What Your Cleaning Company Needs to Know About the Hazard Communication Law

As a cleaning company you use various chemicalsthe MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for the
in your day-to-day operations. Products such asproducts they are using and this information must
floor finish, toilet bowl cleaners, disinfectants,be easily accessible by employees. MSDS sheets
carpet spotters and all-purpose cleaners containare usually kept at the work location in the janitor
various ingredients that can pose a hazard tocloset.
your employees' health and well-being. An everyTraining. Employers must train employees on how
day task such as cleaning a rest room can lead toto properly use chemicals including what personal
a nightmare if one of your employees is injuredprotective equipment (gloves, goggles, respirator),
or harmed because of improperly using chemicals.they need to wear when using the product.
No business likes being overburdened with federalRecord Keeping. You are required to keep records
and state regulations. However, to protectof any employee that is exposed to hazardous
yourself and your employees it is important thatsubstances. You should also consider keeping a
your cleaning company abide by OSHA's (thetraining log of when and what types of training
Occupational Safety and Health Administration)you provide to your employees.
Hazard Communication Standard.What products should you consider as hazardous?
This standard is also known as the Right-To-KnowProducts that contain chemicals that pose fire
Law or Hazcom - citation numberhazards, are reactive, explosive or corrosive, or
29CFR1910.1200. The overall goal of this law is tochemicals that cause skin irritation or are
protect employees from physical and healthpotentially toxic are the types of chemicals that
hazards that they may be exposed to while onwill fall under the Right to Know guidelines.
the job. Employees need to know the hazardsHowever, even if a product is not deemed
and identities of the chemicals they can potentiallyhazardous by OSHA it is important that you train
be exposed to while doing their job. Your cleaningyour employees on the proper use of the
employees also need to know what protectivechemical. Products improperly used may not be as
measures are available to prevent exposure toeffective as they should be. In addition, if your
chemicals or potential injuries that could be causedemployees do not dilute chemicals properly or mix
by chemicals. Besides being a law, failure tochemicals together that should not be mixed, they
comply with the requirements of this regulationcan cause problems to your employee's health or
means that you are putting your employees atmay damage the surfaces that are being cleaned.
risk.Always ask for the product's MSDS sheet when
As an employer you are responsible for thebuying cleaning chemicals. If you are buying your
following:cleaning products through a janitorial distributor
Notification. As an employer you must tell yourthey should have the MSDS information for you.
employees that they have the right toIf you buying products at a retail store you may
information about the products they are using inhave to contact the manufacturer directly or go
the workplace. This information includes possibleon-line to find the product's MSDS.
health affects and hazards caused by theMaking sure you train your employees on the use
chemicals they use while working.of chemicals is no guarantee that an incident will
Providing Information. You must respond to anynever happen. However, a small investment of
employee who requests information about theyour time in properly training your employees and
products they are using, and you must providekeeping the required paperwork can keep your
this information in a timely manner. You must alsocleaning company out of hot water if an incident
let your employees know where they can finddoes happen.