When it comes to lifting, moving, or shifting anything in aged care, it pays to do it the right way. Not just for comfort, but for safety—your safety, and the safety of those you care for. That is where a clear manual handling policy becomes your best friend.

Whether you manage a nursing home or oversee compliance in a residential facility, the risks of poor lifting practices are more than just sore backs. They can result in real injuries, lost work hours, and even penalties under Australian workplace safety laws.

This guide will help you set up or review a manual handling policy that ticks all the boxes—using aged care policy templates from Governa AI to make life a bit easier.

What Is Manual Handling in Aged Care?

Manual handling is anything that involves physical effort to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, or move a person or object. In aged care, this might include:

• Helping a resident into or out of bed
  
• Pushing a wheelchai
  
• Lifting boxes of supplies
  
• Transferring residents using hoists
  

You might think you are just lending a hand. But one wrong move, and that hand could be out of action for weeks.

Why a Policy Matters

Without clear instructions, people tend to do what feels right in the moment. That can be dangerous. A proper manual handling policy sets out the right way to do things—before problems start.

Here is what it protects:

• Staff: Less risk of injury
  
• Residents: Safer movement and care
  
• Facility: Fewer incidents, lower insurance costs, and legal peace of mind
  

Common Injuries from Poor Manual Handling

You probably know someone who has done their back in at work. Maybe it happened to you. It is often avoidable. The most common injuries include:

• Sprains and strains
  
• Back injuries
  
• Shoulder problems
  
• Wrist or knee issues
  

These injuries are not just painful. They are expensive. And they slow everything down.

What to Include in Your Manual Handling Policy

A solid policy should be as clear as a sunny day in Queensland. No fluff. No jargon. Just practical rules everyone understands.

Here is what you should cover:

1. Risk Assessment Process

Lay out how you will identify tasks that pose a risk. For example:

• Moving residents
  
• Handling laundry or waste
  
• Stocking storage rooms
  

Explain how staff should assess their environment before they lift anything. If it looks risky, it probably is.

2. Safe Lifting Techniques

Break it down simply. Like:

• Keep the load close to your body
  
• Bend your knees, not your back
  
• Ask for help when it is too heavy
  

Use visuals or diagrams where possible. People remember what they can see.

3. Equipment Use

Spell out how to use lifting aids:

• Slide sheets
  
• Hoists
  
• Transfer belts
  

Make it clear when to use them and how to report a broken one. If a hoist looks like it has seen better days, staff should not be guessing what to do next.

4. Staff Training and Refreshers

Say when training happens and how often. Once a year? Twice? After someone gets hurt? Make it routine. Not just a box to tick.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Who checks the equipment? Who reports injuries? Who makes sure training is booked? Assign roles clearly so no one is left in the dark.

6. Reporting System

Make it simple for staff to report near misses or incidents. One slip-up should not become a secret. Use a reporting form or digital tool to track events.

Want to save time writing all this from scratch?
Check out the ready-to-edit templates at Governa AI Policy Templates.

Injury Prevention Starts with a Good Policy

Think of your manual handling policy like the brakes on a car. You hope you never need to slam them, but you are glad they are there.

Here are some injury prevention tips to back up your policy:

• Encourage a “speak up” culture—if something feels unsafe, say so
  
• Provide proper footwear—grip matters
  
• Check floors are dry and clutter-free
  
• Review staff rosters to avoid burnout and overwork
  

A policy only works if it is followed. So make sure your team knows it inside and out. Post it in break rooms. Cover it during inductions. Bring it up at meetings.

Common Policy Pitfalls to Avoid

Let us be honest—some policies gather dust. Here is what usually goes wrong:

• Too long or full of legal talk
  
• Not updated regularly
  
• No one is trained to apply it
  
• No one knows where to find it
  

A good manual handling policy should be short, practical, and part of daily routine. You should not need a lawyer to understand it.

Governa AI Makes It Easier

If you are looking at a blank document and wondering where to start, Governa AI can save you time. We offer aged care policy templates that you can tailor to your facility, staff, and local regulations.

No need to reinvent the wheel. Just plug in the details and you are ready to go.

Find templates for:

• Manual Handling
  
• Infection Control
  
• Medication Management
  
• Incident Reporting
  

Visit our full list here: Governa AI Policy Templates

Wrap-Up: Protect People, Protect Your Service

Your staff work hard. Your residents depend on safe, steady care. A clear manual handling policy helps protect both. It reduces injuries, keeps compliance on track, and makes sure everyone knows the right way to do things.

When lifting turns into a guessing game, no one wins. But when everyone is on the same page? That is when your facility runs smoothly.

If you do not already have a policy in place—or if your current one is gathering dust—now is the time.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Start building safer systems today with Governa AI’s policy templates.
👉 Get Your Manual Handling Policy Template

Make safety simple. Let your policy do the heavy lifting.