Cleaning Company Safety Manual

What Should a Cleaning Company Safety Manual Include?

The contents of a Cleaning Company Safety Manual should reflect the company’s actual operations.

A company cleaning offices may require a different combination of programs than a contractor cleaning hospitals, schools, industrial facilities, restaurants, apartment buildings, or private residences.

Depending on operations, the manual may address:

• Cleaning chemicals.
• Hazard Communication.
• Chemical dilution and dispensing.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Floor-care equipment.
• Wet floors.
• Electrical equipment.
• Blood and body-fluid cleanup.
• Sharps and needles.
• Trash and waste.
• Ladders.
• Ergonomics.
• Working alone.
• After-hours work.
• Workplace security.
• Customer-site hazards.
• Emergency procedures.

Programs should be selected according to the work actually performed and applicable requirements.

Cleaning Company Safety Program

An effective Cleaning Company Safety Program establishes responsibilities and procedures for identifying hazards, protecting employees, maintaining equipment, coordinating work at customer locations, and correcting unsafe conditions.

Management should provide the equipment, training, PPE, and resources necessary for employees to perform cleaning work safely.

Managers and supervisors should:

• Identify cleaning hazards and employee exposures.
• Evaluate customer worksites.
• Maintain cleaning equipment in safe condition.
• Ensure chemicals are properly labeled.
• Maintain access to Safety Data Sheets.
• Provide appropriate PPE.
• Train employees before assigning hazardous tasks.
• Establish emergency and security procedures.
• Correct unsafe conditions.
• Investigate incidents and near misses.
• Follow up on corrective actions.

Employees should follow established procedures, use required PPE, inspect equipment before use, report unsafe conditions, and perform only work for which they have appropriate training and authorization.

Cleaning Site Hazard Assessments

Cleaning companies should evaluate the locations where employees will work and identify hazards that could affect cleaning operations.

The assessment may consider:

• Chemicals.
• Electrical equipment.
• Wet floors.
• Stairs.
• Ladders.
• Machinery.
• Biological contamination.
• Sharps.
• Vehicle traffic.
• Restricted areas.
• Security concerns.
• Emergency procedures.

Conditions can vary significantly between customer locations.

Employees should be informed of site-specific hazards that may affect their work.

Cleaning Safety Inspections

Work areas, equipment, and cleaning practices should be periodically inspected.

Inspection topics may include:

• Chemical containers and labels.
• Cleaning carts.
• Floor equipment.
• Electrical cords and plugs.
• Ladders.
• PPE.
• Chemical storage.
• Spill supplies.
• Wet-floor controls.
• Waste-handling practices.
• Emergency equipment.

Deficiencies should be reported and corrected in a timely manner.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)

A Job Safety Analysis or Job Hazard Analysis can be used to evaluate higher-hazard or unusual cleaning tasks.

JSAs/JHAs may be appropriate for:

• Floor stripping and finishing.
• Powered floor equipment.
• Chemical dilution.
• Blood or body-fluid cleanup.
• High-level cleaning.
• Window cleaning.
• Pressure washing.
• Industrial cleaning.
• Cleaning around machinery.
• Work at unfamiliar customer sites.

The analysis should identify task steps, hazards, and controls necessary to perform the work safely.

Customer and Host Employer Coordination

Commercial cleaning companies frequently perform work at facilities controlled by another employer or customer.

Before work begins, appropriate information should be exchanged concerning hazards that could affect cleaning employees.

Coordination may address:

• Restricted areas.
• Hazardous processes.
• Machinery.
• Chemicals.
• Emergency procedures.
• Alarm systems.
• Building access.
• Security procedures.
• Site rules.
• Required PPE.

Employees should follow applicable customer requirements while also following their employer’s safety procedures.

Site-Specific Hazards

Employees should be informed of unusual hazards at customer locations.

