| Task |
Solutions |
| Making beds |
No Generic Solution available |
| Making beds |
Advise residents' administrators to purchase beds that are suitable from a safety perspective, lightweight mattresses, wheels on legs, height adjustable |
| Making beds |
In the worst case scenario, where the bed is fixed height, immovable, with an inner spring mattress, use 2 staff members where possible to change sheets etc |
| Making beds |
Where 2 staff members are not available, do work in short periods using safer techniques of back straight with knees bent, avoid significant twisting |
| Making beds |
Slow down |
| Moving bed, turning mattress |
No Generic Solution available |
| Moving bed, turning mattress |
No Generic Solution available |
| Moving bed, turning mattress |
Use two or more staff members |
| Cleaning shower, bath, toilet |
No Generic Solution available |
| Cleaning shower, bath, toilet |
Use manoeuvrable bucket (wheels, rotates) |
| Cleaning shower, bath, toilet |
Use small step ladder (2-3 steps) |
| Cleaning shower, bath, toilet |
Wash walls only to comfortable arm reach - for higher parts |
| Emptying mop bucket |
Reduce amount of liquid used |
| Emptying mop bucket |
No Generic Solution available |
| Emptying mop bucket |
Fill bucket to a maximum 50% capacity of water |
| Emptying mop bucket |
Take empty bucket to bathroom rather than wheeling bucket with water over distances / potentially varying surfaces |
| Emptying mop bucket |
When purchasing bucket, consider castors (for manoeuvrability), type of bucket size, size of bucket, type of handle |
| Dusting |
No Generic Solution available |
| Dusting |
Use long handled dusters |
| Dusting |
Do one room per week or shift |
| Dusting |
Rotate task |
| Washing walls |
No Generic Solution available |
| Washing walls |
Use internal step ladder to access high points (ensure footing is securable) |
| Washing walls |
Wash small sections close to body |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
purchase a wheeled mop butcket and cradle for emptying bucket |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Use a wide loom brush for all sweeping |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Extension handle for all tasks, that is lightweight |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Ensure that vacuum is manoeuvrable, lightweight (requirements to be confirmed with DAS) |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Use a steam mop |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Install chemical dispensing unit to minimise lifting mop buckets or chemicals containers. |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Slow down |
| Vacuuming / Mopping / Sweeping |
Ensure all tasks are performed for short periods at a time, and that no one person is required to perform all of these consecutively |
| Cleaning low and high windows |
Use high pressure hose with chemical attachment for external windows, so that wiping is not required |
| Cleaning low and high windows |
Use professional window cleaners |
| Cleaning low and high windows |
No Generic Solution available |
| Cleaning low and high windows |
Consider using step ladder (use caution with safety features) for high windows or apparatus with extension handle |
| Moving furniture |
If furniture in house is considered too heavy, consider having it removed from assets register |
| Moving furniture |
When purchasing furniture, consider weight of frames etc, furniture that is on legs/high feet so that cleaning can be performed without having to move it |
| Moving furniture |
Guidelines to be developed that state furniture is not to be moved by DAS staff |
| Moving furniture |
Consider using furniture removalists for moving furniture |
| Moving furniture |
Use mechanical aids |
| Moving furniture |
Place furniture on slides (plastic, felt) so can be more easily glided |
| Moving furniture |
Always use 2 staff members |
| Moving furniture |
Ensure that you have clear access |
| Emptying rubbish bins |
When requesting bins, consider reducing size of bin to reduce weight |
| Emptying rubbish bins |
Fill to half full only |
| Emptying rubbish bins |
Use mechanical aid [gazumpta] to move bins from point a to b |
| Emptying rubbish bins |
Use of durable bin liners to prevent bag breakage/spillage |
| Moving heavy items from oven/microwave |
No Generic Solution available |
| Moving heavy items from oven/microwave |
Use smaller containers for cooking where appropriate |
| Moving heavy items from oven/microwave |
Incorporate a heat proof bench next to oven/microwave (to enable put down) |
| Moving heavy items from oven/microwave |
Ensure that oven is positioned close to kitchen bench |
| Moving heavy items from oven/microwave |
Place oven/microwave between knee and shoulder height (not overhead) |
| Moving heavy items from oven/microwave |
Ensure that all utensils are easily accessible |
| Unpacking dishwasher |
