COSHH, or Control of Substances Hazardous to health, and its principles are vital in any industry dealing with chemicals or hazardous substances. Establishing proper COSHH cleaning guidelines and systems is a key component of workplace safety in the cleaning sector.
Small or large, all cleaning businesses should adhere to safety regulations when using cleaning products. It keeps everyone safe, staff and clients alike.
Cleaning for a living comes with its own set of risks, some of which can be very hazardous. For this reason, those running or starting a cleaning business must manage risks effectively. The best way you can do this is by understanding COSHH regulations and providing or undertaking proper training.
Our guide looks at what you need to know about COSHH cleaning procedures.
What is COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)?
COSHH regulations were established by the government in 1988, and last updated in 2002. The legislation regulates how hazardous substances are used and handled in the workplace. They are designed to protect employees and anyone else present in working environments from harm caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
COSHH laws are very specific about how employers should meet their safety responsibilities.
The regulations are relevant in the cleaning trade as there are many risks to health from cleaning chemicals.
For example, dermatitis can be problem for cleaners due to spending a lot of time with wet hands. Skin burns and eye injuries can also occur, when handling corrosive cleaning chemicals.
Employers have a duty of care to all their cleaning staff when it comes to the control of harmful substances. It is their responsibility to ensure all employees are working in a safe environment and understand UK laws.
Source: COSHH regulations 2002 – UK Gov
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
COSHH regulations were introduced as a way to effectively manage risks, this includes within the cleaning trade.
Many cleaning products can be harmful to health. HSE guidelines for COSHH in the cleaning industry set out control and handling measures for several key hazards, including:
- Storing cleaning chemicals.
- Safe dilution of chemical concentrates.
- Manual cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
- Using low pressure washers for cleaning and disinfecting.
COSHH regulations help protect individuals from such substances affecting their bodies. This includes; lungs, skin, eyes, mouth, nose, internal organs, and other areas that can be affected by injury.
All of this needs vigorous control measures. It is the responsibility of both employer and the employee to maintain a safe working environment.
You can consult the HSE guidelines on correct procedures for COSHH & Cleaning for detailed advice.
COSHH Risk Assessments for Cleaning Products
All cleaning tasks should be undertaken using risk assessed procedures. This is a clear requirement of the COSHH regulations.
It will never be possible to eradicate risks completely from the work environment. However, COSHH risk assessments mean hazardous substances are identified, and control measures are put in place to minimise risks.
These measures can include using less hazardous chemicals for some tasks. Employers should also give training to staff on safe handling, storage, and use of cleaning chemicals. Any relevant workplace PPE should be provided.
COSHH cleaning risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and added to as required.
How to Conduct a COSHH Risk Assessment
A COSHH risk assessment should be carried out following proper procedures. This means identifying all the potential hazards and providing instructions to staff on how to keep safe.
This information should be accessible to staff at all times.
To conduct a COSHH risk assessment you must:-
- Nominate an employee to be in charge of risk assessments or undertake this yourself.
- Identify all the hazardous substances.
- Identify who is at risk of the hazardous substances.
- Evaluate the health risks of each cleaning product.
- Choose control measures that will help reduce or eradicate the risk.
- A clear assessment should be made, including your findings.
- Review your risk assessments as often as required.
Let’s take a closer look at the steps needed to conduct a thorough COSHH risk assessment for cleaners.
1. Appoint someone suitable for the task of risk assessments.
You first need to decide who will be in charge of conducting the COSHH risk assessments.
Now, if you are a self employed cleaner working alone, then this decision is easy. However, if you have employees then you might offer one of them the role instead. They will need training in the area so that they are confident with the extra responsibility.
2. Collect information on the substances you use and your work practices.
The first thing to get done is to collect information on all the substances you need in your day to day cleaning jobs.
You can do this by obtaining dafety data sheets (SDS) on all cleaning products used within your business.
They should contain information on the chemical properties of the product. Information on hazards and any necessary measures for safe handling and storage should be detailed. Emergency procedures in case of spills, fires, or need for first aid should also be detailed.
You should pass the information on the cleaning product data sheets into your risk assessment.
3. Identify who might be potentially harmed.
Part of the COSHH risk assessment process is identifying who may be harmed.
This could be staff, business owners, clients or members of the public. Different cleaning supplies may affect different groups of people and this needs to be clearly assessed.
4. Evaluate the health risks.
You need to consider any specific health risks involved with each hazard.
This means understanding the hazard presented by each substance and the effect it can have on health. Some chemicals may cause burns, some might be dangerous when inhaled and others might affect internal organs if ingested.
It is important to understand that different hazards present different problems.
5. Select appropriate control measures to reduce or eliminate the risks.
You need to assess how all the hazards you are now aware of can be kept to a minimum.
Some may be able to be prevented completely but this is not always possible. Those hazards that are the most dangerous should be tackled first.
You might need to replace some items with less hazardous alternatives. For example, you can look at switching out a corrosive cleaning product for one with a less hazardous active ingredient.
6. Record your findings and implement your control measures.
You should formally record your findings. This is a legal requirement if you work with over 5 members of staff.
