Janitors play a vital role in public spaces, commercial businesses, hospitals, and other areas. These professionals face many risks while they’re doing their job duties. Making sure that they remain safe is up to their employer.
There are many things that employers can do to help keep these janitors safe. Providing them with the correct personal protective equipment to do the job at hand and making sure they know the proper safety protocols to follow is also important. Just the same, janitors are prone to a few specific on-the-job hazards, like those listed below.
Musculoskeletal hazards
Changing out trash cans and other tasks that janitors do can lead to pulled muscles and other injuries. In some cases, heavy lifting may lead to back or knee injuries. Repetitive motion can also lead to considerable strain on the body, so they must ensure they’re using proper body mechanics. In some cases, assistive devices might also be beneficial.
Biohazard exposure
Janitors often work around bodily fluids and other hazardous waste. Even emptying the trash in the bathroom is risky. A stray needle from a diabetic or a drug user can expose them to blood-borne pathogens. Wearing gloves and using safety equipment can help them to remain safe, but there’s no perfect protection. Janitors in cafeterias can also come into contact with bodily fluids on straws and utensils.
Any janitor who suffers from an on-the-job illness or injury should get medical care right away, and that treatment should be covered by workers’ compensation benefits. While workers’ comp benefits are an injured worker’s rightful due, not every claim is treated fairly. If that happens to you, make sure you have experienced legal guidance by your side.