The cleaning industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK, from self-employed domestic cleaners to large commercial cleaning companies. Despite appearing straightforward, cleaning work involves significant health and safety risks - particularly from chemical exposure, slips and falls, manual handling, and the challenges of lone working.
This guide covers the essential health and safety requirements for cleaners and cleaning companies operating in the UK.
The Legal Framework
Cleaning work is governed by several key regulations:
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 - General duties on employers and the self-employed to protect workers and others affected by their work.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 - Requires risk assessment and implementation of appropriate controls.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) - Covers cleaning chemicals, biological agents, and other hazardous substances.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 - Applies to lifting, carrying, and physical tasks involved in cleaning.
Work at Height Regulations 2005 - Relevant when cleaning above floor level, including reaching and ladder use.
COSHH - Chemical Hazards
Cleaning chemicals are the most significant hazard in the industry. Many products can cause serious harm through skin contact, inhalation, or accidental ingestion.
Common Chemical Hazards
| Product Type | Typical Hazards | Key Controls |
|---|---|---|
| General purpose cleaners | Skin and eye irritation | Gloves, avoid splashes |
| Bleach and chlorine products | Corrosive, toxic fumes, burns | Gloves, ventilation, eye protection |
| Descalers and acid cleaners | Corrosive, burns, fumes | Gloves, eye protection, ventilation |
| Sanitisers and disinfectants | Skin sensitisation, irritation | Gloves, follow dilution instructions |
| Degreasers and solvents | Skin defatting, flammable, vapours | Gloves, ventilation, no ignition sources |
| Drain cleaners | Highly corrosive, severe burns | Full PPE, great care in use |
The Most Dangerous Mistake
Never mix cleaning chemicals. Mixing different products can create dangerous reactions:
- Bleach + ammonia = toxic chloramine gas
- Bleach + acid = chlorine gas
- Different products + anything = unpredictable reactions
This has caused deaths and serious injuries. One product at a time, rinse between products.
COSHH Assessment
For every cleaning chemical you use:
- Identify hazards - read the label and obtain the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Assess who might be harmed - cleaners, building occupants, others
- Evaluate the risks - how much exposure, for how long, how often
- Decide on controls - ventilation, PPE, safer products, dilution
- Record your findings - document your assessment
- Implement and review - actually use the controls, check they work
Eye splash emergency: If chemicals splash in your eyes, rinse immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Do not delay by looking for anything else - start flushing immediately. This is why eyewash facilities or water supplies should be accessible.
Reducing Chemical Risks
Hierarchy of control:
- Eliminate - can the cleaning be done without chemicals? (microfibre, steam)
- Substitute - use less hazardous products where possible
- Control exposure - correct dilution, ventilation, PPE
- PPE - gloves, eye protection, aprons as needed
Practical measures:
- Read labels and SDS before using products
- Follow dilution instructions exactly
- Never decant into unmarked containers
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Wear appropriate PPE consistently
- Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking
- Store chemicals safely (away from food, secured from unauthorised access)
Slips, Trips, and Falls
The most common cause of injury in cleaning is slipping or tripping, often on the wet surfaces created by the cleaning process itself.
Why Cleaners Fall
- Walking on wet floors before they dry
- Spills of cleaning solutions
- Cables and equipment in walkways
- Rushing to complete work
- Poor lighting
- Carrying loads that obstruct vision
- Unsuitable footwear
Prevention
During cleaning:
- Work progressively so you're not walking on wet areas
- Use wet floor signs and barriers
- Allow adequate drying time before removing signs
- Keep cables and equipment clear of walkways
- Maintain good housekeeping in your work area
Equipment:
- Non-slip footwear is essential
- Avoid footwear that lets water in
- Check soles for wear
Working environment:
- Ensure adequate lighting
- Report hazards that aren't yours to fix
- Be aware of changing conditions
Protecting Others
When cleaning occupied buildings, you're responsible for protecting occupants from slip hazards you create:
- Always use warning signs on wet floors
- Barrier off wet areas where possible
- Consider timing of cleaning (can floors be cleaned when areas are unoccupied?)
- Don't leave wet floors unattended without warnings
Manual Handling
Cleaning involves repetitive physical tasks that cause musculoskeletal injuries over time.
High-Risk Activities
- Pushing and pulling heavy equipment (buffers, scrubbers)
- Lifting and carrying supplies
- Reaching and stretching (high surfaces, under furniture)
- Repetitive bending and stooping
- Wringing mops and cloths
- Emptying bins (especially if heavy or awkwardly positioned)
Controls
Reduce handling:
- Use equipment on wheels
- Position supplies close to work areas
- Use long-handled tools to reduce bending
- Choose equipment designed to minimise physical effort
Improve technique:
- Training on correct pushing/pulling technique
- Use legs, not back, when lifting
- Avoid twisting while handling loads
- Share heavy tasks where possible
Working posture:
- Vary tasks to avoid prolonged repetition
- Take micro-breaks from repetitive activities
- Adjust equipment height where possible
- Don't overload bins or containers
Repetitive Strain from Cleaning
A cleaner developed chronic shoulder and wrist pain after several years of cleaning work. Her regular duties included mopping large floor areas using a traditional mop and bucket, requiring repeated wringing motion.
