Cleaning Workers Research Database
(updated 12-7-11)
NORA Services Sector
Accommodations Subgroup
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Alamgir H, Yu S [2008]. Epidemiology
of occupational injury among cleaners in the healthcare sector. Occup Med 58(6):393–399.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The
cleaning profession has been associated with multiple ergonomic and chemical
hazards which elevate the risk for occupational injury. AIMS: This study
investigated the epidemiology of occupational injury among cleaners in
healthcare work settings in the Canadian province of British Columbia. METHODS:
Incidents of occupational injury among cleaners, resulting in lost time from
work or medical care, over a period of 1 year in two healthcare regions were
extracted from a standardized operational database and with person-years
obtained from payroll data. Detailed analysis was conducted using Poisson
regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 145 injuries were identified among cleaners,
with an annual incidence rate of 32.1 per 100 person-years. After adjustment
for age, gender, subsector, facility, experience and employment status, Poisson
regression models demonstrated that a significantly higher relative risk (RR)
of all injury, musculoskeletal injury and cuts was associated with cleaning
work in acute care facilities, compared with long-term care facilities. Female
cleaners were at a higher RR of all injuries and contusions than male cleaners.
A lower risk of all injury and allergy and irritation incidents among part-time
or casual workers was found. Cleaners with >10 years of experience were at
significantly lower risk for all injury, contusion and allergy and irritation
incidents. CONCLUSION: Cleaners were found to be at an elevated risk of all
injury categories compared with healthcare workers in general.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INJURIES; MSDs; DERMAL; RESPIRATORY
Arif
AA, Delclos GL, Whitehead LW, Tortolero SR, Lee ES [2003]. Occupational
exposures associated with work-related asthma and work-related wheezing among
U.S. workers. Am J Ind Med 44(4):368–376.
Abstract: National
estimates of occupational asthma (OA) in the United States are sparse. Using
data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES
III) 1988-1994, associations between occupation and work-related asthma and
work-related wheezing among U.S. workers were analyzed. This study identified
several occupations that were at risk of developing work-related asthma and/or
wheezing, with cleaners and equipment cleaners showing the highest risks. Other
major occupations identified were farm and agriculture; entertainment;
protective services; construction; mechanics and repairers; textile;
fabricators and assemblers; other transportation and material moving
occupations; freight, stock, and material movers; and motor vehicle operators.
The population attributable risks for work-related asthma and work-related
wheezing were 26% and 27%, respectively. This study adds evidence to the
literature that identifies work-related asthma as an important public health
problem. Several occupations are targeted for additional evaluation and study.
Of particular interest are cleaners, which are being increasingly reported as a
risk group for asthma. Future intervention strategies need to be developed for
effective control and prevention of asthma in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY
Arif AA, Hughes PC, Delclos GL
[2008]. Occupational exposures among domestic and industrial professional
cleaners. Occup Med (London) 58(7):458–463.
Abstract. Background: Despite being a large part of the workforce, cleaners remain a relatively understudied occupational group in the USA. Aims: The aims of this focus group study were to identify and characterize occupational exposures,
symptoms and job tasks among domestic and industrial professional cleaners. Methods: Twelve focus group sessions
were conducted in Lubbock, TX, and
Houston, TX. Participants were asked about their job tasks, type of
products they use to clean, bodily symptoms, job training and work environment. Results: Out of 99 attendees, 79 domestic and industrial cleaners
participated actively in the focus group sessions. Three general themes
emerged regarding cleaning professionals'
work experiences: (i) job training, (ii) chemical exposure and use and
(iii) competence. Domestic cleaners
demonstrated significant skills deficit across each of these three
themes as compared to industrial cleaners. Domestic cleaners
reported more frequent exposure to respiratory irritants and sensitizers and
also reported adverse respiratory symptoms as compared to industrial cleaners. Conclusions: The results from this
qualitative study are consistent with earlier findings from
quantitative studies placing domestic cleaners at
risk of exposure to chemicals that are respiratory irritants and/or sensitizers.
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
Belkic KL, Landsbergis PA, Schnall
PL, Baker D [2004]. Is job strain a major source of cardiovascular disease
risk? Scand J Work Environ Health. 30(2):85–128.
Abstract. Empirical
studies on job strain and cardiovascular disease (CVD), their internal
validity, and the likely direction of biases were examined. The 17 longitudinal
studies had the highest validity ratings. In all but two, biases towards the
null dominated. Eight, including several of the largest, showed significant
positive results; three had positive, nonsignificant findings. Six of nine
case-control studies had significant positive findings; recall bias leading to
overestimation appears to be fairly minimal. Four of eight cross-sectional
studies had significant positive results. Men showed strong, consistent
evidence of an association between exposure to job strain and CVD. The data of
the women were more sparse and less consistent, but, as for the men, most of
the studies probably underestimated existing effects. Other elements of causal
inference, particularly biological plausibility, corroborated that job strain
is a major CVD risk factor. Additional intervention studies are needed to
examine the impact of ameliorating job strain upon CVD-related outcomes.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; CVD
Bell JL, Collins JW, Wolf L,
Gronqvist R, Chiou S, Chang WR, Sorock GS, Courtney TK, Lombardi DA, Evanoff B
[2008]. Evaluation of a comprehensive slip, trip and fall prevention programme
for hospital employees. Ergonomics 51(12):1906–1925.
Abstract. In 2007, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the incidence rate of lost workday
injuries from slips, trips and falls (STFs) on the same level in hospitals was
35.2 per 10,000 full-time equivalents (FTE), which was 75% greater than the
average rate for all other private industries combined (20.2 per 10,000 FTEs).
The objectives of this 10-year (1996-2005) longitudinal study were to: 1)
describe occupational STF injury events in hospitals; 2) evaluate the
effectiveness of a comprehensive programme for reducing STF incidents among
hospital employees. The comprehensive prevention programme included analysis of
injury records to identify common causes of STFs, on-site hazard assessments,
changes to housekeeping procedures and products, introduction of STF preventive
products and procedures, general awareness campaigns, programmes for external
ice and snow removal, flooring changes and slip-resistant footwear for certain
employee subgroups. The hospitals' total STF workers' compensation claims rate
declined by 58% from the pre-intervention (1996-1999) rate of 1.66 claims per
100 FTE to the post-intervention (2003-2005) time period rate of 0.76 claims
per 100 FTE (adjusted rate ratio = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.33-0.54). STFs due to liquid
contamination (water, fluid, slippery, greasy and slick spots) were the most
common cause (24%) of STF claims for the entire study period 1996-2005. Food
services, transport/emergency medical service and housekeeping staff were at
highest risk of a STF claim in the hospital environment. Nursing and office
administrative staff generated the largest numbers of STF claims. STF injury
events in hospitals have a myriad of causes and the work conditions in
hospitals are diverse. This research provides evidence that implementation of a
broad-scale prevention programme can significantly reduce STF injury claims.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOSPITAL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Bello A, Quinn MM, Perry MJ, Milton
DK [2009]. Characterization of occupational exposures to cleaning products used
for common cleaning tasks―a pilot study of hospital cleaners. Environ
Health Mar 27(8):11.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: In
recent years, cleaning has been identified as an occupational risk because of
an increased incidence of reported respiratory effects, such as asthma and
asthma-like symptoms among cleaning workers. Due to the lack of systematic
occupational hygiene analyses and workplace exposure data, it is not clear
which cleaning-related exposures induce or aggravate asthma and other
respiratory effects. Currently, there is a need for systematic evaluation of
cleaning products ingredients and their exposures in the workplace. The
objectives of this work were to: a) identify cleaning products' ingredients of
concern with respect to respiratory and skin irritation and sensitization; and
b) assess the potential for inhalation and dermal exposures to these
ingredients during common cleaning tasks. METHODS: We prioritized ingredients
of concern in cleaning products commonly used in several hospitals in
Massachusetts. Methods included workplace interviews, reviews of product
Materials Safety Data Sheets and the scientific literature on adverse health
effects to humans, reviews of physico-chemical properties of cleaning
ingredients, and occupational hygiene observational analyses. Furthermore, the
potential for exposure in the workplace was assessed by conducting qualitative
assessment of airborne exposures and semi-quantitative assessment of dermal
exposures. RESULTS: Cleaning products used for common cleaning tasks were
mixtures of many chemicals, including respiratory and dermal irritants and
sensitizers. Examples of ingredients of concern include quaternary ammonium
compounds, 2-butoxyethanol, and ethanolamines. Cleaning workers are at risk of
acute and chronic inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOC)
vapors and aerosols generated from product spraying, and dermal exposures
mostly through hands. CONCLUSION: Cleaning products are mixtures of many
chemical ingredients that may impact workers' health through air and dermal
exposures. Because cleaning exposures are a function of product formulations
and product application procedures, a combination of product evaluation with
workplace exposure assessment is critical in developing strategies for
protecting workers from cleaning hazards. Our task based assessment methods
allowed classification of tasks in different exposure categories, a strategy
that can be employed by epidemiological investigations related to cleaning. The
methods presented here can be used by occupational and environmental health
practitioners to identify intervention strategies.
CATEGORIES: CHEMICAL HAZARDS;
RESPIRATORY; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Bergqvist U, Wolgast E, Nilsson B,
Voss M [1995]. Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workers:
individual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors. Ergonomics 38:763–776.
Abstract. A number of
individual, ergonomic, and organizational factors of presumed importance for
the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders were investigated in a group of 260
visual display terminal (VDT) workers. The cross-sectional study utilized
medical and workplace investigations as well as questionnaires. The results
were subjected to a multivariate analysis in order to find the major factors
associated with various upper-body muscular problems. Several such factors were
identified for each investigated type of musculoskeletal problem. Some were
related to the individual: age, gender, woman with children at home, use of
spectacles, smoking, stomach-related stress reactions, and negative
affectivity. Organizational variables of importance were opportunities for
flexible rest breaks, extreme peer contacts, task flexibility, and overtime.
Identified ergonomic variables were static work posture, hand position, use of
lower arm support, repeated work movements, and keyboard or VDT vertical
position.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Bernhardt A.,
Dresser L. and Hatton E. (2003) The coffee pot wars: Unions and firm
restructuring in the hotel industry. In: Appelbaum E, Bernhardt A and Murnane R
, eds, Low-wage America: How Employers are Reshaping Opportunity in the Workplace.
New York: Russell Sage Foundation. http://www.cows.org/pdf/ar-coffeepot.pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Blackwell RH. Out of the frying pan: a study of stress in the
hospitality industry. Leeds, UK: Leeds
Metropolitan University, Leeds Polytechnic, Leisure, and Consumer Studies.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Bohle P, Quinlan M, Kennedy D,
Williamson A [2004]. Working hours, work-life conflict, and health in
precarious and “permanent” employment. Rev Saúde Pública 38(Suppl):19–25.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The expansion of
precarious employment in OECD countries has been widely associated with
negative health and safety effects. Although many shift workers are
precariously employed, shift work research has concentrated on full-time
workers in continuing employment. This paper examines the impact of precarious
employment on working hours, work-life conflict and health by comparing casual
employees to full-time, "permanent" employees working in the same
occupations and workplaces. METHODS:
Thirty-nine convergent interviews were conducted in two five-star
hotels. The participants included 26 full-time and 13 casual (temporary)
employees. They ranged in age from 19 to 61 years and included 17 females and
22 males. Working hours ranged from zero to 73 hours per week. RESULTS: Marked differences
emerged between the reports of casual and full-time employees about working
hours, work-life conflict and health. Casuals were more likely to work highly
irregular hours over which they had little control. Their daily and weekly
working hours ranged from very long to very short according to organizational
requirements. Long working hours, combined with low predictability and control,
produced greater disruption to family and social lives and poorer work-life
balance for casuals. Uncoordinated hours across multiple jobs exacerbated these
problems in some cases. Health-related issues reported to arise from work-life
conflict included sleep disturbance, fatigue and disrupted exercise and dietary
regimes. CONCLUSIONS: This
study identified significant disadvantages of casual employment. In the same
hotels, and doing largely the same jobs, casual employees had less desirable
and predictable work schedules, greater work-life conflict and more associated
health complaints than "permanent" workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Bongers PM, Kremer AM, ter Laak J
[2002]. Are psychosocial factors, risk factors for symptoms and signs of the
shoulder, elbow, or hand/wrist? A review of the epidemiological literature. Am
J Ind Med 41(5): 315–342.
Background
In 1993, an extensive review on the role of psychosocial factors in the
development of musculoskeletal problems was published by Bongers et al (1993).
Since then, additional reviews on this topic have been published; however, none
of these focused on upper limb problems. Methods In this systematic review, the
methodological quality of all studies was assessed and levels of evidence were
apriori defined. Results: The large majority of the studies reported an
association between at least one work-related psychosocial factor and adverse
upper extremity symptoms or signs. High perceived job stress was consistently
associated with all upper extremity problems (UEP) in high and lower quality
studies. Although not often studied, non-work-related stress was also
consistently associated with UEP. In addition, there was some evidence for a
relationship between high job demands and UEP, although the results did not
meet the pre-set criterion for consistency. Conclusions High job stress and
non-work-related stress reactions are consistently associated with UEP. In
addition, high job demands is also in most studies associated with these
disorders. Firm conclusions on the role of these factors in the etiology of UEP
are not possible due to the cross-sectional nature of most studies. Am. J. Ind.
Med. 41:315-342, 2002.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; MSDs; REVIEW
ARTICLES
Susan Buchanan, Pamela Vossenas,
Niklas Krause, Joan Moriarty, Eric Frumin, Jo Anna Shimek, Franklin Mirer, Peter Orris, and
Laura Punnett, (2009) Occupational Injury Disparities in the US Hotel Industry.
Am. J. Ind. Med. (coming in January)
Abstract. Background
Hotel employees have higher rates of occupational injury and sustain more
severe injuries than most other service workers. Method OSHA log incidents from
five unionized hotel companies for a three-year period were analyzed to
estimate injury rates by job, company, and demographic characteristics. Room
cleaning work, known to be physically hazardous, was of particular concern.
Results A total of 2,865 injuries were reported during 55,327 worker-years of
observation. The overall injury rate was 5.2 injuries per 100 worker-years. The
rate was highest for housekeepers (7.9), Hispanic housekeepers (10.6), and
about double in three companies versus two others. Acute trauma rates were
highest in kitchen workers (4.0/100) and housekeepers (3.9/100); housekeepers
also had the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders (3.2/100). Age, being
female or Hispanic, job title, and company were all independently associated
with injury risk. Conclusion Sex- and ethnicity-based disparities in injury
rates were only partially due to the type of job held and the company in which
the work was performed.
KEY
WORDS: occupational injury; hotel workers; housekeepers; musculoskeletal
disorders;
health disparities
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Burgel BJ, White MC, Gillen MG, Krause N (2010). Psychosocial work
factors and shoulder pain in hotel room cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:743-756.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hotel room cleaners have physically
demanding jobs that place them at high risk for shoulder pain. Psychosocial
work factors may also play a role in shoulder pain, but their independent role
has not been studied in this group. METHODS: Seventy-four percent (941 of
1,276) of hotel room cleaners from five Las Vegas hotels completed a 29-page
survey assessing health status, working conditions, and psychosocial work
factors. For this study, 493 of the 941 (52%) with complete data for 21
variables were included in multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS:
Fifty-six percent reported shoulder pain in the prior four weeks. Room cleaners
with effort-reward imbalance (ERI) were three times as likely to report
shoulder pain (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.95-4.59, P = 0.000) even after adjustment for
physical workload and other factors. After adjustment for physical workload,
job strain and iso-strain were not significantly associated with shoulder pain.
CONCLUSIONS: ERI is independently associated with shoulder pain in hotel room
cleaners even after adjustment for physical workload and other risk factors.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK [2001].
Consultative team to assess manual handling and reduce the risk of occupational
injury. Occup Environ Med 58(5):339–344.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: To
describe the formation of a consultative team to assess the risk of manual handling
in the workplace that started in October 1992 within the cleaning services
department of a 600 bed hospital, and to evaluate the effectiveness of its
recommendations in reducing the rate and severity (time lost and cost) of
workers' compensation injury. METHODS: The consultative team identified,
assessed, and recommended controls for manual handling and other injury risks.
Data on injuries counted before and after implementation of the team's
recommendations were obtained for the cleaning services study group, an orderly
services comparison group, as well as cleaners from a peer hospital and for the
State of Western Australia. Evaluation of the four groups was undertaken 3
years after the end of the study period, to allow maturation of the costs of the
claims (adjusted to July 1998 consumer price index) and hours lost from work.
RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that implementation of the recommendations
significantly reduced numbers and rates of injury, but not the severity of
injury, in the cleaning services study group. There was no difference in
numbers or severity of injuries for the comparison groups before and after
implementation of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The recommendation of the
consultative team can produce a meaningful and sustained reduction in rates of
injury within an at risk population. The results support a consultative
approach to reducing workplace injuries from manual handling. The team process
has potential for application to occupational groups at risk of exposure to other
types of hazards.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH [2002].
Effectiveness of a workplace risk assessment team in reducing the rate, cost,
and duration of occupational injury. J Occup Environ Med 44(2):155–159.
Abstract. Evaluates the
effectiveness of a consultative workplace risk assessment team in reducing the
rate and severity of injury among cleaners within a 600-bed hospital. Cohorts
of Cleaning Services and Orderly Services staff ever employed within both a
4-year pre-intervention and a 3-year post-intervention period were assigned to
the intervention and comparison groups respectively. The date, compensation
claims' cost, and hours lost from work were obtained for each injury during the
study period. Age, gender, work experience and hours worked were ascertained
for every subject whether injured or not. Reductions of two thirds in injury
rate, 73 per cent in cost rate, and 43 per cent in duration rate were evident
in the intervention group. In comparison the orderlies experienced a
post-intervention increase in all three rates. It is concluded that the success
of the workplace risk assessment team intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of work-place
injury.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH, Yau KKW Effectiveness of a participatory workplace
risk assessment team in reducing the risk and severity of musculoskeletal
injury [2002]. J Occup Health 44(4):221–225.
Abstract. This study
evaluates the effectiveness of a participatory workplace risk assessment team
(the intervention) in reducing the rate and severity of musculoskeletal and
non-musculoskeletal injuries among a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital
setting. The date, workers' compensation claims cost and hours lost from work
were obtained for each injury occurring during the 4-yr pre-intervention and
3-yr post-intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked during the study
period, were ascertained for every cleaner whether injured or not. For
musculoskeletal injuries, the intervention was associated with significant
reductions of two-thirds in injury rate, 65% in workers' compensation claims
cost per hour worked, and 40% in hours lost per hour worked. Cleaners also
experienced a significant two-third post-intervention reduction in
non-musculoskeletal injury rate; but the corresponding changes in severity
rates were not significant. The intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of musculoskeletal
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK,
Stevenson MR [2005]. Evaluating the effectiveness of a participatory approach
in reducing the risk and severity of injuries from manual handling. Ergonomics 48(8):907–914.
Abstract. Manual handling
is the greatest contributor to non-fatal injury and disease in the workplace,
commonly accounting for one-third of national injury counts. Interventional
strategies that have focused on selecting or modifying the worker have been
ineffective in reducing injury risk. In recent times, participatory ergonomics
has been widely adopted as a process to reduce the risk of injury from manual
handling but it is not well validated as an intervention. This study evaluated
the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics risk assessment approach in
reducing the rate and severity of injuries from manual and non-manual handling sustained
by a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital setting. The date of injury and
the workers' compensation claim cost and hours lost from work were obtained for
each injury incurred during the 4-year pre-intervention and 3-year intervention
period. The age, gender and hours worked were ascertained for every cleaner
whether injured or not. Using generalized linear mixed modeling analysis,
reductions of rate of injury by two-thirds, workers compensation claim costs by
62% and hours lost by 35% for manual handling injuries were found to be
associated with the intervention period. Although the cleaners experienced a
significant intervention period reduction in non-manual handling injury rate,
the corresponding changes in severity of injury were not significant. The
success of the intervention supports the adoption of a participatory ergonomics
approach in reducing the rate and consequence of injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Clean sweep: Molly Maid brushes up
its approach to health and safety [2001]. Safety mosaic 4(1):4–5.
Abstract: Housekeeping
services can be a hazardous business. From potentially dangerous chemicals and
equipment risks to slips and trips, and strains and sprains, staying safe at work
takes education, knowledge and reinforcement. This article describes how one
London, Ont. Molly Maid franchise makes health and safety a top priority.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS
Cleaners mopped up by injuries
[1999]. J Occup Health Safety Environ 3(5):8
Abstract: Looks at the
findings of a research report, "Musculoskeletal health of cleaners",
funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the trade union UNISON. The
results of a postal survey of 5,000 cleaning staff and follow-up ergonomic risk
assessments indicate widespread musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often
leading to time off work. The high risks of such pain have been associated with
equipment design, job organization and poor training. HSE and UNISON will be holding
a seminar for equipment manufacturers, employers and worker representatives in
London on 28 September 1999, to review the study's recommendations.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; INJURIES; PAIN;
ERGONOMICS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Crum AJ, Langer EJ [2007]. Mind-set
matters: exercise and the placebo effect. Psychol Sci 18(2):165–171.
Abstract. In a study
testing whether the relationship between exercise and health is moderated by
one's mind-set, 84 female room attendants working in seven different hotels
were measured on physiological health variables affected by exercise. Those in
the informed condition were told that the work they do (cleaning hotel rooms)
is good exercise and satisfies the Surgeon General's recommendations for an
active lifestyle. Examples of how their work was exercise were provided.
Subjects in the control group were not given this information. Although actual
behavior did not change, 4 weeks after the intervention, the informed group
perceived themselves to be getting significantly more exercise than before. As
a result, compared with the control group, they showed a decrease in weight,
blood pressure, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. These
results support the hypothesis that exercise affects health in part or in whole
via the placebo effect.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS
Dababneh A, Swanson N, Shell R
[2001]. Impact of added rest breaks on the productivity and well being of
workers. Ergonomics 44:164–174.
Abstract. The impact of
frequent short rest breaks on the productivity and well being of a group of 30
workers in a meat-processing plant was studied. Two rest break schedules were
tested, both of which provided 36 min of extra break time over the regular
break schedule (30-min lunch and two 15-min breaks). In the first experimental
rest break schedule, workers were given 12 3-min breaks evenly distributed over
the workday (3-min break for every 27 min of work). In the second schedule,
workers were given four 9-min breaks evenly distributed over the workday (9-min
break every 51 min of work). Outcome measures included production rate and
discomfort and stress ratings. Results showed that neither of the two
experimental rest break schedules had a negative effect on production, and the
9-min break schedule improved discomfort ratings for the lower extremities. The
workers in the study mostly preferred the 9-min rest break schedule, indicating
that workers in general might not as readily accept fragmentation of break time
into short, frequent breaks.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Davis K [2000]. The relationship
between psychosocial work characteristics and low back pain: underlying
methodological issues. Clin Biomech 15(6):389–406.
Abstract. Background.
Psychosocial work characteristics have been widely evaluated as potential risk
factors for low back injury. However, studies with different study populations
and using various types of measures have had conflicting results.
Methods.
This review is the most extensive to date, reviewing 66 articles that have
provided empirical evidence about the relationship between psychosocial work
characteristics and initial reporting of lower back pain. The studies are
reviewed with an emphasis on certain methodological issues: controlling for potential
confounding; timing of the data collection; and measurement of the exposures
and outcomes.
Results.
The results of this review suggest that controlling for potential confounding
from occupational biomechanical demands had a large influence on the associations
found between psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain. In
addition, the use of accurate and reliable measures for the occupational
exposures (biomechanical and psychosocial) and the lower back pain outcomes
appears to influence the strength of the associations found between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain.
Conclusion.
Given the methodological concerns discussed in this review, it is difficult to
draw strong causal inferences from this literature. However, it does appear
that psychosocial characteristics are related to some lower back pain outcomes,
and that employees’ reactions to psychosocial work characteristics (e.g., job
dissatisfaction and job stress) are more consistently related to lower back
pain than are the psychosocial work characteristics themselves (e.g., work
overload, lack of influence over work, quality of relationships with
coworkers).Relevance: This review attempts to identify and address
methodological issues in the literature evaluating the relationship between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain. Implications for future
research are presented.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; WORK
STRESS; PAIN
Deasy E, Balfe C [1988]. When is a
hospital like a hotel? Health Serv J 98(5105):674–675.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; HOTEL
WORKERS
Delevoye
A, Derieux N, Hunzinger E, Mzabi MI, Roux F, Van Brederode A, Van Rooj B
[2005a]. Lingère en hôtellerie (Hotel linen maids). Cahiers
de médecine interprofessionnelle 45(3).
Abstract: The main task
of hotel linen maids to ensure the proper management of linen, including the
reception of clean linen, its storage and its distribution, together with the
recovery and sorting of used linen. Contents of this information sheet on the
job of hotel linen maid: general characteristics of the job; technical and
organizational characteristics; exposures and constraints (work environment,
work organization, tasks and equipment); hazard evaluation techniques; health
effects and occupational pathology; prevention; medical supervision;
regulations; evaluation of work aptitude.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Delevoye A, Derieux N, Hunzinger E,
Mzabi MI, Roux F, Van Brederode A, Van Rooj B [2005b]. La lingère en hôtellerie
(Hotel linen maids). Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle 45(3):305–319.
This
study describes the various types of material flows for linen (delivery and
distribution of clean linen, collection and sorting of used linen) observed in
four hotels of different classes. The strenuousness of the work of linen maids
was evaluated based on the estimated weight of linen carried, work posture and
cardiofrequency measurements. Results indicated that this occupation involves a
moderate to high physical workload, primarily due to the manual handling of the
linen and the loading and unloading of carts.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Demirturk N, Demirdal T [2006]. Effect of a training program for hospital
cleaning staff on prevention of hospital-acquired infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 27:1410–1412.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Desciak EB, Marks JG Jr. [1997].
Dermatoses among housekeeping personnel. Am J Contact Dermat 8(1):32–34.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Housekeepers are exposed to irritants and allergens in their work and are at
significant risk for developing occupationally induced contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE:
We studied housekeepers at the Hershey Medical Center to determine the cause
and frequency of contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in these workers. METHODS:
All housekeepers were examined. Those with hand dermatitis had an extensive
history, patch testing, and latex RAST testing. RESULTS: Eight of 130 had hand
dermatitis. None had a relevant positive patch test or positive RAST test.
CONCLUSIONS: Of our housekeepers, 6.2% had occupationally induced irritant
contact dermatitis. None had allergic contact dermatitis or contact urticaria
to latex.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; DERMAL
DHPE [2008]. Focusing the lens: exploring the impact of job stress among
Hispanic/Latina blue-collar workers. By Griffin-Blake S, Alarcon-Yohe M,
Berktold J, Liburd L. Washington,
DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Directors of Health
Promotion and Education.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
DiGiulio LM (2008). Issues in hotel housekeeping. Executive housekeeping today
30(5):14-25.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Empowering the housekeeper (2003).
Lodging Hospitality. 59(10):48.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS
Eriksson T, Jingkun L (2009). Working at the boundary between market
and flexicurity: housekeeping in Danish hotels. International Labour Review
148(4):357-373.
Abstract: Though
housekeeping in Danish hotels is unskilled, low-paid work, because of Denmark's
compressed wage structure it is comparatively well paid. The authors examine
the working conditions and experience of housekeepers in eight hotels of
various types, to establish the industry's response to growing competition and
pressure to restructure. Approaches include reorganizing work, increased work
intensity, outsourced and in-house housekeeping, and Denmark's own
“flexicurity”. Flexible work arrangements, job security and in-kind social
benefits prove to compensate for scanty unemployment insurance and career
prospects.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Esbenshade J, Mitrosky M, Morgan E, Navarro M, Rotundi M, Vazquez C
92006). Profits, pain, and pillows: hotels and housekeepers in San Diego. WorkingUSA:
The Jounal of Labor and Society 9:265-292.
Abstract: The accommodations industry is
hitting record-breaking profits nationally and locally, often with subsidies
provided by government entities. Globalization is actually contributing to
rising employment and a trade surplus in the tourism industry. However,
increasing amenities and new work regimes are causing deteriorating conditions
for many workers. In 2006, hotel workers across the country will be
coordinating contract negotiations. Housekeepers, who make up almost a quarter
of the hotel workforce, are the “face” of the national campaign. Through
management interviews, analysis of government data, and a worker survey, this
article provides a more complete picture of the living and working conditions
of housekeepers in San Diego and nationally. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-4580.2006.00113.x/full
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Faulkner B, Patiar A (1997). Workplace-induced stress among
operational staff in the hotel industry. Int J Hospitality Management
16(1):99-117.
Abstract: Stress is an
integral part of all aspects of an individual's life. In the workplace, as in
other areas, stress can play a positive role by increasing alertness among
staff and mobilizing their adaptive capabilities. To some extent, therefore, a
certain level of stress has the potential to actually contribute to
organizational effectiveness. However, stress can become counterproductive once
excessive levels of unresolved stress begin to affect the health and
productivity of the workforce. Employers in any setting therefore have both
commercial and moral reasons for being sensitive to the incidence of stress and
developing management approaches for controlling it. This is particularly so in
industries such as the hotel industry, which are both labour intensive and
dependent upon face to face contact with guests in the delivery of services.
This paper examines the sources of stress among front office and housekeeping
operational staff in four star international standard hotels on the Gold Coast
(Queensland, Australia) with a view to exploring the management implications of
this phenomenon. While the sample size and the context of the study limit our
ability to generalize from survey results, an indication of problems requiring
adjustments in management approach is provided. In particular, it appears that,
while staff in both areas are susceptible to stress, front office staff are
more vulnerable owing to the nature of their duties and aspects of their
background that make them more sensitive to organizational deficiencies.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Fernandez A, Ballue C, Coubes S, Marc
R [2006]. Femme de chamber et valet dans l'hôtellerie (Hotel valets and
housekeeping staff). Paris: Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité.
Abstract:
This guide describes the current situation of the work of hotel valets and
housekeeping staff, with the aim of proposing actions that satisfy both the
need for the prevention of safety and health hazards and improved work quality.
Topics addressed: characteristics of the job; how to lower the constraints
related to the job (work organization, tools, ergonomics, room layout,
training).
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Finch, BK, Kolody B, Vega WA [2000].
Perceived discrimination and depression among Mexican-origin adults in
California. J Health Soc Behav 41(3):295–313.
Abstract. This study
provided a test of the minority status stress model by examining
whether perceived discrimination would directly affect health
outcomes even when perceived stress was taken into account among 215
Mexican-origin adults. Perceived discrimination predicted depression
and poorer general health, and marginally predicted health symptoms,
when perceived stress was taken into account. Perceived stress
predicted depression and poorer general health while controlling for
the effects of perceived discrimination. The influence of perceived
discrimination on general health was greater for men than women, and
the effect of perceived stress on depression was greater for women
than men. Results provide evidence that discrimination is a source
of chronic stress above and beyond perceived stress, and the
accumulation of these two sources of stress is detrimental to mental
and physical health. Findings suggest that mental health and health
practitioners need to assess for the effects of discrimination as
a stressor along with perceived stress.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Flores LY, Deal JZ (2003). Work-related pain in Mexican American
custodial workers. Hispanic J Behavioral Sciences 25(2):254-270.
Abstract: Mexican American janitors and
custodians are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
These injuries may render them physically disabled, unable to provide for themselves and
their families, and dependent on an already strained public health care system. Despite
this growing health crisis and the United States’s growing Latino population, no research
has been published examining musculoskeletal pain among Mexican American
custodial workers. In this article, the authors examine the working and social conditions
of Mexican American service workers, as well as the reasons why there is so little
research on this population. The authors present results from a study they conducted and
discuss the implications of their findings for future research with this population. http://hjb.sagepub.com/content/25/2/254.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT WORKERS; MSDs; PAIN; INJURIES
Flyvholm MA, Frydendall Jensen K
[2008]. Experiences with implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
to prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations. G Ital Dermatol
Venereol 143(1):71–78.
Abstract. Occupational
skin diseases are among the most frequently recognized occupational diseases in
many industrialized countries. This paper describes and review experiences with
implementation of interventions to prevent occupational skin diseases in
different occupational settings representing the food processing industry and a
hospital. The study populations were gut cleaners with all participants being
exposed to wet work, cheese dairies and a hospital where all employees were
included. The effect of implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
were tested by questionnaire surveys on baseline and follow-up. A significant
reduction in eczema at hands or forearms was observed among gut cleaners. At
cheese dairies the eczema frequencies were low except for a comparison dairy
where significant changes were seen. At the hospital a non significant
reduction in hand eczema was observed. Changes related to use of protective
measures and knowledge on prevention of occupational skin diseases were
observed. A process evaluation carried out at the gut cleaning departments
showed association between the eczema frequency at follow-up, activities
related to prevention and implementation of an occupational health management
system. In addition to documenting the scientific background for evidence-based
prevention programs to prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations,
both the study population and the study design should be considered carefully
when testing the implementation of workplace interventions. These aspects may
influence the outcome in different directions and either facilitate or hamper
the possibilities to provide scientific documentation of the effect of the
intervention tested.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Frumin E, Moriarty J, Vossenas P, Halpin J, Orris P, Krause N, Punnett
L (2006). Workload-related musculoskeletal disorders among hotel housekeepers:
employer records reveal a growing national problem. http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/pdf/hskpr_analysis0406.pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Galinsky T L, Swanson NG, Sauter SL,
Hurrell JJ, Schleifer LM [2000]. A field study of supplementary rest breaks for
data-entry operators. Ergonomics 43:622–638.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
George R, Hancer M (2008). Housekeeping managers and the
administration of housekeeping service. Int J Hospitality Tourism
Administration 9(4):365-383.
Abstract: This study was
concerned with executive housekeepers in a lodging setting. It used a
self-completed questionnaire containing both choice and open-ended items to
solicit the opinions of executive housekeepers and the delivery of quality
service in the housekeeping department. The results indicated the executive
housekeepers believed the department members delivered a high level of service,
but more could be done. They also indicated a belief that the housekeepers felt
they delivered high quality service and they did a better job of delivering
quality service than other departments in the hotel. Executive housekeeper
comments regarding the administration of the housekeeping department are
presented.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Gill AS, Mathur N (2007). Improving employee dedication and pro-social
behavior. Int J Contemporary Hospitality Mangement 19(4):328-334.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine
the relationship between transformational leadership and employee dedication
and the relationship between transformational leadership and pro-social
behaviour. This study seeks to extend Gill et al.'s findings regarding the
impact of transformational leadership on job stress and the impact of job
stress on burnout. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
– Hospitality industry employees were interviewed to find out if
transformational leadership used by their managers improves employee dedication
and pro-social behaviour. FINDINGS
– Results suggest that employee dedication and pro-social behaviour are
positively related to the improvement in the level of perceived
transformational leadership implementation. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS – If employees perceive that their
managers are using high-level transformational leadership, employee dedication
and pro-social behaviour are perceived as higher level than if it is perceived
as being used at lower level. ORIGINALITY/VALUE
– This paper offers useful insights for hotel managers based on empirical
evidence.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Goggins R (2007). Hazards of cleaning strategies for reducing
exposures to ergonomic risk factors. Professional Safety 52(3).
Abstract: Cleaning workers are found in every setting and the work that
they do is essential in every industry. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS, 2005), more than 4 million people are employed as cleaning
workers in the U.S., many working in low-paying, temporary or part-time jobs,
with little opportunity for training or advancement. Much of the work is
performed in the evening or at night, and many of these workers also have
another job, attend school or perform other duties during the day. These
working conditions combine to create a high turnover rate—estimated to be as
high as 300% (Valentine & C&MM Staff, 1998; SEIU, 2006). Cleaning work
creates exposure to many hazards, including wet floors, working on ladders, use
of chemicals and motor vehicle accidents. Cleaning workers also are exposed to
risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as lifting, carrying,
awkward postures, repetitive motions and high hand forces. These exposures
result in a high rate of injuries. According to Washington state workers'
compensation data from the Department of Labor and Industries (DLI, 2006),
cleaning workers have an annual incidence rate of 10.4 new injury claims per
100 full-time equivalents (FTEs), while the overall service industry sector in
Washington has an incidence rate of 5.8 per 100 FTEs and the general industry
incidence rate is 6.9 per 100 FTEs. By way of comparison, BLS (2005) reports a
recordable injury incidence rate of 3.9 per 100 FTEs for janitorial services,
which is less than the national incidence rate for all of private industry (4.6
per 100 FTEs). The large difference in numbers between Washington state and
national injury rates may be explained by underreporting of injuries in BLS
statistics (Leigh, Marcin & Miller, 2004). A review of Washington state
workers' compensation data (DLI, 2006) reveals that the largest single category
of injury and illness claims among cleaning workers is overexertion, followed
by struck by and against, and falls. Exposure to chemicals and motor vehicle
accidents were also significant categories of interest (Figure 1, p. 22).
Looking at severity of claims, overexertion and falls accounted for the most
days of time loss, while many of the struck by and against claims appear to be
of low severity, accounting for a relatively small percentage of all time loss
days (Figure 2, p. 22). Overexertion claims, primarily MSDs, were reported as
occurring in all phases of cleaning work, while many of the falls were reported
as occurring while working on ladders, while sweeping or vacuuming stairs, or
while mopping floors. Each phase of cleaning work presents unique risk factors
for MSDs. Fortunately, much attention has been focused on MSDs in cleaning work
and new technologies offer opportunities to reduce the risk of injury. This
article reviews risk factors present in common cleaning tasks and describes
some solutions. Risk factors and some potential solutions are summarized in
(figure in paper) Dusting and Scrubbing. One risk factor introduced by dusting
and scrubbing with cloths and brushes is awkward postures, especially reaching
overhead, and bending, kneeling or squatting to clean at floor level.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; INJURIES;
ERGONOMICS; MSDs
Green behind the
scenes (2008). Lodging Hospitality 64(4):52.
Abstract: Floor care chemicals
such as cleaners, strippers, restorers and finishes are of particular concern
to environmental advocates and hotel properties eager to transfer from
conventional cleaning systems to those that are green. One of the key problems
with many traditional chemicals is that they can release large amounts of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can impair indoor air quality and
trigger headaches, respiratory problems and other ailments among staff and guests http://lhonline.com/green/housekeeping/green_behind_scenes_0315/
CATEGOREIS: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Greenhouse S (2006). Hotel rooms get plusher, adding to maids’ injuries.
New York Times, April 21. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/us/21hotel.html?pagewanted=all
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Greenhouse S (2009). Female
hotel workers injured more than men, study shows. New York Times, November 10. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/business/11injury.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Hales T, Seligman PJ, Newman SC,
Timbrook CL [1988]. Occupational injuries due to violence. J Occup Med 30(6):483–487.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES
Hannerz H, Tüchsen F, Kristensen TS (2002). Hospitalizations among
employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant industry. European J Public Health
12:192-197.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to provide a broad
picture of the morbidity among employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant
industry. METHODS: Cohorts of
all 20–59‐year‐old employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant
industry in the years 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1994 were formed to calculate
age‐standardized hospitalization ratios (SHR) and time trends (1981–1997)
for many different diagnoses. RESULTS:
Both for women and men, significantly higher SHRs were found for infectious and
parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases in the nervous system and sense organs,
diseases of the circulatory system, diseases of the respiratory system,
diseases of the digestive system and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
among employees in hotels and restaurants than in the working population at
large. Furthermore, among women a significantly elevated risk was found for
injuries in the lower extremities, injuries in the upper extremities and head
injuries, and among men a high risk was found for head injuries and a low risk
for ruptures in ligaments and muscles. The trend assessments did not detect any
significant changes in SHRs over time. CONCLUSION:
Employment in the Danish hotel and restaurant industry is associated with an
elevated hospitalization risk due to many diseases, which may be related to
occupation and lifestyle. In line with the official policy of reducing
inequality in health, focus should be placed on the health problems in this
group. http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/3/192.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Hansen KS [1983]. Occupational
dermatoses in hospital cleaning women. Contact Dermatitis 9(5):343–351.
Abstract. In an
investigation of 541 members of a hospital cleaning department, a prevalence
rate of occupational skin diseases of 15.3% was found. During their hospital
employment, 39.1% had a skin disease. Higher prevalence in the younger age
groups can be explained by the selection of those with skin diseases for work
away from the cleaning department. A large number developed their disease
shortly after employment began. This was an indication that the observed
prevalent conditions were irritant diseases. The distribution by diagnosis
confirms this conclusion in as much as 75% of the occupational skin diseases
were irritant dermatitis, 21% allergic contact dermatitis, and 4% monilia of
the finger webs. The causes of allergic contact dermatitis were found to be
formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and chloramine in addition to nickel and rubber.
Among the causes of irritant dermatitis were detergents, alkaline substances,
acids and sodium perborate as well as hypochlorite and hypobromite
combinations. In order to reduce occupational skin diseases among cleaning
personnel, it is necessary to extend both local and more general prophylactic
measures.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; DERMAL;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Health and Safety Executive [2003].
Caring for cleaners: guidance and case studies on how to prevent
musculoskeletal disorders. London: HSE Books.
CATEGORIES: MSDs
Health and Safety Executive [2007].
Preventing contact dermatitis at work. London: HSE Books.
Abstract: Aimed at
workers, this leaflet explains that contact dermatitis can be caused by contact
with a wide range of substances including detergents, toiletries, chemicals and
even some natural products. While it can concern all parts of the body, the hands
are most commonly affected. Contents: definition and description of contact
dermatitis; high risk-jobs and workplaces (health care personnel, hairdressers,
printers, cleaners, metal workers); prevention (substitution, automation,
enclosure, protective gloves); legal aspects (compliance with the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH, see CIS 03-1023).
Replaces CIS 06-6. URL:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg233.pdf
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
DERMAL
Henneberger PK (NIOSH) [2005]. How
"clean" is the cleaning profession? Occup Environ Med. 2005
Sep;62(9):586-7 Comment on: Occup Environ Med. 2005 Sep;62(9):598-606.
CATEGORIES: CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Henning R, Sauter S, Salvendy G,
Krieg Jr, E, [1989]. Microbreak length, performance, and stress in a data entry
task. Ergonomics 32 855–864.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Higley J (1997). Language barrier leads to resignations. Hotel and
Motel Management 212(9):20.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Higley J (2006). Maid to order: housekeepers earn respect. Hotel and
Motel Management 221(9):6.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS
Holtermann A, Blangsted AK,
Christensen H, Hansen K, Søgaard K [2009]. What characterizes cleaners
sustaining good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work?
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82(8):1015–1022.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: The
aim of this case-control study was to investigate characteristics of cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work.
METHODS: One hundred and 41 female seniority cleaners participated. Twenty-five
reported no musculoskeletal symptoms, whereas 83 reported severe symptoms in
the low back, neck shoulders or upper limbs. The groups were of matching age,
height, body weight and seniority (19 years). Muscular strength was recorded by
isometric maximal voluntary contractions on a day without pain. Exposure to
physical risk factors at work, psychosocial work factors, and leisure time
physical activity were assessed by a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health were not reporting different exposure to
physical risk factors at work or leisure time physical activity, but had higher
muscular strength and reported higher influence at work than cleaners with
severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that muscular strength and
influence at work are of relevance for sustaining good musculoskeletal health
in workers with physically heavy work.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WORK STRESS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Hopsu L, Toivonen R, Louhevaara V, Sjøgaard K (2000). Muscular strain
during floor mopping with different cleaning methods. Proceedings of the
IEA2000/HFES2000 Congress. 521-524.
Abstract: Mopping is one
of the most used cleaning methods. The aim of this study was to quantify and
compare local muscular strain during floor mopping with seven different mopping
methods with respect to the amount of water ranging from dry to wet. The
results showed that the local strain measured with EMG from the trapezius and
forearm muscles was higher with the use of wet and damp mopping methods than
with the use of dry methods.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Hotel housekeepers report alarming job injury rate (2006). Industrial
Safety and Hygiene News 40(6):12.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INJURIES
Hotel housekeeping is getting more dangerous (2006). Safety Compliance
Letter (2466)12.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS
Intilli H [1999]. The effects of
converting wheels on housekeeping carts in a large urban hotel. Program
evaluation. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 47(10):466–469
Abstract. Occupational
and environmental health nurses can identify the causes of injuries and use
analytical skills to show how the prevention of a problem can save the company
money and demonstrate a caring attitude from management. Nurses can expand
their traditional roles to position themselves as both advocates for the
employees and profit enhancers to management as demonstrated by this program
evaluation project. Initial outcomes included improved employee morale and
reduced soft tissue injuries in hotel housekeeping employees. Changes in the
workplace made by a proactive occupational and environmental health nurse and a
committed management can reap rewards beneficial for both the employer and the
work force.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Jansen JP, Burdorf A, Steyerberg E
[2001]. A novel approach for evaluating level, frequency and duration of lumbar
posture simultaneously during work. Scan J Work Environ Health 27(6):373–380.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES:
Electrogoniometers are used to collect continuous information on postural
distributions among workers. Enormous quantities of data are generated that
have to be reduced to meaningful parameters (angle, frequency, and duration).