Examples may include:

• Industrial machinery.
• Laboratories.
• Healthcare areas.
• Construction activities.
• Loading docks.
• Forklift traffic.
• Hazardous chemicals.
• Confined spaces.
• Electrical equipment.
• Restricted-access areas.

Employees should not enter or perform work in areas requiring specialized training or authorization unless those requirements have been satisfied.

Cleaning Chemical Safety

Cleaning chemicals can expose employees through inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, or accidental ingestion.

Employees should understand the hazards associated with products they use and follow label, Safety Data Sheet, manufacturer, and company instructions.

Controls may include:

• Product substitution.
• Dilution systems.
• Ventilation.
• Gloves.
• Eye and face protection.
• Protective clothing.
• Safe storage.

Employees should report chemical exposures, reactions, or symptoms promptly.

Hazard Communication

Cleaning companies using hazardous chemicals should maintain an applicable Hazard Communication Program.

The program should address:

• Chemical inventory.
• Container labeling.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Employee information and training.
• Non-routine tasks.
• Chemicals introduced at customer sites.

Employees should know how to obtain hazard information before using a chemical.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets should be readily accessible to employees for hazardous chemicals used in their work.

Employees should understand how to locate information concerning:

• Health hazards.
• PPE.
• First aid.
• Fire hazards.
• Spill response.
• Storage.
• Chemical incompatibilities.

Employees should not use unfamiliar products without appropriate hazard information.

Chemical Labels

Original chemical labels should not be removed or defaced.

Secondary containers should be appropriately labeled as required.

Employees should not use unlabeled chemicals or attempt to identify an unknown chemical by smell or appearance.

Chemical Dilution and Dispensing

Concentrated products should be diluted and dispensed according to manufacturer instructions.

Employees should:

• Use designated dispensing systems when provided.
• Follow specified dilution ratios.
• Wear required PPE.
• Avoid splashing.
• Keep containers properly identified.
• Never improvise chemical concentrations.

Automatic dispensing systems should not be bypassed unless authorized procedures specifically permit another method.

Chemical Mixing

Cleaning chemicals should not be mixed with other products unless the manufacturer specifically permits the combination and employees have been instructed in the procedure.

Mixing incompatible products can create dangerous gases, heat, splashing, or other hazardous reactions.

Employees should never experiment with chemical combinations.

Concentrated Cleaning Products

Concentrated cleaners may present greater chemical hazards than diluted working solutions.

Employees handling concentrates should use the PPE and dispensing procedures required for the product.

Concentrates should be stored securely and protected against spills or unauthorized use.

Disinfectants

Disinfectants should be used according to their labels and manufacturer instructions.

Employees should follow required:

• Dilution.
• Contact time.
• Ventilation.
• PPE.
• Application methods.

More product should not be used simply on the assumption that a stronger concentration will improve effectiveness.

Bleach and Chlorine Products

Employees using bleach or chlorine-containing cleaning products should understand their chemical hazards and incompatibilities.

These products should not be mixed with other cleaning chemicals unless specifically permitted by the product manufacturer.

Employees should use appropriate ventilation and PPE.

Floor Strippers and Finishes

Floor stripping and finishing products may contain chemicals capable of irritating or damaging the eyes, skin, or respiratory system.

Employees should follow product-specific procedures for:

• Dilution.
• Application.
• Ventilation.
• PPE.
• Spill cleanup.
• Storage.

Work areas should also be controlled to prevent slips and unauthorized pedestrian access.

Solvents and Degreasers

Employees should review Safety Data Sheets before using solvents and degreasers.

Products should be used only for their intended purposes.

Appropriate gloves, eye protection, ventilation, and other controls should be used where required.

Chemical Storage

Cleaning chemicals should be stored according to product requirements and compatibility.

Storage areas should be:

• Orderly.
• Appropriately ventilated where required.
• Protected from excessive heat.
• Secured when necessary.
• Separated from incompatible materials.

Containers should remain closed and properly labeled.

