Warehouse cleaning regulations require specific standards to be met and maintained. This is due to a variety of reasons including safety. But what are the regulations and how do you avoid being non-compliant?
In this blog, we will explore warehouse cleaning regulations – Are you at risk of non-compliance?
Sentrex Services stands as a leading provider of comprehensive cleaning and hygiene solutions, serving a vast region from the Northwest to the Southeast of England. With a dedicated team of over 600 professionals, we deliver bespoke cleaning services tailored to the unique needs of each commercial client.
Are there cleaning regulations for warehouses?
Yes, there are multiple cleaning regulations for warehouses, which can vary depending on the use of the warehouse itself, and what goods it manages. Cleaning regulations are necessary to maintain health and safety regulations.
Without cleaning regulations, there is a higher chance of accidents, illnesses, contamination, and other issues that have the potential to harm employees, damage equipment, and stock.
Warehouses are subject to the following regulations:
The Health and Safety Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act, established in 1974, is overarching legislation which also applies to warehouses, as they involve employers, and employees working in the warehouse.
Cleanliness is paramount to health and safety. Without it, hazards can develop and accumulate. This includes issues like messy floors becoming a slip hazard, or improper disposal of rubbish leading to rodents etc.
The legislation revolves around maintaining a safe and clean work environment. The legislation itself says:
“It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.
Without prejudice to the generality of an employer’s duty under the preceding subsection, the matters to which that duty extends include in particular…”
Workplace regulations 1992 (Health, safety and welfare)
The workplace (health, safety and welfare) regulations 1992 require workplaces, such as warehouse to adhere to the following rules:
- Floors must be clean, and free from obstructions.
- Adequate cleaning facilities must be available.
- Proper waste disposal must be practiced. This includes separation and recycling of waste wherever possible, and safe/legal disposal of hazardous waste.
Specific industry Regulations:
Warehouses handling specific goods, such as food or pharmaceuticals, or handling hazardous substances, are subject to additional regulations.
- Food warehouses must comply with food hygiene regulations, which require strict cleaning and sanitation procedures.
- Pharmaceutical warehouses must adhere to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines, which include stringent cleaning requirements to prevent contamination.
- Hazardous substances must comply with COSHH regulations 2022. This requires employers to assess and control the risks associated with the hazardous substances (or substances), part of this includes the cleaning of spills, and proper disposal of the substance.
Who handles cleaning regulations?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the main body responsible for enforcing health and safety regulations in the UK. Therefore you should always stay abreast with updates to the regulations that can affect your warehouse.
How do I stay compliant with warehouse cleaning regulations?
Staying in the know of the general regulations, and those specific to your warehouse, and applying them will ensure compliance. As an employer, there are standards you have to meet to ensure employees are in a safe working environment.
That being said, there are professional cleaning services such as Sentrex that provide a professional clean for warehouses, with specialist cleaning options available.
Due to our experience, we know what to look out for in order to ensure your warehouse is compliant with cleaning regulations, and how to keep ourselves compliant when cleaning.
Here are some of the steps we take to ensure compliance:
- Provide specialist equipment if required for specific cleaning requirements (depending on the warehouse).
- We carry out risk assessments before committing to a schedule. This allows us to identify potential hazards, some of which may need amending before work can begin.
- Our staff are properly trained with their equipment and the handling of cleaning chemicals, as well as trained to understand the standard required from their clean.
- If required, our cleaning staff are provided PPE, this is critical when cleaning spaces that handle hazardous substances.
The eye test: How to spot you’re below warehouse cleaning regulations
Much of the understanding of knowing if your are compliant with warehouse cleaning regulations can be assessed visually rather quickly.
Here are the signs you have to be aware of:
- Accumulation of dust and debris:
- Excessive dust on surfaces, racking, and equipment.
- Build-up of debris on floors, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Visible dirt and grime.
- Spills and stains:
- Uncleaned spills, creating slip hazards.
- Stains and residues on floors, indicating inadequate cleaning.
- Poor waste management:
- Overflowing bins and waste containers.
- Improper disposal of waste, including hazardous materials.
- Lack of designated waste disposal areas.
- Inadequate cleaning facilities:
- Lack of accessible cleaning supplies and equipment.
- Dirty or poorly maintained cleaning facilities.
- Lack of hand washing facilities.
- Pest infestations:
- Signs of rodents, insects, or other pests, indicating poor sanitation.
- This can be a result of not cleaning up food or other debris that would attract pests.
What happens if you breach warehouse cleaning regulations?
If the HSE have discovered your premises are not adhering to the regulations mentioned previously, you can expect one or more of the following consequences:
1. Enforcement actions by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
- The HSE can issue an improvement notice, requiring you to rectify specific breaches within a set timeframe.
- In cases of serious and immediate risk, the HSE can issue a prohibition notice, halting specific activities until the breaches are rectified.
- For serious breaches, the HSE can prosecute you, leading to fines or even imprisonment, especially in cases of negligence resulting in injury.
2. Financial penalties:
- Courts can impose substantial fines for breaches of health and safety regulations. The amount will depend on the severity of the offence and the size of your business.
- If an employee or visitor is injured due to poor cleaning practices, you may face compensation claims.
3. Reputational damage:
- News of regulatory breaches can damage your company’s reputation, affecting customer trust and business relationships.
- Customers may be hesitant to work with a company known for poor health and safety practices.
4. Increased insurance premiums:
- Insurance companies may increase premiums if your company has a history of regulatory breaches.
5. Legal consequences:
- In extreme cases, where gross negligence is proven, criminal charges can be brought against management. Employees or customers can bring civil law suits against the company for damages.
Regulation compliant professional warehouse cleaning services
At Sentrex, we prioritise commercial, industrial, and specialist cleaning services. Our services aren’t just a standard once-over, we ensure a comprehensive and individually tailored approach perfect for any site.
Here is a list of the warehouse cleaning services we provide:
- Chemical degreasing
- Steam cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Power-scrubbing
- Auto-scrubbing
- Stain and spill removal
- Debris and dust removal
- Power-scraping
- Sanding, and shot-blasting
- Vacuuming
- High-speed burnishing
- Spray buffing, waxing, and stripping
- Low moisture bonnet cleaning
- Deep extraction
- Commercial carpet cleaning
- Trash clean up
- Window cleaning
- Exterior cleaning
- Cleaning of washrooms
- Deep cleaning
In this blog, we’ve provided the key information you need to know when it comes to warehouse cleaning regulations, and whether you are at risk of non-compliance.
Our commitment to fair pricing, environmental sustainability, and personalised service sets us apart. We prioritise quality through rigorous control measures, including monthly audits with advanced software, real-time management via iPads, and an automated time and attendance system.
As members of esteemed trade bodies, we adhere to the highest industry standards. Beyond core cleaning, we offer a full suite of soft and hard FM services, ensuring comprehensive building maintenance. Want to know if our services apply to your business or site? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to secure a superior clean.
