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610 Housekeeping Safety
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Employer Responsibilities

Your employer is required to provide a safe workplace. That means they must provide personal protective equipment (at no cost to the employee), and equipment, when needed. Labels must also be visible on cleaning chemical containers. Your employer is also required to train on the hazards of the cleaning chemicals you are using and the safe work practices.

Your employer must train you to be knowledgeable of the following components:

  • hazards of the chemicals BEFORE using them
  • how to use and store cleaning chemicals safely
  • how and when to dilute cleaning chemicals you are using
  • what to do if there is a spill or other emergency
  • how to obtain and use hazard information on labels and SDS
  • how and when to use protective clothing, and safety goggles

Safety Data Sheets

When choosing safer cleaning chemicals, employers can learn much from Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). Employers must obtain and maintain SDSs for all hazardous cleaning products and chemicals they use. SDSs must be readily accessible to workers. Employers can use the information contained in the SDSs to ensure that workers are properly protected.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-7. Your employer is required to provide personal protective equipment _____.