Taking The Risk Out Of Cleaning itself, involves considerable repetitive mo-tion, another risk factor. Switching from a string mop to a flat mop where appropriate can do a great deal to minimize these risks. Flat mops are far lighter than conventional mops, and use less water, so floors dry fast-er, reducing the risk of slip and fall accidents. If workers must use a waist-high sink, in-vesting in a short hose to fill the mop bucket instead of lifting it to do so can minimize health risks. Cleaning workers should also try to select light, adjustable mop handles that can be fitted to the user. Finally, noise can also be a risk factor. Repeated exposure to excessive noise tends to cause worker fatigue, which can negatively affect productivity. Newer vacuum cleaners have several im-provements — including lighter weight, ad-justable handles and reduced noise — that make them easier to use, and they are also far more ergonomic. Some workers find self-propelled vacuum cleaners less stressful to use as well; how-ever, while this feature may have some ben-efits, it can also add considerable weight to the machine. This extra weight can create issues if workers must lift the machine, and can in some cases make the machine more diffi-cult to use. Another option that may suit many clean-ing workers is switching from an upright vacuum to a backpack vacuum. While the original backpacks had a num-ber of issues that made them uncomfortable to use, most manufacturers have addressed these concerns with newer models. Further, recent developments in harness designs have made wearing a backpack vacuum cleaner far more comfortable. Similar to the backpacks used for hik-ing and camping, these harnesses help balance and stabilize the machine on the user’s back reducing a number of cleaning risk factors. Worker Involvement While manufacturers are making signifi-cant inroads in reducing injuries to cleaning workers, cleaning professionals certainly must be involved in the process as well. Training and education regarding how to use cleaning equipment safely are impera-tive, and cleaning workers should also be encouraged to discuss any physiological issues they may be having using cleaning equipment or performing cleaning tasks. Identifying problems can drive the search for solutions, making cleaning a far less risky profession. *The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are about 2.5 million cleaning workers in the United States. However, the real figure is likely much higher, as this number may not include part-time workers, people that own their own companies (and thus may not be counted as “employees”), and other cleaning workers who, for what-ever reason, fall outside of the classification of “full-time employee.” CM Vacuuming Vacuuming is the one task that virtually ev-ery cleaning worker performs on a regular basis — and unfortunately, it also tends to be one of the riskiest when it comes to MSDs and other injuries. The biggest problems with vacuuming are usually the constant back and forth motion required to perform the task and the amount of grip force necessary to use the machine. Additionally, injuries sometimes result from repeatedly lifting and lowering the ma-chine off an equipment cart. In Focus: Scrubbers IPC Eagle A New Way To Scrub And Polish Floors The new ECS High-Speed Automatic Scrubber features a uniquely designed system that mechanically cleans and polishes sealed and non-sealed floors practically eliminating burnishing. This environmen-tally friendly product is easy to use while still providing consistently clean and high gloss floors. www.IPCEagle.com/products/ecs-high-speed-diamond-scrubbing-system | Product Information no. 129 PortionPac Auto-Scrubber Floorcare System PortionPac’s new floorcare line of unit-dose concentrates are optimized for auto-scrubber and car-pet extraction machines in janitorial applications. The new system consists of a full line of cleaners: MopPacLITE, a pH neutral everyday cleaner; ScrubPac, a heavy-duty power scrubber; PowerPac, an industrial strength degreaser; and NeutraPac, a floor conditioner. These products work together to pro-long floor life while reducing floor stripping time, expense, environmental impact and janitors’ exposure to potentially hazardous products. www.PortionPacCorp.com | Product Information no. 130 Tornado BD 17/6 Compact Cordless Automatic Scrubber World Class Scrubber Delivering Versatility and Enhanced Productivity The battery-operated BD 17/6 Compact Scrubber is perfect for small-to-medium sized spaces, or hard-to-clean areas underneath counters where a mop is traditionally used. Offering a six gallon recovery tank and an integrated parabolic squeegee for immediate solution pick-up, this machine makes your most difficult cleaning tasks no problem at all! www.TornadoVac.com | Product Information no. 131
CMM – Archives January 2014: 22
