Transitioning from Traditional to Green Cleaners: An Analysis of Custodian and Manager Focus Groups

Abstract

Custodians represent one of the largest occupational groups using cleaning agents, and yet their voices are infrequently heard in relation to the introduction of "green" cleaners and the laws regarding environmentally preferable products (EPP). This study reflects worker voices on use and effectiveness of chemicals, as well as incentives and obstacles for green cleaning programs. Sixty-four custodians and staff participated in 10 focus groups. Data were entered into Atlas Ti and the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis was used to identify themes. Themes included satisfaction in a "well-done" job, more effort required for job, lack of involvement in EPP selection process, EPP's ease of use for workers with English as a Second Language (ESL), misuse of disinfectants, health complaints, and need for training. This study shows that custodians have a voice, and that improved communication and feedback among all the stakeholders are needed to make the transition to green cleaning more effective.

Traditional and environmentally preferable cleaning product exposure and health symptoms in custodians

“…Participants with higher typical use of environmentally preferable cleaning products had significantly increased odds of reporting back and lower extremity musculoskeletal symptoms. However, in this study the effects were not larger than for traditional cleaning product exposure, indicating that environmentally preferable cleaning products could be beneficial for reducing musculoskeletal symptoms compared to traditional cleaning products, although in a previous focus group study custodians were concerned about having to work harder (e.g., more forceful scrubbing, more frequent cleaning) to clean and reported greater musculoskeletal complaints when using environmentally preferable compared to traditional cleaning products [Simcox et al, ].…”

“…In addition, there is some indication that using environmentally preferable cleaning products could be associated with a higher prevalence of unfavorable musculoskeletal symptoms even compared to the use of traditional cleaning products. A qualitative study by Simcox et al [] found that custodians were concerned about having to work harder (e.g., more forceful scrubbing, more frequent cleaning) to clean and also reported greater musculoskeletal complaints when using environmentally preferable compared to traditional cleaning products.…”

Work experiences of Latino building cleaners: An exploratory study

“…The literature on cleaning work contains many reviews or epidemiological papers identifying the hazards to which cleaners may be exposed and their harmful health effects. There are also a number of qualitative studies exploring the work experiences of Latino building cleaners. The findings of these qualitative studies parallel the findings of the epidemiological papers in that they primarily present a catalog of workplace hazards and the health effects associated with exposure to these hazards.…”

Characterization of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites Among Custodians

“…We used a community-based participatory action research approach to characterize custodians' exposures to phthalates by evaluating urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and observing cleaning use patterns. Details of the study partners can be found in more detail elsewhere (Simcox et al, 2012). Briefly, in partnership with the Connecticut Employees Union Independent, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (CEUI-SEIU) Local 511, a total of 456 custodians and 49 cooks (with cleaning and disinfection job duties) who were working with cleaning products were identified from union membership.…”

“…Briefly, in partnership with the Connecticut Employees Union Independent, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (CEUI-SEIU) Local 511, a total of 456 custodians and 49 cooks (with cleaning and disinfection job duties) who were working with cleaning products were identified from union membership. Focus group results conducted with custodians at these sites during the first phase of the study (Simcox et al, 2012) were used to guide site selection, recruitment process, and survey tools for the current biomonitoring study.…”