Did you ever think there could be a wrong way to mop floors? There are definitely things your employees should consider when mopping floors. Here is an example. John is a janitor at a school. He has been wearing the same work shoes for the last 3 years, over time they have worn down. While John is mopping he slips & falls, causing a serious concussion and an ankle fracture. YIKES! This all could have been avoided if John had the proper shoes. Now you have an injured employee and a work comp claim on your hands. We will talk about the do’s and don’ts when it comes to mopping properly.
Do’s & Don’ts of Mopping
Steer Clear of Slip & Falls
Do
- Wear shoes with treads that help with traction
- Take small steps
- Place a wet floor sign & block off mopped areas
Don’t
- Wear worn-out shoes that limit traction
- Run around wet areas, take your time
- Schedule mopping during high trafficked times
Have the Proper Stance
Do
- Keep your elbows close to your side to help with overextension
- Make sure your feet & hips are facing the same way
Don’t
- Twist or reach, move your feet to get to desired areas
- Lock your knees
Avoid Exhaustion
Do
- Rotate between different grips
Don’t
- Use just your arms to move the mop, use your body weight and feet
Recap
There is more that goes into how to mop properly than you might think! If you ever want to share this information with employees, click here to download a poster on mopping basics. Feel free to print it out or email it to your staff! At Direct Work Comp we are all about employee safety, claim management, and work comp insurance. On average, we save businesses 35% or more on workers’ compensation insurance! If you have questions about anything, please reach out to us at [email protected].
