The Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme

SECTION 2 MANUAL HANDLING EDUCATION, FOUNDATION CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

2.1 Manual Handling Foundation Training Curriculum

This section contains details of the SMHPS education and foundation training programme, which consists of six modules. This modular approach allows for flexibility in delivery, as well as tailoring the training to the needs of the individual.

This section also provides guidance on continuing education and competency assessment.

The aim of the curriculum is to provide employees with the MH skills and knowledge to reduce the risk of musculo-skeletal injuries to themselves and others caused by poor MH practice in the workplace. The practical people handling modules also aim to encourage independence and safety for service users and an approach should be promoted that takes their needs, rights and dignity into account. This should contribute to reduced employee sickness absence as well as improved outcomes for people using the service. The modules cover the following topics:

Module A - Manual Handling Theory	Module B - Manual Handling of Inanimate Loads
Module C - Chair Manoeuvres	Module D - Bed Manoeuvres
Module E - Hoisting	Module F - Lateral Transfers

Organisations participating in the SMHPS should ensure that their training courses meet the purpose and learning outcomes specified within each training module.

Trainees should be assessed throughout the module in line with its learning outcomes.

The trainee's record of the modules completed, with verification from the organisation that the individual has met the learning outcomes, will be kept by the organisation and be accessible to the trainee as required. Some organisations may provide their trainees with a record of their training in the form of a paper copy of the Manual Handling Passport (Appendix 1) or in an equivalent secure electronic format.

The modules above are identified as the 'core' modules^[7] required for foundation MH education, specific to the role of the employee. Additional job specific training requirements are not set out within this document, as these should be determined in accordance with local requirements. However, where additional job specific modules are developed and agreed nationally, a mechanism will be created to enable their retrospective inclusion in this document.

The learning outcomes for each module represent the minimum requirement of the SMHPS, however, additional outcomes may be added by organisations if required.

Arrangements for employees new to the organisation are addressed in Sections 1.4 and Appendix 8.

2.2 Module A - Manual Handling Theory

The suggested minimum time for this session is 1½ - 3 hours, depending on the mode of delivery.

Purpose

To provide underpinning knowledge necessary to reduce the risk of musculo-skeletal disorders caused by poor manual handling in the workplace.

Learning outcomes- by the end of the session the trainee should be able to:

A1. Define the term "manual handling"

A2. Describe the causes and effects of musculo-skeletal disorders (MSD's)

A3. State basic methods of promoting and managing their own musculo-skeletal health both in and outside the workplace

A4. Outline how legislation applies to manual handling at work

A5. Describe the principles of ergonomics and risk assessment (formal and dynamic) in reducing the risk of manual handling injury, including Avoid, Assess, Reduce and Review

A6. Identify the key areas, and other related factors such as guideline weights, to be considered when undertaking a manual handling risk assessment

A7. Describe the principles of safer manual handling

A8. Identify the risks involved in team handling

A9. Describe the importance of good communication in relation to manual handling

A10. Outline the management of manual handling within the organisation eg policy, Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme, organisation of education and support, access to occupational health, incident reporting

A11. Describe the potential impact on others of poor manual handling practice

A12. Identify high risk activities / manoeuvres.

2.3 Module B -Manual handling of inanimate loads

The suggested minimum time for this session is 1 - 2 hours. If independently delivered Module A should be reinforced during the course of the module.

Purpose

To provide instruction and facilitate the application of inanimate load risk assessment to ensure the health and safety of employees.

Learning outcomes - by the end of the session the trainee should be able to:

B1. Describe the principles of safer manual handling of loads including assessing the weight prior to moving

B2. Describe undertaking a manual handling risk assessment of an inanimate load (when it is not reasonably practicable to avoid a hazardous manual handling task) from a given scenario

B3. Describe the risks associated with activities involving static postures, such as working at a desk, driving a vehicle, standing at a conveyor belt etc (as appropriate to the trainee's workplace)

B4. Identify how the principles of safer handling can be applied to all handling activities

B5. Outline the importance of posture and the application of ergonomic principles, appropriate to the workplace and work activity

B6. Demonstrate competence in the application of safer manual handling principles to activities as appropriate in the workplace, for example:

i. Pushing and pulling
ii. Lifting and lowering a load from low / high levels
iii. Carrying a load
iv. Sitting in a vehicle / at an office desk / workstation set up etc.

