Manual Handling vs Moving and Handling in Health and Social Care

Health and social care involve supporting people who may need assistance with day-to-day tasks. Physical assistance often plays a key role, such as helping with movement or repositioning individuals. Two terms often used are “Manual Handling” and “Moving and Handling.” Although these phrases may sound similar, they refer to distinct concepts with key differences in their application, regulation, and impact.

This guide covers what each term means, their relationship, and their importance in caring for individuals safely and responsibly.

Always follow your own organisations policies and procedures.

Manual Handling

Manual handling refers specifically to the used physical effort to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, move, or otherwise manipulate objects or people. It involves the active use of hands and body strength to perform tasks involving movement.

Examples of manual handling include:

• Lifting a box of medical supplies.
• Moving a heavy laundry basket.
• Adjusting furniture in a care setting.
• Carrying equipment from one area to another.

In health and social care, manual handling may also involve physically assisting individuals with tasks such as repositioning in bed or transferring from a wheelchair to a chair.

Risks Associated with Manual Handling

Manual handling poses risks when performed incorrectly or under hazardous conditions. Professionals involved often face injuries, especially if they repeatedly lift heavy loads or use improper lifting techniques.

Common risks include:

• Back injuries, such as muscle strains or herniated disks.
• Joint pain or damage due to repetitive strain.
• Muscle sprains affecting the shoulders, neck, arms, or legs.

Improper manual handling can harm not only the worker but also the person receiving care. For instance, sudden or awkward movements might risk dropping the person or causing discomfort.

Using Proper Techniques

To reduce risks, using correct manual handling techniques is essential. Training within health and social care settings focuses on best practices, such as:

• Bending knees instead of relying solely on your back.
• Keeping loads close to the body.
• Avoiding sudden, jerky movements.

Regulations like the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) in the UK require employers and employees to identify risks and adopt practices that protect safety. Adhering to these rules creates safer, more efficient working environments.

Moving and Handling

Moving and handling refers more broadly to assisting individuals who may have limited mobility. Unlike manual handling, which focuses on physical effort, moving and handling often incorporate tools, equipment, and specialist training to ensure safe, dignified support for those receiving care.

This term applies mainly to situations involving a person’s movement rather than objects.

Examples include:

• Helping a person transfer from a bed to a wheelchair using a hoist.
• Assisting someone reposition safely in bed.
• Helping someone take a few steps using a walking frame.

Moving and handling places emphasis on reducing physical strain on carers while improving the comfort and dignity of individuals receiving assistance.

Types of Equipment Used in Moving and Handling

In many cases, moving and handling involves special equipment that reduces physical strain. These tools promote safety and independence for individuals.

Common types of equipment include:

• Hoists: Used for lifting individuals who cannot move independently. They allow safe transfers from beds, chairs, or wheelchairs.
• Sliding sheets: Help carers reposition people in bed with minimal effort.
• Stand aids: Support individuals who can partially stand but need help improving mobility.
• Wheelchairs and walking aids: Assist individuals with limited mobility in moving short distances.

Equipment must be well-maintained, and carers should know how to operate these tools properly.

Training and Moving and Handling Policies

Moving and handling often involve specific training. These sessions not only cover the practical use of equipment but also ethical considerations. Carers learn how to respect an individual’s privacy and dignity while providing the necessary assistance.

Organisations in the UK are required to follow the MHOR and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) when managing equipment. Policies often provide guidelines on:

• Checking equipment before every use.
• Applying the correct techniques while operating machinery.
• Ensuring compliance with safety standards at all times.

How Manual Handling Differs from Moving and Handling

The differences between manual handling and moving and handling extend beyond their definitions. By understanding these distinctions, carers can ensure safer interactions and support systems tailored to individual needs.

Focus and Coverage:

• Manual handling applies broadly to loads, including objects and people, that require physical effort to move.
• Moving and handling focuses specifically on supporting people’s mobility, often using aids or machines.

Physical Effort:

• Manual handling incorporates direct use of the carer’s body to perform the tasks.
• Moving and handling often leans on equipment to reduce physical strain, making it less physically demanding.

Safety Priorities:

• In manual handling, the main goal is to minimise risks of injury to carers during object or person movement.
• Moving and handling prioritise the safety, dignity, and comfort of the individual receiving care, alongside reducing risks to carers.

Regulatory Focus:

While both activities fall under health and safety laws, moving and handling also intersects with standards relating to dignified care and person-centred support.

Incorporation of Equipment:

Equipment plays a central role in moving and handling, aligning with the idea of reducing dependency on constant physical lifting. Manual handling generally does not involve machines or aids but relies on strength alone.

Scenarios in Health and Social Care

The terms are often applied in different contexts within health and social care:

Manual Handling Scenario

A care worker in a residential home needs to lift and move a box of medical supplies, weighing 15 kilograms, across the room. They assess the weight, follow proper lifting techniques, and carry the load safely to its destination.

Moving and Handling Scenario

A carer uses a hoist to gently lift a person recovering from surgery onto their wheelchair. They engage the individual in the process, explaining each step and using the hoist appropriately to make the experience comfortable and safe.

Promoting Safe Practices

Organisations in health and social care must create a culture where safety is a shared responsibility. Staff training plays a key part in preparing carers to manage manual handling and moving and handling demands safely and effectively.

Components of safe practice include:

• Risk assessment: Identifying potential hazards before any movement occurs.
• Training: Providing practical techniques in line with legal standards.
• Using tools responsibly: Maintaining and using equipment to minimise errors.

Laws and Guidelines

The following UK laws and standards govern manual handling and moving and handling:

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR): Focused on preventing injuries caused by manual handling tasks.
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER): Covers the use of lifting tools like hoists.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Requires employers to manage risks and ensure the safety of both staff and those receiving care.

What This Means for Carers

Understanding the difference between manual handling and moving and handling is vital for carers. Both activities carry risks if improperly performed. Training, proper equipment use, and compliance with legal standards ensure a safer environment for all.

Final Thoughts

In health and social care, tasks involving physical assistance require clear distinctions between manual handling and moving and handling. Viewing them separately helps carers adopt the right practices while prioritising safety and dignity for everyone involved.

While manual handling addresses tasks needing physical effort, moving and handling centres around assisting mobility with dignity, often supported by equipment. Both are essential, but their proper application ensures person-centred care and long-term wellbeing for staff and residents alike.