Safety blitz targets SA aged care homes

Safety blitz targets SA aged care homes

SafeWork SA is conducting audits on residential aged care facilities across South Australia to mitigate potential risks of injury to residents and workers. This safety blitz targets aged care homes in both metropolitan and regional SA, with a clear focus on reducing hazardous manual handling incidents throughout the industry.

What the audits cover

Inspectors are currently carrying out compliance checks to assess how workers utilise equipment and various methods to transfer residents with restricted mobility between different locations. These procedures form a core part of daily operations within care facilities, and getting them right reduces risk for everyone involved.

Key areas under review include:

• Manual handling equipment and its correct application
• Procedures workers follow when moving residents with limited mobility
• Electrical safety of hoists, lifters, and other powered equipment
• Documented risk controls for hazardous tasks within the facility

Support for facilities during the campaign

SafeWork inspectors will offer training, operational guidelines, and checklists to ensure workers follow proper procedures. Rather than a punitive approach, the regulator's focus centres on lifting quality across the industry through practical guidance.

According to SafeWork, inspectors will visit public and private aged care homes throughout metropolitan and regional SA. Facilities of every size fall under scope, reflecting how seriously the industry treats resident and worker health outcomes.

Why manual handling risk matters in aged care

Manual handling remains one of the most hazardous tasks within residential aged care. Poor procedures around transferring residents can lead to musculoskeletal injury for workers, alongside serious health consequences for residents if equipment fails or electrical faults go unaddressed.

Facilities that invest in quality training and quality equipment tend to see fewer incidents overall. Establishing consistent procedures — reviewed and updated regularly — helps reduce risk across every shift, not just during scheduled inspections.

SafeWork SA's long-term commitment

The safety regulator has expressed its commitment to collaborating with facilities in order to facilitate long-term enhancements in the utilisation of equipment for handling individuals. This ongoing partnership approach signals that quality improvement in aged care remains a priority well beyond this single blitz.

Providers seeking to strengthen their own safety documentation may find value in reviewing home care services safety packages or exploring dedicated care services SWMS resources designed specifically for this industry.

Facilities managing broader compliance needs might also benefit from a work health and safety management system tailored to health and care services, helping standardise procedures across multiple sites.

For more information, visit the SafeWork SA website.