The cleaner required surgery and was unable to return to her previous role. Assessment found the employer had never considered manual handling risks from cleaning equipment or provided alternatives to reduce repetitive strain.
- •Repetitive strain injuries develop gradually - prevention is key
- •Modern mopping systems reduce wringing and bending
- •Manual handling assessment should cover all regular tasks
- •Early reporting of pain allows intervention before serious harm
Biological Hazards
Cleaners may be exposed to biological hazards, particularly in healthcare, sanitary, and waste-handling contexts.
Common Biological Hazards
- Bodily fluids (blood, vomit, urine, faeces)
- Contaminated waste
- Used sharps (needles, blades)
- Mould and fungal growth
- Animal waste and infestations
Control Measures
General precautions:
- Assume all bodily fluids are potentially infectious
- Use appropriate PPE (gloves, aprons, face protection where needed)
- Never touch sharps with hands - use proper sharps containers
- Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke in contaminated areas
Specific tasks:
- Sanitary waste should be handled with gloves and disposed of correctly
- Blood and bodily fluid spills require specific decontamination procedures
- Sharps injuries need immediate first aid and medical assessment
- Report all needlestick injuries and exposure incidents
Healthcare and Clinical Settings
Cleaners in healthcare environments need additional training and precautions:
- Understanding of infection control
- Specific PPE requirements
- Waste segregation procedures
- Spillage response protocols
Lone Working
Many cleaners work alone, often outside normal hours when buildings are empty. This creates specific safety considerations.
Lone Working Risks
- No immediate help if injured or ill
- Security risks, especially late night/early morning
- Violence or aggression (domestic cleaning in particular)
- Emergency situations with no one aware
- Mental health impacts of isolation
Controls for Lone Workers
Before the shift:
- Risk assess each site for lone working suitability
- Ensure cleaners know the site (fire exits, hazards)
- Provide means of communication
- Establish check-in procedures
During work:
- Regular check-in at agreed times
- Panic alarms or personal safety devices for high-risk situations
- Clear escalation procedure if check-ins are missed
- Access to phone or communication device
Site-specific:
- Consider whether certain tasks should not be done alone
- Assess security arrangements (access control, CCTV)
- Know emergency procedures for the building
- Have contact details for site management
Inadequate Lone Working
- •No check-in system
- •Cleaner has no phone on site
- •Nobody knows when shift ends
- •No procedure for missed contact
Good Lone Working Controls
Recommended- •Check-in at start, middle, and end of shift
- •Cleaner has charged phone or radio
- •Office knows expected finish time
- •Clear escalation if check-in missed
Working at Height
While not traditionally thought of as a height industry, cleaners regularly work at height.
When Height Becomes a Risk
- Cleaning high surfaces (shelves, lights, signs)
- Window cleaning (internal and external)
- Using kick stools and stepladders
- Cleaning stairways and landings
- Accessing storage areas
Controls
Avoid height where possible:
- Can the task be done with long-handled tools from floor level?
- Are high surfaces actually visible enough to need cleaning?
When height work is necessary:
- Use appropriate equipment (kick stools, stepladders, podiums)
- Never improvise with chairs, boxes, or unsuitable items
- Ensure equipment is in good condition
- Follow safe use guidance (three points of contact, no overreaching)
- Consider whether the task needs more than one person
Skin Conditions
Occupational skin disease is common among cleaners due to frequent hand washing and chemical contact.
Causes
- Frequent wet work (hands in water)
- Contact with cleaning chemicals
- Failure to dry hands properly
- Inadequate glove use
- Damaged or broken skin allowing sensitisation
Prevention
Protect the skin:
- Wear appropriate gloves for wet work and chemical handling
- Dry hands thoroughly after washing and wet work
- Use moisturiser regularly (at breaks and end of shift)
- Report early signs of skin problems
Glove selection:
- Check SDS for appropriate glove type for each chemical
- Replace gloves when damaged or degraded
- Don't use gloves with existing skin damage (traps irritants)
- Remove gloves properly (avoiding contact with contaminated outer surface)
Early Signs of Problems
- Dry, cracked, or scaly skin
- Redness and itching
- Blistering
- Skin that doesn't heal
Report these early - occupational dermatitis is easier to manage when caught quickly.
Specific Cleaning Contexts
Commercial Office Cleaning
Key considerations:
- Working around occupants and their property
- Security and confidentiality
- After-hours working and lone working
- Multiple sites with varying hazards
Healthcare Cleaning
Additional requirements:
- Infection control training
- Understanding of clinical waste
- Specific chemical protocols
- Patient safety awareness
- Higher biological hazard risk
Industrial and Factory Cleaning
Specific hazards:
- Machinery and equipment hazards
- Industrial chemicals and substances
- Traffic management on site
- Confined spaces
- Permit systems
Domestic Cleaning
Unique considerations:
- Working in people's homes
- Variable and unpredictable conditions
- Customer relationships
- Lone working in private spaces
- Less formal safety arrangements
End of Tenancy and Deep Cleaning
Higher risk activities:
- More intensive chemical use
- Longer duration tasks
- Neglected or heavily soiled areas
- Working in empty properties alone
Employer Responsibilities
If you employ cleaners, significant duties apply.
