Manual Handling Equipment: A Practical Guide for Carers and Nurses

Moving people is one of the hardest parts of care work. Turning someone in bed, helping them stand or moving them from a bed to a chair all carry a risk of injury for the carer. The right manual handling equipment can reduce strain on carers and nurses and make each move more comfortable for the person being helped. Pelican’s manual handling equipment range is designed with the carer in mind, and is one of the largest ranges we make in our Osborne Park workshop.

This guide covers the main types of manual handling aid, what each is for, and how to choose.

Why manual handling equipment matters

Manual handling of people is known to be associated with a high risk of injury for carers and nursing staff. Good equipment does not replace training or a proper risk assessment, but it gives carers better tools for the task. Many of our products were developed with ex-carers on our team and suggestions from customers who saw a problem that needed solving.

Slide sheets for turning and repositioning

Slide sheets are among the most widely used manual handling aids. They reduce friction so a person can be turned or moved up the bed with less effort.

The Bed Slide Sheet is a slippery nylon sheet with sealed edges for infection control. It is generally used folded in half, so two slippery surfaces slide against each other. Colours have different properties: red and light blue are quiet and breathable, while pink and royal blue are non-breathable.
A single patient use version comes in packs of 10.
The Bed Roller Sheet helps slide a patient up or down a bed.
Turn Yourself sheets and pads have slippery material on top and foam underneath that grips the bed, helping people move themselves.
The Bed Slide Sheet Holder keeps sheets stored and ready in two sizes.

Transfer belts and gait belts

When someone can bear some weight but needs help to stand or walk, a belt gives the carer a secure place to hold.

The Soft Transfer Belt is a padded standing and walking belt with an adjustable webbing strap. The soft velour is comfortable for the wearer and the handles are easy for carers to grip. One or two carers can support the person, depending on their needs. Small and wipeable versions are also available.
The Gait Belt is designed for sit-to-stand transfers and walking support. It gives a clinician or carer a secure handling point when helping someone with reduced balance or mobility.
The Handi Lift Walk Belt is a standing and walking belt with hook and loop fastening. Versions for ambulance services are available.

Transfer aids: bed, chair, car and trolley

Slide boards bridge the gap between a wheelchair and a chair, bed or commode. See our slide boards range for the full choice of shapes.
Turning aids such as the Handi Turn help transfer a person from wheelchair to chair, toilet or bed.
Car transfer aids, including the Car Seat Slider, Car Access Handle and Car Seat Slide Pads, help people get in and out of a car.
Trolley transfers are helped by the Trolley Slide Sheet and Sliding Trolley Sheet, used to move a patient between a bed and a trolley or operating table.
Hoist accessories such as the Slide & Turn Hoist Sheet let a hoist do the turning instead of the carer.

Aids for limbs and daily tasks

Smaller tasks add up across a shift. Products like the Leg Lifter, Knee/Leg Sling, Leg/Arm Bandaging Supports and the Patient Turning Straps help take the weight of a limb or help turn someone who cannot roll on to their side. The Kneeling Support helps carers who need to bend down to treat a patient.

How to choose manual handling equipment

Start with a risk assessment. The person’s mobility, weight, cognition and the environment should guide the choice. Your OT, physio or manual handling coordinator can help.
Match the aid to the task. Repositioning in bed, sit-to-stand, walking and bed-to-chair transfers each need different equipment.
Think about infection control. Sealed edges, wipeable materials and single patient use options suit shared settings.
Check the size. Belts and sheets come in different sizes, and bariatric versions of several products are available.
Train the team. Read the instructions on each product page and make sure everyone uses the equipment the same way.

Manual handling FAQs

What is the difference between a gait belt and a transfer belt?

Both give carers a secure handling point. Our Gait Belt is a simple webbing belt for sit-to-stand and walking support. Our Soft Transfer Belt is padded, with handles that are easy to grip.

Which slide sheet colour should I choose?

Red and light blue sheets are quiet and breathable. Pink and royal blue are noisier and non-breathable. The product page lists sizes for each.

Do you have bariatric manual handling aids?

Yes. Several products come in bariatric versions. See our bariatric equipment range.

Can you make custom manual handling equipment?

Yes. Many of our products began as custom requests. Contact us with your requirements.

Talk to Pelican about manual handling

Pelican has supplied hospitals, aged care homes and families since 1987, working to an AS/NZS ISO 9001 quality system. We ship Australia-wide and accept NDIS orders. Browse the full Pelican manual handling equipment range or contact our team on FreeCall 1800 641 577 to discuss your facility’s needs.