No Generic Solution available |
| Unpacking dishwasher |
No Generic Solution available |
| Unpacking dishwasher |
Wash heavy items in sink |
| Unpacking dishwasher |
Only pack light items on bottom of dishwasher |
| Mixing and cutting |
Purchase vegetables already prepared, if affordable |
| Mixing and cutting |
Ensure knives are sharpened |
| Mixing and cutting |
Use food processor |
| Mixing and cutting |
Purchase broad handled knives that are ergonomically more suitable |
| Mixing and cutting |
No Generic Solution available |
| Reaching items on high or difficult to reach shelves |
No Generic Solution available |
| Reaching items on high or difficult to reach shelves |
Install 'Lazy Susan' mechanism in cupboard |
| Reaching items on high or difficult to reach shelves |
Do not store items at out of reach shelves-have them removed |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
No Generic Solution available |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Do smaller loads more frequently |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Ensure that linen bags are moved on trolleys, not dragged along the floor |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Fixed basket trolleys |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Ensure path to the clothesline is wider than trolley wheels |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Larger wheels on trolleys |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Use height adjustable laundry trolleys to transfer |
| Lifting and moving washing baskets/bags |
Ensure no steps or broken paths |
| Pegging clothes to a high line |
Ensure no fixed height washing lines are installed |
| Pegging clothes to a high line |
Install adjustable height washing lines |
| Pegging clothes to a high line |
Use foldaway ramp when pegging clothes on to fixed height line |
| Pegging clothes to a high line |
No Generic Solution available |
| Ironing |
No Generic Solution available |
| Ironing |
Provide and use adjustable height ironing board |
| Ironing |
Use of a lightweight iron |
| Ironing |
Ensure that iron is stored on a shelf at waist level |
| Ironing |
Consider sitting whilst ironing |
| Ironing |
Rotate job around |
| Moving around items around the laundry |
No Generic Solution available |
| Moving around items around the laundry |
No Generic Solution available |
| Moving around items around the laundry |
Minimise clutter to increase access |
| Moving around items around the laundry |
Use training of biomechanics to assist staff in safer techniques |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
No Generic Solution available |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Use trolley for continence pads in high needs houses |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Laundry trolley should be height adjustable and on wheels |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Larger wheels on trolleys |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Ensure that washer and dryer are front loaders, and raised |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Do smaller loads more frequently |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Transfer washing in small loads |
| Lifting wet clothes into laundry basket, trolley or transferring from washer into dryer |
Ensure laundry basket is adjusted and positioned to prevent bending and stretching and ensure that pegs are placed in laundry basket |
| Folding clothes |
No Generic Solution available |
| Folding clothes |
Where laundry will not accommodate this, use work bench space elsewhere in house (consider drop down ironing boards for example) |
| Folding clothes |
Install work bench in laundry at 900mm |
| Folding clothes |
Ensure the laundry trolley and clothes bench are adjusted to height that reduces bending |
| Folding clothes |
Fold clothes as you take them in off the line |
| Using a computer |
No Generic Solution available |
| Using a computer |
No Generic Solution available |
| Using a computer |
Use document such as Office Wise to set up work station |
| Using a computer |
Consider OT assessment if administration duties are a concern |
| Using a computer |
Contact regional work health staff |
| Opening filing cabinets with unstable or difficult to pull drawers |
Secure firmly to the floor or wall |
| Opening filing cabinets with unstable or difficult to pull drawers |
Only purchase anti tilt filing cabinets |
| Opening filing cabinets with unstable or difficult to pull drawers |
No Generic Solution available |
| Opening filing cabinets with unstable or difficult to pull drawers |
Ensure heavier items are in the lower draws |
| Working at the desk (Lack of bench space) |
No Generic Solution available |
| Working at the desk (Lack of bench space) |
Install extra shelving to accommodate excess information/books etc |
| Working at the desk (Lack of bench space) |
