Custodian Workload Survey Reveals Top Causes of Workplace Injuries
Washington state custodians disclose poor equipment and time restraints as hazards
December 16, 2020
One in five custodians working in Washington state said they were injured on the job in the past year, according to the results of a workload survey conducted by researchers on behalf of Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Safety+Health reports.
The survey questioned 660 custodians across the state via telephone, mail, and the internet to determine the risk factors they face on the job. The respondents revealed rushing as one of the leading causes of injury, with 15% of custodians saying they were “likely or extremely likely” to slip, trip, or fall when they rushed.
The survey also found:
- 91% of respondents reporting having to work “very fast.”
- 17% said they never or seldom have enough time to complete their job.
- 33% rated their tools and equipment as “poor” or “fair.” Additionally, 35% said their equipment negatively impacts their job, causing them to work slower or harder.
- 14% said they were not provided with quality cleaning supplies.
The number of injuries reported by custodians “is more than usually reported by workers in other jobs,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries reported in a recent edition of its Janitorial Workload Newsletter.
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