On Wed, 22 Oct 1997, Caryl Davies Ext 4610 wrote:
>
> Two issues:
> First, can anyone point me in the right direction for any regulations
> that relate to manual lifting;
The only regulation I have ever heard of to do with lifting is that if
someone weighs above 8 stone then by law they should use a hoist rather
than do a manual lift. This is an EC regulation. I imagine a
residential care home could give you the precise rules.
> Second, one of our students who is new to being lifted by hoist and
> who is finding it takes a long time would like contact with other
> hoist users. She is particularly intersted in finding out how
> time consuming other students find the use of a hoist and whether initial
> use took longer etc.
> Caryl Davies
> Cardiff
> [log in to unmask]
>
Our students have also found using the hoist slower than a manual lift.
Generally they come from a home situation where parents have been doing
the lifting, without a hoist. It is therefore frustrating to have to take
longer over transfers, but once carers are used to the hoist, using it
takes only a couple of minutes longer than a manual lift, in our
experience. You do tend to find the no manual lifting rule being ignored
though - but obviously this puts the carers' health at risk, and whoever
employs the carers no doubt could be sued. Not to mention the risk of
someone who strains their back dropping the student!
If your student would like to talk to students here who've used hoists,
she would be very welcome.
Jane McLarty
Adviser for students and staff with a disability
University of Cambridge
Bridget's, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QF
Tel: 01223 332301
Fax: 01223 461324
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