In this study we propose statistical models to determine these essential
characteristics of postural load on nurses, housekeepers, and office workers.
METHODS: A direct registration of the lumbar posture was made over a workday
with an inclinometer. An exposure variation analysis was used to summarize
information on the angle of trunk flexion, the time period of maintained
postures, and the percentage of worktime in a data matrix. A hierarchical
regression analysis was used to compare these characteristics among nurses
(N=64), housekeepers (N=16), and office workers (N=27). RESULTS: The
occupational groups did not differ for either frequency or duration of trunk
flexion over 30 degrees since frequency and duration were inversely related.
Nurses experienced longer worktimes than the office workers did for trunk
flexion between 30 and 70 degrees maintained <5 seconds, whereas office
workers experienced longer worktimes in smaller angles (< 30 degrees) for
longer periods. Comparable differences in the distributions of postural load
were found between housekeepers and office workers. CONCLUSIONS: This study
describes the use of hierarchical models in analyses of the exposure level,
frequency, and duration of postural load simultaneously and offers an
alternative to conventional ergonomic analysis in which the dynamics of
exposure are often ignored. The distinction in postural load between nurses or
housekeepers and office workers is best determined by the combination of trunk
angle and time period.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Jungbauer FHW, Van Der Harst JJ,
Schuttelaar ML, Groothoff JW, Coenraads PJ [2004]. Characteristics of wet work
in the cleaning industry. Contact Dermatitis 51(3):131–134.
Abstract: Wet work is the
main cause of occupational contact dermatitis in the cleaning industry.
Dermatologists and occupational physicians need to base their primary and
secondary prevention for workers in the cleaning industry on the
characteristics of wet work exposures. The authors quantified the burden of wet
work in professional office cleaning activities with a continuous standardized
observation by trained observers of 41 office cleaners. Duration and frequency
of wet work exposure and of different cleaning activities were assessed. Wet
work made up 50% of such cleaning work. Within a typical 3-hr shift, a mean
frequency of 68 episodes of wet work was observed, which classifies office
cleaning as wet work. Skin exposure to irritants was markedly different among
cleaners who did the same cleaning activities. Reduction in skin irritation can
be achieved by training the workers. Because this group of workers, who have a
low level of education, has a high risk of developing irritant hand dermatitis,
a special effort on training and instruction should be made. A reduction of
exposure can be achieved by: using gloves more often; using gloves for a
shorter period of time; using gloves while doing activities that otherwise
cause the skin to be in contact with water and cleaning substances and washing
hands with water only, reserving soap for when the hands are visibly dirty.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL, CUSTODIAL WORKERS
Kim JE, Moon DH (2010). Job characteristics and musculoskeletal
symptom prevalence in hotel employees. Korean J Occup Health Nurs
19(2):190-204.
Abstract: PURPOSE: This
study was conducted to obtain the fundamental data on prevention and management
of musculoskeletal symptoms, and to assess the prevalence, risk factors and job
characteristics of musculoskeletal symptoms in hotel employees. METHODS: The
work sampling analysis was carried out by OWAS, and the prevalence was surveyed
in term of NIOSH diagnostic criteria and work related risk factors on 263 hotel
employees in Busan, Korea, using structured self-administered questionnaire
from Jan. 20 to Feb. 26, 2010. The collected data were analysed by the SPSS
18.0. RESULTS: 1) The prevailing rate of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH
diagnostic criteria was 43.80% for total subjects and 27.91% for shoulders,
12.79% for neck, and 11.24% for back/waist, respectively. 2) Factors affecting
the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were examined and multivariate
logistic regression analysis was performed. As a result, women, having a burden
of musculoskeletal work, increased work time in case of a higher risk of the
prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.1). 3) The body parts and the
department with the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms showed a significant
difference (P<0.05) compared with symptoms on shoulders, arms/elbows, and
ankles/feet. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH
diagnostic criteria in hotel employees was relatively high showing 43.80% for
total subjects and higher in departments of laundry, reservations, cooking,
food & beverage, dishwashing, and room cleaning than others.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Kines P, Hannerz H, Mikkelsen KL,
Tüchsen F [2007]. Industrial sectors with high risk of women’s hospital-treated
injuries. Am J Ind Med 50(1):12–21.
Abstract: Women's
occupational injury rates are converging with those of males. Associations
between female workers' hospital treated injury rates, industrial sector and
injured body area were analyzed to provide for better-focused injury prevention
of women's hazardous jobs. Females' standardized hospital treatment ratios
(SHR) and the excess fraction for five body regions (head/neck, thorax, back,
upper and lower extremities) were calculated for 58 industrial sectors for
1999-2003. Five industrial sectors, "Cleaning, laundries and dry
cleaners," "Transport of passengers," "Hotels and
restaurants," "Hospitals" and "Transport of goods" had
significantly high SHRs for all five body regions. The excess fraction for
upper extremity injuries revealed that 14%-27% of injuries could theoretically
have been avoided. There is strong evidence for an association between women's
hospital treated injuries and industrial sector. The results justify the need
for gender-sensitive analyses to orient injury prevention programs.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; INJURIES
Krause N, Lynch JW, Kaplan GA, Cohen
RD, Salonen R, Salonen JT [2000]. Standing at work and progression of carotid
atherosclerosis. Scand J Work Environ Health 26(3): 227–236.
CATEGORIES: CVD
Krause N, Tau Lee P, Thompson P,
Rugulies R, Baker L [1999]. Working conditions and health of San Francisco
hotel room cleaners. Report to the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees
International Union. Berkeley, CA: University of California, School of Public
Health, p. 79.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Krause N, Lee PT, Scherzer T,
Rugulies R., Sinnott P, Baker RL [2002]. Health and working conditions of hotel
guest room attendants in Las Vegas. Report to the Culinary Workers' Union,
Local 226, Las Vegas. San Francisco, CA, p. 112.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Krause N, Scherzer T, Rugulies R
[2005]. Physical workload, work intensification, and prevalence of pain in low
wage workers: results from a participatory research project with hotel room
cleaners in Las Vegas. Am J Ind Med 48(5):326–337.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Occupational injury rates among hotel workers exceed the national service
sector average. This study assesses the prevalence of back and neck pain, and
its associations with physical workload, ergonomic problems, and increasing
work demands. METHODS: Nine hundred forty-one unionized hotel room cleaners
completed a survey about health and working conditions. Associations between
job demands and pain were determined by logistic regression models adjusting
for individual characteristics, cumulative work demands, care-taking
responsibilities at home, and psychosocial job factors. RESULTS: The 1-month
prevalence of severe bodily pain was 47% in general, 43% for neck, 59% for
upper back, and 63% for low back pain. Workers in the highest exposure
quartiles for physical workload and ergonomic problems were between 3.24 and
5.42 times more likely to report severe pain than workers in the lowest
quartile. Adjusted odds ratios for work intensification ranged from 1.74 (upper
back) to 2.33 (neck). CONCLUSIONS: Most room cleaners experience severe back or
neck pain. Severe pain showed strong associations with physical workload, work
intensification, and ergonomic problems.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Kristal-Boneh E, Harari G, Melamed S,
Froom P [2000]. Association of physical activity at work with mortality in
Israeli industrial employees: the CORDIS study. J Occup Environ Med 42(2): 127–135.
CATEGORIES: INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
Kristensen TS [1989]. Cardiovascular
diseases and the work environment: a critical review of the epidemiologic
literature on nonchemical factors. Scand J Work Environ Health 15:165–179.
CATEGORIES: CVD; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Kumar R, Chaikumarn M, Kumar S
[2005]. Physiological, subjective, and postural loads in passenger train wagon
cleaning using a conventional and redesigned cleaning too. Int J Ind Ergonomics
35(10):931–938.
Abstract: In this study,
cleaning process was studied and analyzed with special reference to cleaning
tools. A group of 13 professional cleaners participated in this study. While
they performed their normal tasks, their oxygen consumption, heart rate, rating
of perceived exertion and postural data were obtained. The perceived exertion
during cleaning task using the "redesigned cleaning tool" was less
than that of the "conventional cleaning tool". The oxygen consumption
when cleaning with the redesigned tool (mean 0.84 l/m, SD +/-0.17) was
significantly less (p < 0.05) compared to the conventional cleaning tool
(mean 0.94 l/m, SD +/- 0.18). Heart rate was also found significantly lower
using redesigned cleaning tool (mean 101 bpm, SD +/- 11.10) compared to that of
conventional cleaning tool (mean 105 bpm, SD +/- 12.59) (p < 0.05). Using
redesigned cleaning tool the trunk postural load was also found significantly
less than that of conventional cleaning tool (p <0.05). It is concluded that
redesigned cleaning tool allowed cleaners to maintain more upright posture when
cleaning, which reduced biomechanical load.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Kumar R, Kumar S [2008].
Musculoskeletal risk factors in cleaning occupation – a literature review. Int
J Ind Ergonomics 38(2):158–170.
Abstract: The objective
of this literature survey on risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among
cleaners was to identify recommended practices, problems, and unresolved
issues. The most frequently-cited factors were found to be the high physical
and psychosocial workloads. Recommended ergonomic interventions are summarized
in a model to present a systematic overview, useful for research and practical
applications.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; MSDs
Landers M, Maguire L [2004]. Effects of a work injury prevention program for
housekeeping in the hotel industry. Work 22(3):239–246.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The
aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of a work
injury prevention program in the housekeeping department of a hotel. Studies
have validated the use of different injury prevention strategies to decrease
the incidence of work-related injuries. Few studies, however, have reported the
efficacy of an on-site work injury prevention program by a physical therapist.
STUDY DESIGN: In 1995, implementation of a work injury prevention program by a
physical therapist to 50 housekeeping supervisors, 60 house persons and 340
guest room attendants at a large hotel began. This program included a detailed
work risk analysis of the work environment, development of job descriptions,
identification of injury-related problematic work situations, and
implementation of a job specific supervisor-training program. Supervisor, house
person and guest room attendant training was also conducted at the end of 1995
and the beginning of 1997. RESULTS: Data of injury reports in 1995, 1996, and
1997 were analyzed to determine the results of the program. There was a
reduction in total injury claims, total medical expenses, total lost work time
and total restricted duty time. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the cost
effectiveness of implementing a work injury prevention program for housekeeping
guest room attendants in the hotel industry.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Landstad BJ, Ekholm J, Broman L,
Schüldt K [2000].Working environmental conditions as experienced by women
working despite pain. Work 15(3):141–152.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: This
study looked at female hospital cleaners and home help personnel who continued
working despite problems or pain in their musculoskeletal system and where
there was a risk of increase in sickness absence. The aim was to determine
whether supportive intervention for these personnel at the workplace had an
effect on the way that they experienced the physical and psychosocial aspects
of their working environments. METHODS: The design was prospective with
non-randomized intervention and reference groups. A selection of 55 questions
about physical and psychosocial working environment from a national survey were
used. Comparisons were made between intervention and reference groups and with
data on a selection of the Swedish population of people in these professions.
RESULTS: The results showed that in the hospital cleaners' intervention group
the introduction of new cleaning materials and new cleaning methods seemed to
contribute to a reduction in workload during the intervention period, which in
turn gave them a better chance of taking rest breaks during working time. In
the home helps' intervention group the results showed that the group had had a
reduction both in workload and in more responsible tasks, and at the same time
the psychosomatic stress reactions reduced after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that effects on the working environmental conditions as
experienced could be obtained by a general multi-component support program at
the workplace, but the number of variables influenced by the program was very
small. The relatively limited effects may be explained by the fact that the
impact of a support program depends on how well the remedial measures fulfill
the need for such measures either at the workplace, in a work group or among
the individual people at the workplace. This emphasizes the importance of designing
effective analysis tools for judging what remedial measures are needed before
the measures themselves are tried out.
CATEGORIES: PAIN; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Landstad B, Vinberg S, Ivergård T,
Gelin G, Ekholm J [2001]. Change in pattern of absenteeism as a result of
workplace intervention for personnel support. Ergonomics 44(1):63–81.
Abstract: The aim was to
investigate whether a preventive intervention carried out in a predominantly
female workplace: that of hospital cleaners (consisting of a group of 97 women)
had any effect on patterns of absenteeism. As a background, a model for
analyzing complex patterns of absenteeism, including sickness absences, was
also developed. A further aim was to study the interactions between different forms
of absenteeism. Comparison was made with a reference group consisting of
employees in the same job category who only received the customary personnel
support. For individuals in the intervention group who were <42 years of
age, total absence due to sickness decreased. In a multiple regression
analysis, the contribution from the intervention to the decrease was
significant at the 5% level. This change was particularly obvious in those who
had a previous history of high absence due to sickness. No clear relationship
was shown between short-term absenteeism and the interventions applied. For
those who were >42 years, short-term absence decreased for those who had
been in the same jobs for a long time. The combination of increased age and
experience showed a tendency to enhance this decline in short-term absenteeism
due to sickness. For those >42 years, and who at the same time have a
previous history of high absenteeism, long-term absenteeism due to sickness
seemed to be increasing. Increased experience tended to reduce this increase in
long-term sickness absence. This combination of different effects possibly
indicated the presence of a process of selection which determined who remained
in the job as opposed to those who did not. An important conclusion is that
different forms of absenteeism need to be looked at in parallel, and at the
same time multivariate statistical analysis needs to be carried out to
determine the different interactions between the factors.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Lee PT, Krause N [2002]. The impact
of a worker health study on working conditions. J Public Health Policy 23(3):268–285.
Abstract. A research
partnership of representatives from labor, academia, and public health enabled
unionized San Francisco hotel workers to achieve important policy changes in
workplace health and safety. Known as the "Housekeeping Study," the
project took sixteen months to complete. A unique aspect of the project was
that it utilized participatory action research methods, involving workers
themselves as full participants in the study. A core group of 25 hotel room
cleaners was involved in each phase of the project. The study developed health
data which enabled room cleaners and their union to formulate and justify a
contract proposal calling for a significant reduction in housekeeping
workloads. The employer association agreed to a contract which reduced the
maximum required room assignment from 15 rooms to 14 rooms per day in 14 San
Francisco hotels. By lowering the maximum work assignment, these workers set a
new standard which can potentially protect the health of room cleaners across
the country. The project can serve as a model for worker and union
participation in academic research, as well as for the application of research
to improving working conditions, particularly for low-wage immigrant workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Lee-Ross D (1995).
Attitudes and work motivation of subgroups of seasonal hotel workers. Services
Industries J 15(3):295-313.
Abstract. Labour turnover is
a strong feature of hotels in the UK, especially in the seasonal seaside
sector. However, the link between job mobility and job satisfaction is complex
and cannot be adequately explained by ‘traditional’ theories of motivation. In
an attempt to account for the impact of individual worker differences on job
attitudes, Hackman and Oldham's [1974, 1980] job diagnostic survey was
distributed to 163 hotel workers. The results suggest that hotel workers can be
divided into subgroups, characterized by both residential status and work
preference. Furthermore, these additional dimensions explain work attitudes and
motivation more effectively than Hackman and Oldham's original ‘growth need
strength’ dimension.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ORGANIZATION
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean room”: hotel housekeepers in
Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lilley R, Feyer A, Kirk P, Gander P
[2002]. A survey of forest workers in New Zealand Do hours of work, rest, and
recovery play a role in accidents and injury? J Safety Research 33: 53–71.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lo K, Lamm F (2005). Occupational stress in the hospitality industry –
an employment relations perspective. New Zealand J Employment Relations
30(1):23-47.
Abstract: This article
endeavors to draw attention to occupational stress amongst workers in so-called
'low risk industries' - namely the service and hospitality industries - and to
explore their perceptions of stress, their attitudes to managing stress and
their responses to the recent inclusion of stress in the Health and Safety in
Employment Amendment Act, 2002. It is also the intention to broaden the scope
of analysis by investigating a range of employment factors - such as heavy
workloads, interpersonal relationships and organizational factors - which can
contribute to occupational stress amongst workers. Findings from two case
studies are reported and they indicate that working in the hospitality industry
can be stressful and that many workers are vulnerable in terms of their poor
working conditions and low wages. Consistent with other studies, it was also
found that there was low trade union presence and a high rate of casualization
and staff turnover. At the same time, there was a lack of overt conflict
between management and workers, with an apparent close alignment of goals
between the two parties and a style of management that could be described as
unitarist.
CATEGORIES:WORK STRESS; HOTEL WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Louhevaara V, Hopsu L, Sjogaard K (2000). Cardiorespiratory strain
during floor mopping with different methods. Proceedings of the IEA2000/HFES
2000 Congress. 518-520.
Abstract. The
cardiorespiratory strain of professional female cleaners was quantified as they
used different floor mopping methods with respect to the amount of water
ranging from dry to wet. The results of oxygen consumption, heart rate and the
rating of perceived exertion indicated that the cardiorespiratory strain of dry
mopping methods was systematically lighter than that of the more watery methods.
http://pro.sagepub.com/content/44/30/5-518.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH;
Lugwe LY (1994). Room attendants training programs as a prerequisite
to job satisfaction (Master´s thesis). Providence, RI: Johnson and Wales
University.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Lynde
CB, Obadia M, Liss GM, Ribeiro M, Holness DL, Tarlo SM [2009].
Cutaneous and respiratory symptoms
among professional cleaners. Occup Med 59(4):249–254.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Occupational dermatitis is very common and has a large economic impact.
Cleaners are at an increased risk for both work-related cutaneous and
respiratory symptoms. AIMS: To compare the prevalence of occupational cutaneous
symptoms among professional indoor cleaners to other building workers (OBW) and
to determine associations with exposures and with respiratory symptoms among
cleaners. METHODS: A questionnaire completed by indoor professional cleaners
and OBW to compare rash and respiratory symptoms between these groups examined
workplace factors such as training, protective equipment and work tasks.
RESULTS: In total, 549 of the 1396 professional cleaners (39%) and 593 of the
1271 OBW (47%) completed questionnaires. The prevalence of rash was
significantly higher in the cleaners compared to the OBW. For male cleaners,
21% (86/413) had a rash in the past 12 months compared to only 11% (13/115) of
OBW (P < 0.05). The rashes experienced by the cleaners were more likely to
be on their hands and worse at work. Cleaners washed their hands significantly
more often than OBW. Cleaners with a rash were less likely to have received
workplace training regarding their skin and were more likely to find the safety
training hard to understand. Cleaners with a rash within the past year were
significantly more likely to have work-related asthma symptoms than cleaners
without a rash (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a strong
link between work-related symptoms of asthma and dermatitis among cleaners.
Effective preventive measures, such as the use of protective skin and
respiratory equipment, should be emphasized.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; DERMAL
Lynn, Jeter (2005). Work of hotel housekeeping keeps guests coming back.
Mississippi Business J 27(6):37. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5277/is_200502/ai_n24293992/
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Magnini VP, Lee G, Kim B
(2011). The cascading affective consequences of exercise among hotel workers.
Int J Contemporary Hospitality Management. 23(5):624-642. http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald-publishing/the-cascading-affective-consequences-of-exercise-among-hotel-workers-YakyiKqPPn
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Massin N, Hecht G, Ambroise D, Héry
M, Toamain JP, Hubert G, Dorotte M, Bianchi B [2007]. Respiratory symptoms and
bronchial responsiveness among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry. Occup Environ Med 64(2):75–81.
Absent. OBJECTIVES: To
measure the levels of exposure to nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) and aldehydes
among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the atmosphere of food industry
plants during cleaning and disinfecting operations, and to examine how they
relate to irritant and chronic respiratory symptoms-which are indices of
pulmonary function-and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine.
METHODS: 175 exposed workers (M = 149; F = 26) recruited from 17 enterprises of
the food industry (8 cattle, pig, and ovine slaughterhouses, 8 fowl
slaughterhouses, and 1 catering firm) and 70 non-exposed workers (M = 52; F =
18) were examined. Concentration levels of NCl3 and aldhehydes were measured by
personal sampling. Symptoms were assessed by means of a questionnaire and the
methacholine bronchial challenge (MBC) test using an abbreviated method.
Subjects were labelled MBC+ if forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
fell by 20% or more. The linear dose-response slope (DRS) was calculated as the
percentage fall in FEV1 at last dose divided by the total dose administered.
RESULTS: 277 air samples were taken in the 17 food industry plants. For a given
plant and in a given workshop, the actual concentrations of chloramines,
aldehydes, and quaternary ammonium compounds were measured with personal
samplers during the different steps of the procedures. For each cleaner, a
total exposure index Sigma was calculated. A statistically significant
concentration-response relationship was found between eye, nasal, and throat
symptoms of irritation--but not chronic respiratory symptoms--and exposure
levels or exposure duration. No relation was found between BHR and exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: These data show that cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry are at risk of developing eye, nasal, and throat irritation symptoms.
Although NCl3 exposure does not seem to carry a risk of developing permanent
BHR, the possibility of transient BHR cannot be ruled out entirely.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
McNamara M, Bohle P, Quinlan M (2011). Precarious employment, working
hours, work-life conflict and health in hotel work. Applied Ergonomics
42:225-232.
Abstract. Precarious or temporary work is associated with adverse
outcomes including low control over working hours, work-life conflict and stress.
The rise in precarious employment is most marked in the service sector but
little research has been done on its health effects in this sector. This study
compares permanent and temporary workers in the hotel industry, where working
hours are highly variable. Survey data from 150 workers from eight 3-Star
hotels in urban and regional areas around Sydney were analyzed. Forty-five per
cent were male and 52 per cent were female. Fifty four per cent were permanent
full-time and 46 per cent were temporary workers. The effects of employment
status on perceived job security, control over working hours, and work-life
conflict are investigated using PLS-Graph 3.0. The effects of control over
working hours, on work-life conflict and subsequent health outcomes are also
explored. Temporary workers perceived themselves as less in control of their
working hours, than permanent workers (β = .27). However, they also
reported lower levels of work intensity (β = .25) and working hours
(β = .38). The effects of low hours control (β = .20), work intensity
(β = .29), and excessive hours (β = .39) on work-life conflict (r² =
.50), and subsequent health effects (r² = .30), are illustrated in the final
structural equation model.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Medina-Ramón M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M,
Sunyer J, Antó JM [2003]. Asthma symptoms in women employed in domestic
cleaning: a community based study. Thorax 58(11):950–954.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Epidemiological studies have shown an association between cleaning work and
asthma, but the risk factors are uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess
the risk of asthma in women employed in domestic cleaning. METHODS: A cross
sectional study was conducted in 4521 women aged 30 to 65 years. Information on
respiratory symptoms and cleaning work history was obtained using a postal
questionnaire with telephone follow up. Asthma was defined as reported symptoms
in the last year or current use of drugs to treat asthma. Odds ratios (OR) with
95% confidence intervals (CI) for asthma in different cleaning groups were
estimated using adjusted unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: 593
women (13%) were currently employed in domestic cleaning work. Asthma was more
prevalent in this group than in women who had never worked in cleaning (OR 1.46
(95% CI, 1.10 to 1.92)). Former domestic cleaning work was reported by 1170
women (26%), and was strongly associated with asthma (OR 2.09 (1.70 to 2.57)).
Current and former non-domestic cleaning work was not significantly associated
with asthma. Consistent results were obtained for other respiratory symptoms.
Twenty five per cent of the asthma cases in the study population were
attributable to domestic cleaning work. CONCLUSIONS: Employment in domestic
cleaning may induce or aggravate asthma. This study suggests that domestic
cleaning work has an important public health impact, probably involving not
only professional cleaners but also people undertaking cleaning tasks at home.
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
RESPIRATORY
Medina-Ramon, M; Zock, JP; Kogevinas,
M; Sunyer, J; Torralba, Y; Borrell, A; Burgos, F; Anto, JM. Asthma, chronic
bronchitis, and exposure to irritant agents in occupational domestic cleaning:
a nested case-control study Occup Environ Med 2005 62: 598-606
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
RESPIRATORY
Mei-Lien
C, Wan-Ping L, Hsin-Yi C, Bey-Rong G, I-Fang M (2005). Biomonitoring of
alkylphenols exposure for textile and housekeeping workers. Int J Environ Anal
Chem 85(4/5):335-347
Abstract. 4-Nonylphenols (NP), 4- tert -ocytylphenols (OP), and 2,4-di-
tert –butylphenols (BP) are ubiquitous in daily foodstuffs. These alkylphenols
are widely used in industry, and NP and OP are endocrine disruptors. This study
involved biomonitoring of the alkylphenols in plasma and urine from textile and
housekeeping workers. The objective was to measure the internal level of
alkylphenols and clarify the occupational exposure of alkylphenols for these
two working groups. Forty textile workers and 33 housekeeping workers were
recruited in this study. Urine and plasma samples were enzymatic deconjugation,
followed by cleanup with solid-phase extraction. After extraction, the samples
were analysed with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled
with uorescence detection. The method was validated with the recovery and
reproducibility test. The measurement results demonstrated apparent
occupational exposure, since the urinary alkylphenols were signifcantly higher
in the end-of-shift samples, 42.06plusmn;46.63 ng/mL, than in the preshift samples,
23.50±17.34 ng/mL, for the textile exposed workers. Meanwhile, the
three kinds of alkylphenols were commonly detected in the biological samples.
The plasma concentrations were higher than the urine concentrations. The
average plasma concentrations of NP, OP, and BP were 53.21± 49.74,
16.02±2.81, and 25.83±7.10 ng/g for the housekeeping
workers and 6.25±4.83, 6.52±8.67, and
6.47±13.34 ng/mL in urine, respectively. The results of this study
suggest that multiple exposure routes, including dietary intake, inhalation,
and skin absorption, might contribute to the internal alkylphenol dose. The
potential adverse e_ects caused by exposure of occupational workers is
concerned. © 2005 Taylor & amp; Francis Group Ltd.
(31refs.)Controlled terms: Enzymes - Extraction - Fluorescence - Food products
- Occupational diseases - PlasmasUncontrolled terms: Biomonitoring - Endocrine
disruptor -NonylphenolsClassification Code: 932.3 Plasma Physics - 914.3.1
Occupational Diseases - 822.3 Food Products - 804.1 Organic Compounds - 802.3
Chemical Operations - 741. Light/Optics - 461.2 Biological Materials and Tissue
Engineering.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Messing K (2004). Physical exposures in work commonly done by women.
Can J Appl Physiol 29(5):639-656.
Abstract. The North American work force is still highly sex-segregated,
with most members of each sex in jobs composed primarily of workers of the same
sex. This division is accentuated when jobs involve physical demands. Women
have traditionally been assigned to tasks whose physical demands are considered
to be light. Nevertheless, these tasks can have biological effects, sometimes
serious. Phenomena related to physical demands of women's work can be considered
in three categories: (a) musculoskeletal and cardiovascular demands of tasks
often assigned to women in factories and service work; (b) sex- and
gender-specific effects of toxic substances found in the workplace; and (c)
interactions between work and the domestic responsibilities of many women.
These phenomena are described, using examples recently gathered from
workplaces. Effects of biological sex are distinguished, as far as possible,
from effects of gender (social roles).
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; MSDs; CVD;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Messing K, Vezina N, Major M, Ouellet S, Tissot F, Couture V, Riel J
(2008). Body maps: an indicator of physical pain for worker-oriented ergonomics
interventions. Policy Practice in Health and Safety 2:31-49.
Abstract. Work-related
musculoskeletal health damage causes pain and suffering, and can lead to
disability. To prevent it, it is important to detect not only diagnosed
musculoskeletal disorders but also early signs of impending damage. Workers
have important information on workplace risks and health damage, and should be
involved in the process of identifying damage. However, controversy surrounds
the pain reports of workers and their claims for compensation. We have found
that a body map is a useful tool for systematising and analysing workers' pain
reports.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; PAIN; ERGONOMICS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Michaud J (2006). Training helps housekeepers tackle big job. Hotel
and Motel Management 221(16):24. http://www.hospitalitypla.net/training-helps-housekeepers-tackle-big-job.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Milburn PD, Barrett RS [1999].
Lumbosacral loads in bedmaking. Appl Ergon 30(3):263–273.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS; HOTEL WORKERS
Moscato G, Siracusa A [2009].
Rhinitis guidelines and implications for occupational rhinitis. Curr Opin
Allergy Clin Immunol 9(2):110–115.
Abstract. PURPOSE OF
REVIEW: To review the most recent rhinitis guidelines in the aspects pertaining
the link between rhinitis and work, and to summarize the specific literature on
occupational rhinitis published in 2007 and 2008. RECENT FINDINGS:
Recently
there has been a growing scientific interest in work-related rhinitis.
Health
personnel, cleaners, bakers, apprentices in high-risk occupations, and workers
exposed to multiple agents are at increased risk of rhinitis, especially in the
very first years of employment. Flour allergens are often involved and may
induce non-allergic and enhance allergic airway inflammation. The specific
nasal challenge remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Acoustic rhinometry
and nasal lavage are validated tools for monitoring nasal response.
Occupational rhinitis seems to have an impact on quality of life of affected
workers and allergic rhinitis impairs work productivity. SUMMARY: This review
updated recent findings on epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and
prevention of occupational rhinitis. This article also provides new information
on the impact of occupational rhinitis on quality of life and on the impact of
rhinitis on work productivity. Occupational rhinitis should be considered in
daily clinical practice and research.
CATEGORIES:
RESPIRATORY
Muraca G, Martino LB,
Abbate A, De Pasquale D, Barbuzza O, Brecciaroli R (2007). The risk of
manual handling loads in the hotel sector G Ital Med Lav Ergon 3:569-570.
Abstract. The aim
of our study is to evaluate the manual handling risk and the incidence of
muscle-skeletal pathologies in the hotel compartment. Our study is conducted on
264 workers of the hotel compartment. The sample is divided on the base of the
working turn in the following groups: porter (both to the plans and in the
kitchen); waiters to the plans; services (gardeners and workers). The duties
have been valued according to the method NIOSH. The presence of muscle-skeletal
pathologies has been verified on the base to the accused symptomology, and on
the presence of clinical objectivity and to the reports of checks. The data has
been compared to a control group. The application of the NIOSH method has
showed for each working profile an elevated synthetic index, > 3, and for
porter the index is 5. The clinical data has shown an elevated incidence of
pathologies of the spine, especially lumbar spine, with a high prevalence in
the group of male porters. In conclusion we believe that the manual handling
represents a particularly remarkable risk for the workers in the hotel
compartment.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; ERGONOMICS
Mygind K, Sell L, Flyvholm MA,
Frydendall JK [2006]. High-fat petrolatum-based moisturizers and prevention of
work-related skin problems in wet-work operations. Contact Dermatitis 54(1):35–41.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to explore whether a high-fat petrolatum-based moisturizer could
be an alternative to protective gloves in wet-work occupations. The study
population consisted of gut cleaners in Danish swine slaughterhouses, divided
into intervention and comparison groups. The intervention group was given
written and oral information on the use of gloves and skin care. Data were
collected by telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire. 644 (88%)
gut cleaners responded at baseline and 622 (72%) at a one-year follow-up. In
the intervention group, the eczema frequency was reduced significantly.
Detailed analyses revealed that protective gloves were the most effective means
of protection and did not indicate that a high-fat moisturizer could be an
alternative. A continuous focus on prevention of skin problems with information
and discussions on the shop floor seemed to be most important for reducing skin
problems.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Nordander C, Ohlsson K, Åkesson I, Arvidsson I, Balogh I, Hansson G, Skerfving
S (2009). Risk of musculoskeletal disorders among females and males in
repetitive/constrained work. Ergonomics 52(10):1226-1239.
Abstract. This paper combines epidemiological data on musculoskeletal
morbidity in 40 female and 15 male occupational groups (questionnaire data 3720
females, 1241 males, physical examination data 1762 females, 915 males) in
order to calculate risk for neck and upper limb disorders in
repetitive/constrained vs. varied/mobile work and further to compare prevalence
among office, industrial and non-office/non-industrial settings, as well as
among jobs within these. Further, the paper aims to compare the risk of
musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive/constrained work between females and
males. Prevalence ratios (PR) for repetitive/constrained vs. varied/mobile work
were in neck/shoulders: 12-month complaints females 1.2, males 1.1, diagnoses
at the physical examination 2.3 and 2.3. In elbows/hands PRs for complaints
were 1.7 and 1.6, for diagnoses 3.0 and 3.4. Tension neck syndrome,
cervicalgia, shoulder tendonitis, acromioclavicular syndrome, medial
epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome showed PRs > 2. In neck/shoulders
PRs were similar across office, industrial and non-office/non-industrial settings,
in elbows/hands, especially among males, somewhat higher in industrial work.
There was a heterogeneity within the different settings (estimated by
bootstrapping), indicating higher PRs for some groups. As in most studies,
musculoskeletal disorders were more prevalent among females than among males.
Interestingly, though, the PRs for repetitive/constrained work vs.
varied/mobile were for most measures approximately the same for both genders.
In conclusion, repetitive/constrained work showed elevated risks when compared
to varied/mobile work in all settings. Females and males showed similar risk
elevations. This article enables comparison of risk of musculoskeletal
disorders among many different occupations in industrial, office and other
settings, when using standardised case definitions. It confirms that
repetitive/constrained work is harmful not only in industrial but also in
office and non-office/non-industrial settings. The reported data can be used
for comparison with future studies.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH
O’Neill J, Davis K (2009). Differences in work and family stress
experienced by managers and hourly employees in the hotel industry. Amherst,
MA: University of Massachussetts. 2009 ICHRIE Conference.
Abstract. During economic
downturns, hospitality industry employees are often asked to do more with less,
and this situation creates stress among employees. Employee stress is becoming
a significant issue in the hospitality industry, and it is costly for employers
and employees alike. Stress results
in overall declines in employee productivity, job performance, and customer service, and also results in increases
in hostility, withdrawal, and costly turnover and health care costs. Although addressing and
reducing stress in the hospitality industry is both a noble goal and is capable of resulting in expense
reductions for employers, the nature and quantity of hospitality employee
stress is not fully understood. Research regarding stress in the hospitality
industry is an understudied topic. This study aims to identify the most common
work stressors of a sample of 164 managerial and hourly workers who were each
interviewed for eight consecutive days, and were employed at 65 different
hotels across the United States. Further, this study examines whether there are
differences in the types and frequency of work and family stressors between
managers and non-managers, and also for men/women, parents/non-parents,
married/single, and based on the quantity of working hours. http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=refereed&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Ddifferences%2520in%2520work%2520and%2520family%2520stress%2520experienced%2520by%2520managers%2520and%2520hourly%2520employees%2520in%2520the%2520hotel%2520industry.%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CB4QFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fscholarworks.umass.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1075%2526context%253Drefereed%26ei%3Ddn-hTr_1MsGutwfr4aSVBQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNHtL9I14igbLyohdAQ2e1pe3tMAeg#search=%22differences%20work%20family%20stress%20experienced%20by%20managers%20hourly%20employees%20hotel%20industry.%22
CATAGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS;
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Okumura K [2009]. Comment: the use of
third-party review to reduce health and environmental hazards from surfactants
and cleaning products in the janitorial industry (Vol. 71(9)). J Environ Health
72(1):61.
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA
98125, USA. Kzokum@hotmail.com
The
demand for environmentally preferable products is increasing in the area of
Institutional
and Industrial (I&I) cleaners. The GreenBlue Institute (GreenBlue)
and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) Design for Environment
(DfE)
launched two programs to review surfactant ingredients and final cleaning
products, with the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) conducting third-party
reviews. The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) in King County,
Washington, has a strategic goal to reduce the risk of exposure of hazardous
chemicals to vulnerable populations such as janitorial workers. This report
summarizes the NSF partnership with GreenBlue, CleanGredients, and U.S. EPA's
DfE to perform third-party reviews of cleaning product ingredients and its
relevance to LHWMP's interest in reducing risks to workers in the janitorial
industry. Due to information barriers, workers in the janitorial industry are
at risk daily to these hazardous chemicals. The surfactant and formulator
review program will make positive contributions towards the reduction of toxic
chemical exposure to the employees of the janitorial industry. With proper
communication and an increased use of less toxic cleaners, exposures to
vulnerable populations can be reduced.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Onsøyen LE, Mykletun RJ, Steiro TJ (2009). Silenced and invisible: the
work experience of room attendants in Norwegian hotels. Scand J Hospitality
Tourism 9(1):81-102.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Pal TM, de Wilde NS, van Beurden MM,
Coenraads PJ, Bruynzeel DP [2009]. Notification of occupational skin diseases
by dermatologists in The Netherlands. Occup Med 59(1):38–43.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: A
voluntary surveillance scheme of occupational skin diseases (OSDs) in The
Netherlands starting in 2001 aimed to improve insight in the incidence of OSD
especially occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), risk professions and causal
agents. This paper presents the results of this scheme during 2001-05. METHODS:
Reports
of new cases of OSD received from the participating dermatologists on a monthly
basis were analyzed. Data evaluated included information on diagnosis, sex,
age, sickness, absenteeism, profession and causal agents. Relative differences
in incidence rates between industries or branches were estimated by calculating
incidence rate ratios. RESULTS: About 80% of the notifications concerned OCD.
The highest number of notifications was recorded in the first year of the
scheme. This was probably due to reporting of a mixture of incident and
prevalent cases. During the following 5 years, the number of yearly
notifications of OSD declined. Hairdressers, nurses, metalworkers, mechanics
and cleaners were the most commonly affected professions. Wet work and
irritating substances were the most frequently reported causal agents. Most
patients with OCD were not absent from work. CONCLUSIONS: A voluntary
surveillance scheme with dermatologists provides valuable data about the
distribution of OCD in risk professions and the causal agents. However, it has
certain limitations in assessing trends in incidence. Active medical
surveillance in populations at risk should be encouraged not only to improve
secondary prevention but also to obtain more reliable information about the
incidence of OCD.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL
Pavalko EK, Mossakowski KN, Hamilton
VJ [2003]. Does perceived discrimination affect health? Longitudinal
relationships between work discrimination and women's physical and emotional
health. J Health Soc Behav 44(1):18–33.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH
Pearson D, Angulo A, Bourcier E,
Freeman E, Valdez R, [2007] Hospitality workers' attitudes and exposure to
secondhand smoke, hazardous chemicals, and working conditions. PUBLIC HEALTH
REPORTS 122(5):670–678.
Abstract: Objective.
Compelling reasons exist for labor and public health to collaborate. For
example, compared to white-collar workers, blue-collar and service workers are
much more likely to be targeted by the tobacco industry and become smokers. The
purpose of this descriptive study was to assess if there were ways public
health and labor could collaborate to document the health attitudes and needs
of hospitality industry workers. Methods. Eligible union members were
identified through an electronic enrollment file consisting of 3,659 names
maintained by the union. The mail survey instrument covered exposure to
secondhand smoke, exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, time pressure
and job demands, and work-related pain/disability. Additional questions related
to age, gender, race/ethnicity, level of education, employment history, English
proficiency, and self-reported health status. Results. Study results
demonstrated that important health information could be successfully collected
on unionized workers. Survey data showed that union members were a very diverse
group who were exposed to secondhand smoke and supported working in clean-air
settings. Workers, especially housekeeping staff, characterized their work as
being chaotic and demanding, while almost half of workers reported work-related
pain. Conclusions. Key to the successful collaboration was establishing trust
between the parties and emphasizing data collection that served the information
needs of both organizations. Opportunities exist to improve the health and working
conditions of this population. Health interventions need to be designed to take
into consideration the very diverse, mostly female, and limited English
proficiency of this group of workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS; WORK STRESS
Pollert A, Wright T [2006]. The
experience of ethnic minority workers in the hotel and catering industry:
routes to support and advice on workplace problems. London: Working Lives
Research Institute.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Pranski G, Moshenberg D, Benjamin K,
Portillo S, Thackrey JL, Hill-Fotouhi C [2002]. Occupational risks and injuries
in nonagricultural immigrant Latino workers. Am J Ind Med 42(2):117–123.
Abstract: To investigate occupational health in urban immigrant Latino
workers, a survey was conducted through door-to-door interviews. The response
rate was 80% (n=427). The average time of residence in the United States was
7.6 years, and the average job tenure was 2.8 years. 27% of the respondents
reported exposures to over 10 different hazards, and 18% believed these hazards
had harmed their health. Only 31% had received job safety training. 55% had no
workers' compensation coverage. Among the 11% with a work injury in the past
three years, 27% reported difficulty obtaining treatment, 91% lost time from
work (median=13 days) and 29% had to change jobs because of the injury. The
annual occupational injury rate was 12.2/100 full-time workers, compared to an
expected rate of 7.1.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
INJURIES
Premji S, Krause N (2010). Disparities by ethnicity, language, and
immigrant status in occupational health experiences among Las Vegas hotel room
cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:960-975.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: We
examined disparities in workers' occupational health experiences. METHODS: We surveyed 941 unionized Las Vegas hotel room cleaners
about their experiences with work-related pain and with employers, physicians,
and workers' compensation. Data were analyzed for all workers and by ethnicity,
language, and immigrant status. RESULTS: Hispanic and English as second language (ESL) workers
were more likely than their counterparts to report work-related pain and, along
with immigrant workers, to miss work because of this pain. Hispanic, ESL, and
immigrant workers were not consistently at a disadvantage with regard to their
own responses to work-related pain but were so with respect to reported
responses by workers' compensation, physicians, and employers. CONCLUSIONS: There are indications of disparities
in occupational health experiences within this job title. The use of different
group classifications, while implying different mechanisms, produced similar
results.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS: PAIN; HEALTH DISPARITIES
Quirion F, Poirier P, Lehane P
[2008]. Improving the cleaning procedure to make kitchen floors less slippery.
Ergonomics 51(12):2013–2029.
Abstract. This
investigation shows that, in most cases, the floor cleaning procedure of
typical restaurants could be improved, resulting in a better cleaning
efficiency and a better floor friction. This simple approach could help reduce
slips and falls in the workplace. Food safety officers visited ten European
style restaurants in the London Borough of Bromley (UK) to identify their floor
cleaning procedure in terms of the cleaning method, the concentration and type
of floor cleaner and the temperature of the wash water. For all 10 restaurants
visited, the cleaning method was damp mopping. Degreasers were used in three
sites while neutral floor cleaners were used in seven sites. Typically, the
degreasers were over diluted and the neutrals were overdosed. The wash water
temperature ranged from 10 to 72 degrees C. The on-site cleaning procedures
were repeated in the laboratory for the removal of olive oil from new and
sealed quarry tiles, fouled and worn quarry tiles and new porcelain tiles. It
is found that in 24 out of 30 cases, cleaning efficiency can be improved by
simple changes in the floor cleaning procedure and that these changes result in
a significant improvement of the floor friction. The nature of the improved
floor cleaning procedure depends on the flooring type. New and properly sealed
flooring tiles can be cleaned using damp mopping with a degreaser diluted as
recommended by the manufacturer in warm or hot water (24 to 50 degrees C). But
as the tiles become worn and fouled, a more aggressive floor cleaning is
required such as two-step mopping with a degreaser diluted as recommended by
the manufacturer in warm water (24 degrees C).
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Repace J [2004]. Respirable particles
and carcinogens in the air of Delaware hospitality venues before and after a
smoking ban. J Occup Environ Med 46(9):887–905.
Abstract: How do the
concentrations of indoor air pollutants known to increase risk of respiratory
disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke change after a smoke-free workplace
law? Real-time measurements were made of respirable particle (RSP) air
pollution and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAH), in a casino,
six bars, and a pool hall before and after a smoking ban. Secondhand smoke
contributed 90% to 95% of the RSP air pollution during smoking, and 85% to 95%
of the carcinogenic PPAH, greatly exceeding levels of these contaminants
encountered on major truck highways and polluted city streets. This air-quality
survey demonstrates conclusively that the health of hospitality workers and
patrons is endangered by tobacco smoke pollution. Smoke-free workplace laws
eliminate that hazard and provide health protection impossible to achieve
through ventilation or air cleaning.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Rosenman KD, Reilly MJ, Schill DP,
Valiante D, Flattery J, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Pechter E, Davis L, Tumpowsky
CM, Filios M [2003]. Cleaning products and work-related asthma. J Occup Environ
Med 45(5):556–563.
Abstract: To describe the
characteristics of individuals with work-related asthma associated with
exposure to cleaning products, data from the California-, Massachusetts-,
Michigan-, and New Jersey state-based surveillance systems of work-related
asthma were used to identify cases of asthma associated with exposure to
cleaning products at work. From 1993 to 1997, 236 (12%) of the 1915 confirmed
cases of work-related asthma identified by the four states were associated with
exposure to cleaning products. 80% of the reports were of new-onset asthma and
20% were work-aggravated asthma. Among the new-onset cases, 22% were consistent
with reactive airways dysfunction syndrome. Individuals identified were
generally women (75%), white non-Hispanic (68%), and 45 years or older (64%).
Their most likely exposure had been in medical settings (39%), schools (13%),
or hotels (6%), and they were most likely to work as janitor/cleaners (22%),
nurse/nurses' aides (20%), or clerical staff (13%). However, cases were
reported with exposure to cleaning products across a wide range of job titles.
