Reducing Physical Demands. Floor Wet Mopping. Revised March 9, 2011

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1 Reducing Physical Demands Floor Wet Mopping Revised March 9, 2011 This document has been compiled by the Department of Occupational Health and Safety Sources: 1) MSI PREVENTION BULLETIN 5: Floor Mopping (WorkSafeBC, Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia) 2) Working Safer and Easier: for Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers: pp59-63 (Cal/OSHA Consultation Service, California Department of Industrial Relations)

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5 Mopping 23 A worker who cleans floors by hand uses rapid and repetitive hand movements while kneeling, crouching, or crawling. There is also sustained bending of the upper body and neck. Tips and improvement ideas Place a Caution: Wet Floor sign in the area. Use knee pads if you have to kneel. Select mop heads that do not readily shed loose threads. Consider smaller mop heads. They are lighter when wet, and easier to squeeze. Adjust the length of telescopic mop handles to the height of your forehead to reduce bending. Avoid extreme reaches to the right and left and twisting. Avoid excessive bending of wrists. Alternate mopping styles. Swing mop in a horizontal figure 8 direction. Pad the handle or use a padded mop handle to cushion and improve your grip. Pad the handle. Avoid extreme reaches to the right and left. Stand upright and keep elbows close to your body. Using Ergonomics WORKING SAFER AND EASIER

6 23 Mopping (cont.) Alternate right and left hands at the top of the mop handle. Use a mop bucket with separate compartments for clean and dirty water. Use microfiber mops if they are appropriate to use. They offer these advantages: Soiled mops are detachable and can be laundered. The mop head pivots and is easier to maneuver. No wringing is required. Floors dry quickly. The mop itself is lighter so mopping is faster. Use a portable hose with an adapter to fill the mop bucket at almost any sink. It saves trips and time. Be sure not to overfill the bucket. WORKING SAFER AND EASIER Using Ergonomics

7 Wringing Mops 24 Typically, janitors bend at the waist and have to push the lever hard to squeeze the mop. This action causes intense contact pressure over the hand and wrist. It also adds strain to the lower back. Tips and improvement ideas Bend your knees and keep your back straight as you push the mop wringer handle down. Use a mop bucket raised off the floor to reduce the bending and force needed to wring the water out. While squeezing the mop, place your foot in front of the wheel to prevent the bucket from moving. A wide base adds stability to a tall mop bucket. Certain types of microfiber mops require much less force to squeeze the mop dry. Using Ergonomics WORKING SAFER AND EASIER

8 Emptying Mop Buckets 25 Emptying mop buckets involves lifting of heavy buckets, bending at the waist, awkward arm and hand postures, carrying a heavy load, and holding it while dumping the dirty water. Sinks mounted on the ground instead of waist height allow the worker to avoid heavy lifting. Tips and improvement ideas Use the smallest amount of cleaning solution possible. With bent knees, lift the bucket keeping it close to your body. Keep your back straight and do not twist. Rest the bucket on the edge of the sink while dumping water. Use mop buckets with a drain opening. If possible, arrange for sinks mounted on the floor at the start of new construction or for a remodel. Dump water while resting the bucket on the sink. Bend your knees and keep your back straight while lifting the bucket. Using Ergonomics WORKING SAFER AND EASIER