Floor level lifts present extremely high potential for injury Adequate space for lifting equipment. This must include door and hallway space to provide adequate turning radius for lifting equipment. If doors and hallways are not designed with adequate space, staff will attempt to lift the equipment fully loaded with the resident, or move the equipment in confined spaces which will transfer force loads to staff by the process of muscular contraction. This presents extremely high potential for injury. Lifting, pushing and pulling in constrained spaces increases the force the body uses to perform the action.
Force is a major risk factor for soft tissue injury.
Space requirements must be evaluated for all equipment that is to be used for residents. Most importantly, space requirements must be evaluated for the use of this equipment to travel through a home and position it properly at its destination. Providing design solutions to eliminate risk factors for soft tissue injury to the employees also supports safety for the residents. Room to store necessary shower equipment. Floor drains, using non-skid tile to prevent slips and falls.