The importance of ergonomic manual handling in the health industry in Victoria
Manual handling is an integral part of many industries, including the health sector. Ergonomic manual handling helps prevent workplace injuries, reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and improves the overall safety and wellbeing of healthcare workers.
What is ergonomic manual handling?
Ergonomic manual handling refers to the science of designing and arranging tasks, equipment and workplaces in a way that maximises safety, comfort and efficiency while minimising the risk of injury. In the healthcare industry, manual handling tasks include lifting, transferring and repositioning patients, which can be physically demanding and require proper technique to avoid injury.
Healthcare is a high-risk industry for work-related injuries
The health industry in Victoria is known for its high level of patient care, but the physical demands of caring for patients can take a toll on healthcare workers. According to WorkSafe Victoria, the healthcare and social assistance industry is one of the highest-risk industries for work-related injuries, with a significant portion of those injuries attributed to manual handling. The consequences of manual handling injuries can be severe, resulting in long-term pain, disability and reduced quality of life for healthcare workers. In addition, injuries can lead to lost work time, reduced productivity and increased costs for employers. That’s why it’s crucial for healthcare facilities to implement ergonomic manual handling practices and invest in smarter manual handling solutions.
The benefits of investing in smarter manual handling solutions
Service Assist specialises in smarter manual handling, materials handling and mobility solutions. Their products and services aim to improve the safety and efficiency of manual handling tasks, reduce the risk of injury, and improve the wellbeing of healthcare workers.
Among Service Assist’s flagship products is their range of patient lifting and transferring devices. These devices use innovative technology to make lifting and transferring patients easier and safer, reducing the risk of injury to both patients and healthcare workers. The devices are also designed to be versatile and adaptable to different patient needs and environments. Products include the purpose designed Helipad Retrieval Trolley, mortuary trolleys and concealment trolleys. Service Assist is an industry leader in mortuary trolleys with quality-made innovations tailor made to suit your requirements.
Ergonomic materials handling solutions
Service Assist offers a range of ergonomic materials handling solutions designed to help healthcare workers move and transport materials, supplies and equipment more safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of injury and improving productivity. Service Assist also provides mobility solutions, such as wheelchairs, bariatric escort chairs and bariatric shower chairs