Ergonomics for Environmental Services – Laundry
On this page:
Also refer to Resources about Materials Handling and Tools on the Maintenance Page
Laundry Services
Publications from the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Health Care in British Columbia (OHSAH):
- An Ergonomics Guide for Hospital Laundries
- Using Carts in Healthcare: A Resource Guide for Reducing Musculoskeletal Injury
Report of Ergonomics Risk Assessment of Food Services and Laundry Services (2000).
From the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (East Division)
Resources from WorkSafeBC, Canada.
An Ergonomic Assessment of Hospital Linen Bag Handling (2017). Teeple, E. et.al. NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. Vol 27, Issue 2, pp. 210 – 224
Click here to find information to the following questions related to Hotel Laundry (can be applied to Health Care Laundry Services) from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
What kind of work do people do in the hotel laundry?
What are the tasks involved in “Sorting and Washing”?
What are the risk factors of “Sorting and Washing”?
What are the tasks involved in “Drying and Folding”?
What are the risk factors of “Drying and Folding”?
What are the tasks involved in retrieving pieces of laundry?
What are the risk factors of retrieving pieces of laundry?
What are the tasks involved in folding towels?
What are the risk factors involved in folding towels?
How can we reduce the risk factors for RMI?
Other Resources
Ergonomics Ideas Bank - A searchable collection of ideas, that may help you reduce exposure to awkward postures, high hand force, repetitive motions, lifting, vibration and other risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in your workplace from theWashington State Dept. of Labor & Industries.
Search the following professional association sites for 'Ergonomics' to view various articles and resources
Musculoskeletal Disorders resource page
The OSHA Hospital E-Tool Healthcare Module for Laundry. This site contains some ideas for ergonomics as well as other common hazards that might be found in the Laundry.
The OSHA Safety and Health Topics for Ergonomics.
This site contains links to resources related to common safety and health hazards that might be found in Environmental Services.
Working Safely In Health Care a Practical Guide (2007). Ed - D. Fell Carlson. Thomson Delmar Learning. Chapter 3 discusses how to Perform Clinical Tasks Safely by applying ergonomics principles to prevent injuries. www.Delmarhealthcare.com
Analysis Tools for Ergonomists From Thomas E. Bernard, University of South Florida and
Workplace Ergonomics Tools from Cornell University
Basic and advanced ergonomics analysis tools for evaluation of a wide variety of job tasks
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) Various ergonomics analysis methods