Cleaning products contain a diverse group of chemicals that are used in a wide
range of industries and occupations as well as in the home. Their potential to
cause or aggravate asthma has recently been recognized. Further work to
characterize the specific agents and the circumstances of their use associated
with asthma is needed. Additional research to investigate the frequency of
adverse respiratory effects among regular users, such as housekeeping staff, is
also needed. In the interim, the authors recommend attention to adequate
ventilation, improved warning labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, and
workplace training and education.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Rugulies R, Krause N [2005]. Job
strain, isostrain, and incidence of back and neck injury: a 7.5-year prospective study of San Francisco
transit operators. Soc Sci Med 61(1):27–39.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; WORK STRESS
Rugulies R, Scherzer T, Krause N
[2008]. Associations between psychological demands, decision latitude, and job
strain with smoking in female hotel room cleaners in Las Vegas. Int J Behav Med
15(1):34–43.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Little is known of the impact of the work environment on smoking among women
holding low-paid jobs in the service sector. PURPOSE: To study the associations
between the components of the demand-control model with smoking in hotel room
cleaners. METHODS: We conducted a survey on work and health among 776 female
hotel room cleaners in Las Vegas. Associations between psychosocial work
characteristics and smoking were analyzed with multivariate regression
analyses.
RESULTS:
Psychosocial work characteristics were associated with smoking after adjustment
for covariates. Effect estimates were substantially reduced by additional
adjustment for ethnicity, but remained significant for high psychological
demands and smoking prevalence (OR = 1.97, p = 0.02), high job strain and
smoking prevalence (OR = 1.87, p = 0.04), and high job strain and smoking
intensity (coefficient = 3.52, p = 0.03). When analyses were restricted to
Hispanic workers and further adjusted for place of birth, low decision latitude
(coefficient = 3.94, p = 0.04) and high job strain (coefficient = 4.57, p =
003) were associated with smoking intensity but not with smoking status.
CONCLUSION:
Workplace smoking cessation programs may benefit from a primary prevention
component reducing job strain among service workers. More research is needed on
perceived and objective differences in psychosocial work characteristics across
ethnic, immigrant, and other social groups within the same occupation.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Scherzer T, Rugulies R, Krause N
[2005]. Work-related pain and injury and barriers to workers' compensation
among Las Vegas hotel room cleaners. Am J Public Health 95(3):483–488.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: We
examined the prevalence of work-related pain and injury and explored barriers
to and experiences of reporting among workers. METHODS: We surveyed 941
unionized hotel room cleaners about work-related pain, injury, disability, and
reporting. RESULTS: During the past 12 months, 75% of workers in our study
experienced work-related pain, and 31% reported it to management; 20% filed
claims for workers' compensation as a result of work-related injury, and 35% of
their claims were denied. Barriers to reporting injury included "It would
be too much trouble" (43%), "I was afraid" (26%), and "I
didn't know how" (18%). An estimated 69% of medical costs were shifted
from employers to workers. CONCLUSIONS:
The reasons for underreporting and the extent of claim denial warrant further
investigation. Implications for worker health and the precise quantification of
shifting costs to workers also should be addressed.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; PAIN; HOTEL
WORKERS
Seifert AM, Messing K (2006). Cleaning up after globalization: an
ergonomic analysis of work activity of hotel cleaners. Antipode 38:557-578.
Abstract. Hotels and hotel
chains are responding to globalization and increased competition through new marketing initiatives, employment
practices, and restructuring decisions that are intensifying the work of cleaners. In this paper, we
report on how such work intensification at two hotels in Montre´al, Canada, is changing the nature of cleaners’ jobs.
Specifically, we found that the numbers of operations to be completed, the
numbers and weights of items to be cleaned, and the effort involved have all
increased. ‘‘Flexible’’ employment relationships and outsourcing have also
worsened cleaners’ workloads. In response to our research, the labour union
representing cleaners has negotiated a lower number of room assignments per
cleaner, as well as an improved way
of taking into account the variability of work when determining the quota of
rooms to be cleaned. Despite this,
new marketing strategies continue to intensify work. We conclude that standards and regulation on a
governmental level are a necessary complement to union actions. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0066-4812.2006.00595.x/pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Selwitz R (2001). Safety training valuable to housekeepers, hotels.
Hotel and Motel Management 216(7):54. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3072/is_7_216/ai_n27566896/
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Shani A, Pizam A (2009). Work-related depression among hotel
employees. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly 50(4):446-459.
Abstract. Given
the putative cost of work-related depression, this article reports the results
of a pilot study conducted among hotel employees in Central Florida. The study
finds an initial indication of a small but noteworthy incidence of depression
among workers in the hospitality industry. The article explores the antecedents
and possible origins of depression, as well as critical issues related to
depression in the workplace, particularly its effects on organizations and
employees. The findings indicate a need for greater organizational awareness of
depression. http://cqx.sagepub.com/content/50/4/446.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Sjogren B, Fredlund P, Lundberg I,
Weiner J [2003]. Ischemic heart disease in female cleaners. Int J Occup Environ
Health 9(2):134–137.
CATEGORIES: CVD; WOMEN’S HEALTH
Skoglind-Ohman I, Shahnavaz H [2004].
Assessment of future workshop's usefulness as an ergonomics tool. Int J Occup
Safe Ergonomics 10(2):119–128.
Abstract. This study was
carried out to assess Future Workshop (FW) regarding its usefulness as a
participatory ergonomics method, using a descriptive evaluation design analyzed
by phenomenographical approach. The study was conducted among professional
cleaners, health care personnel and miners, with a sample of 105 participating
subjects in 8 different FWs. Multiple methods, giving a combination of both
qualitative and quantitative data, were used for data collection. Good
involvement of participants was observed during workshops. Evaluations
immediately after FWs and 3 months later showed a strong relationship with high
correlation, indicating that the perception of FW participants was very
positive. Interviews revealed conformity between developed problem
identification and proposed changes. Participants' own perceptions of FW's
influence on creativity depict their belief of developed ideas and solutions in
order to identify and solve workplace problems. FW is considered to be a useful
ergonomics tool, and its qualities are related to structure and practical
performance.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
ERGONOMICS
Skov T, Borg V, Orhede E [1996].
Psychosocial and physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the
neck, shoulders, and lower back in salespeople. Occup Environ Med 53:351–356.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; MSDs
Swanson NG [2000]. Working women and
stress. J Am Med Womens Assoc, 55(2):76–79.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH
Stanislaw D (2005). How to reduce housekeeping injuries. Lodging
Hospitality 61(5):76.
Abstract. This article discusses findings of a study
commissioned by the Canadian Center for National Occupational Health and Safety
to investigate the health risks associated with hotel housekeeping. The study
determined the following: (1) hotel housekeepers clean at least 16 rooms per
shift; (2) a housekeeper can finish an average hotel room in 20 minutes; (3) a
housekeeper changes body positions every three seconds, or approximately 8,000
times in an eight-hour shift; and (4) the workload, classified as moderately
heavy to heavy burns up approximately four calories per minute. Because hotel
housekeeping and other types of janitorial work involve repeating the same
tasks repeatedly, the study also evaluated repetitive motion injuries (RMI)
associated with cleaning a hotel room. It found the main RMI risk factors in
housekeeping to include: heavy physical workloads and forceful upper-limb
motions. The study suggested a variety of ways to reduce RMI injuries when cleaning
hotel guest rooms. It include: rotate cleaning duties; use teams to clean guest
rooms so duties can be more easily rotated and the work moves along faster;
provide training on how to properly lift and move items; and use easier-to-use
vacuum cleaners.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Toivanen H, Helin P, Hänninen O
[1993]. Impact of regular relaxation training and psychosocial working factors
on neck-shoulder tension and absenteeism in hospital cleaners. J Occup Med 35(11):1123–1130.
Abstract. Occupational
stress in hospital cleaners (n = 50), and the effect of relaxation training (n
= 25, age matched, randomized), were studied by recording the electrical
activity of the upper trapezius muscle at rest and during working conditions at
the beginning, middle, and end of a 6-month follow-up period. A short
(15-minute) relaxation program was practiced daily at the workplace to provide
stress management. The amount of sick leave was counted, and the extent of depression
and some psychosocial working factors were screened. Intercorrelations were
found between the neck-shoulder tension, psychosocial factors, depression, and
the absentee rate. The relaxation training diminished tension in the
neck-shoulder region efficiently; nevertheless, the decrease in absenteeism
might have been related mainly to the social support offered by the research
maneuver itself.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Toivanen H, Laensimies E [1993].
Impact of regular relaxation training on the cardiac autonomic nervous system
of hospital cleaners and bank employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 19(5):319–325.
Abstract: Work related
strain of female hospital cleaners and female bank employees were recorded
during a period of rationalization in the workplace and the effect of daily
relaxation to help the workers cope was tested. Results suggest that
occupational strain caused the functioning of the autonomic nervous system to
deteriorate. Regular deep relaxation normalized the function and improved the
ability to cope.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Tüchsen F, Krause N, Hannerz H, Burr
H, Kristensen T [2000]. A 3 year prospective study of standing at work and
varicose veins. Scand J Work Environ Health 26(5):414–420.
CATEGORIES: CVD
UNITEHERE! [2006]. Creating luxury,
enduring pain: how hotel work is hurting housekeepers. April.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN
Van der Grinten M, Houptman I [2000].
Improving work load and comfort of operators on modified hydraulic excavotors
in railroad maintance. San Diego, CA: International Ergonomics Association and
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Vredenburgh AG [2002]. Occupational
Safety: which management practices are most effective in reducing employee
injury rates? J Safety Research 33(2):259–276.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT;
INJURIES
Weisshaar E, Radulescu M, Soder S,
Apfelbacher CJ, Bock M, Grundmann JU, Albrecht U, Diepgen TL [2007]. Secondary individual prevention of occupational skin diseases in health
care workers, cleaners and kitchen employees: aims, experiences and descriptive
results. Int Arch Occup
Environ Health 80(6):477–484.
Abstract: Objectives Due
to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care
workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and
skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on
educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the
participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimizing
diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). Methods Participants
are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin
disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance
Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on
basics of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases.
Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct
implementation of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every
participant is seen by a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history
and performing a skin examination. All this results in working out individually
adapted and professional skin protection strategies. Results In total, 791
participants (93 men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six
hundred and sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and
124 patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550)
and in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or
allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most
frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61).
According to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course
as good to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while
attending the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. Conclusions: There is a
high need for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional
therapy in occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases
and maintenance of health through educational programmes are important
complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered
professions.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Wial H, Rickert J (2002). US hotels and their workers: room for improvement. Washington, DC: AFL-CIO
Working for America Institute.
Abstract. The U.S. hotel industry, a low-wage industry that has grown
rapidly over the past two decades provides jobs for workers with little formal
education or training, including some people leaving welfare. Hotels have also
received public economic development subsidies as part of central city economic
development projects. This report summarizes the industry’s performance on issues
of interest to its workers and to those who are concerned about low-wage
workers and wage inequality, the opportunities available to people
leaving welfare and the quality of jobs created by businesses receiving
public economic development subsidies. http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2002_3rd/Aug02_HotelJobs.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Woods V, Buckle P [2005]. An
investigation into the design and use of workplace cleaning equipment. Int J
Ind Ergonomics 35(3):247–266.
Abstract. This
paper presents the findings from a 2 year investigation into the
musculoskeletal health of UK cleaners and focuses on the potential association
of these problems with the design and use of cleaning equipment. The five-stage
study employed a participative approach using a number of different
methodologies to explore the use and design of commonly used cleaning
equipment. The methodologies included: questionnaire studies, workplace
assessments, an ergonomics assessment of cleaning equipment, a user trial of
this equipment in the laboratory and focus groups with interested parties.
Based on the findings of the study, previous research work (e.g. Report from
Kilpatrick and Associates PTY LTD for Miscellaneous Workers' Union, 1991) and
the use of ergonomic guidelines (e.g. Int. J. Ind. Ergonom. 10 (1992) 7),
modifications were recommended for the design of buffing machines (e.g. machine
height, design of triggers/grips/levers, pressure to activate controls),
mopping systems (e.g. mop length, pressure required to squeeze mop, bucket
stability) and vacuum machines (e.g. attachment length, grip design, provision
of safety lights). A checklist was also compiled to aid in the purchase of new
workplace equipment. This paper concentrates on equipment and postures adopted
when in use. It is acknowledged that this represents only one aspect of the
work system that influences musculoskeletal health. Inadequate work
organization, task scheduling and social support are also associated with an
increased risk for musculoskeletal problems among UK cleaners (Musculoskeletal
Health of Cleaners, HSE Books, Suffolk, 1999).
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Woods V, Buckle P [2006].
Musculoskeletal ill health amongst cleaners and recommendations for work
organizational change. Int J Ind Ergonomics
36(1):61–72. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V31-4HDG93M1/2/ebce723e8430a39ded3a1b77292a8c4e)
Abstract: This paper
presents findings from an investigation into the musculoskeletal health of UK
cleaners. It focuses on cleaning work organization and practices, and
recommendations for supervisors and managers to work with cleaners to reduce
health and workplace problems. Questionnaire surveys of 1216 cleaners
throughout the UK, 130 assessments of cleaning tasks and interviews with 38
cleaners at 9 workplaces were undertaken to identify potential risk factors for
musculoskeletal ill health. Based on the findings of this participative study
and previous research [e.g. Kruger et al., 1997. Risk Assessment and Preventive
Strategies in Cleaning Work. Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Bremerhaven],
recommendations were presented to groups of cleaning supervisors, managers,
trainers, designers and manufacturers to ensure that advice provided for
reducing musculoskeletal ill health was practical for the industry. The
recommendations related to work organizational change (i.e. work scheduling and
work practices such as teamwork and job extension, communication/social support
networks) and organizational strategies (i.e. reporting systems for
musculoskeletal ill heath; procedures for risk assessment; training program
design; equipment selection; maintenance procedures; workplace changes). This
paper concentrates on only one part of the work system that influences
musculoskeletal health; recommendations on musculoskeletal health and cleaning
equipment design/use are reported elsewhere [Woods and Buckle, 2005]. An
investigation into the design and use of workplace cleaning equipment.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 35, 247-266; Woods et al., 1999.
Musculoskeletal Health of Cleaners. HSE Books, Suffolk.].Relevance to industry:
Cleaning is important, physically demanding, labor-intensive work, conducted by
millions worldwide. Managers and supervisors should work with staff to improve
organization of cleaning to ensure better musculoskeletal health. The
importance of organizational changes must be recognized by others in the
industry (e.g. employers, contract cleaning managers, training organizations,
manufacturers). Keywords: Cleaners; Musculoskeletal ill health; Work
organization; Scheduling; Workload; Social support networks
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT; MSDs;
WORK STRESS
Zarate-Abbott P, Etnyre A, Gilliland
I, Mahon M, Allwein D, Cook J, Mikan V, Rauschhuber M, Sethness R, Munoz L,
Lowry J, Jones ME. Workplace health
promotion--strategies for low-income Hispanic immigrant women. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 56(5).
Abstract. Addressing
health disparities for vulnerable populations in the United States is a
national goal. Immigrant Hispanic women, at increased risk for heart disease,
face obstacles in receiving adequate health care. Health promotion, especially
for Hispanic women, is hindered by language, access to care, lack of insurance,
and cultural factors. Innovative health education approaches are needed to
reach this population. This article describes the development and evaluation of
a culturally sensitive cardiac health education program based on findings from
a study of 21 older immigrant Hispanic women employed as housekeepers at a
small university in south Texas. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures had
decreased 17 months after the intervention.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Zheng T, Cantor KP, Zhang Y, Lynch CF
[2002]. Occupation and bladder cancer: a population-based, case-control study
in Iowa. J Occup Environ Med 44(7):685–691.
Abstract: While
considerable efforts have been made to investigate the role of occupation and
industry in the risk of bladder cancer, many reported associations have not
been consistent, and strong evidence of increased risk is apparent for few
occupational groups. To further examine the issue, a large, population-based,
case-control study was conducted in the state of Iowa among both men and women.
A total of 1452 incident bladder cancer cases and 2434 controls were included
in the study. Occupational history was collected from respondents for each job
held for 5 years or longer since age 16. Among men, excess risk was observed
for industries including plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (odds ratio
[OR], = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.0); rubber and plastic
products (OR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.5), motor vehicle parts and supplies (OR =
4.5; 95% CI, 1.2 to 16.5), and occupations including supervisors for
transportation and material moving (OR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 29.9),
material-moving-equipment operators (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.6), automobile
mechanics (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.6), painters (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to
7.7), and metal- and plastic-working machine operators (OR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1
to 3.4). Among women, significant excess risk was observed for secondary school
teachers and record clerks. Housekeepers and butlers and workers in laundering
and dry cleaning were also at increased risk. In conclusion, these results
suggest that occupational exposures may play a significant role in the risk of
bladder cancer.
CATEGORIES: CANCER; DOMESTIC WORKERS
Zock JP [2005]. World at work:
cleaners. Occup Enviorn Med 62(8):581–584.
Abstract: Cleaning
workers form an important proportion of the total working population,
particularly among women. This paper reviews some of the most common
occupational hazards in cleaning work, and discusses possibilities to improve
control and prevention. Topics covered: physical workload and strain;
accidents; dermal, respiratory and other effects of chemical products;
psychosocial problems; measures to protect workers.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Zheng T, Cantor KP, Zhang Y, Lynch CF
[2002]. Occupation and bladder cancer: a population-based, case-control study
in Iowa. J Occup Environ Med 44(7):685–691.
Abstract: While
considerable efforts have been made to investigate the role of occupation and
industry in the risk of bladder cancer, many reported associations have not
been consistent, and strong evidence of increased risk is apparent for few
occupational groups. To further examine the issue, a large, population-based,
case-control study was conducted in the state of Iowa among both men and women.
A total of 1452 incident bladder cancer cases and 2434 controls were included
in the study. Occupational history was collected from respondents for each job
held for 5 years or longer since age 16. Among men, excess risk was observed
for industries including plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (odds ratio
[OR], = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.0); rubber and plastic
products (OR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.5), motor vehicle parts and supplies (OR =
4.5; 95% CI, 1.2 to 16.5), and occupations including supervisors for
transportation and material moving (OR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 29.9),
material-moving-equipment operators (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.6), automobile
mechanics (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.6), painters (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to
7.7), and metal- and plastic-working machine operators (OR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1
to 3.4). Among women, significant excess risk was observed for secondary school
teachers and record clerks. Housekeepers and butlers and workers in laundering
and dry cleaning were also at increased risk. In conclusion, these results
suggest that occupational exposures may play a significant role in the risk of
bladder cancer.
CATEGORIES: CANCER; DOMESTIC WORKERS
Belkic KL, Landsbergis PA, Schnall
PL, Baker D [2004]. Is job strain a major source of cardiovascular disease
risk? Scand J Work Environ Health. 30(2):85–128.
Abstract. Empirical
studies on job strain and cardiovascular disease (CVD), their internal
validity, and the likely direction of biases were examined. The 17 longitudinal
studies had the highest validity ratings. In all but two, biases towards the
null dominated. Eight, including several of the largest, showed significant
positive results; three had positive, nonsignificant findings. Six of nine
case-control studies had significant positive findings; recall bias leading to
overestimation appears to be fairly minimal. Four of eight cross-sectional
studies had significant positive results. Men showed strong, consistent
evidence of an association between exposure to job strain and CVD. The data of
the women were more sparse and less consistent, but, as for the men, most of
the studies probably underestimated existing effects. Other elements of causal
inference, particularly biological plausibility, corroborated that job strain
is a major CVD risk factor. Additional intervention studies are needed to
examine the impact of ameliorating job strain upon CVD-related outcomes.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; CVD
Krause N, Lynch JW, Kaplan GA, Cohen
RD, Salonen R, Salonen JT [2000]. Standing at work and progression of carotid
atherosclerosis. Scand J Work Environ Health 26(3): 227–236.
CATEGORIES: CVD
Kristensen TS [1989]. Cardiovascular
diseases and the work environment: a critical review of the epidemiologic
literature on nonchemical factors. Scand J Work Environ Health 15:165–179.
CATEGORIES: CVD; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Messing K (2004). Physical exposures in work commonly done by women.
Can J Appl Physiol 29(5):639-656.
Abstract. The North American work force is still highly sex-segregated,
with most members of each sex in jobs composed primarily of workers of the same
sex. This division is accentuated when jobs involve physical demands. Women
have traditionally been assigned to tasks whose physical demands are considered
to be light. Nevertheless, these tasks can have biological effects, sometimes
serious. Phenomena related to physical demands of women's work can be
considered in three categories: (a) musculoskeletal and cardiovascular demands
of tasks often assigned to women in factories and service work; (b) sex- and
gender-specific effects of toxic substances found in the workplace; and (c)
interactions between work and the domestic responsibilities of many women.
These phenomena are described, using examples recently gathered from
workplaces. Effects of biological sex are distinguished, as far as possible,
from effects of gender (social roles).
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; MSDs; CVD;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Sjogren B, Fredlund P, Lundberg I,
Weiner J [2003]. Ischemic heart disease in female cleaners. Int J Occup Environ
Health 9(2):134–137.
CATEGORIES: CVD; WOMEN’S HEALTH
Tüchsen F, Krause N, Hannerz H, Burr
H, Kristensen T [2000]. A 3 year prospective study of standing at work and
varicose veins. Scand J Work Environ Health 26(5):414–420.
CATEGORIES: CVD
Bello A, Quinn MM, Perry MJ, Milton
DK [2009]. Characterization of occupational exposures to cleaning products used
for common cleaning tasks―a pilot study of hospital cleaners. Environ
Health Mar 27(8):11.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: In
recent years, cleaning has been identified as an occupational risk because of
an increased incidence of reported respiratory effects, such as asthma and
asthma-like symptoms among cleaning workers. Due to the lack of systematic
occupational hygiene analyses and workplace exposure data, it is not clear
which cleaning-related exposures induce or aggravate asthma and other
respiratory effects. Currently, there is a need for systematic evaluation of
cleaning products ingredients and their exposures in the workplace. The
objectives of this work were to: a) identify cleaning products' ingredients of
concern with respect to respiratory and skin irritation and sensitization; and
b) assess the potential for inhalation and dermal exposures to these
ingredients during common cleaning tasks. METHODS: We prioritized ingredients
of concern in cleaning products commonly used in several hospitals in
Massachusetts. Methods included workplace interviews, reviews of product
Materials Safety Data Sheets and the scientific literature on adverse health
effects to humans, reviews of physico-chemical properties of cleaning
ingredients, and occupational hygiene observational analyses. Furthermore, the
potential for exposure in the workplace was assessed by conducting qualitative
assessment of airborne exposures and semi-quantitative assessment of dermal
exposures. RESULTS: Cleaning products used for common cleaning tasks were
mixtures of many chemicals, including respiratory and dermal irritants and
sensitizers. Examples of ingredients of concern include quaternary ammonium
compounds, 2-butoxyethanol, and ethanolamines. Cleaning workers are at risk of
acute and chronic inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOC)
vapors and aerosols generated from product spraying, and dermal exposures
mostly through hands. CONCLUSION: Cleaning products are mixtures of many
chemical ingredients that may impact workers' health through air and dermal exposures.
Because cleaning exposures are a function of product formulations and product
application procedures, a combination of product evaluation with workplace
exposure assessment is critical in developing strategies for protecting workers
from cleaning hazards. Our task based assessment methods allowed classification
of tasks in different exposure categories, a strategy that can be employed by
epidemiological investigations related to cleaning. The methods presented here
can be used by occupational and environmental health practitioners to identify
intervention strategies.
CATEGORIES: CHEMICAL HAZARDS;
RESPIRATORY; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Green behind the
scenes (2008). Lodging Hospitality 64(4):52.
Abstract: Floor care chemicals
such as cleaners, strippers, restorers and finishes are of particular concern
to environmental advocates and hotel properties eager to transfer from
conventional cleaning systems to those that are green. One of the key problems
with many traditional chemicals is that they can release large amounts of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can impair indoor air quality and
trigger headaches, respiratory problems and other ailments among staff and
guests http://lhonline.com/green/housekeeping/green_behind_scenes_0315/
CATEGOREIS: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Hansen KS [1983]. Occupational
dermatoses in hospital cleaning women. Contact Dermatitis 9(5):343–351.
Abstract. In an
investigation of 541 members of a hospital cleaning department, a prevalence
rate of occupational skin diseases of 15.3% was found. During their hospital
employment, 39.1% had a skin disease. Higher prevalence in the younger age
groups can be explained by the selection of those with skin diseases for work
away from the cleaning department. A large number developed their disease
shortly after employment began. This was an indication that the observed
prevalent conditions were irritant diseases. The distribution by diagnosis
confirms this conclusion in as much as 75% of the occupational skin diseases
were irritant dermatitis, 21% allergic contact dermatitis, and 4% monilia of
the finger webs. The causes of allergic contact dermatitis were found to be
formaldehyde,
glutaraldehyde
and chloramine in addition to nickel and rubber. Among the causes of irritant
dermatitis were detergents, alkaline substances, acids and sodium perborate as
well as hypochlorite and hypobromite combinations. In order to reduce
occupational skin diseases among cleaning personnel, it is necessary to extend
both local and more general prophylactic measures.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; DERMAL;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Henneberger PK (NIOSH) [2005]. How
"clean" is the cleaning profession? Occup Environ Med. 2005
Sep;62(9):586-7 Comment on: Occup Environ Med. 2005 Sep;62(9):598-606.
CATEGORIES: CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Massin N, Hecht G, Ambroise D, Héry
M, Toamain JP, Hubert G, Dorotte M, Bianchi B [2007]. Respiratory symptoms and
bronchial responsiveness among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry. Occup Environ Med 64(2):75–81.
Absent. OBJECTIVES: To
measure the levels of exposure to nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) and aldehydes
among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the atmosphere of food industry
plants during cleaning and disinfecting operations, and to examine how they
relate to irritant and chronic respiratory symptoms-which are indices of
pulmonary function-and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine.
METHODS: 175 exposed workers (M = 149; F = 26) recruited from 17 enterprises of
the food industry (8 cattle, pig, and ovine slaughterhouses, 8 fowl
slaughterhouses, and 1 catering firm) and 70 non-exposed workers (M = 52; F =
18) were examined. Concentration levels of NCl3 and aldhehydes were measured by
personal sampling. Symptoms were assessed by means of a questionnaire and the
methacholine bronchial challenge (MBC) test using an abbreviated method.
Subjects were labelled MBC+ if forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
fell by 20% or more. The linear dose-response slope (DRS) was calculated as the
percentage fall in FEV1 at last dose divided by the total dose administered.
RESULTS: 277 air samples were taken in the 17 food industry plants. For a given
plant and in a given workshop, the actual concentrations of chloramines,
aldehydes, and quaternary ammonium compounds were measured with personal
samplers during the different steps of the procedures. For each cleaner, a
total exposure index Sigma was calculated. A statistically significant
concentration-response relationship was found between eye, nasal, and throat
symptoms of irritation--but not chronic respiratory symptoms--and exposure
levels or exposure duration. No relation was found between BHR and exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: These data show that cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry are at risk of developing eye, nasal, and throat irritation symptoms.
Although NCl3 exposure does not seem to carry a risk of developing permanent
BHR, the possibility of transient BHR cannot be ruled out entirely.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Mei-Lien
C, Wan-Ping L, Hsin-Yi C, Bey-Rong G, I-Fang M (2005). Biomonitoring of
alkylphenols exposure for textile and housekeeping workers. Int J Environ Anal
Chem 85(4/5):335-347
Abstract. 4-Nonylphenols (NP), 4- tert -ocytylphenols (OP), and 2,4-di-
tert –butylphenols (BP) are ubiquitous in daily foodstuffs. These alkylphenols
are widely used in industry, and NP and OP are endocrine disruptors. This study
involved biomonitoring of the alkylphenols in plasma and urine from textile and
housekeeping workers. The objective was to measure the internal level of
alkylphenols and clarify the occupational exposure of alkylphenols for these
two working groups. Forty textile workers and 33 housekeeping workers were
recruited in this study. Urine and plasma samples were enzymatic deconjugation,
followed by cleanup with solid-phase extraction. After extraction, the samples
were analysed with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled
with uorescence detection. The method was validated with the recovery and
reproducibility test. The measurement results demonstrated apparent
occupational exposure, since the urinary alkylphenols were significantly higher
in the end-of-shift samples, 42.06plusmn;46.63 ng/mL, than in the preshift
samples, 23.50±17.34 ng/mL, for the textile exposed workers.
Meanwhile, the three kinds of alkylphenols were commonly detected in the
biological samples. The plasma concentrations were higher than the urine
concentrations. The average plasma concentrations of NP, OP, and BP were
53.21± 49.74, 16.02±2.81, and 25.83±7.10 ng/g
for the housekeeping workers and 6.25±4.83, 6.52±8.67,
and 6.47±13.34 ng/mL in urine, respectively. The results of this
study suggest that multiple exposure routes, including dietary intake,
inhalation, and skin absorption, might contribute to the internal alkylphenol
dose. The potential adverse effects caused by exposure of occupational workers
is concerned. © 2005 Taylor & amp; Francis Group Ltd.
(31refs.)Controlled terms: Enzymes - Extraction - Fluorescence - Food products
- Occupational diseases - PlasmasUncontrolled terms: Biomonitoring - Endocrine
disruptor -NonylphenolsClassification Code: 932.3 Plasma Physics - 914.3.1
Occupational Diseases - 822.3 Food Products - 804.1 Organic Compounds - 802.3
Chemical Operations - 741. Light/Optics - 461.2 Biological Materials and Tissue
Engineering.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Messing K (2004). Physical exposures in work commonly done by women.
Can J Appl Physiol 29(5):639-656.
Abstract. The North American work force is still highly sex-segregated,
with most members of each sex in jobs composed primarily of workers of the same
sex. This division is accentuated when jobs involve physical demands. Women
have traditionally been assigned to tasks whose physical demands are considered
to be light. Nevertheless, these tasks can have biological effects, sometimes
serious. Phenomena related to physical demands of women's work can be
considered in three categories: (a) musculoskeletal and cardiovascular demands
of tasks often assigned to women in factories and service work; (b) sex- and
gender-specific effects of toxic substances found in the workplace; and (c) interactions
between work and the domestic responsibilities of many women. These phenomena
are described, using examples recently gathered from workplaces. Effects of
biological sex are distinguished, as far as possible, from effects of gender
(social roles).
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; MSDs; CVD;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Okumura K [2009]. Comment: the use of
third-party review to reduce health and environmental hazards from surfactants
and cleaning products in the janitorial industry (Vol. 71(9)). J Environ Health
72(1):61.
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA
98125, USA. Kzokum@hotmail.com
The
demand for environmentally preferable products is increasing in the area of
Institutional
and Industrial (I&I) cleaners. The GreenBlue Institute (GreenBlue)
and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) Design for Environment
(DfE)
launched two programs to review surfactant ingredients and final cleaning
products, with the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) conducting third-party
reviews. The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) in King County,
Washington, has a strategic goal to reduce the risk of exposure of hazardous
chemicals to vulnerable populations such as janitorial workers. This report
summarizes the NSF partnership with GreenBlue, CleanGredients, and U.S. EPA's
DfE to perform third-party reviews of cleaning product ingredients and its
relevance to LHWMP's interest in reducing risks to workers in the janitorial
industry. Due to information barriers, workers in the janitorial industry are
at risk daily to these hazardous chemicals. The surfactant and formulator
review program will make positive contributions towards the reduction of toxic
chemical exposure to the employees of the janitorial industry. With proper
communication and an increased use of less toxic cleaners, exposures to
vulnerable populations can be reduced.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Pearson D, Angulo A, Bourcier E,
Freeman E, Valdez R, Pearson AF, Angulo D,
Bourcier A, Freeman E, Valdez R. Hospitality workers' attitudes and
exposure to secondhand smoke, hazardous chemicals, and working conditions.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS 122(5):670–678.
Abstract: Objective.
Compelling reasons exist for labor and public health to collaborate. For
example, compared to white-collar workers, blue-collar and service workers are
much more likely to be targeted by the tobacco industry and become smokers. The
purpose of this descriptive study was to assess if there were ways public
health and labor could collaborate to document the health attitudes and needs
of hospitality industry workers. Methods. Eligible union members were
identified through an electronic enrollment file consisting of 3,659 names
maintained by the union. The mail survey instrument covered exposure to
secondhand smoke, exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, time pressure
and job demands, and work-related pain/disability. Additional questions related
to age, gender, race/ethnicity, level of education, employment history, English
proficiency, and self-reported health status. Results. Study results
demonstrated that important health information could be successfully collected
on unionized workers. Survey data showed that union members were a very diverse
group who were exposed to secondhand smoke and supported working in clean-air
settings. Workers, especially housekeeping staff, characterized their work as
being chaotic and demanding, while almost half of workers reported work-related
pain. Conclusions. Key to the successful collaboration was establishing trust
between the parties and emphasizing data collection that served the information
needs of both organizations. Opportunities exist to improve the health and
working conditions of this population. Health interventions need to be designed
to take into consideration the very diverse, mostly female, and limited English
proficiency of this group of workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS; WORK STRESS
Repace J [2004]. Respirable particles
and carcinogens in the air of Delaware hospitality venues before and after a
smoking ban. J Occup Environ Med 46(9):887–905.
Abstract: How do the
concentrations of indoor air pollutants known to increase risk of respiratory
disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke change after a smoke-free workplace
law? Real-time measurements were made of respirable particle (RSP) air
pollution and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAH), in a casino,
six bars, and a pool hall before and after a smoking ban. Secondhand smoke
contributed 90% to 95% of the RSP air pollution during smoking, and 85% to 95%
of the carcinogenic PPAH, greatly exceeding levels of these contaminants
encountered on major truck highways and polluted city streets. This air-quality
survey demonstrates conclusively that the health of hospitality workers and patrons
is endangered by tobacco smoke pollution. Smoke-free workplace laws eliminate
that hazard and provide health protection impossible to achieve through
ventilation or air cleaning.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Rosenman KD, Reilly MJ, Schill DP,
Valiante D, Flattery J, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Pechter E, Davis L, Tumpowsky
CM, Filios M [2003]. Cleaning products and work-related asthma. J Occup Environ
Med 45(5):556–563.
Abstract: To describe the
characteristics of individuals with work-related asthma associated with
exposure to cleaning products, data from the California-, Massachusetts-,
Michigan-, and New Jersey state-based surveillance systems of work-related
asthma were used to identify cases of asthma associated with exposure to cleaning
products at work. From 1993 to 1997, 236 (12%) of the 1915 confirmed cases of
work-related asthma identified by the four states were associated with exposure
to cleaning products. 80% of the reports were of new-onset asthma and 20% were
work-aggravated asthma. Among the new-onset cases, 22% were consistent with
reactive airways dysfunction syndrome. Individuals identified were generally
women (75%), white non-Hispanic (68%), and 45 years or older (64%). Their most
likely exposure had been in medical settings (39%), schools (13%), or hotels
(6%), and they were most likely to work as janitor/cleaners (22%),
nurse/nurses' aides (20%), or clerical staff (13%). However, cases were
reported with exposure to cleaning products across a wide range of job titles.
Cleaning products contain a diverse group of chemicals that are used in a wide
range of industries and occupations as well as in the home. Their potential to
cause or aggravate asthma has recently been recognized. Further work to
characterize the specific agents and the circumstances of their use associated
with asthma is needed. Additional research to investigate the frequency of
adverse respiratory effects among regular users, such as housekeeping staff, is
also needed. In the interim, the authors recommend attention to adequate
ventilation, improved warning labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, and
workplace training and education.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Flores LY, Deal JZ (2003). Work-related pain in Mexican American
custodial workers. Hispanic J Behavioral Sciences 25(2):254-270.
Abstract: Mexican American janitors and
custodians are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
These injuries may render them physically disabled, unable to provide for themselves and
their families, and dependent on an already strained public health care system. Despite
this growing health crisis and the United States’s growing Latino population, no research
has been published examining musculoskeletal pain among Mexican American
custodial workers. In this article, the authors examine the working and social conditions
of Mexican American service workers, as well as the reasons why there is so little
research on this population. The authors present results from a study they conducted and
discuss the implications of their findings for future research with this population. http://hjb.sagepub.com/content/25/2/254.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT WORKERS; MSDs; PAIN; INJURIES
Goggins R (2007). Hazards of cleaning strategies for reducing
exposures to ergonomic risk factors. Professional Safety 52(3).
Abstract: Cleaning workers are found in every setting and the work that
they do is essential in every industry. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS, 2005), more than 4 million people are employed as cleaning
workers in the U.S., many working in low-paying, temporary or part-time jobs,
with little opportunity for training or advancement. Much of the work is
performed in the evening or at night, and many of these workers also have
another job, attend school or perform other duties during the day. These
working conditions combine to create a high turnover rate—estimated to be as
high as 300% (Valentine & C&MM Staff, 1998; SEIU, 2006). Cleaning work
creates exposure to many hazards, including wet floors, working on ladders, use
of chemicals and motor vehicle accidents. Cleaning workers also are exposed to
risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as lifting, carrying,
awkward postures, repetitive motions and high hand forces. These exposures
result in a high rate of injuries. According to Washington state workers'
compensation data from the Department of Labor and Industries (DLI, 2006),
cleaning workers have an annual incidence rate of 10.4 new injury claims per
100 full-time equivalents (FTEs), while the overall service industry sector in
Washington has an incidence rate of 5.8 per 100 FTEs and the general industry
incidence rate is 6.9 per 100 FTEs. By way of comparison, BLS (2005) reports a
recordable injury incidence rate of 3.9 per 100 FTEs for janitorial services,
which is less than the national incidence rate for all of private industry (4.6
per 100 FTEs). The large difference in numbers between Washington state and
national injury rates may be explained by underreporting of injuries in BLS
statistics (Leigh, Marcin & Miller, 2004). A review of Washington state
workers' compensation data (DLI, 2006) reveals that the largest single category
of injury and illness claims among cleaning workers is overexertion, followed
by struck by and against, and falls. Exposure to chemicals and motor vehicle
accidents were also significant categories of interest (Figure 1, p. 22).
Looking at severity of claims, overexertion and falls accounted for the most
days of time loss, while many of the struck by and against claims appear to be
of low severity, accounting for a relatively small percentage of all time loss
days (Figure 2, p. 22). Overexertion claims, primarily MSDs, were reported as
occurring in all phases of cleaning work, while many of the falls were reported
as occurring while working on ladders, while sweeping or vacuuming stairs, or
while mopping floors. Each phase of cleaning work presents unique risk factors
for MSDs. Fortunately, much attention has been focused on MSDs in cleaning work
and new technologies offer opportunities to reduce the risk of injury. This
article reviews risk factors present in common cleaning tasks and describes
some solutions. Risk factors and some potential solutions are summarized in
(figure in paper) Dusting and Scrubbing. One risk factor introduced by dusting
and scrubbing with cloths and brushes is awkward postures, especially reaching
overhead, and bending, kneeling or squatting to clean at floor level.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; INJURIES;
ERGONOMICS; MSDs
Jungbauer FHW, Van Der Harst JJ,
Schuttelaar ML, Groothoff JW, Coenraads PJ [2004]. Characteristics of wet work
in the cleaning industry. Contact Dermatitis 51(3):131–134.
Abstract: Wet work is the
main cause of occupational contact dermatitis in the cleaning industry.
Dermatologists and occupational physicians need to base their primary and
secondary prevention for workers in the cleaning industry on the
characteristics of wet work exposures. The authors quantified the burden of wet
work in professional office cleaning activities with a continuous standardized
observation by trained observers of 41 office cleaners. Duration and frequency
of wet work exposure and of different cleaning activities were assessed. Wet
work made up 50% of such cleaning work. Within a typical 3-hr shift, a mean
frequency of 68 episodes of wet work was observed, which classifies office
cleaning as wet work. Skin exposure to irritants was markedly different among
cleaners who did the same cleaning activities. Reduction in skin irritation can
be achieved by training the workers. Because this group of workers, who have a
low level of education, has a high risk of developing irritant hand dermatitis,
a special effort on training and instruction should be made. A reduction of
exposure can be achieved by: using gloves more often; using gloves for a
shorter period of time; using gloves while doing activities that otherwise
cause the skin to be in contact with water and cleaning substances and washing
hands with water only, reserving soap for when the hands are visibly dirty.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL, CUSTODIAL WORKERS
Louhevaara V, Hopsu L, Sjogaard K (2000). Cardiorespiratory strain
during floor mopping with different methods. Proceedings of the IEA2000/HFES
2000 Congress. 518-520.
Abstract. The
cardiorespiratory strain of professional female cleaners was quantified as they
used different floor mopping methods with respect to the amount of water
ranging from dry to wet. The results of oxygen consumption, heart rate and the
rating of perceived exertion indicated that the cardiorespiratory strain of dry
mopping methods was systematically lighter than that of the more watery
methods. http://pro.sagepub.com/content/44/30/5-518.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH
Okumura K [2009]. Comment: the use of
third-party review to reduce health and environmental hazards from surfactants
and cleaning products in the janitorial industry (Vol. 71(9)). J Environ Health
72(1):61.
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA
98125, USA. Kzokum@hotmail.com
The
demand for environmentally preferable products is increasing in the area of
Institutional
and Industrial (I&I) cleaners. The GreenBlue Institute (GreenBlue)
and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) Design for Environment
(DfE)
launched two programs to review surfactant ingredients and final cleaning
products, with the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) conducting third-party
reviews. The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) in King County,
Washington, has a strategic goal to reduce the risk of exposure of hazardous
chemicals to vulnerable populations such as janitorial workers. This report
summarizes the NSF partnership with GreenBlue, CleanGredients, and U.S. EPA's
DfE to perform third-party reviews of cleaning product ingredients and its
relevance to LHWMP's interest in reducing risks to workers in the janitorial
industry. Due to information barriers, workers in the janitorial industry are
at risk daily to these hazardous chemicals. The surfactant and formulator
review program will make positive contributions towards the reduction of toxic
chemical exposure to the employees of the janitorial industry. With proper
communication and an increased use of less toxic cleaners, exposures to
vulnerable populations can be reduced.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Alamgir H, Yu S [2008]. Epidemiology
of occupational injury among cleaners in the healthcare sector. Occup Med 58(6):393–399.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The
cleaning profession has been associated with multiple ergonomic and chemical
hazards which elevate the risk for occupational injury. AIMS: This study
investigated the epidemiology of occupational injury among cleaners in
healthcare work settings in the Canadian province of British Columbia. METHODS:
Incidents of occupational injury among cleaners, resulting in lost time from
work or medical care, over a period of 1 year in two healthcare regions were
extracted from a standardized operational database and with person-years
obtained from payroll data. Detailed analysis was conducted using Poisson
regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 145 injuries were identified among
cleaners, with an annual incidence rate of 32.1 per 100 person-years. After
adjustment for age, gender, subsector, facility, experience and employment
status, Poisson regression models demonstrated that a significantly higher
relative risk (RR) of all injury, musculoskeletal injury and cuts was
associated with cleaning work in acute care facilities, compared with long-term
care facilities. Female cleaners were at a higher RR of all injuries and
contusions than male cleaners. A lower risk of all injury and allergy and
irritation incidents among part-time or casual workers was found. Cleaners with
>10 years of experience were at significantly lower risk for all injury,
contusion and allergy and irritation incidents. CONCLUSION: Cleaners were found
to be at an elevated risk of all injury categories compared with healthcare
workers in general.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INJURIES; MSDs; DERMAL; RESPIRATORY
Desciak EB, Marks JG Jr. [1997].
Dermatoses among housekeeping personnel. Am J Contact Dermat 8(1):32–34.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Housekeepers are exposed to irritants and allergens in their work and are at
significant risk for developing occupationally induced contact dermatitis.
OBJECTIVE:
We studied housekeepers at the Hershey Medical Center to determine the cause
and frequency of contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in these workers.
METHODS:
All housekeepers were examined. Those with hand dermatitis had an extensive
history, patch testing, and latex RAST testing. RESULTS: Eight of 130 had hand
dermatitis. None had a relevant positive patch test or positive RAST test.
CONCLUSIONS: Of our housekeepers, 6.2% had occupationally induced irritant
contact dermatitis. None had allergic contact dermatitis or contact urticaria
to latex.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; DERMAL
Flyvholm MA, Frydendall Jensen K
[2008]. Experiences with implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
to prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations. G Ital Dermatol
Venereol 143(1):71–78.
