4 Common Workplace Injuries Among Cleaning Employees

Here are some of the most common types of injuries among those in the cleaning industry and what you can do if you get hurt on the job.

Cleaning employees are essential to the well-being of our society. Just imagine for a moment what your office, the restaurant you had dinner at last week, or your regular coffee place would look like without the work of janitors, custodians, and housekeepers. They clean, keep things in order, repair, and make sure that the private and public spaces we use daily are safe and clean. And, because we are not always aware of the hard work they do every day, we rarely think of the toll these jobs can have on their health. 

Here are some of the most common types of injuries among those in the cleaning industry and what you can do if you get hurt on the job. 

Common Injuries Among Cleaning Employees

The hard work, exposure to chemicals, and overexertion make custodial workers prone to work injuries. In fact, reports show that cleaning staff has the 16th highest rate of injuries and that on average, 50,000 custodial workers and janitors get injured every year. 

Some of the most common injuries include: 

Slips and Falls

Janitors and housekeeping often take care of spills, wet floors, and icy sidewalks. They also use ladders to change lightbulbs or clean the top shelves. These job duties make them prone to trips, slips, and falls. 

Exposure to Dangerous Chemicals

Janitors and professional cleaners work with powerful chemicals that can affect their lungs if they aren’t used properly or if their employers don’t provide the right protective gear. These ailments take time to show the first signs and often they can lead to serious illnesses that require complex and long-term treatment.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Janitorial work involves a lot of lifting, pushing, bending, squatting, and other repetitive movements that can cause strains and sprains, such as back or shoulder injuries.

Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

Cleaners in the health sector can be required to clean tools that carry bacteria and viruses that can lead to infectious diseases, such as hepatitis or HIV. That’s why it’s paramount for these types of workers to be trained in how to handle these materials safely and how to use protective gear correctly. 

What to Do If You Are Injured on the Job

If you’ve been injured while performing your job, speak with an experienced St. Louis workers compensation lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your legal right to compensation is protected.

Applying for workers comp may look like a straightforward process, however, there are many mistakes that could lead to the rejections of your claim. Even though fault is not relevant when applying for workers’ compensation, insurance companies have other tricks up their sleeves to deny your claim.