Workplace Health and Safety in the Cleaning Industry

Workplace Health and Safety in the Cleaning Industry

Australia's cleaning sector employs individuals in multiple capacities to maintain cleanliness and hygiene across different settings. Three main categories make up this industry — Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Cleaning — with many niche services under these broad segments.

Like any other industry, cleaning work carries inherent hazards. From chemical exposure to ergonomic strains, slips, trips, and falls, cleaning professionals face various occupational safety risks. This blog explores common hazards within workplace health and safety in the cleaning industry and discusses effective mitigation strategies to reduce risks and ensure a safe workplace.

What is Meant by Cleaning?

Cleaning means eliminating dirt, dust, stains, and other contaminants from various surfaces, objects, and environments. This improves overall appearance while helping maintain a healthy and sanitary environment. Common aspects of cleaning include:

• Surface Cleaning: Wiping, scrubbing, or washing surfaces like floors, countertops, walls, and windows using appropriate cleaning agents (detergents) and tools (sponges, brushes, mops, etc.).
• Deep Cleaning: Going beyond regular surface cleaning to target hard-to-reach areas, accumulated dirt, and stubborn stains.
• Disinfection: Killing or inactivating microorganisms that can cause infections or illnesses, using chemical agents to destroy harmful microbes on surfaces and objects.
• Deodorisation: Eliminating unpleasant odours caused by bacteria, mould, mildew, or other sources, using air fresheners, neutralisers, or specialised products that target the source of the smell.
• Waste Management: Collection, segregation, and disposal of waste materials, such as trash, recyclables, and hazardous substances, in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Who Works in the Cleaning Industry?

Cleaning is a dynamic field encompassing many jobs and roles. This industry relies on a diverse workforce, from cleaners to specialised technicians, to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in various settings.

Roughly 151,300 people work in this sector, and the total number of employees within the labour force is expected to grow even further in coming years. Below are different professionals who contribute to keeping our surroundings sanitary:

• Cleaners: Responsible for cleaning and maintaining residential and commercial properties. They handle chores including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitising bathrooms and kitchens.
• Janitors: Play a pivotal role in upholding sanitary standards at public spaces like hospitals, schools, and government buildings. From maintaining gleaming floors to keeping restrooms pristine, these professionals ensure facilities remain tidy, welcoming, and conducive to occupant health.
• Housekeepers: Responsible for cleaning and maintaining private residences, performing tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens.
• Carpet Cleaners: Responsible for cleaning carpets in residential and commercial properties, using specialised equipment and cleaning solutions to remove dirt and stains.
• Window Cleaners: Responsible for maintaining windows in residential and commercial properties, using specialised equipment and solutions to remove dirt and grime.
• Industrial Cleaners: Responsible for cleaning and maintaining industrial facilities, such as factories and warehouses, performing tasks like cleaning floors, walls, and machinery.
• Environmental Service Technicians: Work in healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, maintaining sterile environments to prevent infection spread. They follow strict protocols and use specialised agents to ensure facility hygiene.

Importance of Cleaning Safety

Cleaning services play a vital role in maintaining healthy, sanitary environments across offices, hospitals, schools, and homes. Australia's Household Cleaners market is projected to grow by 3.86% (2023-2028), reaching a market volume of US$0.48bn in 2028.

Such growth means more professionals entering this field, making protection from potential health and safety risks paramount. Prioritising safety practices ensures well-being for cleaning staff and building occupants alike. Below are reasons why safety remains essential across this industry:

Protection of Cleaning Staff

Cleaning professionals frequently face various risks, from hazardous chemicals and biological waste to physical hazards such as slips, trips, and falls. Prioritising safety helps protect workers from injury, illness, or other adverse health effects.

Prevention of Cross-Contamination

Proper safety measures help prevent cross-contamination, which occurs when harmful bacteria, viruses, or allergens transfer unintentionally between areas. Following guidelines such as using colour-coded equipment and proper waste disposal minimises cross-contamination risks and maintains a healthier environment.

Proper Use of Cleaning Chemicals

Following safety guidelines for storing, handling, and disposing of chemicals prevents exposure to harmful substances. Cleaning personnel must receive adequate training on using personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals, which safeguards their well-being.

Compliance with Regulations

Maintaining safety standards remains paramount for cleaning companies to comply with local, state, and federal work health and safety regulations. Failure to comply can lead to fines, penalties, and legal repercussions, including potential liability exposure. Prioritising health and safety management within cleaning businesses mitigates these consequences and enhances industry reputation.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

A safe work environment promotes increased efficiency and productivity among cleaning professionals. When staff feel protected and know their employer values well-being, they perform tasks more effectively. This results in better quality services and happier clients.

Reduced Liability

By maintaining safe conditions and following safety guidelines, cleaning companies reduce accident and injury risks. This reduces potential liability claims, lawsuits, and rising business insurance premiums. Adequate insurance coverage combined with strong safety practices offers extra protection for employers navigating this sector.

Common Hazards

Below we detail common hazards found in cleaning work to help identify potential workplace safety concerns and develop effective mitigation strategies.

1. Chemical Hazards

Cleaning staff often use chemicals such as detergents, disinfectants, and solvents. When mishandled, these substances can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and eye injuries. Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals can sometimes lead to chronic health problems.

