1. Postgraduate Certificate in
Moving and Handling at AUT
Health and Rehabilitation Research Centre
Auckland University of Technology
New Zealand
Fiona Trevelyan
fiona.trevelyan@aut.ac.nz

2. Moving and handling (M&H)
! The cost of occupational injury related to patient
handling are high in the healthcare sector (Lipscomb et
al, 2012)
! Musculoskeletal injuries (MSDs) especially back and
shoulder injuries are a major problem in all settings of
patient care (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2009)
! Nursing aids had the highest incidence and third
highest number of MSDs among all occupations in
2007 (BLS, 2007)

3. Workplace injury claims in New Zealand
! 4,800 new workplace claims for back injuries in 1 year
(July 2009 – June 2010)
n Of these, 301 claims were in the health sector with new claim
costs of $6.5 million
! 28% increase in injury claim costs in the Residential
Care Sector between 2004 and 2009
ACC Claims Data, June 2010
! Of long-term claims in residential care employees
(2007-2009):
n 63% for injuries to low back/shoulders; 26% upper/lower
limb
n 50% due to client handling, 16% during equipment handling,
4% using equipment and 17% for slips/falls

4. Injury prevention strategy (NZ)
! NZ Injury Prevention Strategy (2003)
n Provides the framework for injury prevention
n Focus on 6 areas (incl. workplace injury) as make up 80% of injury
death and serious injuries
! Moving and Handling People Guidelines (2012)
! WorkSafe NZ: reform of the NZ workplace H&S system (December 2013)
! NZ Workplace Health and Safety Strategy (2005)
Prioritises 8 areas; which include manual handling, psychosocial factors
and slips/trips and falls
! Discomfort, Pain and Injury Programme (DPI)(2007)
ACC’s approach to prevention and management of workplace
musculoskeletal conditions

5. Moving and Handling People
Guidelines (2012)
“Strong evidence that only multifactor interventions/programmes are
successful in reducing injuries”
A M&H programme typically includes:-
! A no-lift or similar policy
! Risk assessment
! Provision of M&H equipment
! Designing facilities for M&H people
! Training
! MH training is largely ineffective in reducing back pain and back
injury. High priority should be given to developing and evaluating
multidimensional interventions (Clemes et al, 2010)

6. Content of Moving and Handling
Postgraduate Certificate
Paper Points Dates
Health Ergonomics 15 points August 2014
Concepts of Moving and
Handling
30 points Semester 1, 2015
Special topic paper 15 points Semester 2, 2015
Total 60 points
Based on the M&H post graduate qualification offered at
Loughborough University, UK

7. Health Ergonomics (589706)
Paper content
! Ergonomics involves the interaction between people and work
! Health ergonomics focuses on those work factors that influence a
person’s health and wellbeing and can affect an individual’s ability to
remain healthy at work
! Incorporates a systems approach
Structure
! Teaching: 4 day teaching block
n 21 – 24 August, 2014
! Assessment: 1 written assignment

8. Occupational Ergonomics: Concepts of
Moving and Handling (588090)
Paper content
! The identification of physical and psychosocial factors within the
work environment
! Assessment of risk associated with moving and handling
! Design of the physical environment
! Evaluation and management of complex moving and handling
scenarios
Structure
! Teaching: Two 3 day teaching blocks (Semester 1, 2015)
! Assessment: 3 assignments

9. Summary
! Musculoskeletal disorders are the most commonly reported type of
work-related ill-health; and represent a major burden to society,
organisations and the workforce
! Moving and handling is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal
injury
! Moving and handling training is largely ineffective at reducing back
pain and back injury
! A multi-dimensional intervention is needed to address and reduce
workplace injuries and their associated costs
! Up-skilling and standardisation of knowledge among M&H
professionals will advance the profession and ensure an evidence
based approach of best practise is applied

10. References
• ACC (2012). Moving and Handling People: The New Zealand Guidelines 2012.
• Clemes S., Haslam C. & Haslam R. (2009). What constitutes effective manual
handling training? A systematic review. Occupational Medicine. 60: 101-107
• Garg A. & Kapellusch J. (2012). Long-term efficacy of ergonomics programme that
includes patient-handling devices on reducing musculoskeletal injuries to nursing
personnel. Human Factors. 54 (4): 608-625.
• Lipscomb H, Schoenfisch A, Myers D, Pompeii L & Dement J. (2012). Evaluation of
direct workers’ compensation costs for musculoskeletal injuires surrounding
interventions to reduce patient lifting. Occupational Environmental Medicine. 69:
367-372.