Chemical Transport

Chemicals transported between company facilities, vehicles, and customer sites should be secured against tipping, leakage, and damage.

Containers should remain closed and labeled.

Employees should not transport chemicals in food or beverage containers.

Chemical Spill Response

Employees should know how to respond to foreseeable chemical spills.

Procedures should address:

• Reporting.
• PPE.
• Spill-control materials.
• Ventilation.
• Cleanup.
• Waste disposal.
• Emergency assistance.

Employees should not attempt to clean a spill when the chemical, quantity, or conditions exceed their training and assigned responsibilities.

Ventilation

Adequate ventilation should be maintained when cleaning products or processes can create airborne contaminants.

Employees should not deliberately disable building or equipment ventilation systems.

Where natural or general ventilation is inadequate, additional controls may be necessary.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the hazards associated with each cleaning task.

Depending on operations, PPE may include:

• Gloves.
• Safety glasses.
• Goggles.
• Face shields.
• Protective clothing.
• Protective footwear.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection.

Employees should inspect PPE before use and replace damaged or contaminated equipment when necessary.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye and face protection may be necessary when employees:

• Dilute chemicals.
• Handle concentrates.
• Pour liquids.
• Clean overhead surfaces.
• Respond to spills.
• Perform work that can generate splashes or flying particles.

Face shields should supplement rather than replace required primary eye protection when both are necessary.

Hand Protection

Gloves should be selected according to the chemical or hazard involved.

One type of glove may not provide adequate protection against every cleaning product.

Employees should inspect gloves and replace them when torn, degraded, or otherwise unable to provide intended protection.

Respiratory Protection — When Applicable

Ventilation, substitution, and other feasible controls should be used to reduce respiratory exposure.

Where respirators are required, the company should maintain an applicable Respiratory Protection Program addressing:

• Respirator selection.
• Medical evaluation.
• Fit testing.
• Training.
• Inspection.
• Cleaning.
• Storage.

Employees should not be assigned required respirator use without satisfying applicable program requirements.

Floor Cleaning Equipment

Powered cleaning equipment should be operated only by employees who have received appropriate instruction.

Equipment may include:

• Floor scrubbers.
• Buffers.
• Burnishers.
• Carpet extractors.
• Vacuums.
• Wet/dry vacuums.
• Other powered cleaning machines.

Employees should follow manufacturer instructions and inspect equipment before use.

Floor Scrubbers

Employees should understand the controls, operating characteristics, and limitations of floor scrubbers.

Before use, employees should inspect:

• Power systems.
• Batteries or cords.
• Pads or brushes.
• Guards.
• Controls.
• Tanks.
• Wheels.

Defective equipment should be removed from service when necessary.

Floor Buffers and Burnishers

Employees operating buffers and burnishers should be trained to control the machine and maintain safe body positioning.

The work area should be kept clear of unnecessary personnel.

Cords should be managed to prevent entanglement, electrical damage, and trip hazards.

Carpet Cleaning Equipment

Carpet extractors and other powered carpet-cleaning equipment should be inspected before use.

Employees should consider:

• Electrical hazards.
• Wet surfaces.
• Hoses.
• Cords.
• Chemical exposure.
• Lifting and moving equipment.

Equipment should be disconnected appropriately before servicing.

Wet/Dry Vacuums

Wet/dry vacuums should be suitable for the material and environment in which they are used.

Employees should not use equipment to collect hazardous substances unless the equipment is specifically appropriate for that purpose and employees are trained for the work.

Propane-Powered Floor Equipment — When Applicable

Propane-powered floor equipment can create carbon monoxide and other combustion hazards when operated indoors.

Where such equipment is used, the company should establish procedures addressing:

• Ventilation.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Fuel systems.
• Indoor operation.
• Carbon monoxide exposure.
• Employee symptoms.

Equipment should not be operated where ventilation is inadequate for safe use.

