No matter what tasks front-line janitors and cleaning personnel perform, they should use basic personal protective equipment, also known as PPE.
PPE protects workers from hazards in the workplace, allows them to work efficiently, and ensures compliance with employee health and safety regulations. The right PPE equipment used in the right way can significantly reduce health risks and injuries for janitorial workers and others.
Education and safety training programs play a huge role in understanding why PPE is important in janitorial services and how to develop policies and procedures for safe cleaning. The cost of not making PPE available for workers and not ensuring they use it properly can cost employers time and money. Best practices for PPE in the janitorial industry will keep everyone safe and prevent insurance claims and legal issues.
Why PPE Is Important in Janitorial Services
Dirt, bacteria, and germs must be wiped away before a space becomes clean and sanitary. Depending on the surface being cleaned and the type of germs that are present, toxic chemicals may be needed to clean surfaces which can cause health issues for those who use them.
For example, harsh chemicals can cause short-term health concerns such as coughing, asthma, eye irritations, and burns on the skin. Certain chemicals may lead to long-term health issues such as cancer, organ damage, reproductive problems, or mental health issues, and mold can cause allergic reactions.
As another example, the environment where employees work may pose a health hazard for janitorial workers. For example, workers who use machinery in poorly ventilated areas may be exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Some workers may be unknowingly exposed to lead or asbestos which can lead to serious health problems. Janitors working in medical facilities may be exposed to biological hazards such as pathogens in blood or bodily fluids.
PPE plays a role in protecting janitorial workers and others in these and other types of situations.
Janitors and other cleaners may need certain types of PPE depending on the task at hand. At a minimum, janitors should have the following PPE equipment available to them and be trained on how to use it properly:
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Masks
- Protective clothing
The risks of not using PPE can have dire consequences for your company. The lack of protection can cause employees to take days or weeks away from work and it may result in financial loss.
Counting the Cost of Neglecting PPE
Employees who don’t understand the need for PPE can get annoyed with it. The masks are hot, and gloves, goggles, or other protective coverings get in their way. However, the cost of workers not wearing the proper PPE can add up in a variety of ways, and it can add up quickly.
Let’s look at some of the ways neglecting PPE can cause problems.
Potential Health Risks and Injuries
As we briefly discussed, chemicals, gases, and other substances can harm the lungs, skin, or other organs. Failing to wear the proper protection can impact eyesight and the ability to move fingers, toes, or limbs.
Legal Implications and Fines
An injured or ill employee could file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If an OSHA investigation demonstrates you’re not following employee safety guidelines, you may have to pay a fine which could be in the thousands of dollars. If a third party is affected by the lack of PPE, your company could be sued.
Reputational Damage
News of an illness or injury could quickly become viral in the media or on social media which could tarnish your company’s reputation. A negative brand reputation could impact your bottom line.
Insurance Claims
An illness or injury could lead to a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit which would cause you to file a claim on your commercial insurance policy. Too many claims of this sort could cause your premiums to increase.
We’ll look at a case study to demonstrate how a minor misuse of PPE could cost an employer in several ways. The case study is the story of Sean, an employee who was working on a refrigeration unit. The unit came off a jig and fell on Sean’s right hand. While Sean was wearing protective hand gloves, they didn’t cover his fingers. The doctors stitched up Sean’s hand, yet once the injury healed, it left him with limited movement and a noticeable scar. The court ruled that the company had failed in its duty of care by not providing proper PPE for Sean.
In this case, Sean lost 2 ½ days of work and he filed a workers’ compensation claim. The company could have also been fined by OSHA, and their insurance premiums may have increased. More importantly, the worker’s fingers were compromised for life, and that doesn’t speak well for the company’s reputation.
The Importance of Proper Usage of PPE
Workplace hazard mitigation means that workers must have the proper PPE for the task and use it as it was intended to be used. Proper implementation is critical for ensuring the effectiveness of PPE and maximizing its potential to safeguard individuals from workplace hazards.
Here are some questions to consider as you perform a PPE risk assessment:
- Have you trained employees thoroughly and provided demonstrations on how to use PPE properly?
- Do you regularly inspect PPE equipment to ensure it isn’t worn or soiled?
- Do you have a process for replacing worn equipment?
- Are employees maintaining PPE properly such as cleaning safety glasses?
- Have you instructed employees on how to properly dispose of PPE?
- Have you properly trained workers on how to clean up chemical spills safely?
- Have you cautioned workers to never mix different cleaning materials?
- Have you trained workers at a level and in a language they can understand?
The following resources will help your company to implement PPE compliance solutions:
- Protecting Workers Who Use Cleaning Chemicals
- Sequence for Putting on PPE
- When and How to Wash Your Hands
- PPE Requirements in Maintenance, Repair, Construction, and Demolition
- Facilities/Custodial Services – Yale Environmental Health & Safety
Be sure that your PPE is always well-stocked to prevent the chance that an employee goes to work without it.
Ensuring the Availability of PPE
It is the employer’s responsibility to provide employees with PPE and pay for it as outlined in OSHA’s standards. A standard passed in 2008 states that employers cannot require their employees to provide their own PPE. That said, employees may use their own PPE if they choose to as long as it adequately protects them from hazards at the workplace.
There are some exceptions to the rule. For example, employees may have to purchase steel-toe shoes or boots or non-specialty prescription eyewear on their own.
The best way to ensure the availability of PPE is to assign someone to do regular stock checks and place orders for PPE regularly. While the cost is a consideration, quality is preferable over cost. You may be able to work with suppliers for the best deals when ordering from them regularly.
Best Practices for Using PPE Equipment
You can always rely on the best practices for using PPE to guide you as you aim to keep your workers and others safe.
We’ve put together a list of best practices to inform your policies:
- Select the right PPE for the task and ensure it fits properly.
- Train workers on how to put on PPE and take it off properly.
- Require workers to inspect PPE for damage or wear and tear before using it.
- Train workers on how to properly clean and sanitize PPE.
- Choose the least hazardous cleaning chemical for the task at hand.
- Be sure cleaning solutions target the microorganisms that are present.
- Ensure PPE is well-stocked at all times.
- Follow proper guidelines for disposing of PPE that is contaminated or disposable.
Lastly, encourage workers to communicate openly about any concerns they have about wearing or using PPE. Good communication will foster a culture of safety.
Insure Your Janitorial or Maintenance Company With the Best in the Industry
Proper protection ranges from ensuring proper PPE to properly insuring your company. MaintenancePro is a leader in the janitorial industry serving janitorial services, maintenance services, window cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaners, and more.
Our program customizes coverages to meet your insurance needs. To learn more about how to protect your janitorial services company, call one of our cleaning industry insurance experts at NIP Group at 866-281-4793 today.
