Dear all One of our managers is investigating the types of cleaning products being used within our various buildings and has come across an extensive list, some of which they are allowed to use and some of which they are not..... The more hazardous products are being removed and re-training and advice given again, but we also have some 'green' (in the good sense!) housekeeping staff who would very much like to carry on using vinegar, lemon, bicarb etc for their various cleaning tasks. We will start to supply and obtain the MSDS for vinegar and bicarb, but apart from visiting 'Kim and Aggie' books, are there any other sources for sorting out a safe working procedure for each one - has somebody already done this and if so, please may I have a peek?! Many thanks

Or don't overcomplicate that which is simple. I can EAT lemons. Do I really need a SSoW to use the juice?

Ron, I drink water - do I need a SSoW to work above it? Whilst the harm from lemon juice & vinegar etc may be relatively minor, it can still be debilitating, cause panic and unexpected reactions from anyone with an eyeful, resulting in more significant harm to them and others in the vicinity. An assessment may well conclude that the risk is low and no further controls are needed but may also indicate that alternative approaches can be better. Don't overcomplicate but don't assume that "natural" is harmless.

Many thanks for all comments and input - as ever, very much appreciated. I also find it a relief that the inner conversations which I have with myself over these matters are usually played out on here. Recently I seem to have had more and more 'are they, aren't they risky' situations and have found myself justifying a decision at length because of the various permutations which then cloud any given situation.....it's exhausting sometimes!

I thought the COSHH regulations were for 'Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health' are lemons, vinegar, bicarb hazardous to health? No doubt someone will find a report on some one who died squirting lemon juice into their eye and falling down the stairs. What happened to the common sense approach. We have to ask ouselves is the product harmful, ok someone might have an adverse effect but normally they know and will inform people. I have never ate a lemon or sqeezed one over a pancake using a glove, wearing safety glasses, overalls etc and don't recollect having stubbled around banging into things and causing mayhem

According to the COSHH regs a substance hazardous to human health includes: Under Reg 2(1) (e) a substance which, not being a substance falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) (ie the usual suspects-my italics), because of its chemical or toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present at the workplace creates a risk to health (my italics); Cleaning products of whichever type work as mainly as a degreasing agent and that includes these ‘natural’ products. This means that someone using these without any hand protection on a regular basis is likely to develop the skin problems described in #8. As this is at work the employer has a duty to assess the risk. Natural does not mean safe. The assessment process should not be too onerous, the controls are usually straightforward. COSHH is not really that hard, not in this context.

Not really Corfield, the COSHH would be required for the bleach, which should state not to mix with any acids - may produce chlorine gas. I dont think the OP intended not to COSHH conc.acids/alkalines like bleach. Interesting debate

I'd be tempted to leave aside all of the concerns about the various formal COSHH and other assessments of a diversity of commercial and home-spun cleaning products, at least for now and, to be honest, for must longer. What I wound be considering, above all, is the standards of management of an organisation where everyone does there own thing as far as cleaning is concerned. The environment(s) involved are not described in detail but we might be tempted to expect office and classroom areas, toilets, changing rooms, canteen and food prep areas, the first aid room and who knows what else. That those areas are cleaned effectively is the foremost objective and a do it yourself, or do it whichever way takes your fancy, approach is not the way forward. Standards of cleaning will surely be variable, impacting on safety (perhaps), and on materials performance, integrity etc and well as the build-up f grime that may be costly to manage when deterioration becomes extreme. There are many here who want to regiment every last little thing, and some who don't. I'm generally among the latter, except in this instance where standardisation, uniformity, training, monitoring and cost the economies of scale and the consequential costs of putting right later accumulated defects scream for some standardisation with a small rage of carefully chosen low cost commercial cleaning products and standards for their application.

Many thanks for the interesting and considered comments all - again, your time and consideration is appreciated. As observed already, the 'let's use anything we fancy' policy which appears to have spread amongst some parts of my organisation is being challenged by the management currently, but the plan is to bring the staff along with us and hence a choice will be offered where possible and depending upon that choice, an appropriate level of control and considered paperwork. Have a good weekend....and may we get a reason to use suncream!

Yes: http://www.towsure.com/p...t/Elbow_Grease_Degreaser :P