Work environment safety and ergonomics in care work

Work as a social and healthcare assistant is meaningful but also makes great demands on your body and mind. You lift, turn and help people, you work close to infection and you meet people in crisis. A good work environment is not a luxury – it is the prerequisite for being able to stay in the trade for many years.

The most common occupational injury in care is wear and overload of the back, shoulders and knees. Therefore, transfer technique is a core competence: you learn to use the citizen's own strength, to work at the right working height and to use aids such as lifts, sliding boards and electric beds instead of your own arms. The rule is simple — use the aid every time it is possible, even when it feels faster to do it yourself.

• 01Work close to the citizen and at a good working height
• 02Use your legs not your back and avoid twisting in loaded position
• 03Use lifts and slide aids rather than dragging and lifting
• 04Activate the citizen's own resources – it's better for you both
• 05Ask for help with heavy or uncertain transfers

You work close to people, and infections can spread both to you and between citizens. Hand hygiene is the most important single tool you have: clean hands before and after every contact. Added to this are personal protective equipment such as gloves, apron and mask when the situation requires it, and correct handling of waste, laundry and dirty equipment. It is about breaking transmission pathways before they spread further.

A large part of the strain in the profession is emotional. You meet people who are ill, frightened or dying, and you bond with those you care for. This is a strength — but it can also take its toll. Violence and threats can occur, especially in psychiatry and dementia care, and here it is important to know your workplace's guidelines, to be able to read escalating situations and to know how to withdraw safely.

Many assistants work in changing shifts, including evenings, nights and weekends. It can take a toll on sleep, family life and health if not planned sensibly. Be aware of the rules for rest periods between shifts, and prioritize sleep, meals and recovery on your days off. A sustainable shift life is about as much about what you do outside of work as it is about work.

“You cannot take good care of others in the long run if you do not also take good care of yourself.”