Abstract. Occupational
skin diseases are among the most frequently recognized occupational diseases in
many industrialized countries. This paper describes and review experiences with
implementation of interventions to prevent occupational skin diseases in
different occupational settings representing the food processing industry and a
hospital. The study populations were gut cleaners with all participants being
exposed to wet work, cheese dairies and a hospital where all employees were
included. The effect of implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
were tested by questionnaire surveys on baseline and follow-up. A significant
reduction in eczema at hands or forearms was observed among gut cleaners. At
cheese dairies the eczema frequencies were low except for a comparison dairy
where significant changes were seen. At the hospital a non significant
reduction in hand eczema was observed. Changes related to use of protective
measures and knowledge on prevention of occupational skin diseases were
observed. A process evaluation carried out at the gut cleaning departments
showed association between the eczema frequency at follow-up, activities
related to prevention and implementation of an occupational health management
system. In addition to documenting the scientific background for evidence-based
prevention programs to prevent occupational skin diseases in different
occupations, both the study population and the study design should be considered
carefully when testing the implementation of workplace interventions. These
aspects may influence the outcome in different directions and either facilitate
or hamper the possibilities to provide scientific documentation of the effect
of the intervention tested.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Hansen KS [1983]. Occupational
dermatoses in hospital cleaning women. Contact Dermatitis 9(5):343–351.
Abstract. In an
investigation of 541 members of a hospital cleaning department, a prevalence
rate of occupational skin diseases of 15.3% was found. During their hospital
employment, 39.1% had a skin disease. Higher prevalence in the younger age
groups can be explained by the selection of those with skin diseases for work
away from the cleaning department. A large number developed their disease
shortly after employment began. This was an indication that the observed
prevalent conditions were irritant diseases. The distribution by diagnosis
confirms this conclusion in as much as 75% of the occupational skin diseases
were irritant dermatitis, 21% allergic contact dermatitis, and 4% monilia of
the finger webs. The causes of allergic contact dermatitis were found to be
formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and chloramine in addition to nickel and rubber.
Among the causes of irritant dermatitis were detergents, alkaline substances,
acids and sodium perborate as well as hypochlorite and hypobromite
combinations. In order to reduce occupational skin diseases among cleaning
personnel, it is necessary to extend both local and more general prophylactic
measures.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; DERMAL;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Health and Safety Executive [2007].
Preventing contact dermatitis at work. London: HSE Books.
Abstract: Aimed at
workers, this leaflet explains that contact dermatitis can be caused by contact
with a wide range of substances including detergents, toiletries, chemicals and
even some natural products. While it can concern all parts of the body, the
hands are most commonly affected. Contents: definition and description of
contact dermatitis; high risk-jobs and workplaces (health care personnel,
hairdressers, printers, cleaners, metal workers); prevention (substitution,
automation, enclosure, protective gloves); legal aspects (compliance with the
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH, see CIS
03-1023). Replaces CIS 06-6. URL:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg233.pdf
CATEGORIES:
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; DERMAL
Lynde
CB, Obadia M, Liss GM, Ribeiro M, Holness DL, Tarlo SM [2009].
Cutaneous and respiratory symptoms
among professional cleaners. Occup Med 59(4):249–254.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Occupational dermatitis is very common and has a large economic impact.
Cleaners are at an increased risk for both work-related cutaneous and
respiratory symptoms. AIMS: To compare the prevalence of occupational cutaneous
symptoms among professional indoor cleaners to other building workers (OBW) and
to determine associations with exposures and with respiratory symptoms among
cleaners. METHODS: A questionnaire completed by indoor professional cleaners
and OBW to compare rash and respiratory symptoms between these groups examined
workplace factors such as training, protective equipment and work tasks.
RESULTS: In total, 549 of the 1396 professional cleaners (39%) and 593 of the
1271 OBW (47%) completed questionnaires. The prevalence of rash was
significantly higher in the cleaners compared to the OBW. For male cleaners,
21% (86/413) had a rash in the past 12 months compared to only 11% (13/115) of
OBW (P < 0.05). The rashes experienced by the cleaners were more likely to
be on their hands and worse at work. Cleaners washed their hands significantly
more often than OBW. Cleaners with a rash were less likely to have received
workplace training regarding their skin and were more likely to find the safety
training hard to understand. Cleaners with a rash within the past year were
significantly more likely to have work-related asthma symptoms than cleaners
without a rash (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a strong
link between work-related symptoms of asthma and dermatitis among cleaners.
Effective preventive measures, such as the use of protective skin and
respiratory equipment, should be emphasized.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; DERMAL
Mygind K, Sell L, Flyvholm MA,
Frydendall JK [2006]. High-fat petrolatum-based moisturizers and prevention of
work-related skin problems in wet-work operations. Contact Dermatitis 54(1):35–41.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to explore whether a high-fat petrolatum-based moisturizer could
be an alternative to protective gloves in wet-work occupations. The study
population consisted of gut cleaners in Danish swine slaughterhouses, divided
into intervention and comparison groups. The intervention group was given
written and oral information on the use of gloves and skin care. Data were
collected by telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire. 644 (88%)
gut cleaners responded at baseline and 622 (72%) at a one-year follow-up. In
the intervention group, the eczema frequency was reduced significantly.
Detailed analyses revealed that protective gloves were the most effective means
of protection and did not indicate that a high-fat moisturizer could be an
alternative. A continuous focus on prevention of skin problems with information
and discussions on the shop floor seemed to be most important for reducing skin
problems.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Pal TM, de Wilde NS, van Beurden MM,
Coenraads PJ, Bruynzeel DP [2009]. Notification of occupational skin diseases
by dermatologists in The Netherlands. Occup Med 59(1):38–43.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: A
voluntary surveillance scheme of occupational skin diseases (OSDs) in The
Netherlands starting in 2001 aimed to improve insight in the incidence of OSD
especially occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), risk professions and causal
agents. This paper presents the results of this scheme during 2001-05. METHODS:
Reports
of new cases of OSD received from the participating dermatologists on a monthly
basis were analyzed. Data evaluated included information on diagnosis, sex,
age, sickness, absenteeism, profession and causal agents. Relative differences
in incidence rates between industries or branches were estimated by calculating
incidence rate ratios. RESULTS: About 80% of the notifications concerned OCD.
The highest number of notifications was recorded in the first year of the
scheme. This was probably due to reporting of a mixture of incident and
prevalent cases. During the following 5 years, the number of yearly
notifications of OSD declined. Hairdressers, nurses, metalworkers, mechanics
and cleaners were the most commonly affected professions. Wet work and
irritating substances were the most frequently reported causal agents. Most
patients with OCD were not absent from work. CONCLUSIONS: A voluntary
surveillance scheme with dermatologists provides valuable data about the
distribution of OCD in risk professions and the causal agents. However, it has
certain limitations in assessing trends in incidence. Active medical
surveillance in populations at risk should be encouraged not only to improve
secondary prevention but also to obtain more reliable information about the
incidence of OCD.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL
Weisshaar E, Radulescu M, Soder S,
Apfelbacher CJ, Bock M, Grundmann JU, Albrecht U, Diepgen TL [2007]. Secondary individual prevention of occupational skin diseases in health
care workers, cleaners and kitchen employees: aims, experiences and descriptive
results. Int Arch Occup
Environ Health 80(6):477–484.
Abstract: Objectives Due
to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care
workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and
skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on
educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the
participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimizing
diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). Methods Participants
are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin
disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance
Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on basics
of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases.
Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct
implementation of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every
participant is seen by a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history
and performing a skin examination. All this results in working out individually
adapted and professional skin protection strategies. Results In total, 791
participants (93 men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six
hundred and sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and
124 patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550)
and in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or
allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most
frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61).
According to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course
as good to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while
attending the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. Conclusions: There is a
high need for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional
therapy in occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases
and maintenance of health through educational programmes are important
complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered
professions.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Arif AA, Hughes PC, Delclos GL
[2008]. Occupational exposures among domestic and industrial professional
cleaners. Occup Med (London) 58(7):458–463.
Abstract. Background: Despite being a large part of the workforce, cleaners remain a relatively understudied occupational group in the USA. Aims: The aims of this focus group study were to identify and characterize occupational exposures,
symptoms and job tasks among domestic and industrial professional cleaners. Methods: Twelve focus group sessions
were conducted in Lubbock, TX, and
Houston, TX. Participants were asked about their job tasks, type of
products they use to clean, bodily symptoms, job training and work environment. Results: Out of 99 attendees, 79 domestic and industrial cleaners
participated actively in the focus group sessions. Three general themes
emerged regarding cleaning professionals'
work experiences: (i) job training, (ii) chemical exposure and use and
(iii) competence. Domestic cleaners
demonstrated significant skills deficit across each of these three
themes as compared to industrial cleaners. Domestic cleaners
reported more frequent exposure to respiratory irritants and sensitizers and
also reported adverse respiratory symptoms as compared to industrial cleaners. Conclusions: The results from this
qualitative study are consistent with earlier findings from
quantitative studies placing domestic cleaners at
risk of exposure to chemicals that are respiratory irritants and/or sensitizers.
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
Medina-Ramón M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M,
Sunyer J, Antó JM [2003]. Asthma symptoms in women employed in domestic
cleaning: a community based study. Thorax 58(11):950–954.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Epidemiological studies have shown an association between cleaning work and
asthma, but the risk factors are uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess
the risk of asthma in women employed in domestic cleaning. METHODS: A cross
sectional study was conducted in 4521 women aged 30 to 65 years. Information on
respiratory symptoms and cleaning work history was obtained using a postal
questionnaire with telephone follow up. Asthma was defined as reported symptoms
in the last year or current use of drugs to treat asthma. Odds ratios (OR) with
95% confidence intervals (CI) for asthma in different cleaning groups were
estimated using adjusted unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: 593
women (13%) were currently employed in domestic cleaning work. Asthma was more
prevalent in this group than in women who had never worked in cleaning (OR 1.46
(95% CI, 1.10 to 1.92)). Former domestic cleaning work was reported by 1170
women (26%), and was strongly associated with asthma (OR 2.09 (1.70 to 2.57)).
Current and former non-domestic cleaning work was not significantly associated
with asthma. Consistent results were obtained for other respiratory symptoms.
Twenty five per cent of the asthma cases in the study population were
attributable to domestic cleaning work. CONCLUSIONS: Employment in domestic
cleaning may induce or aggravate asthma. This study suggests that domestic
cleaning work has an important public health impact, probably involving not
only professional cleaners but also people undertaking cleaning tasks at home.
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
RESPIRATORY
Medina-Ramon, M; Zock, JP; Kogevinas,
M; Sunyer, J; Torralba, Y; Borrell, A; Burgos, F; Anto, JM. Asthma, chronic
bronchitis, and exposure to irritant agents in occupational domestic cleaning:
a nested case-control study Occup Environ Med 2005 62: 598-606
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
RESPIRATORY
Zheng T, Cantor KP, Zhang Y, Lynch CF
[2002]. Occupation and bladder cancer: a population-based, case-control study
in Iowa. J Occup Environ Med 44(7):685–691.
Abstract: While
considerable efforts have been made to investigate the role of occupation and
industry in the risk of bladder cancer, many reported associations have not
been consistent, and strong evidence of increased risk is apparent for few
occupational groups. To further examine the issue, a large, population-based,
case-control study was conducted in the state of Iowa among both men and women.
A total of 1452 incident bladder cancer cases and 2434 controls were included
in the study. Occupational history was collected from respondents for each job
held for 5 years or longer since age 16. Among men, excess risk was observed
for industries including plumbing, heating, and air conditioning (odds ratio
[OR], = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.0); rubber and plastic
products (OR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.5), motor vehicle parts and supplies (OR =
4.5; 95% CI, 1.2 to 16.5), and occupations including supervisors for
transportation and material moving (OR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 29.9),
material-moving-equipment operators (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.6), automobile
mechanics (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.6), painters (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to
7.7), and metal- and plastic-working machine operators (OR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1
to 3.4). Among women, significant excess risk was observed for secondary school
teachers and record clerks. Housekeepers and butlers and workers in laundering
and dry cleaning were also at increased risk. In conclusion, these results
suggest that occupational exposures may play a significant role in the risk of
bladder cancer.
CATEGORIES: CANCER; DOMESTIC WORKERS
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES; ERGONOMICS
Bergqvist U, Wolgast E, Nilsson B,
Voss M [1995]. Musculoskeletal disorders among visual display terminal workers:
individual, ergonomic, and work organizational factors. Ergonomics 38:763–776.
Abstract. A number of
individual, ergonomic, and organizational factors of presumed importance for
the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders were investigated in a group of 260
visual display terminal (VDT) workers. The cross-sectional study utilized
medical and workplace investigations as well as questionnaires. The results
were subjected to a multivariate analysis in order to find the major factors
associated with various upper-body muscular problems. Several such factors were
identified for each investigated type of musculoskeletal problem. Some were
related to the individual: age, gender, woman with children at home, use of
spectacles, smoking, stomach-related stress reactions, and negative
affectivity. Organizational variables of importance were opportunities for
flexible rest breaks, extreme peer contacts, task flexibility, and overtime.
Identified ergonomic variables were static work posture, hand position, use of
lower arm support, repeated work movements, and keyboard or VDT vertical
position.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Cleaners mopped up by injuries
[1999]. J Occup Health Safety Environ 3(5):8
Abstract: Looks at the
findings of a research report, "Musculoskeletal health of cleaners", funded
by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the trade union UNISON. The
results of a postal survey of 5,000 cleaning staff and follow-up ergonomic risk
assessments indicate widespread musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often
leading to time off work. The high risks of such pain have been associated with
equipment design, job organization and poor training. HSE and UNISON will be
holding a seminar for equipment manufacturers, employers and worker
representatives in London on 28 September 1999, to review the study's
recommendations.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; INJURIES; PAIN;
ERGONOMICS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Hopsu L, Toivonen R, Louhevaara V, Sjøgaard K (2000). Muscular strain
during floor mopping with different cleaning methods. Proceedings of the
IEA2000/HFES2000 Congress. 521-524.
Abstract: Mopping is one
of the most used cleaning methods. The aim of this study was to quantify and
compare local muscular strain during floor mopping with seven different mopping
methods with respect to the amount of water ranging from dry to wet. The
results showed that the local strain measured with EMG from the trapezius and
forearm muscles was higher with the use of wet and damp mopping methods than
with the use of dry methods.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Jansen JP, Burdorf A, Steyerberg E
[2001]. A novel approach for evaluating level, frequency and duration of lumbar
posture simultaneously during work. Scan J Work Environ Health 27(6):373–380.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES:
Electrogoniometers are used to collect continuous information on postural
distributions among workers. Enormous quantities of data are generated that
have to be reduced to meaningful parameters (angle, frequency, and duration).
In this study we propose statistical models to determine these essential
characteristics of postural load on nurses, housekeepers, and office workers.
METHODS: A direct registration of the lumbar posture was made over a workday
with an inclinometer. An exposure variation analysis was used to summarize
information on the angle of trunk flexion, the time period of maintained
postures, and the percentage of worktime in a data matrix. A hierarchical
regression analysis was used to compare these characteristics among nurses
(N=64), housekeepers (N=16), and office workers (N=27). RESULTS: The
occupational groups did not differ for either frequency or duration of trunk
flexion over 30 degrees since frequency and duration were inversely related.
Nurses experienced longer worktimes than the office workers did for trunk
flexion between 30 and 70 degrees maintained <5 seconds, whereas office
workers experienced longer worktimes in smaller angles (< 30 degrees) for
longer periods. Comparable differences in the distributions of postural load
were found between housekeepers and office workers. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes
the use of hierarchical models in analyses of the exposure level, frequency,
and duration of postural load simultaneously and offers an alternative to
conventional ergonomic analysis in which the dynamics of exposure are often
ignored. The distinction in postural load between nurses or housekeepers and
office workers is best determined by the combination of trunk angle and time
period.
CATEGORIES:
ERGONOMICS
Kumar
R, Chaikumarn M, Kumar S [2005]. Physiological, subjective, and
postural loads in passenger train wagon cleaning using a conventional and
redesigned cleaning too. Int J Ind Ergonomics 35(10):931–938.
Abstract: In this study,
cleaning process was studied and analyzed with special reference to cleaning
tools. A group of 13 professional cleaners participated in this study. While
they performed their normal tasks, their oxygen consumption, heart rate, rating
of perceived exertion and postural data were obtained. The perceived exertion
during cleaning task using the "redesigned cleaning tool" was less
than that of the "conventional cleaning tool". The oxygen consumption
when cleaning with the redesigned tool (mean 0.84 l/m, SD +/-0.17) was
significantly less (p < 0.05) compared to the conventional cleaning tool
(mean 0.94 l/m, SD +/- 0.18). Heart rate was also found significantly lower
using redesigned cleaning tool (mean 101 bpm, SD +/- 11.10) compared to that of
conventional cleaning tool (mean 105 bpm, SD +/- 12.59) (p < 0.05). Using
redesigned cleaning tool the trunk postural load was also found significantly
less than that of conventional cleaning tool (p <0.05). It is concluded that
redesigned cleaning tool allowed cleaners to maintain more upright posture when
cleaning, which reduced biomechanical load.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Messing K, Vezina N, Major M, Ouellet S, Tissot F, Couture V, Riel J
(2008). Body maps: an indicator of physical pain for worker-oriented ergonomics
interventions. Policy Practice in Health and Safety 2:31-49.
Abstract. Work-related
musculoskeletal health damage causes pain and suffering, and can lead to
disability. To prevent it, it is important to detect not only diagnosed
musculoskeletal disorders but also early signs of impending damage. Workers
have important information on workplace risks and health damage, and should be
involved in the process of identifying damage. However, controversy surrounds
the pain reports of workers and their claims for compensation. We have found
that a body map is a useful tool for systematising and analysing workers' pain
reports.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; PAIN; ERGONOMICS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Milburn PD, Barrett RS [1999].
Lumbosacral loads in bedmaking. Appl Ergon 30(3):263–273.
CATEGORIES:
ERGONOMICS; HOTEL WORKERS
Muraca G, Martino LB,
Abbate A, De Pasquale D, Barbuzza O, Brecciaroli R (2007). The risk of
manual handling loads in the hotel sector G Ital Med Lav Ergon 3:569-570.
Abstract. The aim
of our study is to evaluate the manual handling risk and the incidence of
muscle-skeletal pathologies in the hotel compartment. Our study is conducted on
264 workers of the hotel compartment. The sample is divided on the base of the
working turn in the following groups: porter (both to the plans and in the
kitchen); waiters to the plans; services (gardeners and workers). The duties
have been valued according to the method NIOSH. The presence of muscle-skeletal
pathologies has been verified on the base to the accused symptomology, and on
the presence of clinical objectivity and to the reports of checks. The data has
been compared to a control group. The application of the NIOSH method has
showed for each working profile an elevated synthetic index, > 3, and for
porter the index is 5. The clinical data has shown an elevated incidence of
pathologies of the spine, especially lumbar spine, with a high prevalence in
the group of male porters. In conclusion we believe that the manual handling
represents a particularly remarkable risk for the workers in the hotel
compartment.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; ERGONOMICS
Nordander C, Ohlsson K, Åkesson I, Arvidsson I, Balogh I, Hansson G,
Skerfving S (2009). Risk of musculoskeletal disorders among females and males
in repetitive/constrained work. Ergonomics 52(10):1226-1239.
Abstract. This paper combines epidemiological data on musculoskeletal
morbidity in 40 female and 15 male occupational groups (questionnaire data 3720
females, 1241 males, physical examination data 1762 females, 915 males) in
order to calculate risk for neck and upper limb disorders in
repetitive/constrained vs. varied/mobile work and further to compare prevalence
among office, industrial and non-office/non-industrial settings, as well as
among jobs within these. Further, the paper aims to compare the risk of
musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive/constrained work between females and
males. Prevalence ratios (PR) for repetitive/constrained vs. varied/mobile work
were in neck/shoulders: 12-month complaints females 1.2, males 1.1, diagnoses
at the physical examination 2.3 and 2.3. In elbows/hands PRs for complaints
were 1.7 and 1.6, for diagnoses 3.0 and 3.4. Tension neck syndrome,
cervicalgia, shoulder tendonitis, acromioclavicular syndrome, medial
epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome showed PRs > 2. In neck/shoulders
PRs were similar across office, industrial and non-office/non-industrial
settings, in elbows/hands, especially among males, somewhat higher in
industrial work. There was a heterogeneity within the different settings
(estimated by bootstrapping), indicating higher PRs for some groups. As in most
studies, musculoskeletal disorders were more prevalent among females than among
males. Interestingly, though, the PRs for repetitive/constrained work vs.
varied/mobile were for most measures approximately the same for both genders.
In conclusion, repetitive/constrained work showed elevated risks when compared
to varied/mobile work in all settings. Females and males showed similar risk
elevations. This article enables comparison of risk of musculoskeletal
disorders among many different occupations in industrial, office and other
settings, when using standardised case definitions. It confirms that
repetitive/constrained work is harmful not only in industrial but also in
office and non-office/non-industrial settings. The reported data can be used
for comparison with future studies.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH
Skoglind-Ohman I, Shahnavaz H [2004].
Assessment of future workshop's usefulness as an ergonomics tool. Int J Occup
Safe Ergonomics 10(2):119–128.
Abstract. This study was
carried out to assess Future Workshop (FW) regarding its usefulness as a
participatory ergonomics method, using a descriptive evaluation design analyzed
by phenomenographical approach. The study was conducted among professional
cleaners, health care personnel and miners, with a sample of 105 participating
subjects in 8 different FWs. Multiple methods, giving a combination of both
qualitative and quantitative data, were used for data collection. Good
involvement of participants was observed during workshops. Evaluations
immediately after FWs and 3 months later showed a strong relationship with high
correlation, indicating that the perception of FW participants was very
positive. Interviews revealed conformity between developed problem
identification and proposed changes. Participants' own perceptions of FW's
influence on creativity depict their belief of developed ideas and solutions in
order to identify and solve workplace problems. FW is considered to be a useful
ergonomics tool, and its qualities are related to structure and practical
performance.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
ERGONOMICS
Van der Grinten M, Houptman I [2000].
Improving work load and comfort of operators on modified hydraulic excavotors
in railroad maintance. San Diego, CA: International Ergonomics Association and
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Woods V, Buckle P [2005]. An
investigation into the design and use of workplace cleaning equipment. Int J
Ind Ergonomics 35(3):247–266.
Abstract. This
paper presents the findings from a 2 year investigation into the
musculoskeletal health of UK cleaners and focuses on the potential association
of these problems with the design and use of cleaning equipment. The five-stage
study employed a participative approach using a number of different methodologies
to explore the use and design of commonly used cleaning equipment. The
methodologies included: questionnaire studies, workplace assessments, an
ergonomics assessment of cleaning equipment, a user trial of this equipment in
the laboratory and focus groups with interested parties. Based on the findings
of the study, previous research work (e.g. Report from Kilpatrick and
Associates PTY LTD for Miscellaneous Workers' Union, 1991) and the use of
ergonomic guidelines (e.g. Int. J. Ind. Ergonom. 10 (1992) 7), modifications
were recommended for the design of buffing machines (e.g. machine height,
design of triggers/grips/levers, pressure to activate controls), mopping
systems (e.g. mop length, pressure required to squeeze mop, bucket stability)
and vacuum machines (e.g. attachment length, grip design, provision of safety
lights). A checklist was also compiled to aid in the purchase of new workplace
equipment. This paper concentrates on equipment and postures adopted when in
use. It is acknowledged that this represents only one aspect of the work system
that influences musculoskeletal health. Inadequate work organization, task
scheduling and social support are also associated with an increased risk for
musculoskeletal problems among UK cleaners (Musculoskeletal Health of Cleaners,
HSE Books, Suffolk, 1999).
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Alamgir H, Yu S [2008]. Epidemiology
of occupational injury among cleaners in the healthcare sector. Occup Med 58(6):393–399.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The
cleaning profession has been associated with multiple ergonomic and chemical
hazards which elevate the risk for occupational injury. AIMS: This study
investigated the epidemiology of occupational injury among cleaners in healthcare
work settings in the Canadian province of British Columbia. METHODS: Incidents
of occupational injury among cleaners, resulting in lost time from work or
medical care, over a period of 1 year in two healthcare regions were extracted
from a standardized operational database and with person-years obtained from
payroll data. Detailed analysis was conducted using Poisson regression
modeling. RESULTS: A total of 145 injuries were identified among cleaners, with
an annual incidence rate of 32.1 per 100 person-years. After adjustment for
age, gender, subsector, facility, experience and employment status, Poisson
regression models demonstrated that a significantly higher relative risk (RR)
of all injury, musculoskeletal injury and cuts was associated with cleaning
work in acute care facilities, compared with long-term care facilities. Female
cleaners were at a higher RR of all injuries and contusions than male cleaners.
A lower risk of all injury and allergy and irritation incidents among part-time
or casual workers was found. Cleaners with >10 years of experience were at
significantly lower risk for all injury, contusion and allergy and irritation
incidents. CONCLUSION: Cleaners were found to be at an elevated risk of all
injury categories compared with healthcare workers in general.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INJURIES; MSDs; DERMAL; RESPIRATORY
Bell JL, Collins JW, Wolf L,
Gronqvist R, Chiou S, Chang WR, Sorock GS, Courtney TK, Lombardi DA, Evanoff B
[2008]. Evaluation of a comprehensive slip, trip and fall prevention programme
for hospital employees. Ergonomics 51(12):1906–1925.
Abstract. In 2007, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the incidence rate of lost workday
injuries from slips, trips and falls (STFs) on the same level in hospitals was
35.2 per 10,000 full-time equivalents (FTE), which was 75% greater than the
average rate for all other private industries combined (20.2 per 10,000 FTEs).
The objectives of this 10-year (1996-2005) longitudinal study were to: 1)
describe occupational STF injury events in hospitals; 2) evaluate the
effectiveness of a comprehensive programme for reducing STF incidents among
hospital employees. The comprehensive prevention programme included analysis of
injury records to identify common causes of STFs, on-site hazard assessments,
changes to housekeeping procedures and products, introduction of STF preventive
products and procedures, general awareness campaigns, programmes for external
ice and snow removal, flooring changes and slip-resistant footwear for certain
employee subgroups. The hospitals' total STF workers' compensation claims rate
declined by 58% from the pre-intervention (1996-1999) rate of 1.66 claims per
100 FTE to the post-intervention (2003-2005) time period rate of 0.76 claims
per 100 FTE (adjusted rate ratio = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.33-0.54). STFs due to liquid
contamination (water, fluid, slippery, greasy and slick spots) were the most
common cause (24%) of STF claims for the entire study period 1996-2005. Food
services, transport/emergency medical service and housekeeping staff were at
highest risk of a STF claim in the hospital environment. Nursing and office
administrative staff generated the largest numbers of STF claims. STF injury
events in hospitals have a myriad of causes and the work conditions in hospitals
are diverse. This research provides evidence that implementation of a
broad-scale prevention programme can significantly reduce STF injury claims.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOSPITAL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Bello A, Quinn MM, Perry MJ, Milton
DK [2009]. Characterization of occupational exposures to cleaning products used
for common cleaning tasks―a pilot study of hospital cleaners. Environ
Health Mar 27(8):11.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: In
recent years, cleaning has been identified as an occupational risk because of
an increased incidence of reported respiratory effects, such as asthma and
asthma-like symptoms among cleaning workers. Due to the lack of systematic
occupational hygiene analyses and workplace exposure data, it is not clear
which cleaning-related exposures induce or aggravate asthma and other
respiratory effects. Currently, there is a need for systematic evaluation of
cleaning products ingredients and their exposures in the workplace. The
objectives of this work were to: a) identify cleaning products' ingredients of
concern with respect to respiratory and skin irritation and sensitization; and
b) assess the potential for inhalation and dermal exposures to these
ingredients during common cleaning tasks. METHODS: We prioritized ingredients
of concern in cleaning products commonly used in several hospitals in
Massachusetts. Methods included workplace interviews, reviews of product
Materials Safety Data Sheets and the scientific literature on adverse health
effects to humans, reviews of physico-chemical properties of cleaning
ingredients, and occupational hygiene observational analyses. Furthermore, the
potential for exposure in the workplace was assessed by conducting qualitative
assessment of airborne exposures and semi-quantitative assessment of dermal
exposures. RESULTS: Cleaning products used for common cleaning tasks were
mixtures of many chemicals, including respiratory and dermal irritants and
sensitizers. Examples of ingredients of concern include quaternary ammonium
compounds, 2-butoxyethanol, and ethanolamines. Cleaning workers are at risk of
acute and chronic inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOC)
vapors and aerosols generated from product spraying, and dermal exposures
mostly through hands. CONCLUSION: Cleaning products are mixtures of many
chemical ingredients that may impact workers' health through air and dermal
exposures. Because cleaning exposures are a function of product formulations
and product application procedures, a combination of product evaluation with
workplace exposure assessment is critical in developing strategies for
protecting workers from cleaning hazards. Our task based assessment methods
allowed classification of tasks in different exposure categories, a strategy
that can be employed by epidemiological investigations related to cleaning. The
methods presented here can be used by occupational and environmental health
practitioners to identify intervention strategies.
CATEGORIES: CHEMICAL HAZARDS;
RESPIRATORY; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK [2001].
Consultative team to assess manual handling and reduce the risk of occupational
injury. Occup Environ Med 58(5):339–344.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: To
describe the formation of a consultative team to assess the risk of manual
handling in the workplace that started in October 1992 within the cleaning
services department of a 600 bed hospital, and to evaluate the effectiveness of
its recommendations in reducing the rate and severity (time lost and cost) of
workers' compensation injury. METHODS: The consultative team identified,
assessed, and recommended controls for manual handling and other injury risks.
Data on injuries counted before and after implementation of the team's
recommendations were obtained for the cleaning services study group, an orderly
services comparison group, as well as cleaners from a peer hospital and for the
State of Western Australia. Evaluation of the four groups was undertaken 3
years after the end of the study period, to allow maturation of the costs of
the claims (adjusted to July 1998 consumer price index) and hours lost from
work. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that implementation of the
recommendations significantly reduced numbers and rates of injury, but not the
severity of injury, in the cleaning services study group. There was no difference
in numbers or severity of injuries for the comparison groups before and after
implementation of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The recommendation of the
consultative team can produce a meaningful and sustained reduction in rates of
injury within an at risk population. The results support a consultative
approach to reducing workplace injuries from manual handling. The team process
has potential for application to occupational groups at risk of exposure to
other types of hazards.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH [2002].
Effectiveness of a workplace risk assessment team in reducing the rate, cost,
and duration of occupational injury. J Occup Environ Med 44(2):155–159.
Abstract. Evaluates the
effectiveness of a consultative workplace risk assessment team in reducing the
rate and severity of injury among cleaners within a 600-bed hospital. Cohorts
of Cleaning Services and Orderly Services staff ever employed within both a
4-year pre-intervention and a 3-year post-intervention period were assigned to
the intervention and comparison groups respectively. The date, compensation
claims' cost, and hours lost from work were obtained for each injury during the
study period. Age, gender, work experience and hours worked were ascertained
for every subject whether injured or not. Reductions of two thirds in injury
rate, 73 per cent in cost rate, and 43 per cent in duration rate were evident
in the intervention group. In comparison the orderlies experienced a post-intervention
increase in all three rates. It is concluded that the success of the workplace
risk assessment team intervention supports the adoption of a participatory
approach to reducing the rate and consequence of work-place injury.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH, Yau KKW Effectiveness of a participatory workplace
risk assessment team in reducing the risk and severity of musculoskeletal
injury [2002]. J Occup Health 44(4):221–225.
Abstract. This study
evaluates the effectiveness of a participatory workplace risk assessment team
(the intervention) in reducing the rate and severity of musculoskeletal and
non-musculoskeletal injuries among a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital
setting. The date, workers' compensation claims cost and hours lost from work
were obtained for each injury occurring during the 4-yr pre-intervention and
3-yr post-intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked during the
study period, were ascertained for every cleaner whether injured or not. For
musculoskeletal injuries, the intervention was associated with significant
reductions of two-thirds in injury rate, 65% in workers' compensation claims
cost per hour worked, and 40% in hours lost per hour worked. Cleaners also
experienced a significant two-third post-intervention reduction in
non-musculoskeletal injury rate; but the corresponding changes in severity
rates were not significant. The intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of musculoskeletal
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK,
Stevenson MR [2005]. Evaluating the effectiveness of a participatory approach
in reducing the risk and severity of injuries from manual handling. Ergonomics 48(8):907–914.
Abstract. Manual handling
is the greatest contributor to non-fatal injury and disease in the workplace,
commonly accounting for one-third of national injury counts. Interventional
strategies that have focused on selecting or modifying the worker have been
ineffective in reducing injury risk. In recent times, participatory ergonomics
has been widely adopted as a process to reduce the risk of injury from manual
handling but it is not well validated as an intervention. This study evaluated
the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics risk assessment approach in
reducing the rate and severity of injuries from manual and non-manual handling
sustained by a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital setting. The date of
injury and the workers' compensation claim cost and hours lost from work were
obtained for each injury incurred during the 4-year pre-intervention and 3-year
intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked were ascertained for
every cleaner whether injured or not. Using generalized linear mixed modeling
analysis, reductions of rate of injury by two-thirds, workers compensation
claim costs by 62% and hours lost by 35% for manual handling injuries were
found to be associated with the intervention period. Although the cleaners
experienced a significant intervention period reduction in non-manual handling
injury rate, the corresponding changes in severity of injury were not
significant. The success of the intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory ergonomics approach in reducing the rate and consequence of
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Deasy E, Balfe C [1988]. When is a
hospital like a hotel? Health Serv J 98(5105):674–675.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; HOTEL
WORKERS
Demirturk N, Demirdal T [2006]. Effect of a training program for hospital
cleaning staff on prevention of hospital-acquired infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 27:1410–1412.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Flyvholm MA, Frydendall Jensen K
[2008]. Experiences with implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
to prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations. G Ital Dermatol
Venereol 143(1):71–78.
Abstract. Occupational
skin diseases are among the most frequently recognized occupational diseases in
many industrialized countries. This paper describes and review experiences with
implementation of interventions to prevent occupational skin diseases in
different occupational settings representing the food processing industry and a
hospital. The study populations were gut cleaners with all participants being
exposed to wet work, cheese dairies and a hospital where all employees were
included. The effect of implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
were tested by questionnaire surveys on baseline and follow-up. A significant
reduction in eczema at hands or forearms was observed among gut cleaners. At
cheese dairies the eczema frequencies were low except for a comparison dairy
where significant changes were seen. At the hospital a non significant
reduction in hand eczema was observed. Changes related to use of protective
measures and knowledge on prevention of occupational skin diseases were observed.
A process evaluation carried out at the gut cleaning departments showed
association between the eczema frequency at follow-up, activities related to
prevention and implementation of an occupational health management system. In
addition to documenting the scientific background for evidence-based prevention
programs to prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations, both
the study population and the study design should be considered carefully when
testing the implementation of workplace interventions. These aspects may
influence the outcome in different directions and either facilitate or hamper
the possibilities to provide scientific documentation of the effect of the
intervention tested.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Hansen KS [1983]. Occupational
dermatoses in hospital cleaning women. Contact Dermatitis 9(5):343–351.
Abstract. In an
investigation of 541 members of a hospital cleaning department, a prevalence
rate of occupational skin diseases of 15.3% was found. During their hospital
employment, 39.1% had a skin disease. Higher prevalence in the younger age
groups can be explained by the selection of those with skin diseases for work
away from the cleaning department. A large number developed their disease
shortly after employment began. This was an indication that the observed
prevalent conditions were irritant diseases. The distribution by diagnosis
confirms this conclusion in as much as 75% of the occupational skin diseases
were irritant dermatitis, 21% allergic contact dermatitis, and 4% monilia of
the finger webs. The causes of allergic contact dermatitis were found to be
formaldehyde,
glutaraldehyde
and chloramine in addition to nickel and rubber. Among the causes of irritant
dermatitis were detergents, alkaline substances, acids and sodium perborate as
well as hypochlorite and hypobromite combinations. In order to reduce
occupational skin diseases among cleaning personnel, it is necessary to extend
both local and more general prophylactic measures.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; DERMAL;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Landstad BJ, Ekholm J, Broman L,
Schüldt K [2000].Working environmental conditions as experienced by women
working despite pain. Work 15(3):141–152.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: This
study looked at female hospital cleaners and home help personnel who continued
working despite problems or pain in their musculoskeletal system and where
there was a risk of increase in sickness absence. The aim was to determine
whether supportive intervention for these personnel at the workplace had an
effect on the way that they experienced the physical and psychosocial aspects
of their working environments. METHODS: The design was prospective with
non-randomized intervention and reference groups. A selection of 55 questions
about physical and psychosocial working environment from a national survey were
used. Comparisons were made between intervention and reference groups and with
data on a selection of the Swedish population of people in these professions.
RESULTS: The results showed that in the hospital cleaners' intervention group
the introduction of new cleaning materials and new cleaning methods seemed to
contribute to a reduction in workload during the intervention period, which in
turn gave them a better chance of taking rest breaks during working time. In
the home helps' intervention group the results showed that the group had had a
reduction both in workload and in more responsible tasks, and at the same time
the psychosomatic stress reactions reduced after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that effects on the working environmental conditions as
experienced could be obtained by a general multi-component support program at
the workplace, but the number of variables influenced by the program was very
small. The relatively limited effects may be explained by the fact that the
impact of a support program depends on how well the remedial measures fulfill
the need for such measures either at the workplace, in a work group or among
the individual people at the workplace. This emphasizes the importance of
designing effective analysis tools for judging what remedial measures are
needed before the measures themselves are tried out.
CATEGORIES: PAIN; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Landstad B, Vinberg S, Ivergård T,
Gelin G, Ekholm J [2001]. Change in pattern of absenteeism as a result of
workplace intervention for personnel support. Ergonomics 44(1):63–81.
Abstract: The aim was to
investigate whether a preventive intervention carried out in a predominantly
female workplace: that of hospital cleaners (consisting of a group of 97 women)
had any effect on patterns of absenteeism. As a background, a model for
analyzing complex patterns of absenteeism, including sickness absences, was
also developed. A further aim was to study the interactions between different
forms of absenteeism. Comparison was made with a reference group consisting of
employees in the same job category who only received the customary personnel
support. For individuals in the intervention group who were <42 years of
age, total absence due to sickness decreased. In a multiple regression
analysis, the contribution from the intervention to the decrease was
significant at the 5% level. This change was particularly obvious in those who
had a previous history of high absence due to sickness. No clear relationship
was shown between short-term absenteeism and the interventions applied. For
those who were >42 years, short-term absence decreased for those who had
been in the same jobs for a long time. The combination of increased age and
experience showed a tendency to enhance this decline in short-term absenteeism
due to sickness. For those >42 years, and who at the same time have a
previous history of high absenteeism, long-term absenteeism due to sickness
seemed to be increasing. Increased experience tended to reduce this increase in
long-term sickness absence. This combination of different effects possibly
indicated the presence of a process of selection which determined who remained
in the job as opposed to those who did not. An important conclusion is that
different forms of absenteeism need to be looked at in parallel, and at the
same time multivariate statistical analysis needs to be carried out to
determine the different interactions between the factors.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Toivanen H, Helin P, Hänninen O
[1993]. Impact of regular relaxation training and psychosocial working factors
on neck-shoulder tension and absenteeism in hospital cleaners. J Occup Med 35(11):1123–1130.
Abstract. Occupational
stress in hospital cleaners (n = 50), and the effect of relaxation training (n
= 25, age matched, randomized), were studied by recording the electrical
activity of the upper trapezius muscle at rest and during working conditions at
the beginning, middle, and end of a 6-month follow-up period. A short
(15-minute) relaxation program was practiced daily at the workplace to provide
stress management. The amount of sick leave was counted, and the extent of
depression and some psychosocial working factors were screened.
Intercorrelations were found between the neck-shoulder tension, psychosocial
factors, depression, and the absentee rate. The relaxation training diminished
tension in the neck-shoulder region efficiently; nevertheless, the decrease in
absenteeism might have been related mainly to the social support offered by the
research maneuver itself.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Toivanen H, Laensimies E [1993].
Impact of regular relaxation training on the cardiac autonomic nervous system
of hospital cleaners and bank employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 19(5):319–325.
Abstract: Work related
strain of female hospital cleaners and female bank employees were recorded
during a period of rationalization in the workplace and the effect of daily
relaxation to help the workers cope was tested. Results suggest that
occupational strain caused the functioning of the autonomic nervous system to
deteriorate. Regular deep relaxation normalized the function and improved the
ability to cope.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Weisshaar E, Radulescu M, Soder S,
Apfelbacher CJ, Bock M, Grundmann JU, Albrecht U, Diepgen TL [2007]. Secondary individual prevention of occupational skin diseases in health
care workers, cleaners and kitchen employees: aims, experiences and descriptive
results. Int Arch Occup
Environ Health 80(6):477–484.
Abstract: Objectives Due
to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care
workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and
skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on
educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the
participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimizing
diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). Methods Participants
are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin
disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance
Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on
basics of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases.
Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct implementation
of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every participant is seen by
a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history and performing a skin
examination. All this results in working out individually adapted and
professional skin protection strategies. Results In total, 791 participants (93
men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six hundred and
sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and 124
patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550) and
in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or
allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most
frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61). According
to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course as good
to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while attending
the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. Conclusions: There is a high need
for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional therapy in
occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases and
maintenance of health through educational programmes are important
complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered
professions.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES; ERGONOMICS
Bernhardt A.,
Dresser L. and Hatton E. (2003) The coffee pot wars: Unions and firm
restructuring in the hotel industry. In: Appelbaum E, Bernhardt A and Murnane R
, eds, Low-wage America: How Employers are Reshaping Opportunity in the
Workplace. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. http://www.cows.org/pdf/ar-coffeepot.pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Blackwell RH. Out of the frying pan: a study of stress in the
hospitality industry. Leeds, UK: Leeds
Metropolitan University, Leeds Polytechnic, Leisure, and Consumer Studies.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Bohle P, Quinlan M, Kennedy D,
Williamson A [2004]. Working hours, work-life conflict, and health in
precarious and “permanent” employment. Rev Saúde Pública 38(Suppl):19–25.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The expansion of
precarious employment in OECD countries has been widely associated with
negative health and safety effects. Although many shift workers are
precariously employed, shift work research has concentrated on full-time
workers in continuing employment. This paper examines the impact of precarious
employment on working hours, work-life conflict and health by comparing casual
employees to full-time, "permanent" employees working in the same
occupations and workplaces. METHODS:
Thirty-nine convergent interviews were conducted in two five-star
hotels. The participants included 26 full-time and 13 casual (temporary)
employees. They ranged in age from 19 to 61 years and included 17 females and
22 males. Working hours ranged from zero to 73 hours per week. RESULTS: Marked differences
emerged between the reports of casual and full-time employees about working
hours, work-life conflict and health. Casuals were more likely to work highly
irregular hours over which they had little control. Their daily and weekly
working hours ranged from very long to very short according to organizational
requirements. Long working hours, combined with low predictability and control,
produced greater disruption to family and social lives and poorer work-life
balance for casuals. Uncoordinated hours across multiple jobs exacerbated these
problems in some cases. Health-related issues reported to arise from work-life
conflict included sleep disturbance, fatigue and disrupted exercise and dietary
regimes. CONCLUSIONS: This
study identified significant disadvantages of casual employment. In the same
hotels, and doing largely the same jobs, casual employees had less desirable
and predictable work schedules, greater work-life conflict and more associated
health complaints than "permanent" workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Susan Buchanan, Pamela Vossenas,
Niklas Krause, Joan Moriarty, Eric Frumin, Jo Anna Shimek, Franklin Mirer, Peter Orris, and
Laura Punnett, (2009) Occupational Injury Disparities in the US Hotel Industry.
Am. J. Ind. Med. (coming in January)
Abstract. Background
Hotel employees have higher rates of occupational injury and sustain more
severe injuries than most other service workers. Method OSHA log incidents from
five unionized hotel companies for a three-year period were analyzed to
estimate injury rates by job, company, and demographic characteristics. Room
cleaning work, known to be physically hazardous, was of particular concern.
Results A total of 2,865 injuries were reported during 55,327 worker-years of
observation. The overall injury rate was 5.2 injuries per 100 worker-years. The
rate was highest for housekeepers (7.9), Hispanic housekeepers (10.6), and
about double in three companies versus two others. Acute trauma rates were
highest in kitchen workers (4.0/100) and housekeepers (3.9/100); housekeepers
also had the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders (3.2/100). Age, being
female or Hispanic, job title, and company were all independently associated
with injury risk. Conclusion Sex- and ethnicity-based disparities in injury
rates were only partially due to the type of job held and the company in which
the work was performed.
KEY
WORDS: occupational injury; hotel workers; housekeepers; musculoskeletal
disorders;
health disparities
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Burgel BJ, White MC, Gillen MG, Krause N (2010). Psychosocial work
factors and shoulder pain in hotel room cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:743-756.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hotel room cleaners have physically
demanding jobs that place them at high risk for shoulder pain. Psychosocial
work factors may also play a role in shoulder pain, but their independent role
has not been studied in this group. METHODS: Seventy-four percent (941 of
1,276) of hotel room cleaners from five Las Vegas hotels completed a 29-page
survey assessing health status, working conditions, and psychosocial work
factors. For this study, 493 of the 941 (52%) with complete data for 21
variables were included in multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS:
Fifty-six percent reported shoulder pain in the prior four weeks. Room cleaners
with effort-reward imbalance (ERI) were three times as likely to report
shoulder pain (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.95-4.59, P = 0.000) even after adjustment for
physical workload and other factors. After adjustment for physical workload,
job strain and iso-strain were not significantly associated with shoulder pain.
