www.aidacarelifters.com.au | 1300 133 120
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SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA, 2013.
COMPENDIUM OF WORKER’S COMPENSATION
STATISTICS AUSTRALIA 2010-11.
1. CARRY OUT A RISK ASSESSMENT
The manual handling of patients can pose a serious risk to healthcare workers. In fact, injury due to
manual handling accounts for 42% of incidents in this environment (Safe Work Australia, 2013). It is
therefore important to understand your risk and manage it, by considering the following factors
when using your sling.
1. Task
2. Environment
4. Equipment
3. Individual
5. Load
• Is the sling choice appropriate to the task?
• What other equipment is required for
the task?
• How frequently will the task occur?
• Is there enough space to carry out the
transfer?
• Is the floor level and smooth?
• Are there any trip hazards that could cause
injury to the carer or patient?
• Can other equipment in the room
minimise the manual handling effort
eg. changing bed height?
• What is the patient’s functional ability?
• Can the patient assist with the transfer?
• Can the patient comply with the transfer?
• Does the patient have a medical condition
which may impact the transfer?
• Are there medical devices to consider
eg. catheters or drains?
• Is the sling the correct size for the patient’s
body shape and height?
• Does the patient have a physical
presentation which may impact upon the
choice of sling eg. amputation?
• Does the sling have an appropriate
safe working load (SWL) for the
patient’s weight?
• Is the sling choice appropriate to the
patient’s functional ability?
• Is the sling choice compatible with the
lifter?
• Is the sling fabric appropriate to the task
and the patient?
• Does the carer know how to apply the
sling and safely operate the lifter?
• Is the sling in good condition? It should
not be used if fraying, snags or tears are
evident.
• Can the labelling be read on the lifter and
sling?
• Is the lifter or sling due to have a service?
Deluxe Standing Sling
Description
Suitable for individuals who can weight bear and who have
appropriate upper body strength to allow standing transfers
Support Offered
User must have weight bearing status and adequate
upper body strength. A security belt for additional safety
Type Of Transfer
Only to be used with a standing lifter. For seated to seated
(including toilet) transfers
Material Available
Polyester
Attachment
Loop or Clip
Deluxe General Purpose Sling
(Also Available With Head Support)
Description
An easy-to-fit sling with divided leg sections
Support Offered
Supports the whole body
Type Of Transfer
General transfers including: seated to seated transfers &
bed to chair transfers
Material Available
Polyester or Mesh
Attachment
Loop or Clip (Head Support model only)
Deluxe Hygiene Access Sling
(Also Available With Head Support)
Description
Used for ease of toileting and dressing / undressing
an individual
Support
Offered
Supports the trunk and thighs. A security belt for
additional safety
Type Of Transfer
Toilet / hygiene transfers
Material Available
Polyester
Attachment
Loop or Clip (Head Support model only)
2. CHOOSE YOUR SLING MODEL
Your choice of sling model will depend on the task you are using it for and the physical
characteristics of the user. With a wide variety of options, it can often be difficult to know which
sling is the most appropriate. The tables below will guide you in choosing the correct sling model.
