Nonfatal Occupational Injury Rates and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Housekeeping Employees of a Hospital in Texas

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in hospital cleaners. METHODS Injury data on all hospital employees were extracted from occupational health records and compared. Additionally an interview-based modified Nordic Questionnaire (response rate 98.14%) was conducted. RESULTS The mean total injury rate for cleaners was 35.9  per 100  full-time equivalent (FTE), while that for other employees was 13.64 per 100  FTE. Slips/trips/falls and MMH contributed 4.39 and 2.37 per 100  FTE among cleaners and rest of the hospital employees, respectively. The most common type of injury was strain while the most common cause of injury was a striking object. CONCLUSION The cleaners have higher injury rates and morbidity as compared to other employees of the hospital. The lower back was most commonly affected.