However, regardless of numbers, it is important to have these written down. Health in the workplace is paramount whether you are a sole trader or operate a chain of cleaning businesses.
7. Monitor performance and review your assessment.
You will only know how useful your risk assessments are if you review them regularly. This means checking they are effective in eliminating risks.
Assessments may need to be reviewed if the hazard is still there or if new substances come into play. These risk assessments can also be reviewed for insurance purposes.
After conducting a thorough assessment, you’ll have a much greater understanding on which level of cleaning business insurance cover you need. This can help protect your business from financial harm.
Examples of COSHH Control Measures
Once you have identified your COSHH risks, you need to identify the appropriate control measures to improve safety.
These control measures should be steps to minimise any potential risks you found during your risk assessments. We have laid out some sample control measures below so that you can gain a better understanding of what to do after conducting your risk assessment.
COSHH Training for Cleaning
It is vital that staff understand COSHH and how to apply the regulations to their role. The best way of achieving this is by giving staff COSHH training.
Appropriate training can be designed based on your risk assessment and delivered in house. However, many online courses are relevant to cleaning businesses. When training is provided it means all staff understand hazards, and how to deal with them.
It not only encourages a safe and protected working environment but also minimises serious injuries or illnesses.
It is important to keep proper records of staff training, and provide refresher courses as needed.
About COSHH Awareness Training Courses
COSHH awareness training courses can be carried out in house or via an online website. They should be structured in a very specific way regardless of what you choose to do. This is so that the advice given is consistent at all times so that the information gets put out there correctly.
The benefit of providing an online course to staff is consistency of information, and the ability to keep records proving staff were given the appropriate information regards COSHH awareness.
Doing a COSHH awareness course means you gain a full insight into the cleaning hazards and how to control these risks. The online course will take about 3 hours to complete and you can do these 3 hours at your own pace. You then need to complete a test with a pass rate of 80% to pass this course and receive your certificate.
This course will cover:
- COSHH legislation
- Definition of harmful substances.
- A rundown of all relevant legislation.
- What can happen if regulations are breached.
- Common health hazards.
- Ways to identify hazardous substances.
- What role do safety data sheets play?
- The importance of risk assessments.
- How to do risk assessments.
- How to deal with injuries or accidents that occur.
PPE Equipment for Cleaning
Providing staff with correct PPE equipment is an essential control measure when dealing with hazardous substances.
Cleaners deal with harsh chemicals all day so the more protective clothing they have, the better. Protective gloves, aprons and eye protection can greatly reduce any risk of hazardous substances on the skin and body.
These should be stored carefully, and gloves etc checked before use in case of damage.
COSHH Cleaning Colour Codes
By implementing colour coding of your cleaning chemicals, you can reduce risks in the workplace.
Colour coding for cleaning is used as a way of keeping specific equipment and cleaning products for specific areas.
This helps prevent the risk of cross contamination which is highly important everywhere but especially in hospitals and care facilities. This means also washing and storing equipment separately.
The use of colour codes can also prevent inappropriate chemicals being mixed together, and can be used to ensure cleaning chemicals are stored safely.
See Also:
- COSHH Cabinets – a guide on how to store chemicals safely using designated storage areas.
- Colour Coding Cloths for Cleaning – best practise guide.
Emergency Procedures
After conducting COSHH assessments, it is essential to consider your emergency procedures in the event of an accident.
As much as the aim is to reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace, they may still occur from time to time. For this reason, it is necessary to know how to handle an emergency thus minimising the consequences of an adverse event.
You can do this as part of the risk assessment by identifying the risk and then who and what could potentially be harmed.
For example, a spillage of bleach occurs. Your priority is to minimise any risks so this means alerting people not to approach the spill. Ideally, you should use a spillage or wet floor sign so there is a visual there.
If any has made contact with the skin then it is vital to follow the instructions on the product. If a hospital visit is required, take the substance with you so that the hospital knows what they are dealing with. Someone should safely and appropriately clean the spillage.
Whenever first aid is administered, whether, in the workplace or hospital, an accident form should be filled in and filed with an up to date risk assessment.
Risk Assessments Should Be Constant
Any risk assessments carried out should be reviewed continuously, revised as necessary and followed at all times.
They are there for the safety of everyone, whether it’s staff, clients or contractors. They should be an ongoing assessment, and when something isn’t working it should be reviewed and changed.
New staff members should be made aware of risk assessments and they should be accessible at all times.
Why COSHH is Vital Knowledge for Cleaners
Cleaners work with hazardous products every day. This is why cleaners must understand and have knowledge of all the COSHH regulations.
Health and safety in the workplace should be a top priority for everyone. Not following COSHH regulations can result in severe consequences.
Employers have a duty of care to all their employees and should do everything possible to keep them safe. Compliance with COSHH not only helps protect cleaners but also protects the reputation of the business.
FAQs
Whether cleaners work in a domestic or commercial setting, COSHH risk assessments are important. Hazardous chemicals are present in the day to day life of a cleaner, therefore appropriate action must be taken.
COSHH data sheets should be made accessible to everyone. It makes sense to keep them in all areas that store cleaning products. They can also be kept within the health and safety policy and alongside COSHH risk assessments.
