Product Overview

This Aged Care Safety Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for safe work practices in aged care environments. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of Aged Care Safety, supporting robust WHS compliance for workers and residents alike.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Assisting physically impaired residents with mobility, transfers, and daily living tasks while minimising manual handling risks
• Safe operation of platform lifts for wheelchair users, including pre-use checks, loading, travel, and emergency procedures
• Wheelchair accessibility assistance, including safe pushing, manoeuvring, and negotiating ramps, thresholds, and confined spaces
• Selection and use of appropriate mobility aids (walkers, hoists, transfer belts) to reduce strain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries
• Resident transfer techniques between bed, chair, toilet, and vehicle using mechanical aids and team lifting where required
• Management of slip, trip, and fall hazards in corridors, bathrooms, common areas, and outdoor access paths
• Communication with residents who have cognitive impairment, hearing loss, or limited English to ensure understanding of movements and tasks
• Infection prevention and control measures during close-contact care, including hand hygiene and use of PPE
• Emergency response procedures for lift failure, resident falls, medical episodes, and evacuation of mobility-impaired residents
• Housekeeping practices to maintain clear access ways for wheelchairs, walkers, and emergency equipment
• Coordination with contractors and visitors to ensure safe access and movement around aged care facilities

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for aged care workers, disability support workers, nurses, personal care assistants, facility managers, and site supervisors responsible for safe resident handling and mobility support in aged care and community care settings.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls in aged care environments
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Requirements and controls for manual handling and resident transfer activities
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – Standards for safe access, amenities, and environmental conditions in care facilities
• Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace – Guidance on first aid arrangements for residents, visitors, and workers
• AS 1428.1 Design for access and mobility – General requirements for access – New building work – Requirements for accessible paths of travel, ramps, and circulation spaces
• AS 1735 Lifts, escalators and moving walks (relevant parts) – Requirements for the safe use and operation of platform lifts for wheelchair users
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017