Floor Cleaning Robots Take on the Tasks People Would Rather Avoid

Hospitals, schools, warehouses, retail stores. No matter the type of facility, someone has to keep it clean. And whether that ‘someone’ is a single employee, a team of custodians, or even an outsourced building service contractor, the fact is they’re likely overworked. Surveys going back over a decade indicate that janitorial work intensity has increased over time, leading to injury and illness-related callouts. And more recent surveys show an uptick in overwork and injury in the years following the pandemic.

 

Now, as workplaces across the spectrum embrace the advantages of automation, from AI-driven analytics to robotic manufacturing equipment, the vital employees that keep these facilities clean are due for a much needed break. Luckily, robotics is poised to revolutionize facilities maintenance by automating one of the most loathsome, tiring, and injury-promoting tasks—floor cleaning. Replacing or augmenting manual cleaning equipment with autonomous floor cleaning robots isn’t just a matter of convenience; it’s a strategic decision that can greatly improve the work experience for janitorial staff. By reducing the physical strain and time-drain associated with floor cleaning, companies can show genuine appreciation for their teams and create a safer, more efficient workplace.

 

Here’s how implementing autonomous floor-cleaning robots can give employees the gift of less strenuous cleaning while improving overall facility operations.

 

Cleaning large areas of flooring in offices, warehouses, hospitals, schools, or retail stores is physically demanding work. Repetitive tasks like sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing put a significant amount of stress on the back, shoulders, and knees of cleaning professionals. The hunched posture and back-and-forth movements associated with floor cleaning make custodial workers particularly susceptible to ergonomic injuries, and housekeeping staff have been found to have high rates of musculoskeletal injuries due to the physically demanding and repetitive nature of their work. 

 

By deploying autonomous floor-cleaning robots, employers can significantly reduce the amount of physical labor required for floor maintenance. Taking over repetitive, dirty, strenuous cleaning tasks is precisely what they’re designed to do. Removing this large burden from cleaning staff not only gives these employees time for more varied tasks, but also minimizes the risk of injury and strain. Cleaning staff can now focus on more detailed, less physically taxing work, which improves their comfort and reduces the likelihood of injury. With floor cleaning robots handling a significant portion of the workload, companies can foster a safer, more ergonomic work environment for their employees.

 

Cleaning jobs are essential, yet the tasks involved are often repetitive and can be unengaging. The work also tends to be low-paying and extremely labor intensive, as cleaners are tasked with everything from (sometimes hazardous) waste disposal, to time-intensive floor cleaning, to dusting, polishing and disinfection. It’s a lot, and it’s no wonder that, according to one recent survey, 1 in 5 custodial workers has been injured on the job. Combine this with the fact that many janitorial workers feel “forgotten,” particularly within highly matrixed industries such as healthcare, and you have the perfect storm: high turnover, difficult recruitment, and not enough people to support the critical cleaning tasks at the heart of nearly every facility.

 

When a facility incorporates robotic assistance, it not only gives employees a break from monotony and physical strain, but also shows them that the company values their time and wellbeing. With autonomous robots handling the routine floor cleaning, staff can focus on more meaningful tasks that require human attention and expertise, such as sanitizing high-touch surfaces, managing specialized cleaning requests, or addressing other maintenance tasks that cannot be automated. 

 

Adding new technology to the typically analog world of cleaning also creates new avenues for career growth and upskilling. Roles that might have previously been perceived as low-skilled or stagnant can be opened up to new levels of learning and responsibility when floor cleaning robots are adopted as assets to be mastered and actively managed. For instance, tech-oriented custodial staff can be designated as “Bot Managers,” learning how to map, maintain, troubleshoot and retrieve cleaning data from the robots. As they become more familiar with the facility’s robots, they can help train other employees, elevating their role and providing deeper job satisfaction. For employers, this investment in technology signals a commitment to providing employees with a better work experience, improving morale and retention rates.

 

In addition to benefiting cleaning staff directly, autonomous cleaning robots can greatly enhance operational efficiency. The fact is, floor cleaning and maintenance are some of the most time-intensive tasks that custodial workers handle during the course of their jam-packed daily schedules. And in many facilities, when staffing levels fall short or there are too many competing demands on custodians, floor cleaning is often the first thing to fall through the cracks due to its intensive and time-consuming nature. 

 

Floor cleaning robots eliminate this conundrum. They are designed to work independently and continuously, following pre-programmed routes that can be tweaked as needed. Their ability to operate autonomously also means that facility floors can be cleaned during non-peak hours, such as overnight or early morning, without requiring extra staff to operate equipment. This scheduling flexibility lets facilities keep floors consistently clean without disrupting regular business activities or overburdening cleaning staff. It also means janitorial staff can be scheduled more effectively, allowing them to focus on other important tasks and boosting overall efficiency.

 

Maintaining a consistent level of cleanliness, especially in high-traffic areas, is crucial to any facility that values hygiene, safety, and aesthetics. Plus, very few people (cleaning staff included) would relish the thought of working inside a dirty facility all day. Autonomous floor cleaning robots promote consistent, high-quality cleaning round the clock to ensure the comfort of those working within or visiting a facility. 

 

When floor cleaning is performed only by human cleaners and manual machines, it can suffer from inconsistent efforts and results as custodians attempt to juggle time-intensive floor cleaning tasks with other important responsibilities throughout the day. In contrast, autonomous robots deliver consistent results with every cleaning cycle and can be deployed as frequently as needed. Floor cleaning robots also follow predetermined and programmed cleaning protocols, ensuring uniformity and adherence to facility SOPs. This consistency enhances the overall appearance and safety of the facility, instills confidence in visitors and workers, and gives busy staff members one less thing to worry about. 

 

Cleanliness and safety go hand in hand, and floors are a primary area of concern when it comes to workplace accidents. Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and are also the main cause of occupational injury for people aged 55 years and older. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than two million fall injuries each year.

 

Floor cleaning robots tackle the presence of any type of floor contaminant by operating continuously if needed, ensuring that spills or dirt aren’t left sitting long enough to trip up unsuspecting passersby. They’re also equipped with advanced drying technology, which ensures that floors are not left wet or slippery after cleaning. Another bonus is the high efficiency and self-maintenance capabilities of many floor cleaning robots. These features minimize the need for large amounts of cleaning chemicals, reducing the risk of skin, eye, and respiratory irritation for custodial workers who are so commonly exposed to those products. This is significant, as numerous studies have found higher rates of asthma among cleaning and maintenance workers compared to other occupational groups. Employers who prioritize workplace safety by incorporating automation send a clear message to employees that their well-being is a top priority, further improving workplace morale and trust.

 

Giving cleaning staff the gift of less strenuous cleaning by adopting autonomous floor cleaning technology is a decision that benefits both the staff and the business. By reducing physical strain, improving job satisfaction, boosting efficiency, and enhancing overall cleanliness and safety, automation can transform facility maintenance and improve the workplace experience. This investment in employee wellbeing shows a commitment to creating a safe, efficient, and forward-thinking environment, making it a win-win for everyone involved.

 

Automation is quickly becoming the new standard in facility management. If you’re interested in learning more about how automated solutions can improve your facility operations, get in touch with us today!