Guide should help cleaners avoid backaches and strains

The HSE has published guidance on helping cleaners avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Cleaners are particularly at risk because their work is demanding and labour intensive. Inappropriate working practices that cause backaches and strains to cleaners include using mops with short handles and emptying buckets into high level sinks.

In 2001-02 around a million people in Britain suffered from musculoskeletal disorders caused or made worse by work, with an estimated 12 million working days lost every year.

Public services union UNISON has welcomed the guidance. Health and safety officer, Hope Daley, said: "We hope that employers of cleaning staff will use it to actively reduce musculoskeletal injuries to their staff. The case studies show that simple methods of prevention can be effective."

She added: "In many instances it was the cleaners themselves who suggested improvements to avoid the risk of injury."

Caring for cleaners: guidance and case studies on how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, £9.50