CONCLUSIONS: ERI is independently associated with shoulder pain in hotel room
cleaners even after adjustment for physical workload and other risk factors.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Clean sweep: Molly Maid brushes up
its approach to health and safety [2001]. Safety mosaic 4(1):4–5.
Abstract: Housekeeping
services can be a hazardous business. From potentially dangerous chemicals and
equipment risks to slips and trips, and strains and sprains, staying safe at
work takes education, knowledge and reinforcement. This article describes how
one London, Ont. Molly Maid franchise makes health and safety a top priority.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS
Crum AJ, Langer EJ [2007]. Mind-set
matters: exercise and the placebo effect. Psychol Sci 18(2):165–171.
Abstract. In a study
testing whether the relationship between exercise and health is moderated by
one's mind-set, 84 female room attendants working in seven different hotels
were measured on physiological health variables affected by exercise. Those in
the informed condition were told that the work they do (cleaning hotel rooms)
is good exercise and satisfies the Surgeon General's recommendations for an active
lifestyle. Examples of how their work was exercise were provided. Subjects in
the control group were not given this information. Although actual behavior did
not change, 4 weeks after the intervention, the informed group perceived
themselves to be getting significantly more exercise than before. As a result,
compared with the control group, they showed a decrease in weight, blood
pressure, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. These results
support the hypothesis that exercise affects health in part or in whole via the
placebo effect.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS
Deasy E, Balfe C [1988]. When is a
hospital like a hotel? Health Serv J 98(5105):674–675.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS; HOTEL
WORKERS
Delevoye
A, Derieux N, Hunzinger E, Mzabi MI, Roux F, Van Brederode A, Van Rooj B
[2005a]. Lingère en hôtellerie (Hotel linen maids). Cahiers
de médecine interprofessionnelle 45(3).
Abstract: The main task
of hotel linen maids to ensure the proper management of linen, including the
reception of clean linen, its storage and its distribution, together with the
recovery and sorting of used linen. Contents of this information sheet on the
job of hotel linen maid: general characteristics of the job; technical and
organizational characteristics; exposures and constraints (work environment,
work organization, tasks and equipment); hazard evaluation techniques; health
effects and occupational pathology; prevention; medical supervision;
regulations; evaluation of work aptitude.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Delevoye A, Derieux N, Hunzinger E,
Mzabi MI, Roux F, Van Brederode A, Van Rooj B [2005b]. La lingère en hôtellerie
(Hotel linen maids). Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle 45(3):305–319.
This
study describes the various types of material flows for linen (delivery and
distribution of clean linen, collection and sorting of used linen) observed in
four hotels of different classes. The strenuousness of the work of linen maids
was evaluated based on the estimated weight of linen carried, work posture and
cardiofrequency measurements. Results indicated that this occupation involves a
moderate to high physical workload, primarily due to the manual handling of the
linen and the loading and unloading of carts.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Desciak EB, Marks JG Jr. [1997].
Dermatoses among housekeeping personnel. Am J Contact Dermat 8(1):32–34.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Housekeepers are exposed to irritants and allergens in their work and are at
significant risk for developing occupationally induced contact dermatitis.
OBJECTIVE:
We studied housekeepers at the Hershey Medical Center to determine the cause
and frequency of contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in these workers.
METHODS:
All housekeepers were examined. Those with hand dermatitis had an extensive
history, patch testing, and latex RAST testing. RESULTS: Eight of 130 had hand
dermatitis. None had a relevant positive patch test or positive RAST test.
CONCLUSIONS: Of our housekeepers, 6.2% had occupationally induced irritant
contact dermatitis. None had allergic contact dermatitis or contact urticaria
to latex.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; DERMAL
DiGiulio LM (2008). Issues in hotel housekeeping. Executive
housekeeping today 30(5):14-25.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Empowering the housekeeper (2003).
Lodging Hospitality. 59(10):48.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS
Eriksson T, Jingkun L (2009). Working at the boundary between market
and flexicurity: housekeeping in Danish hotels. International Labour Review
148(4):357-373.
Abstract: Though
housekeeping in Danish hotels is unskilled, low-paid work, because of Denmark's
compressed wage structure it is comparatively well paid. The authors examine
the working conditions and experience of housekeepers in eight hotels of
various types, to establish the industry's response to growing competition and
pressure to restructure. Approaches include reorganizing work, increased work
intensity, outsourced and in-house housekeeping, and Denmark's own
“flexicurity”. Flexible work arrangements, job security and in-kind social
benefits prove to compensate for scanty unemployment insurance and career
prospects.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Esbenshade J, Mitrosky M, Morgan E, Navarro M, Rotundi M, Vazquez C
92006). Profits, pain, and pillows: hotels and housekeepers in San Diego.
WorkingUSA: The Jounal of Labor and Society 9:265-292.
Abstract: The accommodations industry is
hitting record-breaking profits nationally and locally, often with subsidies
provided by government entities. Globalization is actually contributing to
rising employment and a trade surplus in the tourism industry. However,
increasing amenities and new work regimes are causing deteriorating conditions
for many workers. In 2006, hotel workers across the country will be
coordinating contract negotiations. Housekeepers, who make up almost a quarter
of the hotel workforce, are the “face” of the national campaign. Through
management interviews, analysis of government data, and a worker survey, this
article provides a more complete picture of the living and working conditions
of housekeepers in San Diego and nationally. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-4580.2006.00113.x/full
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Faulkner B, Patiar A (1997). Workplace-induced stress among
operational staff in the hotel industry. Int J Hospitality Management
16(1):99-117.
Abstract: Stress is an
integral part of all aspects of an individual's life. In the workplace, as in
other areas, stress can play a positive role by increasing alertness among
staff and mobilizing their adaptive capabilities. To some extent, therefore, a
certain level of stress has the potential to actually contribute to
organizational effectiveness. However, stress can become counterproductive once
excessive levels of unresolved stress begin to affect the health and
productivity of the workforce. Employers in any setting therefore have both
commercial and moral reasons for being sensitive to the incidence of stress and
developing management approaches for controlling it. This is particularly so in
industries such as the hotel industry, which are both labour intensive and
dependent upon face to face contact with guests in the delivery of services.
This paper examines the sources of stress among front office and housekeeping
operational staff in four star international standard hotels on the Gold Coast
(Queensland, Australia) with a view to exploring the management implications of
this phenomenon. While the sample size and the context of the study limit our
ability to generalize from survey results, an indication of problems requiring
adjustments in management approach is provided. In particular, it appears that,
while staff in both areas are susceptible to stress, front office staff are
more vulnerable owing to the nature of their duties and aspects of their
background that make them more sensitive to organizational deficiencies.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Fernandez A, Ballue C, Coubes S, Marc
R [2006]. Femme de chamber et valet dans l'hôtellerie (Hotel valets and
housekeeping staff). Paris: Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité.
Abstract:
This guide describes the current situation of the work of hotel valets and
housekeeping staff, with the aim of proposing actions that satisfy both the
need for the prevention of safety and health hazards and improved work quality.
Topics addressed: characteristics of the job; how to lower the constraints related
to the job (work organization, tools, ergonomics, room layout, training).
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Frumin E, Moriarty J, Vossenas P, Halpin J, Orris P, Krause N, Punnett
L (2006). Workload-related musculoskeletal disorders among hotel housekeepers:
employer records reveal a growing national problem. http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/pdf/hskpr_analysis0406.pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
George R, Hancer M (2008). Housekeeping managers and the
administration of housekeeping service. Int J Hospitality Tourism
Administration 9(4):365-383.
Abstract: This study was
concerned with executive housekeepers in a lodging setting. It used a
self-completed questionnaire containing both choice and open-ended items to
solicit the opinions of executive housekeepers and the delivery of quality
service in the housekeeping department. The results indicated the executive
housekeepers believed the department members delivered a high level of service,
but more could be done. They also indicated a belief that the housekeepers felt
they delivered high quality service and they did a better job of delivering
quality service than other departments in the hotel. Executive housekeeper
comments regarding the administration of the housekeeping department are
presented.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Gill AS, Mathur N (2007). Improving employee dedication and pro-social
behavior. Int J Contemporary Hospitality Mangement 19(4):328-334.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine
the relationship between transformational leadership and employee dedication
and the relationship between transformational leadership and pro-social
behaviour. This study seeks to extend Gill et al.'s findings regarding the
impact of transformational leadership on job stress and the impact of job
stress on burnout. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
– Hospitality industry employees were interviewed to find out if
transformational leadership used by their managers improves employee dedication
and pro-social behaviour. FINDINGS
– Results suggest that employee dedication and pro-social behaviour are
positively related to the improvement in the level of perceived
transformational leadership implementation. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS – If employees perceive that their
managers are using high-level transformational leadership, employee dedication
and pro-social behaviour are perceived as higher level than if it is perceived
as being used at lower level. ORIGINALITY/VALUE
– This paper offers useful insights for hotel managers based on empirical
evidence.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Green behind the
scenes (2008). Lodging Hospitality 64(4):52.
Abstract: Floor care chemicals
such as cleaners, strippers, restorers and finishes are of particular concern
to environmental advocates and hotel properties eager to transfer from
conventional cleaning systems to those that are green. One of the key problems
with many traditional chemicals is that they can release large amounts of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can impair indoor air quality and
trigger headaches, respiratory problems and other ailments among staff and
guests http://lhonline.com/green/housekeeping/green_behind_scenes_0315/
CATEGOREIS: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Greenhouse S (2006). Hotel rooms get plusher, adding to maids’
injuries. New York Times, April 21. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/us/21hotel.html?pagewanted=all
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Greenhouse S (2009). Female
hotel workers injured more than men, study shows. New York Times, November 10. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/business/11injury.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Hannerz H, Tüchsen F, Kristensen TS (2002). Hospitalizations among
employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant industry. European J Public Health
12:192-197.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to provide a broad
picture of the morbidity among employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant
industry. METHODS: Cohorts of
all 20–59‐year‐old employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant
industry in the years 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1994 were formed to calculate
age‐standardized hospitalization ratios (SHR) and time trends (1981–1997)
for many different diagnoses. RESULTS:
Both for women and men, significantly higher SHRs were found for infectious and
parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases in the nervous system and sense organs,
diseases of the circulatory system, diseases of the respiratory system,
diseases of the digestive system and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
among employees in hotels and restaurants than in the working population at
large. Furthermore, among women a significantly elevated risk was found for
injuries in the lower extremities, injuries in the upper extremities and head
injuries, and among men a high risk was found for head injuries and a low risk
for ruptures in ligaments and muscles. The trend assessments did not detect any
significant changes in SHRs over time. CONCLUSION:
Employment in the Danish hotel and restaurant industry is associated with an
elevated hospitalization risk due to many diseases, which may be related to
occupation and lifestyle. In line with the official policy of reducing
inequality in health, focus should be placed on the health problems in this
group. http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/3/192.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Higley J (1997). Language barrier leads to resignations. Hotel and
Motel Management 212(9):20.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Higley J (2006). Maid to order: housekeepers earn respect. Hotel and
Motel Management 221(9):6.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS
Hopsu L, Toivonen R, Louhevaara V, Sjøgaard K (2000). Muscular strain
during floor mopping with different cleaning methods. Proceedings of the
IEA2000/HFES2000 Congress. 521-524.
Abstract: Mopping is one
of the most used cleaning methods. The aim of this study was to quantify and
compare local muscular strain during floor mopping with seven different mopping
methods with respect to the amount of water ranging from dry to wet. The
results showed that the local strain measured with EMG from the trapezius and
forearm muscles was higher with the use of wet and damp mopping methods than
with the use of dry methods.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS
Hotel housekeepers report alarming job injury rate (2006). Industrial
Safety and Hygiene News 40(6):12.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INJURIES
Hotel housekeeping is getting more dangerous (2006). Safety Compliance
Letter (2466)12.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS
Intilli H [1999]. The effects of
converting wheels on housekeeping carts in a large urban hotel. Program
evaluation. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 47(10):466–469
Abstract. Occupational
and environmental health nurses can identify the causes of injuries and use
analytical skills to show how the prevention of a problem can save the company
money and demonstrate a caring attitude from management. Nurses can expand
their traditional roles to position themselves as both advocates for the
employees and profit enhancers to management as demonstrated by this program
evaluation project. Initial outcomes included improved employee morale and
reduced soft tissue injuries in hotel housekeeping employees. Changes in the
workplace made by a proactive occupational and environmental health nurse and a
committed management can reap rewards beneficial for both the employer and the
work force.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Kim JE, Moon DH (2010). Job characteristics and musculoskeletal
symptom prevalence in hotel employees. Korean J Occup Health Nurs
19(2):190-204.
Abstract: PURPOSE: This
study was conducted to obtain the fundamental data on prevention and management
of musculoskeletal symptoms, and to assess the prevalence, risk factors and job
characteristics of musculoskeletal symptoms in hotel employees. METHODS: The
work sampling analysis was carried out by OWAS, and the prevalence was surveyed
in term of NIOSH diagnostic criteria and work related risk factors on 263 hotel
employees in Busan, Korea, using structured self-administered questionnaire
from Jan. 20 to Feb. 26, 2010. The collected data were analysed by the SPSS
18.0. RESULTS: 1) The prevailing rate of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH
diagnostic criteria was 43.80% for total subjects and 27.91% for shoulders,
12.79% for neck, and 11.24% for back/waist, respectively. 2) Factors affecting
the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were examined and multivariate logistic
regression analysis was performed. As a result, women, having a burden of
musculoskeletal work, increased work time in case of a higher risk of the
prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.1). 3) The body parts and the
department with the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms showed a significant
difference (P<0.05) compared with symptoms on shoulders, arms/elbows, and
ankles/feet. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH
diagnostic criteria in hotel employees was relatively high showing 43.80% for
total subjects and higher in departments of laundry, reservations, cooking,
food & beverage, dishwashing, and room cleaning than others.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Krause N, Tau Lee P, Thompson P,
Rugulies R, Baker L [1999]. Working conditions and health of San Francisco
hotel room cleaners. Report to the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees
International Union. Berkeley, CA: University of California, School of Public
Health, p. 79.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Krause N, Lee PT, Scherzer T,
Rugulies R., Sinnott P, Baker RL [2002]. Health and working conditions of hotel
guest room attendants in Las Vegas. Report to the Culinary Workers' Union,
Local 226, Las Vegas. San Francisco, CA, p. 112.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS
Krause N, Scherzer T, Rugulies R
[2005]. Physical workload, work intensification, and prevalence of pain in low
wage workers: results from a participatory research project with hotel room
cleaners in Las Vegas. Am J Ind Med 48(5):326–337.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: Occupational
injury rates among hotel workers exceed the national service sector average.
This study assesses the prevalence of back and neck pain, and its associations
with physical workload, ergonomic problems, and increasing work demands.
METHODS: Nine hundred forty-one unionized hotel room cleaners completed a
survey about health and working conditions. Associations between job demands
and pain were determined by logistic regression models adjusting for individual
characteristics, cumulative work demands, care-taking responsibilities at home,
and psychosocial job factors. RESULTS: The 1-month prevalence of severe bodily
pain was 47% in general, 43% for neck, 59% for upper back, and 63% for low back
pain. Workers in the highest exposure quartiles for physical workload and
ergonomic problems were between 3.24 and 5.42 times more likely to report
severe pain than workers in the lowest quartile. Adjusted odds ratios for work
intensification ranged from 1.74 (upper back) to 2.33 (neck). CONCLUSIONS: Most
room cleaners experience severe back or neck pain. Severe pain showed strong
associations with physical workload, work intensification, and ergonomic
problems.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Landers M, Maguire L [2004]. Effects
of a work injury prevention program for housekeeping in the hotel industry.
Work 22(3):239–246.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The
aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of a work
injury prevention program in the housekeeping department of a hotel. Studies
have validated the use of different injury prevention strategies to decrease
the incidence of work-related injuries. Few studies, however, have reported the
efficacy of an on-site work injury prevention program by a physical therapist.
STUDY DESIGN: In 1995, implementation of a work injury prevention program by a
physical therapist to 50 housekeeping supervisors, 60 house persons and 340
guest room attendants at a large hotel began. This program included a detailed
work risk analysis of the work environment, development of job descriptions,
identification of injury-related problematic work situations, and
implementation of a job specific supervisor-training program. Supervisor, house
person and guest room attendant training was also conducted at the end of 1995
and the beginning of 1997. RESULTS: Data of injury reports in 1995, 1996, and
1997 were analyzed to determine the results of the program. There was a
reduction in total injury claims, total medical expenses, total lost work time
and total restricted duty time. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the cost
effectiveness of implementing a work injury prevention program for housekeeping
guest room attendants in the hotel industry.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Lee PT, Krause N [2002]. The impact
of a worker health study on working conditions. J Public Health Policy 23(3):268–285.
Abstract. A research
partnership of representatives from labor, academia, and public health enabled
unionized San Francisco hotel workers to achieve important policy changes in
workplace health and safety. Known as the "Housekeeping Study," the
project took sixteen months to complete. A unique aspect of the project was
that it utilized participatory action research methods, involving workers themselves
as full participants in the study. A core group of 25 hotel room cleaners was
involved in each phase of the project. The study developed health data which
enabled room cleaners and their union to formulate and justify a contract
proposal calling for a significant reduction in housekeeping workloads. The
employer association agreed to a contract which reduced the maximum required
room assignment from 15 rooms to 14 rooms per day in 14 San Francisco hotels.
By lowering the maximum work assignment, these workers set a new standard which
can potentially protect the health of room cleaners across the country. The
project can serve as a model for worker and union participation in academic
research, as well as for the application of research to improving working
conditions, particularly for low-wage immigrant workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Lee-Ross D (1995). Attitudes and work motivation
of subgroups of seasonal hotel workers. Services Industries J 15(3):295-313.
Abstract. Labour turnover is a strong feature of hotels in
the UK, especially in the seasonal seaside sector. However, the link between
job mobility and job satisfaction is complex and cannot be adequately explained
by ‘traditional’ theories of motivation. In an attempt to account for the
impact of individual worker differences on job attitudes, Hackman and Oldham's
[1974, 1980] job diagnostic survey was distributed to 163 hotel workers. The
results suggest that hotel workers can be divided into subgroups, characterized
by both residential status and work preference. Furthermore, these additional
dimensions explain work attitudes and motivation more effectively than Hackman
and Oldham's original ‘growth need strength’ dimension.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ORGANIZATION
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean room”: hotel
housekeepers in Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lo K, Lamm F (2005). Occupational stress in the hospitality industry –
an employment relations perspective. New Zealand J Employment Relations
30(1):23-47.
Abstract: This article
endeavors to draw attention to occupational stress amongst workers in so-called
'low risk industries' - namely the service and hospitality industries - and to
explore their perceptions of stress, their attitudes to managing stress and
their responses to the recent inclusion of stress in the Health and Safety in
Employment Amendment Act, 2002. It is also the intention to broaden the scope
of analysis by investigating a range of employment factors - such as heavy
workloads, interpersonal relationships and organizational factors - which can
contribute to occupational stress amongst workers. Findings from two case
studies are reported and they indicate that working in the hospitality industry
can be stressful and that many workers are vulnerable in terms of their poor
working conditions and low wages. Consistent with other studies, it was also
found that there was low trade union presence and a high rate of casualization
and staff turnover. At the same time, there was a lack of overt conflict
between management and workers, with an apparent close alignment of goals
between the two parties and a style of management that could be described as
unitarist.
CATEGORIES:WORK STRESS; HOTEL WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lugwe LY (1994). Room attendants training programs as a prerequisite
to job satisfaction (Master´s thesis). Providence, RI: Johnson and Wales
University.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Lynn, Jeter (2005). Work of hotel housekeeping keeps guests coming
back. Mississippi Business J 27(6):37. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5277/is_200502/ai_n24293992/
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Magnini VP, Lee G, Kim B
(2011). The cascading affective consequences of exercise among hotel workers.
Int J Contemporary Hospitality Management. 23(5):624-642. http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald-publishing/the-cascading-affective-consequences-of-exercise-among-hotel-workers-YakyiKqPPn
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
McNamara M, Bohle P, Quinlan M (2011). Precarious employment, working
hours, work-life conflict and health in hotel work. Applied Ergonomics
42:225-232.
Abstract. Precarious or temporary work is associated with adverse
outcomes including low control over working hours, work-life conflict and
stress. The rise in precarious employment is most marked in the service sector
but little research has been done on its health effects in this sector. This
study compares permanent and temporary workers in the hotel industry, where
working hours are highly variable. Survey data from 150 workers from eight
3-Star hotels in urban and regional areas around Sydney were analyzed.
Forty-five per cent were male and 52 per cent were female. Fifty four per cent
were permanent full-time and 46 per cent were temporary workers. The effects of
employment status on perceived job security, control over working hours, and
work-life conflict are investigated using PLS-Graph 3.0. The effects of control
over working hours, on work-life conflict and subsequent health outcomes are
also explored. Temporary workers perceived themselves as less in control of
their working hours, than permanent workers (β = .27). However, they also
reported lower levels of work intensity (β = .25) and working hours
(β = .38). The effects of low hours control (β = .20), work intensity
(β = .29), and excessive hours (β = .39) on work-life conflict (r² =
.50), and subsequent health effects (r² = .30), are illustrated in the final
structural equation model.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Mei-Lien C, Wan-Ping L, Hsin-Yi C, Bey-Rong G,
I-Fang M (2005). Biomonitoring of alkylphenols exposure for textile and
housekeeping workers. Int J Environ Anal Chem 85(4/5):335-347
Abstract. 4-Nonylphenols (NP), 4- tert -ocytylphenols (OP), and 2,4-di-
tert –butylphenols (BP) are ubiquitous in daily foodstuffs. These alkylphenols
are widely used in industry, and NP and OP are endocrine disruptors. This study
involved biomonitoring of the alkylphenols in plasma and urine from textile and
housekeeping workers. The objective was to measure the internal level of
alkylphenols and clarify the occupational exposure of alkylphenols for these
two working groups. Forty textile workers and 33 housekeeping workers were
recruited in this study. Urine and plasma samples were enzymatic deconjugation,
followed by cleanup with solid-phase extraction. After extraction, the samples
were analysed with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled
with uorescence detection. The method was validated with the recovery and
reproducibility test. The measurement results demonstrated apparent
occupational exposure, since the urinary alkylphenols were signifcantly higher
in the end-of-shift samples, 42.06plusmn;46.63 ng/mL, than in the preshift
samples, 23.50±17.34 ng/mL, for the textile exposed workers.
Meanwhile, the three kinds of alkylphenols were commonly detected in the
biological samples. The plasma concentrations were higher than the urine
concentrations. The average plasma concentrations of NP, OP, and BP were
53.21± 49.74, 16.02±2.81, and 25.83±7.10 ng/g
for the housekeeping workers and 6.25±4.83, 6.52±8.67,
and 6.47±13.34 ng/mL in urine, respectively. The results of this
study suggest that multiple exposure routes, including dietary intake,
inhalation, and skin absorption, might contribute to the internal alkylphenol
dose. The potential adverse e_ects caused by exposure of occupational workers
is concerned. © 2005 Taylor & amp; Francis Group Ltd.
(31refs.)Controlled terms: Enzymes - Extraction - Fluorescence - Food products
- Occupational diseases - PlasmasUncontrolled terms: Biomonitoring - Endocrine
disruptor -NonylphenolsClassification Code: 932.3 Plasma Physics - 914.3.1
Occupational Diseases - 822.3 Food Products - 804.1 Organic Compounds - 802.3
Chemical Operations - 741. Light/Optics - 461.2 Biological Materials and Tissue
Engineering.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Michaud J (2006). Training helps housekeepers tackle big job. Hotel
and Motel Management 221(16):24. http://www.hospitalitypla.net/training-helps-housekeepers-tackle-big-job.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Milburn PD, Barrett RS [1999].
Lumbosacral loads in bedmaking. Appl Ergon 30(3):263–273.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS; HOTEL WORKERS
Muraca G, Martino LB,
Abbate A, De Pasquale D, Barbuzza O, Brecciaroli R (2007). The risk of
manual handling loads in the hotel sector G Ital Med Lav Ergon 3:569-570.
Abstract. The aim
of our study is to evaluate the manual handling risk and the incidence of
muscle-skeletal pathologies in the hotel compartment. Our study is conducted on
264 workers of the hotel compartment. The sample is divided on the base of the
working turn in the following groups: porter (both to the plans and in the
kitchen); waiters to the plans; services (gardeners and workers). The duties
have been valued according to the method NIOSH. The presence of muscle-skeletal
pathologies has been verified on the base to the accused symptomology, and on
the presence of clinical objectivity and to the reports of checks. The data has
been compared to a control group. The application of the NIOSH method has
showed for each working profile an elevated synthetic index, > 3, and for
porter the index is 5. The clinical data has shown an elevated incidence of
pathologies of the spine, especially lumbar spine, with a high prevalence in
the group of male porters. In conclusion we believe that the manual handling
represents a particularly remarkable risk for the workers in the hotel
compartment.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; ERGONOMICS
O’Neill J, Davis K (2009). Differences in work and family stress
experienced by managers and hourly employees in the hotel industry. Amherst,
MA: University of Massachussetts. 2009 ICHRIE Conference.
Abstract. During economic
downturns, hospitality industry employees are often asked to do more with less,
and this situation creates stress among employees. Employee stress is becoming
a significant issue in the hospitality industry, and it is costly for employers
and employees alike. Stress results
in overall declines in employee productivity, job performance, and customer service, and also results in increases
in hostility, withdrawal, and costly turnover and health care costs. Although addressing and
reducing stress in the hospitality industry is both a noble goal and is capable of resulting in expense
reductions for employers, the nature and quantity of hospitality employee
stress is not fully understood. Research regarding stress in the hospitality
industry is an understudied topic. This study aims to identify the most common
work stressors of a sample of 164 managerial and hourly workers who were each
interviewed for eight consecutive days, and were employed at 65 different
hotels across the United States. Further, this study examines whether there are
differences in the types and frequency of work and family stressors between
managers and non-managers, and also for men/women, parents/non-parents,
married/single, and based on the quantity of working hours. http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=refereed&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Ddifferences%2520in%2520work%2520and%2520family%2520stress%2520experienced%2520by%2520managers%2520and%2520hourly%2520employees%2520in%2520the%2520hotel%2520industry.%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CB4QFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fscholarworks.umass.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1075%2526context%253Drefereed%26ei%3Ddn-hTr_1MsGutwfr4aSVBQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNHtL9I14igbLyohdAQ2e1pe3tMAeg#search=%22differences%20work%20family%20stress%20experienced%20by%20managers%20hourly%20employees%20hotel%20industry.%22
CATAGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS;
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Onsøyen LE, Mykletun RJ, Steiro TJ (2009). Silenced and
invisible: the work experience of room attendants in Norwegian hotels. Scand J
Hospitality Tourism 9(1):81-102.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Premji S, Krause N (2010). Disparities by ethnicity, language, and
immigrant status in occupational health experiences among Las Vegas hotel room
cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:960-975.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: We
examined disparities in workers' occupational health experiences. METHODS: We surveyed 941 unionized Las Vegas hotel room cleaners
about their experiences with work-related pain and with employers, physicians,
and workers' compensation. Data were analyzed for all workers and by ethnicity,
language, and immigrant status. RESULTS: Hispanic and English as second language (ESL) workers
were more likely than their counterparts to report work-related pain and, along
with immigrant workers, to miss work because of this pain. Hispanic, ESL, and
immigrant workers were not consistently at a disadvantage with regard to their
own responses to work-related pain but were so with respect to reported
responses by workers' compensation, physicians, and employers. CONCLUSIONS: There are indications of disparities
in occupational health experiences within this job title. The use of different
group classifications, while implying different mechanisms, produced similar
results.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS: PAIN; HEALTH DISPARITIES
Pearson D, Angulo A, Bourcier E,
Freeman E, Valdez R, [2007] Hospitality workers' attitudes and exposure to
secondhand smoke, hazardous chemicals, and working conditions. PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
122(5):670–678.
Abstract: Objective.
Compelling reasons exist for labor and public health to collaborate. For
example, compared to white-collar workers, blue-collar and service workers are
much more likely to be targeted by the tobacco industry and become smokers. The
purpose of this descriptive study was to assess if there were ways public
health and labor could collaborate to document the health attitudes and needs
of hospitality industry workers. Methods. Eligible union members were
identified through an electronic enrollment file consisting of 3,659 names
maintained by the union. The mail survey instrument covered exposure to
secondhand smoke, exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, time pressure
and job demands, and work-related pain/disability. Additional questions related
to age, gender, race/ethnicity, level of education, employment history, English
proficiency, and self-reported health status. Results. Study results
demonstrated that important health information could be successfully collected
on unionized workers. Survey data showed that union members were a very diverse
group who were exposed to secondhand smoke and supported working in clean-air
settings. Workers, especially housekeeping staff, characterized their work as
being chaotic and demanding, while almost half of workers reported work-related
pain. Conclusions. Key to the successful collaboration was establishing trust
between the parties and emphasizing data collection that served the information
needs of both organizations. Opportunities exist to improve the health and
working conditions of this population. Health interventions need to be designed
to take into consideration the very diverse, mostly female, and limited English
proficiency of this group of workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS; WORK STRESS
Pollert A, Wright T [2006]. The
experience of ethnic minority workers in the hotel and catering industry:
routes to support and advice on workplace problems. London: Working Lives
Research Institute.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Repace J [2004]. Respirable particles
and carcinogens in the air of Delaware hospitality venues before and after a
smoking ban. J Occup Environ Med 46(9):887–905.
Abstract: How do the
concentrations of indoor air pollutants known to increase risk of respiratory
disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke change after a smoke-free workplace
law? Real-time measurements were made of respirable particle (RSP) air
pollution and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAH), in a casino,
six bars, and a pool hall before and after a smoking ban. Secondhand smoke
contributed 90% to 95% of the RSP air pollution during smoking, and 85% to 95%
of the carcinogenic PPAH, greatly exceeding levels of these contaminants
encountered on major truck highways and polluted city streets. This air-quality
survey demonstrates conclusively that the health of hospitality workers and
patrons is endangered by tobacco smoke pollution. Smoke-free workplace laws
eliminate that hazard and provide health protection impossible to achieve
through ventilation or air cleaning.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Rugulies R, Scherzer T, Krause N
[2008]. Associations between psychological demands, decision latitude, and job
strain with smoking in female hotel room cleaners in Las Vegas. Int J Behav Med
15(1):34–43.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Little is known of the impact of the work environment on smoking among women
holding low-paid jobs in the service sector. PURPOSE: To study the associations
between the components of the demand-control model with smoking in hotel room
cleaners. METHODS: We conducted a survey on work and health among 776 female
hotel room cleaners in Las Vegas. Associations between psychosocial work
characteristics and smoking were analyzed with multivariate regression
analyses.
RESULTS:
Psychosocial work characteristics were associated with smoking after adjustment
for covariates. Effect estimates were substantially reduced by additional
adjustment for ethnicity, but remained significant for high psychological
demands and smoking prevalence (OR = 1.97, p = 0.02), high job strain and
smoking prevalence (OR = 1.87, p = 0.04), and high job strain and smoking
intensity (coefficient = 3.52, p = 0.03). When analyses were restricted to
Hispanic workers and further adjusted for place of birth, low decision latitude
(coefficient = 3.94, p = 0.04) and high job strain (coefficient = 4.57, p =
003) were associated with smoking intensity but not with smoking status.
CONCLUSION:
Workplace smoking cessation programs may benefit from a primary prevention
component reducing job strain among service workers. More research is needed on
perceived and objective differences in psychosocial work characteristics across
ethnic, immigrant, and other social groups within the same occupation.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Scherzer T, Rugulies R, Krause N
[2005]. Work-related pain and injury and barriers to workers' compensation
among Las Vegas hotel room cleaners. Am J Public Health 95(3):483–488.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: We
examined the prevalence of work-related pain and injury and explored barriers
to and experiences of reporting among workers. METHODS: We surveyed 941
unionized hotel room cleaners about work-related pain, injury, disability, and
reporting. RESULTS: During the past 12 months, 75% of workers in our study
experienced work-related pain, and 31% reported it to management; 20% filed
claims for workers' compensation as a result of work-related injury, and 35% of
their claims were denied. Barriers to reporting injury included "It would
be too much trouble" (43%), "I was afraid" (26%), and "I
didn't know how" (18%). An estimated 69% of medical costs were shifted
from employers to workers. CONCLUSIONS:
The reasons for underreporting and the extent of claim denial warrant further
investigation. Implications for worker health and the precise quantification of
shifting costs to workers also should be addressed.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; PAIN; HOTEL
WORKERS
Seifert AM, Messing K (2006). Cleaning up after globalization: an
ergonomic analysis of work activity of hotel cleaners. Antipode 38:557-578.
Abstract. Hotels and hotel
chains are responding to globalization and increased competition through new marketing initiatives, employment
practices, and restructuring decisions that are intensifying the work of cleaners. In this paper, we
report on how such work intensification at two hotels in Montre´al, Canada, is changing the nature of cleaners’ jobs.
Specifically, we found that the numbers of operations to be completed, the
numbers and weights of items to be cleaned, and the effort involved have all
increased. ‘‘Flexible’’ employment relationships and outsourcing have also
worsened cleaners’ workloads. In response to our research, the labour union
representing cleaners has negotiated a lower number of room assignments per
cleaner, as well as an improved way
of taking into account the variability of work when determining the quota of
rooms to be cleaned. Despite this,
new marketing strategies continue to intensify work. We conclude that standards and regulation on a
governmental level are a necessary complement to union actions. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0066-4812.2006.00595.x/pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Selwitz R (2001). Safety training valuable to housekeepers, hotels.
Hotel and Motel Management 216(7):54. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3072/is_7_216/ai_n27566896/
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Shani A, Pizam A (2009). Work-related depression among hotel
employees. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly 50(4):446-459.
Abstract. Given
the putative cost of work-related depression, this article reports the results
of a pilot study conducted among hotel employees in Central Florida. The study
finds an initial indication of a small but noteworthy incidence of depression
among workers in the hospitality industry. The article explores the antecedents
and possible origins of depression, as well as critical issues related to
depression in the workplace, particularly its effects on organizations and
employees. The findings indicate a need for greater organizational awareness of
depression. http://cqx.sagepub.com/content/50/4/446.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Stanislaw D (2005). How to reduce housekeeping injuries. Lodging
Hospitality 61(5):76.
Abstract. This article discusses findings of a study
commissioned by the Canadian Center for National Occupational Health and Safety
to investigate the health risks associated with hotel housekeeping. The study
determined the following: (1) hotel housekeepers clean at least 16 rooms per
shift; (2) a housekeeper can finish an average hotel room in 20 minutes; (3) a
housekeeper changes body positions every three seconds, or approximately 8,000
times in an eight-hour shift; and (4) the workload, classified as moderately
heavy to heavy burns up approximately four calories per minute. Because hotel
housekeeping and other types of janitorial work involve repeating the same
tasks repeatedly, the study also evaluated repetitive motion injuries (RMI)
associated with cleaning a hotel room. It found the main RMI risk factors in
housekeeping to include: heavy physical workloads and forceful upper-limb
motions. The study suggested a variety of ways to reduce RMI injuries when cleaning
hotel guest rooms. It include: rotate cleaning duties; use teams to clean guest
rooms so duties can be more easily rotated and the work moves along faster;
provide training on how to properly lift and move items; and use easier-to-use
vacuum cleaners.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
UNITEHERE! [2006]. Creating luxury,
enduring pain: how hotel work is hurting housekeepers. April.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN
Wial H, Rickert J (2002). US hotels and their workers: room for improvement. Washington, DC: AFL-CIO
Working for America Institute.
Abstract. The U.S. hotel industry, a low-wage industry that has grown
rapidly over the past two decades provides jobs for workers with little formal
education or training, including some people leaving welfare. Hotels have also
received public economic development subsidies as part of central city economic
development projects. This report summarizes the industry’s performance on
issues of interest to its workers and to those who are concerned about low-wage
workers and wage inequality, the opportunities available to people
leaving welfare and the quality of jobs created by businesses receiving
public economic development subsidies. http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2002_3rd/Aug02_HotelJobs.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Arif AA, Hughes PC, Delclos GL
[2008]. Occupational exposures among domestic and industrial professional
cleaners. Occup Med (London) 58(7):458–463.
Abstract. Background: Despite being a large part of the workforce, cleaners remain a relatively understudied occupational group in the USA. Aims: The aims of this focus group study were to identify and characterize occupational exposures,
symptoms and job tasks among domestic and industrial professional cleaners. Methods: Twelve focus group sessions
were conducted in Lubbock, TX, and
Houston, TX. Participants were asked about their job tasks, type of
products they use to clean, bodily symptoms, job training and work environment. Results: Out of 99 attendees, 79 domestic and industrial cleaners
participated actively in the focus group sessions. Three general themes
emerged regarding cleaning professionals'
work experiences: (i) job training, (ii) chemical exposure and use and
(iii) competence. Domestic cleaners
demonstrated significant skills deficit across each of these three
themes as compared to industrial cleaners. Domestic cleaners
reported more frequent exposure to respiratory irritants and sensitizers and
also reported adverse respiratory symptoms as compared to industrial cleaners. Conclusions: The results from this
qualitative study are consistent with earlier findings from
quantitative studies placing domestic cleaners at
risk of exposure to chemicals that are respiratory irritants and/or sensitizers.
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
Kristal-Boneh E, Harari G, Melamed S,
Froom P [2000]. Association of physical activity at work with mortality in
Israeli industrial employees: the CORDIS study. J Occup Environ Med 42(2): 127–135.
CATEGORIES: INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
Massin N, Hecht G, Ambroise D, Héry
M, Toamain JP, Hubert G, Dorotte M, Bianchi B [2007]. Respiratory symptoms and
bronchial responsiveness among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry. Occup Environ Med 64(2):75–81.
Absent. OBJECTIVES: To
measure the levels of exposure to nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) and aldehydes
among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the atmosphere of food industry
plants during cleaning and disinfecting operations, and to examine how they
relate to irritant and chronic respiratory symptoms-which are indices of
pulmonary function-and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine. METHODS:
175 exposed workers (M = 149; F = 26) recruited from 17 enterprises of the food
industry (8 cattle, pig, and ovine slaughterhouses, 8 fowl slaughterhouses, and
1 catering firm) and 70 non-exposed workers (M = 52; F = 18) were examined.
Concentration levels of NCl3 and aldhehydes were measured by personal sampling.
Symptoms were assessed by means of a questionnaire and the methacholine
bronchial challenge (MBC) test using an abbreviated method. Subjects were
labelled MBC+ if forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) fell by 20% or
more. The linear dose-response slope (DRS) was calculated as the percentage
fall in FEV1 at last dose divided by the total dose administered. RESULTS: 277
air samples were taken in the 17 food industry plants. For a given plant and in
a given workshop, the actual concentrations of chloramines, aldehydes, and
quaternary ammonium compounds were measured with personal samplers during the
different steps of the procedures. For each cleaner, a total exposure index
Sigma was calculated. A statistically significant concentration-response
relationship was found between eye, nasal, and throat symptoms of
irritation--but not chronic respiratory symptoms--and exposure levels or
exposure duration. No relation was found between BHR and exposure. CONCLUSIONS:
These data show that cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food industry are
at risk of developing eye, nasal, and throat irritation symptoms. Although NCl3
exposure does not seem to carry a risk of developing permanent BHR, the possibility
of transient BHR cannot be ruled out entirely.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS; INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
Alamgir H, Yu S [2008]. Epidemiology
of occupational injury among cleaners in the healthcare sector. Occup Med 58(6):393–399.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The
cleaning profession has been associated with multiple ergonomic and chemical
hazards which elevate the risk for occupational injury. AIMS: This study
investigated the epidemiology of occupational injury among cleaners in
healthcare work settings in the Canadian province of British Columbia. METHODS:
Incidents of occupational injury among cleaners, resulting in lost time from
work or medical care, over a period of 1 year in two healthcare regions were
extracted from a standardized operational database and with person-years
obtained from payroll data. Detailed analysis was conducted using Poisson
regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 145 injuries were identified among
cleaners, with an annual incidence rate of 32.1 per 100 person-years. After
adjustment for age, gender, subsector, facility, experience and employment
status, Poisson regression models demonstrated that a significantly higher
relative risk (RR) of all injury, musculoskeletal injury and cuts was
associated with cleaning work in acute care facilities, compared with long-term
care facilities. Female cleaners were at a higher RR of all injuries and
contusions than male cleaners. A lower risk of all injury and allergy and
irritation incidents among part-time or casual workers was found. Cleaners with
>10 years of experience were at significantly lower risk for all injury,
contusion and allergy and irritation incidents. CONCLUSION: Cleaners were found
to be at an elevated risk of all injury categories compared with healthcare
workers in general.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INJURIES; MSDs; DERMAL; RESPIRATORY
Bell JL, Collins JW, Wolf L,
Gronqvist R, Chiou S, Chang WR, Sorock GS, Courtney TK, Lombardi DA, Evanoff B
[2008]. Evaluation of a comprehensive slip, trip and fall prevention programme
for hospital employees. Ergonomics 51(12):1906–1925.
Abstract. In 2007, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the incidence rate of lost workday
injuries from slips, trips and falls (STFs) on the same level in hospitals was
35.2 per 10,000 full-time equivalents (FTE), which was 75% greater than the
average rate for all other private industries combined (20.2 per 10,000 FTEs).
The objectives of this 10-year (1996-2005) longitudinal study were to: 1)
describe occupational STF injury events in hospitals; 2) evaluate the
effectiveness of a comprehensive programme for reducing STF incidents among
hospital employees. The comprehensive prevention programme included analysis of
injury records to identify common causes of STFs, on-site hazard assessments,
changes to housekeeping procedures and products, introduction of STF preventive
products and procedures, general awareness campaigns, programmes for external
ice and snow removal, flooring changes and slip-resistant footwear for certain
employee subgroups. The hospitals' total STF workers' compensation claims rate
declined by 58% from the pre-intervention (1996-1999) rate of 1.66 claims per
100 FTE to the post-intervention (2003-2005) time period rate of 0.76 claims
per 100 FTE (adjusted rate ratio = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.33-0.54). STFs due to liquid
contamination (water, fluid, slippery, greasy and slick spots) were the most
common cause (24%) of STF claims for the entire study period 1996-2005. Food
services, transport/emergency medical service and housekeeping staff were at
highest risk of a STF claim in the hospital environment. Nursing and office
administrative staff generated the largest numbers of STF claims. STF injury
events in hospitals have a myriad of causes and the work conditions in
hospitals are diverse. This research provides evidence that implementation of a
broad-scale prevention programme can significantly reduce STF injury claims.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOSPITAL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES; ERGONOMICS
Susan Buchanan, Pamela Vossenas,
Niklas Krause, Joan Moriarty, Eric Frumin, Jo Anna Shimek, Franklin Mirer, Peter Orris, and
Laura Punnett, (2009) Occupational Injury Disparities in the US Hotel Industry.
Am. J. Ind. Med. (coming in January)
Abstract. Background
Hotel employees have higher rates of occupational injury and sustain more
severe injuries than most other service workers. Method OSHA log incidents from
five unionized hotel companies for a three-year period were analyzed to
estimate injury rates by job, company, and demographic characteristics. Room
cleaning work, known to be physically hazardous, was of particular concern.
Results A total of 2,865 injuries were reported during 55,327 worker-years of
observation. The overall injury rate was 5.2 injuries per 100 worker-years. The
rate was highest for housekeepers (7.9), Hispanic housekeepers (10.6), and
about double in three companies versus two others. Acute trauma rates were
highest in kitchen workers (4.0/100) and housekeepers (3.9/100); housekeepers
also had the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders (3.2/100). Age, being
female or Hispanic, job title, and company were all independently associated
with injury risk. Conclusion Sex- and ethnicity-based disparities in injury
rates were only partially due to the type of job held and the company in which
the work was performed.
KEY
WORDS: occupational injury; hotel workers; housekeepers; musculoskeletal
disorders;
health disparities
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK [2001].
Consultative team to assess manual handling and reduce the risk of occupational
injury. Occup Environ Med 58(5):339–344.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: To
describe the formation of a consultative team to assess the risk of manual
handling in the workplace that started in October 1992 within the cleaning
services department of a 600 bed hospital, and to evaluate the effectiveness of
its recommendations in reducing the rate and severity (time lost and cost) of
workers' compensation injury. METHODS: The consultative team identified,
assessed, and recommended controls for manual handling and other injury risks.
