Ergonomic lifting and transferring techniques for security guards working in Hoivapiiri – a practical guide

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to create an educative tool to prevent wrong assisting and handling methods for security guards working partly in the field of health care. Understanding ergonomics and basics of human movement, assisting and transferring can be made safe and pleasant for both the client and the assisting person. Musculoskeletal problems were the most common reason for sickdays in 2012. In the field of health care, nurses are most vulnerable for musculoskeletal injuries when assisting or transferring the patient. Since security guards lack the education for ergonomics, basics of human movement and ergonomic lifting and transferring techniques, an educative booklet was made by the author covering the above mentioned topics.

The booklet contains theoretical and practical information. Information in the booklet is presented once to the client by the author, but no practical teaching or follow-up on the learning of the techniques is included. Techniques are chosen by the author based on the most common situations in which the security guards are assisting the clients. Practical information is demonstrated in a three picture series with text instructions.