Safe Patient Transfers: Hoyer Lifts, Slide Sheets & Ergonomics in Home Care

Protecting Your Back and Your Client During Daily Transfers

Transfer injuries are the number one cause of workplace disability among Ontario Personal Support Workers. Unlike hospital rooms with overhead track systems, private residential homes often have confined hallways, plush carpets, and standard bed heights that require careful biomechanics.

Core Principles of Safe Body Mechanics

• Wide Base of Support: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with one foot slightly in front of the other.
• Bend at the Knees, Not the Waist: Engage your quadriceps and glutes rather than lifting with your lumbar spine.
• Keep the Load Close: Maintain your client's center of gravity close to your body to minimize shear forces on your vertebrae.
• Never Twist While Lifting: Pivot your entire body by turning your feet rather than torquing your torso.

Using Mechanical Lifts (Hoyer & Ceiling Lifts) Safely

When operating a manual or electric Hoyer lift in an Ontario residence:

1. Ensure the sling is properly sized (Color-coded straps must match on both sides).
2. Always widen the base legs of the lift before raising the client to maximize stability.
3. Never operate a mechanical lift solo unless you have verified the client's home care plan permits a one-person transfer.