From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: News & information
Date: 29 Apr 2008
Time: 09:18:31 +0200
Remote Name: 86.146.8.251
An interesting article appears in Safety and Health Practitioner, the Official Magazine of IOSH discusses the rather poor lot of the lowly cleaner. Manual handling issues including bending and stretching, exposure to dust and dirt, cleaning chemicals etc are part of the daily drudge - pity that there isn't a word of praise for the importance of cleaners in maintaining a clean, pleasant and safe environment, and the poor rates of pay that reward this task.
A warning is included to remind us that cleaners in healthcare premises face the risk of sharps injury and bloodborne virus infection. Of course that is correct.
But not only do cleaners face a sharps injury risk, but those working further down the solid waste disposal chain, and laundry workers who may find the hard way needles that have been lost in bed linen.
Though it is well written and hugely informative to those who might be responsible for the work of cleaners, it is unfortunate that the review goes no further in discussing sharps injury. The risk to hospital cleaners is unacceptably high. The root cause is the lack of care by healthcare professionals who fail in their Duty of Care to consider and protect the welfare of others. I await the first prosecution.
But one very serious omission is apparent. Cleaners responsible for public toilets, those working in the cleaning of some communal housing schemes, pubs and clubs, and out in the Community where Local Authority staff clear litter from parks and gardens etc, face a high risk of sharps injury also. The risk may be greater - sharps used by IV drug abusers are more likely to carry Hep B, Hep C, HIV or other bloodborne virus. Cleaners working in these locations will be less likely to have received the necessary training, and will work without the necessary tools and PPE to clear hazardous wastes safely.
It's a miserable job, but someone has to do it. Let us hope they can do it safely.