A Guide on Cleaning Risk Assessments

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining cleanliness isn’t just about appearances; it’s about ensuring the health and safety of everyone who enters your space. From preventing slip-and-fall accidents to reducing the risk of harmful chemical exposure, it’s vital to complete cleaning risk assessments.

Whether you’re managing a busy office commercial space or want to spruce up your home, understanding the potential hazards is crucial to implementing effective cleaning.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the essentials of identifying hazards and evaluating risks. More importantly, we’ll equip you with practical tips that you can immediately apply to ensure safety in your cleaning routines.

What is a cleaning risk assessment?

A cleaning risk assessment is a step-by-step process for identifying and evaluating the dangers related to cleaning tasks. The goal is to reduce and remove these risks to keep everyone safe.

This will include examining all parts of the cleaning process, from the chemicals to the equipment used and the cleaning methods and procedures followed.

Who can conduct a risk assessment?

Cleaning risk assessments in your business should be conducted by someone with thorough knowledge, training, and experience in managing health and safety.

While you can delegate this task, it’s important to remember that you ultimately have the legal responsibility for ensuring that the assessment is done correctly.

What is the importance of adhering to a cleaning risk assessment?

Keeping spaces safe and healthy is crucial for homes and businesses alike. Below, we highlight why thorough cleaning risk assessments matter in both settings.

In homes, it’s essential to conduct detailed cleaning risk assessments to ensure everyone’s safety. This includes making sure cleaning products are used and stored safely, finding safer ways to clean to prevent injuries, and sticking to a good cleaning routine.

Similarly, cleaning risk assessments are vital in commercial settings for maintaining regulatory compliance, particularly with standards such as COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health), preventing accidents like slips and falls, and safeguarding public health through maintaining clean environments.

group of cleaners cleaning an office using spray, cloths and brooms

UK Commercial Cleaning laws

Commercial cleaning in the United Kingdom is subject to various laws and regulations that safeguard workers, clients, and the public and protect the environment.
Comprehending and complying with these laws is indispensable for cleaning workplace offices in order to avoid legal liabilities. Essential UK cleaning laws include:

Health and safety regulations 1974

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary law in the UK that ensures workplace safety when cleaning. Ensuring risk assessments have been carried out before cleaning tasks to prevent employee accidents

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health ( COSHH )

COSHH regulations require employees to manage their exposure to harmful substances like cleaning chemicals for their employees and cleaners. This regulation ensures employees’ health is safeguarded through providing PPE and training.

Management of Health and Safety 1999

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHWSR) requires employers to be safe. This involves conducting risk assessments, implementing safety measures, creating policies and providing training.

How to perform a cleaning risk assessment

Performing a thorough risk assessment is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the cleaning process. Identifying potential hazards, evaluating risk and implementing precautions create a safer environment for themselves.

Here is a step-by-step guide on conducting a comprehensive risk assessment for cleaning:

Identify hazards

Start by identifying potential hazards in your cleaning process. These include chemical exposures, physical risks such as slips and falls and biological hazards like mould.

Determine who might be harmed.

Identify all individuals at risk in commercial settings, including cleaners, employees, and customers. It’s also important to consider people who may have specific vulnerabilities, such as pregnant women or people with allergies.

Evaluate risks and decide on precautions.

Assess the likelihood and severity of each hazard. Determine the necessary precautions to minimise or eliminate these risks. For example, ensuring proper ventilation when using chemicals and providing appropriate personal protective equipment ( PPE )

Record findings and implement them

Document your findings and ensure that your team communicates and implements these precautions effectively.

Review and update the assessment.

Review and update your risk assessment regularly to account for any changes in processes, new hazards, or incidents that may have occurred. This ongoing process of assessment and improvement is key to maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Common hazards in cleaning

Cleaning tasks often involve various hazards that can pose risks to cleaners and the space’s occupants. So, what are the potential health risks of using cleaning products and undertaking cleaning tasks:

Chemical exposure:

Cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals that cannot be handled properly. Exposure to some substances can lead to skin irritation and respiratory issues, so check cleaning chemical labels.

Tips: make sure to check cleaning chemical labels, provide training and PPE

Shelves in pantry with cleaners for home close-up

Accidents:

Wet floors, spills, and cluttered pathways can increase the risk of slips and falls during cleaning. These accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruises to fractures and head injuries.

Tips: clean spills promptly, use signage and supply cleaners with slip-resistant shoes

Biological hazards

Cleaning environments may harbour hazards such as mould, bacteria and viruses. Exposure can lead to infections and health issues.

Tips: implement a regular cleaning routine, ensure ventilation during cleaning and encourage cleaners to practise good hygiene.

person wearing gloves cleaning mould off a wall

Manual handling

Manual handling tasks such as lifting heavy objects and bending or twisting repeatedly injuries such as strains, sprains and back pain.

Tips: provide training on proper lifting techniques and encourage cleaning task rotation

Electrical equipment

Cleaning often involves using electrical equipment such as vacuum cleaners, floor polishers and pressure washers. Improper handling or damaged equipment can lead to electric shocks or even electrocution.

Tips: inspect electrical equipment before each use for any signs of damage and train cleaners on safe handling practices and the importance of

Carry out your cleaning risk assessment today.

As we wrap up our guide on cleaning risk assessments, it’s clear that cleanliness isn’t just about looks—it’s about keeping everyone safe. Thorough risk assessments are crucial for avoiding slips and reducing chemical risks.

Whether managing a busy commercial space or cleaning at home, understanding hazards and using effective practices matters. By following the steps outlined in this guide and staying informed about relevant laws and regulations, you can create a safe environment for everyone.