Data on injuries counted before and after implementation of the team's
recommendations were obtained for the cleaning services study group, an orderly
services comparison group, as well as cleaners from a peer hospital and for the
State of Western Australia. Evaluation of the four groups was undertaken 3
years after the end of the study period, to allow maturation of the costs of
the claims (adjusted to July 1998 consumer price index) and hours lost from
work. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that implementation of the
recommendations significantly reduced numbers and rates of injury, but not the
severity of injury, in the cleaning services study group. There was no
difference in numbers or severity of injuries for the comparison groups before
and after implementation of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The
recommendation of the consultative team can produce a meaningful and sustained
reduction in rates of injury within an at risk population. The results support
a consultative approach to reducing workplace injuries from manual handling.
The team process has potential for application to occupational groups at risk
of exposure to other types of hazards.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH [2002].
Effectiveness of a workplace risk assessment team in reducing the rate, cost,
and duration of occupational injury. J Occup Environ Med 44(2):155–159.
Abstract. Evaluates the
effectiveness of a consultative workplace risk assessment team in reducing the
rate and severity of injury among cleaners within a 600-bed hospital. Cohorts
of Cleaning Services and Orderly Services staff ever employed within both a
4-year pre-intervention and a 3-year post-intervention period were assigned to
the intervention and comparison groups respectively. The date, compensation
claims' cost, and hours lost from work were obtained for each injury during the
study period. Age, gender, work experience and hours worked were ascertained
for every subject whether injured or not. Reductions of two thirds in injury
rate, 73 per cent in cost rate, and 43 per cent in duration rate were evident
in the intervention group. In comparison the orderlies experienced a
post-intervention increase in all three rates. It is concluded that the success
of the workplace risk assessment team intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of work-place injury.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH, Yau KKW Effectiveness of a participatory workplace
risk assessment team in reducing the risk and severity of musculoskeletal
injury [2002]. J Occup Health 44(4):221–225.
Abstract. This study
evaluates the effectiveness of a participatory workplace risk assessment team
(the intervention) in reducing the rate and severity of musculoskeletal and
non-musculoskeletal injuries among a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital
setting. The date, workers' compensation claims cost and hours lost from work
were obtained for each injury occurring during the 4-yr pre-intervention and
3-yr post-intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked during the
study period, were ascertained for every cleaner whether injured or not. For
musculoskeletal injuries, the intervention was associated with significant
reductions of two-thirds in injury rate, 65% in workers' compensation claims
cost per hour worked, and 40% in hours lost per hour worked. Cleaners also
experienced a significant two-third post-intervention reduction in
non-musculoskeletal injury rate; but the corresponding changes in severity
rates were not significant. The intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of musculoskeletal
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK,
Stevenson MR [2005]. Evaluating the effectiveness of a participatory approach
in reducing the risk and severity of injuries from manual handling. Ergonomics 48(8):907–914.
Abstract. Manual handling
is the greatest contributor to non-fatal injury and disease in the workplace,
commonly accounting for one-third of national injury counts. Interventional
strategies that have focused on selecting or modifying the worker have been
ineffective in reducing injury risk. In recent times, participatory ergonomics
has been widely adopted as a process to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling
but it is not well validated as an intervention. This study evaluated the
effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics risk assessment approach in
reducing the rate and severity of injuries from manual and non-manual handling
sustained by a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital setting. The date of
injury and the workers' compensation claim cost and hours lost from work were
obtained for each injury incurred during the 4-year pre-intervention and 3-year
intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked were ascertained for
every cleaner whether injured or not. Using generalized linear mixed modeling
analysis, reductions of rate of injury by two-thirds, workers compensation
claim costs by 62% and hours lost by 35% for manual handling injuries were
found to be associated with the intervention period. Although the cleaners
experienced a significant intervention period reduction in non-manual handling
injury rate, the corresponding changes in severity of injury were not
significant. The success of the intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory ergonomics approach in reducing the rate and consequence of
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Cleaners mopped up by injuries
[1999]. J Occup Health Safety Environ 3(5):8
Abstract: Looks at the
findings of a research report, "Musculoskeletal health of cleaners",
funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the trade union UNISON. The
results of a postal survey of 5,000 cleaning staff and follow-up ergonomic risk
assessments indicate widespread musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often
leading to time off work. The high risks of such pain have been associated with
equipment design, job organization and poor training. HSE and UNISON will be
holding a seminar for equipment manufacturers, employers and worker
representatives in London on 28 September 1999, to review the study's
recommendations.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; INJURIES; PAIN;
ERGONOMICS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Flores LY, Deal JZ (2003). Work-related pain in Mexican American
custodial workers. Hispanic J Behavioral Sciences 25(2):254-270.
Abstract: Mexican American janitors and
custodians are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
These injuries may render them physically disabled, unable to provide for themselves and
their families, and dependent on an already strained public health care system. Despite
this growing health crisis and the United States’s growing Latino population, no research
has been published examining musculoskeletal pain among Mexican American
custodial workers. In this article, the authors examine the working and social conditions
of Mexican American service workers, as well as the reasons why there is so little
research on this population. The authors present results from a study they conducted and
discuss the implications of their findings for future research with this population. http://hjb.sagepub.com/content/25/2/254.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT WORKERS; MSDs; PAIN; INJURIES
Goggins R (2007). Hazards of cleaning strategies for reducing
exposures to ergonomic risk factors. Professional Safety 52(3).
Abstract: Cleaning workers are found in every setting and the work that
they do is essential in every industry. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS, 2005), more than 4 million people are employed as cleaning
workers in the U.S., many working in low-paying, temporary or part-time jobs,
with little opportunity for training or advancement. Much of the work is
performed in the evening or at night, and many of these workers also have
another job, attend school or perform other duties during the day. These
working conditions combine to create a high turnover rate—estimated to be as
high as 300% (Valentine & C&MM Staff, 1998; SEIU, 2006). Cleaning work
creates exposure to many hazards, including wet floors, working on ladders, use
of chemicals and motor vehicle accidents. Cleaning workers also are exposed to
risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as lifting, carrying,
awkward postures, repetitive motions and high hand forces. These exposures
result in a high rate of injuries. According to Washington state workers'
compensation data from the Department of Labor and Industries (DLI, 2006),
cleaning workers have an annual incidence rate of 10.4 new injury claims per
100 full-time equivalents (FTEs), while the overall service industry sector in
Washington has an incidence rate of 5.8 per 100 FTEs and the general industry
incidence rate is 6.9 per 100 FTEs. By way of comparison, BLS (2005) reports a
recordable injury incidence rate of 3.9 per 100 FTEs for janitorial services,
which is less than the national incidence rate for all of private industry (4.6
per 100 FTEs). The large difference in numbers between Washington state and
national injury rates may be explained by underreporting of injuries in BLS
statistics (Leigh, Marcin & Miller, 2004). A review of Washington state
workers' compensation data (DLI, 2006) reveals that the largest single category
of injury and illness claims among cleaning workers is overexertion, followed
by struck by and against, and falls. Exposure to chemicals and motor vehicle
accidents were also significant categories of interest (Figure 1, p. 22).
Looking at severity of claims, overexertion and falls accounted for the most
days of time loss, while many of the struck by and against claims appear to be
of low severity, accounting for a relatively small percentage of all time loss
days (Figure 2, p. 22). Overexertion claims, primarily MSDs, were reported as
occurring in all phases of cleaning work, while many of the falls were reported
as occurring while working on ladders, while sweeping or vacuuming stairs, or
while mopping floors. Each phase of cleaning work presents unique risk factors
for MSDs. Fortunately, much attention has been focused on MSDs in cleaning work
and new technologies offer opportunities to reduce the risk of injury. This
article reviews risk factors present in common cleaning tasks and describes
some solutions. Risk factors and some potential solutions are summarized in
(figure in paper) Dusting and Scrubbing. One risk factor introduced by dusting
and scrubbing with cloths and brushes is awkward postures, especially reaching
overhead, and bending, kneeling or squatting to clean at floor level.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; INJURIES;
ERGONOMICS; MSDs
Greenhouse S (2006). Hotel rooms get plusher, adding to maids’
injuries. New York Times, April 21. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/us/21hotel.html?pagewanted=all
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Greenhouse S (2009). Female
hotel workers injured more than men, study shows. New York Times, November 10. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/business/11injury.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Hales T, Seligman PJ, Newman SC,
Timbrook CL [1988]. Occupational injuries due to violence. J Occup Med 30(6):483–487.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES
Hannerz H, Tüchsen F, Kristensen TS (2002). Hospitalizations among
employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant industry. European J Public Health
12:192-197.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to provide a broad
picture of the morbidity among employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant
industry. METHODS: Cohorts of
all 20–59‐year‐old employees in the Danish hotel and restaurant
industry in the years 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1994 were formed to calculate
age‐standardized hospitalization ratios (SHR) and time trends (1981–1997)
for many different diagnoses. RESULTS:
Both for women and men, significantly higher SHRs were found for infectious and
parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases in the nervous system and sense organs,
diseases of the circulatory system, diseases of the respiratory system,
diseases of the digestive system and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
among employees in hotels and restaurants than in the working population at
large. Furthermore, among women a significantly elevated risk was found for
injuries in the lower extremities, injuries in the upper extremities and head
injuries, and among men a high risk was found for head injuries and a low risk
for ruptures in ligaments and muscles. The trend assessments did not detect any
significant changes in SHRs over time. CONCLUSION:
Employment in the Danish hotel and restaurant industry is associated with an
elevated hospitalization risk due to many diseases, which may be related to
occupation and lifestyle. In line with the official policy of reducing
inequality in health, focus should be placed on the health problems in this
group. http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/3/192.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Hotel housekeepers report alarming job injury rate (2006). Industrial
Safety and Hygiene News 40(6):12.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INJURIES
Intilli H [1999]. The effects of
converting wheels on housekeeping carts in a large urban hotel. Program
evaluation. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 47(10):466–469
Abstract. Occupational
and environmental health nurses can identify the causes of injuries and use
analytical skills to show how the prevention of a problem can save the company
money and demonstrate a caring attitude from management. Nurses can expand
their traditional roles to position themselves as both advocates for the
employees and profit enhancers to management as demonstrated by this program
evaluation project. Initial outcomes included improved employee morale and
reduced soft tissue injuries in hotel housekeeping employees. Changes in the
workplace made by a proactive occupational and environmental health nurse and a
committed management can reap rewards beneficial for both the employer and the
work force.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Kines P, Hannerz H, Mikkelsen KL,
Tüchsen F [2007]. Industrial sectors with high risk of women’s hospital-treated
injuries. Am J Ind Med 50(1):12–21.
Abstract: Women's
occupational injury rates are converging with those of males. Associations
between female workers' hospital treated injury rates, industrial sector and
injured body area were analyzed to provide for better-focused injury prevention
of women's hazardous jobs. Females' standardized hospital treatment ratios
(SHR) and the excess fraction for five body regions (head/neck, thorax, back,
upper and lower extremities) were calculated for 58 industrial sectors for
1999-2003. Five industrial sectors, "Cleaning, laundries and dry
cleaners," "Transport of passengers," "Hotels and
restaurants," "Hospitals" and "Transport of goods" had
significantly high SHRs for all five body regions. The excess fraction for
upper extremity injuries revealed that 14%-27% of injuries could theoretically
have been avoided. There is strong evidence for an association between women's
hospital treated injuries and industrial sector. The results justify the need
for gender-sensitive analyses to orient injury prevention programs.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; INJURIES
Landers M, Maguire L [2004]. Effects
of a work injury prevention program for housekeeping in the hotel industry.
Work 22(3):239–246.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The
aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of a work
injury prevention program in the housekeeping department of a hotel. Studies
have validated the use of different injury prevention strategies to decrease
the incidence of work-related injuries. Few studies, however, have reported the
efficacy of an on-site work injury prevention program by a physical therapist.
STUDY DESIGN: In 1995, implementation of a work injury prevention program by a
physical therapist to 50 housekeeping supervisors, 60 house persons and 340
guest room attendants at a large hotel began. This program included a detailed
work risk analysis of the work environment, development of job descriptions,
identification of injury-related problematic work situations, and
implementation of a job specific supervisor-training program. Supervisor, house
person and guest room attendant training was also conducted at the end of 1995
and the beginning of 1997. RESULTS: Data of injury reports in 1995, 1996, and 1997
were analyzed to determine the results of the program. There was a reduction in
total injury claims, total medical expenses, total lost work time and total
restricted duty time. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the cost
effectiveness of implementing a work injury prevention program for housekeeping
guest room attendants in the hotel industry.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean room”: hotel
housekeepers in Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Pranski G, Moshenberg D, Benjamin K,
Portillo S, Thackrey JL, Hill-Fotouhi C [2002]. Occupational risks and injuries
in nonagricultural immigrant Latino workers. Am J Ind Med 42(2):117–123.
Abstract: To investigate occupational health in urban immigrant Latino
workers, a survey was conducted through door-to-door interviews. The response
rate was 80% (n=427). The average time of residence in the United States was
7.6 years, and the average job tenure was 2.8 years. 27% of the respondents
reported exposures to over 10 different hazards, and 18% believed these hazards
had harmed their health. Only 31% had received job safety training. 55% had no
workers' compensation coverage. Among the 11% with a work injury in the past
three years, 27% reported difficulty obtaining treatment, 91% lost time from
work (median=13 days) and 29% had to change jobs because of the injury. The
annual occupational injury rate was 12.2/100 full-time workers, compared to an
expected rate of 7.1.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
INJURIES
Rugulies R, Krause N [2005]. Job strain,
isostrain, and incidence of back and neck injury: a 7.5-year prospective study of San Francisco
transit operators. Soc Sci Med 61(1):27–39.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; WORK STRESS
Scherzer T, Rugulies R, Krause N
[2005]. Work-related pain and injury and barriers to workers' compensation
among Las Vegas hotel room cleaners. Am J Public Health 95(3):483–488.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: We
examined the prevalence of work-related pain and injury and explored barriers
to and experiences of reporting among workers. METHODS: We surveyed 941
unionized hotel room cleaners about work-related pain, injury, disability, and
reporting. RESULTS: During the past 12 months, 75% of workers in our study
experienced work-related pain, and 31% reported it to management; 20% filed claims
for workers' compensation as a result of work-related injury, and 35% of their
claims were denied. Barriers to reporting injury included "It would be too
much trouble" (43%), "I was afraid" (26%), and "I didn't
know how" (18%). An estimated 69% of medical costs were shifted from
employers to workers. CONCLUSIONS: The
reasons for underreporting and the extent of claim denial warrant further
investigation. Implications for worker health and the precise quantification of
shifting costs to workers also should be addressed.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; PAIN; HOTEL
WORKERS
Stanislaw D (2005). How to reduce housekeeping injuries. Lodging
Hospitality 61(5):76.
Abstract. This article discusses findings of a study
commissioned by the Canadian Center for National Occupational Health and Safety
to investigate the health risks associated with hotel housekeeping. The study
determined the following: (1) hotel housekeepers clean at least 16 rooms per
shift; (2) a housekeeper can finish an average hotel room in 20 minutes; (3) a
housekeeper changes body positions every three seconds, or approximately 8,000
times in an eight-hour shift; and (4) the workload, classified as moderately
heavy to heavy burns up approximately four calories per minute. Because hotel
housekeeping and other types of janitorial work involve repeating the same
tasks repeatedly, the study also evaluated repetitive motion injuries (RMI)
associated with cleaning a hotel room. It found the main RMI risk factors in
housekeeping to include: heavy physical workloads and forceful upper-limb
motions. The study suggested a variety of ways to reduce RMI injuries when
cleaning hotel guest rooms. It include: rotate cleaning duties; use teams to
clean guest rooms so duties can be more easily rotated and the work moves along
faster; provide training on how to properly lift and move items; and use
easier-to-use vacuum cleaners.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Vredenburgh AG [2002]. Occupational
Safety: which management practices are most effective in reducing employee injury
rates? J Safety Research 33(2):259–276.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT;
INJURIES
Bell JL, Collins JW, Wolf L,
Gronqvist R, Chiou S, Chang WR, Sorock GS, Courtney TK, Lombardi DA, Evanoff B
[2008]. Evaluation of a comprehensive slip, trip and fall prevention programme
for hospital employees. Ergonomics 51(12):1906–1925.
Abstract. In 2007, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the incidence rate of lost workday
injuries from slips, trips and falls (STFs) on the same level in hospitals was
35.2 per 10,000 full-time equivalents (FTE), which was 75% greater than the
average rate for all other private industries combined (20.2 per 10,000 FTEs).
The objectives of this 10-year (1996-2005) longitudinal study were to: 1)
describe occupational STF injury events in hospitals; 2) evaluate the
effectiveness of a comprehensive programme for reducing STF incidents among
hospital employees. The comprehensive prevention programme included analysis of
injury records to identify common causes of STFs, on-site hazard assessments,
changes to housekeeping procedures and products, introduction of STF preventive
products and procedures, general awareness campaigns, programmes for external
ice and snow removal, flooring changes and slip-resistant footwear for certain
employee subgroups. The hospitals' total STF workers' compensation claims rate
declined by 58% from the pre-intervention (1996-1999) rate of 1.66 claims per
100 FTE to the post-intervention (2003-2005) time period rate of 0.76 claims
per 100 FTE (adjusted rate ratio = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.33-0.54). STFs due to liquid
contamination (water, fluid, slippery, greasy and slick spots) were the most
common cause (24%) of STF claims for the entire study period 1996-2005. Food
services, transport/emergency medical service and housekeeping staff were at
highest risk of a STF claim in the hospital environment. Nursing and office
administrative staff generated the largest numbers of STF claims. STF injury
events in hospitals have a myriad of causes and the work conditions in
hospitals are diverse. This research provides evidence that implementation of a
broad-scale prevention programme can significantly reduce STF injury claims.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOSPITAL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK [2001].
Consultative team to assess manual handling and reduce the risk of occupational
injury. Occup Environ Med 58(5):339–344.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: To
describe the formation of a consultative team to assess the risk of manual
handling in the workplace that started in October 1992 within the cleaning
services department of a 600 bed hospital, and to evaluate the effectiveness of
its recommendations in reducing the rate and severity (time lost and cost) of
workers' compensation injury. METHODS: The consultative team identified,
assessed, and recommended controls for manual handling and other injury risks.
Data on injuries counted before and after implementation of the team's
recommendations were obtained for the cleaning services study group, an orderly
services comparison group, as well as cleaners from a peer hospital and for the
State of Western Australia. Evaluation of the four groups was undertaken 3
years after the end of the study period, to allow maturation of the costs of
the claims (adjusted to July 1998 consumer price index) and hours lost from
work. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that implementation of the
recommendations significantly reduced numbers and rates of injury, but not the severity
of injury, in the cleaning services study group. There was no difference in
numbers or severity of injuries for the comparison groups before and after
implementation of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The recommendation of the
consultative team can produce a meaningful and sustained reduction in rates of
injury within an at risk population. The results support a consultative
approach to reducing workplace injuries from manual handling. The team process
has potential for application to occupational groups at risk of exposure to
other types of hazards.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH [2002].
Effectiveness of a workplace risk assessment team in reducing the rate, cost,
and duration of occupational injury. J Occup Environ Med 44(2):155–159.
Abstract. Evaluates the
effectiveness of a consultative workplace risk assessment team in reducing the
rate and severity of injury among cleaners within a 600-bed hospital. Cohorts
of Cleaning Services and Orderly Services staff ever employed within both a
4-year pre-intervention and a 3-year post-intervention period were assigned to
the intervention and comparison groups respectively. The date, compensation
claims' cost, and hours lost from work were obtained for each injury during the
study period. Age, gender, work experience and hours worked were ascertained
for every subject whether injured or not. Reductions of two thirds in injury
rate, 73 per cent in cost rate, and 43 per cent in duration rate were evident in
the intervention group. In comparison the orderlies experienced a
post-intervention increase in all three rates. It is concluded that the success
of the workplace risk assessment team intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of work-place
injury.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJW, Lee AH, Yau KKW Effectiveness of a participatory workplace
risk assessment team in reducing the risk and severity of musculoskeletal
injury [2002]. J Occup Health 44(4):221–225.
Abstract. This study
evaluates the effectiveness of a participatory workplace risk assessment team
(the intervention) in reducing the rate and severity of musculoskeletal and
non-musculoskeletal injuries among a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital
setting. The date, workers' compensation claims cost and hours lost from work
were obtained for each injury occurring during the 4-yr pre-intervention and
3-yr post-intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked during the
study period, were ascertained for every cleaner whether injured or not. For
musculoskeletal injuries, the intervention was associated with significant
reductions of two-thirds in injury rate, 65% in workers' compensation claims cost
per hour worked, and 40% in hours lost per hour worked. Cleaners also
experienced a significant two-third post-intervention reduction in
non-musculoskeletal injury rate; but the corresponding changes in severity
rates were not significant. The intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of musculoskeletal
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Carrivick PJ, Lee AH, Yau KK,
Stevenson MR [2005]. Evaluating the effectiveness of a participatory approach
in reducing the risk and severity of injuries from manual handling. Ergonomics 48(8):907–914.
Abstract. Manual handling
is the greatest contributor to non-fatal injury and disease in the workplace,
commonly accounting for one-third of national injury counts. Interventional
strategies that have focused on selecting or modifying the worker have been
ineffective in reducing injury risk. In recent times, participatory ergonomics
has been widely adopted as a process to reduce the risk of injury from manual
handling but it is not well validated as an intervention. This study evaluated
the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics risk assessment approach in
reducing the rate and severity of injuries from manual and non-manual handling
sustained by a cohort of 137 cleaners within a hospital setting. The date of
injury and the workers' compensation claim cost and hours lost from work were
obtained for each injury incurred during the 4-year pre-intervention and 3-year
intervention period. The age, gender and hours worked were ascertained for
every cleaner whether injured or not. Using generalized linear mixed modeling
analysis, reductions of rate of injury by two-thirds, workers compensation
claim costs by 62% and hours lost by 35% for manual handling injuries were
found to be associated with the intervention period. Although the cleaners
experienced a significant intervention period reduction in non-manual handling
injury rate, the corresponding changes in severity of injury were not
significant. The success of the intervention supports the adoption of a
participatory ergonomics approach in reducing the rate and consequence of
injuries in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; INJURIES
Clean sweep: Molly Maid brushes up
its approach to health and safety [2001]. Safety mosaic 4(1):4–5.
Abstract: Housekeeping
services can be a hazardous business. From potentially dangerous chemicals and
equipment risks to slips and trips, and strains and sprains, staying safe at
work takes education, knowledge and reinforcement. This article describes how
one London, Ont. Molly Maid franchise makes health and safety a top priority.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS
Crum AJ, Langer EJ [2007]. Mind-set
matters: exercise and the placebo effect. Psychol Sci 18(2):165–171.
Abstract. In a study
testing whether the relationship between exercise and health is moderated by
one's mind-set, 84 female room attendants working in seven different hotels
were measured on physiological health variables affected by exercise. Those in
the informed condition were told that the work they do (cleaning hotel rooms)
is good exercise and satisfies the Surgeon General's recommendations for an
active lifestyle. Examples of how their work was exercise were provided.
Subjects in the control group were not given this information. Although actual
behavior did not change, 4 weeks after the intervention, the informed group
perceived themselves to be getting significantly more exercise than before. As
a result, compared with the control group, they showed a decrease in weight,
blood pressure, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. These
results support the hypothesis that exercise affects health in part or in whole
via the placebo effect.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS
Demirturk N, Demirdal T [2006]. Effect of a training program for hospital
cleaning staff on prevention of hospital-acquired infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 27:1410–1412.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Flyvholm MA, Frydendall Jensen K
[2008]. Experiences with implementation of evidence-based prevention programs
to prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations. G Ital Dermatol
Venereol 143(1):71–78.
Abstract. Occupational
skin diseases are among the most frequently recognized occupational diseases in
many industrialized countries. This paper describes and review experiences with
implementation of interventions to prevent occupational skin diseases in
different occupational settings representing the food processing industry and a
hospital. The study populations were gut cleaners with all participants being
exposed to wet work, cheese dairies and a hospital where all employees were included.
The effect of implementation of evidence-based prevention programs were tested
by questionnaire surveys on baseline and follow-up. A significant reduction in
eczema at hands or forearms was observed among gut cleaners. At cheese dairies
the eczema frequencies were low except for a comparison dairy where significant
changes were seen. At the hospital a non significant reduction in hand eczema
was observed. Changes related to use of protective measures and knowledge on
prevention of occupational skin diseases were observed. A process evaluation
carried out at the gut cleaning departments showed association between the
eczema frequency at follow-up, activities related to prevention and
implementation of an occupational health management system. In addition to
documenting the scientific background for evidence-based prevention programs to
prevent occupational skin diseases in different occupations, both the study
population and the study design should be considered carefully when testing the
implementation of workplace interventions. These aspects may influence the
outcome in different directions and either facilitate or hamper the
possibilities to provide scientific documentation of the effect of the
intervention tested.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Health and Safety Executive [2007].
Preventing contact dermatitis at work. London: HSE Books.
Abstract: Aimed at
workers, this leaflet explains that contact dermatitis can be caused by contact
with a wide range of substances including detergents, toiletries, chemicals and
even some natural products. While it can concern all parts of the body, the
hands are most commonly affected. Contents: definition and description of
contact dermatitis; high risk-jobs and workplaces (health care personnel,
hairdressers, printers, cleaners, metal workers); prevention (substitution,
automation, enclosure, protective gloves); legal aspects (compliance with the
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH, see CIS
03-1023). Replaces CIS 06-6. URL:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg233.pdf
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
DERMAL
Intilli H [1999]. The effects of
converting wheels on housekeeping carts in a large urban hotel. Program
evaluation. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 47(10):466–469
Abstract. Occupational
and environmental health nurses can identify the causes of injuries and use
analytical skills to show how the prevention of a problem can save the company
money and demonstrate a caring attitude from management. Nurses can expand
their traditional roles to position themselves as both advocates for the
employees and profit enhancers to management as demonstrated by this program
evaluation project. Initial outcomes included improved employee morale and
reduced soft tissue injuries in hotel housekeeping employees. Changes in the
workplace made by a proactive occupational and environmental health nurse and a
committed management can reap rewards beneficial for both the employer and the
work force.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES
Kumar
R, Chaikumarn M, Kumar S [2005]. Physiological, subjective, and
postural loads in passenger train wagon cleaning using a conventional and
redesigned cleaning too. Int J Ind Ergonomics 35(10):931–938.
Abstract: In this study,
cleaning process was studied and analyzed with special reference to cleaning
tools. A group of 13 professional cleaners participated in this study. While
they performed their normal tasks, their oxygen consumption, heart rate, rating
of perceived exertion and postural data were obtained. The perceived exertion
during cleaning task using the "redesigned cleaning tool" was less
than that of the "conventional cleaning tool". The oxygen consumption
when cleaning with the redesigned tool (mean 0.84 l/m, SD +/-0.17) was
significantly less (p < 0.05) compared to the conventional cleaning tool
(mean 0.94 l/m, SD +/- 0.18). Heart rate was also found significantly lower
using redesigned cleaning tool (mean 101 bpm, SD +/- 11.10) compared to that of
conventional cleaning tool (mean 105 bpm, SD +/- 12.59) (p < 0.05). Using
redesigned cleaning tool the trunk postural load was also found significantly
less than that of conventional cleaning tool (p <0.05). It is concluded that
redesigned cleaning tool allowed cleaners to maintain more upright posture when
cleaning, which reduced biomechanical load.
CATEGORIES: ERGONOMICS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Landers M, Maguire L [2004]. Effects
of a work injury prevention program for housekeeping in the hotel industry.
Work 22(3):239–246.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The
aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of a work
injury prevention program in the housekeeping department of a hotel. Studies
have validated the use of different injury prevention strategies to decrease
the incidence of work-related injuries. Few studies, however, have reported the
efficacy of an on-site work injury prevention program by a physical therapist.
STUDY DESIGN: In 1995, implementation of a work injury prevention program by a
physical therapist to 50 housekeeping supervisors, 60 house persons and 340
guest room attendants at a large hotel began. This program included a detailed
work risk analysis of the work environment, development of job descriptions,
identification of injury-related problematic work situations, and
implementation of a job specific supervisor-training program. Supervisor, house
person and guest room attendant training was also conducted at the end of 1995 and
the beginning of 1997. RESULTS: Data of injury reports in 1995, 1996, and 1997
were analyzed to determine the results of the program. There was a reduction in
total injury claims, total medical expenses, total lost work time and total
restricted duty time. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the cost
effectiveness of implementing a work injury prevention program for housekeeping
guest room attendants in the hotel industry.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Landstad B, Vinberg S, Ivergård T,
Gelin G, Ekholm J [2001]. Change in pattern of absenteeism as a result of
workplace intervention for personnel support. Ergonomics 44(1):63–81.
Abstract: The aim was to
investigate whether a preventive intervention carried out in a predominantly
female workplace: that of hospital cleaners (consisting of a group of 97 women)
had any effect on patterns of absenteeism. As a background, a model for
analyzing complex patterns of absenteeism, including sickness absences, was
also developed. A further aim was to study the interactions between different
forms of absenteeism. Comparison was made with a reference group consisting of
employees in the same job category who only received the customary personnel
support. For individuals in the intervention group who were <42 years of
age, total absence due to sickness decreased. In a multiple regression
analysis, the contribution from the intervention to the decrease was
significant at the 5% level. This change was particularly obvious in those who
had a previous history of high absence due to sickness. No clear relationship
was shown between short-term absenteeism and the interventions applied. For
those who were >42 years, short-term absence decreased for those who had
been in the same jobs for a long time. The combination of increased age and
experience showed a tendency to enhance this decline in short-term absenteeism
due to sickness. For those >42 years, and who at the same time have a
previous history of high absenteeism, long-term absenteeism due to sickness
seemed to be increasing. Increased experience tended to reduce this increase in
long-term sickness absence. This combination of different effects possibly
indicated the presence of a process of selection which determined who remained
in the job as opposed to those who did not. An important conclusion is that
different forms of absenteeism need to be looked at in parallel, and at the
same time multivariate statistical analysis needs to be carried out to
determine the different interactions between the factors.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Lee PT, Krause N [2002]. The impact
of a worker health study on working conditions. J Public Health Policy 23(3):268–285.
Abstract. A research
partnership of representatives from labor, academia, and public health enabled
unionized San Francisco hotel workers to achieve important policy changes in
workplace health and safety. Known as the "Housekeeping Study," the
project took sixteen months to complete. A unique aspect of the project was
that it utilized participatory action research methods, involving workers
themselves as full participants in the study. A core group of 25 hotel room
cleaners was involved in each phase of the project. The study developed health
data which enabled room cleaners and their union to formulate and justify a
contract proposal calling for a significant reduction in housekeeping
workloads. The employer association agreed to a contract which reduced the
maximum required room assignment from 15 rooms to 14 rooms per day in 14 San
Francisco hotels. By lowering the maximum work assignment, these workers set a
new standard which can potentially protect the health of room cleaners across
the country. The project can serve as a model for worker and union participation
in academic research, as well as for the application of research to improving
working conditions, particularly for low-wage immigrant workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Lugwe LY (1994). Room attendants training programs as a prerequisite
to job satisfaction (Master´s thesis). Providence, RI: Johnson and Wales
University.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Magnini VP, Lee G, Kim B
(2011). The cascading affective consequences of exercise among hotel workers.
Int J Contemporary Hospitality Management. 23(5):624-642. http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald-publishing/the-cascading-affective-consequences-of-exercise-among-hotel-workers-YakyiKqPPn
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Messing K, Vezina N, Major M, Ouellet S, Tissot F, Couture V, Riel J
(2008). Body maps: an indicator of physical pain for worker-oriented ergonomics
interventions. Policy Practice in Health and Safety 2:31-49.
Abstract. Work-related
musculoskeletal health damage causes pain and suffering, and can lead to
disability. To prevent it, it is important to detect not only diagnosed
musculoskeletal disorders but also early signs of impending damage. Workers
have important information on workplace risks and health damage, and should be
involved in the process of identifying damage. However, controversy surrounds
the pain reports of workers and their claims for compensation. We have found
that a body map is a useful tool for systematising and analysing workers' pain
reports.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; PAIN; ERGONOMICS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Michaud J (2006). Training helps housekeepers tackle big job. Hotel
and Motel Management 221(16):24. http://www.hospitalitypla.net/training-helps-housekeepers-tackle-big-job.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Mygind K, Sell L, Flyvholm MA,
Frydendall JK [2006]. High-fat petrolatum-based moisturizers and prevention of
work-related skin problems in wet-work operations. Contact Dermatitis 54(1):35–41.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to explore whether a high-fat petrolatum-based moisturizer could
be an alternative to protective gloves in wet-work occupations. The study
population consisted of gut cleaners in Danish swine slaughterhouses, divided
into intervention and comparison groups. The intervention group was given
written and oral information on the use of gloves and skin care. Data were
collected by telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire. 644 (88%)
gut cleaners responded at baseline and 622 (72%) at a one-year follow-up. In
the intervention group, the eczema frequency was reduced significantly.
Detailed analyses revealed that protective gloves were the most effective means
of protection and did not indicate that a high-fat moisturizer could be an
alternative. A continuous focus on prevention of skin problems with information
and discussions on the shop floor seemed to be most important for reducing skin
problems.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Selwitz R (2001). Safety training valuable to housekeepers, hotels.
Hotel and Motel Management 216(7):54. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3072/is_7_216/ai_n27566896/
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
Skoglind-Ohman I, Shahnavaz H [2004].
Assessment of future workshop's usefulness as an ergonomics tool. Int J Occup
Safe Ergonomics 10(2):119–128.
Abstract. This study was
carried out to assess Future Workshop (FW) regarding its usefulness as a
participatory ergonomics method, using a descriptive evaluation design analyzed
by phenomenographical approach. The study was conducted among professional
cleaners, health care personnel and miners, with a sample of 105 participating
subjects in 8 different FWs. Multiple methods, giving a combination of both
qualitative and quantitative data, were used for data collection. Good
involvement of participants was observed during workshops. Evaluations
immediately after FWs and 3 months later showed a strong relationship with high
correlation, indicating that the perception of FW participants was very
positive. Interviews revealed conformity between developed problem
identification and proposed changes. Participants' own perceptions of FW's
influence on creativity depict their belief of developed ideas and solutions in
order to identify and solve workplace problems. FW is considered to be a useful
ergonomics tool, and its qualities are related to structure and practical
performance.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
ERGONOMICS
Toivanen H, Helin P, Hänninen O
[1993]. Impact of regular relaxation training and psychosocial working factors
on neck-shoulder tension and absenteeism in hospital cleaners. J Occup Med 35(11):1123–1130.
Abstract. Occupational
stress in hospital cleaners (n = 50), and the effect of relaxation training (n
= 25, age matched, randomized), were studied by recording the electrical
activity of the upper trapezius muscle at rest and during working conditions at
the beginning, middle, and end of a 6-month follow-up period. A short
(15-minute) relaxation program was practiced daily at the workplace to provide
stress management. The amount of sick leave was counted, and the extent of
depression and some psychosocial working factors were screened.
Intercorrelations were found between the neck-shoulder tension, psychosocial
factors, depression, and the absentee rate. The relaxation training diminished
tension in the neck-shoulder region efficiently; nevertheless, the decrease in
absenteeism might have been related mainly to the social support offered by the
research maneuver itself.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Toivanen H, Laensimies E [1993].
Impact of regular relaxation training on the cardiac autonomic nervous system
of hospital cleaners and bank employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 19(5):319–325.
Abstract: Work related
strain of female hospital cleaners and female bank employees were recorded
during a period of rationalization in the workplace and the effect of daily
relaxation to help the workers cope was tested. Results suggest that
occupational strain caused the functioning of the autonomic nervous system to
deteriorate. Regular deep relaxation normalized the function and improved the
ability to cope.
CATEGORIES: INTERVENTION STRATEGIES;
HOSPITAL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Weisshaar E, Radulescu M, Soder S,
Apfelbacher CJ, Bock M, Grundmann JU, Albrecht U, Diepgen TL [2007]. Secondary individual prevention of occupational skin diseases in health
care workers, cleaners and kitchen employees: aims, experiences and descriptive
results. Int Arch Occup
Environ Health 80(6):477–484.
Abstract: Objectives Due
to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care
workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and
skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on
educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the
participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimizing
diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). Methods Participants
are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin
disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance
Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on
basics of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases.
Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct
implementation of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every participant
is seen by a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history and performing
a skin examination. All this results in working out individually adapted and
professional skin protection strategies. Results In total, 791 participants (93
men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six hundred and
sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and 124
patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550) and
in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or
allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most
frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61).
According to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course
as good to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while
attending the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. Conclusions: There is a
high need for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional
therapy in occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases
and maintenance of health through educational programmes are important
complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered
professions.
CATEGORIES: DERMAL; HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Zarate-Abbott P, Etnyre A, Gilliland
I, Mahon M, Allwein D, Cook J, Mikan V, Rauschhuber M, Sethness R, Munoz L,
Lowry J, Jones ME. Workplace health
promotion--strategies for low-income Hispanic immigrant women. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 56(5).
Abstract. Addressing
health disparities for vulnerable populations in the United States is a
national goal. Immigrant Hispanic women, at increased risk for heart disease,
face obstacles in receiving adequate health care. Health promotion, especially
for Hispanic women, is hindered by language, access to care, lack of insurance,
and cultural factors. Innovative health education approaches are needed to
reach this population. This article describes the development and evaluation of
a culturally sensitive cardiac health education program based on findings from
a study of 21 older immigrant Hispanic women employed as housekeepers at a
small university in south Texas. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures had
decreased 17 months after the intervention.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES; ERGONOMICS
DHPE [2008]. Focusing the lens: exploring the impact of job stress among
Hispanic/Latina blue-collar workers. By Griffin-Blake S, Alarcon-Yohe M,
Berktold J, Liburd L. Washington,
DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Directors of Health
Promotion and Education.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Finch, BK, Kolody B, Vega WA [2000].
Perceived discrimination and depression among Mexican-origin adults in
California. J Health Soc Behav 41(3):295–313.
Abstract. This study
provided a test of the minority status stress model by examining
whether perceived discrimination would directly affect health
outcomes even when perceived stress was taken into account among 215
Mexican-origin adults. Perceived discrimination predicted depression
and poorer general health, and marginally predicted health symptoms,
when perceived stress was taken into account. Perceived stress
predicted depression and poorer general health while controlling for
the effects of perceived discrimination. The influence of perceived
discrimination on general health was greater for men than women, and
the effect of perceived stress on depression was greater for women
than men. Results provide evidence that discrimination is a source
of chronic stress above and beyond perceived stress, and the
accumulation of these two sources of stress is detrimental to mental
and physical health. Findings suggest that mental health and health
practitioners need to assess for the effects of discrimination as
a stressor along with perceived stress.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Flores LY, Deal JZ (2003). Work-related pain in Mexican American
custodial workers. Hispanic J Behavioral Sciences 25(2):254-270.
Abstract: Mexican American janitors and
custodians are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
These injuries may render them physically disabled, unable to provide for themselves and
their families, and dependent on an already strained public health care system. Despite
this growing health crisis and the United States’s growing Latino population, no research
has been published examining musculoskeletal pain among Mexican American
custodial workers. In this article, the authors examine the working and social conditions
of Mexican American service workers, as well as the reasons why there is so little
research on this population. The authors present results from a study they conducted and
discuss the implications of their findings for future research with this population. http://hjb.sagepub.com/content/25/2/254.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT WORKERS; MSDs; PAIN; INJURIES
Higley J (1997). Language barrier leads to resignations. Hotel and
Motel Management 212(9):20.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Lee PT, Krause N [2002]. The impact
of a worker health study on working conditions. J Public Health Policy 23(3):268–285.
Abstract. A research
partnership of representatives from labor, academia, and public health enabled
unionized San Francisco hotel workers to achieve important policy changes in workplace
health and safety. Known as the "Housekeeping Study," the project
took sixteen months to complete. A unique aspect of the project was that it
utilized participatory action research methods, involving workers themselves as
full participants in the study. A core group of 25 hotel room cleaners was
involved in each phase of the project. The study developed health data which
enabled room cleaners and their union to formulate and justify a contract
proposal calling for a significant reduction in housekeeping workloads. The
employer association agreed to a contract which reduced the maximum required
room assignment from 15 rooms to 14 rooms per day in 14 San Francisco hotels.
By lowering the maximum work assignment, these workers set a new standard which
can potentially protect the health of room cleaners across the country. The
project can serve as a model for worker and union participation in academic
research, as well as for the application of research to improving working
conditions, particularly for low-wage immigrant workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean
room”: hotel housekeepers in Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Pranski G, Moshenberg D, Benjamin K,
Portillo S, Thackrey JL, Hill-Fotouhi C [2002]. Occupational risks and injuries
in nonagricultural immigrant Latino workers. Am J Ind Med 42(2):117–123.
Abstract: To investigate occupational health in urban immigrant Latino
workers, a survey was conducted through door-to-door interviews. The response
rate was 80% (n=427). The average time of residence in the United States was
7.6 years, and the average job tenure was 2.8 years. 27% of the respondents
reported exposures to over 10 different hazards, and 18% believed these hazards
had harmed their health. Only 31% had received job safety training. 55% had no
workers' compensation coverage. Among the 11% with a work injury in the past
three years, 27% reported difficulty obtaining treatment, 91% lost time from
work (median=13 days) and 29% had to change jobs because of the injury. The
annual occupational injury rate was 12.2/100 full-time workers, compared to an
expected rate of 7.1.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
INJURIES
Premji S, Krause N (2010). Disparities by ethnicity, language, and
immigrant status in occupational health experiences among Las Vegas hotel room
cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:960-975.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: We
examined disparities in workers' occupational health experiences. METHODS: We surveyed 941 unionized Las Vegas hotel room cleaners
about their experiences with work-related pain and with employers, physicians,
and workers' compensation. Data were analyzed for all workers and by ethnicity,
language, and immigrant status. RESULTS: Hispanic and English as second language (ESL) workers
were more likely than their counterparts to report work-related pain and, along
with immigrant workers, to miss work because of this pain. Hispanic, ESL, and
immigrant workers were not consistently at a disadvantage with regard to their
own responses to work-related pain but were so with respect to reported
responses by workers' compensation, physicians, and employers. CONCLUSIONS: There are indications of disparities
in occupational health experiences within this job title. The use of different
group classifications, while implying different mechanisms, produced similar
results.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS: PAIN; HEALTH DISPARITIES
Zarate-Abbott P, Etnyre A, Gilliland
I, Mahon M, Allwein D, Cook J, Mikan V, Rauschhuber M, Sethness R, Munoz L,
Lowry J, Jones ME. Workplace health
promotion--strategies for low-income Hispanic immigrant women. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 56(5).
Abstract. Addressing
health disparities for vulnerable populations in the United States is a
national goal. Immigrant Hispanic women, at increased risk for heart disease,
face obstacles in receiving adequate health care. Health promotion, especially
for Hispanic women, is hindered by language, access to care, lack of insurance,
and cultural factors. Innovative health education approaches are needed to
reach this population. This article describes the development and evaluation of
a culturally sensitive cardiac health education program based on findings from
a study of 21 older immigrant Hispanic women employed as housekeepers at a
small university in south Texas. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures had
decreased 17 months after the intervention.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Alamgir H, Yu S [2008]. Epidemiology
of occupational injury among cleaners in the healthcare sector. Occup Med 58(6):393–399.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The
cleaning profession has been associated with multiple ergonomic and chemical
hazards which elevate the risk for occupational injury. AIMS: This study
investigated the epidemiology of occupational injury among cleaners in
healthcare work settings in the Canadian province of British Columbia. METHODS:
Incidents of occupational injury among cleaners, resulting in lost time from
work or medical care, over a period of 1 year in two healthcare regions were
extracted from a standardized operational database and with person-years
obtained from payroll data. Detailed analysis was conducted using Poisson
regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 145 injuries were identified among
cleaners, with an annual incidence rate of 32.1 per 100 person-years. After
adjustment for age, gender, subsector, facility, experience and employment
status, Poisson regression models demonstrated that a significantly higher
relative risk (RR) of all injury, musculoskeletal injury and cuts was
associated with cleaning work in acute care facilities, compared with long-term
care facilities. Female cleaners were at a higher RR of all injuries and contusions
than male cleaners. A lower risk of all injury and allergy and irritation
incidents among part-time or casual workers was found. Cleaners with >10
years of experience were at significantly lower risk for all injury, contusion
and allergy and irritation incidents. CONCLUSION: Cleaners were found to be at
an elevated risk of all injury categories compared with healthcare workers in
general.
Tags: Healthcare cleaners; Injuries;
MSDs; Dermal; Respiratory
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA
wrist/hand cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES; ERGONOMICS
Bergqvist
U, Wolgast E, Nilsson B, Voss M [1995]. Musculoskeletal disorders among
visual display terminal workers: individual, ergonomic, and work organizational
factors. Ergonomics 38:763–776.
