HAZARDS OF THE JOB AND IN
THE WORKPLACE
Occupational hazards in cleaning work
may depend on the working tasks and
cleaning equipment applied, on the
cleaning products used, and on the
environment to be cleaned. Regarding
the latter, exposures are often inherent
to the type of environment where the
cleaning is performed and hence risks
are related to the function of the
cleaning location. A Finnish study suggested
that the risk of asthma was
highest for cleaners of industrial sites
with a recognised risk of occupational
asthma.8 Thus, exposures to products or
waste from the manufacturing process
where the cleaning is performed may be
relevant.
Cleaners have unfavourable working
hours; they often clean after or before
regular working hours. In many offices
and factories, mechanical ventilation,
heating, and air conditioning are frequently
turned off or are functioning at
lower level during these hours.
Consequently, cleaners are often
exposed to cold, heat, and poor ventilation,
and in the case of surgery rooms,
laboratories, or workshops this may
result in increased respiratory exposures.
Workplace exposure to cleaning products
is ubiquitous and occurs in both
industrial and non-industrial settings. It
is not unusual for these products to be
used in higher concentrations or larger
amounts than necessary. This may be
related to the deep rooted though
unfounded belief that cleaning is done
better and/or quicker this way. Mainly
physical, safety, chemical, and psychosocial
hazards can be distinguished in
cleaning work.
HAZARDS OF THE JOB AND INTHE WORKPLACEOccupational hazards in cleaning workmay depend on the working tasks andcleaning equipment applied, on thecleaning products used, and on theenvironment to be cleaned. Regardingthe latter, exposures are often inherentto the type of environment where thecleaning is performed and hence risksare related to the function of thecleaning location. A Finnish study suggestedthat the risk of asthma washighest for cleaners of industrial siteswith a recognised risk of occupationalasthma.8 Thus, exposures to products orwaste from the manufacturing processwhere the cleaning is performed may berelevant.Cleaners have unfavourable workinghours; they often clean after or beforeregular working hours. In many officesand factories, mechanical ventilation,heating, and air conditioning are frequentlyturned off or are functioning atlower level during these hours.Consequently, cleaners are oftenexposed to cold, heat, and poor ventilation,and in the case of surgery rooms,laboratories, or workshops this mayresult in increased respiratory exposures.Workplace exposure to cleaning productsis ubiquitous and occurs in bothindustrial and non-industrial settings. Itis not unusual for these products to beused in higher concentrations or largeramounts than necessary. This may berelated to the deep rooted thoughunfounded belief that cleaning is donebetter and/or quicker this way. Mainlyphysical, safety, chemical, and psychosocialhazards can be distinguished incleaning work.
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