OSHA Part 1: What is OSHA?

Most business owners have heard the acronym “OSHA” and know it is somehow connected to hygiene. They might not realize just how important it is to follow workplace safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If this is new territory for you, keep reading because a lot is at stake. Failing to meet these standards could risk your reputation, business, team members, and customers.

Understanding OSHA Standards

OSHA is a federal agency that falls under the US Department of Labor umbrella. Their mission? To prevent workplace injuries, reduce workers’ compensation premiums, and increase productivity by enforcing the following occupational health standards:

Hazard Communication

Cleaning staff handle products that can be harmful when improperly used, mixed, or stored. To maintain OSHA compliance:

• Do not store chemicals in generic bottles without labels. All substances should have clear markers that describe the contents, hazards, and safety information
• Store chemicals in a designated area that is ventilated and well-organized
• Train employees to read safety labels and data sheets to ensure they understand proper use

Bloodborne Pathogens

Unseen risks hiding in bodily fluids can put customers and team members at serious risk of infectious and life-threatening diseases. To keep your business safe, ensure cleaning staff has access to and uses personal protection equipment (PPE) when cleaning up blood or other hazardous materials.

Slip-and-Fall Prevention

Each year, more than 1 million people travel to the emergency room due to a slip and fall accident. That’s more than 2,000 people every day! Unfortunately, many of these falls could have been prevented simply by posting signage during wet cleaning—not after.

Electrical Safety

Cleaning equipment takes a fair share of abuse. Over time, electrical cords and plugs may fray or crack. Do not use “quick fixes” like electrical tape to mask damaged equipment; this is not only an OSHA certification violation but could shock, burn, or even electrocute cleaning staff.

Ergonomic Hazards

While OSHA does not yet have a formal standard for preventing ergonomic hazards, they have published a series of best practices on their website. We highly recommend using equipment that is ergonomic-friendly. These may include:

• Mop buckets with wringers
• Cleaning carts that can be adjusted to the user’s height
• Brooms and dustpans that do not require bending
• Extendable scrub brushes

Record-Keeping

If you have more than 10 employees, you must keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. But how serious is serious? OSHA workplace safety regulations require you to record any injury that results in:

• Loss on consciousness
• Missed work
• Restricted work
• Transfer to another job
• Medical treatment
• Irreversible diseases
• Cracked bones, teeth, or punctured eardrums
  

These records must be maintained in your business for at least five years, and a summary must be posted on-site every year (February through April).

Of course, this is only a brief overview of the OSHA occupational health standards. While this will certainly get you started, we encourage you to visit OSHA online and also stay tuned for part II, where we’ll talk more about maintaining these standards!

Safer, Cleaner, Better – Since 1983

Forty years of commercial cleaning experience have taught us something—not all cleaning companies are created equal. And not all cleaning companies work hard to ensure OSHA compliance.  When we founded Hotel Cleaning Services, we promised to do things differently. Whether serving hotels, resorts, spas, or commercial kitchens, we maintain these rigorous standards. Our customers deserve it, and so do you. Contact us today!