Care areas, equipment, cables and storage

Care homes are busy workplaces. Equipment is moved, charged, cleaned, stored, borrowed and returned throughout the day. Risk rises when storage is inadequate, staff improvise, or equipment is left in walking routes.

High-risk areas

• Bedrooms: call-bell leads, sensor mats, oxygen tubing, walking aids, bins, chairs, footstools, bedside tables and poor night lighting.
• Bathrooms and wet rooms: wet floors, transfer equipment, towels, toiletries, continence products and uneven thresholds.
• Corridors and lounges: wheelchairs, walking frames, chairs, activity items, handbags, charging cables and furniture moved during events.
• Kitchens and dining areas: spillages, food debris, grease, trolleys, crockery, chair legs and rushed movement during meals.
• Laundry and sluice areas: bags, wet items, cleaning products, trolleys and restricted space.
• Stores and staff areas: stacked boxes, high shelves, cables, delivery cages and blocked exits.

Good storage reduces trips and obstructions. Equipment should be simple to return to its place. If staff balance items on cupboards, leave hoists in corridors or charge equipment across walkways, the issue may be a system failure that should be reported.

Everyday cable and equipment controls

• Route cables away from walkways: do not assume people will see or step over them.
• Use designated charging points: do not charge equipment through corridors or doorways unless a risk assessment allows it and controls are in place.
• Return equipment promptly: hoists, wheelchairs, walkers, cleaning equipment and trolleys must not become obstacles.
• Do not overload storage: high, unstable or overfilled shelves increase trip and access risks.
• Protect residents' aids: walking frames, sticks and footwear should remain accessible for safe use, not removed to make a room look tidy.

If a safe route depends on everyone noticing and stepping over a cable, box or bag, it is not a safe route.