Health & Safety in Cleaning: What are the Risks?

There is much to be taken into consideration when it comes to upholding good health and safety practices while carrying out any kind of work. Even though most of us carry out cleaning in our own homes on a daily basis, there is no room for complacency when it comes to the health and safety considerations associated with cleaning on a commercial level.

We cannot assume that through domestic cleaning experience alone we fully understand and appreciate all the risks involved with cleaning a business premises. The risks are much greater and can lead to serious problems if left unchecked.

We need to be able to recognise where potential risks may be and know the ways in which they can be managed. Happily, Ideal Cleaning does just that, so you don’t have to!

What Are Some Of The Risks?

The risks involved with cleaning may seem obvious, but it’s important to know that if those risks aren’t controlled, things can go really bad really fast.

Did you know, for example, that some cleaning chemicals can kill if they’re mixed together? Chemicals with a low pH (acidic) that come into contact with chemicals with a high pH (alkaline) can produce a noxious gas that can be fatal. It would be like combining a toilet descaler with bleach (and no, they’re not the same thing!). Knowing this kind of information ensures that we can impart it to our staff so that they understand how to work safely.

On another note, bleach is one of the most destructive and harmful cleaning chemicals on the market. That’s why we will never give it to our staff to use. Along with substituting bleach, we always source alternative cleaning chemicals which are much safer but are just as effective at cleaning. This is just one of the many ways we manage and minimise the risks.

Other risks include but are not limited to: electrical equipment, slips, trips and falls, manual handling, cross contamination, waste disposal to name a few.

Ideal cleaning carries out extensive COSHH assessments for each chemical we use as well as producing Method Statements for correct procedural methods and Risk Assessments covering all aspects of our work from Chemical Dosing to Manual Handling; Using a Vacuum Cleaner to Correct Waste Removal.

Our Staff Are Trained And Ready To Go!

Again, most of us probably have a basic understanding of how to carry out cleaning safely, but more is required for the commercial cleaning industry.

All our staff receive full commercial cleaning training as part of their onboarding process, and throughout their employment with us. They receive training in COSHH (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health), How to understand Risk Assessments, Fire safety & Manual Handling along with correct Hand Hygiene.They’re also trained in how to correctly dose chemicals and the risks associated with the use of cleaning chemicals; using colour coded equipment in the correct areas in aid of infection control, as well as the correct cleaning procedures for each task they will undertake.

We make sure they understand the importance of working safely to protect themselves and others while they work (for example, the importance of using warning signs to alert others of hazards when they’re vacuuming/mopping). We also provide each member of staff with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including eye protection (to EN166 standards), gloves (to EN374 standards) safety footwear where appropriate and high vis vests & hard hats to be used where required for their cleaning work.

We’re keen for our staff to achieve not only a thorough cleaning result but also to uphold safe working practices while they’re doing it.

Ideal Cleaning Can Help Your Business Shine!

Ideal Cleaning is a well established, long standing commercial cleaning company in Middlesbrough. We provide cleaning services for hundreds of clients across the Tees Valley area and can offer you a cleaning service which is second to none.

Call our office today on 01642 685 321 or fill out a quote request form on our website and a member of our team can assist you.