Janitors Module4

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    Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers

    Module 4:

    Musculoskeletal Hazards

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    This module:

    Will demonstrate that janitors, custodians, and

    housekeepers may complete many different tasks.

    Is one in a series of modules that will discuss hazardsjanitors, custodians, and housekeepers may encounter.

    Will cover musculoskeletal hazards and provide tips forprevention Module 1 will cover chemical hazards from cleaning

    products Module 2 will cover physical hazards Module 3 will cover exposure to biological hazards

    Module 5 will cover removing graffiti A stand alone module entitled Working Alone in Safety

    may also be of interest

    Provide sources of additional information.

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    Janitors may do a variety of tasks:

    Vacuuming

    Sweeping and Mopping

    Waxing floors

    Cleaning bathrooms

    Dusting furniture

    Moving furniture

    Emptying trash

    Restocking supplies

    Wiping counters Scrubbing

    Unstopping drains/repairing faucets

    Mowing lawns

    Removing stains

    Heating/Air conditioning

    Ventilation

    Insect control

    Maintaining and cleaningdoors and windows

    Delivery/Pick up of items

    Extra security

    Weather emergencies

    Lab spills

    Helping with disabled cars

    Minor repairs

    Painting and carpentry

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    Janitors work in a variety of buildings:

    Hospitals

    Schools

    Universities

    Laboratories

    Factories

    Offices

    Restaurants

    Stores

    Nursing Homes

    Clinics

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    Musculoskeletal and repetitive motioninjuries can occur from:

    Overexertion (Heavy or awkward lifting)

    Awkward postures (bent back, kneeling)

    Repetitive movements (ex. Scrubbing)

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    Preventing musculoskeletal injuries

    The following slides will provide ideas forpreventing injuries when doing the following:

    Moving and storing itemsFilling and emptying liquids from containersUsing hand toolsHandling laundry, trash, and other bagsCleaning small items in large sinksLoading or unloading laundry

    Wet cleaning and moppingVacuuming or buffingGeneral cleaning

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    Use carts to store and transfer supplies

    When moving cleaning supplies, equipment, andmaintenance tools use carts.

    Carts make it easier and quicker to access andstore items.

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    Use carts to store and transfer supplies

    Things to remember with carts: Keep the most frequently used and

    heavy items within easy reachbetween hip and shoulder height.

    Cart wheels should be made of amaterial that is compatible with thefloor surface in your facility.

    Cart handles that are vertical, withsome horizontal adjustability willallow all employees to push atelbow height and shoulder width.

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    Use carts to store and transfer supplies

    Carts should have wheel locks.

    Handles that can swing out of theway may be useful for saving spaceor reducing reach.

    Heavy carts should have brakes.

    Balance loads and keep loads undercart weight restrictions.

    Ensure stack height does not blockvision.

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    When using carts and other equipment:

    Push equipment, rather than pull, when possible.

    Keep arms close to the body and push with wholebody and not just arms.

    Remove unnecessary objects to minimize weight.

    Avoid obstacles that could cause abrupt stops.

    Take defective equipment out of service.

    Perform routine maintenance on all equipment.

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    Use of spring loaded carts

    Spring-loaded carts automaticallybring linen within easy reach.

    Remember: These carts speed process for handling linen

    They also reduce wear on linen fromexcessive pulling

    Select a spring tension that is appropriatefor the weight of the load

    Carts should have wheel locks and height-appropriate handles that can swing out ofthe way

    Heavy carts should have brakes

    Spring loaded cart

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    Use buckets with floor drain arrangements

    Use buckets with floor drain arrangements: Reduces risk of spills and slips speeds process reduces waste

    Ensure that casters don't get stuck in floorgrate

    Use hose to fill bucket

    Use buckets with casters to move mopbucket around.

    Ensure casters are maintained and rolleasily.

    To fill and empty liquids from large containers:

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    Select and use properly designed hand tools

    Properly designed hand tools: Speeds process Enhances tool safety Reduces waste

    Handles should fit the grip size of theuser

    Use bent-handled tools to avoidbending wrists

    Use appropriate tool weight

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    Select and use properly designed hand tools

    Use trigger bars rather than singlefinger triggers

    Select tools that have minimal vibrationor vibration damping devices

    Have regular maintenance program fortools to keep blades sharp and edgesand handles intact

    Always wear the appropriate personalprotective equipment

    Trigger bar

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    Equipment and practices for handlinglaundry, trash and other bags

    Use handling bags that have side openings: They allow for easy disposal without reaching intoand pulling bags up and out.

    Bags should be able to slide off the cart withoutlifting.

    Limiting the size and weight of bags

    Provide handles to further decrease lifting

    Use garbage cans that have a frameinstead of a solid can to prevent plasticbags from sticking to the inside of the can.

    An alternative is to use products on theinside of the garbage can that prevent thebag from sticking.

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    Equipment and practices for handling laundry,trash and other bags

    Limit the size of the container to limit the weight of the

    load employee must lift and dump.

    Place receptacles in unobstructed and easy to reachplaces.

    Chutes and dumpsters Position to minimize lifting. Installing chutes and

    dumpsters at or below grade level It is best to lowerthe to dumpster or chute rather than lift materials to

    higher levels

    Provide automatic opening or hardware to keep doorsopen. This minimizes twisting and awkward handling.

