Slip and fall accidents account for a large number of lost workdays, high medical costs and higher insurance rates. Testing For Safety NSF International is an independent, ac-credited public health and safety organiza-tion that tests, audits and certifies products and systems. “NSF-certified” or “NSF listed” prod-ucts display the applicable NSF certifi-slip-and-fall accident in the last 16 months — compared to five to 10 a year at a cost of up to $25,000 per accident.” Slip And Fall Culprits Wet or slippery floor surfaces are a major cause of slips, and many types of highly pol-ished floors including terrazzo, marble and ceramic tile can be extremely slippery — even when dry. In addition to actually cleaning, ensuring floors are not slippery is a key aim of a floor maintenance program. Improperly diluted chemicals used in floor scrubbing machines can leave a slippery residue, increasing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents. Newer, chemical-free technologies leave no residue and may actually remove built up cleaning chemical residue. Using floor scrubbing machines that fea-ture effective water recovery means floors dry fast, reducing the risk of slip-and-fall ac-cidents and enabling daytime cleaning while maintaining a safe environment. “We don’t use chemicals on our floors, and using auto scrubbers helps ensure the Dilution And Air Quality Many conventional cleaning chemicals are concentrated and must be diluted with wa-ter before use. During this dilution process, maintenance staff members face an increased risk of splash accidents and spills. An additional safety benefit of chemical-free cleaning is the reduced risk of chemical splash accidents. Gloves and eye protection can help pro-tect cleaning staff, but a safer route is using nontoxic products and cleaning processes that reduce risks to staff and guests. Amid rising asthma rates, cleaning chemical smells are increasingly seen as unhealthy and being odor neutral is much Did You Know? Six percent of custodians are injured by the chemi-cals they handle.² cation mark to show that they have been rigorously tested by one of the most re-spected independent product testing or-ganizations. Floor coatings and cleaning products that are certified by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) as “high traction” also can reduce the risk of slip and fall ac-cidents. According to the NFSI, 8 million Ameri-cans seek emergency room treatment each year for accidental falls and 55 percent of slips, trips and falls are caused by a hazard-ous walkway. For many companies, falls are among the leading causes of employee and guest in-juries. In addition to high traction benefits, floor coatings also make floors easier to clean by increasing durability and chemical resis-tance, and decreasing dust, dirt and liquid buildup. This, in turn, reduces maintenance and protects the floor’s natural life, so visitors and guests can appreciate clean, well-maintained floors and a better overall expe-rience. NFSI product certification requires a closed loop delivery system that reduces the chance of user error. To achieve one of the safest floors pos-sible, combine NFSI-certified coatings with scrubbers featuring NFSI-certified chemi-cal-free scrubbing technology. “The only conventional cleaning chemi-cals we use in our new, 440,000-square-foot research building are bathroom dis-infectants,” said John Jepsen, resident regional manager, Housekeeping Services — Crothall, UMASS Memorial Medical Cen-ter, Worcester, Massachusetts. “With 330 full-time equivalent staff, we’ve only had one Down and Out. Hospitals average a 90 percent higher rate of lost-workday injuries due to slips, trips and falls than all other industries combined. 1 floors are safe and not slick,” said Rod Pol-lard, director of environmental services — Sodexo, University Hospitals Case Medi-cal Center, Cleveland, Ohio. “We have one of the best safety records in the Cleveland area due to equipment and training, and over the last four years our accident rate has dropped at least 60 percent.” In addition, using chemical-free orbital scrubbing to remove floor finish minimizes airborne chemicals, creating a safer envi-ronment for employees and visitors. Rectangular scrub heads easily reach into corners and enclosed areas. Ergonomic design reduces vibration and improves operator comfort. Orbital scrubbing floor finish removal delivers performance without the risk of chemicals. Trouble Breathing? Nearly 10 percent of all work-related asthma cases are caused by exposure to cleaning products. 3 more desirable — as well as a good indica-tor of a clean environment. Chemical-free floor scrubbing eliminates floor cleaning chemical smells and can help create a safer environment for employees and visitors. According to the U.S. National Insti-tutes of Health, among new-onset cases of work-related asthma, 39 percent indi-cated their most likely exposure had been in medical settings, 22 percent worked as janitors and 20 percent worked as nurses/ nurses aides. Finally, because cleaning often must be performed while a facility is occupied, using nontoxic or least toxic cleaning products is critical to enhancing safety. In order to promote a healthy environ-ment, consider using only cleaning prod-ucts that minimize slip-and-fall accidents, splash accidents and have minimal impact on indoor air quality. 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2 wsppn.org 3 California Department of Public Health CM www.cmmonline.com 19
CMM – Archives November 2013: 19