Abstract. A number of
individual, ergonomic, and organizational factors of presumed importance for
the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders were investigated in a group of 260
visual display terminal (VDT) workers. The cross-sectional study utilized
medical and workplace investigations as well as questionnaires. The results
were subjected to a multivariate analysis in order to find the major factors
associated with various upper-body muscular problems. Several such factors were
identified for each investigated type of musculoskeletal problem. Some were
related to the individual: age, gender, woman with children at home, use of
spectacles, smoking, stomach-related stress reactions, and negative
affectivity. Organizational variables of importance were opportunities for
flexible rest breaks, extreme peer contacts, task flexibility, and overtime.
Identified ergonomic variables were static work posture, hand position, use of
lower arm support, repeated work movements, and keyboard or VDT vertical
position.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Bongers PM, Kremer AM, ter Laak J
[2002]. Are psychosocial factors, risk factors for symptoms and signs of the
shoulder, elbow, or hand/wrist? A review of the epidemiological literature. Am
J Ind Med 41(5): 315–342.
Background
In 1993, an extensive review on the role of psychosocial factors in the
development of musculoskeletal problems was published by Bongers et al (1993).
Since then, additional reviews on this topic have been published; however, none
of these focused on upper limb problems. Methods In this systematic review, the
methodological quality of all studies was assessed and levels of evidence were
apriori defined. Results: The large majority of the studies reported an
association between at least one work-related psychosocial factor and adverse
upper extremity symptoms or signs. High perceived job stress was consistently
associated with all upper extremity problems (UEP) in high and lower quality
studies. Although not often studied, non-work-related stress was also
consistently associated with UEP. In addition, there was some evidence for a
relationship between high job demands and UEP, although the results did not
meet the pre-set criterion for consistency. Conclusions High job stress and
non-work-related stress reactions are consistently associated with UEP. In
addition, high job demands is also in most studies associated with these
disorders. Firm conclusions on the role of these factors in the etiology of UEP
are not possible due to the cross-sectional nature of most studies. Am. J. Ind.
Med. 41:315-342, 2002.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; MSDs; REVIEW
ARTICLES
Susan Buchanan, Pamela Vossenas,
Niklas Krause, Joan Moriarty, Eric Frumin, Jo Anna Shimek, Franklin Mirer, Peter Orris, and
Laura Punnett, (2009) Occupational Injury Disparities in the US Hotel Industry.
Am. J. Ind. Med. (coming in January)
Abstract. Background Hotel
employees have higher rates of occupational injury and sustain more severe
injuries than most other service workers. Method OSHA log incidents from five
unionized hotel companies for a three-year period were analyzed to estimate
injury rates by job, company, and demographic characteristics. Room cleaning
work, known to be physically hazardous, was of particular concern. Results A
total of 2,865 injuries were reported during 55,327 worker-years of
observation. The overall injury rate was 5.2 injuries per 100 worker-years. The
rate was highest for housekeepers (7.9), Hispanic housekeepers (10.6), and
about double in three companies versus two others. Acute trauma rates were
highest in kitchen workers (4.0/100) and housekeepers (3.9/100); housekeepers
also had the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders (3.2/100). Age, being
female or Hispanic, job title, and company were all independently associated
with injury risk. Conclusion Sex- and ethnicity-based disparities in injury
rates were only partially due to the type of job held and the company in which
the work was performed.
KEY
WORDS: occupational injury; hotel workers; housekeepers; musculoskeletal
disorders;
health disparities
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Cleaners mopped up by injuries [1999].
J Occup Health Safety Environ 3(5):8
Abstract: Looks at the
findings of a research report, "Musculoskeletal health of cleaners",
funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the trade union UNISON. The
results of a postal survey of 5,000 cleaning staff and follow-up ergonomic risk
assessments indicate widespread musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often
leading to time off work. The high risks of such pain have been associated with
equipment design, job organization and poor training. HSE and UNISON will be
holding a seminar for equipment manufacturers, employers and worker
representatives in London on 28 September 1999, to review the study's
recommendations.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; INJURIES; PAIN;
ERGONOMICS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Flores LY, Deal JZ (2003). Work-related pain in Mexican American
custodial workers. Hispanic J Behavioral Sciences 25(2):254-270.
Abstract: Mexican American janitors and
custodians are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
These injuries may render them physically disabled, unable to provide for themselves and
their families, and dependent on an already strained public health care system. Despite
this growing health crisis and the United States’s growing Latino population, no research
has been published examining musculoskeletal pain among Mexican American
custodial workers. In this article, the authors examine the working and social conditions
of Mexican American service workers, as well as the reasons why there is so little
research on this population. The authors present results from a study they conducted and
discuss the implications of their findings for future research with this population. http://hjb.sagepub.com/content/25/2/254.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT WORKERS; MSDs; PAIN; INJURIES
Frumin E, Moriarty J, Vossenas P, Halpin J, Orris P, Krause N, Punnett
L (2006). Workload-related musculoskeletal disorders among hotel housekeepers:
employer records reveal a growing national problem. http://www.hotelworkersrising.org/pdf/hskpr_analysis0406.pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Goggins R (2007). Hazards of cleaning strategies for reducing exposures
to ergonomic risk factors. Professional Safety 52(3).
Abstract: Cleaning workers are found in every setting and the work that
they do is essential in every industry. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS, 2005), more than 4 million people are employed as cleaning
workers in the U.S., many working in low-paying, temporary or part-time jobs,
with little opportunity for training or advancement. Much of the work is
performed in the evening or at night, and many of these workers also have
another job, attend school or perform other duties during the day. These
working conditions combine to create a high turnover rate—estimated to be as
high as 300% (Valentine & C&MM Staff, 1998; SEIU, 2006). Cleaning work
creates exposure to many hazards, including wet floors, working on ladders, use
of chemicals and motor vehicle accidents. Cleaning workers also are exposed to
risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as lifting, carrying,
awkward postures, repetitive motions and high hand forces. These exposures
result in a high rate of injuries. According to Washington state workers'
compensation data from the Department of Labor and Industries (DLI, 2006),
cleaning workers have an annual incidence rate of 10.4 new injury claims per
100 full-time equivalents (FTEs), while the overall service industry sector in
Washington has an incidence rate of 5.8 per 100 FTEs and the general industry
incidence rate is 6.9 per 100 FTEs. By way of comparison, BLS (2005) reports a
recordable injury incidence rate of 3.9 per 100 FTEs for janitorial services,
which is less than the national incidence rate for all of private industry (4.6
per 100 FTEs). The large difference in numbers between Washington state and
national injury rates may be explained by underreporting of injuries in BLS
statistics (Leigh, Marcin & Miller, 2004). A review of Washington state
workers' compensation data (DLI, 2006) reveals that the largest single category
of injury and illness claims among cleaning workers is overexertion, followed
by struck by and against, and falls. Exposure to chemicals and motor vehicle
accidents were also significant categories of interest (Figure 1, p. 22).
Looking at severity of claims, overexertion and falls accounted for the most
days of time loss, while many of the struck by and against claims appear to be
of low severity, accounting for a relatively small percentage of all time loss
days (Figure 2, p. 22). Overexertion claims, primarily MSDs, were reported as
occurring in all phases of cleaning work, while many of the falls were reported
as occurring while working on ladders, while sweeping or vacuuming stairs, or
while mopping floors. Each phase of cleaning work presents unique risk factors
for MSDs. Fortunately, much attention has been focused on MSDs in cleaning work
and new technologies offer opportunities to reduce the risk of injury. This
article reviews risk factors present in common cleaning tasks and describes
some solutions. Risk factors and some potential solutions are summarized in
(figure in paper) Dusting and Scrubbing. One risk factor introduced by dusting
and scrubbing with cloths and brushes is awkward postures, especially reaching
overhead, and bending, kneeling or squatting to clean at floor level.
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; INJURIES;
ERGONOMICS; MSDs
Health and Safety Executive [2003].
Caring for cleaners: guidance and case studies on how to prevent
musculoskeletal disorders. London: HSE Books.
CATEGORIES: MSDs
Holtermann A, Blangsted AK,
Christensen H, Hansen K, Søgaard K [2009]. What characterizes cleaners
sustaining good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work?
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82(8):1015–1022.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: The
aim of this case-control study was to investigate characteristics of cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work.
METHODS: One hundred and 41 female seniority cleaners participated. Twenty-five
reported no musculoskeletal symptoms, whereas 83 reported severe symptoms in
the low back, neck shoulders or upper limbs. The groups were of matching age,
height, body weight and seniority (19 years). Muscular strength was recorded by
isometric maximal voluntary contractions on a day without pain. Exposure to
physical risk factors at work, psychosocial work factors, and leisure time
physical activity were assessed by a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health were not reporting different exposure to
physical risk factors at work or leisure time physical activity, but had higher
muscular strength and reported higher influence at work than cleaners with
severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that muscular strength and
influence at work are of relevance for sustaining good musculoskeletal health
in workers with physically heavy work.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WORK STRESS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Kim JE, Moon DH (2010). Job characteristics and musculoskeletal
symptom prevalence in hotel employees. Korean J Occup Health Nurs
19(2):190-204.
Abstract: PURPOSE: This
study was conducted to obtain the fundamental data on prevention and management
of musculoskeletal symptoms, and to assess the prevalence, risk factors and job
characteristics of musculoskeletal symptoms in hotel employees. METHODS: The
work sampling analysis was carried out by OWAS, and the prevalence was surveyed
in term of NIOSH diagnostic criteria and work related risk factors on 263 hotel
employees in Busan, Korea, using structured self-administered questionnaire
from Jan. 20 to Feb. 26, 2010. The collected data were analysed by the SPSS
18.0. RESULTS: 1) The prevailing rate of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH
diagnostic criteria was 43.80% for total subjects and 27.91% for shoulders,
12.79% for neck, and 11.24% for back/waist, respectively. 2) Factors affecting
the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were examined and multivariate
logistic regression analysis was performed. As a result, women, having a burden
of musculoskeletal work, increased work time in case of a higher risk of the
prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.1). 3) The body parts and the
department with the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms showed a significant
difference (P<0.05) compared with symptoms on shoulders, arms/elbows, and
ankles/feet. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH
diagnostic criteria in hotel employees was relatively high showing 43.80% for
total subjects and higher in departments of laundry, reservations, cooking,
food & beverage, dishwashing, and room cleaning than others.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; MSDs
Kumar R, Kumar S [2008].
Musculoskeletal risk factors in cleaning occupation – a literature review. Int
J Ind Ergonomics 38(2):158–170.
Abstract: The objective
of this literature survey on risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among
cleaners was to identify recommended practices, problems, and unresolved
issues. The most frequently-cited factors were found to be the high physical
and psychosocial workloads. Recommended ergonomic interventions are summarized
in a model to present a systematic overview, useful for research and practical
applications.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; MSDs
Messing K (2004). Physical exposures in work commonly done by women.
Can J Appl Physiol 29(5):639-656.
Abstract. The North American work force is still highly sex-segregated,
with most members of each sex in jobs composed primarily of workers of the same
sex. This division is accentuated when jobs involve physical demands. Women
have traditionally been assigned to tasks whose physical demands are considered
to be light. Nevertheless, these tasks can have biological effects, sometimes
serious. Phenomena related to physical demands of women's work can be
considered in three categories: (a) musculoskeletal and cardiovascular demands
of tasks often assigned to women in factories and service work; (b) sex- and
gender-specific effects of toxic substances found in the workplace; and (c)
interactions between work and the domestic responsibilities of many women.
These phenomena are described, using examples recently gathered from
workplaces. Effects of biological sex are distinguished, as far as possible,
from effects of gender (social roles).
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; MSDs; CVD;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Messing K, Vezina N, Major M, Ouellet S, Tissot F, Couture V, Riel J
(2008). Body maps: an indicator of physical pain for worker-oriented ergonomics
interventions. Policy Practice in Health and Safety 2:31-49.
Abstract. Work-related
musculoskeletal health damage causes pain and suffering, and can lead to
disability. To prevent it, it is important to detect not only diagnosed
musculoskeletal disorders but also early signs of impending damage. Workers
have important information on workplace risks and health damage, and should be
involved in the process of identifying damage. However, controversy surrounds
the pain reports of workers and their claims for compensation. We have found
that a body map is a useful tool for systematising and analysing workers' pain
reports.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; PAIN; ERGONOMICS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Nordander C, Ohlsson K, Åkesson I, Arvidsson I, Balogh I, Hansson G,
Skerfving S (2009). Risk of musculoskeletal disorders among females and males
in repetitive/constrained work. Ergonomics 52(10):1226-1239.
Abstract. This paper combines epidemiological data on musculoskeletal
morbidity in 40 female and 15 male occupational groups (questionnaire data 3720
females, 1241 males, physical examination data 1762 females, 915 males) in
order to calculate risk for neck and upper limb disorders in
repetitive/constrained vs. varied/mobile work and further to compare prevalence
among office, industrial and non-office/non-industrial settings, as well as
among jobs within these. Further, the paper aims to compare the risk of
musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive/constrained work between females and
males. Prevalence ratios (PR) for repetitive/constrained vs. varied/mobile work
were in neck/shoulders: 12-month complaints females 1.2, males 1.1, diagnoses
at the physical examination 2.3 and 2.3. In elbows/hands PRs for complaints
were 1.7 and 1.6, for diagnoses 3.0 and 3.4. Tension neck syndrome,
cervicalgia, shoulder tendonitis, acromioclavicular syndrome, medial
epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome showed PRs > 2. In neck/shoulders
PRs were similar across office, industrial and non-office/non-industrial
settings, in elbows/hands, especially among males, somewhat higher in
industrial work. There was a heterogeneity within the different settings
(estimated by bootstrapping), indicating higher PRs for some groups. As in most
studies, musculoskeletal disorders were more prevalent among females than among
males. Interestingly, though, the PRs for repetitive/constrained work vs.
varied/mobile were for most measures approximately the same for both genders.
In conclusion, repetitive/constrained work showed elevated risks when compared
to varied/mobile work in all settings. Females and males showed similar risk
elevations. This article enables comparison of risk of musculoskeletal
disorders among many different occupations in industrial, office and other
settings, when using standardised case definitions. It confirms that
repetitive/constrained work is harmful not only in industrial but also in
office and non-office/non-industrial settings. The reported data can be used
for comparison with future studies.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS
Skov T, Borg V, Orhede E [1996].
Psychosocial and physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the
neck, shoulders, and lower back in salespeople. Occup Environ Med 53:351–356.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; MSDs
Woods V, Buckle P [2006].
Musculoskeletal ill health amongst cleaners and recommendations for work
organizational change. Int J Ind Ergonomics
36(1):61–72. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V31-4HDG93M1/2/ebce723e8430a39ded3a1b77292a8c4e)
Abstract: This paper
presents findings from an investigation into the musculoskeletal health of UK
cleaners. It focuses on cleaning work organization and practices, and
recommendations for supervisors and managers to work with cleaners to reduce
health and workplace problems. Questionnaire surveys of 1216 cleaners
throughout the UK, 130 assessments of cleaning tasks and interviews with 38
cleaners at 9 workplaces were undertaken to identify potential risk factors for
musculoskeletal ill health. Based on the findings of this participative study
and previous research [e.g. Kruger et al., 1997. Risk Assessment and Preventive
Strategies in Cleaning Work. Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Bremerhaven],
recommendations were presented to groups of cleaning supervisors, managers,
trainers, designers and manufacturers to ensure that advice provided for
reducing musculoskeletal ill health was practical for the industry. The recommendations
related to work organizational change (i.e. work scheduling and work practices
such as teamwork and job extension, communication/social support networks) and
organizational strategies (i.e. reporting systems for musculoskeletal ill
heath; procedures for risk assessment; training program design; equipment
selection; maintenance procedures; workplace changes). This paper concentrates
on only one part of the work system that influences musculoskeletal health;
recommendations on musculoskeletal health and cleaning equipment design/use are
reported elsewhere [Woods and Buckle, 2005]. An investigation into the design
and use of workplace cleaning equipment. International Journal of Industrial
Ergonomics 35, 247-266; Woods et al., 1999. Musculoskeletal Health of Cleaners.
HSE Books, Suffolk.].Relevance to industry: Cleaning is important, physically
demanding, labor-intensive work, conducted by millions worldwide. Managers and
supervisors should work with staff to improve organization of cleaning to ensure
better musculoskeletal health. The importance of organizational changes must be
recognized by others in the industry (e.g. employers, contract cleaning
managers, training organizations, manufacturers). Keywords: Cleaners;
Musculoskeletal ill health; Work organization; Scheduling; Workload; Social
support networks
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT; MSDs;
WORK STRESS
Burgel BJ, White MC, Gillen MG, Krause N (2010). Psychosocial work
factors and shoulder pain in hotel room cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:743-756.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hotel room cleaners have physically
demanding jobs that place them at high risk for shoulder pain. Psychosocial
work factors may also play a role in shoulder pain, but their independent role
has not been studied in this group. METHODS: Seventy-four percent (941 of
1,276) of hotel room cleaners from five Las Vegas hotels completed a 29-page
survey assessing health status, working conditions, and psychosocial work
factors. For this study, 493 of the 941 (52%) with complete data for 21
variables were included in multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS:
Fifty-six percent reported shoulder pain in the prior four weeks. Room cleaners
with effort-reward imbalance (ERI) were three times as likely to report
shoulder pain (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.95-4.59, P = 0.000) even after adjustment for
physical workload and other factors. After adjustment for physical workload,
job strain and iso-strain were not significantly associated with shoulder pain.
CONCLUSIONS: ERI is independently associated with shoulder pain in hotel room
cleaners even after adjustment for physical workload and other risk factors.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Cleaners mopped up by injuries
[1999]. J Occup Health Safety Environ 3(5):8
Abstract: Looks at the
findings of a research report, "Musculoskeletal health of cleaners",
funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the trade union UNISON. The
results of a postal survey of 5,000 cleaning staff and follow-up ergonomic risk
assessments indicate widespread musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often
leading to time off work. The high risks of such pain have been associated with
equipment design, job organization and poor training. HSE and UNISON will be
holding a seminar for equipment manufacturers, employers and worker
representatives in London on 28 September 1999, to review the study's
recommendations.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; INJURIES; PAIN;
ERGONOMICS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Davis K [2000]. The relationship
between psychosocial work characteristics and low back pain: underlying
methodological issues. Clin Biomech 15(6):389–406.
Abstract. BACKGROUND.
Psychosocial work characteristics have been widely evaluated as potential risk
factors for low back injury. However, studies with different study populations
and using various types of measures have had conflicting results.
METHODS.
This review is the most extensive to date, reviewing 66 articles that have
provided empirical evidence about the relationship between psychosocial work
characteristics and initial reporting of lower back pain. The studies are
reviewed with an emphasis on certain methodological issues: controlling for
potential confounding; timing of the data collection; and measurement of the
exposures and outcomes.
RESULTS.
The results of this review suggest that controlling for potential confounding
from occupational biomechanical demands had a large influence on the
associations found between psychosocial work characteristics and lower back
pain. In addition, the use of accurate and reliable measures for the
occupational exposures (biomechanical and psychosocial) and the lower back pain
outcomes appears to influence the strength of the associations found between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain. CONCLUSION. Given the
methodological concerns discussed in this review, it is difficult to draw
strong causal inferences from this literature. However, it does appear that
psychosocial characteristics are related to some lower back pain outcomes, and
that employees’ reactions to psychosocial work characteristics (e.g., job
dissatisfaction and job stress) are more consistently related to lower back
pain than are the psychosocial work characteristics themselves (e.g., work
overload, lack of influence over work, quality of relationships with
coworkers).Relevance: This review attempts to identify and address
methodological issues in the literature evaluating the relationship between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain. Implications for future research
are presented.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; WORK
STRESS; PAIN
Esbenshade J, Mitrosky M, Morgan E, Navarro M, Rotundi M, Vazquez C
92006). Profits, pain, and pillows: hotels and housekeepers in San Diego.
WorkingUSA: The Jounal of Labor and Society 9:265-292.
Abstract: The accommodations industry is
hitting record-breaking profits nationally and locally, often with subsidies
provided by government entities. Globalization is actually contributing to
rising employment and a trade surplus in the tourism industry. However,
increasing amenities and new work regimes are causing deteriorating conditions
for many workers. In 2006, hotel workers across the country will be
coordinating contract negotiations. Housekeepers, who make up almost a quarter
of the hotel workforce, are the “face” of the national campaign. Through
management interviews, analysis of government data, and a worker survey, this
article provides a more complete picture of the living and working conditions
of housekeepers in San Diego and nationally. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-4580.2006.00113.x/full
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Flores LY, Deal JZ (2003). Work-related pain in Mexican American
custodial workers. Hispanic J Behavioral Sciences 25(2):254-270.
Abstract: Mexican American janitors and
custodians are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
These injuries may render them physically disabled, unable to provide for themselves and
their families, and dependent on an already strained public health care system. Despite
this growing health crisis and the United States’s growing Latino population, no research
has been published examining musculoskeletal pain among Mexican American
custodial workers. In this article, the authors examine the working and social conditions
of Mexican American service workers, as well as the reasons why there is so little
research on this population. The authors present results from a study they conducted and
discuss the implications of their findings for future research with this population. http://hjb.sagepub.com/content/25/2/254.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT WORKERS; MSDs; PAIN; INJURIES
Krause N, Scherzer T, Rugulies R
[2005]. Physical workload, work intensification, and prevalence of pain in low
wage workers: results from a participatory research project with hotel room
cleaners in Las Vegas. Am J Ind Med 48(5):326–337.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Occupational injury rates among hotel workers exceed the national service
sector average. This study assesses the prevalence of back and neck pain, and
its associations with physical workload, ergonomic problems, and increasing
work demands. METHODS: Nine hundred forty-one unionized hotel room cleaners
completed a survey about health and working conditions. Associations between
job demands and pain were determined by logistic regression models adjusting
for individual characteristics, cumulative work demands, care-taking
responsibilities at home, and psychosocial job factors. RESULTS: The 1-month
prevalence of severe bodily pain was 47% in general, 43% for neck, 59% for
upper back, and 63% for low back pain. Workers in the highest exposure
quartiles for physical workload and ergonomic problems were between 3.24 and
5.42 times more likely to report severe pain than workers in the lowest
quartile. Adjusted odds ratios for work intensification ranged from 1.74 (upper
back) to 2.33 (neck). CONCLUSIONS: Most room cleaners experience severe back or
neck pain. Severe pain showed strong associations with physical workload, work
intensification, and ergonomic problems.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT;
PAIN
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean room”: hotel
housekeepers in Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Landstad BJ, Ekholm J, Broman L,
Schüldt K [2000].Working environmental conditions as experienced by women
working despite pain. Work 15(3):141–152.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: This
study looked at female hospital cleaners and home help personnel who continued
working despite problems or pain in their musculoskeletal system and where
there was a risk of increase in sickness absence. The aim was to determine
whether supportive intervention for these personnel at the workplace had an
effect on the way that they experienced the physical and psychosocial aspects
of their working environments. METHODS: The design was prospective with
non-randomized intervention and reference groups. A selection of 55 questions
about physical and psychosocial working environment from a national survey were
used. Comparisons were made between intervention and reference groups and with
data on a selection of the Swedish population of people in these professions.
RESULTS: The results showed that in the hospital cleaners' intervention group
the introduction of new cleaning materials and new cleaning methods seemed to
contribute to a reduction in workload during the intervention period, which in
turn gave them a better chance of taking rest breaks during working time. In
the home helps' intervention group the results showed that the group had had a
reduction both in workload and in more responsible tasks, and at the same time
the psychosomatic stress reactions reduced after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that effects on the working environmental conditions as
experienced could be obtained by a general multi-component support program at
the workplace, but the number of variables influenced by the program was very
small. The relatively limited effects may be explained by the fact that the
impact of a support program depends on how well the remedial measures fulfill
the need for such measures either at the workplace, in a work group or among
the individual people at the workplace. This emphasizes the importance of
designing effective analysis tools for judging what remedial measures are
needed before the measures themselves are tried out.
CATEGORIES: PAIN; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Messing K, Vezina N, Major M, Ouellet S, Tissot F, Couture V, Riel J
(2008). Body maps: an indicator of physical pain for worker-oriented ergonomics
interventions. Policy Practice in Health and Safety 2:31-49.
Abstract. Work-related
musculoskeletal health damage causes pain and suffering, and can lead to
disability. To prevent it, it is important to detect not only diagnosed
musculoskeletal disorders but also early signs of impending damage. Workers
have important information on workplace risks and health damage, and should be
involved in the process of identifying damage. However, controversy surrounds
the pain reports of workers and their claims for compensation. We have found
that a body map is a useful tool for systematising and analysing workers' pain
reports.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; PAIN; ERGONOMICS;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Premji S, Krause N (2010). Disparities by ethnicity, language, and
immigrant status in occupational health experiences among Las Vegas hotel room
cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:960-975.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: We
examined disparities in workers' occupational health experiences. METHODS: We surveyed 941 unionized Las Vegas hotel room cleaners
about their experiences with work-related pain and with employers, physicians,
and workers' compensation. Data were analyzed for all workers and by ethnicity,
language, and immigrant status. RESULTS: Hispanic and English as second language (ESL) workers
were more likely than their counterparts to report work-related pain and, along
with immigrant workers, to miss work because of this pain. Hispanic, ESL, and
immigrant workers were not consistently at a disadvantage with regard to their
own responses to work-related pain but were so with respect to reported
responses by workers' compensation, physicians, and employers. CONCLUSIONS: There are indications of disparities
in occupational health experiences within this job title. The use of different
group classifications, while implying different mechanisms, produced similar
results.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS: PAIN; HEALTH DISPARITIES
Scherzer T, Rugulies R, Krause N
[2005]. Work-related pain and injury and barriers to workers' compensation
among Las Vegas hotel room cleaners. Am J Public Health 95(3):483–488.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: We
examined the prevalence of work-related pain and injury and explored barriers
to and experiences of reporting among workers. METHODS: We surveyed 941
unionized hotel room cleaners about work-related pain, injury, disability, and
reporting. RESULTS: During the past 12 months, 75% of workers in our study
experienced work-related pain, and 31% reported it to management; 20% filed
claims for workers' compensation as a result of work-related injury, and 35% of
their claims were denied. Barriers to reporting injury included "It would
be too much trouble" (43%), "I was afraid" (26%), and "I
didn't know how" (18%). An estimated 69% of medical costs were shifted
from employers to workers. CONCLUSIONS:
The reasons for underreporting and the extent of claim denial warrant further
investigation. Implications for worker health and the precise quantification of
shifting costs to workers also should be addressed.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; PAIN; HOTEL
WORKERS
UNITEHERE! [2006]. Creating luxury,
enduring pain: how hotel work is hurting housekeepers. April.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN
Alamgir H, Yu S [2008]. Epidemiology
of occupational injury among cleaners in the healthcare sector. Occup Med 58(6):393–399.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The
cleaning profession has been associated with multiple ergonomic and chemical
hazards which elevate the risk for occupational injury. AIMS: This study
investigated the epidemiology of occupational injury among cleaners in
healthcare work settings in the Canadian province of British Columbia. METHODS:
Incidents of occupational injury among cleaners, resulting in lost time from
work or medical care, over a period of 1 year in two healthcare regions were
extracted from a standardized operational database and with person-years
obtained from payroll data. Detailed analysis was conducted using Poisson
regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 145 injuries were identified among
cleaners, with an annual incidence rate of 32.1 per 100 person-years. After
adjustment for age, gender, subsector, facility, experience and employment
status, Poisson regression models demonstrated that a significantly higher
relative risk (RR) of all injury, musculoskeletal injury and cuts was
associated with cleaning work in acute care facilities, compared with long-term
care facilities. Female cleaners were at a higher RR of all injuries and
contusions than male cleaners. A lower risk of all injury and allergy and
irritation incidents among part-time or casual workers was found. Cleaners with
>10 years of experience were at significantly lower risk for all injury,
contusion and allergy and irritation incidents. CONCLUSION: Cleaners were found
to be at an elevated risk of all injury categories compared with healthcare
workers in general.
CATEGORIES: HOSPITAL WORKERS;
INJURIES; MSDs; DERMAL; RESPIRATORY
Arif
AA, Delclos GL, Whitehead LW, Tortolero SR, Lee ES [2003]. Occupational
exposures associated with work-related asthma and work-related wheezing among
U.S. workers. Am J Ind Med 44(4):368–376.
Abstract: National
estimates of occupational asthma (OA) in the United States are sparse. Using
data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES
III) 1988-1994, associations between occupation and work-related asthma and work-related
wheezing among U.S. workers were analyzed. This study identified several
occupations that were at risk of developing work-related asthma and/or
wheezing, with cleaners and equipment cleaners showing the highest risks. Other
major occupations identified were farm and agriculture; entertainment;
protective services; construction; mechanics and repairers; textile;
fabricators and assemblers; other transportation and material moving
occupations; freight, stock, and material movers; and motor vehicle operators.
The population attributable risks for work-related asthma and work-related
wheezing were 26% and 27%, respectively. This study adds evidence to the
literature that identifies work-related asthma as an important public health
problem. Several occupations are targeted for additional evaluation and study.
Of particular interest are cleaners, which are being increasingly reported as a
risk group for asthma. Future intervention strategies need to be developed for
effective control and prevention of asthma in the workplace.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY
Bello A, Quinn MM, Perry MJ, Milton
DK [2009]. Characterization of occupational exposures to cleaning products used
for common cleaning tasks―a pilot study of hospital cleaners. Environ
Health Mar 27(8):11.
Abstract. BACKGROUND: In
recent years, cleaning has been identified as an occupational risk because of
an increased incidence of reported respiratory effects, such as asthma and
asthma-like symptoms among cleaning workers. Due to the lack of systematic
occupational hygiene analyses and workplace exposure data, it is not clear
which cleaning-related exposures induce or aggravate asthma and other
respiratory effects. Currently, there is a need for systematic evaluation of
cleaning products ingredients and their exposures in the workplace. The
objectives of this work were to: a) identify cleaning products' ingredients of
concern with respect to respiratory and skin irritation and sensitization; and
b) assess the potential for inhalation and dermal exposures to these
ingredients during common cleaning tasks. METHODS: We prioritized ingredients
of concern in cleaning products commonly used in several hospitals in
Massachusetts. Methods included workplace interviews, reviews of product
Materials Safety Data Sheets and the scientific literature on adverse health effects
to humans, reviews of physico-chemical properties of cleaning ingredients, and
occupational hygiene observational analyses. Furthermore, the potential for
exposure in the workplace was assessed by conducting qualitative assessment of
airborne exposures and semi-quantitative assessment of dermal exposures.
RESULTS: Cleaning products used for common cleaning tasks were mixtures of many
chemicals, including respiratory and dermal irritants and sensitizers. Examples
of ingredients of concern include quaternary ammonium compounds,
2-butoxyethanol, and ethanolamines. Cleaning workers are at risk of acute and
chronic inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOC) vapors and
aerosols generated from product spraying, and dermal exposures mostly through
hands. CONCLUSION: Cleaning products are mixtures of many chemical ingredients
that may impact workers' health through air and dermal exposures. Because
cleaning exposures are a function of product formulations and product
application procedures, a combination of product evaluation with workplace
exposure assessment is critical in developing strategies for protecting workers
from cleaning hazards. Our task based assessment methods allowed classification
of tasks in different exposure categories, a strategy that can be employed by
epidemiological investigations related to cleaning. The methods presented here
can be used by occupational and environmental health practitioners to identify
intervention strategies.
CATEGORIES: CHEMICAL HAZARDS;
RESPIRATORY; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Lynde
CB, Obadia M, Liss GM, Ribeiro M, Holness DL, Tarlo SM [2009].
Cutaneous and respiratory symptoms
among professional cleaners. Occup Med 59(4):249–254.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Occupational dermatitis is very common and has a large economic impact.
Cleaners are at an increased risk for both work-related cutaneous and
respiratory symptoms. AIMS: To compare the prevalence of occupational cutaneous
symptoms among professional indoor cleaners to other building workers (OBW) and
to determine associations with exposures and with respiratory symptoms among
cleaners. METHODS: A questionnaire completed by indoor professional cleaners
and OBW to compare rash and respiratory symptoms between these groups examined
workplace factors such as training, protective equipment and work tasks.
RESULTS: In total, 549 of the 1396 professional cleaners (39%) and 593 of the
1271 OBW (47%) completed questionnaires. The prevalence of rash was
significantly higher in the cleaners compared to the OBW. For male cleaners,
21% (86/413) had a rash in the past 12 months compared to only 11% (13/115) of
OBW (P < 0.05). The rashes experienced by the cleaners were more likely to
be on their hands and worse at work. Cleaners washed their hands significantly
more often than OBW. Cleaners with a rash were less likely to have received
workplace training regarding their skin and were more likely to find the safety
training hard to understand. Cleaners with a rash within the past year were
significantly more likely to have work-related asthma symptoms than cleaners
without a rash (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a strong
link between work-related symptoms of asthma and dermatitis among cleaners.
Effective preventive measures, such as the use of protective skin and respiratory
equipment, should be emphasized.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; DERMAL
Massin N, Hecht G, Ambroise D, Héry
M, Toamain JP, Hubert G, Dorotte M, Bianchi B [2007]. Respiratory symptoms and
bronchial responsiveness among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry. Occup Environ Med 64(2):75–81.
Absent. OBJECTIVES: To
measure the levels of exposure to nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) and aldehydes
among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the atmosphere of food industry
plants during cleaning and disinfecting operations, and to examine how they
relate to irritant and chronic respiratory symptoms-which are indices of
pulmonary function-and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine.
METHODS: 175 exposed workers (M = 149; F = 26) recruited from 17 enterprises of
the food industry (8 cattle, pig, and ovine slaughterhouses, 8 fowl
slaughterhouses, and 1 catering firm) and 70 non-exposed workers (M = 52; F =
18) were examined. Concentration levels of NCl3 and aldhehydes were measured by
personal sampling. Symptoms were assessed by means of a questionnaire and the
methacholine bronchial challenge (MBC) test using an abbreviated method.
Subjects were labelled MBC+ if forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
fell by 20% or more. The linear dose-response slope (DRS) was calculated as the
percentage fall in FEV1 at last dose divided by the total dose administered.
RESULTS: 277 air samples were taken in the 17 food industry plants. For a given
plant and in a given workshop, the actual concentrations of chloramines,
aldehydes, and quaternary ammonium compounds were measured with personal
samplers during the different steps of the procedures. For each cleaner, a
total exposure index Sigma was calculated. A statistically significant
concentration-response relationship was found between eye, nasal, and throat
symptoms of irritation--but not chronic respiratory symptoms--and exposure
levels or exposure duration. No relation was found between BHR and exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: These data show that cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food
industry are at risk of developing eye, nasal, and throat irritation symptoms.
Although NCl3 exposure does not seem to carry a risk of developing permanent
BHR, the possibility of transient BHR cannot be ruled out entirely.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Medina-Ramón M, Zock JP, Kogevinas M,
Sunyer J, Antó JM [2003]. Asthma symptoms in women employed in domestic
cleaning: a community based study. Thorax 58(11):950–954.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Epidemiological studies have shown an association between cleaning work and
asthma, but the risk factors are uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess
the risk of asthma in women employed in domestic cleaning. METHODS: A cross
sectional study was conducted in 4521 women aged 30 to 65 years. Information on
respiratory symptoms and cleaning work history was obtained using a postal
questionnaire with telephone follow up. Asthma was defined as reported symptoms
in the last year or current use of drugs to treat asthma. Odds ratios (OR) with
95% confidence intervals (CI) for asthma in different cleaning groups were
estimated using adjusted unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: 593
women (13%) were currently employed in domestic cleaning work. Asthma was more
prevalent in this group than in women who had never worked in cleaning (OR 1.46
(95% CI, 1.10 to 1.92)). Former domestic cleaning work was reported by 1170
women (26%), and was strongly associated with asthma (OR 2.09 (1.70 to 2.57)).
Current and former non-domestic cleaning work was not significantly associated
with asthma. Consistent results were obtained for other respiratory symptoms.
Twenty five per cent of the asthma cases in the study population were
attributable to domestic cleaning work. CONCLUSIONS: Employment in domestic
cleaning may induce or aggravate asthma. This study suggests that domestic
cleaning work has an important public health impact, probably involving not
only professional cleaners but also people undertaking cleaning tasks at home.
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
RESPIRATORY
Medina-Ramon, M; Zock, JP; Kogevinas,
M; Sunyer, J; Torralba, Y; Borrell, A; Burgos, F; Anto, JM. Asthma, chronic
bronchitis, and exposure to irritant agents in occupational domestic cleaning:
a nested case-control study Occup Environ Med 2005 62: 598-606
CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC WORKERS;
RESPIRATORY
Moscato G, Siracusa A [2009].
Rhinitis guidelines and implications for occupational rhinitis. Curr Opin
Allergy Clin Immunol 9(2):110–115.
Abstract. PURPOSE OF
REVIEW: To review the most recent rhinitis guidelines in the aspects pertaining
the link between rhinitis and work, and to summarize the specific literature on
occupational rhinitis published in 2007 and 2008. RECENT FINDINGS:
Recently
there has been a growing scientific interest in work-related rhinitis.
Health
personnel, cleaners, bakers, apprentices in high-risk occupations, and workers
exposed to multiple agents are at increased risk of rhinitis, especially in the
very first years of employment. Flour allergens are often involved and may
induce non-allergic and enhance allergic airway inflammation. The specific
nasal challenge remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Acoustic rhinometry
and nasal lavage are validated tools for monitoring nasal response.
Occupational rhinitis seems to have an impact on quality of life of affected
workers and allergic rhinitis impairs work productivity. SUMMARY: This review
updated recent findings on epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and
prevention of occupational rhinitis. This article also provides new information
on the impact of occupational rhinitis on quality of life and on the impact of
rhinitis on work productivity. Occupational rhinitis should be considered in
daily clinical practice and research.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY
Rosenman KD, Reilly MJ, Schill DP,
Valiante D, Flattery J, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Pechter E, Davis L, Tumpowsky
CM, Filios M [2003]. Cleaning products and work-related asthma. J Occup Environ
Med 45(5):556–563.
Abstract: To describe the
characteristics of individuals with work-related asthma associated with
exposure to cleaning products, data from the California-, Massachusetts-,
Michigan-, and New Jersey state-based surveillance systems of work-related
asthma were used to identify cases of asthma associated with exposure to
cleaning products at work. From 1993 to 1997, 236 (12%) of the 1915 confirmed
cases of work-related asthma identified by the four states were associated with
exposure to cleaning products. 80% of the reports were of new-onset asthma and
20% were work-aggravated asthma. Among the new-onset cases, 22% were consistent
with reactive airways dysfunction syndrome. Individuals identified were
generally women (75%), white non-Hispanic (68%), and 45 years or older (64%).
Their most likely exposure had been in medical settings (39%), schools (13%),
or hotels (6%), and they were most likely to work as janitor/cleaners (22%),
nurse/nurses' aides (20%), or clerical staff (13%). However, cases were
reported with exposure to cleaning products across a wide range of job titles.
Cleaning products contain a diverse group of chemicals that are used in a wide
range of industries and occupations as well as in the home. Their potential to
cause or aggravate asthma has recently been recognized. Further work to characterize
the specific agents and the circumstances of their use associated with asthma
is needed. Additional research to investigate the frequency of adverse
respiratory effects among regular users, such as housekeeping staff, is also
needed. In the interim, the authors recommend attention to adequate
ventilation, improved warning labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, and
workplace training and education.
CATEGORIES: RESPIRATORY; CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
Bongers PM, Kremer AM, ter Laak J
[2002]. Are psychosocial factors, risk factors for symptoms and signs of the
shoulder, elbow, or hand/wrist? A review of the epidemiological literature. Am
J Ind Med 41(5): 315–342.
Background
In 1993, an extensive review on the role of psychosocial factors in the
development of musculoskeletal problems was published by Bongers et al (1993).
Since then, additional reviews on this topic have been published; however, none
of these focused on upper limb problems. Methods In this systematic review, the
methodological quality of all studies was assessed and levels of evidence were
apriori defined. Results: The large majority of the studies reported an
association between at least one work-related psychosocial factor and adverse
upper extremity symptoms or signs. High perceived job stress was consistently
associated with all upper extremity problems (UEP) in high and lower quality
studies. Although not often studied, non-work-related stress was also
consistently associated with UEP. In addition, there was some evidence for a
relationship between high job demands and UEP, although the results did not
meet the pre-set criterion for consistency. Conclusions High job stress and
non-work-related stress reactions are consistently associated with UEP. In
addition, high job demands is also in most studies associated with these
disorders. Firm conclusions on the role of these factors in the etiology of UEP
are not possible due to the cross-sectional nature of most studies. Am. J. Ind.
Med. 41:315-342, 2002.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; MSDs; REVIEW
ARTICLES
Davis K [2000]. The relationship
between psychosocial work characteristics and low back pain: underlying
methodological issues. Clin Biomech 15(6):389–406.
Abstract. Background.
Psychosocial work characteristics have been widely evaluated as potential risk
factors for low back injury. However, studies with different study populations
and using various types of measures have had conflicting results.
Methods.
This review is the most extensive to date, reviewing 66 articles that have
provided empirical evidence about the relationship between psychosocial work
characteristics and initial reporting of lower back pain. The studies are
reviewed with an emphasis on certain methodological issues: controlling for
potential confounding; timing of the data collection; and measurement of the
exposures and outcomes.
Results.
The results of this review suggest that controlling for potential confounding
from occupational biomechanical demands had a large influence on the
associations found between psychosocial work characteristics and lower back
pain. In addition, the use of accurate and reliable measures for the
occupational exposures (biomechanical and psychosocial) and the lower back pain
outcomes appears to influence the strength of the associations found between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain.
Conclusion.
Given the methodological concerns discussed in this review, it is difficult to
draw strong causal inferences from this literature. However, it does appear
that psychosocial characteristics are related to some lower back pain outcomes,
and that employees’ reactions to psychosocial work characteristics (e.g., job
dissatisfaction and job stress) are more consistently related to lower back
pain than are the psychosocial work characteristics themselves (e.g., work
overload, lack of influence over work, quality of relationships with
coworkers).Relevance: This review attempts to identify and address
methodological issues in the literature evaluating the relationship between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain. Implications for future
research are presented.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; WORK
STRESS; PAIN
Kumar R, Kumar S [2008].
Musculoskeletal risk factors in cleaning occupation – a literature review. Int
J Ind Ergonomics 38(2):158–170.
Abstract: The objective
of this literature survey on risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among
cleaners was to identify recommended practices, problems, and unresolved
issues. The most frequently-cited factors were found to be the high physical
and psychosocial workloads. Recommended ergonomic interventions are summarized
in a model to present a systematic overview, useful for research and practical
applications.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; MSDs
Bell AF, Steele JR (2011). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among
cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics:1-11.
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers during
the work task of vacuuming. In total, 24 cleaning workers were observed while
they performed vacuum cleaning tasks in the normal course of their employment
in government schools, hospitality and commercial office space sectors. Risk of
upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders were rated using three observational
assessment tools: Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA); Quick Exposure Check
(QEC); the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mean results (e.g. ManTRA wrist/hand
cumulative wrist score 18.67 ± 1.27, QEC neck score
13 ± 1.77, RULA score 6.54 ± 0.509) demonstrated that
cleaning workers who perform the task of vacuum cleaning are at risk of
work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal injury, regardless of whether they use
a back-pack or canister machine. Government school cleaners experienced greater
risk of work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders than workers in
either the hospitality or commercial office space sectors. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Cleaning
workers in Australia are mostly female, ageing and of non-English-speaking
backgrounds and involved in repetitive manual tasks. Their occupation is low
status. This research confirms that vacuuming tasks are a risk for cleaning
workers and highlights the need for further research to improve conditions for
these workers. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
IMMIGRANT WORKERS; CUSTODIAL WORKERS; HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES; ERGONOMICS
Greenhouse S (2009). Female
hotel workers injured more than men, study shows. New York Times, November 10. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/business/11injury.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; INJURIES;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Holtermann A, Blangsted AK,
Christensen H, Hansen K, Søgaard K [2009]. What characterizes cleaners
sustaining good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work?
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82(8):1015–1022.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: The
aim of this case-control study was to investigate characteristics of cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work.
METHODS: One hundred and 41 female seniority cleaners participated. Twenty-five
reported no musculoskeletal symptoms, whereas 83 reported severe symptoms in
the low back, neck shoulders or upper limbs. The groups were of matching age,
height, body weight and seniority (19 years). Muscular strength was recorded by
isometric maximal voluntary contractions on a day without pain. Exposure to
physical risk factors at work, psychosocial work factors, and leisure time
physical activity were assessed by a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health were not reporting different exposure to
physical risk factors at work or leisure time physical activity, but had higher
muscular strength and reported higher influence at work than cleaners with
severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that muscular strength and
influence at work are of relevance for sustaining good musculoskeletal health
in workers with physically heavy work.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WORK STRESS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Kines P, Hannerz H, Mikkelsen KL,
Tüchsen F [2007]. Industrial sectors with high risk of women’s hospital-treated
injuries. Am J Ind Med 50(1):12–21.
