270 Health and safety experience of commercial janitors

Abstract

Conclusions This analysis indicates that PI is a valid and reliable instrument which can be effectively used to monitor safety conditions at workplaces. Commercial janitors are an important group of low wage, largely immigrant workers who face significant potential risks at work, and yet have only been minimally studied for occupational injury and illness. Anecdotal reports from a local union representing commercial janitors in the Seattle area suggest pressures on the industry have produced a dramatic increase in workload over the past few years, raising the possibility of increased injury and illness. A cross sectional survey was designed to assess a range of exposures among commercial janitors including both union (n = 275) and non-union (n-75) sectors, and using a group of security guards (n-75) as controls. A novel participatory approach to data collection was developed, utilising workers to recruit subjects and conduct interviews in three languages, using electronic data collection tools linked to an internet-based database. Further, a novel subjective workload scale was adopted, and changes in workload and injury and illness rates over the past three years were assessed. Exposures assessed include general workload, musculoskeletal stressors, chemical use, as well as psychosocial risks such as work stress, safety climate, discriminatory management practices and work-life balance. Outcomes included acute injury, musculoskeletal pain, pulmonary and dermatological symptoms, and sleep disturbance. Initial results indicate a significant increase in workload with 28.5% reporting >7 on a 10 point scale two years ago, up to 35% in the current year. A concomitant increase in injuries was similarly observed. The paper describes the approach to data collection and describes rates of exposure and health and safety outcomes by group. Measures adopted to validate the self-reported conditions are also described. Background and Objective Cadmium (Cd) exposure, like Itaiitai disease, may present with erythropoietin (EPO) hypoproduction, and associated erythroid abnormalities. Anemia may be associated with toxic metal (Cd and lead) poisoning with interaction with essential trace elements (iron, zinc, copper) in humans. We aimed at assessing the relationship among erythrocyte parameters (EP), anemia (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL) and blood Cd (BCd) among adult residents in an environmentally high-exposed community near electroplating industry area. Methods A total of 1,062 residents were included through stratified random sampling by three age groups (35-44, 45-54, and 55-64 years) and gender from an electroplating-related metal contaminated area located in central Taiwan during 2002~2005. B-Cd levels were measured by an ELAN 6100 inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Multiple logistic regression models were used for test the association between anemia and B-Cd with serum ferritin taken into account. Results B-Cd levels was negatively associated with the red blood cell (RBC) count, mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and...

Janitor workload and occupational injuries

“…Due to different study methods and populations, it is difficult to compare these results to other studies. However, a previous study of janitors in Washington State assessed a change in work intensity, and found that among union janitors, reported work intensity increased by 8.6% over the 3‐year period between 2010 and 2013 . The current study did not measure the percent increase in workload, but did conclude that, among those who reported an increase in workload, 22% was attributable to intensity of work.…”

“…Short sleep duration and poor quality of sleep are both risk factors for occupational injury . Previous research of SEIU janitors reported their having low sleep quality and getting less than 6 h of sleep per night . In the current study, adjusted analyses indicated an increased risk of injury for those who slept less than 6 h, compared to 8 or more hours, and for those who reported moderate to severe sleep disturbance compared to none or slight.…”

“…Previous research among janitors and cleaners have indicated a relation between work intensity and injury occurrence. From the study of janitors in Washington, it was reported that union janitors who rated their work as high, compared with low, intensity were 2.03 ( P = 0.036) times as likely to report an injury . Specifically, results from the Washington Study indicated an increase in injury, poor/fair general health, back, leg, and arm pain and work stress, with increased work intensity.…”

“…Previous studies, evaluating workload exposures in janitors have used self‐reported questionnaires to characterize their burden. In those questionnaires, workload has been defined using work‐intensity scales, ergonomic assessment, and square footage . A 2013 study in the state of Washington assessed workload and work intensity among union and non‐union janitors and found trends to suggest that workload contributed to increased rates of injury, illness, and stress; from that study it was reported that, among 276 union janitors, self‐reported work intensity was strongly related with health, injury, pain, and stress …”

Work‐related injury burden, workers' compensation claim filing, and barriers: Results from a statewide survey of janitors

“…The expansion in commercial office space in WA has outpaced the growth of the workforce and may increase work demands. 41 Janitors have recently reported increasing workloads 42 , 43 , 44 which may put them at increased risk of work‐related injuries.…”