Housekeeping

What kind of work do people do in the hotel laundry?

Work in this case study of a hotel laundry is divided into two operations done by two separate groups of workers. Sorting, washing and drying towels is completed by one group of two workers. Drying (except for towels) and folding is completed by another group of six workers.

What are the tasks involved in "sorting and washing"?

In this hotel, housekeepers use a laundry chute to get the dirty linen from the upstairs down to the laundry area. The "sorting and washing" operation involves the following:

* sorting laundry

* loading bins which weigh 27 kg (60 lbs) of dry laundry, and 55 kg (120 lbs) when wet

* transporting (pushing/pulling) bins to washer

* loading washer

* unloading washer

* transporting (pushing/pulling) bins to dryer (towels only)

* loading dryer with towels

* unloading towels from the dryer

In one eight-hour shift, 20 bins of laundry are processed by two workers (Figure 1). The dry laundry is handled four times -- 27 kg (60 lbs) x 4 handlings x 20 bins = 2,200 kg (4,800 lbs); the wet laundry is handled twice -- 55 kg (120 lbs) x 2 handlings x 20 bins = 2,200 kg (4,800 lbs). The workload is distributed evenly, so each worker handles approximately 2,200 kg (4,800 lbs) of laundry every day.

Figure 1 - Sorting laundry

The handling of the laundry requires the use of considerable force:

* pulling laundry from the pile under the chute (Figure 2, 3)

* loading laundry into the washer (Figure 4)

* pulling wet laundry from the washer (Figure 5)

Figure 2 - Sorting laundry

Figure 3 - Sorting laundry

Figure 4 - Loading the washer

These movements are particularly stressful on the hands, wrists and shoulders.

Handling the laundry requires whole body motions beyond acceptable ranges. Reaching above the shoulder, bending to the floor (Figure 5) and twisting are examples. In addition, the job is carried out while standing on a concrete floor which adds...