Aged-care workers are at a high risk of injury from performing manual handling tasks, according to an article on the Australian Aging Agenda website.
In 2012, more than three-quarters of aged-care facilities reported a work-related injury or illness in the previous three months, according the latest aged care workforce census.
Facility design, workload, accessibility of equipment, staffing and supervision, repetition of tasks and work organization are some of the contributory risk factors, the article said.
High-performing facilities were physically designed to support the use and accessible storage of lifting equipment.
The more recently the facility was built, the more likely it was to have doorways that took in all of the equipment, and included smooth flooring so as not to limit staff using mobility equipment, the article said.
Building Envelope Design: Beyond Energy Efficiency
Outpatient Surge Reshapes Long-Term Strategy for Medical Outpatient Buildings
Mercy Medical Center to Be Integrated into Baystate Health
Managing IAQ in Healthcare Facilities During Wildfires
Building Hospital Resilience in an Era of Extreme Weather