MOVING obese corpses has become a safety hazard for hospital morgue staff, says the NHS.
Rising obesity rates mean workers face a greater risk of putting their backs out lifting and shifting heavier bodies.
Hospital morgue staff have been warned that moving big patients’ bodies is now a health and safety hazard[/caption]
Many morgues now have bigger fridges and wider doors, and must keep larger corpses in a special store room to minimise contact.
NHS guidance states “lifting and moving of bodies” is now a health and safety issue owing to a rise in “people with excess weight”.
It says “appropriate refrigerated storage” should be provided with bigger store rooms “to minimise unnecessary handling of the body”.
Workplace accident lawyer Lisa Fairclough said manual handling accidents account for a fifth of all reported workplace incidents.
The NHS said: “It is important the right procedures are in place to manage bodies with respect and in a safe way for staff.
“That is why the NHS has provided up-to-date guidance on lifting and moving of bodies, and trusts are advised to consider the most appropriate refrigerated storage that will minimise unnecessary handling of the body.”
Thirty per cent of Brits are now severely overweight, double the level for 1993.