Carbon Monoxide — When Applicable

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and cannot be reliably detected by employees without appropriate monitoring equipment.

Employees operating fuel-powered equipment indoors should be trained to recognize potential symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or confusion.

Suspected carbon monoxide exposure should be treated seriously.

Equipment Inspection

Cleaning equipment should be inspected before use.

Employees should check applicable:

• Cords.
• Plugs.
• Hoses.
• Guards.
• Wheels.
• Handles.
• Controls.
• Batteries.
• Attachments.

Equipment with conditions that could affect safe operation should be removed from service until corrected.

Machine Guarding — When Applicable

Powered equipment should have required guards and safety devices.

Employees should not remove or bypass safeguards.

Hands, feet, clothing, and other body parts should be kept away from moving components.

Electrical Safety

Cleaning employees frequently use electrical equipment in areas where water may be present.

Employees should:

• Inspect cords and plugs.
• Keep electrical connections away from water.
• Report damaged equipment.
• Avoid using electrical equipment with wet hands unless specifically designed for the operation.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.

Electrical repairs should be performed only by appropriately qualified persons.

Extension Cords

Extension cords should be suitable for the equipment and environment.

Employees should not use damaged cords or create makeshift repairs.

Cords should be positioned to reduce trip hazards and protect them from water, doors, equipment, and vehicle traffic.

Wet Locations

Electrical equipment used in wet or damp areas should be suitable for those conditions.

Employees should avoid placing plugs, connections, or inappropriate electrical equipment in standing water.

Applicable ground-fault protection should be provided where required.

Lockout/Tagout — When Applicable

Cleaning operations may occasionally expose employees to hazardous energy from machinery or powered equipment.

Where applicable, employees should follow established hazardous-energy-control procedures before performing covered servicing or maintenance.

Cleaning employees should not:

• Reach into operating machinery.
• Remove guards from energized equipment.
• Enter machine danger zones without authorization.
• Attempt repairs beyond their training.

Wet Floor Safety

Cleaning employees frequently create temporary wet-floor conditions while performing their work.

Employees should plan cleaning operations to minimize exposure to pedestrians.

Controls may include:

• Wet-floor signs.
• Barriers.
• Sectional cleaning.
• Restricted access.
• Prompt drying.

Signs should supplement rather than replace reasonable efforts to control the hazard.

Wet Floor Signs and Barricades

Signs and barriers should be positioned so approaching persons receive adequate warning before entering the affected area.

Controls should remain in place until the floor is reasonably safe for normal use.

Employees should consider traffic from multiple directions.

Mopping and Floor Cleaning

Employees should organize floor cleaning to reduce slips and public exposure.

Where practical, employees should:

• Clean manageable sections.
• Maintain a dry path.
• Control access.
• Remove excess water.
• Keep equipment out of travel paths.

Employees should use caution when transitioning between wet and dry surfaces.

Floor Stripping and Finishing

Floor stripping and finishing can combine chemical exposure with extremely slippery surfaces and powered equipment.

Work areas should be appropriately controlled.

Employees should use required PPE and follow chemical and equipment procedures throughout the operation.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Common cleaning-industry hazards include:

• Wet floors.
• Hoses.
• Electrical cords.
• Cleaning equipment.
• Trash.
• Supplies.
• Stairs.
• Uneven surfaces.

Employees should maintain clear travel paths and correct hazards when possible.

Walking-Working Surfaces

Walking-working surfaces should be maintained in a condition that allows employees to perform their work safely.

Employees should report hazards such as:

• Damaged flooring.
• Loose mats.
• Poor lighting.
• Unprotected openings.
• Broken stairs.
• Ice.
• Significant surface defects.

Temporary hazards should be controlled until corrected.

Ladder Safety

Employees should use appropriate ladders when cleaning elevated surfaces.

Employees should:

• Inspect ladders before use.
• Set them on stable surfaces.
• Maintain proper climbing practices.
• Avoid overreaching.
• Follow manufacturer restrictions.

