Work environment safety and ergonomics in depth
Keep your body whole through a whole working life
In a trade where you move, lift, push and bend yourself all day, your body is your most important work tool. Wear and tear rarely comes from a single wrong movement, but from the same small stresses repeated thousands of times. That is why ergonomics and safety are not something you think about once in a while — it is part of the way you work.
§Ergonomics — work with your body, not against it.
Ergonomics is about adapting the work to your body rather than the other way around. Keep your back as straight as possible, use your legs instead of your back when lifting, and work as close to your body as you can. Switch between work positions so the same muscles are not strained all the time, and adjust your tools — mops, trolleys and handles — so you do not have to work with raised arms or a bent back.
- 01PLACEHOLDER_1
- 02Push forward rather than pull, and use carts and aids
- 03Set shaft lengths so you avoid working above shoulder height
- 04Alternate between tasks and postures so the strain is distributed
§Chemistry and protective equipment
Cleaning and disinfection agents can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory tract if used incorrectly. Dose according to instructions, never mix products carelessly, and use the protective equipment – gloves, possibly glasses or mask – as the safety data sheet prescribes. Apply the agent to the cloth rather than spraying aerosol into the air, both for your own indoor climate and for others'.
§Slip hazard and falls
Wet floors are one of the most common causes of workplace accidents in the trade. Always mark wet areas, use skid-resistant footwear, and clean up spills immediately. Be especially alert to transitions between floor types and on stairs, where the fall can be serious.
§Biological risks and hygiene
On hospitals and in the health sector, you may come into contact with infection, blood, and biological waste. Here, proper hand hygiene, use of gloves, and knowledge of the workplace's infection hygiene guidelines are crucial — both to protect yourself and to prevent spreading infection between patients. Sharp objects and syringe waste are handled according to special rules.
§The psychological work environment
Work environment is not only physical. Time pressure working alone meeting sick or dissatisfied people and feeling overlooked can wear just as much as heavy lifting. A good mental work environment is built on reasonable timeframes a community at work and management you can talk to. It is okay to speak up if tasks cannot be completed responsibly.
§You are part of the safety
Workplaces with employees have an occupational health and safety organization and many have an occupational health and safety representative you can turn to. Report errors and near-misses so they can be corrected before anyone gets hurt. Safety is a shared responsibility but it starts with each individual taking it seriously.
“You must be able to sustain the trade — not just tomorrow, but in twenty years. It's determined by how you work today.”
— Ergonomic basic principle.