Patient handling is a complex task that Emergency Service Organizations (ESOs) undertake every day. However, the basics
of patient handling are often taken for granted and associated incidents can result in injury and damage to the responder,
the patient, and the organization.

Industry statistics show that injuries to emergency service responders are significantly higher than the average occupational
injury rate, as recorded in the Bureau of Labor Statistics database. Additionally, VFIS claims experience reports that patient
handling incidents are a leading cause for claims of negligence. To help reduce these numbers, VFIS encourages ESOs to
consider the following risk factors and recommendations