Safe Work Instructions (SWI)
Safe work instructions (SWIs) help you to perform a variety of care activities safely and competently.
Clinical experts in disability developed these SWIs to help people with disability, carers and families, and government and non-government staff avoid injury in the home and workplace. Please read the disclaimer before using any of the safe work instructions.
Assisting a Person from the Floor with Aid of Chairs
Supporting a person who is on the floor to rise and sit in a chair.
Note: If the person is injured, do not move them, but apply first aid and seek medical advice. This process is only suitable for people who can use their hands for support, kneel, and push with their legs. Two chairs are needed for this procedure.
1 worker task
Updated: February 2020
Assisting a Person from the Floor with Aid of ChairsAssisting a Person into a Vehicle
Safely transfer an ambulant person into a vehicle. If the person needs support to walk, refer to Assisting a person to walk.
Note: Where possible, people who need support should be seated on the left-hand side of the vehicle.
1 worker task
See also: Assisting a Person to Walk
Updated: February 2020
Assisting a Person into a VehicleAssisting a Person to Shower Using Mobile Shower Chair
If the person showering is not ambulant, see either 'Use of a ceiling hoist to lift a person from bed to chair' or 'Use of a portable hoist to lift a person from bed to wheelchair or chair'.
Note: 1 or 2 workers required, depending on the person's support plan
2 worker task
See also: Use of a Ceiling Hoist to Lift a Person from Bed to Chair
See also: Use of a Portable Hoist to Lift a Person from the Floor
Updated: February 2020
Assisting a Person to Shower Using Mobile Shower ChairAssisting a person to transit in a vehicle
Describes procedures for safely transporting a person with disability in a vehicle, including what to do if the person becomes agitated or distressed.
Note: Where the vehicle is fitted with a wheelchair lifter and wheelchair securing points, staff must be trained in their use.
1 worker task
Updated: February 2021
Assisting a person to transit in a vehicleAssisting a Person to Walk
Safely guide and support a person walking on level ground.
Note: Attempting to stop a falling person can increase the risk of injury to both the person and the worker. Resist any attempt to stop a person falling over by grabbing or catching them.
1 worker task
See also: Use of a Stand Lifter
See also: Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person requiring Minimal Support
See also: Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person Using a Moderate Assist
Updated: February 2020
Assisting a Person to WalkLie-to-Sit Transfer
Supports a person lying in bed to move into sitting on the edge of the bed.
Note: Only to be used when the person can independently maintain a seated position.
1 worker task
Updated: February 2020
Lie-to-Sit TransferPerforming a Stand Transfer with a Person requiring Minimal Support
Helping a person stand from a chair or wheelchair and transfer to another chair or wheelchair with minimal support.
Note: 1 or 2 workers required, depending on the person's support plan
2 worker task
See also: Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person Using a Moderate Assist
See also: Assisting a Person to Walk
Updated: November 2020
Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person requiring Minimal SupportPerforming a Stand Transfer with a Person Using a Moderate Assist
Helping a person stand from a chair or wheelchair and move to another chair or wheelchair with moderate support.
Note: 1 or 2 workers required, depending on the person's support plan
2 worker task
See also: Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person requiring Minimal Support
See also: Assisting a Person to Walk
Updated: November 2020
Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person Using a Moderate AssistRepositioning a Person in a Wheelchair requiring Minimal Support
Helping a person sitting in a wheelchair to adjust their sitting position with minimal support.
Note: 1 or 2 workers required, depending on the person's support plan
2 worker task
See also: Repositioning a Person in a Wheelchair Using a Moderate Assist
Updated: November 2020
Repositioning a Person in a Wheelchair requiring Minimal SupportRepositioning a Person in a Wheelchair Using a Moderate Assist
Helping a person sitting in a wheelchair to adjust their sitting position with moderate assistance.
