1. How to find your way around … Example Course You can play the PowerPoint and the Test here. START FINISH

2. How to find your way around … Example Course Always click the ‘home’ icon to save your progress and log off. This is important! START FINISH

3. Hoisting Theory For all staff undertaking patient handling or assisting with the use of hoists. START FINISH

4. Please ensure that you are in-date with your basic back care theory and familiar with the concepts before continuing. This hoisting theory course and the questions in the test assume this knowledge. If necessary please go back and complete that course now. START FINISH Please ensure… Objectives By the end of this short course you should: Understand the basic principles of hoisting theory Have knowledge of the role of LOLER Understand why and how we run pre hoisting checks

5. Basic Principles Hoisting is a form of manual handling, i.e. it is the "transporting or supporting of a load... by hand or by bodily force” Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR) 1992. Therefore all the theory covered in the basic back care course also applies to this hoisting course. The theory covered in the Basic Back Care course includes: o Definitions o Statistics o Law (including the need for all clients to have a manual handling risk assessment) o Anatomy and safer principles of moving and handling o The risk assessment process (Task - Individual - Load/Client - Environment - Equipment) o Safer ways to move START FINISH

6. In addition to the regulations within the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 already covered in the Basic Back Care course, LOLER specifically covers lifting equipment such as cranes and patient hoists. START FINISH

7. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulation (LOLER) 1998 As with everything in the workplace, safety is important and this regulation gives a common sense approach to maximise safety when using patient hoists. LOLER is concerned with ensuring safety when operating the hoist and requires that: o people using the hoist are trained and competent. o the transfer is performed safely i.e. planned and organised (risk assessed and with a completed moving and plan). o the equipment is positioned and installed to minimise risk. o the equipment is strong and stable enough and marked with the safe working load, SWL. o the equipment is inspected every 6 months and serviced by competent people. o the equipment is subject to regular (pre-use) checks. Although hoists and slings must be marked with the Safe Working Load (SWL) this information is not much help unless we also know the client's weight. Hoists and slings in our Trust are inspected by outside engineers every 6 months and are normally serviced at the same time. START FINISH

8. Pre-use checks on the hoist Before using a hoist make sure that: 1. The hoist has a service label and is within the 6 monthly service date. The label will show the date of the last service and the date the next service is due. 2. You know the safe working load (SWL) of the hoist and this should be marked on the hoist. You should also know the weight of the client, especially if they may approach the SWL of the hoist (or sling). You MUST also be familiar with the emergency controls (emergency lower and the emergency stop) and how to use them. START FINISH

9. Pre-use checks on the sling o Before using a sling the following checks must be made to ensure the sling is suitable and safe. o Is the sling clean and hygienic? o Is it the correct sling for the client, the hoist and the type of transfer? o Is the stitching showing signs of wear ? This usually happens where the loops attach to the body of the sling o Can you read the label? The ink is designed to fade over time with repeated washing and indicates the sling must be condemned as the fabric may have become weak. o Do you know the SWL of the sling as well as the hoist? o Is the fabric wrinkled? This usually indicates heat damage. The sling has been washed or tumbled dried at too high a temperature and must be discarded. o Disposable slings should be condemned and disposed of if they become wet. They should never be washed or cleaned. START FINISH

10. Also ensure that: the battery is charged (electric hoist)? It is all too easy to forget to leave the hoist on charge when not in use with the result that the hoist might stop working during a hoist. This risk can be reduced by ward based systems and also by having a second battery on charge. o the brakes work o the wheels turn freely o the hoist works (the hoist lifts/lowers and the base opens and closes). o that all necessary attachments are in place o the hoist is clean and hygienic o there is no obvious damage - bare wires, damage to sockets. o when using a liko golvo hoist check whether the belt is frayed or twisted and also whether the spreader bar is fitted with a padded jacket. START FINISH

11. Pre-use checks – and finally …. Check that that the sling is suitable for the patient and task – if in doubt stop and seek advice! And make sure that the sling and hoist are compatible START FINISH

12. www.btuheks.nhs.uk library@btuh.nhs.uk 01268 524900 EX3594 Remember, if you want to find more information / evidence about this subject or anything else which is relevant to your work or study, join your local healthcare library. For staff in Essex contact Basildon Healthcare Library. It may be that you work in a different area, for example Luton. Details of all the Health Libraries in the East of England can be found at this site… You are welcome to join any of these. www.eel.nhs.uk START FINISH

13. Review of Objective(s) Before completing the test, please ensure you have acquired the relevant knowledge against the modules objective(s) below: “Understand the basic principles of hoisting theory Have knowledge of the role of LOLER Understand why and how we run pre hoisting checks” If not, please take this opportunity to revisit the presentation content. CONTINUE START FINISH

14. You now need to take the test! Example Course Remember to click the ‘home’ icon when you have finished the test to save your results! START FINISH