The Hidden Dangers of Home Washing Workwear: Why Professional Laundering is Essential

The Importance of Proper PPE Laundering

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations of 1992 and 2022 mandate that employers ensure the maintenance, replacement, or cleaning of PPE provided to employees. Home laundering can significantly diminish the protective qualities of workwear, leaving employees vulnerable to workplace hazards. Moreover, without a systematic approach to tracking wash cycles, businesses lose visibility over the condition of the PPE, potentially overlooking necessary inspections, repairs, or replacements.

Meeting Legal Responsibilities

Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that the PPE provided to their employees is properly maintained and cleaned. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations emphasise that it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the PPE is suitable for use and maintained in a condition that provides the intended protection. Home laundering poses a significant threat to businesses as it can compromise the effectiveness of PPE, potentially leading to legal repercussions if an employee is harmed due to inadequate maintenance.

By outsourcing the laundering of workwear to professional services like CLEAN, employers can ensure compliance with these regulations. CLEAN has the expertise and equipment to maintain the integrity of PPE, ensuring that it meets all safety standards and regulations. This not only protects employees but also shields businesses from potential legal liabilities.

Ensuring Workplace Safety

Home laundering lacks the stringent controls necessary to ensure the effective cleaning of workwear. Domestic washing machines are not equipped to handle industrial contaminants, and the absence of proper tracking systems means that the history of each garment is not accurately recorded. This can lead to inadequate cleaning and maintenance, posing risks to the wearer and those around them.

Professional laundering services, such as those offered by CLEAN, provide several advantages over home washing:

1. Quality Control: CLEAN adheres to strict quality control measures, ensuring that each garment meets regulatory standards.
2. Effective Soiling Management: Industrial wash processes are designed to remove heavy contaminants, ensuring that garments are thoroughly cleaned.
3. Comprehensive Tracking: Advanced tracking technologies like RFID or barcodes ensure meticulous control over the laundering process, from the garment’s first use to its retirement.
4. Adaptive Wash Processes: CLEAN tailors its wash and dry processes based on the level of soiling, ensuring optimal cleaning without compromising the garment’s protective qualities.

The Complexity of PPE Manufacturing

PPE is designed with specialised fabrics and undergoes various treatments to enhance its protective attributes. Deviating from the manufacturer’s washing instructions can lead to shrinkage, colour loss, and, most critically, the loss of protective treatments. Professional laundering ensures that these garments are handled correctly, maintaining their integrity and performance.

The Impact of Silica Dust

One of the most significant risks in industrial settings is exposure to silica dust, which can cause severe health issues, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Silica dust, or respirable crystalline silica (RCS), is a fine particulate matter released during activities such as cutting, grinding, drilling, or crushing materials like concrete, brick, and stone. Here are some key points highlighting the impact of silica dust:

Health Risks

1. Lung Cancer: Prolonged exposure to silica dust significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer. An estimated 230 individuals develop lung cancer annually due to past occupational silica dust exposure¹.
2. Silicosis: This is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, leading to inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. Silicosis can cause severe breathing problems and increase the risk of lung infections. High exposures can cause acute silicosis more quickly ¹.
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This group of lung diseases includes bronchitis and emphysema, resulting in severe breathlessness, prolonged coughing, and chronic disability. Around 4,000 deaths are estimated annually due to COPD resulting from past workplace exposures¹.
4. Other Health Issues: Exposure to silica dust is also linked to kidney disease and other serious health conditions¹.

Prevalence and Exposure in the UK

600, 000 UK workers are exposed to silica annually, while across Europe figures show that 81 percent of those exposed, work either in construction or in manufacturing products used in the industry.².

Annual Deaths: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that excessive exposure to silica dust is responsible for between 10 and 20 deaths annually in the UK over the past decade ³. Additionally, it is believed that 500 UK construction workers die each year from silicosis, and silica dust exposure is linked to an estimated 4,000 deaths annually from COPD ⁴.

Professional laundering services like CLEAN are equipped to handle silica contaminated workwear, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring the safety of workers and their families.

Conclusion

The risks associated with home laundering of workwear extend beyond initial perceptions, carrying significant implications for PPE effectiveness and worker safety. Professional laundering services like CLEAN provide the necessary controls and expertise to maintain the integrity of workwear, ensuring that employees are protected on the job and at home. Investing in professional laundering is not just a matter of compliance but a crucial step in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of workers.

By choosing professional laundering services, businesses can ensure their workwear meets the highest standards of safety and hygiene, ultimately protecting their most valuable asset—their employees.

Download a copy of our FREE ebook - Home Washing vs Professional Washing Potential Risks For Home Laundering of Workwear Uniforms

¹ Understanding the dangers of silica dust

² James Wilmore, ‘Monitoring silica dust exposure ‘matter of urgency’, group warns’ 2023

³ HSE and excessive exposure to silica dust

⁴ BOHS asks for immediate action to stop unnecessary silica deaths