Note: 1 or 2 workers required, depending on the person's support plan
2 worker task
See also: Repositioning a Person in a Wheelchair requiring Minimal Support
Updated: November 2020
Repositioning a Person in a Wheelchair Using a Moderate AssistRolling and Repositioning a Person
Safely moving a person in bed from their back to their side.
2 worker task
See also: Use of a Slide Sheet-Moving a Person Side-to-Side
Updated: August 2020
Rolling and Repositioning a PersonUse of a Ceiling Hoist to Lift a Person from Bed to Chair
Process begins with the procedure outlined in Rolling and repositioning a person. Describes safely moving a person from lying in bed to sitting in a chair, wheelchair or commode.
2 worker task
See also: Rolling and Repositioning a Person
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Ceiling Hoist to Lift a Person from Bed to ChairUse of a Patient Slide Board
Process begins with the procedure outlined in Rolling and repositioning a person. Describes safely moving a person lying in bed to transfer, with the aid of a slide sheet and a slide board, to a shower trolley.
2 worker task
See also: Rolling and Repositioning a Person
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Patient Slide BoardUse of a Portable Hoist to Lift a Person from Bed to Wheelchair or Chair
Process begins with the procedure outlined in Rolling and repositioning a person. Describes safely moving a person from lying in bed to sitting in a chair, wheelchair or commode.
2 worker task
See also: Rolling and Repositioning a Person
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Portable Hoist to Lift a Person from Bed to Wheelchair or ChairUse of a Portable Hoist to Lift a Person from the Floor
This process covers supporting a person who is on the floor to move to a chair, wheelchair or bed.
Note: If the person is injured, do not move them, but apply first aid and seek medical advice.
2 worker task
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Portable Hoist to Lift a Person from the FloorUse of a Slide Sheet-Moving a Person Side-to-Side
This process begins with the procedure outlined in Rolling and repositioning a person, and includes the introduction of a slide sheet to move a person in bed from lying on one side to lying on their other side.
2 worker task
See also: Rolling and Repositioning a Person
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Slide Sheet-Moving a Person Side-to-SideUse of a Slide Sheet-Moving a Person up a Bed
Process begins with the procedure outlined in Rolling and repositioning a person, and includes the introduction of a slide sheet to move a person in bed from lying part-way down the bed to lying closer to the head of the bed.
2 worker task
See also: Rolling and Repositioning a Person
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Slide Sheet-Moving a Person up a BedUse of a Stand Lifter
This process covers safely moving the person from sitting on a bed or in a chair, to sitting on a different bed, chair or commode. If the person can independently maintain a seated position, refer to the process for Lie-to-sit transfer.
Note: This process is only for people who can weight bear.
1 worker task
See also: Lie-to-Sit Transfer
Updated: February 2020
Use of a Stand LifterUse of a Wheelchair
This process covers how workers can safely push a manual wheelchair over flat ground, inclines and slight obstacles whilst keeping the person using the wheelchair safe. If the person moving to the wheelchair is non-ambulant, refer to relevant sections from 'Rolling and repositioning a person', 'Use of a ceiling hoist to lift a person from bed/wheelchair/chair', or 'Use of a portable hoist to lift a person from bed/wheelchair/chair'. If the person moving to the wheelchair is ambulant, refer to 'Performing a stand transfer with a person requiring minimal support'.
1 worker task
See also: Rolling and Repositioning a Person
See also: Use of a Ceiling Hoist to Lift a Person from Bed to Chair
See also: Use of a Portable Hoist to Lift a Person from the Floor
See also: Performing a Stand Transfer with a Person requiring Minimal Support
Updated: February 2020
Use of a WheelchairDisclaimer
This information is a guide only for use by non-government organisations and service providers as a training tool (supplementary to training) and is not intended as medical or professional advice. Users must seek appropriate medical or professional service. The State Government of South Australia accepts no responsibility for the suitability or completeness of the information and expressly disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any of the information.
Attribution: Department of Human Services, the Government of South Australia, "Safe Work Instructions (SWI)", Sourced on 26th Mar 2023, (https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disability/safe-work-instructions)'