by Shane Henson — July 18, 2012—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released an infosheet that offers facilities managers and others information and best practices on helping building maintenance workers, janitors, housekeepers and other employees who handle cleaning chemicals safe from harm.
As NIOSH stresses, some cleaning chemicals can be hazardous, causing problems ranging from skin rashes and burns to coughing and asthma. Many factors influence whether a cleaning chemical will cause health problems, and these factors should be considered before purchasing any cleaning product. They include:
- Chemical ingredients of the cleaning product
- How the cleaning product is being used or stored
- Ventilation in the area where the cleaning product is used
- Whether there are splashes and spills
- Whether the cleaning product comes in contact with the skin
- Whether the product mists
- How the cleaning product is being used or stored
According to NIOSH, many employers are switching to green cleaning products because they are thought to be less hazardous to workers and the environment. However, placing the word “green” in a name or on a bottle does not ensure that a chemical is safe, it says. Employers should review all the cleaning chemicals they purchase, including green cleaning products, to understand their health and safety hazards.
