A survey by the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) finds that laundry work can be far more dangerous than many people realize. According to researchers, commercial laundry work - performed in hotels, hospitals, schools, as well as by cleaning professionals maintaining cleaning cloths, mops, etc. - can include such hazards as handling laundry soiled with biological materials as well as contact with potentially dangerous chemicals.
 
Recognizing the risks involved with commercial laundry tasks, the following Safe and Healthy Laundry Tips are from AlturaSolutions Communications:
 
• If provided, always read and understand the safety data sheets (SDS) accompanying commercial laundry care products
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective clothing, gloves and safety glasses.
• Shoes should have a nonslip sole when working around slippery water and soaps.
• Always keep laundry care products in their original containers and close the containers immediately after use.
• Know what to do in case of an accident; have the U.S. Poison Control Center phone number (1-800-222-1222) close at hand, as well as the product manufacturer’s emergency phone number.
• Clean up spills of laundry care products as they happen and immediately wash hands.
• Try using less laundry detergent than recommended; some studies suggest that often too much detergent is used. This is not only wasteful, costly and potentially harmful to the environment, but can possibly damage washing machines and cause mold and mildew to develop.

“Commercial laundry facilities should also consider transferring to green-certified laundry care products,” says Robert Kravitz, president of AlturaSolutions Communications. “While safety precautions still apply, if used properly, green-certified laundry products should be safer and have less impact on the user and the environment.”