Safety isn’t just a box to tick; it is part of a responsible workplace culture.
COSHH compliance plays a key role in creating a safe working environment. The rules and regulations COSHH lay out ensures employees handle hazardous materials safely and confidently.
At Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors we take full ownership of compliance.
Our tailored facilities management cleaning will keep your premise spotless and compliant with the most stringent hygiene standards.
This guide will explain the regulations COSHH covers, the responsibilities of a facilities manager and the benefits of hiring a reliable cleaning contractor to ensure high health and safety standards across your facility.
What is COSHH and why is it important for your facility?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is a set of UK regulations designed to protect people at work from health risks caused by hazardous substances.
Employers are legally required to control substances that could harm the health of their workers. This includes harmful chemicals, fumes, dust and vapour, gases and biological agents.
Your facility must clearly identify potential hazardous substances by carrying out a COSHH risk assessment. You must then implement control measures as part of a prevention plan for the identified risks.
COSHH plays a vital role in protecting people’s health by keeping workplaces safe.
What are my responsibilities as a facilities manager under COSHH?
As a facility manager it is your responsibility to ensure you are complying with COSHH rules and regulations to ensure a safe working environment for employees.
Why is it important to conduct risk assessments?
Risk assessments are all about prevention.
It is a legal duty of COSHH and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to consider potential risks within the workplace.
A risk assessment helps you spot the dangers early.
You must consider who is at risk and how they can be affected.
You must weigh up the likeliness of this risk and its severity?
What prevention methods are already in place and what steps need to be taken?
How should I implement effective control methods for cleaning tasks?
Effective control methods help protect cleaning staff from exposure to hazardous substances while maintaining a safe and hygienic environment across your facility.
These control methods will ensure you are meeting COSHH requirements:
- Firstly, you must identify the potential hazard, categorising it as a chemical, physical or biological hazard.
- To minimise risk, select less hazardous alternatives. This includes ready to use cleaning products, or diluted products which will avoid over-mixing.
- PPE must be provided. This includes eye protection, gloves, aprons and uniform as well as appropriate closed toe, grippy footwear.
- Open windows and the use of extractor fans when necessary will ensure healthy air ventilation within your facility. This is especially important when using strong-smelling or volatile cleaning products.
- Ensure staff are expertly trained on COSHH awareness, correct product use and emergency procedures.
- Control employee’s exposure to potential hazards, by rotating cleaning tasks and scheduling regular breaks.
- Emergency numbers, spill kits and eyewash stations must be regularly available throughout the facility.
- Frequently review the cleaning tasks and update COSHH risk assessments when new products or methods are introduced.
What should I expect from a COSHH compliant cleaning contractor?
An effective cleaning contractor doesn’t just provide the cleaning, they activate the COSHH control systems to keep everyone safe and compliant.
They will handle:
The safe storage and handling of cleaning products
Your contractor will conduct a full COSHH risk assessment.
This includes the identification of each cleaning product, the obtainment of a safety data sheet and the assessment of how this product will be stored, distilled and used.
They will provide a safe and secure storage area, which is locked, clearly labelled and restricted to those appropriately trained.
They will set out clear workplace procedures for all cleaning tasks, to ensure that workers never mix chemicals, that PPE is used and replenished and that risk assessments are available on site.
They will ensure the facility is prepared for an emergency with detailed clean up and disposal procedures put in place.
They will conduct regular audits and record keeping that assesses chemical storage conditions, PPE and spill response gear.
The correct provision and use of PPE
The requirements of PPE will be based on the COSHH risk assessments.
The right type and quality of PPE will be provided, ensuring that it is correctly sized and UKCA marked to meet safety standards.
Staff will be trained on its usage, storage and disposal.
Verification of staff training and competency records
Contractors will keep detailed, up to date records for every employee and supervisor.
This will show the training that they have completed, its date and delivery and evidence of assessment.
They will provide regular refresher training annually or when new products or legislation are introduced to the facility.
These records will be kept on site.
What are the most common industrial cleaning tasks and their COSHH implications?
The degreasing of industrial machinery
This involves the removal of oil, grease and heavy contaminants from industrial machinery using chemical degreasers.
These can be hazardous if not correctly used and controlled.
A review of the safety data sheets for degreasers is important to identify any health risks.
Adequate ventilation of the facility should be implemented, and any contaminated rags must be correctly disposed as hazardous waste.
High level dusting in manufacturing areas
This cleaning task involves working at height.
Appropriate safety equipment must be used including scissor lifts and mobile platforms, which must undergo checks before usage.
Fall protection should be in place, including the use of harnesses and toe boards.
The management of a chemical spill
Prevention is the first method of control when it comes to managing chemical spills.
Chemicals should be correctly labelled and segregated to reduce the risk of accidental mixing.
Staff must be trained in a chemical spill response, instructing them on containment and appropriate reporting procedures.
Immediately after the spill takes place, staff must stop and assess.
If the spill is deemed hazardous, an alarm should be raised, and the area should be quickly evacuated and isolated.
The spread of chemical spills should be stopped using spill socks, absorbent pads or granules from the spill kit.
The area should be ventilated, safely cleaned up and a report which records the incident should be completed.
How can Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors simplify your compliance?
At Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors we appreciate the burden COSHH places on employers.
We can turn complex regulations into clear, practical systems that your team can easily follow.
We will handle the correct storage of cleaning products, their safety, documentation and staff training on your behalf.
We provide adaptable industrial cleaning services because we understand that no two industrial facilities are the same.
Protect your business and your team by getting expert cleaning help.