COSHH In Commercial Cleaning
Effective management of COSHH in commercial cleaning is an important part of protecting cleaning operatives, client employees and other building users.
When outsourcing commercial or industrial cleaning, you should ensure your provider fully understands all elements of COSHH management and related activities.
Cleaning chemicals need to be appropriate for the task, assessed before use and supported by the correct documentation, training and control measures. Cleaning Operatives also need ready access to the information required to use products safely.
At SymClean, COSHH management forms part of our wider approach to cleaning safety, contract mobilisation and ongoing service management. From Safety Data Sheets and individual COSHH assessments to operative training and client access to documentation, our aim is to ensure cleaning chemicals are managed in a structured, controlled and professional way.
What Is COSHH in Commercial Cleaning?
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
The regulations require employers to assess and control risks associated with substances that could cause harm to health.
Within commercial and industrial cleaning, this can include chemicals used for cleaning, sanitising, degreasing and other specialist applications.
Professional COSHH management is therefore about much more than simply keeping a Safety Data Sheet on file. It involves understanding the hazards associated with a product, assessing how it will be used, establishing suitable control measures and ensuring the people using it understand those controls.
COSHH Starts With the Cleaning Contract
Managing COSHH in commercial cleaning should begin during the mobilisation of a new contract rather than after cleaning operations have commenced.
The cleaning requirements, working environment and products required can vary significantly between sites. An industrial manufacturing facility, food production environment, healthcare setting, educational establishment or commercial workplace each have different cleaning requirements and considerations.
As part of establishing the cleaning requirements, the chemicals to be used can be identified alongside the associated Safety Data Sheets, COSHH assessments and necessary control measures.
On most contracts, SymClean is responsible for procuring the cleaning chemicals required to deliver the agreed cleaning specification. We procure products alongside our Environmental and Sustainability Policy, operational suitability and safety considerations.
Clients do provide their own cleaning products on some contracts, but we must always establish their suitability for the intended activities, safety of our people and ensure the appropriate COSHH controls are established.
Safety Data Sheets for Cleaning Chemicals
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is provided by the manufacturer and contains important information about a chemical and how it should be handled.
Depending on the product, this can include information covering:
- chemical composition and classification;
- potential hazards;
- handling and storage;
- appropriate control measures;
- first aid;
- firefighting measures; and
- toxicological information.
For SymClean Cleaning Operatives, relevant Safety Data Sheets are made accessible through their employee portal as well as appropriate on-site based documentation and COSHH folders within chemical storage areas.
This means important chemical safety information is available to the people who need it both as part of their day to day cleaning responsibilities and for regulatory documentation and control.
A COSHH Assessment for Every Chemical Used
Alongside the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, a COSHH assessment is completed for every chemical used by SymClean Cleaning Operatives on site.
The assessment considers the hazards associated with using the product and identifies the control measures required to help reduce the associated risks.
This can include requirements relating to how the chemical is handled and diluted, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), storage and what action should be taken in the event of accidental exposure.
Hazard classifications may include risks associated with substances that are irritant, corrosive, toxic or flammable, depending upon the particular chemical being assessed.
The relevant assessment should be referred to before a chemical is used so that the cleaning operative understands the product and the controls applicable to the task.
COSHH Training for Cleaning Operatives
Effective COSHH in commercial cleaning relies on operatives understanding the controls as well as having access to the correct documentation. Documentation is only effective when the people using cleaning chemicals understand what it means and how it applies to their work.
SymClean Cleaning Operatives complete an online COSHH training course, which includes video based training followed by questions to check their understanding.
Before handling cleaning chemicals, Cleaning Operatives also receive appropriate instruction and are required to confirm that they understand the training provided.
This helps reinforce important areas including chemical hazards, COSHH assessments, Safety Data Sheets, dilution, handling, PPE and the procedures to follow if an incident occurs.
If a cleaning operative is uncertain about a product, assessment or required control measure, they are instructed to seek guidance from their supervisor before proceeding.
PPE and Practical Chemical Safety Controls
A COSHH assessment also establishes the control measures required for the particular chemical and activity.
This can include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as suitable gloves and eye protection, particularly where concentrated products are being handled or decanted.
