual handling training impacted on patient care, and the absence of training can trigger risks and injury not only to the staff but also to the patient.
Extent of the Problem
It is mandatory that all employees are educated in manual handling techniques. The lack of practical manual training made it impossible for educators at small sites to implement adequate training in this area. Lack of familiarity with equipment used for manual handling increased the risk of injuries to the employees.
Consequently in 2006 Forbes Health Service had an overall increase of 20% of manual handling incidents reported. Manual handling injuries accounted for 8.6% of lost time due to injuries sustained at the work place. After this analysis recommendations were sent to the GWAHS Risk Unit to provide practical training. The committee reviewed the OH&S regulation which states employers must provide training and consider the design of work practices. The GWAHS Risk Unit then provided train the trainer work shops for manual handling. After five employees attended these workshops, practical manual handling training commenced at the Forbes Health Service.
Strategic Importance
In line with the Health Strategic Plan Towards 2010 a project aimed at preventing injuries and building a culture that is aimed in preventable measures through identifying risks can only enhance the foundations of building a sustainable workforce. The Manual Handling Project will be a move in the direction of maintaining a work force that can identify risks and respond appropriately. To do so, the following is needed to build capacity of relevant Greater Western Area Health standards on manual handling:
- improve employee’s knowledge and effective use of manual handling procedures,
- manage risks arising from the manual handling tasks.
Planning and Implementing Solutions
Originally the Manual Handling Committee consisted of the Infection Control, Education and Safety Manager (ICES), Health Service Manager, Nurse Unit Manager, Hotel Service Manager, Physiotherapist and delegated nurses.
Through the consultation phase all members of the manual handling committee developed a partnership with nursing staff as the key stakeholders to develop this project. The first stage of implementing the program was to analyse risk management and hazard identification. All nursing staff become involved, and were required to complete manual handling risk assessments on equipment they identified needed replacing. This information was collated and reported to the OH&S committee to make recommendations. Staff were then asked to complete a survey on what they believed was needed in a practical manual-handling program. All comments received stated correct techniques with evidence to support these techniques was required.
Recommendations were then made to the GWAHS Risk Unit indicating staff identified training in manual handling was needed. After consultation with the GWAHS Risk Unit at the Southern Cluster OH&S Forum, the GWAHS Risk Unit scheduled training days to train the trainer to educate staff in manual handling practical techniques.
Five members of the manual handling team at Forbes attended one train the trainer session in manual handling. Follow-up train the trainer sessions on manual handling by the Risk Unit did not eventuate. This put the ownership back on the Forbes Manual Handling Committee to develop a manual handling program. All staff who have attended these practical manual handling sessions have identified they did not realise they were practicing incorrect techniques in manual handling, and feed back from participants has been very positive.
Outcomes and Evaluation
This manual handling project demonstrated there was a reduction of manual handling injures referred to the GWAHS Risk Unit. Overall there was a reduction of accidents related to manual handling, with increased support from the managers in the health facility. A reduction in insurance premiums from 2007 estimated $24,655 with 2008 estimated at $11,453 for the same period; health facility cost of injury was an estimated at an improved $13,202 with less cost to the employee.
Managers were more aware of there responsibility for identifying, assessing and controlling risks. They were involved in the process, ensuring consultation occurred with their employees. The outcome revealed that nursing staff needed to be more proactive in protecting themselves from injury by taking charge and being responsible of their work practices and work environment. The overall evaluation from staff was very positive which therefore reflected on the outcome.
Sustaining Change
This This project is designed to assist managers regardless of the service setting and is relevant to acute, community, and hospital services alike. The success of the practical manual handling program ensured manual handling practical training would be an annual assessment for nursing staff at Forbes Health Service. Session plans have been written for train the trainers to present the manual handling class, to ensure there is consistency throughout the facility. This will provide support to ensure the program will be sustainable.
Future Scope
The Forbes Health Service Manual Handling Project could be replicated in any Health Service. The Project is aimed at preventing injuries, therefore sustaining the nursing work force. This program will enhance a work culture that considers risk management a necessary component to providing a safe working environment. The GWAHS Risk Unit needs to be more involved in manual handling training to increase skills in our work force and provide OH&S measures to reduce injury rates in the nursing profession. This project will also provide nurses with 100% compliance in the nursing competencies portfolio which is now a GWAHS Nursing and Midwifery Directorate mandatory requirement.
Contact
Patient Safety & Clinical Quality Manager, Clinical Governance Unit
Greater Western Area Health Service
Ph: 02 6393 3559
This project was entered in the 2008 NSW Health Awards, Build a Sustainable Health Workforce category.