Housekeeping, to keep excess files to a minimum |
| Writing for long periods |
No Generic Solution available |
| Writing for long periods |
No Generic Solution available |
| Writing for long periods |
Break task into smaller periods of time |
| Twisting to reach documents, telephone etc |
No Generic Solution available |
| Twisting to reach documents, telephone etc |
No Generic Solution available |
| Twisting to reach documents, telephone etc |
Ensure set up of workstation caters for items such as filing cabinets, phone etc |
| Twisting to reach documents, telephone etc |
Refer to Office Wise document or OT assessment |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Use Contractors, unless part of client preference |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Use whipper snipper around trees and bushes rather than mower |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Ensure regularity of mowing to reduce length of grass |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Empty catcher frequently |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Mow down the slope |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Purchase equipment that is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre |
| Mowing large areas, sloping ground, under bushes and trees, rough ground |
Ensure that bushes and trees are pruned regularly to allow access with mower |
| Taking out the wheelie / recycle bin |
ask council for smaller bins and a wheelie recycle bin |
| Taking out the wheelie / recycle bin |
No Generic Solution available |
| Taking out the wheelie / recycle bin |
No Generic Solution available |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Use external provider, budget permitting, consider intermittently |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Dig out weeds rather than pulling them out |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Use long handled, lightweight equipment |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Do frequently rather than a larger amount at one time |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Use lime and other substances to break up soil prior to digging |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Dig gradually |
| Weeding, digging pruning |
Prune trees and bushes bit by bit |
| Shopping |
Park vehicle close to shop to minimise |
| Shopping |
No Generic Solution available |
| Shopping |
Shop when roster allows help from staff and clients |
| Pushing Shopping Trolley |
Do not overload |
| Pushing Shopping Trolley |
pushing distance - park close to shops |
| Pushing Shopping Trolley |
Select trolley with well functioning wheels |
| Pushing Shopping Trolley |
Shop more frequently resulting in smaller loads |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Consider using home delivery for heavier bags of shopping (eg detergent, 3l containers of milk |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Consider home delivery, all the way to kitchen, not just to front door |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Ask checkout person not to overload bags |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Request assistance from shop personnel |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
No Generic Solution available |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Place trolley close to vehicle to load bags |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Request assistance from store personnel |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Include in roster, opportunity to do more frequent small shopping trips |
| Lifting and Carrying Shopping Bags |
Training of all staff according to risk assessment for individual resident |
| Using hoist in vehicle |
No Generic Solution available |
| Using hoist in vehicle |
No Generic Solution available |
| Using hoist in vehicle |
Use two staff members, one to drive the hoist and the other inside the vehicle to reassure the resident |
| Using hoist in vehicle |
Training of all staff according to risk assessment for individual resident |
| Securing Wheelchairs |
No Generic Solution available |
| Securing Wheelchairs |
No Generic Solution available |
| Securing Wheelchairs |
Use two staff members when loading wheelchairs into bus, one to position and hold the wheel chair and one to secure the locking mechanisms and seat belts |
| Securing Wheelchairs |
Follow the loading procedures |
| Bending to secure seatbelts |
No Generic Solution available |
| Bending to secure seatbelts |
Modifying seat belts to extend the female connector, and hooks to hold in the extended position |
| Bending to secure seatbelts |
Put ‘Alert’ notice in bus in prominent place about safe techniques for securing belts |
| Bending to secure seatbelts |
Make sure seat belt is out from under resident before seating them |
| Bending to secure seatbelts |
Kneel on vehicle floor to fasten belt or pass to another staff member |