Manual Handling is the biggest cause of workplace injury in Victoria according to Work Safe Victoria. The majority of workplace injuries in the Aged Care industry result from musculoskeletal injuries due to high risk manual handling tasks.
Work Safe Victoria report that the most common injuries in the Health and Aged Care sector include: lower back problems (32%), shoulder injuries (15%) & neck issues (6%). Physiotherapists are best suited to prevent these injuries from occurring by assisting staff to:
- Maintain good posture at all times
- Eliminate or minimise lifting hazards by recommending use of alternate resident transfer techniques, equipment/hoists
- Encourage exercises and simple, practical ways to minimise muscle fatigue thereby reducing the risk of injury
- Use good body mechanics and appropriate techniques to transfer and mobilise residents safely
