Steve Hanson

If you own a cleaning company you should have a Hazard Communication policy in place so that your employees know how to handle cleaning chemicals safely. Cleaning chemicals, even if they're certified as "green", still need to be handled in a safe manner.

When writing your policy, be sure to address the following:

* All cleaning chemicals used in a building must have an MSDS sheet. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are usually stored in a binder in the janitor closet.

* All containers must have a label. Hand-made labels do NOT qualify as an appropriate label. Each label must have the name of the product, required hazard warnings, and the name, address and phone number of the manufacturer. If the labels are worn or unreadable they should be replaced. Check with your janitorial distributor, as they should be able to give you extra labels.

* If a container does not have a label, don't sniff it to see if you can identify what's inside - a small sniff of a hazardous chemical can be dangerous.

* Never smoke around cleaning chemicals.

* Most people know by now that you should never mix chemicals together - especially ammonia and bleach, as this is a lethal combination.

* If diluting chemicals with water, do it over a sink and not over an area that can be easily stained like carpet or a porous hard floor surface.

* Never store chemicals near electrical equipment or heat or in direct sunlight.

* Always wear PPE (personal protective equipment) like gloves, safety glasses, and possibly respirators when pouring or diluting chemicals.

* Check the MSDS sheets for instructions on proper disposal of chemicals. Do not just pour them down the drain or flush them down the toilet with out checking first.

After you have your written policy in place, plan a training meeting with your employees to review the entire Hazard Communication Policy. After covering the policies be sure to answer any questions they may have and then have them sign off on a form stating they received the training and understand the policies.

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Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com.