Manual Handling Risks in the Health and Social Care Sector

The health and social care industry plays a crucial role in providing care and support to some of the most vulnerable individuals in society. However, this sector involves a significant amount of manual handling tasks, which can lead to potential injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.

High Incidence of Musculoskeletal Disorders

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the health and social care sector records some of the highest rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the UK. During the 2019-2020 period, this sector reported 6,500 instances of such disorders under RIDDOR regulations.

Vulnerability in Care Homes

Care homes within the health and social care sector are particularly susceptible to injuries resulting from improper manual handling. Staff frequently assist residents with activities such as:

• Lifting
• Transferring
• Repositioning

If these tasks are not performed correctly, the risk of injury increases significantly.

Prevalent Causes and Common Injuries

The HSE indicates that manual handling is the most common cause of workplace injuries in the health and social care sector. Over half of these injuries are due to lifting and handling residents. The most frequent injuries resulting from poor manual handling in care homes are musculoskeletal disorders, including injuries to:

• The back
• The neck
• The shoulders
• The upper limbs

These injuries can lead to long-term health issues, significantly impacting the quality of life and work capabilities of care home staff.