B7. Where equipment is used, demonstrate safe use, including pre-use checks, limitation on use and emergency functions of equipment.

During the training session the trainee will be given the opportunity to practise all relevant manoeuvres outlined above specific to their individual needs.

2.4 Module C - Chair Manoeuvres

The suggested minimum time for this session is 2 - 3 hours, dependent on individual need. If this module is delivered independently, Module A should be reinforced during the course of the module.

Purpose

To provide instruction and training for assisting a person in, from and to a seated position.

Learning outcomes - at the end of the session, the trainee should be able to:

C1. Describe the principles of manual handling of people

C2. Demonstrate an understanding of human movement to maximise a person's independence

C3. Identify the key areas of undertaking a manual handling risk assessment of a person

C4. Describe undertaking a manual handling risk assessment of a person from a given scenario

C5. Describe high risk / controversial practices as relevant to their workplace

C6. Describe how the person and others (eg carers) are fully involved in making decisions around their manual handling

C7. Where equipment is used, demonstrate safe use including pre-use checks, limitations on use and emergency functions

C8. Demonstrate competence undertaking the following manoeuvres, utilising appropriate principles of manual handling when a person is being instructed and / or assisted by one carer and two carers, including where appropriate, the use of relevant handling aids:

i. Assisting a person forward and back in a chair
ii. Sitting to standing and standing to sitting from / on a chair
iii. Sitting to standing and standing to sitting from / on a bed
iv. A standing transfer from bed to chair and chair to bed
v. Assisted walking
vi. Raising the fallen person - instructing the person to raise him / herself

C9. Describe how to deal with the following manual handling scenarios

i. The falling person (discussion of the falling person is expected, however, whether trainers demonstrate and trainees practise these scenarios is at the discretion of the trainer and the organisation, it is not a SMHPS requirement)
ii. Assisting the fallen person out of a confined space

During the training session the trainee will be given the opportunity to practise all relevant manoeuvres outlined above, specific to their individual needs.

Suggested Equipment; slide sheets, one-way slide sheet, standing turning aids, transfer boards, lifting cushion.

2.5 Module D - Bed Manoeuvres

The suggested minimum time for this session is 2 - 3 hours, dependent on individual need.

If this module is delivered independently, Module C, learning outcomes C1-6 should be included, or recapped if previously covered. In addition, Module A should be reinforced during the course of the module.

Purpose

To provide instruction and training for assisting a person in a bed.

Learning outcomes - by the end of the session the trainee should be able to:

D1. Demonstrate appropriate posture whilst working at a bed, when for example, assisting with activities of daily living, treating, examining a person, making a bed etc

D2. Demonstrate competence undertaking the following manoeuvres, utilising appropriate principles of manual handling when a person is being instructed and / or assisted by a) one carer, and b) two carers, including where appropriate, the use of relevant handling aids:

i. Inserting, using and removing tubular and / or flat slide sheets
ii. Turning a person in bed
iii. Repositioning the supine person in the bed
iv. Assisting a person from supine lying to long sitting
v. Assisting a person from supine to sitting over the edge of the bed
vi. Assisting a person to lie down from sitting on edge of bed

D3. Demonstrate competence in the safe use and functionality of electric profiling beds (if available)

D4. Where equipment is used, demonstrate safe use including pre-use checks, limitation on use and emergency functions

During the training session the trainee will be given the opportunity to practise all relevant manoeuvres outlined above, specific to their individual needs.

Suggested Equipment: slide sheets, handling sling, bed ladder, hand blocks, leg raiser, electric profiling bed, lateral transfer aid, divan bed.

NB The term 'Bed' can include plinths, trolleys and theatre tables.

2.6 Module E - Hoisting (P, A, O, S)

The suggested minimum time for this session is 2 - 3 hours, dependent on individual need and the number of elements included.

The needs of employees receiving this module can vary considerably. For example, some groups may require training on over head track hoists only, some on pool hoists only and others will require all hoist types to be included. Therefore, the delegate will receive training on the hoist type (P, A, O, S) specific to their needs:

P - Passive mobile hoist, whose main purpose is to lift the full body weight of a person (learning outcomes E1-5)

A - Active mobile hoist (standing hoists), whose main purpose is to transfer a person whilst facilitating active weight bearing through their lower limbs (learning outcomes E1-5)

O - Overhead tracking, as per passive hoists but mounted on an overhead system (learning outcomes E1-5)

S - Static pool side hoist, hoists designed to transfer a person into a pool (learning outcomes E1-3 and 6)

The module will be awarded as Module E / __ with the code for the hoist type trained on, for example, a delegate receiving training involving passive, active and overhead track hoists will receive Module E / PAO; a delegate receiving training on static pool side hoists only (eg pool side attendants) will receive Module E / S

If this module is delivered independently, Module C, learning outcomes C1-6 should be included, or recapped if previously covered. In addition, Module A should be reinforced during the course of the module.