Correct chemical dilution is another important control.
Correct dilution is important across all cleaning activities, whether that’s a solution being prepared in a simple bucket for manual cleaning, or used within larger specialist equipment such as walk behind and ride on scrubber dryers.
Cleaning chemicals should be prepared and used in accordance with their assessed requirements and instructions. Depending on the site and cleaning operation, this may involve controlled dose products or automatic dosing equipment to help achieve the correct dilution.
These controls can help protect Cleaning Operatives while also supporting consistent cleaning performance and responsible chemical use.
Why COSHH Information Matters in an Emergency
Ready access to accurate chemical information is particularly important if an incident occurs.
Where medical treatment is required following exposure to a cleaning chemical, the relevant Safety Data Sheet provides medical professionals with detailed information about the substance, including information that may assist with determining the appropriate treatment.
Product labels also contain important safety information derived from the Safety Data Sheet and can assist with identifying the substance involved. The full Safety Data Sheet provides more comprehensive information.
This highlights why maintaining accessible and up to date chemical documentation is an important practical safety measure, rather than simply an administrative tick boxing or requirement.
Giving Clients Access to COSHH Information
Clients outsourcing their cleaning also need confidence that the chemicals being used within their premises are being professionally managed.
Relevant COSHH documentation is uploaded to SymComm, SymClean’s secure online client communication portal, providing authorised clients with convenient access to information associated with their cleaning contract.
This complements the operational information available to SymClean employees and provides greater transparency for clients responsible for areas such as facilities management, procurement, operations, health and safety and compliance.
COSHH Reviews and Ongoing Contract Management
COSHH management does not end once a cleaning contract has been mobilised.
Cleaning requirements can change. Products may change, working practices can develop and new cleaning tasks may be introduced.
Chemical documentation and associated controls therefore form part of the wider ongoing management and review of the cleaning service.
Where changes affect the chemicals being used or the way in which they are used, the relevant information and controls can be reviewed and updated accordingly.
his ongoing approach helps ensure that the COSHH arrangements established during mobilisation continue to reflect the cleaning operation being delivered.
Professional Chemical Management as Part of Outsourced Cleaning
For organisations outsourcing their commercial or industrial cleaning, COSHH is one part of a much wider health and safety responsibility.
A professional cleaning contractor should be able to demonstrate not only that documentation exists, but also how chemical risks are assessed, how information reaches Cleaning Operatives, how people are trained, what practical controls are in place and how relevant information is managed throughout the contract.
At SymClean, COSHH management is integrated into our wider approach to cleaning operations, employee safety and client communication.
From contract mobilisation and chemical assessment through to operative training, controlled use, accessible documentation and ongoing review, these processes help us deliver professionally managed cleaning services across a wide range of commercial and industrial environments.
Frequently Asked Questions About COSHH and Commercial Cleaning
What does COSHH stand for?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The regulations require employers to assess risks associated with hazardous substances and establish appropriate measures to control exposure.
Does COSHH apply to cleaning chemicals?
Many substances used within professional cleaning can fall within COSHH requirements. The risks and required controls depend on the particular product, its classification and how it is used.
What is the difference between a Safety Data Sheet and a COSHH assessment?
A Safety Data Sheet is produced by the chemical manufacturer and provides detailed information about the product, its hazards, handling and emergency measures. A COSHH assessment considers how the substance will actually be used within the workplace and establishes the controls required to manage the associated risk.
Do SymClean Cleaning Operatives receive COSHH training?
Yes. SymClean Cleaning Operatives complete online COSHH training incorporating video-based learning and questions to check their understanding. Appropriate instruction is also provided before chemicals are handled.
Can SymClean clients access COSHH documentation?
Relevant COSHH information can be made available to authorised clients through SymComm, SymClean's secure online client communication portal. This provides 24/7 client access of documentation associated with the cleaning services we deliver.
What happens if a client provides the cleaning chemicals?
Where client provided products are to be used by SymClean Cleaning Operatives, their suitability for the intended cleaning activity is considered and approved, with the appropriate COSHH controls established before use.
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Further guidance on COSHH responsibilities is available from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
