As of 2021, the US government recorded about 2.6 million nonfatal workplace accidents and injuries, showing the hazardous nature of several workplaces. Workers have the right to enjoy a safe and healthy work environment because it helps them stay engaged and boosts productivity.

This is beneficial for employees and your establishment since increased productivity and efficiency equate to more sales and higher revenue. It is not enough to simply dust and vacuum your space, which is one reason compliance with OSHA is a must.

Adhering to OSHA standards helps to protect your workers from hazardous chemicals, objects, and pathogens that put them and the public at risk. Just like the global COVID-19 pandemic caught many countries and individuals off-guard, the United States lost a million individuals and recorded over 100 million infected people over the course of the pandemic due to negligence and inadequate efforts by OSHA.

Since then, OSHA has continued to improve and reiterate its efforts and strategies, and businesses are expected to comply with these rules and regulations. This article discusses what OSHA compliance is and how to implement an effective cleaning plan that aligns with these regulations. Let's find out!

What to Know About OSHA Compliance and Cleaning Services

What Is OSHA and Why Should You Care?

OSHA was established under the United States Department of Labor on the 29th of December, 1970, and was enacted the following year on April 28th. It is an agency whose duty is to regulate and examine workplaces to maintain a healthy, safe working environment and conditions for the public.

OSHA compliance requires abiding by all regulations provided for your business. The most successful businesses have demonstrated that workplaces designed according to the OSHA compliance checklist are the most sustainable and productive.

Here are some reasons you should care about OSHA compliance as an employer:

  • OSHA Can Facilitate Uninterrupted Production: OSHA compliance increases the quality of products, productivity, and process management in your business. It also helps to prevent unnecessary loss of energy or materials and any unwanted impacts on the environment.
  • OSHA Provides an Early Warning System for Certain Hazards: Most environmental health hazards that were later found to affect the public's health were detected early in the work environment. Hence, an OSHA compliance checklist provides an effective detection and preventive action model.
  • OSHA Focuses on Ensuring Workers' Health and Well-Being: A healthy, productive, and motivated workforce is the key driver for overall socioeconomic growth in your business. In addition, high-quality and productive work ensures quality production of materials, goods, and services.
  • Technological Advancement: OSHA calls for the use of safe, low-energy, low-toxic emissions and green care technology. In the United States, OSHA compliance requires the use of the safest, most environmentally friendly, and best available production technology in your business.
  • Protection of Workers: The prevention of occupational accidents, injuries, and diseases is protection for workers against hazards, minimizing the unnecessary loss of humans and materials in your business.
  • Protection of Workers’ Families and Friends: In Georgia, most families depend on the health and output of their working members. In a situation where OSHA compliance is lacking, the loss of life, health, or working capacity of such a key member of the family often means a severe crisis for everyone else. Besides, if an employee contracts a communicable disease at work, they can easily transfer this illness to their families unknowingly.

Overview of Basic Safety Guidelines Mandated by OSHA for the Workplace

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration published an extensive set of guidelines to help maintain a healthy working environment. Here is an overview of the basic OSHA compliance checklist that should apply to your business:

  • Provision of a Clinic and First Aid: In cases of occupational accidents and injuries, workers should have fast and easy access to medical attention and first aid before they are transferred to a hospital for proper treatment.
  • Hazard Control Methods: Facilities should comply with OSHA standards for hazard control methods like elimination, substitution, engineering control, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers.
  • Fire Safety and Caution: Fire extinguishers should be provided and mounted in strategic locations within the facility. They should be checked monthly for expiration and replaced when faulty or expired. Employers should also organize training for employees on how to use a fire extinguisher in case of emergency.
  • Emergency Exit Routes: Facilities should consider an emergency exit route during their building construction. It should always be clear and dry. This can help to save workers and clients during emergencies like fires, gas leaks, and physical attacks.
  • Walking/Working Height Limits: Falls make up 84% of nonfatal workplace accidents, so facilities requiring climbing should ensure that workers are trained effectively for it. Additionally, strict control measures should be integrated to check workers' access to that area.
  • Hazard Communication Signs: Harmful objects and chemicals should be well labeled for easy identification. For example, radioactive materials should be labeled with a radiation caution symbol. In addition, teach employees the caution coding system.

