4. Strategies for people as loads

Once risks have been identified its important to consider and implement strategies to mitigate and make the task as low risk as possible. Ask yourself;

• What is the normal pattern of movement for the patient?
• What can the patient do for themselves?
• Can you instruct the patient (use verbal prompts) so the patient can move by themselves?
• Can you give them a piece of equipment which allows them to move independently?
• Can you instruct them using the equipment?
• Do you need to assist them in moving physically and/or using the piece of equipment?
• Can you assist by yourself or do you need help from a trained colleague / colleagues?
• Is there an unsafe handling technique that you need to avoid?

Any steps used to reduce the handling of the patient must be appropriate to them and any concerns raised/recorded and monitored for example where the patients condition has changed their ability to move safely. Is there an emergency to consider and how will you get the patient evacuated quickly?