Cleaning services are a vital component to the safe and healthy operation of many businesses, across industry lines. Employees in the cleaning industry are exposed to a number of hazards on a daily basis. It is imperative that they are protected by OSHA Compliance and safety standards to assure they work in a safe and healthy environment. Three of the most common issues faced by cleaning service employees include hazardous chemicals, potentially dangerous equipment and slip and fall accidents.
Hazardous Chemicals
Some of the chemicals used to clean industrial, retail and medical facilities can cause skin irritations, rashes and vapors or gases that can cause breathing problems. Assuring there is proper ventilation as well as providing protective gear such as gloves, masks and eye protection are essential. Employers are required to maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) all of the hazardous cleaning products and chemicals that are used. In addition, they must provide safety guidelines for usage, spill clean up, emergency procedures for skin or eye contact and proper storage practices.
Cleaning Equipment
Even the most mundane pieces of equipment can be dangerous if they are not used in the proper manner. Equipment such as floor buffers and vacuum cleaners may not seem dangerous at first glance, but if there is always a risk of electric shock, back injuries and other issues. Therefore, every employee should be trained to safely and effectively use all the equipment required to do the job. What’s more, there must be a regular maintenance schedule in place to assure that the equipment is in good working order. In addition, employees should be encouraged to report any problems they encounter while operating equipment so that immediate action can be taken to remedy the situation.
Slip and Fall Accidents
According to OSHA, slips, trips, and falls are the number one cause of all work-related accidents. In fact, 15% of all accidental deaths within the industry are caused by falling. This cause of fatalities is second only to motor vehicle crashes. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that employers assure that their workforce is equipped with proper safety equipment for the job site. Non-slip shoes for slippery surfaces, harnesses and clips for jobs that require employees to be off the ground and hardhats are some examples. Measures must also be in place to reduce the potential for dangerous situations such as excess water on floors, or greasy surfaces.
At Extra Hands Services, Inc. we understand the importance of workplace safety and we meet or exceed all OSHA guidelines. The safety of our employees, customers and the general public is always at the forefront of our minds. If you have questions about our compliance, or if you’d like to learn more about out cleaning services for commercial properties, please contact us. We look forward to serving you.