Cleaning products can make a workplace hygienic, but they also need to be selected, stored and used responsibly. COSHH, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, applies to many products used by commercial cleaning teams. A manager does not need to become a chemist, but should know what is on site, who may be exposed, what controls are required and how an incident would be handled.
What COSHH means for cleaning work
Start with an inventory. List the products used for floors, washrooms, kitchens, glass, laundry, disinfecting and specialist work. Keep the product name, supplier, safety data information, intended use and storage location together. The HSE COSHH guidance explains the importance of assessing risk, preventing exposure where possible and using suitable controls. Do not assume a familiar product is harmless or that a stronger concentration gives a better clean.
Create an inventory and risk assessment
A COSHH assessment should consider how the product is delivered and used. Dilution, spraying, decanting, ventilation, contact time, skin exposure, inhalation and accidental mixing can all change the risk. Specify personal protective equipment where it is required, but do not use PPE as the only control. Store chemicals in original or correctly labelled containers, keep incompatible products apart and restrict access to trained people.
Practical COSHH cleaning products checklist
- Keep a current list of products used on site.
- Read labels and safety data information.
- Record dilution, method and required contact time.
- Store products securely and keep labels visible.
- Provide suitable PPE and hand-washing arrangements.
- Set a clear process for spills, exposure and disposal.
Storage, labels and safe use
Training should be practical. Cleaners need to know which product is for which surface, how to use measuring equipment, what ventilation is needed and what to do if a product splashes or spills. Supervisors should observe the method and correct unsafe shortcuts. When a product changes, review the assessment and brief the team again. The same approach applies to client staff who may use a product in a shared kitchen or workshop.
Train, supervise and review
A workplace should also consider storage, waste and emergency arrangements. Keep cleaning cupboards tidy, avoid unlabelled bottles and make sure access routes are clear. The UK health and safety framework gives wider context, and the British Cleaning Council offers professional industry information. If the site has healthcare or food operations, include their own policies and competent advice.
How Benchmark Cleaning can help with COSHH cleaning products
Benchmark Cleaning Services says its London teams include COSHH-trained staff and use professional products suited to the surface. When arranging office cleaning services, ask how products are stored, how cleaners are trained and how the site receives relevant safety information. A professional cleaning plan should make safe chemical use part of the service rather than an afterthought.
Related guidance for COSHH cleaning products
how product choice affects workplace cleaning | the role of environmentally responsible cleaning | professional deep cleaning
Questions about COSHH cleaning products
Does every cleaning product need a COSHH assessment?
Assess substances that may create a health risk. The HSE guidance and product safety information help determine what controls are needed.
Can cleaning chemicals be stored in a shared office cupboard?
Only if the cupboard is suitable, secure, labelled, ventilated where required and separated from food or incompatible materials.
Who is responsible for COSHH on a cleaning contract?
Responsibilities should be agreed between the client and supplier, with each party managing the risks it creates or controls.
Final thoughts on COSHH cleaning products
COSHH management is part of professional cleaning, not paperwork added after an incident. Inventory the products, assess how they are used, store them safely and train the people who handle them. Regular review keeps controls aligned with the real workplace.
Putting COSHH cleaning products into practice
Start with a site visit rather than a generic promise. Walk through the areas that people use, identify the surfaces and risks, and agree the times when work can happen without disrupting the business. A written scope should state what is included, what is periodic and what needs a separate specialist. It should also name the person who can approve access, report an issue and confirm that a corrective action is complete. This preparation gives the cleaning team a fair brief and gives the client a useful basis for checking the service. The HSE workplace guidance is a helpful reference when access, public movement or safe systems of work are involved.
What to agree before the first visit
Confirm opening hours, keys, alarms, lifts, water, power, storage, waste routes and the location of any sensitive equipment. Explain how staff, visitors, pupils, patients or customers move through the site, because the busiest route often needs a different frequency from a quiet room. Agree how spills, damage, low supplies and urgent requests are reported. A short induction is worthwhile: it helps cleaners understand the building and prevents the client from assuming that a task outside the scope will be handled automatically. If the plan changes, record the change and review its effect on time, equipment and staffing.
How to review the result
Review the first visits while the details are still fresh. Look at the agreed areas, the finished surfaces, the condition of equipment and the way the team communicates. If a task is missed, ask why before simply adding more hours. The cause may be restricted access, a change in occupancy, unsuitable equipment, an unclear instruction or a need for periodic work. Use a short inspection record with a location, date, standard, action owner and due date. Regular evidence-led reviews are more useful than waiting for a general complaint at the end of a contract.
A final check for site managers
Before signing off the plan, ask whether a new member of staff could understand it without a long verbal explanation. The tasks should be visible, the products and equipment should be safe, and the route for reporting a defect should be clear. Check that the schedule protects privacy, keeps routes open and leaves enough time for the expected result. When the building changes, update the scope rather than allowing small exceptions to become permanent gaps. Consistent service comes from clear expectations, competent people and inspections that lead to practical action.
