Cleaning is one of the common activities that is completed daily and at some point by everyone whether it is cleaning your own home or working as a cleaner. Cleaning work is both demanding and labour intensive and many of the tasks undertaken consist of repetitive and heavy manual work.

Although there is work equipment such as hoovers, buffers and washing machines to complete some of the cleaning jobs, there are still many jobs that involve manual work, such as mopping, wiping surfaces, polishing, moving rubbish bags and moving furniture and equipment.

The work environment also can cause ill health such as transmission of virus notably recently COVID-19 on high touch areas (door handles). Inhalation of airborne dust and other micros fibres can cause respiratory ill health.

Other risks faced by cleaners are hazardous substances (cleaning products), slips, trips, and falls, lone working, using equipment, electrical safety, fire and lone working. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential first step for ensuring the health and safety of cleaners and they should be trained and supervised. Cleaners need to follow the safety procedures and training instructions to avoid having an accident at work and avoid ill health.

Cleaning is a demanding job and employers can raise awareness of the hazards that they face and the safety measures that can be put in place to minimise risk. Iprotectu software has an e-learning course for cleaners that raises the health and safety awareness.