What chemicals do you use?
Controlling hazardous substances is an important part of managing health & safety requirements for businesses.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, every business has a duty to both their employees and the general public that visit their business to protect them from hazardous substances.
Keeping a COSHH inventory is an easy way to quickly identify and keep track of all potentially harmful products used on the premises. Regardless of whether products are high risk or low risk, the management of these products is a legal requirement.
A COSHH inventory will simply be a list of all chemicals/hazardous substances that staff and visitors can be exposed to. Safety data sheets should also be obtained and kept on file for each substance. Any PPE advised for use can also be recorded here.
If you hire an external cleaning company you should know what chemicals they use and where (a good method statement can cover this), and have copies of the relevant safety data sheets.
Knowing what it used and where is an important step in managing risk. Keeping substance hazards as low as possible whilst maintaining high cleanliness is just a matter of assessment and putting appropriate controls in place.