Commercial cleaning is a necessity to keep a safe and healthy work environment. While most commercial businesses entrust cleaning to a third-party company that specializes in the work, some decide to assume the responsibility on their own. Whether the business is a childcare centre, warehouse, or factory, cleaning your own business does come along with some risks and liabilities that business owners should understand. Take a look at some risks and liabilities when cleaning your own business.
Failure to Meet Industry Cleaning Standards
Industry standards for keeping a commercial business clean and sanitary protect the health of all people in the workplace. Unfortunately, most general employees don’t know the industry standards for commercial cleaning. This doesn’t just lead to inferior outcomes—it can also put your business at risk. Something as simple as not correctly sanitizing hand-contact surfaces can encourage the spread of germs and using the wrong products could lead to property damage.
Increased Overhead Expenses
Handling janitorial needs within your business does generate overhead expenses. If you choose to hire employees that solely handle cleaning, you have a new salary to pay. Likewise, if you allocate cleaning tasks to existing employees, you have hundreds of paid hours not contributing to overall production or operational necessities. Plus, all cleaning products and equipment expenses required for cleaning become business expenses. Because cleaning a business is a time-consuming process, it is often more feasible to use those funds for an outside cleaning company.
Liability Insurance Requirements
Maintenance and janitorial employees experience some of the highest rates of workplace injury due to the nature of the work. When you handle commercial cleaning on your own, this means that you must also pay for essential liability insurance. The more injuries or chance of injuries you have in the place of business, the higher this insurance becomes. Commercial cleaning companies carry their own liability insurance, so if one of their team members or someone is directly injured due to cleaning practices, the cleaning company’s insurance offers coverage.
OSHA Compliance
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) creates the standards for providing a safe workplace in Ontario. OSHA does require that business owners strive to keep an established maintenance and cleaning schedule to ensure employees have access to a sanitary work environment. The legal framework set forth by OSHA can dictate everything from how a business should be sanitized to what products are used for cleaning. Unfortunately, failing to remain compliant due to improper or inadequate cleaning practices can mean significant fines and challenges that put your business at risk.
Cleaning Product Safety
Properly cleaning a business sometimes involves using dangerous chemicals that can pose a threat when improperly used and can cause damage when applied to the wrong surfaces. Certain products can even lead to harmful gases when mixed, cause a chemical reaction, or create a list of environmental concerns. Commercial cleaning employees have hours of training and know how to use cleaning products properly. These professionals are also prepared with the proper protective equipment.
Trust the Cleaning Professionals to Clean your Business
Remove the risks, liabilities, and additional expenses of training your own janitorial staff. Instead, trust the expert help from our cleaning professionals, and only pay for the services you need. Reach out to Canadian Carpet Cleaning for regular cleaning services for your business in Oshawa.