Health and Safety in Music Therapy

As professionals, music therapists are responsible for the safety of their clients and themselves in sessions. The HPC Standards of Proficiency refer to this in several places. This sheet is a first guide to some of the things you should consider when doing clinical work. You should also look out for guidance and requirements at the placements you visit. Nothing in this guide takes the place of specific guidance and requirements in any contract or other arrangement you may have when doing clinical work. And you should always seek independent advice on what is required of you. BAMT does not provide such advice and is not placing any obligations on you by publishing this guide. Moving, Lifting and Handling Music therapy can involve a lot of moving instruments. You should be careful if lifting large instruments (e.g. xylophones, large drums) or moving pianos etc. Attend any training you can in safe Moving and Handling practice. Use trolleys/wheels wherever possible, allow enough time not to rush, and get help to move large items. Remember you may be doing this every day in your work, so get into good habits now! Moving clients/patients is a special skill, though essential in some settings. Always ask for training/induction in the procedures of the placement you are in, and never try to move or lift a client/patient alone. Accident and Damage Reporting All institutions have, or should have, Accident Reporting procedures. If you or a client/patient is injured, even slightly, it is your responsibility to report this. Ask for induction in the procedures of your placements. Most institutions also have a Damage Reporting procedure. If equipment or rooms are damaged, report this so that any dangers can be removed and repairs made. Instruments Musical instruments can pose health and safety risks, particularly to the kinds of vulnerable client groups music therapists work with. Always have in mind the potential risks of any instruments you use. Here are some pointers: Drums/Tambourines etc. Look out for splinters in wood, holes in skins (where small fingers could be trapped), sharp points (e.g. nails which hold jingles on tambourines can come loose or stick out), loose screws/tightening nuts which could come off and be swallowed etc. Discard or mend damaged instruments. Also, beware of small children climbing inside some drums and getting stuck! Sticks/Beaters etc. The main danger here is loose heads which may come off and be swallowed a particular risk with small beaters and small children. Remember that physically or neurologically disabled clients or developmentally delayed clients of any age may be particularly vulnerable to accidental swallowing, or lack an effective gag reflex. Always check such beaters before use (pull hard!) or use sticks/hands. Look out also for splinters on drum sticks (from being hit against rim). Discard these.

British Association For Music Therapy, 24 - 27 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PD Tel: 0207 837 6100 Email: info@bamt.org Web: www.bamt.org Registered Charity No: 1137807 Company No: 7301585

Pianos All upright pianos for music therapy use should have safety castors fitted (projecting at back by c. 6) to prevent piano falling backwards a real risk, as the weight of a piano is mainly in the frame. Do not allow children to climb on the back of pianos. It can also be helpful to lock the lid (if allowed) to prevent children damaging inside of piano. Apart from that, mind the lid! It is easy for a child to pull it down on their or your fingers. Bar Instruments The fact that bars come off is endlessly fascinating for children and some other clients. Look for instruments that dont allow this! Banging bars together is not good for them, so discourage this. Otherwise, just look out for loose nails or fittings. Blowing Instruments Blowing instruments should not be used with clients who are immuno-depressed, immunosuppressed or otherwise vulnerable to infection. If in doubt, dont. They should ideally be cleaned regularly in hot soap and water and air dried. As this is often impractical, an alternative is sterile/anti-bacterial wipes containing sterilising chemicals such as Chlorhexidine. Allow a few minutes for the chemical to work. Also beware of clients (children) running with these in their mouth (danger of falling/choking) or pushing them into your or their own mouth and chipping teeth.

British Association For Music Therapy, 24 - 27 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PD Tel: 0207 837 6100 Email: info@bamt.org Web: www.bamt.org Registered Charity No: 1137807 Company No: 7301585