Legal Requirements
- Written health and safety policy (mandatory for 5+ employees)
- Risk assessments for work activities (written for 5+ employees)
- COSHH assessments for all cleaning chemicals
- Employers' liability insurance (compulsory)
- Provision of training, information, and supervision
Training Requirements
Ensure workers have:
- COSHH awareness (chemical hazards and controls)
- Manual handling awareness
- Lone working procedures
- Site-specific induction for each location
- Emergency procedures
Providing Information
Workers need:
- Safety Data Sheets for chemicals used
- Site-specific hazard information
- Emergency contact numbers
- Procedures for reporting accidents and concerns
PPE Provision
Employers must provide appropriate PPE free of charge:
- Gloves suitable for chemicals used
- Eye protection where needed
- Aprons for wet or contaminated work
- Non-slip footwear (or footwear allowance)
Self-Employed Cleaners
Self-employed cleaners have duties too:
- Assess risks in your work
- Use appropriate controls and PPE
- Don't put yourself or others at risk
- Maintain appropriate insurance
- Keep up to date with safety information
You don't need formal written assessments if self-employed with no employees, but you still need to think through the risks and act on them.
Insurance Requirements
Employers' Liability Insurance
Compulsory if you employ anyone. Minimum cover £5 million. Must be displayed where employees can see it.
Public Liability Insurance
Essential for work in client premises. Covers claims from third parties for injury or damage. Most commercial clients require evidence of cover.
Professional Indemnity
Consider if you provide specialist advice or services.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. COSHH applies to all hazardous substances used at work, including standard household products. Many common cleaners contain hazardous ingredients. The assessment can be straightforward for low-risk products but still needs to be done and documented if you have employees.
You can, but you need adequate ventilation. Open doors and windows where possible. If the space is very enclosed, consider whether a different product would be safer, or whether you need to ventilate for longer before working in the space. Never use bleach in a space with no ventilation.
Provide immediate first aid, seek medical attention if needed, and report the accident. Record it in your accident book. Serious injuries may need RIDDOR reporting. Investigate what happened and whether controls need improving. The client may also need to be informed.
If you employ others, yes - it's compulsory. If you're self-employed with no employees, it's not legally required but public liability insurance is highly advisable. If you work through an agency, check who holds the insurance.
This depends on the risk assessment for the site and individual. As a minimum, check-in at start and end of shift. For higher-risk situations (isolated locations, late night, unfamiliar sites), more frequent check-ins may be needed. The key is that someone will notice quickly if contact is lost.
Yes. Workers can refuse to work in conditions they reasonably believe present serious and imminent danger. Report your concerns to your employer. Common issues include unsafe access, hazardous conditions created by others, or inadequate facilities.
There's no single mandatory qualification for cleaners. However, employers must provide training adequate for the work - this includes COSHH awareness, manual handling, use of equipment, emergency procedures, and any site-specific requirements. Record all training provided.
Healthcare cleaning requires additional knowledge of infection control, clinical waste handling, specific decontamination procedures, and patient safety awareness. Many healthcare clients require evidence of this training before allowing cleaners to work.
You should still assess the products before your staff use them. Request Safety Data Sheets from the client. If they can't provide adequate information, consider whether you can supply your own assessed products, or decline to use the unknown products.
Each site needs to be individually assessed for its specific hazards. Create site-specific briefings covering access, emergency procedures, local hazards, and any special requirements. Ensure cleaners receive this information before working at a new site.
Summary
Cleaning work involves significant hazards that require proper management. The key requirements include:
- COSHH compliance - assessing and controlling chemical hazards, never mixing products
- Slip prevention - managing wet surfaces, proper signage, non-slip footwear
- Manual handling - appropriate equipment, correct technique, task rotation
- Biological hazards - appropriate precautions for contaminated materials
- Lone working - risk assessment, check-in systems, communication
- Skin protection - gloves, moisturising, early problem reporting
- Working at height - appropriate equipment, no improvisation
Professional safety standards protect your workers, your clients, and your business reputation.
Related content
Topics:
- COSHH - Hazardous substances control
- Manual Handling - Safe lifting and carrying
- Workplace Safety - General workplace requirements
Articles:
Related sectors:
- Window Cleaners - Specialist cleaning safety
- Offices - Common client premises
- Hospitality - Hotels and hospitality cleaning
Tools:
- Responsibility Checker - Find out what applies to you
*This guidance covers key health and safety requirements for UK cleaners and cleaning companies. It is not exhaustive and does not constitute legal advice.