The janitorial staff of a workplace is responsible for keeping the space up and running by regularly cleaning and maintaining it. They are often regarded as the unsung heroes of a workspace, making the space cleaner for use after every workday. No matter what comes their way, they will provide the office employees and the workers with a clean space to work the next day, irrespective of how dirty it got the day before.
Their work is necessary as it helps the employees and workers operate in a clean environment making it easier for them to carry out their duties.
However, since janitors often deal with chemical and liquid products, they are often more prone to injuries while cleaning the building. Companies must invest heavily in training and imparting safe handling training to all workers, irrespective of their position at the company.
The cleaning staff must stay safe when using harsh chemical products for cleaning.
The dangers of the job.
When you are involved in the cleaning of workplaces, then there are going to be tons of products that the janitors will be using daily. Products like cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants are some of the most common cleaning products used. These products are safe to use, but when you deal with them daily and in large quantities, they may hurt the user if they do not take precautions.
Skin irritation is the leading problem of using chemical cleaners. These products are also gaseous and exhibit fumes that may harm the user if inhaled. In some cases, they can lead to a burning sensation in the eye, nose, throat, and lungs and may cause coughing.
In addition, long-term exposure to such products may cause cancer and other health complications.
Safe Handling
- Janitorial company owners and employers must be responsible for ensuring the staff’s safety and using the best products that will not affect their health.
- Proper equipment such as a mask, gloves, and a PPE kit is necessary if the janitors are involved in heavy cleaning practices.
- Here are some of the OSHA recommendations for safe handling.
- The workers must keep the same types of cleaning products.
- The janitorial staff must be aware of all the too-strong products and only be used after dilution.
- The staff must be trained to handle any emergency, such as spills or chemical outbreaks in the lab or shop floor.
- The managers must ensure that the containers are marked well and labeled correctly. This allows for clarity about expiration dates and contents.
- The managers must ensure proper ventilation, which can help eliminate any fumes or vapors during the cleaning process.
- The janitors must be aware of the best practices for storing chemical products.
- The workers must be provided with an isolated area to wash up after cleaning the space.
These are some of the safe handling practices that the organization must ensure that the workers are safe.
However, in case of any accidents, the employees have the right to seek and file for a worker’s compensation claim as per the employer’s insurance plan.
Depending upon the organization’s insurance plan, the exact details might vary. Still, the employees have the right to seek a claim for loss of wages, medical expenses, permanent disability, temporary disability, and so on.