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    Cleaning small objects in a deep sink

    Place an object such as a plastic

    basin in the bottom of the sinkto raise the work surface

    ORRemove objects to be washed

    into a smaller container on thecounter for scrubbing orsoaking and then replace backin the sink for final rinse

    Store inserts and containers ina convenient location toencourage consistent use

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    Loading and unloading laundry

    Front-loading washers and dryers:

    Speeds process for retrieving andplacing items

    Minimizes wear-and-tear on linen

    Washers with tumbling cycles separateclothes, making removal easier.

    For deep tubs, a rake with long or

    extendable handle can be used to pulllinen closer to the door opening.

    Raise machines so that opening isbetween hip and elbow height ofemployees.

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    Loading and unloading laundry

    If using top loading washers, workpractices that reduce risk include:

    Handling small loads of laundry

    Handling only a few items at a time

    Bracing your body against the front ofthe machine when lifting

    If items are knotted in the machine,brace with one hand while using theother to gently pull the items free.

    Ensure that items go into a cart ratherthan picking up baskets of soiled linenor wet laundry.

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    Cleaning work methods and tools

    Avoid lifting heavy buckets orlifting large, full bucket fromsinks.

    Use a hose or similar device tofill buckets with water.

    Use wheels on buckets that rolleasily and have functional

    brakes. Ensure that casters are

    maintained.

    Use rubber-soled shoes in wetareas to prevent slipping.

    When using water or liquid cleaning products:

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    Mopping

    Frequently change mopping styleswhen mopping :

    push/pull

    figure 8, rocking side to side

    This alternates stress on muscles

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    Vacuuming and buffing floors

    Both vacuum cleaners and buffers shouldhave:Lightweight constructionAdjustable handle heights

    Triggers (buffer) long enough to accommodateat least the index and middle fingersEasy to reach controls

    Technique is important for both devicesincluding:Use of appropriate gripsAvoiding tight grips and for vacuuming, byalternating grip.

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    Vacuuming and buffing floors

    The use of telescoping and extension

    handles, hoses and tools can reducereaching for low areas, high areasand far away areas

    Maintain and service the equipment

    and change vacuum bags when to 3/4 full

    Vacuums and other powered devicesare preferred over manual equipmentfor moderate-to-long duration use

    Heavy canisters or other large, heavyequipment should have brakes

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    For all cleaning

    Use spray bottles andequipment that have triggerbars rather than single fingertriggers

    Avoid using the ring and littlefingers

    Alternate leading hand

    Avoid tight static grip and

    Use padded non-slip handles

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    For all cleaning

    Use chemical cleaners and abrasive sponges tominimize scrubbing force.

    Use kneepads when kneeling

    Avoid bending and twisting

    Use extension handles, step stools,

    or ladders for overhead needs

    (Ventilation of rooms, goggles, and gloves may

    be necessary when chemicals are used.)

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    If possible, clean objects atwaist level rather than bendingover them.

    Examples: Push wheelchairs up a ramped

    platform to perform cleaningwork Raise beds to waist level before

    cleaning

    When sweeping or dusting useflat head dusters and push withthe leading edge; sweep allareas into one pile and pick upwith a vacuum.

    For all cleaning

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    Resources used for this overview:

    OSHA Hospital eTool

    http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/housekeeping/housekeeping.html

    International Labor Organization - International HazardDatasheets on Occupation

    http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/hdo/htm/cleaner.htm

    http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/housekeeping/housekeeping.htmlhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/housekeeping/housekeeping.htmlhttp://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/hdo/htm/cleaner.htmhttp://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/hdo/htm/cleaner.htmhttp://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/hdo/htm/cleaner.htmhttp://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/hdo/htm/cleaner.htmhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/housekeeping/housekeeping.htmlhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/housekeeping/housekeeping.html
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    Additional Resources

    WISHA Core Safety Rules (WAC 296-800)http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/corerules/default.htm(Basic safety and health rules needed by most employers

    in Washington State)

    Workplace Safety and Healthhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asp

    WISHA Ergonomics Ideas Bankhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/KeepSafe/ReduceHazards/E

    rgoBank/default.asp

    Cleaning Fact Sheetshttp://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/factsheets.cfm

    http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/corerules/default.htmhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/KeepSafe/ReduceHazards/ErgoBank/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/KeepSafe/ReduceHazards/ErgoBank/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/KeepSafe/ReduceHazards/ErgoBank/default.asphttp://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/factsheets.cfmhttp://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/factsheets.cfmhttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/KeepSafe/ReduceHazards/ErgoBank/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/KeepSafe/ReduceHazards/ErgoBank/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/corerules/default.htm
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    WISHA Consultation Services

    Safety & Health program review and worksiteevaluation

    By employer invitation onlyFreeConfidentialNo citations or penaltiesLetter explains findingsFollow-up all serious hazards

    For additional assistance, you can call one of our consultants.Click below for local L&I office locations:http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asp

    http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asphttp://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/consultants.asp
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    Thank you for taking the time tolearn about safety and health

    and how to prevent injuries andillnesses.