Employees should not stand on chairs, desks, boxes, buckets, carts, or other objects as substitutes for ladders.

High-Level Cleaning

High-level cleaning should be planned to minimize reaching and fall hazards.

Employees should select equipment that allows the work to be performed safely.

Extension tools may reduce the need to climb for some tasks.

Where climbing is necessary, appropriate access equipment should be used.

Window Cleaning — When Applicable

Window-cleaning procedures should reflect the height, location, access method, and equipment involved.

Ground-level or interior window cleaning may involve relatively simple controls, while exterior elevated window cleaning can require specialized equipment, training, and fall protection.

Employees should perform only window-cleaning work for which they have been trained and authorized.

Powered Platforms — When Applicable

Companies performing building-maintenance work from powered platforms should evaluate applicable equipment, fall-protection, inspection, training, and operating requirements.

Employees should not operate powered platforms without required training and authorization.

Fall Protection — When Applicable

Where employees are exposed to fall hazards requiring protection, the company should provide appropriate systems and procedures.

The specific protection depends on the work location, equipment, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Restroom Cleaning Safety

Restroom cleaning can expose employees to cleaning chemicals, biological contamination, sharps, wet surfaces, and contact with the public.

Employees should:

• Use appropriate gloves and other PPE.
• Follow chemical procedures.
• Control wet-floor hazards.
• Avoid reaching blindly into waste containers.
• Practice appropriate hand hygiene.
• Report unusual biological contamination.

Access should be controlled as necessary while cleaning is underway.

Bloodborne Pathogens — When Applicable

Cleaning employees are not automatically considered occupationally exposed to bloodborne pathogens simply because they perform janitorial work.

The company should evaluate job classifications and tasks to determine whether employees can reasonably anticipate occupational contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Where occupational exposure exists, applicable Bloodborne Pathogens requirements should be implemented.

Blood and Body Fluid Cleanup

Employees assigned to clean blood or other potentially infectious materials should receive appropriate training and protective equipment.

Procedures may address:

• Area control.
• Gloves and other PPE.
• Appropriate disinfectants.
• Sharps.
• Contaminated materials.
• Hand hygiene.
• Exposure incidents.

Employees who are not trained and assigned to perform such cleanup should report the condition and avoid unnecessary contact.

Sharps and Needles

Cleaning employees may encounter discarded needles, razor blades, broken glass, or other sharp objects.

Employees should:

• Never reach blindly into trash containers.
• Avoid compressing trash against the body.
• Handle bags carefully.
• Never pick up needles with bare hands.
• Follow established sharps procedures.

Unexpected sharps should be reported.

Contaminated Waste

Waste contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials should be handled according to applicable procedures.

Employees should use appropriate containers and PPE.

Contaminated materials should not be mixed casually with ordinary waste when regulated handling requirements apply.

Trash and Waste Handling

Employees should evaluate trash for potential sharp, heavy, leaking, or hazardous contents.

Employees should:

• Use appropriate gloves.
• Avoid reaching into containers.
• Keep bags away from the body.
• Obtain assistance with heavy loads.
• Report leaking or unusual waste.

Trash bags should not be compressed by hand to create additional capacity.

Broken Glass

Broken glass should not be picked up with bare hands.

Employees should use appropriate tools such as a brush and dustpan, tongs, or other suitable equipment.

Broken glass should be placed in an appropriate container that reduces the risk of cuts during subsequent handling.

Compactors and Dumpsters — When Applicable

Employees using compactors or other powered waste equipment should receive appropriate instruction.

Employees should not:

• Climb into compactors.
• Reach into operating equipment.
• Bypass safety devices.
• Attempt to clear jams without appropriate hazardous-energy controls.

Dumpsters should be accessed in a manner that does not expose employees to unnecessary fall, struck-by, or lifting hazards.