2. Biological Hazards

Cleaning professionals may encounter biological dangers like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and allergens. These can be present in various settings, including restrooms, kitchens, and healthcare facilities. Exposure to such contaminants can cause infections or allergic reactions.

3. Ergonomic Hazards

Repetitive motions, awkward postures, and heavy lifting rank among common ergonomic hazards in this field. These factors can cause musculoskeletal disorders like back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis. Prolonged standing or bending also contributes to fatigue and discomfort.

4. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Wet or slippery surfaces, cluttered work areas, and poor lighting increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls for cleaning professionals. Such incidents can result in injuries, including sprains, fractures, and even head trauma.

5. Electrical Hazards

Cleaning personnel might encounter electrical risks while operating equipment, such as floor polishers or vacuum cleaners, and when working near power outlets and cords. Improper handling of electrical equipment or damaged cords can lead to electrocution or fires.

6. Noise Hazards

Some cleaning tasks involve noisy equipment, such as pressure washers or floor polishers. Extended exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing damage and contribute to increased stress and fatigue. Employers should monitor noise levels regularly and provide hearing protection where required.

7. Psychological Hazards

This industry can be demanding, with tight deadlines, high expectations, and sometimes challenging conditions. Such factors can lead to psychological hazards, including stress, burnout, and anxiety.

8. Confined Spaces

Confined spaces present another common hazard for cleaning staff, especially when combined with potentially harmful chemicals. Airflow, or its absence, remains the biggest issue with confined spaces. As such, atmospheric conditions inside a confined space may differ wildly from those outside. Ventilation, ergonomics, and hazardous materials all factor into managing this risk.

9. Mould

Mould presents a common hazard in cleaning work and can cause respiratory complications and other health issues. Employers should require PPE and respirators for personnel on sites involving mould cleanup and ensure thorough hand washing afterward.

Mitigating Hazards

Effective hazard mitigation strategies remain crucial to safeguard workers from potential health risks. Such methods are essential to ensure worker safety and reduce accident likelihood. The following measures can significantly reduce hazards associated with cleaning tasks:

Assess the Risks

Employers should assess risks involved with cleaning tasks and identify potential hazards. Doing so helps develop effective control measures to mitigate these hazards. See our guide on reporting hazards in the workplace for further insight.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE acts as a barrier between workers and hazards, reducing direct exposure chances and minimising injury or illness risk. This includes wearing gloves, masks, goggles, and protective clothing as necessary.

Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals

Cleaning chemicals should be handled with care to prevent accidents and minimise exposure. Training staff in diluting, mixing, and applying agents is essential. Proper ventilation during cleaning work helps avoid fume buildup, and chemical storage should occur in well-labelled containers, kept far from incompatible substances.

Workplace Ergonomics

Ergonomics should be a primary consideration when mitigating musculoskeletal injury risk. This includes providing adjustable equipment, teaching proper lifting techniques, scheduling regular breaks from manual tasks, encouraging stretching exercises, and organising cleaning tasks to minimise repetitive movements and excessive physical strain.

OHS Certification

Australia has no specific licensing requirement for cleaners or cleaning companies, and personnel aren't mandated to hold any particular qualifications. However, obtaining relevant certifications from recognised bodies demonstrates strong commitment to safety and compliance. Options include Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or Certificate III in Cleaning Operations (Commercial Cleaning). Through these certifications, employees gain necessary knowledge of cleaning hazards along with training on safe equipment and chemical use.

Safety Management System

Managing cleaning tasks effectively requires suitable cleaning methods, schedules, equipment, trained cleaners, and reliable communication all working together in one place. This comprehensive approach ensures cleaning gets executed correctly and safely across every job site.

Safety Documentation

To ensure regulatory compliance, employers should maintain written safety procedures and update them regularly. Tracking accidents and injuries helps identify potential hazards and necessary control measures. Proper documentation across all elements remains crucial for building a comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) system — see our Health and Safety Manual templates for a strong starting point.

Safety Docs Can Help Maintain Cleaning Safety

Your cleaning safety program should include adequate documentation, correct procedures, training, and support so cleaners understand hazards and know how to mitigate them. SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture specialises in helping various industries develop complete safety programs, offering resources such as ready-to-use documents and template materials.

We help ensure cleaning safety with tools like risk assessments, job safety analyses, register forms, and more. With these documents, employers can effectively identify and mitigate potential hazards that cleaners might encounter within their work environment. For broader guidance across sectors, explore our Workplace Health and Safety Show resources or learn who holds responsibility for workplace safety and health.

Start by checking out the following documents:

• Integrated Management System for Cleaning
• Cleaners Safe Work Method Statements Pack
• Cleaners HSEQ Management System for New Zealand
• Cleaning Services Standard/Safe Operating Procedure (SOP)

Keeping workers safe remains critical to maintaining an efficient and successful business. With the right tools, you can ensure cleaning staff stay protected while performing their duties. Our Occupational Health and Safety Manual offers additional support for building out your broader safety policy. Contact SafetyDocs today to get started!

Our team of experts remains dedicated to providing accurate and informative content. Craig Cruickshank, senior HSEQ advisor at SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture, reviewed this blog post to ensure the highest level of quality.

Learn more about Craig's work on LinkedIn for further industry insights.

Available for instant download and supplied in fully editable MS Word format for use in your business.

Please note that the above information is provided as commentary only and should not be relied on as professional, legal, or financial advice.