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Lifting Equipment

Notice type: Advisory

Date: 28/10/2009

  

Product name or type:
Lifting Equipment

Manufacturer Or Supplier:
All lifting equipment supplied by all manufacturers

Target Audience:
Health Board CEOs 
Community Care Managers 
Community Therapists 
Health Visitors 
Carers of the Elderly 
Risk Managers 
Loan Store Managers 
Children’s Disability Services 
Educational Establishments 

Problem Or Issue:
Vigilance and attention to detail is required during the installation and use of patient hoists in order to avoid adverse incidents.

Background Information Or Related Documents:
The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has been advised of a number of field safety corrective actions in relation to different types of hoists and lifting equipment. Since 2001, the IMB has also received reports relating to a number of incidents that occurred in Ireland. The injuries sustained to the users of these devices have ranged from minor abrasions to serious injuries, and in some instances deaths have occurred. The root causes associated with these issues have been identified as operator error, inadvertent damage, lack of a security device, lack of restraint and failure of component parts, slings and seats. 
To reduce the likelihood for similar incidents, the IMB recommend that the following actions are taken

Lifting Equipment Document

Actions To Be Taken:
1) Ensure the appropriate personnel are made aware of this notice. 

2) Ensure that careful consideration is given to the purchase, installation and maintenance of all lifting equipment. 

    Overhead Hoists 
a) Ensure correct devices are chosen. 
b) Ensure the device is installed by an appropriately trained person. 
c) Ensure devices are inspected prior to use. 
d) Regular service and maintenance is essential. 
e) Parts should be replaced as required. 
f) Only trained personnel should use the device. 
g) Check all emergency functions. 

    Stand Alone Hoists / Mobile Hoists 
a) Ensure the correct device is selected. 
b) There should be adequate space to operate the device. 
c) Ensure devices are inspected prior to use. 
d) There should be adequate space for storage of the device. 
e) Regular service and maintenance is essential. 
f) Parts should be replaced as required. 
g) Only trained personnel should use the device. 
h) Check all emergency functions 

    Slings 
a) Ensure the appropriate sling is chosen for the intended purpose, whether disposable or reusable. 
b) Ensure the sling is within its’ usable life, there should be no damage. 
c) Ensure slings are assembled and secured in place as recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions for use. 
d) Ensure slings are attached correctly to the hoist. 

3) If equipment is found to be defective it should be removed form use/service. 

While this is not an exhaustive list of actions/recommendations, each care giver and supervisor should ensure that a full check of the device is performed so that no risk of injury exists for the user. 

While the IMB realises that care givers receive training prior to using these devices, the IMB is concerned that there is an increasing trend in reports. This safety notice is intended to bring awareness to care givers in Ireland and promote awareness of the need to check all equipment prior to use.

Further Information:
All adverse incidents relating to a medical device should be reported to the: 

Health Products Regulatory Authority 
Human Products Safety Monitoring Department 
Kevin O’Malley House 
Earlsfort Centre 
Earlsfort Terrace 
Dublin 2 

Telephone: +353-1-6764971 
Fax: +353-1-6344033 
E-mail: vigilance@imb.ie 
Website: www.hpra.ie

Lifting Equipment

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