Ergonomics

Cleaning work frequently involves repetitive movement, awkward postures, pushing, pulling, reaching, kneeling, and lifting.

The company should consider ergonomic hazards when selecting tools, equipment, and work methods.

Controls may include:

• Adjustable handles.
• Lightweight tools.
• Properly maintained wheels and carts.
• Mechanical assistance.
• Improved work positioning.
• Task variation.

Mopping and Vacuuming Ergonomics

Employees should avoid excessive reaching and twisting while mopping or vacuuming.

Where possible:

• Keep work close to the body.
• Use appropriately sized handles.
• Alternate hands or movements when practical.
• Move the feet rather than repeatedly twisting the torso.
• Maintain equipment in good operating condition.

Manual Lifting and Material Handling

Cleaning employees may lift:

• Trash.
• Chemical containers.
• Equipment.
• Supplies.
• Furniture.
• Buckets.
• Vacuum cleaners.

Employees should obtain assistance or use mechanical means when loads are too heavy or awkward to handle safely alone.

Pushing and Pulling

Cleaning carts and equipment should be maintained so they roll freely.

Employees should avoid overloading carts.

Where practical, pushing is generally preferable to pulling because it can provide better visibility and body positioning.

Repetitive Motion

Repeated scrubbing, wiping, vacuuming, mopping, and similar tasks can contribute to musculoskeletal strain.

Work should be organized where practical to reduce excessive repetition and awkward postures.

Employees should report recurring discomfort.

Working Alone

Cleaning employees frequently work alone or in isolated areas.

Companies should evaluate working-alone hazards and establish appropriate communication and emergency procedures.

Procedures may address:

• Employee check-ins.
• Mobile phones or radios.
• Emergency contacts.
• Building access.
• Security.
• Missed check-ins.
• Medical emergencies.

Higher-risk tasks should not be performed alone when doing so would create an unacceptable hazard.

After-Hours Cleaning

Employees working after normal business hours may encounter additional hazards because buildings are largely vacant.

Procedures should address:

• Entry and exit.
• Parking.
• Lighting.
• Building security.
• Alarm systems.
• Unknown persons.
• Emergency communication.

Employees should understand how to obtain assistance when customer personnel are unavailable.

Employee Check-In Procedures

Where appropriate, the company should establish a method for verifying the safety of employees working alone or at isolated customer locations.

The procedure may include:

• Beginning-of-shift check-in.
• Scheduled contacts.
• End-of-shift confirmation.
• Escalation when an employee cannot be reached.

The frequency should reflect the hazards of the work.

Workplace Security

Cleaning employees may work in vacant buildings, isolated rooms, parking structures, and other areas where security concerns exist.

Employees should follow customer and company security procedures.

Doors, access points, and keys should be controlled appropriately.

Suspicious activity should be reported.

Workplace Violence Prevention

Employees should be instructed to avoid confrontations and obtain assistance when they encounter threatening or aggressive persons.

Procedures should address:

• Reporting concerns.
• Emergency contacts.
• Leaving unsafe situations.
• Customer notification.
• Law-enforcement assistance when necessary.

Employee safety should take priority over completion of a cleaning task during a credible security threat.

Building Access and Keys

Keys, access cards, alarm codes, and other customer security information should be controlled.

Employees should:

• Follow access procedures.
• Avoid sharing credentials without authorization.
• Report lost keys or cards.
• Secure doors as required.
• Protect customer security information.

Parking Lot Safety

Employees arriving or leaving during darkness should remain alert to:

• Vehicle traffic.
• Poor lighting.
• Uneven surfaces.
• Suspicious activity.
• Ice or weather hazards.

Employees should park in appropriate areas and follow established security procedures.

Emergency Communication

Employees working at customer sites should have a reliable means of obtaining emergency assistance.

Employees should know:

• The worksite address.
• Emergency contact numbers.
• Customer contacts.
• How to summon emergency services.
• Applicable alarm procedures.

