Cleaning and housekeeping activities in general site facilities e.g. bars, cafes, laundry rooms, offices, reception, restaurants, shops, toilets etc
Persons exposed
Type of assessment
Hazards and control measures
Hazard
General Hazards
• Electrical hazards e.g. faulty vacuum cleaners, floor polishers etc.
• Inadequate ventilation, temperature and lighting
• Fire
• Cuts and injuries etc from contact with sharp objects e.g. syringes, broken bottles etc
• Unauthorised use of cleaning equipment
• Defective equipment is taken out of use
• An inspection and testing programme is in place for portable electrical appliances and extension cables
• Appropriate lighting is provided in all areas.
• Suitable heating and ventilation is provided
• Windows open to provide natural ventilation where practical
• Separate fire risk assessments are carried out
• Ashtrays and bins in smoking areas are only emptied into a suitable metal bin
• Suitable waste bins are provided, and these are regularly emptied to external bins for collection by a registered waste contractor
• A procedure is in place for dealing with sharps, suitable equipment and bins are provided for collecting and disposing of broken glass, needlesticks etc if found.
• Broken glass and other sharp objects are disposed of into a suitable sturdy container and not general waste sacks
• Cleaning equipment is put away and securely stored after use
Hazard
Hazardous substances
• Exposure to hazardous substances e.g. cleaning chemicals
• Chemical burns
• Respiratory damage
• Skin conditions e.g. dermatitis
• Contamination of food / drink
• Persons e.g. guests, children etc accidentally coming into contact with chemicals
• Material safety data sheets are obtained, COSHH assessments are carried out and PPE is provided where required
• An inventory of hazardous substances is in place and kept up to date
• Suitable cleaning equipment is provided and used including mops, buckets, brushes, clothes, rubber gloves, aprons, eye protection etc
• Staff are instructed in the correct use of cleaning chemicals e.g. correct dilution of concentrated products, importance of not mixing products etc
• Only standard cleaning products are used
• The least hazardous cleaning chemicals are used where practical
• Procedures are in place for cleaning areas contaminated by bodily fluids e.g. blood, vomit etc and animal waste e.g. dog faeces, bird droppings etc in outside areas
• Procedures are in place for cleaning and flushing beer lines
• Dish and glass washers are used in preference to washing up by hand.
• Rubber gloves are provided for washing items by hand.
• All containers are clearly labelled.
• Cleaning products are used in well ventilated areas.
• Cleaning materials are stored in small quantities, in correctly labelled containers, in a designated place away from foodstuffs and out of reach of children
• Containers of chemicals are not left unattended and are returned to a secure storage location as soon as they have been used
Hazard
Manual Handling
• Musculoskeletal disorders from lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying load(s).
• Damage to feet, legs by dropping load(s).
• Staff have been provided with sufficient information, instruction and training. Documented records are available.
• Lightweight / portable cleaning equipment is provided where practical
• Sufficient cleaning supplies and equipment is stored close to where it is used to avoid the need to transport equipment long distances
• Mechanical handling equipment is provided, for example trolley used to transport bagged waste etc.
• Bins are regularly emptied
• Larger bins have wheels to aid movement
• Chair lift available for moving chairs
Hazard
Slips and Trips
• Slips, trips & falls from wet slippery floors, spills, uneven floors, items left in walkways, tripping over trailing cables resulting in sprain, broken bones etc
• Falls from height when cleaning high levels
• Staff have been provided with sufficient information, instruction and training. Documented records are available.
• Mats are in place at the entrances.
• Carpets and flooring are regularly checked for defects and deterioration
• The floor area is maintained in a good state of repair.
• A good level of housekeeping is maintained, floors etc are cleaned regularly
• General floor cleaning takes place at less busy times
• Staff are instructed to wear suitable footwear for the environment
• Staff clean as they go e.g. clear up spillages immediately. Mops, brushes etc are available.
• If required, “Wet Floor” signs are available and used.
• Skips / bins are provided for waste. These are emptied at regular intervals.
• Trailing cables are kept to a minimum
• Absorbent material is available to soak up spills.
• Step stools and long handled equipment are provided for cleaning high levels
• Staff are instructed in correct procedures for cleaning at height and DO NOT stand on chairs, tales etc
Hazard
Lone working and violence
• Persons being subjected to threats, harassment or physical violence.
• Injury requiring first aid attention.
• Cleaning in buildings is generally carried out at times when the buildings are closed to the public.
• Parking is provided for cleaners close to building entrances
• Routes between buildings and the car park are generally well lit.
• Mobile phones are carried when working alone
• Staff are provided with emergency contact numbers where required
• Procedures are in place to monitor and protect lone workers
• CCTV is in place in sensitive areas
• A work-related violence policy is in place, all incidents and complaints are investigated and appropriate action taken.
Hazard
Waste compactor
• Electrical hazards.
• Fire e.g. from compaction of inappropriate materials.
• Manual handling injuries from handling bales of compacted waste
• Trapping body parts in the machine
• Ejection of materials during operation
• A programme of servicing and maintenance is in place for waste compactors.
• Only trained and authorised persons operate this equipment
• The equipment is only used for compacting suitable material.
• The door is interlocked to prevent operation while the door is open
• Operating instructions, including details of suitable material are displayed on the machine.
• Handling equipment is provided to assist with transporting bales.