Supporting Safer Workplaces – Injury Prevention for Aged Care Staff
Preventing staff injury is a key element of delivering sustainable, high-quality care. At Encara, our commitment to injury prevention extends beyond residents. We are equally focused on protecting the wellbeing of the staff who care for them.
Caring for Aged Care residents can present a range of manual handling demands. Without the right training, these tasks can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, which not only affect individual staff members but also disrupts workforce capacity, increase costs and compromise care continuity.
As specialists in manual handling, Encara delivers tailored training designed specifically for Aged Care settings. Our practical, hands-on approach builds staff confidence and competence in safe work practices. We focus on:
- Applying correct body mechanics and movement principles;
- Using mobility aids and transfer equipment effectively;
- Reducing physical strain during common daily care activities;
- Recognising and managing environmental and behavioural risk factors.
This training is more than a safety initiative; it is a strategic investment in workforce capability. When staff are equipped with the right skills, they are not only safer in their roles but also more confident, efficient, and engaged in their work. This has a direct impact on care delivery, staff retention and organisational performance.
Effective training directly supports compliance with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, particularly:
- Standard 1: Highlights the importance of delivering safe, respectful and high-quality care that meets the needs of each individual. Staff who are well-trained in safe handling techniques are better positioned to maintain residents’ dignity, comfort, and independence while reducing the risk of harm.
- Standard 7: This standard requires Providers to ensure their staff are skilled, qualified and supported to perform their roles. Ongoing, practical training in manual handling demonstrates a proactive approach to meeting this requirement, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
At Encara, we understand that preventing staff injury is essential to sustaining a high-quality care. By investing in specialised manual handling training tailored to the unique demands of Aged Care, Providers can create safer workplaces, reduce injury rates among staff and support a more resilient, confident workforce. Fewer injuries mean fewer sick days, fewer workers compensation claims and less disruption to rosters – ultimately improving operational efficiency and care continuity.
Our training programs are fully flexible and can be tailored to meet your organisation’s specific needs. Whether you prefer a train-the-trainer model to build internal capability or want our experienced team to deliver the training directly to your staff, we can customise the approach to best suit your requirements.
To learn more about how our tailored training solutions can help your organisation meet regulatory standards, reduce injury risks, and enhance both staff and resident wellbeing, contact Encara today.
