Cleaners face highest risk of strain injuries

Cleaning staff are one of the highest risk groups in terms of strain injury at work, particularly back pain and arm pain associated with floor polishing, vacuuming and mopping activities.

A recent survey of 5,000 cleaners working mainly in health, education and local authorities, found that almost a quarter had been absent from work due to work-related aches and pains over a 12-month period. Many of these injuries are avoidable with good training and practice.

To help establish this public services union UNISON and the Health and Safety Executive are collaborating to build on joint research carried out in 1999 looking at health and safety problems in the cleaning industry. New research has now been commissioned from the Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics, University of Surrey, to produce guidance based on case studies demonstrating practical solutions to every day problems.