The Janitors' Closet

Ammonia

Janitorial service is not a particularly dangerous business; the occasional fall or sprain usually covers it.

I did, however, run across an article about a lady in Madrid who died after a couple of hours of intense  housecleaning, with ammonia but not much ventilation.

Ammonia used to be big in the industry.  As a floor stripper, it's pretty effective; the rule of thumb 30 or 40 years ago was to add ammonia (one measured it by "glugs") to your commercial stripper if the wax looked particularly thick.  You needed quite a lot of ammonia, and ventilation was of secondary concern (this being Phoenix, in the summer one wanted air conditioning much more than an open window).

Another variant on ammonia was to use it in the vicinity of, and occasionally in combination with, bleach - another good chemical.  Mixed, they produce chlorine gas, which offed a good many folks on the Western front during WWI.  (In passing, we figure that bleach and ammonia are both pretty noxious, and dangerous, so we use neither; if we use neither, it's pretty hard to goof and combine them on the job.  But then, we're more than a bit concerned with safety.)

I tell myself those days are long gone; today, everybody is well informed and safety conscious.

Quoted a small construction firm this morning.  Got a look at the current janitor's equipment, and chemicals, right there in the closet.  Miscellaneous consumer level chemicals; no safety data sheets in sight (which makes the client, not the janitorial service, liable and open to OSHA fines).  No sanitizer or disinfectant in sight, either.  There was a can of scouring powder (ever inhale any of that?).  Unfiltered vacuum (dumpable cloth bag only; no paper bag, much less any kind of filter, let alone a HEPA filter).  String mop, and feather duster (filthy, in passing). Clearly, no safety gloves.

No bleach, or ammonia, but otherwise not much advanced from the 60's.  Add together the violations, inappropriate chemicals, and lack of any concern for dust control, indoor air quality or client health, and you might almost wish for the ammonia.

OSHA fire extinguisher mandate

Take a look at the little card wired to your office fire extinguisher - those little boxes on the back. They let you date and initial each time you do the monthly visual inspection of the unit.  Didn't know that you need to do a monthly inspection?  Neither did I, once upon a time.

We're in a restored 1914 two story house, less than a mile from the center of Phoenix.  Old wood, untreated, doubtless very dry; wiring's been updated and fooled with, from time to time (all up to code, but who knows?).  I've got a half dozen fire extinguishers scattered around the building, where by OSHA and insurance regulations I probably need but one.  Paranoia can be a good thing.

I've known for decades about the regulations requiring an annual professional inspection and (if needed) the recharging of the units, and do so religiously (at least more religiously than I do religion).  But nobody ever told me that OSHA, and probably my insurance company, require a monthly visual inspection.  Simple stuff; a technician is not required.  You confirm that the extinguisher is where it's supposed to be (duh!), check that the little arrow on the dial is in the green field, insure that the little pull-pin is in place (it locks the unit, so insures that nobody has used it - I'll tell that story later - and maybe left the nozzle clogged), and that no ugly fluid or powder is leaking out.  Then sign and initial, so you know (and can demonstrate to the interested regulator) that you check it regularly.  Simple stuff, and obvious.  A fire extinguisher that is not there, or not working, doesn't do much good in a fire.

A bit after I checked (and initialed) my units, I got to thinking.  If I was not aware of the requirements, given all the trade literature and safety stuff I read, some of my Phoenix area janitorial clients might be unaware as well.  They are mostly small to medium sized facilities, generally too small to have a full-time safety coordinator on site.  So we did a quick, surreptitious survey during our regular monthly daytime customer service visits.  Looked at extinguishers in about 50 client facilities.  Found 4 in compliance.

After a quick bit of training, some programming of our client inspection database, and confirming that the folks who do the annual on our units would be available for any of our clients who might need them, we're set to add monthly fire extinguisher inspections to the Safety check (security lighting, battery back-up on "exit" signs, janitor closet and chemical storage issues) we already do for our clients.  Minimal time is involved, so we don't charge extra for the service.

It's just another "value added" item.

Take a look at the little card wired to your office fire extinguisher - those little boxes on the back. They let you date and initial each time you do the monthly visual inspection of the unit.  Didn't know that you need to do a monthly inspection?  Neither did I, once upon a time.