Reasons Why Comprehensive Cleaning Services Are Essential for OSHA Compliance

In order to maintain a clean and healthy working environment, working with professional, comprehensive commercial cleaning services is crucial. Here are other reasons why they are essential:

  • In 2021, the CDC, through OSHA, published guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting after COVID-19. Professional cleaners are familiar with these rules and use them for routine cleaning and disinfection in facilities.
  • Comprehensive cleaning services that follow OSHA compliance boost workers' morale and help build confidence among staff.
  • Cleaning service companies that follow OSHA compliance ensure client satisfaction and improve experience.
  • Professionals understand how to ensure the working environment and facilities have adequate ventilation to protect workers and clients during cleaning and treatment duties.
  • Commercial cleaning services use antiseptic soaps and detergents that decrease the germs on floors, walls, and surfaces and reduce the risk of infection in your facility.
  • To ensure compliance, OSHA works hand in hand with security agencies and the judiciary to prosecute companies and individuals in violation. Hiring professional cleaners will help you avoid various OSHA penalties enacted by law.

Step-By-Step Instructions to Choose the Right Professional Cleaning Service

For the best results, OSHA compliance has to be monitored with comprehensive cleaning services like Georgia Facility Services. Here are some easy steps to select an expert cleaning service:

  • Identify and document your facility's cleaning needs.
  • Inquire about the cleaning company's services. Some cleaning service providers offer basic services like dusting, while others provide professional and deep cleaning services.
  • Check out the cleaning company's reputation from reviews.
  • Ask about the cleaning service provider’s staff and their capabilities.
  • Verify if the cleaning service company has a license, insurance against damage, and CDC and OSHA compliance certification.
  • Confirm if the cleaning service company is available and flexible to suit your schedule.
  • Ask for a quote from the cleaning service provider.

How to Create and Implement an Effective Cleaning Plan and Schedule

A flourishing business, high-quality products or services, and long-term productivity are difficult to achieve if there is no effective and consistent cleaning schedule. Here are some cleaning strategies to develop:

  • Hire the best commercial cleaning service within your budget.
  • Check the frequency of routine cleaning.
  • Check the products and processes used to clean your facility.
  • Provide a detailed standard of operations for your offices, cleaning of surfaces, and equipment like keyboards, machines, computers, and accessories in the facility.

Tips for Ensuring Your Staff and Customers Adhere to Proper Safety Protocols

Achieving good hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace should be a communal effort between you, your staff, and your clients. If you are still finding it difficult to implement your strategic goals, here are some tips to help:

  • Provide and position adequate waste bins in strategic areas of your facility.
  • Organize health and safety training for your workers. This training can be done monthly, quarterly, mid-year, or annually.
  • Provide adequate employee PPE, especially in facilities where harmful chemicals are handled.
  • Position soap, sanitizer, and clean water in a visible and open position within your facility for washing hands before and after working.
  • Ensure there are labels for hazardous objects across your facility.
  • Ensure that safety data sheets are available to workers in your facility. The sheets will help to guide your workers on health and safety equipment within your business facility.

All employers are advised to comply with OSHA and PPE standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I) and hazard communication standards (29 CFR 1910.1200).

How Do You Ensure OSHA Compliance in Your Business? 

The duties of a business owner are challenging, especially when ensuring OSHA compliance. Thus, it is wise to trust certified commercial cleaning service providers to handle all your cleaning and hazard control needs.

The staff at Georgia Facility Services follow all OSHA guidelines and employ green technology to maintain a safe and healthy working environment. We also offer hygienic janitorial work, office cleaning services, and the finest office space remodeling services. Need an OSHA-compliant customized plan? Get an estimate from Georgia Facility Services today.