"Would you allow your mother, child or partner to do a parachute jump using equipment which hasn’t completed rigorous safety checks?’
This is THE question our trusted engineer @Phil Cotton, always uses, especially when customers get frustrated as to why their hoist sling has just failed its LOLER examination and safety check.
There are common reasons why slings routinely fail their inspections , and Phil has written a helpful article below, with more detail and his tips on how to extend the life of your slings:
Patient lifting slings play a vital role in the safe moving and assisting of people with mobility issues in conjunction with mobile or tracking hoists and Stand Aids.
And so ensuring your patient slings are always SAFE to use, and in good working condition, is paramount.
To comply with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations, moving and handling equipment has to be serviced and maintained, and any lifting equipment must adhere to LOLER, ( Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and be thoroughly inspected every 6 months.
But what about accessories for lifting, such as slings?
There are two important definitions to consider when thinking about LOLER compliance:
Lifting equipment – refers to work equipment for lifting and lowering loads.
Accessories for lifting – means lifting equipment used to attach loads to machinery for lifting, which includes patient lifting slings.
The HSE goes on to state that ‘Accessories for lifting must be thoroughly examined either at least every six months or in accordance with an examination scheme’, and that ‘you must ensure lifting equipment (including lifting accessories) exposed to conditions causing deterioration which could lead to dangerous situations undergoes regular thorough examination by a competent person'.
Why not download our FREE guide is to assist you with the ongoing servicing and maintenance of your care equipment, to outline your responsibilities as a care provider and to highlight exactly why it is important to adhere to government regulations and industry standards here:
At Hcsuk Servicing we’ve devised our 7-point safety check and LOLER examination of Patient Sling, for your peace of mind, where Phil completes thorough visual inspections of every patient lifting sling to check for the following:
- Full legibility of manufacturers name, washing instructions, safe working load and serial number
- Any stitching breakdown
- Tape fraying and wear
- Fabric thinning
- Fabric stress
- Soiling
- Fabric fading
- (As we know that slings failing due to faded labelling can be a real frustration for care providers, if this has ever happened to you, you might also find the following blog helpful:)
Phil then issues you with a full and detailed inspection report for your records, whether the sling has passed inspection or not.
Additional important information:
- Any sling not meeting the inspection criteria CANNOT be passed.
- Any condemned sling MUST be taken out of circulation immediately and MUST NOT be used again.
- It is the care providers responsibility to ensure ALL slings are presented for inspection.
- Reports will only cover slings made available for inspection on the day.
- Any sling not presented for inspection on the day, MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL CHECKED BY THE SERVICE ENGINEER.
- Patient slings must only be used with a compatible hoist.
- The maximum weight to be lifted is determined by the Safe Working Load of the sling or the hoist, whichever is lower.
As a care provider, you are legally obliged to comply with LOLER regulations.
As a service provider, our engineers have a responsibility for ensuring equipment is safe to use for a minimum of 6 months.
Typical equipment covered by LOLER:
Lifting Hoists (Mobile)
· Lifting Hoists (Fixed / Ceiling)
· Stand Assists
· Bath Hoists / Bath Lifts
· Patient Slings
· Lifting Platforms
Our engineer Phil works in a safe, courteous, and conscientious manner at all times, and prides himself on the level of service and inspection he provides, with the safety and comfort of your family member at the forefront of his mind at all
But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what one of our happy customers had to say about Phil:
“We’ve built a strong working relationship with HCSUK over many years, having used them to source, install and service our medical training equipment. We have always found the team very professional, helpful, and well-organised. We’d like to give a particular shout out to Phil, the technician / engineer who has been the consistent friendly face visiting our business to inspect and test our mobility hoists every 6 months. Thank you for all your support and advice.” Peter B (Care Manager)
If you have any questions regarding patient sling inspections, or would like us to inspect your slings for you, in addition to any patient lifting equipment you have, please call us today on 01773 713713 or email us at servicing@hcsuk.co.uk
#loler
#servicing
#carehomes