Purpose

To provide instruction and training in the use of hoists to move and/or transfer people.

Learning outcomes - by the end of the session the trainee should be able to:

E1. Describe the safe use and functionality of hoists, and the generic types of hoists available (eg active / passive etc)

E2. Check hoist equipment is in date with regards to LOLER inspection and servicing

E3. Understand the person's needs / conditions that can affect safe hoisting eg awareness and co-operation, communication, restlessness, etc

E4. Demonstrate an awareness of the different type of slings including selection via size, function eg toileting, safe working load (SWL) and clip versus loop attachments, by being able to discuss the use of slings (and the effect different loop selection on a loop sling has on the person's position)

E5. Demonstrate competence undertaking the following activities and safe use of equipment, including pre-use checks, limitation on use, and emergency functions:

i. Sizing / measuring a sling against the person
ii. Inserting and removing a sling with a person in sitting
iii. Hoisting a person from one surface to another eg bed to chair, chair to toilet
iv. For Modules E / PO only:

• ⎯ Hoisting a person from / to the floor
• ⎯ Inserting and removing a sling with the person in a lying position

E6. Demonstrate competency in using a pool hoist (including pre-use checks, limitation on use and emergency functions) and its accessories to transfer a person in and out of a pool

During the training session the trainee will be given the opportunity to practise all relevant manoeuvres outlined above specific to their individual needs.

Suggested Equipment: Passive Mobile / Overhead Track Hoist (a sling lifting hoist, capable of lifting from the floor); Active Hoist; Pool Hoist (and its range of accessories); slide sheets; and a selection of appropriate slings.

2.7 Module F - Lateral Transfers

The suggested minimum time for this session is ½ - 1 hour, dependent on individual need. This module is aimed at employees who handle people for lateral transfers.

If this module is delivered independently, Module C, learning outcomes C1-6 (as applied to lateral transfers) should be included, or recapped if previously covered. In addition, Module A should be reinforced during the course of the module.

Purpose

To provide instruction and training for moving people laterally from one surface to another, for example, bed to trolley.

Learning outcomes - by the end of the session the trainee should be able to:

F1. Demonstrate competence in performing a lateral supine transfer from bed to trolley / trolley to bed utilising the appropriate principles of manual handling with the person being assisted by the relevant number of carers and using the relevant handling aids

F2. Where equipment is used, demonstrate safe use including pre-use checks, limitation on use and emergency functions

During the training session the trainee will be given the opportunity to practise all relevant manoeuvres outlined above specific to their individual needs.

Suggested equipment: full length lateral transfer aids and slide sheets, transport trolleys, beds, mortuary trolleys.

2.8 Continuing Education / Competency Assessment

Continuing education will be required in a number of circumstances, including:

• the employee and / or employer has identified a learning need
• the employee is not working competently
• there is a change in legislation or professional guidance
• there is a change in working procedures
• different equipment is introduced
• a need is indicated following an adverse incident

Continuing education can include: face to face training; coaching or advice; e-learning modules; signposting to further information for self study; self reflection of practice; and / or peer monitoring.

Ongoing monitoring and review is necessary to determine any continuing education needs. This can be achieved by using a Competency Assessment approach, which targets resource at an individual level. In addition to the Competency Assessment approach, the employee should be encouraged to identify their own learning needs. This may be through self assessment or as part of a development / supervision review process (Appendix 6). These assessments will identify specific gaps in an individual's knowledge and / or skills, which need to be addressed through continuing education.

Where the organisation does not have a competency assessment process in place for monitoring and reviewing the competence of employees, a formal refresher / update education programme should be provided. This can be informed by the individual undertaking a self assessment of their learning needs or through a development / supervision review process.

The frequency of continuing education / assessment should be informed by the risk assessment outcomes, including, competency assessments outcomes; injury data; incident data; RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) data; occupational health data; and local sickness absence.