Cleaning

Publications

Slips and trips: The importance of floor cleaning (63.4KB) pub 09/05

This information sheet provides guidance on reducing slips and trips from cleaning activities. The sheet will be useful to those who employ or supervise cleaners, manage cleaning contracts, manage premises where cleaning takes place (either in-house or contracted out) and those involved in workplace health and safety, for example safety representatives.

Manual cleaning and disinfecting surfaces (129KB) pub 10/06

This information sheet will be helpful to employers, trade union safety representatives and the self-employed. This sheet describes good practice using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and covers the points that you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level.

Cleaning and disinfection using low pressure washers (144KB) pub 06/06

This sheet will be useful to employers and the self-employed. It provides guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and what actions you need to take to reduce the risks to those who use low pressure washers.

Preventing dermatitis at work (75.5KB) pub 03/07

The leaflet shows you what to look out for and how to prevent dermatitis. It also tells you where you can find more detailed practical advice for specific jobs and workplaces. It details how employers, safety representatives, trainers and advisers can influence work practices to help prevent this disease.

Caring for cleaners HSG234 (843KB) pub 01/10

This publication is designed for all those involved in the management of health and safety in the cleaning industry. It will be useful for employers, managers/supervisors, health and safety personnel, trainers, safety and union representatives and cleaners themselves. Guidance is provided on recognising and controlling the manual handling and upper limb risks faced by cleaners at work. A number of case studies are also provided, focusing on how organisations have reached a solution.

Working with Chemicals

For further information and guidance on working with chemicals, please click here to visit our Chemical information page.

Example risk assessments

The following risk assessments show how a small cleaning company might approach risk assessment within their work. These examples can be used as a guide when thinking about the hazards in your own business and the steps that you would need to take in order to control the risks.

Example risk assessment for general office cleaning (204KB) pub 04/11