We're in a restored 1914 two story house, less than a mile from the center of Phoenix.  Old wood, untreated, doubtless very dry; wiring's been updated and fooled with, from time to time (all up to code, but who knows?).  I've got a half dozen fire extinguishers scattered around the building, where by OSHA and insurance regulations I probably need but one.  Paranoia can be a good thing.

I've known for decades about the regulations requiring an annual professional inspection and (if needed) the recharging of the units, and do so religiously (at least more religiously than I do religion).  But nobody ever told me that OSHA, and probably my insurance company, require a monthly visual inspection.  Simple stuff; a technician is not required.  You confirm that the extinguisher is where it's supposed to be (duh!), check that the little arrow on the dial is in the green field, insure that the little pull-pin is in place (it locks the unit, so insures that nobody has used it - I'll tell that story later - and maybe left the nozzle clogged), and that no ugly fluid or powder is leaking out.  Then sign and initial, so you know (and can demonstrate to the interested regulator) that you check it regularly.  Simple stuff, and obvious.  A fire extinguisher that is not there, or not working, doesn't do much good in a fire.

A bit after I checked (and initialed) my units, I got to thinking.  If I was not aware of the requirements, given all the trade literature and safety stuff I read, some of my Phoenix area janitorial clients might be unaware as well.  They are mostly small to medium sized facilities, generally too small to have a full-time safety coordinator on site.  So we did a quick, surreptitious survey during our regular monthly daytime customer service visits.  Looked at extinguishers in about 50 client facilities.  Found 4 in compliance.

After a quick bit of training, some programming of our client inspection database, and confirming that the folks who do the annual on our units would be available for any of our clients who might need them, we're set to add monthly fire extinguisher inspections to the Safety check (security lighting, battery back-up on "exit" signs, janitor closet and chemical storage issues) we already do for our clients.  Minimal time is involved, so we don't charge extra for the service.

It's just another "value added" item.

Easy safety fixes for your facility

Here's a few easy, basic safety fixes we offer to our commercial janitorial customers at no extra charge; you might want to consider working into your safety program any you've not addressed already:

1) Check the battery on the lighted EXIT sign over your front door.  The battery should last for years; it's there to provide power to the light if the building power is off.  And, if the building power is off, that's when you want to have a lighted EXIT sign.

2) Check exterior security lighting.  Perhaps this is best done by the janitor, given that he is there after dark, which is when you can best see where you need security lighting.

3) Check the janitor closet for unlabeled bottles, like the window cleaner that your janitor uses.  Technically, that squirt bottle is, per OSHA, an "unlabeled chemical container", subject to a fine.  You might also look for, and properly dispose of, any outdated, or leaking, or uncorked bottles.  Get rid of clutter, and that case of paper towels sitting on the water heater.  Also, be sure that you have Material Safety Data Sheets on any and all chemicals in the facility, located so that your employees can find them easily.  The OSHA regs, and fines, are there to "encourage" you to protect the safety of your people - it's considered a good idea to have the manufacturer's safety info on hand if you have to run somebody to the emergency room, because he mistook the window cleaner for sarsaparilla.  That's why the fine goes to you, not the janitor service that left you the offending bottle.

4) Check your fire extinguishers.  Most folks are aware that the extinguishers must be on site, within a prescribed distance from any employee work station, and that they need be inspected, and recharged if necessary, annually by a trained technician.  Many are not aware that they must also be given a simple visual inspection monthly: you confirm that the extinguisher is in its proper place, that the little arrow is in the green field, that the lock-out ring is in place, and that no ugly chemical is oozing out of the crack in the bottom.  Then, to verify, you date and initial the card that the tech put on at the last annual inspection.  Simple (if you remember to do it), and probably a good idea that, if you are going to have yourself a fire extinguisher, you once in a while make sure that it is working.  I really hate it when I try to put out a fire in the office, and the fire extinguisher doesn't work.

We do the above, for those clients who have requested us to take it over, during our regular monthly customer service inspection of the facility (except for the exterior safety lighting check - we monitor that nightly).  Perhaps your janitor might as well?

Be safe!

A little thought into how your facility is maintained can make for a safer work environment for your people, and keep you OSHA compliant as well.  Here's a bit of what we do:

Chemicals are always a concern.  We use safe and environmentally preferred Green Seal certified products.  No aerosols, no ammonia, no bleach - so no harmful fumes.  We keep OSHA required Material Safety Data Sheets on site.  We use microfiber mops and damp wipes, to minimize chemical usage, minimize residue and to allow use of milder chemicals, because microfiber often cleans and sanitizes well with nothing but water.  Regular ultra-violet light inspections of restrooms, to identify any areas missed.  Our non-skid Ecolab floor finish generally provides better traction than bare flooring.

