Safe Work Procedure
Mechanical floor lift transfer from bed to chair
Department:
Written By:
H. Nurse
Hazards Present:
Approved By:
Date Created:
February 19, 2008
J. President
Personal Protective Equipment
or Devices Required:
Date of last Revision:
May 5, 2009
Training:
- If procedure not followed, task
- Mechanical lift and appropriate
- Safe patient handling
has potential for awkward
sling
- Violence and harassment
postures and overexertion which
prevention. Managing reactive /
can increase the risk of back or
defensive behaviors
upper limb (fingers to shoulder)
*MSI injury
- Grabs / strikes from reactive or
defensive behavior
- Pinching of fingers
*Signs and symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury (MSI) can include pain, burning, swelling, color changes,
numbness/tingling, and loss of movement or strength in a body part. A worker should inform their
supervisor if they experience these or other signs and symptoms so the work tasks can be re-assessed.
Steps to complete the task safely:
- Need 2 Health Care Workers (HCW), one on each side of patient’s bed. Lower side rails. Bed brakes on
- Place bed flat, bed surface at the top of the hip bones of the shorter worker.
Option A to place sling, patient rolled onto side:
- Have patient roll slightly on side or assist onto side. If assisting patient to roll onto side, first help patient
bend closest knee so foot is flat on the bed or cross patient’s legs at the ankles. Roll patient to side
opposite of bent knee. HCW places hands on patient’s hips and shoulders, lowers themselves by bending
knees and hips, keeps elbows by sides and weight shifts forward to push and roll patient. HCW on
opposite side receives patient and holds them in place while first HCW tucks sling under patient for correct
placement
- Have patient roll back onto back and roll slightly towards opposite side so other HCW can grasp the
tucked side of the sling and pull it flat. If patient needs assistance to roll, follow the same procedure as
initial roll but with the second HCW rolling the patient
Option B to place sling, patient remains supine:
- HCWs fold and unfurl 2 slider sheets under patient – see SWP application of sliders – fold method
- HCWs insert sling between sliders beginning from the end closest to feet
- Facing the foot of the bed in a wide walking stance, back straight, elbow bent and level with the bed
surface, HCWs weight shift from front foot to back foot to slide sling up to desired position
- Remove slider – see SWP application of sliders – fold method
- Position leg straps under legs, bring up between patient’s thighs and cross straps or as per manufacturer
- Move lift under bed, open legs, and lower lift bar over patient. Brakes of lift are off
- Attach straps to lift bar. Use shortest strap hook at shoulders and longest strap hook at legs. (Refer to
care plan if special needs dictate a different sling hook up). Ensure patient’s elbows are inside sling
- Raise patient so their buttocks are off the bed. Visually check strap before moving client away from bed
- Move lift away from bed. One HCW pulls back lift while other HCW guides patient’s legs off bed. Position
patient to face the mast. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for legs open or closed for transporting patient
- Keep elbows in when pushing lift. When turning, step to side of lift and with staggered stance and elbows
tucked in, push handle of lift sideways by stepping forward. Lift will turn easily.
- When lowering at destination, 2nd HCW makes sure the hanger bar does not hit the patient. If lowering
into a wheelchair, the chair brakes are on and chair should tilt back on its own as patient’s hips slide down
the back of the chair to position patient at the back of the chair. As patient positioned, lift is moved back
- Unhook sling. If patient is in wheelchair, to remove sling try to have patient help to lift thighs or get help
from other HCW if necessary. Then cue the patient to lean forward as HCW draws leg straps toward back
of chair so the rest of the sling can be slid out. A slider could also be used to assist sling removal
Guidance Documents/ Standards /
Applicable Legislation / Other:


Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health
Regulations M.R. 217/2006 parts 2.1, 8, 10, 11,
39.5, 39.10
WRHA Safe Patient Handling & Movement
Program (2008)
Task Monitoring Process
The employer will monitor the effectiveness of any
control measures implemented to reduce the risk of
musculoskeletal injury