Housekeepers Practices to Improve Health amp Safety using Ergonomics Presented by Institute for Ergonomics The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio ID: 767910
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Housekeepers: Practices to Improve Health & Safety using Ergonomics Presented by: Institute for Ergonomics The Ohio State UniversityColumbus, Ohio
Disclaimer: This material was produced under grant number SH-20998-10-60-F-39 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government Hotel Housekeepers:Practices to Improve Health & Safety using Ergonomics
TopicsErgonomics and its benefits The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)Cumulative trauma disorders and how they developInjury risk factors among housekeepersWork methods to ease housekeeping demandsHousekeeper health
Ergonomics
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics The science of designing jobs, equipment, and workplaces to fit the person Person Job
Ergonomics Examples of ergonomics at homeOpening or Closing Doors Easy to Turn Harder to Turn
Ergonomics Examples of ergonomics at homeGardening Better Posture Poor Posture
Ergonomics Examples of ergonomics at homeOpening Food Cans Easy Hard
ErgonomicsPurpose of this trainingApply ergonomics to housekeeping work Person Job
ErgonomicsBenefitsMakes housekeeping work easier
ErgonomicsBenefitsReduces discomfort or pain Person
ErgonomicsBenefitsLowers risk of getting hurt Hurt Healthy Hurt Healthy
ErgonomicsBenefitsHelps get job done faster
Ergonomics BenefitsImproves quality of the work
OSHAThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHACreated by U.S. Congress in 1970 Works to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and womenSets and enforces standards Providing training, outreach, education and assistanceFunded this training
OSHAUnder OSHA, workers have the right to:A safe and healthful workplace Know about hazardous chemicals Info about injuries and illnesses in the workplace Request hazard correction from employer TrainingHazard exposure information and medical recordsFile a complaint with OSHAParticipate in an OSHA inspectionBe free from retaliation for exercising safety and health rights
How Injuries Develop in the Body
Injuries to the BodyAcute InjuriesOccur after one-time incident Touching a hot surface Tripping and falling Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop over a period of weeks, months, or years Shoulder and neck pain Wrist pain Back pain
Injuries Among HousekeepersCumulative Trauma InjuriesComparison among hotel workers
Injuries Among HousekeepersCumulative Trauma InjuriesBody parts most affected
Do You Ever Feel Discomfort when Doing Your Job? If Yes, Where?
Muscles Tendons Bone Bone How Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop Irritation of muscles and tendons Overexertion
How Cumulative Trauma Injuries DevelopComparing Time to Heal Injured Muscles vs. Tendons For same level of injury to muscles as to tendons
How Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop – In the BackEntire SpineHead Hips Lumbar Spine Discs “Shock absorbers” between vertebrae Vertebrae Bones providing support
How Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop – In the BackAcute InjuryIs felt immediately Cumulative Back Injury Not felt at first Felt only after damage
How Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop – In the BackSome Work Tasks Can Put a Lot of Pressure on DiscsBending at the Waist Twisting (to clean bathtub) Lifting or Pushing Heavy Objects
How Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop – In the Back Some Work Postures Put More Pressure on DiscsFor Females of Average Height 25 lb 25 lb 25 lb
How Cumulative Trauma Injuries Develop – In the ShoulderSome Work Tasks Can Hurt the Shoulder and Neck Irritated or swollen tendonsTorn tendons
Injury Risk Factors among Housekeepers
Injury Risk Factors among HousekeepersForceful Exertions ExamplesLifting heavy mattressesMoving supply carts Pushing heavy vacuum cleaners
What Other Tasks Require a Lot of Effort?
Injury Risk Factors among HousekeepersAwkward Postures ExamplesCleaning BathtubsVacuuming Cleaning Bathroom Floors
What Other Tasks Require You to Work in Awkward Postures?
Injury Risk Factors among HousekeepersRepetitive Activities ExamplesCleaning mirrorsPutting on pillow cases Vacuuming carpet
What Other Tasks Require You to Do Similar Tasks Over and Over?
Injury Risk Factors among HousekeepersStaying in the Same Posture for Long Periods ExamplesStanding Kneeling
For What Other Tasks Do You Stay in the Same Posture for a Time?
Injury Risk Factors among HousekeepersNot Resting Your Muscles while Working ExamplesDoing many tasks using the same hand or arm
What Other Tasks Take a Long Time to do Before You Can Rest?
