There is greater risk in using human effort to handle people than to handle inanimate objects. This is because people weigh more than the recommended weight limits for manual handling and by flexing or relaxing muscles can change the load experienced by the handler. There are risks to both the handler and to the person being moved.
Anyone involved in moving people must be trained specifically in the risks and techniques.
Only trained and authorised assessors and trainers must be used for carrying out assessments and training.
Further guidance can be obtained from the Health & Safety Department or the Department of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Care and Social Studies.