With our client's permission, we run a monthly safety inspection on the facility.  We perform the OSHA required monthly visual inspection of fire extinguishers (they need be fully charged, in place and unused) and we date and initial the attached card.  We check exterior security lighting for burnt out bulbs (after all, we see the place after dark; you don't) and we check the battery on interior "Exit" signs.  We check the janitor closet for clutter, safety issues, unlabeled or uncapped chemical bottles, and for the presence of the MSDS book.

We equip our crews with appropriate personal safety gear, and monitor its use; we also train our folks in hazardous and bodily fluid clean-up; we're available for emergency calls.

All things you don't want to think about, might never need, but all good to have in place.

OSHA's Ebola guidelines

I suspect all of us involved in fields like janitorial, dealing with disinfection issues on a daily basis, are actively following the spread of Ebola.  OSHA has recently updated its guidelines, here's a copy.

While I certainly do not expect to deal with suspected Ebola cases, or locations containing the pathogen, I've used the crisis as a conversation starter among my staff and outside advisers, in upgrading our capabilities to respond to biologically threatening situations. 

We've fleshed out procedure sheets, stocked surgical masks, and have full bunny suits on order.  I'm guessing that such material will be easier to get (and at a reasonable price) now that it will be should we have a panic.  (That is, do not wait until the day before the hurricane hits to try to buy a diesel generator...).

One factor I've not seen commentary on.  Should Ebola continue to expand in Africa, pressure on folks to flee the countries involved, or the entire continent, will increase.  We might be seeing folks arriving here in numbers, at about the time flu season hits.  And the early symptoms of ordinary flu, and Ebola, are similar.  We could have panicked over-reaction, and need protective gear and procedures, anywhere flu hits.

In passing, we seem to be repeating mistakes made by the Wilson administration during the 1918 flu pandemic: not moving aggressively enough and early enough (they spent months shipping troops around the country, and to Europe), and talking reassuringly to the public - so that when folks began dying in numbers, no one believed the authorities' pronouncements.

At any rate, we're getting some neat masks and body suits in our supply area.

Just when some folks have finally gotten familiar with MSDS books...

Starting in December, the industry (or, I should say, all industry) is to phase in significant changes to workplace hazard communication and training.

To simplify training and the flow of information internationally, America will adopt new Hazard Communication Standards based on the European Global Harmonization Systems.  This will involve:

"...changing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) over to Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and a new labeling requirement. There are several key dates to phase in due to HAZCOM 2012...the hazard rating number system has been reversed...new pictograms...how to categorize the hazard class associated with chemicals."

Building Service Contractors Association International is offering a seminar on the changes, at $29.00 to BSCAI members and $99.00 to the rest of you.  Good thing I can pocket those savings; calculating how much it's gonna cost me to print new MSDS (or whatever) books for LOTS of janitor closets.

58 OSHA violations at Hoover Dam

"...lead contamination, electrical hazards, inadequate personal protective equipment and machinery guards, and the possibility that electric plant workers could be exposed to cancer-causing hexavalent chromium, according to a statement released Monday by OSHA regional chief Ken Atha...", all found during a recent OSHA inspection of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, according to an AP report out of Las Vegas.

Violations included improperly placed fire extinguishers and extension cords; others involved doors opening the wrong way, dating to the dam's construction in the 1930s.  No injuries, or concerns about the dam's safety, were involved.

I'd guess that it's difficult to run a project the size of Hoover Dam without a few issues.

Speaking of fire extinguishers, we did a quick survey of around 50 of our client facilities a bit ago, to see if the monthly visual inspections of the extinguishers were up to date.  We found three that were in compliance.  Most folks are aware that workplace portable fire extinguishers are to be inspected, and recharged if needed, by a technician annually; they are not aware that a monthly visual inspection, verified by dating and initialing the card on the extinguisher, is also required.  Anyone can do it, no special training required; check that the arrow is in the green, that the lock-out pin is in position, and that the extinguisher is hanging on the wall where it's supposed to be.  Pretty obvious stuff.  But, according to OSHA, the inspection has to be done, and signed for. 

That's why we're rolling out, as part of our monthly safety inspection program, checking client fire extinguishers.  A quick and easy thing for us to do, that could save our client a citation, or something a good deal worse.

