Learning-teaching-training activity of the project in Budapest
09.10.2023
Do you know how to ergonomically clean the floor or table? We are currently developing educational videos for teaching the ergonomics of 20 cleaning activities. Within this activity, we met with project partners in Budapest on 25.09.2023 – 27.09.2023. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and physically demonstrate cleaning ergonomics activities of different countries. We could learn a lot from each other, because the principles of both cleaning and ergonomics differ from country to country.
Some thoughts we took with us from Budapest:
What is more important – highly ergonomic operation or dirt removal? Very often, these two ideas conflict with each other, because removing dirt (for example, rubbing sediment or removing stain) requires physical effort. If the activity is done very ergonomically, we keep our body healthy, but in this way we remove less dirt.
Cleaning action = dirt removal! This idea seems very logical, but in real life it requires a very conscious approach. In Budapest, we did several experiments where we proved that by moving back and forth with the cleaning cloth, we do not actually remove the dirt, but move it from one place to another. Together with our partners, we developed a way to wipe dirt from the surface in such a way that it is ergonomic, burdens the body as little as possible, but at the same time removes dirt
Cleaning ergonomics does not only mean physical movements but also mental health. In a study conducted in Finland, it was found that the cleaners rated the high workload caused by the constant rush to clean as the biggest reason for the occurrence of work accidents. Therefore, when developing ergonomic educational films, we emphasize rush and high workload. Once again, it seems very logical that accidents happen in a hurry, but in reality it is not paid attention to.
The educational videos discussed in Budapest will be ready by the end of this year (2023) and then we can share them publicly.
Smart wear measurements illustrate the load of cleaning work
02.03.2023
Cleaning is considered a medium-heavy job. What does that mean and where does the load fall? The ErgoClean project set out to find the answer using smart wear measurements.
The measurements used smart clothing and technology from the Finnish company Myontec. Motion sensors in the smart shirt and shorts were used to measure the load on the arms, shoulder area and thigh muscles, the number of micro-breaks during muscle work and the elevated position of the upper arms. It should be noted that not all muscle groups were measured with the smart clothing, e.g. the smart wear for measuring back load was not used.
Including repetitions, 111 tests were performed. In some tests the work was deliberately done incorrectly to show how poor ergonomics is reflected in the results. The tests are part of the ErgoClean project, which involves representatives from Estonia, Finland, Hungary, and the Netherlands. There are differences in cleaning methods and practices between countries. For this reason, methods that were not commonly used in all project countries were also selected for testing.
The tests were carried out in Finland during October and November 2022 in cooperation with the staff of Keuda Cleaning Services. Two cleaners were involved in the studies. Each of the employees performed two repetitions of the tested methods.
Check out the process and report HERE
Measurments with SmartWear clothes
10.11.2022
Measurment results are collected and editing – they will be publish soon!
The ErgoClean project investigates the load of cleaning work with the help of smart clothing.
In the test situations, for example, ergonomically correct and consciously incorrect cleaning was carried out and the load of cleaning methods in hand and machine methods was tested.
The analysis of the results is ongoing, but already the first quick reports from the analysis program give reason to expect interesting results. The intention is that they allow us to illustrate in the guidance material what good ergonomics is and why it is so important.
The infographic below shows images of muscle load in two different cleaning methods that can be used to achieve the same cleaning result. You can always choose!
The 3-year ErgoClean project also investigates the workload experienced by cleaning workers and supervisors, maps the need for guidance material, prepares guidance materials and a pilot training program.
The project includes cleaning professionals from Estonia, Finland, Hungary and the Netherlands. Smart clothing studies were conducted in Finland.
Survey with cleaning companies and results
We started 01.11.2022 survey with Cleaning companies to see cleaners and supervisiors view and companies needs for Ergonomical cleaning. From Estonia, Hungary, Finland and Netherlands will participate 10 cleaning companies and we make survey with 2 supervisiors and 5 cleaners from each company. Survey lasted one month and collected answers was analyzed.
Meeting in Amsterdam 13.05.2022
13.05.2022
We had very informative Project meeting in Amsterdam, where we discussed different countries cleaning methods. Soon we start to share analyzes and differences.
