Before ever beginning the job of cleaning your department, it is important to be aware of the requirements of various regulatory agencies pursuant to safety on the job. There are many standards which require that employees be properly trained to protect themselves from workplace hazards. It is the responsibility of management to provide that training. It is the responsibility of all department personnel, including those assigned to clean-up duties, to follow the proper procedures upon which they have been trained.

Management and work associates are advised to investigate local and state regulations which may particularly impact them. The following are some of the standards which have been established by the Federal Department of Labor:

Wage and Hour - Work of Minors

As of this writing, minors (persons under 18 years old) are forbidden to operate, dismantle, or clean power equipment.


OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29CFR1910.1200

Employees must be trained on how to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals (material), including any cleaning chemicals used in their department clean-up routine. Included elements are:

• The HAZCOM written program
• Material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• Labels and other formats of warning
• How to protect themselves from hazardous materials
• Employee Training

OSHA Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout 29CFR1910.147

Employees must be trained on the steps and checks to be undertaken when servicing or maintaining equipment powered by or containing potentially hazardous energy. Included elements are:

• Written program
• Lockout/tagout procedure
• Employee training program with periodic audits
• Applicable hardware and devices

NOTE: Electric equipment energized by simple cord and plug which can be controlled after unplugging the cord need not be locked or tagged.

OSHA Personal Protective Equipment 29CFR1910.132-136.

Employees with jobs that have hazards which could be reduced by the wearing of personal protective equipment shall wear such equipment. This equipment is to be supplied by the employer and it is the employer's responsibility to see that it is properly worn and maintained in clean condition and good repair.

It is the employer's responsibility to do a safety assessment of their workplace to determine the hazards that may be present. For example, mesh gloves should be worn when cleaning exposed slicer blades.

Training shall be provided as to:

• The importance of PPE
• What type of PPE is necessary
• When to use PPE
• How to obtain a proper fit
• The limitations of PPE
• The care and maintenance of PPE