Symptoms of Possible Cumulative Trauma Injury
Symptoms of Possible Cumulative Trauma InjuryNagging Pain or Tenderness that Won’t Go Away In shouldersIn elbows In neck In back
Symptoms of Possible Cumulative Trauma InjuryMuscle Weakness or Fatigue
Symptoms of Possible Cumulative Trauma InjuryJoint Stiffness / Reduced Flexibility
Symptoms of Possible Cumulative Trauma Injury“Pins & Needles” Feeling or Numbness in Hands
Symptoms of Possible Cumulative Trauma InjuryNo Symptoms at All
Making Housekeeping Tasks Easier
Making Housekeeping Tasks Easier Making Beds (Lifting Mattress and Tucking in Sheets) Good or Bad ? Why? Ideas for Better Methods? Is This any Better? Why or Why Not? Forward bending Twisted back No bending Closer to bed
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierMaking Beds (Lifting Mattress and Tucking in Sheets) Demonstrations, if possible and time allows
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierVacuuming Lower force to push vacuum Less fatigue Regularly empty vacuum bag Heavy Light Lower force to push vacuum Less fatigue Choose proper height setting for carpet conditions Low Med High
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierVacuuming Ideas for Better Methods?Stress to shoulder Twisted back Less awkward posture of shoulder Back not twisted Line up body with path of vacuum Good or Bad ? Why?
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierVacuuming Stress to shoulderTwisted back Chance to rest frequently used muscles and body parts Alternate vacuuming between the right and left hands Good or Bad ? Why?
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierVacuuming Demonstrations, if possible and time allows
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierMoving Supply Carts More body strength at this part of the body Keeps the body from twisting Distributes effort across both sides of body Push cart using both hands Store heaviest or most used items between your hips and chest
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierMoving Supply Carts Less effort to push lighter cart A good, brief rest break Replenish supply cart a few times over shift Makes cart easier to push Empty trash from cart as often as possible Heavy Light
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierMoving Supply Carts Carts with aligned wheels are easier to push Align cart wheels in the direction of movement Not aligned Aligned Repaired carts easier to use Report cart problems to supervisor Boss
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierMoving Supply Carts Demonstrations, if possible and time allows Possible Activity: “Design your ideal cart”
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierCleaning Bathrooms Stand inside tub to clean wall tile (as long as there is no risk of slipping) Outside of tub Extended reaching Stress to shoulder Inside tub Less reaching Less stress on shoulder Slip-resistant surface, like a dirty towel
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierCleaning Bathrooms Keep dirty towels off floor as much as possible On floor Repeated bending to pick up towels Above floor Little or no bending to pick up towels
Making Housekeeping Tasks Easier Cleaning BathroomsDo not carry large or heavy weight; make more trips if possible One large pile of wet, dirty towels More stress on back and shoulders 1. Two small piles of wet, dirty towels Less stress on back and shoulders 1. 2.
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierCleaning Bathrooms Do work at waist level as often as possible On floor Removing trash and replacing liners from floor Above floor Little or no bending to remove trash
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierCleaning Bathrooms Alternate arms when cleaning surfacesDemands of task spread to both shoulders Gives each arm/shoulder time to rest
Making Housekeeping Tasks EasierCleaning Bathrooms Demonstrations, if possible and time allows
Keeping Yourself Healthy and Injury-Free
Keeping Yourself Healthy and Injury-FreeBefore Starting Work Always wear comfortable shoesWarm up your body Gentle bends Gentle swings Back Arms & Shoulders
Keeping Yourself Healthy and Injury-FreeAt Any Time Report any unusual aches or pains to your supervisor Boss In elbows In neck In back In shoulders
Keeping Yourself Healthy and Injury-FreeAt Any Time Talk to your coworkers and supervisor about ways you’ve found to make job easier Boss
Keeping Yourself Healthy and Injury-FreeAll the Time Eat a Balanced Diet Exercise Regularly Get Plenty of Sleep
Take-Home MessagesErgonomics can be used to make your jobs easier Specific tasks and work practices can put stress on your bodyCertain aches and pains may be a sign of cumulative traumaThere are many ways that your jobs can be done differently to reduce the chances you will become hurtYou should also take steps to keep yourself healthyHousekeeping Work and Ergonomics
Questions?Thank You!