Working Around the Public

Cleaning activities should be planned to protect both employees and members of the public.

Hazards such as wet floors, electrical cords, equipment, chemicals, and open work areas should be controlled.

Employees should stop work when public activity prevents a task from being performed safely.

Customer and Visitor Safety

Cleaning equipment and chemicals should not be left where customers or visitors can access them unnecessarily.

Cleaning carts should be positioned to reduce obstruction.

Hazardous work areas should be appropriately controlled.

Healthcare Facility Cleaning — When Applicable

Cleaning healthcare facilities can involve additional biological, chemical, sharps, and infection-control hazards.

Employees should receive training appropriate to the areas they clean.

Procedures may address:

• Bloodborne pathogens.
• Sharps.
• Infectious materials.
• Disinfectants.
• Isolation areas.
• PPE.
• Contaminated waste.
• Customer infection-control procedures.

Employees should not enter specialized areas without required instruction and authorization.

Residential and House Cleaning — When Applicable

Employees cleaning private residences may work alone in unfamiliar environments.

Potential hazards include:

• Pets.
• Stairs.
• Cleaning chemicals.
• Lifting.
• Security.
• Customer belongings.
• Electrical equipment.
• Slips and falls.

Employees should have procedures for reporting unsafe conditions and leaving a location when necessary.

Industrial Cleaning — When Applicable

Industrial cleaning can expose employees to machinery, hazardous chemicals, industrial traffic, elevated work, and other specialized hazards.

Before work begins, the company should coordinate with the host employer concerning applicable hazards and procedures.

Employees should not clean machinery or enter restricted industrial areas without appropriate training and authorization.

Pressure Washing — When Applicable

Pressure washing can expose employees to high-pressure water, electrical hazards, slips, chemicals, flying debris, and injection injuries.

Employees should:

• Inspect equipment.
• Control the work area.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Maintain secure footing.
• Keep the spray away from people.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.

Additional controls may be necessary when chemicals or elevated work are involved.

Mold and Biological Hazards — When Applicable

Cleaning employees may occasionally encounter mold, sewage, animal waste, or other biological contamination.

Routine cleaning employees should not automatically undertake extensive remediation.

The company should evaluate the material, extent of contamination, exposure potential, required PPE, and employee training before assigning the work.

Fire Prevention

Cleaning operations should be conducted in a manner that does not create unnecessary fire hazards.

Procedures should address:

• Flammable cleaning products.
• Chemical storage.
• Combustible waste.
• Electrical equipment.
• Smoking restrictions.
• Emergency exits.

Cleaning carts and supplies should not block exits, fire extinguishers, sprinkler equipment, or electrical panels.

Emergency Action Plan

Cleaning companies should establish emergency procedures appropriate to their operations and customer locations.

Potential emergencies may include:

• Fire.
• Chemical exposure.
• Medical emergencies.
• Security threats.
• Severe weather.
• Power failures.
• Chemical spills.

Employees should understand evacuation, emergency communication, and reporting procedures.

First Aid

First-aid supplies should be readily available according to workplace hazards and applicable requirements.

Employees should know how to obtain emergency medical assistance.

Where employees may be exposed to corrosive materials, required emergency washing facilities should be readily accessible.

Driving and Fleet Safety — When Applicable

Employees who drive between customer locations should follow company driving procedures.

Drivers should:

• Wear seat belts.
• Avoid distracted driving.
• Obey traffic laws.
• Secure chemicals and equipment.
• Inspect company vehicles as required.

Cleaning supplies should be transported so they do not create hazards during normal driving or sudden stops.

Cleaning Company Safety Training

Employees should receive training appropriate to their assigned tasks and exposures.

Training may include:

• Cleaning chemicals.
• Hazard Communication.
• PPE.
• Chemical dilution.
• Floor equipment.
• Electrical safety.
• Wet-floor control.
• Ladder safety.
• Bloodborne pathogens where applicable.
• Sharps.
• Ergonomics.
• Working alone.
• Security.
• Emergency procedures.

