- Infection e.g. Legionnaires' disease.
- Skin, eye or respiratory sensitisation.
- Exposure to biological agents via contaminated laundry, contaminated sharps in laundry or contaminated water aerosols.
- Exposure to proteolytic enzymes in detergents.
- Adverse health effects such as latex allergy, dermatitis and respiratory problems.
- Exposure to latex consumables, soaps, detergents and solvents.
- Breathing fumes such as chlorine hypochlorite, ammonia and sulphur dioxide.
- Exposure to asbestos in old buildings.
- Exposure to cytotoxic drugs and radionuclides via contaminated laundry.
- Wet work.
- Electric shock.
- Lack of equipment maintenance.
- Handling sockets or equipment with wet hands.
- Ingress of water into equipment.
- Physical injury.
- Contact with unguarded machines e.g. folding machine.
- Defective guards or interlocks.
- Inadequately maintained steam boiler.
Ergonomic Hazards / Manual Handling
- Musculoskeletal disorders.
- Adopting awkward or static postures while carrying out tasks.
- Lifting, transporting or folding laundry.
- Loading and unloading washing machines and dryers.
- Lifting heavy detergent containers.
- Overfilled laundry bags.
- Lack of or unsuitable manual handling aids e.g. trolleys.
- Failure to maintain manual handling aids.
- Smoke inhalation.
- Faulty equipment e.g. overheating.
- Overloaded sockets.
- Blocked fire exits.
Hot Surfaces / Heat
- Excessive humidity.
- Lack of job rotation, breaks or water consumption.
- Inadequately insulated steam and hot water pipes.
- Cuts or puncture wounds.
- Exposure to needles, knives or blades folded in soiled laundry.
Slips, Trips and Falls
- Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.
- Wet floors.
- Poor housekeeping.
- Trailing cables.
- Unsuitable footwear.
- Hearing damage or loss.
- Physiological effects.
- Work related stress.
- Increased risk of accidents.
- Prolonged exposure to noisy equipment.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of hazards and risks.