HSE publishes new guidance on preventing MSDS in cleaners

HSE press release: E078:03 - 21 May 2003

Using mops with short handles and emptying buckets into high level sinks are just some of the inappropriate working practices which cause backaches and strains to cleaners, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned today.

Around 1.1 million people in Great Britain suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused or made worse by work in 2001/02, with an estimated 12 million working days lost every year. Cleaners are particularly at risk because their work is demanding and labour intensive.

HSE's new guide Caring for cleaners. Guidance and case studies on how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders outlines the basic steps to recognise if a problem exists and to comply with current legal duties that all employers, cleaning contractors and suppliers of cleaning equipment should take to help avoid MSD problems.

It provides case studies where problems have been solved, often by simple means, and it lists numerous other handy hints with a useful list of references for further reading and research.

Percy Smith, section head in the HSE Sector dealing with the cleaning industry, said:
"We have tried to produce a plain speaking booklet with practical information people can easily apply. By focusing on a case study approach using real life examples where success has been achieved, we hope everyone involved with cleaning work will be able to find ways of reducing what is known to be a massive problem."

"Not all MSDs can be prevented, but if we prevent those we can, pick up cases by early reporting of symptoms as soon as possible and help get people back to work quickly after injury, then both cleaners and employers will benefit."

The guidance highlights case studies which offer ideas on how to prevent this type of injury, including the benefits from using mops with longer handles, buckets with wheels, trolleys for moving laundry, proper maintenance of equipment, low level sinks for bucket emptying and properly located and designed materials and equipment storage.

Other case studies focus on work organisational changes such as job enlargement, team working and better training.

Useful checklists, for example covering selection of equipment, maintenance or recognition of poor posture can help employers make a start in improving conditions at their own workplace.

Cleaning industry employer representatives and union members both assisted producing the booklet, which is supported by the industry.

UNISON's national health and safety officer, Hope Daley, said: "We welcome this guidance and hope that employers of cleaning staff will use it to actively reduce musculoskeletal injuries to their staff. The case studies show that simple methods of prevention can be effective. In many instances it was the cleaners themselves who suggested improvements to avoid the risk of injury. The benefits of a partnership approach are clear".

Valerie Woods, a leading researcher in the field and the major contributor to the publication, added: "This publication will help prevent the very significant problem of serious and long term musculoskeletal damage to cleaners. It is the product of independent research carried out at the University of Surrey and elsewhere in recent years. As such, it is objective, evidence based guidance that will make a real difference if properly implemented".

Notes to editors

1. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are the most common type of work-related illness in Great Britain with an estimated 1.1 million people suffering from a WRMSD. Of these 46% are back injuries (520 000 people) and 35% are injuries of the upper limbs/neck (396 000 people). WRMSDs account for over one third of all working days lost due to work-related illness, resulting in an estimated loss of 12.3 million working days in a year.

2. Prevention and control of WRMSD is one of the priority programmes in the Health and Safety Commission's strategic plan selected to help meet targets set out in the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy document (HSC 2000).

3. Unison's website address is: http://www.unison.org.uk

4. The guidance is based on research carried out principally by the University of Surrey based Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics on HSE's behalf, with support from UNISON and the British Cleaning Council.

5. Copies of 'Caring for cleaners. Guidance and case studies on how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders', HSG234, ISBN 0 7176 2682 2, price £9.50, are available from HSE Books.

6. The original research on which the guidance is based Musculoskeletal health of cleaners Contract Research Report 215/1999, is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_htm/index.htm.

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