Training should occur before employees perform tasks requiring specific knowledge or authorization.

New and Short-Service Employees

New and inexperienced employees may be unfamiliar with cleaning chemicals, equipment, customer locations, and company procedures.

Orientation should address applicable hazards before employees begin independent work.

New employees should not operate specialized equipment or perform higher-hazard cleaning until they have received appropriate instruction.

Supervision should reflect the employee’s experience and familiarity with the work.

Cleaning Company JSA/JHA

JSAs/JHAs can be developed for recurring or higher-hazard cleaning activities.

Useful topics may include:

• Floor stripping and finishing.
• Powered floor equipment.
• Chemical dilution.
• Restroom cleaning.
• Blood and body-fluid cleanup.
• Trash handling.
• Ladder use.
• High-level cleaning.
• Window cleaning.
• Pressure washing.
• Industrial cleaning.

The JSA/JHA should reflect the actual worksite, equipment, chemicals, and task.

Cleaning Company Toolbox Talks

Short safety meetings can reinforce hazards associated with current cleaning operations.

Useful topics may include:

• Chemical mixing.
• PPE.
• Wet floors.
• Floor equipment.
• Electrical cords.
• Ladder safety.
• Sharps.
• Trash handling.
• Ergonomics.
• Working alone.
• Security.
• Emergency procedures.

Toolbox talks supplement formal training but should not replace training required for specialized tasks.

Additional Cleaning Safety Programs

Depending on the services performed, equipment used, customer locations, and employee exposures, additional programs may include:

• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Chemical Safety.
• Driving and Fleet Safety.
• Electrical Safety.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Ergonomics.
• Fall Protection.
• Fire Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Hand Protection.
• Hazard Communication.
• Hazardous Waste Management.
• Ladder and Stairway Safety.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Machine Guarding.
• Manual Lifting and Material Handling.
• Mold Safety.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Sharps Safety.
• Slips, Trips and Falls.
• Spill Prevention and Response.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Working Alone.
• Working Around the Public.
• Workplace Security.
• Workplace Violence Prevention.
• Workplace Visitors Security.

Programs should be selected according to actual operations rather than automatically included simply because a company provides cleaning services.

Building a Cleaning Company Safety Manual

The most useful Cleaning Company Safety Manual is based on the services employees actually perform and the facilities where they work.

Consider whether employees:

• Use concentrated cleaning chemicals.
• Mix or dilute chemicals.
• Operate powered floor equipment.
• Work around wet floors.
• Clean restrooms.
• Handle trash.
• May encounter blood or sharps.
• Use ladders.
• Clean windows.
• Work alone.
• Work after normal business hours.
• Enter healthcare facilities.
• Enter industrial facilities.
• Perform residential cleaning.
• Pressure wash.
• Drive between customer locations.

These activities help determine which individual safety programs should be included.

A small office-cleaning company should not receive a manual filled with specialized programs for high-rise window cleaning, healthcare exposures, or industrial machinery if those operations are never performed. Likewise, a commercial cleaning contractor serving hospitals, industrial facilities, schools, large office complexes, or numerous customer locations may require substantially more extensive programs.

Customized Cleaning Company Safety Manuals

Companies can request a customized Cleaning Company Safety Manual containing programs selected according to the cleaning services, equipment, chemicals, customer facilities, and employee exposures involved.

Manuals can be developed for commercial cleaning companies, janitorial contractors, custodial services, office-cleaning businesses, residential cleaning companies, institutional cleaners, and other cleaning-service employers.

Applicable programs can be selected for cleaning chemicals, Hazard Communication, floor equipment, bloodborne pathogens, PPE, ladders, ergonomics, working alone, security, electrical hazards, spills, emergency procedures, and other cleaning-industry hazards.

Individual safety programs can also be selected when a company needs to add or update a particular program within an existing safety manual.