According to a report from IBISWorld, the commercial laundry and linen industry employs more than 129,000 people throughout the United States. From hotels to laundromats, linen services to industrial laundry operations, these workers all face several risks that are unique to their sector.
Safety is of the utmost importance in the commercial laundry industry. Injuries lead to lost time and productivity while leaving the business open to lawsuits and legal claims that could drain its assets and ruin its reputation in the process. While all manufacturers do what they can to limit safety risk, poor maintenance and usage can undo all of this well-intentioned work and lead to injury.
What Are the Safety Risks in the Laundry Sector?
Common safety issues in the laundry industry include water on the floor, excess lint accumulation, and high temperatures, leading to slips, trips, falls, and fire hazards. Employees can cut down on safety risks by taking care of spills immediately. Plus, routine maintenance and repairs can take care of leaks from other sources of liquids.
Dangerous areas include burner areas of dryers, electrical disconnects and panels, and other areas where high voltage is near. Having lint mitigation in place helps prevent damage from flash fires, and having a comprehensive insurance program in place helps limit exposure to legal liabilities. Like the FabriCare Insurance Program from Irving Weber, such programs provide laundry companies the benefit of mitigating financial and legal woes following claims related to injuries or illnesses in the sector. Having the FabriCare Insurance Program protects dry cleaners, coin-operated/self-service laundromats with broad coverages and experienced risk control.
Chemical Safety in Commercial laundry
Probably the most common area of safety concern in the industry, chemical safety risks abound through highly concentrated bleach as well as concentrated detergent and softener. Eye damage from any of these chemicals can happen very fast, so eye protection is crucial when handling any laundry chemicals.
Eyesight is definitely worth the little effort required to wear this protective equipment. It’s also crucial that employees wash their hands immediately after contact with the chemical containers in case of contact.
Mechanical Safety Risks
Employees need to operate the machines as intended by the manufacturer to uphold the safety measures in place. Missing panels, guards, or covers make it much easier for injuries to occur. Employees need to reinstall panels correctly after maintenance is performed, which helps ensure they don’t come in contact with moving parts.
Electrical Safety Risks
Electrical safety is the most critical component of all safety measures. Electrical safety hazards usually cannot be seen, compared to mechanical issues, which are very visible. This is another reason to make sure all electrical enclosure covers are set during operation. Employees need to reinstall all electrical panels and guards properly to prevent the potential of electrical shock.
Employees need to use common sense for a laundry operation’s safe operation. Commercial laundry clients should implement these safety best practices and follow maintenance schedules as outlined in the safety manuals that come with each piece of commercial laundry equipment.
About Irving Weber Associates
At Irving Weber Associates, Inc., we understand what it takes to run a successful Dry Cleaner, Commercial/Textile Service or Laundromat business, including investing in a comprehensive Fabricare Advantage Insurance Program to ensure that you are financially protected against legal claims. Our program includes specialty coverages including Environmental and General Liability, Property, Site Pollution Liability, Boiler & Machinery, Business Auto, and many more. For a detailed look at how we can safeguard your business with a custom-tailored package, please contact our specialists today at (855) 764-7406.