The industrial laundry and linen industry employs more than 129,000 people in the United States, according to IBISWorld, a publisher of industry research. These facilities do high-volume sorting and laundering of soiled linens used by hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, hotels and other companies. Because this type of work involves contact with soiled clothing, industrial laundry machines and laundry chemicals, employees must be aware of potential hazards and take appropriate steps to protect themselves.
As employees sort soiled clothing, they may come into contact with items that have been contaminated with urine, blood, saliva and other body fluids. Workers may also come into contact with needles, scalpels or other sharps accidentally mixed in with soiled linens from medical facilities. Laundry workers should always wear gloves when handling soiled items, as gloves reduce the risk of exposure to harmful organisms. The State Compensation Insurance Fund also recommends that laundry workers receive bloodborne pathogens training to learn more about protecting themselves against the potential effects of handling linens that have been soiled with body fluids. Bloodborne pathogens are tiny organisms that cause diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that industrial laundry workers may be exposed to benzene, ethylene glycol and other chemicals that increase the risk of occupational illnesses. Wearing gloves will protect workers against skin exposure, but it is also possible for these chemicals to enter the respiratory tract during inhalation. Employers should provide respiratory masks to protect employees against this type of exposure. Workers should also wear safety glasses and protective clothing when appropriate. This protective equipment helps to prevent eye injuries and skin exposure.
Some of the machines used for industrial laundry work produce heat and increase the humidity of the workplace. Employers should install guards on hot water lines and machine surfaces to reduce the risk of burns. Laundry workers should protect themselves from the effects of heat exposure by wearing clothing made from lightweight fabrics; taking extra breaks when working in extreme heat; and avoiding clothing made from synthetic fabrics. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also recommends drinking approximately one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes while working in extreme heat.
Industrial laundry machines contain moving parts that can cause severe injuries. Employees should conduct regular inspections to ensure that all machines are in working order. If a machine is in need of maintenance or repair, workers should disconnect the machine from its power source and affix a warning device that lets other employees know they should not operate the machine until the warning has been removed. Employers should install machine guards to protect employees from sparks, rotating parts and other hazards.
The State Compensation Insurance Fund says laundry workers may handle loads of laundry that weigh up to 300 pounds. The organization recommends using conveyors and carts or breaking these large loads into smaller loads to prevent injuries. If possible, use a cart that has a spring-up bottom. These carts push the laundry to your waist level so that you do not have to bend to reach laundry at the bottom of the cart.
- IBISWorld: Industrial Laundry and Linen Supply in the U.S. -- Market Research Report
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Laundry
- State Compensation Insurance Fund: Laundry Workers
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Bladder Cancer Risk Among Laundry Workers, Dry Cleaners and Others in Chemically Related Occupations
- New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services: Controlling Chemical Exposure Industrial Hygiene Fact Sheets
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety: Heat Stress
- Nonprofit Risk Management Center: Maintenance Issues
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration: General Requirements for All Machines