Promoting Ergonomic Restroom Tools in Facilities

Considering the benefits of using ergonomic restroom cleaning tools, getting them into clients’ hands should be easy. And it is, for a certain class of customers.  

“Higher traffic, higher profile, and better funded customers who have safety or worker productivity goals built into their culture are in the forefront of driving these changes,” says Herrera. “They are willing to make the short-term investment for longer term gains. They end up with better practices and employees who are more engaged, more productive, and happier.” 

Unfortunately, that’s not always true across the board.  

“The processes and tools for cleaning restrooms are too often restricted by the attitude of, ‘this is the way we’ve always done it,’” says Duffy. “Habits are sometimes challenging to break, and different approaches are sometimes ignored in favor of traditional, less effective and less productive techniques and tools.” 

Rathey agrees, but stresses distributors will still encounter barriers.  

“It’s true that many forward-thinking customers have made the switch to better methods, but barriers to change include initial cost, entrenched habits, short-term rather than long-term thinking, and lack of awareness,” he notes.  

There are ways to break through these barriers to change. Herrera suggests talking to decision makers further up the chain.  

“Executives at the top understand the problems of turnover and the risks of worker’s comp cases. But it’s hard to get facetime at the C-suite level,” he admits. “We’ve been looking at applicants that have better business skills, reps that understand these concepts and are comfortable with high-level conversations.” 

Alternatives to ease the transition to ergonomic tools include explaining the benefits.  

“The primary challenge facility managers face is having enough staffing to professionally decontaminate and disinfect surfaces,” Duffy stresses. “Distributors can help in this challenge by offering demonstrations of improved tools, equipment and technologies that show improved results, and then connect the dots to emphasize the reduced time, costs and related savings associated with these improvements. Improved processes not only yield better results, but they also allow facility managers to re-allocate those minutes and hours to other tasks that may not be getting the attention they deserve. Just trying to get the custodial team to ‘work faster’ may not be the best approach.” 

Rathey offers some other suggestions distributors can use to facilitate the transition to ergonomic tools. They include product demonstrations that showcase ergonomic tools in action to highlight their benefits and ease-of-use, along with training programs to teach best practices and proper use of ergonomic equipment. He also suggests providing informational materials like brochures, videos, and guides that explain the advantages and cost savings of ergonomic tools. 

Distributors should also remember the power of customer testimonials. Sharing customer success stories can go a long way. And there’s always the pull of offering a great deal with an incentive program.  

“This outside-the-box thinking can hook customers to make the initial investment in ergonomic equipment,” says Rathey. “The product’s success will keep them coming back.”  

Additional Ergonomic Resources 

For customers that can be swayed by studies, Allen Rathey, president, Winning Environments (WE), LLC and USGBC Green Classroom Professional (GCP), suggests citing these four examples:  

• "Ergonomic Evaluation of Cleaning Tasks" by Smith et al. (2000) 

This study assessed the ergonomic risks associated with various cleaning tasks, including spraying and wiping. The researchers found that these activities require repetitive motions and awkward postures, particularly when reaching high or low surfaces. The study concluded that janitors performing these tasks were at higher risk for developing shoulder and back pain. 

• "Repetitive Strain Injuries in Custodial Work" by Johnson and Williams (2005) 

This research focused on the repetitive nature of spraying and wiping tasks. It was found that the continuous use of the same muscle groups without adequate rest leads to muscle fatigue and strain. The study recommended the implementation of ergonomic tools and regular breaks to mitigate these risks. 

• "Ergonomic Hazards in Mopping Tasks" by Brown et al. (2002) 

This study analyzed the physical demands of mopping and found that the task often involves significant pushing, pulling, and twisting motions. These actions can lead to lower back pain and other musculoskeletal issues. The researchers recommended the use of lightweight, ergonomic mops and adjustable handles to reduce strain. 

• "Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in Janitorial Work" by Davis and Lee (2010) 

Focusing on a broad range of janitorial tasks, this study highlighted mopping as a significant contributor to MSDs. The authors noted that the repetitive nature of mopping, combined with the force required to move the mop, places undue stress on the back, shoulders, and wrists. The study suggested training programs on proper mopping techniques and the use of ergonomic equipment to alleviate these problems. 

Amy Milshtein is a freelancer based in Portland, Oregon. She is a frequent contributor to Sanitary Maintenance.