| As a cleaning company you use various | | | | Sheets) for the products they are using and |
| chemicals in your day-to-day operations. | | | | this information must be easily accessible by |
| Products such as floor finish, toilet bowl | | | | employees. MSDS sheets are usually kept at |
| cleaners, disinfectants, carpet spotters and | | | | the work location in the janitor closet. |
| all-purpose cleaners contain various | | | | |
| ingredients that can pose a hazard to your | | | | Training. Employers must train employees on |
| employees' health and well-being. An every | | | | how to properly use chemicals including what |
| day task such as cleaning a rest room can | | | | personal protective equipment (gloves, |
| lead to a nightmare if one of your employees | | | | goggles, respirator), they need to wear when |
| is injured or harmed because of improperly | | | | using the product. |
| using chemicals. No business likes being | | | | |
| overburdened with federal and state | | | | Record Keeping. You are required to keep |
| regulations. However, to protect yourself and | | | | records of any employee that is exposed to |
| your employees it is important that your | | | | hazardous substances. You should also |
| cleaning company abide by OSHA's (the | | | | consider keeping a training log of when and |
| Occupational Safety and Health | | | | what types of training you provide to your |
| Administration) Hazard Communication | | | | employees. |
| Standard. | | | | |
| | | | What products should you consider as |
| This standard is also known as the | | | | hazardous? Products that contain chemicals |
| Right-To-Know Law or Hazcom - citation number | | | | that pose fire hazards, are reactive, |
| 29CFR1910.1200. The overall goal of this law | | | | explosive or corrosive, or chemicals that |
| is to protect employees from physical and | | | | cause skin irritation or are potentially |
| health hazards that they may be exposed to | | | | toxic are the types of chemicals that will |
| while on the job. Employees need to know the | | | | fall under the Right to Know guidelines. |
| hazards and identities of the chemicals they | | | | However, even if a product is not deemed |
| can potentially be exposed to while doing | | | | hazardous by OSHA it is important that you |
| their job. Your cleaning employees also need | | | | train your employees on the proper use of the |
| to know what protective measures are | | | | chemical. Products improperly used may not be |
| available to prevent exposure to chemicals or | | | | as effective as they should be. In addition, |
| potential injuries that could be caused by | | | | if your employees do not dilute chemicals |
| chemicals. Besides being a law, failure to | | | | properly or mix chemicals together that |
| comply with the requirements of this | | | | should not be mixed, they can cause problems |
| regulation means that you are putting your | | | | to your employee's health or may damage the |
| employees at risk. | | | | surfaces that are being cleaned. |
| | | | |
| As an employer you are responsible for the | | | | Always ask for the product's MSDS sheet when |
| following: | | | | buying cleaning chemicals. If you are buying |
| | | | your cleaning products through a janitorial |
| Notification. As an employer you must tell | | | | distributor they should have the MSDS |
| your employees that they have the right to | | | | information for you. If you buying products |
| information about the products they are using | | | | at a retail store you may have to contact the |
| in the workplace. This information includes | | | | manufacturer directly or go on-line to find |
| possible health affects and hazards caused by | | | | the product's MSDS. |
| the chemicals they use while working. | | | | |
| | | | Making sure you train your employees on the |
| Providing Information. You must respond to | | | | use of chemicals is no guarantee that an |
| any employee who requests information about | | | | incident will never happen. However, a small |
| the products they are using, and you must | | | | investment of your time in properly training |
| provide this information in a timely manner. | | | | your employees and keeping the required |
| You must also let your employees know where | | | | paperwork can keep your cleaning company out |
| they can find the MSDS (Material Safety Data | | | | of hot water if an incident does happen. |