5 Ruse Street Osborne Park Western Australia 6017 Quality Endorsed Company Information Sheet – Cost Benefits of Purchasing Manual Handling Equipment Many people live in nursing homes, group homes and hospitals, and require care from Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and other Carers. Companies like Pelican aim to provide equipment to minimize the risk of injury, as well as being conscious of the comfort and wellbeing of the patient. Part of the care given often requires staff to perform Manual Handling tasks, such as turning a patient in bed to alter where the pressure is being put on their body. These Manual Handling tasks have an inherent risk to the Carer, and it is a common knowledge that Carers suffer a high rate of back injuries. The Australian Government Workplace Health & Safety laws state that employers must provide approved products to help prevent staff injuries. The cost of Manual Handling equipment is offset by the savings, both financial and non-financial, in the following areas: Decrease in staff injuries Decrease in Worker’s Compensation claims resulting from staff injuries Decrease in Worker’s Compensation insurance premiums Increase in staff morale due to management’s proactive attitude to ensuring staff have access to the latest equipment. The costs of Manual Handling injuries can include: Cost to replace the injured employee Cost to train the replacement employee Cost of investigation of the incident Cost of penalties and prosecutions Cost of down time Rehabilitation of the injured employee The cost benefits of purchasing Manual Handling equipment usually outweighs the cost of buying the equipment. To demonstrate these cost benefits, in 1997 a NSW nursing home purchased $9,000 worth of equipment. This figure included all relevant staff training. The other cost benefits which the nursing home received were: Cost of equipment & training Refund from insurer Department of Health & Family Services money received The Director of Nursing summarised by saying “The initial outlay for equipment and training, is money well spent.” Pelican has a number of Manual Handling products. We also supply products used for Pressure Care, Theatre & Post-Operative Care, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Bariatric Care, Lifting Slings, and Restraints and Safety Products. Key points: Government laws requiring employers to provide equipment to help prevent injuries Financial and non-financial savings drawn from using Manual Handling equipment Likelihood of large direct and indirect costs of Manual Handling injuries S:\Restored\Docs\aacOther People's Documents\Tom\Information Sheets\Information Sheet – Cost Benefits of Purchasing Manual Handling Equipment