Abstract: Women's
occupational injury rates are converging with those of males. Associations
between female workers' hospital treated injury rates, industrial sector and
injured body area were analyzed to provide for better-focused injury prevention
of women's hazardous jobs. Females' standardized hospital treatment ratios
(SHR) and the excess fraction for five body regions (head/neck, thorax, back,
upper and lower extremities) were calculated for 58 industrial sectors for
1999-2003. Five industrial sectors, "Cleaning, laundries and dry
cleaners," "Transport of passengers," "Hotels and
restaurants," "Hospitals" and "Transport of goods" had
significantly high SHRs for all five body regions. The excess fraction for
upper extremity injuries revealed that 14%-27% of injuries could theoretically
have been avoided. There is strong evidence for an association between women's
hospital treated injuries and industrial sector. The results justify the need
for gender-sensitive analyses to orient injury prevention programs.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; INJURIES
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean room”: hotel
housekeepers in Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Landstad BJ, Ekholm J, Broman L,
Schüldt K [2000].Working environmental conditions as experienced by women
working despite pain. Work 15(3):141–152.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: This
study looked at female hospital cleaners and home help personnel who continued
working despite problems or pain in their musculoskeletal system and where
there was a risk of increase in sickness absence. The aim was to determine
whether supportive intervention for these personnel at the workplace had an
effect on the way that they experienced the physical and psychosocial aspects
of their working environments. METHODS: The design was prospective with
non-randomized intervention and reference groups. A selection of 55 questions
about physical and psychosocial working environment from a national survey were
used. Comparisons were made between intervention and reference groups and with
data on a selection of the Swedish population of people in these professions.
RESULTS: The results showed that in the hospital cleaners' intervention group
the introduction of new cleaning materials and new cleaning methods seemed to
contribute to a reduction in workload during the intervention period, which in
turn gave them a better chance of taking rest breaks during working time. In
the home helps' intervention group the results showed that the group had had a
reduction both in workload and in more responsible tasks, and at the same time
the psychosomatic stress reactions reduced after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that effects on the working environmental conditions as
experienced could be obtained by a general multi-component support program at
the workplace, but the number of variables influenced by the program was very
small. The relatively limited effects may be explained by the fact that the
impact of a support program depends on how well the remedial measures fulfill
the need for such measures either at the workplace, in a work group or among
the individual people at the workplace. This emphasizes the importance of
designing effective analysis tools for judging what remedial measures are
needed before the measures themselves are tried out.
CATEGORIES: PAIN; WOMEN’S HEALTH;
HOSPITAL WORKERS
Landstad B, Vinberg S, Ivergård T,
Gelin G, Ekholm J [2001]. Change in pattern of absenteeism as a result of
workplace intervention for personnel support. Ergonomics 44(1):63–81.
Abstract: The aim was to
investigate whether a preventive intervention carried out in a predominantly
female workplace: that of hospital cleaners (consisting of a group of 97 women)
had any effect on patterns of absenteeism. As a background, a model for
analyzing complex patterns of absenteeism, including sickness absences, was
also developed. A further aim was to study the interactions between different
forms of absenteeism. Comparison was made with a reference group consisting of
employees in the same job category who only received the customary personnel
support. For individuals in the intervention group who were <42 years of
age, total absence due to sickness decreased. In a multiple regression
analysis, the contribution from the intervention to the decrease was
significant at the 5% level. This change was particularly obvious in those who
had a previous history of high absence due to sickness. No clear relationship
was shown between short-term absenteeism and the interventions applied. For
those who were >42 years, short-term absence decreased for those who had
been in the same jobs for a long time. The combination of increased age and
experience showed a tendency to enhance this decline in short-term absenteeism
due to sickness. For those >42 years, and who at the same time have a
previous history of high absenteeism, long-term absenteeism due to sickness
seemed to be increasing. Increased experience tended to reduce this increase in
long-term sickness absence. This combination of different effects possibly
indicated the presence of a process of selection which determined who remained
in the job as opposed to those who did not. An important conclusion is that
different forms of absenteeism need to be looked at in parallel, and at the
same time multivariate statistical analysis needs to be carried out to
determine the different interactions between the factors.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH;
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES; HOSPITAL WORKERS
Louhevaara V, Hopsu L, Sjogaard K (2000). Cardiorespiratory strain
during floor mopping with different methods. Proceedings of the IEA2000/HFES
2000 Congress. 518-520.
Abstract. The
cardiorespiratory strain of professional female cleaners was quantified as they
used different floor mopping methods with respect to the amount of water
ranging from dry to wet. The results of oxygen consumption, heart rate and the
rating of perceived exertion indicated that the cardiorespiratory strain of dry
mopping methods was systematically lighter than that of the more watery
methods. http://pro.sagepub.com/content/44/30/5-518.full.pdf
CATEGORIES: CUSTODIAL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH
Messing K (2004). Physical exposures in work commonly done by women.
Can J Appl Physiol 29(5):639-656.
Abstract. The North American work force is still highly sex-segregated,
with most members of each sex in jobs composed primarily of workers of the same
sex. This division is accentuated when jobs involve physical demands. Women
have traditionally been assigned to tasks whose physical demands are considered
to be light. Nevertheless, these tasks can have biological effects, sometimes
serious. Phenomena related to physical demands of women's work can be
considered in three categories: (a) musculoskeletal and cardiovascular demands
of tasks often assigned to women in factories and service work; (b) sex- and
gender-specific effects of toxic substances found in the workplace; and (c) interactions
between work and the domestic responsibilities of many women. These phenomena
are described, using examples recently gathered from workplaces. Effects of
biological sex are distinguished, as far as possible, from effects of gender
(social roles).
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; MSDs; CVD;
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Pavalko EK, Mossakowski KN, Hamilton
VJ [2003]. Does perceived discrimination affect health? Longitudinal
relationships between work discrimination and women's physical and emotional
health. J Health Soc Behav 44(1):18–33.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH
Sjogren B, Fredlund P, Lundberg I,
Weiner J [2003]. Ischemic heart disease in female cleaners. Int J Occup Environ
Health 9(2):134–137.
CATEGORIES: CVD; WOMEN’S HEALTH
Swanson NG [2000]. Working women and
stress. J Am Med Womens Assoc, 55(2):76–79.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH
Zarate-Abbott P, Etnyre A, Gilliland
I, Mahon M, Allwein D, Cook J, Mikan V, Rauschhuber M, Sethness R, Munoz L,
Lowry J, Jones ME. Workplace health
promotion--strategies for low-income Hispanic immigrant women. Am Assoc Occup Health Nurs J 56(5).
Abstract. Addressing
health disparities for vulnerable populations in the United States is a
national goal. Immigrant Hispanic women, at increased risk for heart disease,
face obstacles in receiving adequate health care. Health promotion, especially
for Hispanic women, is hindered by language, access to care, lack of insurance,
and cultural factors. Innovative health education approaches are needed to
reach this population. This article describes the development and evaluation of
a culturally sensitive cardiac health education program based on findings from
a study of 21 older immigrant Hispanic women employed as housekeepers at a
small university in south Texas. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures had
decreased 17 months after the intervention.
CATEGORIES: IMMIGRANT WORKERS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH; INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Zock JP [2005]. World at work:
cleaners. Occup Enviorn Med 62(8):581–584.
Abstract: Cleaning
workers form an important proportion of the total working population,
particularly among women. This paper reviews some of the most common
occupational hazards in cleaning work, and discusses possibilities to improve
control and prevention. Topics covered: physical workload and strain;
accidents; dermal, respiratory and other effects of chemical products;
psychosocial problems; measures to protect workers.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Bergqvist
U, Wolgast E, Nilsson B, Voss M [1995]. Musculoskeletal disorders among
visual display terminal workers: individual, ergonomic, and work organizational
factors. Ergonomics 38:763–776.
Abstract. A number of
individual, ergonomic, and organizational factors of presumed importance for
the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders were investigated in a group of 260
visual display terminal (VDT) workers. The cross-sectional study utilized
medical and workplace investigations as well as questionnaires. The results were
subjected to a multivariate analysis in order to find the major factors
associated with various upper-body muscular problems. Several such factors were
identified for each investigated type of musculoskeletal problem. Some were
related to the individual: age, gender, woman with children at home, use of
spectacles, smoking, stomach-related stress reactions, and negative
affectivity. Organizational variables of importance were opportunities for
flexible rest breaks, extreme peer contacts, task flexibility, and overtime.
Identified ergonomic variables were static work posture, hand position, use of
lower arm support, repeated work movements, and keyboard or VDT vertical
position.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; ERGONOMICS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Bohle P, Quinlan M, Kennedy D, Williamson
A [2004]. Working hours, work-life conflict, and health in precarious and
“permanent” employment. Rev Saúde Pública 38(Suppl):19–25.
Abstract. OBJECTIVE: The expansion of
precarious employment in OECD countries has been widely associated with negative
health and safety effects. Although many shift workers are precariously
employed, shift work research has concentrated on full-time workers in
continuing employment. This paper examines the impact of precarious employment
on working hours, work-life conflict and health by comparing casual employees
to full-time, "permanent" employees working in the same occupations
and workplaces. METHODS: Thirty-nine
convergent interviews were conducted in two five-star hotels. The participants
included 26 full-time and 13 casual (temporary) employees. They ranged in age
from 19 to 61 years and included 17 females and 22 males. Working hours ranged
from zero to 73 hours per week. RESULTS:
Marked differences emerged between the reports of casual and
full-time employees about working hours, work-life conflict and health. Casuals
were more likely to work highly irregular hours over which they had little
control. Their daily and weekly working hours ranged from very long to very
short according to organizational requirements. Long working hours, combined
with low predictability and control, produced greater disruption to family and
social lives and poorer work-life balance for casuals. Uncoordinated hours
across multiple jobs exacerbated these problems in some cases. Health-related
issues reported to arise from work-life conflict included sleep disturbance,
fatigue and disrupted exercise and dietary regimes. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified significant
disadvantages of casual employment. In the same hotels, and doing largely the
same jobs, casual employees had less desirable and predictable work schedules,
greater work-life conflict and more associated health complaints than
"permanent" workers.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Burgel BJ, White MC, Gillen MG, Krause N (2010). Psychosocial work
factors and shoulder pain in hotel room cleaners. Am J Ind Med 53:743-756.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hotel room cleaners have physically
demanding jobs that place them at high risk for shoulder pain. Psychosocial
work factors may also play a role in shoulder pain, but their independent role
has not been studied in this group. METHODS: Seventy-four percent (941 of
1,276) of hotel room cleaners from five Las Vegas hotels completed a 29-page
survey assessing health status, working conditions, and psychosocial work
factors. For this study, 493 of the 941 (52%) with complete data for 21
variables were included in multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS:
Fifty-six percent reported shoulder pain in the prior four weeks. Room cleaners
with effort-reward imbalance (ERI) were three times as likely to report
shoulder pain (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.95-4.59, P = 0.000) even after adjustment for
physical workload and other factors. After adjustment for physical workload,
job strain and iso-strain were not significantly associated with shoulder pain.
CONCLUSIONS: ERI is independently associated with shoulder pain in hotel room
cleaners even after adjustment for physical workload and other risk factors.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; PAIN; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Cleaners mopped up by injuries
[1999]. J Occup Health Safety Environ 3(5):8
Abstract: Looks at the
findings of a research report, "Musculoskeletal health of cleaners",
funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the trade union UNISON. The
results of a postal survey of 5,000 cleaning staff and follow-up ergonomic risk
assessments indicate widespread musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often
leading to time off work. The high risks of such pain have been associated with
equipment design, job organization and poor training. HSE and UNISON will be
holding a seminar for equipment manufacturers, employers and worker
representatives in London on 28 September 1999, to review the study's
recommendations.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; INJURIES; PAIN;
ERGONOMICS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Dababneh A, Swanson N, Shell R
[2001]. Impact of added rest breaks on the productivity and well being of
workers. Ergonomics 44:164–174.
Abstract. The impact of
frequent short rest breaks on the productivity and well being of a group of 30
workers in a meat-processing plant was studied. Two rest break schedules were
tested, both of which provided 36 min of extra break time over the regular
break schedule (30-min lunch and two 15-min breaks). In the first experimental
rest break schedule, workers were given 12 3-min breaks evenly distributed over
the workday (3-min break for every 27 min of work). In the second schedule,
workers were given four 9-min breaks evenly distributed over the workday (9-min
break every 51 min of work). Outcome measures included production rate and
discomfort and stress ratings. Results showed that neither of the two
experimental rest break schedules had a negative effect on production, and the
9-min break schedule improved discomfort ratings for the lower extremities. The
workers in the study mostly preferred the 9-min rest break schedule, indicating
that workers in general might not as readily accept fragmentation of break time
into short, frequent breaks.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Delevoye A, Derieux N, Hunzinger E,
Mzabi MI, Roux F, Van Brederode A, Van Rooj B [2005a]. Lingère en hôtellerie
(Hotel linen maids). Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle 45(3).
Abstract: The main task
of hotel linen maids to ensure the proper management of linen, including the
reception of clean linen, its storage and its distribution, together with the
recovery and sorting of used linen. Contents of this information sheet on the
job of hotel linen maid: general characteristics of the job; technical and
organizational characteristics; exposures and constraints (work environment,
work organization, tasks and equipment); hazard evaluation techniques; health
effects and occupational pathology; prevention; medical supervision;
regulations; evaluation of work aptitude.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Delevoye A, Derieux N, Hunzinger E,
Mzabi MI, Roux F, Van Brederode A, Van Rooj B [2005b]. La lingère en hôtellerie
(Hotel linen maids). Cahiers de médecine interprofessionnelle 45(3):305–319.
This
study describes the various types of material flows for linen (delivery and
distribution of clean linen, collection and sorting of used linen) observed in
four hotels of different classes. The strenuousness of the work of linen maids
was evaluated based on the estimated weight of linen carried, work posture and
cardiofrequency measurements. Results indicated that this occupation involves a
moderate to high physical workload, primarily due to the manual handling of the
linen and the loading and unloading of carts.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Eriksson T, Jingkun L (2009). Working at the boundary between market
and flexicurity: housekeeping in Danish hotels. International Labour Review
148(4):357-373.
Abstract: Though
housekeeping in Danish hotels is unskilled, low-paid work, because of Denmark's
compressed wage structure it is comparatively well paid. The authors examine
the working conditions and experience of housekeepers in eight hotels of
various types, to establish the industry's response to growing competition and
pressure to restructure. Approaches include reorganizing work, increased work
intensity, outsourced and in-house housekeeping, and Denmark's own
“flexicurity”. Flexible work arrangements, job security and in-kind social
benefits prove to compensate for scanty unemployment insurance and career
prospects.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Esbenshade J, Mitrosky M, Morgan E, Navarro M, Rotundi M, Vazquez C
92006). Profits, pain, and pillows: hotels and housekeepers in San Diego.
WorkingUSA: The Jounal of Labor and Society 9:265-292.
Abstract: The accommodations industry is
hitting record-breaking profits nationally and locally, often with subsidies
provided by government entities. Globalization is actually contributing to
rising employment and a trade surplus in the tourism industry. However,
increasing amenities and new work regimes are causing deteriorating conditions
for many workers. In 2006, hotel workers across the country will be
coordinating contract negotiations. Housekeepers, who make up almost a quarter
of the hotel workforce, are the “face” of the national campaign. Through
management interviews, analysis of government data, and a worker survey, this
article provides a more complete picture of the living and working conditions
of housekeepers in San Diego and nationally. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-4580.2006.00113.x/full
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Fernandez A, Ballue C, Coubes S, Marc
R [2006]. Femme de chamber et valet dans l'hôtellerie (Hotel valets and
housekeeping staff). Paris: Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité.
Abstract:
This guide describes the current situation of the work of hotel valets and housekeeping
staff, with the aim of proposing actions that satisfy both the need for the
prevention of safety and health hazards and improved work quality. Topics
addressed: characteristics of the job; how to lower the constraints related to
the job (work organization, tools, ergonomics, room layout, training).
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Galinsky T L, Swanson NG, Sauter SL,
Hurrell JJ, Schleifer LM [2000]. A field study of supplementary rest breaks for
data-entry operators. Ergonomics 43:622–638.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Gill AS, Mathur N (2007). Improving employee dedication and pro-social
behavior. Int J Contemporary Hospitality Mangement 19(4):328-334.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine
the relationship between transformational leadership and employee dedication
and the relationship between transformational leadership and pro-social
behaviour. This study seeks to extend Gill et al.'s findings regarding the
impact of transformational leadership on job stress and the impact of job
stress on burnout. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
– Hospitality industry employees were interviewed to find out if
transformational leadership used by their managers improves employee dedication
and pro-social behaviour. FINDINGS
– Results suggest that employee dedication and pro-social behaviour are
positively related to the improvement in the level of perceived
transformational leadership implementation. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS – If employees perceive that their
managers are using high-level transformational leadership, employee dedication
and pro-social behaviour are perceived as higher level than if it is perceived
as being used at lower level. ORIGINALITY/VALUE
– This paper offers useful insights for hotel managers based on empirical
evidence.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Henning R, Sauter S, Salvendy G,
Krieg Jr, E, [1989]. Microbreak length, performance, and stress in a data entry
task. Ergonomics 32 855–864.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Krause N, Scherzer T, Rugulies R
[2005]. Physical workload, work intensification, and prevalence of pain in low
wage workers: results from a participatory research project with hotel room
cleaners in Las Vegas. Am J Ind Med 48(5):326–337.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Occupational injury rates among hotel workers exceed the national service
sector average. This study assesses the prevalence of back and neck pain, and
its associations with physical workload, ergonomic problems, and increasing
work demands. METHODS: Nine hundred forty-one unionized hotel room cleaners
completed a survey about health and working conditions. Associations between
job demands and pain were determined by logistic regression models adjusting
for individual characteristics, cumulative work demands, care-taking responsibilities
at home, and psychosocial job factors. RESULTS: The 1-month prevalence of
severe bodily pain was 47% in general, 43% for neck, 59% for upper back, and
63% for low back pain. Workers in the highest exposure quartiles for physical
workload and ergonomic problems were between 3.24 and 5.42 times more likely to
report severe pain than workers in the lowest quartile. Adjusted odds ratios
for work intensification ranged from 1.74 (upper back) to 2.33 (neck).
CONCLUSIONS: Most room cleaners experience severe back or neck pain. Severe
pain showed strong associations with physical workload, work intensification,
and ergonomic problems.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT; PAIN
Kristensen TS [1989]. Cardiovascular
diseases and the work environment: a critical review of the epidemiologic
literature on nonchemical factors. Scand J Work Environ Health 15:165–179.
CATEGORIES: CVD; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Liladrie S (2010). “Do not disturb/please clean room”: hotel
housekeepers in Greater Toronto. Race & Class 52(1):57-69.
Abstract. This study of
the experiences of hotel housekeepers in Toronto, who are predominantly
immigrant women of colour, reveals the damaging health impact of their work. As
the hotel industry in this ‘global city’ has moved upmarket and sought to offer
more luxury services to its wealthy customers, hotel housekeeping work has
become more physically demanding and burdensome, resulting in the majority of
workers experiencing a high degree of pains and injuries. The hotel industry is
seen as operating a racialised division of labour, with those at the bottom
vulnerable to being discarded as they approach retirement age and their health
deteriorates. Finally, an account is given of the impact of unionisation and
the hotel workers’ ongoing struggles for change. http://rac.sagepub.com/content/52/1/57.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WOMEN’S
HEALTH; PAIN; INJURIES; WORK ENVIRONMENT; IMMIGRANT WORKERS
Lilley R, Feyer A, Kirk P, Gander P
[2002]. A survey of forest workers in New Zealand Do hours of work, rest, and
recovery play a role in accidents and injury? J Safety Research 33: 53–71.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lo K, Lamm F (2005). Occupational stress
in the hospitality industry – an employment relations perspective. New Zealand
J Employment Relations 30(1):23-47.
Abstract: This article endeavors to draw attention to
occupational stress amongst workers in so-called 'low risk industries' - namely
the service and hospitality industries - and to explore their perceptions of
stress, their attitudes to managing stress and their responses to the recent
inclusion of stress in the Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Act, 2002.
It is also the intention to broaden the scope of analysis by investigating a
range of employment factors - such as heavy workloads, interpersonal
relationships and organizational factors - which can contribute to occupational
stress amongst workers. Findings from two case studies are reported and they
indicate that working in the hospitality industry can be stressful and that
many workers are vulnerable in terms of their poor working conditions and low
wages. Consistent with other studies, it was also found that there was low
trade union presence and a high rate of casualization and staff turnover. At
the same time, there was a lack of overt conflict between management and
workers, with an apparent close alignment of goals between the two parties and
a style of management that could be described as unitarist.
CATEGORIES:WORK STRESS; HOTEL WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lynn, Jeter (2005). Work of hotel housekeeping keeps guests coming
back. Mississippi Business J 27(6):37. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5277/is_200502/ai_n24293992/
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
McNamara M, Bohle P, Quinlan M (2011). Precarious employment, working
hours, work-life conflict and health in hotel work. Applied Ergonomics 42:225-232.
Abstract. Precarious or temporary work is associated with adverse
outcomes including low control over working hours, work-life conflict and
stress. The rise in precarious employment is most marked in the service sector
but little research has been done on its health effects in this sector. This
study compares permanent and temporary workers in the hotel industry, where
working hours are highly variable. Survey data from 150 workers from eight
3-Star hotels in urban and regional areas around Sydney were analyzed.
Forty-five per cent were male and 52 per cent were female. Fifty four per cent
were permanent full-time and 46 per cent were temporary workers. The effects of
employment status on perceived job security, control over working hours, and
work-life conflict are investigated using PLS-Graph 3.0. The effects of control
over working hours, on work-life conflict and subsequent health outcomes are
also explored. Temporary workers perceived themselves as less in control of
their working hours, than permanent workers (β = .27). However, they also
reported lower levels of work intensity (β = .25) and working hours
(β = .38). The effects of low hours control (β = .20), work intensity
(β = .29), and excessive hours (β = .39) on work-life conflict (r² =
.50), and subsequent health effects (r² = .30), are illustrated in the final
structural equation model.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
O’Neill J, Davis K (2009). Differences in work and family stress
experienced by managers and hourly employees in the hotel industry. Amherst,
MA: University of Massachussetts. 2009 ICHRIE Conference.
Abstract. During economic
downturns, hospitality industry employees are often asked to do more with less,
and this situation creates stress among employees. Employee stress is becoming
a significant issue in the hospitality industry, and it is costly for employers
and employees alike. Stress results
in overall declines in employee productivity, job performance, and customer service, and also results in increases
in hostility, withdrawal, and costly turnover and health care costs. Although addressing and
reducing stress in the hospitality industry is both a noble goal and is capable of resulting in expense
reductions for employers, the nature and quantity of hospitality employee
stress is not fully understood. Research regarding stress in the hospitality
industry is an understudied topic. This study aims to identify the most common
work stressors of a sample of 164 managerial and hourly workers who were each
interviewed for eight consecutive days, and were employed at 65 different
hotels across the United States. Further, this study examines whether there are
differences in the types and frequency of work and family stressors between
managers and non-managers, and also for men/women, parents/non-parents,
married/single, and based on the quantity of working hours. http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=refereed&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Ddifferences%2520in%2520work%2520and%2520family%2520stress%2520experienced%2520by%2520managers%2520and%2520hourly%2520employees%2520in%2520the%2520hotel%2520industry.%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CB4QFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fscholarworks.umass.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1075%2526context%253Drefereed%26ei%3Ddn-hTr_1MsGutwfr4aSVBQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNHtL9I14igbLyohdAQ2e1pe3tMAeg#search=%22differences%20work%20family%20stress%20experienced%20by%20managers%20hourly%20employees%20hotel%20industry.%22
CATAGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS;
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Onsøyen LE, Mykletun RJ, Steiro TJ (2009). Silenced and invisible: the
work experience of room attendants in Norwegian hotels. Scand J Hospitality
Tourism 9(1):81-102.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL
WORKERS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Pollert A, Wright T [2006]. The
experience of ethnic minority workers in the hotel and catering industry:
routes to support and advice on workplace problems. London: Working Lives
Research Institute.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Quirion F, Poirier P, Lehane P
[2008]. Improving the cleaning procedure to make kitchen floors less slippery.
Ergonomics 51(12):2013–2029.
Abstract. This
investigation shows that, in most cases, the floor cleaning procedure of
typical restaurants could be improved, resulting in a better cleaning
efficiency and a better floor friction. This simple approach could help reduce
slips and falls in the workplace. Food safety officers visited ten European
style restaurants in the London Borough of Bromley (UK) to identify their floor
cleaning procedure in terms of the cleaning method, the concentration and type
of floor cleaner and the temperature of the wash water. For all 10 restaurants
visited, the cleaning method was damp mopping. Degreasers were used in three
sites while neutral floor cleaners were used in seven sites. Typically, the
degreasers were over diluted and the neutrals were overdosed. The wash water
temperature ranged from 10 to 72 degrees C. The on-site cleaning procedures
were repeated in the laboratory for the removal of olive oil from new and
sealed quarry tiles, fouled and worn quarry tiles and new porcelain tiles. It
is found that in 24 out of 30 cases, cleaning efficiency can be improved by
simple changes in the floor cleaning procedure and that these changes result in
a significant improvement of the floor friction. The nature of the improved
floor cleaning procedure depends on the flooring type. New and properly sealed
flooring tiles can be cleaned using damp mopping with a degreaser diluted as
recommended by the manufacturer in warm or hot water (24 to 50 degrees C). But
as the tiles become worn and fouled, a more aggressive floor cleaning is
required such as two-step mopping with a degreaser diluted as recommended by
the manufacturer in warm water (24 degrees C).
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT
Rugulies R, Scherzer T, Krause N
[2008]. Associations between psychological demands, decision latitude, and job
strain with smoking in female hotel room cleaners in Las Vegas. Int J Behav Med
15(1):34–43.
Abstract. BACKGROUND:
Little is known of the impact of the work environment on smoking among women
holding low-paid jobs in the service sector. PURPOSE: To study the associations
between the components of the demand-control model with smoking in hotel room
cleaners. METHODS: We conducted a survey on work and health among 776 female
hotel room cleaners in Las Vegas. Associations between psychosocial work
characteristics and smoking were analyzed with multivariate regression
analyses.
RESULTS:
Psychosocial work characteristics were associated with smoking after adjustment
for covariates. Effect estimates were substantially reduced by additional
adjustment for ethnicity, but remained significant for high psychological
demands and smoking prevalence (OR = 1.97, p = 0.02), high job strain and
smoking prevalence (OR = 1.87, p = 0.04), and high job strain and smoking
intensity (coefficient = 3.52, p = 0.03). When analyses were restricted to
Hispanic workers and further adjusted for place of birth, low decision latitude
(coefficient = 3.94, p = 0.04) and high job strain (coefficient = 4.57, p =
003) were associated with smoking intensity but not with smoking status.
CONCLUSION:
Workplace smoking cessation programs may benefit from a primary prevention
component reducing job strain among service workers. More research is needed on
perceived and objective differences in psychosocial work characteristics across
ethnic, immigrant, and other social groups within the same occupation.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Seifert AM, Messing K (2006). Cleaning up after globalization: an
ergonomic analysis of work activity of hotel cleaners. Antipode 38:557-578.
Abstract. Hotels and hotel
chains are responding to globalization and increased competition through new marketing initiatives, employment
practices, and restructuring decisions that are intensifying the work of cleaners. In this paper, we
report on how such work intensification at two hotels in Montre´al, Canada, is changing the nature of cleaners’ jobs.
Specifically, we found that the numbers of operations to be completed, the
numbers and weights of items to be cleaned, and the effort involved have all
increased. ‘‘Flexible’’ employment relationships and outsourcing have also
worsened cleaners’ workloads. In response to our research, the labour union
representing cleaners has negotiated a lower number of room assignments per
cleaner, as well as an improved way
of taking into account the variability of work when determining the quota of
rooms to be cleaned. Despite this,
new marketing strategies continue to intensify work. We conclude that standards and regulation on a
governmental level are a necessary complement to union actions. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0066-4812.2006.00595.x/pdf
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Shani A, Pizam A (2009). Work-related depression among hotel
employees. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly 50(4):446-459.
Abstract. Given
the putative cost of work-related depression, this article reports the results
of a pilot study conducted among hotel employees in Central Florida. The study
finds an initial indication of a small but noteworthy incidence of depression
among workers in the hospitality industry. The article explores the antecedents
and possible origins of depression, as well as critical issues related to
depression in the workplace, particularly its effects on organizations and
employees. The findings indicate a need for greater organizational awareness of
depression. http://cqx.sagepub.com/content/50/4/446.full.pdf+html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Vredenburgh AG [2002]. Occupational
Safety: which management practices are most effective in reducing employee
injury rates? J Safety Research 33(2):259–276.
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT;
INJURIES
Wial H, Rickert J (2002). US hotels and their workers: room for improvement. Washington, DC: AFL-CIO
Working for America Institute.
Abstract. The U.S. hotel industry, a low-wage industry that has grown
rapidly over the past two decades provides jobs for workers with little formal
education or training, including some people leaving welfare. Hotels have also
received public economic development subsidies as part of central city economic
development projects. This report summarizes the industry’s performance on
issues of interest to its workers and to those who are concerned about low-wage
workers and wage inequality, the opportunities available to people leaving welfare
and the quality of jobs created by businesses receiving public economic
development subsidies. http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2002_3rd/Aug02_HotelJobs.html
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Woods V, Buckle P [2006].
Musculoskeletal ill health amongst cleaners and recommendations for work
organizational change. Int J Ind Ergonomics
36(1):61–72. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V31-4HDG93M1/2/ebce723e8430a39ded3a1b77292a8c4e)
Abstract: This paper
presents findings from an investigation into the musculoskeletal health of UK
cleaners. It focuses on cleaning work organization and practices, and
recommendations for supervisors and managers to work with cleaners to reduce
health and workplace problems. Questionnaire surveys of 1216 cleaners
throughout the UK, 130 assessments of cleaning tasks and interviews with 38
cleaners at 9 workplaces were undertaken to identify potential risk factors for
musculoskeletal ill health. Based on the findings of this participative study
and previous research [e.g. Kruger et al., 1997. Risk Assessment and Preventive
Strategies in Cleaning Work. Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Bremerhaven],
recommendations were presented to groups of cleaning supervisors, managers,
trainers, designers and manufacturers to ensure that advice provided for
reducing musculoskeletal ill health was practical for the industry. The
recommendations related to work organizational change (i.e. work scheduling and
work practices such as teamwork and job extension, communication/social support
networks) and organizational strategies (i.e. reporting systems for
musculoskeletal ill heath; procedures for risk assessment; training program
design; equipment selection; maintenance procedures; workplace changes). This
paper concentrates on only one part of the work system that influences
musculoskeletal health; recommendations on musculoskeletal health and cleaning
equipment design/use are reported elsewhere [Woods and Buckle, 2005]. An
investigation into the design and use of workplace cleaning equipment.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 35, 247-266; Woods et al., 1999.
Musculoskeletal Health of Cleaners. HSE Books, Suffolk.].Relevance to industry:
Cleaning is important, physically demanding, labor-intensive work, conducted by
millions worldwide. Managers and supervisors should work with staff to improve
organization of cleaning to ensure better musculoskeletal health. The
importance of organizational changes must be recognized by others in the
industry (e.g. employers, contract cleaning managers, training organizations,
manufacturers). Keywords: Cleaners; Musculoskeletal ill health; Work
organization; Scheduling; Workload; Social support networks
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT; MSDs;
WORK STRESS
Zock JP [2005]. World at work:
cleaners. Occup Enviorn Med 62(8):581–584.
Abstract: Cleaning
workers form an important proportion of the total working population,
particularly among women. This paper reviews some of the most common
occupational hazards in cleaning work, and discusses possibilities to improve
control and prevention. Topics covered: physical workload and strain;
accidents; dermal, respiratory and other effects of chemical products;
psychosocial problems; measures to protect workers.
CATEGORIES: WOMEN’S HEALTH; WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Belkic KL, Landsbergis PA, Schnall
PL, Baker D [2004]. Is job strain a major source of cardiovascular disease
risk? Scand J Work Environ Health. 30(2):85–128.
Abstract. Empirical
studies on job strain and cardiovascular disease (CVD), their internal
validity, and the likely direction of biases were examined. The 17 longitudinal
studies had the highest validity ratings. In all but two, biases towards the
null dominated. Eight, including several of the largest, showed significant
positive results; three had positive, nonsignificant findings. Six of nine
case-control studies had significant positive findings; recall bias leading to
overestimation appears to be fairly minimal. Four of eight cross-sectional
studies had significant positive results. Men showed strong, consistent evidence
of an association between exposure to job strain and CVD. The data of the women
were more sparse and less consistent, but, as for the men, most of the studies
probably underestimated existing effects. Other elements of causal inference,
particularly biological plausibility, corroborated that job strain is a major
CVD risk factor. Additional intervention studies are needed to examine the
impact of ameliorating job strain upon CVD-related outcomes.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; CVD
Blackwell RH. Out of the frying pan: a study of stress in the
hospitality industry. Leeds, UK: Leeds
Metropolitan University, Leeds Polytechnic, Leisure, and Consumer Studies.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Bongers PM, Kremer AM, ter Laak J
[2002]. Are psychosocial factors, risk factors for symptoms and signs of the
shoulder, elbow, or hand/wrist? A review of the epidemiological literature. Am
J Ind Med 41(5): 315–342.
Background
In 1993, an extensive review on the role of psychosocial factors in the
development of musculoskeletal problems was published by Bongers et al (1993).
Since then, additional reviews on this topic have been published; however, none
of these focused on upper limb problems. Methods In this systematic review, the
methodological quality of all studies was assessed and levels of evidence were
apriori defined. Results: The large majority of the studies reported an
association between at least one work-related psychosocial factor and adverse
upper extremity symptoms or signs. High perceived job stress was consistently
associated with all upper extremity problems (UEP) in high and lower quality
studies. Although not often studied, non-work-related stress was also
consistently associated with UEP. In addition, there was some evidence for a
relationship between high job demands and UEP, although the results did not
meet the pre-set criterion for consistency. Conclusions High job stress and
non-work-related stress reactions are consistently associated with UEP. In
addition, high job demands is also in most studies associated with these
disorders. Firm conclusions on the role of these factors in the etiology of UEP
are not possible due to the cross-sectional nature of most studies. Am. J. Ind.
Med. 41:315-342, 2002.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; MSDs; REVIEW
ARTICLES
Davis K [2000]. The relationship
between psychosocial work characteristics and low back pain: underlying
methodological issues. Clin Biomech 15(6):389–406.
Abstract. Background.
Psychosocial work characteristics have been widely evaluated as potential risk
factors for low back injury. However, studies with different study populations
and using various types of measures have had conflicting results.
Methods.
This review is the most extensive to date, reviewing 66 articles that have
provided empirical evidence about the relationship between psychosocial work
characteristics and initial reporting of lower back pain. The studies are
reviewed with an emphasis on certain methodological issues: controlling for
potential confounding; timing of the data collection; and measurement of the
exposures and outcomes.
Results.
The results of this review suggest that controlling for potential confounding
from occupational biomechanical demands had a large influence on the
associations found between psychosocial work characteristics and lower back
pain. In addition, the use of accurate and reliable measures for the
occupational exposures (biomechanical and psychosocial) and the lower back pain
outcomes appears to influence the strength of the associations found between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain.
Conclusion.
Given the methodological concerns discussed in this review, it is difficult to
draw strong causal inferences from this literature. However, it does appear
that psychosocial characteristics are related to some lower back pain outcomes,
and that employees’ reactions to psychosocial work characteristics (e.g., job
dissatisfaction and job stress) are more consistently related to lower back
pain than are the psychosocial work characteristics themselves (e.g., work
overload, lack of influence over work, quality of relationships with
coworkers).Relevance: This review attempts to identify and address
methodological issues in the literature evaluating the relationship between
psychosocial work characteristics and lower back pain. Implications for future
research are presented.
CATEGORIES: REVIEW ARTICLES; WORK
STRESS; PAIN
DHPE [2008]. Focusing the lens: exploring the impact of job stress among
Hispanic/Latina blue-collar workers. By Griffin-Blake S, Alarcon-Yohe M,
Berktold J, Liburd L. Washington,
DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Directors of Health
Promotion and Education.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Faulkner B, Patiar A (1997). Workplace-induced stress among
operational staff in the hotel industry. Int J Hospitality Management
16(1):99-117.
Abstract: Stress is an
integral part of all aspects of an individual's life. In the workplace, as in
other areas, stress can play a positive role by increasing alertness among
staff and mobilizing their adaptive capabilities. To some extent, therefore, a
certain level of stress has the potential to actually contribute to
organizational effectiveness. However, stress can become counterproductive once
excessive levels of unresolved stress begin to affect the health and
productivity of the workforce. Employers in any setting therefore have both
commercial and moral reasons for being sensitive to the incidence of stress and
developing management approaches for controlling it. This is particularly so in
industries such as the hotel industry, which are both labour intensive and
dependent upon face to face contact with guests in the delivery of services.
This paper examines the sources of stress among front office and housekeeping
operational staff in four star international standard hotels on the Gold Coast
(Queensland, Australia) with a view to exploring the management implications of
this phenomenon. While the sample size and the context of the study limit our
ability to generalize from survey results, an indication of problems requiring
adjustments in management approach is provided. In particular, it appears that,
while staff in both areas are susceptible to stress, front office staff are
more vulnerable owing to the nature of their duties and aspects of their
background that make them more sensitive to organizational deficiencies.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS
Finch, BK, Kolody B, Vega WA [2000].
Perceived discrimination and depression among Mexican-origin adults in
California. J Health Soc Behav 41(3):295–313.
Abstract. This study
provided a test of the minority status stress model by examining
whether perceived discrimination would directly affect health
outcomes even when perceived stress was taken into account among 215
Mexican-origin adults. Perceived discrimination predicted depression
and poorer general health, and marginally predicted health symptoms,
when perceived stress was taken into account. Perceived stress
predicted depression and poorer general health while controlling for
the effects of perceived discrimination. The influence of perceived
discrimination on general health was greater for men than women, and
the effect of perceived stress on depression was greater for women
than men. Results provide evidence that discrimination is a source
of chronic stress above and beyond perceived stress, and the
accumulation of these two sources of stress is detrimental to mental
and physical health. Findings suggest that mental health and health
practitioners need to assess for the effects of discrimination as
a stressor along with perceived stress.
CATEGORIES: WORK STRESS; IMMIGRANT
WORKERS
Gill AS, Mathur N (2007). Improving employee dedication and pro-social
behavior. Int J Contemporary Hospitality Mangement 19(4):328-334.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine
the relationship between transformational leadership and employee dedication
and the relationship between transformational leadership and pro-social
behaviour. This study seeks to extend Gill et al.'s findings regarding the
impact of transformational leadership on job stress and the impact of job
stress on burnout. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
– Hospitality industry employees were interviewed to find out if transformational
leadership used by their managers improves employee dedication and pro-social
behaviour. FINDINGS – Results
suggest that employee dedication and pro-social behaviour are positively
related to the improvement in the level of perceived transformational
leadership implementation. PRACTICAL
IMPLICATIONS – If employees perceive that their managers are using
high-level transformational leadership, employee dedication and pro-social
behaviour are perceived as higher level than if it is perceived as being used
at lower level. ORIGINALITY/VALUE
– This paper offers useful insights for hotel managers based on empirical
evidence.
CATEGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS; WORK ENVIRONMENT
Holtermann A, Blangsted AK,
Christensen H, Hansen K, Søgaard K [2009]. What characterizes cleaners
sustaining good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work?
Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82(8):1015–1022.
Abstract. OBJECTIVES: The
aim of this case-control study was to investigate characteristics of cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health after years with physically heavy work.
METHODS: One hundred and 41 female seniority cleaners participated. Twenty-five
reported no musculoskeletal symptoms, whereas 83 reported severe symptoms in
the low back, neck shoulders or upper limbs. The groups were of matching age,
height, body weight and seniority (19 years). Muscular strength was recorded by
isometric maximal voluntary contractions on a day without pain. Exposure to
physical risk factors at work, psychosocial work factors, and leisure time
physical activity were assessed by a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Cleaners
with good musculoskeletal health were not reporting different exposure to
physical risk factors at work or leisure time physical activity, but had higher
muscular strength and reported higher influence at work than cleaners with
severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that muscular strength and
influence at work are of relevance for sustaining good musculoskeletal health
in workers with physically heavy work.
CATEGORIES: MSDs; WORK STRESS;
WOMEN’S HEALTH
O’Neill J, Davis K (2009). Differences in work and family stress
experienced by managers and hourly employees in the hotel industry. Amherst,
MA: University of Massachussetts. 2009 ICHRIE Conference.
Abstract. During economic
downturns, hospitality industry employees are often asked to do more with less,
and this situation creates stress among employees. Employee stress is becoming
a significant issue in the hospitality industry, and it is costly for employers
and employees alike. Stress results
in overall declines in employee productivity, job performance, and customer service, and also results in increases
in hostility, withdrawal, and costly turnover and health care costs. Although addressing and
reducing stress in the hospitality industry is both a noble goal and is capable of resulting in expense
reductions for employers, the nature and quantity of hospitality employee
stress is not fully understood. Research regarding stress in the hospitality
industry is an understudied topic. This study aims to identify the most common
work stressors of a sample of 164 managerial and hourly workers who were each
interviewed for eight consecutive days, and were employed at 65 different
hotels across the United States. Further, this study examines whether there are
differences in the types and frequency of work and family stressors between
managers and non-managers, and also for men/women, parents/non-parents,
married/single, and based on the quantity of working hours. http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=refereed&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Ddifferences%2520in%2520work%2520and%2520family%2520stress%2520experienced%2520by%2520managers%2520and%2520hourly%2520employees%2520in%2520the%2520hotel%2520industry.%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CB4QFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fscholarworks.umass.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1075%2526context%253Drefereed%26ei%3Ddn-hTr_1MsGutwfr4aSVBQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNHtL9I14igbLyohdAQ2e1pe3tMAeg#search=%22differences%20work%20family%20stress%20experienced%20by%20managers%20hourly%20employees%20hotel%20industry.%22
CATAGORIES: HOTEL WORKERS; WORK STRESS;
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Rugulies R, Krause N [2005]. Job
strain, isostrain, and incidence of back and neck injury: a 7.5-year prospective study of San Francisco
transit operators. Soc Sci Med 61(1):27–39.
CATEGORIES: INJURIES; WORK STRESS
Woods V, Buckle P [2006].
Musculoskeletal ill health amongst cleaners and recommendations for work
organizational change. Int J Ind Ergonomics
36(1):61–72. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V31-4HDG93M1/2/ebce723e8430a39ded3a1b77292a8c4e)
Abstract: This paper
presents findings from an investigation into the musculoskeletal health of UK
cleaners. It focuses on cleaning work organization and practices, and
recommendations for supervisors and managers to work with cleaners to reduce
health and workplace problems. Questionnaire surveys of 1216 cleaners
throughout the UK, 130 assessments of cleaning tasks and interviews with 38
cleaners at 9 workplaces were undertaken to identify potential risk factors for
musculoskeletal ill health. Based on the findings of this participative study
and previous research [e.g. Kruger et al., 1997. Risk Assessment and Preventive
Strategies in Cleaning Work. Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Bremerhaven],
recommendations were presented to groups of cleaning supervisors, managers,
trainers, designers and manufacturers to ensure that advice provided for
reducing musculoskeletal ill health was practical for the industry. The
recommendations related to work organizational change (i.e. work scheduling and
work practices such as teamwork and job extension, communication/social support
networks) and organizational strategies (i.e. reporting systems for
musculoskeletal ill heath; procedures for risk assessment; training program
design; equipment selection; maintenance procedures; workplace changes). This
paper concentrates on only one part of the work system that influences
musculoskeletal health; recommendations on musculoskeletal health and cleaning
equipment design/use are reported elsewhere [Woods and Buckle, 2005]. An
investigation into the design and use of workplace cleaning equipment.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 35, 247-266; Woods et al., 1999.
Musculoskeletal Health of Cleaners. HSE Books, Suffolk.].Relevance to industry:
Cleaning is important, physically demanding, labor-intensive work, conducted by
millions worldwide. Managers and supervisors should work with staff to improve
organization of cleaning to ensure better musculoskeletal health. The
importance of organizational changes must be recognized by others in the industry
(e.g. employers, contract cleaning managers, training organizations,
manufacturers). Keywords: Cleaners; Musculoskeletal ill health; Work
organization; Scheduling; Workload; Social support networks
CATEGORIES: WORK ENVIRONMENT; MSDs;
WORK STRESS