Do Cleaners Need COSHH Training?

Members of staff that use hazardous substances need to be aware of how to safely handle, use, and even store these substances. This is where comprehensive COSHH courses can prove invaluable, as these provide relevant employees with the training and information that they need to achieve this goal.

Effective COSHH training is important to not only protect those who are using hazardous substances but also other people. The right training can help to prevent a negative impact on the health of users of hazardous substances and others. This includes the prevention of health issues such as skin allergies or respiratory problems.

Cleaners are among the key employees that have to deal with hazardous substances on a regular basis, and it is vital for employers to ensure they get the necessary training to deal with these substances. The right training can provide cleaners with greater confidence and knowledge as well as enabling them to protect themselves and others.

The Benefits of COSHH Training for Cleaners

There are many reasons why COSHH training is so essential for cleaners. Some of the main reasons these workers need this type of training are:

Protecting Themselves

One of the key reasons why COSHH training is so vital for cleaners is that it enables them to protect themselves. Working with hazardous substances and chemicals means that cleaners put themselves at risk on a daily basis as part of their jobs, and they need to be equipped with the knowledge and training to minimise that risk. Choosing a good, comprehensive COSHH training course from a reputable provider means that cleaners will be better positioned to reduce the risks of working with these substances.

Protecting Other People

It is not just themselves that cleaners have to protect when working with hazardous chemicals and substances, but also other people. Simple things such as being trained in how to store these substances can help to reduce the risk of other people being negatively affected through exposure. A good COSHH training course will cover many different aspects of safely handling and using hazardous substances, and this includes storing them safely to protect other people.

Avoiding Preventable Health Issues

Exposure to hazardous substances can cause all sorts of issues, and these can be prevented through the proper handling and use of the chemicals. However, cleaners will not have the necessary knowledge to handle and use them as they should without proper training, which is where COSHH training comes in. With the right training, cleaners can avoid preventable health issues affecting themselves and other people by taking the necessary steps to enhance safety and minimise risks.

Gaining Confidence and Feeling Safe

As with any job, it is important for cleaners to feel both confident and protected when carrying out their duties. However, without the necessary training, many will feel vulnerable and may have no idea what to do when it comes to the use, handling, and storage of the hazardous chemicals they use. With proper training, they will be equipped with the knowledge they need to gain confidence and feel safe when they are working with these substances.

Avoiding Lifelong Issues

Another thing to keep in mind is that certain hazardous substances can lead to long-term issues, and this can affect people for the rest of their lives. The onset of these conditions such as asthma and other respiratory problems can be slow, but once they develop, they can last a lifetime. The fact that they work with hazardous chemicals means that cleaners are among the groups that are at risk from lifelong conditions but having the right training can help them to stay safe and protected.

What Cleaners Can Learn from COSHH Training

The right training will cover many different aspects of handling, using, and storing hazardous substances, and this can go a long way toward protecting these workers and minimising the risks to others as well. In fact, ensuring cleaners get proper COSHH training can even help to avoid disasters such as chemical fires and explosions.

There are a number of important areas that should be covered as part of a COSHH training course for cleaners. This will help to ensure they have the right knowledge and information needed when working with these substances on a regular basis. Some of the areas that should be covered include:

• Key responsibilities: Cleaners, whether in-house or contracted, need to be aware of what the responsibilities of individuals are so that appropriate action can be taken when necessary
• Safe handling and usage: The safe handling and usage of hazardous substances is vital for cleaners, and this include proper procedures when using, transporting, storing, decanting, and diluting substances
• Identification of chemicals: Cleaners also need to be able to properly identify chemicals so that they can put the correct measures in place
• Storage of substances: Proper and safe storage of hazardous substances is something else that cleaners need to be familiar with, as this can help to prevent issues such as fumes, spillages, and leaks
• Safety data sheets: Cleaning staff can learn about why safety data sheets are vital, how they are used, and why they must accompany hazardous substances
• Workplace Exposure Limits: It is also important for cleaners to be aware of Workplace Exposure Limits and their importance when it comes to hazardous substances
• Personal Protective Equipment: PPE may be required in many situations for cleaners who work with hazardous chemicals, and cleaners can learn how to protect themselves with PPE
• Safe disposal: Disposing of hazardous waste safely is also vital, and is often part of the duties of cleaners
• Health surveillance systems: Cleaners who are at risk of exposure to hazardous substances should be part of a health surveillance system that provides ongoing monitoring

These are some of the key areas that are covered in COSHH training courses.

Comprehensive Training Is Essential for Cleaners

Based on the above points, COSHH training is essential for cleaners, as these employees tend to handle a wide range of hazardous chemicals on a regular basis. They are at risk from fumes and exposure, spillages, ingestion, reactions and allergies, and many other issues as a result of having to handle these products.

Online COSHH Course

Our online COSHH course has been designed for those handling potentially hazardous substances in the workplace. It will introduce users to the COSHH legislation and help them to identify substances that are harmful to health and how to apply the appropriate controls needed to prevent or reduce exposure to them.

The course, which can be completed in as little as 60 minutes, provides the user with a printable certificate upon completion of the end-of-course test.