Health and Safety Considerations when Cleaning
Health and Safety Considerations when Cleaning
The health and safety risks of a dirty home or business premises are obvious, but did you know that cleaning can be a dangerous occupation in itself?
According to the Health and Safety Executive, the most common types of accidents that befall people while cleaning are slips and trips, and many cleaners injure themselves while moving or lifting heavy objects. Incorrect use of cleaning products can do more harm than good, and careless cleaning methods not only endanger the person doing the cleaning but can also create hazards for other people.
For safe cleaning, always take a moment to identify potential risks and think of ways to avoid them before you reach for your mop or duster.
Kitchens
The main purpose of cleaning a kitchen is to eliminate disease-causing germs. But before you use powerful bleaches, disinfectants or detergents check the effects these harsh chemicals have on humans as well as on bacteria and viruses. Most are highly toxic and contact with them can trigger a range of allergic reactions from skin rashes to asthma attacks.
Only use these products in well-ventilated areas, follow the manufacturer's instructions, wear rubber gloves, and if any liquid splashes onto your skin wash it off immediately. Alternatively, switch to eco-friendly cleaning products that give you the same standard of hygiene but contain much safer natural ingredients.
A wet or greasy floor is responsible for many falls in kitchens. Always mop up any spills as soon as they occur and clean the whole floor regularly. When washing a floor, plan where you will start and finish so you won't have to walk over a wet areaand make sure nobody else goes into the kitchen until the floor is completely dry.
Bathrooms
Hygiene is important here, too, but never clean a bath or shower tray with any product that might leave a slippery surface.
An unseen source of danger in bathrooms is electricity. Electric sockets are not allowed in bathrooms, and pull cords are used instead of ordinary switches, but care must still be taken to keep water from seeping onto electrical wiring. Use a dry cloth when cleaning light fittings, shaver points, extractor fans, or any type of electric heater or towel rail. If you see bare wires or have any doubts about the safety of an appliance ask a qualified electrician to check it.
Bedrooms
Breathing in dust-laden air all night is not beneficial to health, and for people allergic to dust mites it's even worse. Use a damp cloth to remove dust from hard surfaces rather than dry dusters that only move dust from one place to another. For the same reason, if your vacuum cleaner sucks up dust at one end and blows most of it out at the other end, consider buying a new model that holds all the dust and fluff inside.
When vacuuming more than one bedroom always plug the machine into the socket nearest to where you are working. A long cable trailing from room to room could easily trip someone including you!
To clean the tops of wardrobes, curtain rails, ceiling lights or anything else you can't easily reach, only use sturdy steps designed for the purpose. Never stand on a chair or other piece of furniture.
If you need practical help with your cleaning, or advice on how to safely solve a particular cleaning problem, the best person to ask is a cleaning expert. Today's professional cleaners are not only trained in efficient cleaning methods. They are also keenly aware of health and safety issues both in the home and commercial settings.
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