A support member for use in a patient lifting device, said support member comprising: an infection control lift strap having an inner core and a sealed outer non-porous plastic layer, the inner core including a plurality of flexible reinforcing strands; and a spool assembly for securing said lift strap to said patient lifting device, said spool assembly comprising: a cylindrical spool operably connected to a first end of said lift strap, wherein said spool has at least one strap guard positioned at a distal end of said spool, said strap guard including a conductive material and being arranged to radiate heat from said lift strap and said spool assembly as said lift strap contacts said strap guard, and wherein said strap guard is arranged to protect said lift strap from wear from a gear wheel and to prevent grease from contacting said lift strap; a cylindrical thickness roller over which said lift strap is threaded, said cylindrical thickness roller having an exterior guiding channel configured to support said lift strap; and a sealed belt clamp assembly operably connected to a second end of said lift strap, said sealed belt clamp assembly including clamp sides (430, 440) compressing said lift strap about a clamp pin to form a sealed assembly. an infection control lift strap having an inner core and a sealed outer non-porous plastic layer, the inner core including a plurality of flexible reinforcing strands; and a spool assembly for securing said lift strap to said patient lifting device, said spool assembly comprising: a cylindrical spool operably connected to a first end of said lift strap, wherein said spool has at least one strap guard positioned at a distal end of said spool, said strap guard including a conductive material and being arranged to radiate heat from said lift strap and said spool assembly as said lift strap contacts said strap guard, and wherein said strap guard is arranged to protect said lift strap from wear from a gear wheel and to prevent grease from contacting said lift strap; a cylindrical thickness roller over which said lift strap is threaded, said cylindrical thickness roller having an exterior guiding channel configured to support said lift strap; and a sealed belt clamp assembly operably connected to a second end of said lift strap, said sealed belt clamp assembly including clamp sides (430, 440) compressing said lift strap about a clamp pin to form a sealed assembly. a cylindrical spool operably connected to a first end of said lift strap, wherein said spool has at least one strap guard positioned at a distal end of said spool, said strap guard including a conductive material and being arranged to radiate heat from said lift strap and said spool assembly as said lift strap contacts said strap guard, and wherein said strap guard is arranged to protect said lift strap from wear from a gear wheel and to prevent grease from contacting said lift strap; a cylindrical thickness roller over which said lift strap is threaded, said cylindrical thickness roller having an exterior guiding channel configured to support said lift strap; and a sealed belt clamp assembly operably connected to a second end of said lift strap, said sealed belt clamp assembly including clamp sides (430, 440) compressing said lift strap about a clamp pin to form a sealed assembly.