3 common janitorial injuries

The custodial industry has unique risks. As a janitor, you face a multitude of hazards in your daily work environment, whether your workplace is an office, school, shopping mall, church or any other building. On-the-job injuries for janitors may occur suddenly via an accident or over a long period of time.

In order to avoid injuries to the best of your ability and be ready to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must be aware of the most common injuries for custodial workers. Potential janitor injuries and accidents include the following.

1. Exposure to chemicals

Cleaning solutions contain a variety of irritating and hazardous chemicals. Touching or breathing certain chemicals may irritate your throat, nose and lungs. Other toxic chemicals may burn your eyes or cause rashes. Some cleaning products may trigger asthma attacks. The risk of chemical exposure is higher if you work in a poorly ventilated area or without protective gear such as gloves or goggles.

2. Fall accidents

You encounter a variety of slippery and messy surfaces during the course of your work. If the floor is slick after mopping or a ladder is obstructing your walkway, you may slip or trip and fall down. Falling may result in various injuries, from a simple sprain to a broken bone or traumatic brain injury.

3. Ergonomic injuries

Your job duties involve a lot of repetitive motions, such as pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching and bending. Even seemingly harmless tasks such as mopping, vacuuming or wiping windows can result in various musculoskeletal complications, including back injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome.

It may seem like your work is simple, but it can be dangerous at times. If you suffer an injury while cleaning, or you notice that certain activities have begun causing you aches and pains that do not go away, do not ignore it or delay reporting it. Get legal help as soon as possible.