Sometimes a value added service is just a matter of keeping your eyes open, and thinking a bit outside the box.

Fire extinguisher compliance - as OSHA sees it.

Those dozen little boxes on the back of the annual service card wired to the top of your office fire extinguisher - they let you date and initial each time you do the monthly visual inspection of the unit.  Didn't know that you need to do a monthly inspection?  Neither did I, until a few months ago.

We're in a restored 1914 two story house, less than a mile from the center of Phoenix.  Old wood, untreated, doubtless very dry; wiring's been updated and fooled with, from time to time (all up to code, but who knows?).  I've got a half dozen fire extinguishers scattered around the building, where by OSHA and insurance regs I probably need but one.  Paranoia can be a good thing.

I've known for decades about the regulations requiring an annual professional inspection and (if needed) the recharging of the units, and do so religiously (at least more religiously than I do religion).  But nobody ever told me that OSHA, and probably my insurance company, require a monthly visual inspection.  Simple stuff; a technician is not required.  You confirm that the extinguisher is where it's supposed to be (duh!), check that the little arrow on the dial is in the green field, insure that the little pull-pin is in place (it locks the unit, so insures that nobody has used it - I'll tell that story later - and maybe left the nozzle clogged), and that no ugly fluid or powder is leaking out.  Then sign and initial, so you know (and can demonstrate to the interested regulator) that you check it regularly.  Simple stuff, and obvious.  A fire extinguisher that is not there, or not working, doesn't do much good in a fire.

A bit after I checked (and initialed) my units, I got to thinking.  If I was not aware of the requirements, given all the trade literature and safety stuff I read, some of my janitorial clients might be unaware as well.  They are mostly small to medium sized facilities, generally too small to have a full-time safety coordinator on site.  So we did a quick, surreptitious survey during our regular monthly daytime customer service visits.  Looked at extinguishers in about 50 client facilities.  Found 4 in compliance.

After a quick bit of training, some programming of our client inspection database, and confirming that the folks who do the annual on our units would be available for any of our clients who might need them, we're set to add monthly fire extinguisher inspections to the safety check (security lighting, battery back-up on "exit" signs, janitor closet and chemical storage issues) we already do for our clients.  Minimal time is involved, so we don't charge extra for the service.

It's just another "value added" item.

Good thing the carpet wasn't easy to ignite...

I see a lot of other firm's equipment in the janitor closets of places I'm quoting.  Besides the usual (and oft remarked upon) safety and regulatory concerns of unlabeled squirt bottles and other chemical containers, lack of MSDS books, unfiltered vacuums, etc., one notices quite a few vacuum cleaner cords of questionable provenance.  Think twisted, nicked cords, taped up repairs, ungrounded (those pesky third prongs keep pulling out), perhaps of too small a gauge to support the length of cord or the vacuum.

Here's a fun video of the potential result.

We figure it's better to check our crew's equipment regularly, than to have to move the file cabinet.

Police officer died after inhaling noxious fumes...

...is the headline in a 9/20 Chicago Tribune article by Jeremy Gorner.

"Harmful fumes caused the death of a Chicago police officer in April after he was exposed weeks earlier to a cleaning substance...He told another officer he was coughing and having trouble breathing after inhaling a cleaning substance that a maintenance worker sprayed from an aerosol can on a desk at the district  station, according to a police report."

No indication in the article as to exactly what the "cleaning substance" was, or why it had to be delivered via aerosol; I cannot imagine what a conventional cleaning kit might contain that would cause such, save for an unusual allergic reaction.

Many "ma & pa" janitorial services have little chemical or safety knowledge; many firms (such as some of the franchising operations) employee "ma & pa" outfits, and do little to supervise, train or require proper chemical safety.  So the part of industry that uses other than "conventional cleaning kits" has lots of opportunity for foul-ups, including serious ones.

We're careful about such issues; we've carefully selected a safe chemical kit; keep to a small number of chemicals, so as to reduce confusion (our standard janitorial kit includes just five chemicals); follow OSHA mandates and labeling; train and re-train our people; and monitor compliance, partly through unannounced inspections.  We also stress squirting chemical on the cleaning cloth, not spraying on the surface, and we never use aerosols:  less chemical in the air means less to be inhaled.  Providing safety - for both our workers and the client - is not difficult, but does require planning and ongoing monitoring.  Thank goodness, we've never had a chemical-related injury.