Recently I’ve been looking at the HSE statistics for 2023 and a stand-out statistic referred to ‘473,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder’. This led me to thinking about the impact of manual handling on housekeeping staff. Often when we read about manual handling the standard image is lifting and carrying loads (typically boxes) and adopting the correct posture while at a desk. But where do housekeeping staff fit in with this?

Bending, lifting, pulling, and stretching can
all place a strain on our backs

Cleaning is a physical job with a requirement on the team to carry out demanding, and often complex, repetitive tasks. Housekeepers are not usually required to lift heavy items, but they pull out beds to access crevices and corners, push trolleys and take on other tasks requiring pulling or pushing.

However, there may be occasions where staff are required to lift items that could be beyond an individual’s capacity, and which fall outside of the recommended safe load. These situations require a careful risk assessment process.

What places housekeepers at greater risk of injury? Much of their time is spent performing physical work throughout the shift. Bending, lifting, pulling, and stretching is a regular workout for our housekeeping teams. Carrying out cleaning tasks and using equipment can put a strain on the body, often through poor posture, resistance and unequal loading. Safety and wellbeing must be the priority.

Housekeeping staff regularly work under severe time constraints. Tasks can involve heavy manual work, putting strain on the heart, muscles and other tissues. They are often required to work in awkward postures for sustained periods and this could lead to long-term damage. In addition to using cleaning equipment, there is work including damp mopping, wiping surfaces, polishing, moving waste bags, beds, furniture and equipment, carrying linen and laundry, or hanging curtains.

The buildings they work in are planned for guests, not designed with ease of cleaning in mind. You only have to look at the ‘sleigh’ beds to understand that point!

Poor technique can lead to musculoskeletal issues. Indications of this might be an increase in sickness absence or reports of pain and discomfort, particularly back, neck, shoulder and leg pain. You might find staff making adaptions to their equipment to cope with this or even face refusals to carry out certain tasks.

So, what must be done? All work with a risk of musculoskeletal injury must be assessed by employers and be undertaken in the workplace, drawing on the knowledge and experience of occupationally trained members of staff. All cleaning tasks should be taken into account, from the loads handled to the work environment and the individual capacity of staff members. Employers should provide tailored manual handling training for housekeeping staff.

And staff should also take some ownership of these issues by reporting any problems with equipment, work practices causing pain or discomfort for them and work-related accidents or ill health, following training on how to use equipment.

***Do you have the right tools for the job?***

Follow these steps from the Health and Safety Executive: • Plan the lift: before lifting think about where the load will be placed and if you need help or handling aids. • Clear the path: Remove any obstructions to ensure a clear path for moving the load. • Adopt a stable position: Keep your feet apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance. • Keep the load close: hold the load close to your waist to reduce strain on your back. • Avoid twisting: turn by moving your feet rather than twisting your back. • Use mechanical aids: Whenever possible use trolleys or other aids to move heavy items. • Training: ensure you are trained in proper manual handling techniques to minimise the risk of injury.

Check that your manual handling records are up to date, your manual handling training programme is current, and that operatives are following the guidance provided. Provide pictorial examples of where two people may be required to carry out a task. Encourage staff to take responsibility for working safely, thereby contributing to their own good health and wellbeing.

Lifting, pulling and pushing will always be required in this role. However, you must assess the situation before carrying out the task safely, call for assistance when required and follow advice given during training. Remember the saying a stitch in time saves nine. Please do not compromise your health and well-being by being a hero. Stop, Assess, Formulate and Execute: SAFE.

Delia