Housekeeping is hard work. Mopping, lifting, pulling, and bending are a daily part of the job. Day after day, that physical exertion can take its toll—and Environmental Services departments typically have high rates of injury.

So the success of a team of 42 housekeepers in the Northwest’s Eastside service area, who have gone for more than a year without a single injury, is all the more remarkable.

Slowing down and thinking before acting are key for the injury-free EVS workers.

‘Take your time’

“Be careful and take your time,” says RebecaMacLoughlin. She’s been a housekeeper with KPNW for seven years. Rebeca also does stretches before work and on her breaks so she can stay agile and healthy.

Leonard Hayes, an Eastside EVS supervisor and management co-lead on the department’s unit based team (UBT), is a strong advocate for staff safety.

“No task is so important that we cannot take the time to do it safely,” he says.

A reduction of even one injury is significant—it’s one less person who has been hurt, one less workers’ compensation claim, and one less department affected by the absence of a colleague.

The right tools and products

Taking it easy isn’t the only secret to the team’s success. Staff members also use prevention tools, such as yellow cones indicating wet floors. They recognize potential hazards and work to correct them.

In addition, team members consult with the Purchasing department to make sure the equipment and products they use are right for the job. For example, they’re now using microfiber dusters with extendable handles proven to reduce worker strain. The new dusters also clean 45% faster than traditional methods and reduce chemical and water consumption up to 90%.

Management lends support

The EVS group has full support from its management team. Recently, the group was recognized at a celebration dinner. Among those bestowing the honors were Carol Winter-Behn, senior director of Regional Support Services; Mike Maddy, director of Regional Support Services; Lori Quiroz, regional EVS manager, and Leonard Hayes. Each Eastside team member received a certificate of excellence.

“Thank you for your dedication and hard work,” Quiroz said, expressing appreciation for the group. “You took a goal that you first thought was impossible and made it a reality.”

Success spreads

EVS workers at Sunnyside hospital are also making progress reducing workplace injuries. In the first half of 2009, they reported a staggering 26 injuries—almost equal to the 2008 total of 28.

Using the unit-based team structure, medical safety coordinator Curtis Daniels worked with teams to improve safety, including an emphasis on “safety conversations.” Teams were challenged to see how many safety conversations they could have to raise awareness of potential hazards. They reported more than 6,000 conversations in one month alone.

The efforts have paid off. During the second half of this year, the inpatient teams have had only two workplace injuries.

Regionwide, EVS improved its injury rate by a remarkable 65% for the reporting year ending September 30, 2009. The department has met its target for the year.