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As a commercial cleaning business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your employees and clients. One of the primary ways to promote safety is by adhering to the occupational safety and health standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In this blog post, we'll discuss the five OSHA requirements relating to industrial hygiene that you need to be aware of to ensure that your commercial cleaning business is running safely and smoothly.
Ensure Safety in Your Workplace Through OSHA's Industrial Hygiene Regulations
- Hazard assessment – The first and foremost requirement regarding industrial hygiene is to undertake a hazard assessment. As a business owner, you must assess the various tasks your employees perform and identify potential hazards of each task. Common examples of hazardous tasks include working with hazardous chemicals or exposed wires. You should then create a hazard control plan detailing steps to mitigate these risks. You should regularly review and update your hazard assessment process with the involved authorities.
- Personal protective equipment and respiratory protection – Employees working in hazardous environments such as cleaning and disinfection of hospitals, nursing homes, and schools are at risk of exposure to infectious diseases. OSHA's PPE standards require employers to provide appropriate personal protective equipment to their workers and train them on the correct usage and maintenance. Employers should also provide respirators to their employees if they are susceptible to airborne hazards, including infectious respiratory viruses of public health significance.
- Chemical management – OSHA has thoroughly regulated the use of hazardous chemicals in workplaces to prevent potential hazards such as fires, explosions, and the release of toxic fumes. You must ensure that your cleaning business handles hazardous chemicals and biological agents adequately. This includes proper labeling and storage, employee training, and having the appropriate equipment for chemical spill coverage.
- Noise exposure – Workplace noise can cause hearing loss, and OSHA has set exposure limits to protect employees. You should take measures to reduce noise exposure in the workplace, such as limiting exposure to hazardous noise, providing hearing protection, and posting warning signs in the high noise areas.
- Heat and cold stress – If your employees service outdoor areas, you should be vigilant about heat and cold exposure stress. OSHA provides specific guidelines on protecting workers from excessive heat or cold environments. Implementing measures such as risk assessment, hydration, limited exposure to high temperatures, and appropriate protective clothing and equipment is crucial.
Conclusion:
As a commercial cleaning business owner, following industrial hygiene requirements is a crucial aspect of your responsibility. By implementing and ensuring that your cleaning business follows the demonstrated OSHA guidelines, you can guarantee the safety of your employees and clients. Remember to assess workplace hazards, provide appropriate personal protective equipment, manage hazardous chemicals, control noise exposure, and protect against heat and cold stress. With a clean, safe and healthy workspace, your business will thrive, and help maintain a healthy and sustainable work environment for all.
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FAQs
Industrial hygiene has five main principles: anticipate hazards, recognize hazards, evaluate hazards, evaluate results and control hazards.
What is one of the OSHA requirements relating to industrial hygiene? ›
OSHA requires that workers in noisy surroundings be periodically tested as a precaution against hearing loss. Another physical hazard, radiant heat exposure in factories such as steel mills, can be controlled by installing reflective shields and by providing protective clothing.
What are five OSHA safety requirements? ›
Examples of OSHA standards include requirements for employers to: • provide fall protection; • prevent trenching cave-ins; • prevent exposure to some infectious diseases; • ensure the safety of workers who enter confined spaces; • prevent exposure to harmful chemicals; • put guards on dangerous machines; • provide ...
What are 5 things OSHA does? ›
OSHA carries out its mission by setting and enforcing standards; enforcing anti-retaliation provisions of the OSH Act and other federal whistleblower laws; providing and supporting training, outreach, education, and assistance; and ensuring state OSHA programs are at least as effective as federal OSHA, furthering a ...
What are 5 good hygiene practices? ›
Personal hygiene includes:
- cleaning your body every day.
- washing your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet.
- brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day.
- covering your mouth and nose with a tissue (or your sleeve) when sneezing or coughing.
- washing your hands after handling pets and other animals.
Provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and comply with standards, rules and regulations issued under the OSH Act. Examine workplace conditions to make sure they conform to applicable OSHA standards. Make sure employees have and use safe tools and equipment and properly maintain this equipment.
What is the OSHA basic worksite analysis performed by an industrial hygienist? ›
A worksite analysis is an essential first step that helps an industrial hygienist determine what jobs and work stations are the sources of potential problems. During the worksite analysis, the industrial hygienist measures and identifies exposures, problem tasks, and risks.
What are the 4 OSHA standards? ›
OSHA standards are rules that describe the methods that employers must use to protect their employees from hazards. There are four groups of OSHA standards: General Industry, Construction, Page 10 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 8 Maritime, and Agriculture.
What is the OSHA rule of 5? ›
The OSHA standard uses a 5 dBA exchange rate. This means that when the noise level is increased by 5 dBA, the amount of time a person can be exposed to a certain noise level to receive the same dose is cut in half.
What are the 5 parts of an OSHA inspection? ›
Understanding each stage of the process can help construction organizations prepare for their inspections.
- Preparation & initial arrival. ...
- Opening conference. ...
- Walkthrough inspection. ...
- Employee interviews. ...
- Closing conference. ...
- Post-inspection actions.
SEC. 5. shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act. Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.
What 5 rights do you have under OSHA? ›
Receive workplace safety and health training in a language you understand. Work on machines that are safe. Refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to a hazard. Receive required safety equipment, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls.
What are the 5 most frequent OSHA violations? ›
OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for 2023
- Fall Protection—General Requirements (1926.501): 7,271 violations.
- Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 3,213 violations.
- Ladders (1926.1053): 2,978 violations.
- Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,859 violations.
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,561 violations.
The broad definition of “industrial hygiene” is a healthy workplace. This chart explains the four basic principles of industrial hygiene to help you prevent job-related illnesses. They are – 1) Anticipation, 2) Recognition, 3) Evaluation and 4) Control of workplace health hazards.
What are the five 5 key principles of food hygiene according to WHO World health Organization )? ›
The core messages of the Five Keys to Safer Food are:keep clean;separate raw and cooked;cook thoroughly;keep food at safe temperatures; anduse safe water...
What are the 4 concepts or tenants of industrial hygiene? ›
In addition, our latest infographic identifies the four basic principles of industrial hygiene that include – 1) Anticipation, 2) Recognition, 3) Evaluation and 4) Control of workplace health hazards.
