Controlling chemicals in the cleaning sector - less is more

Type of measure: Organizational, Substitution

Workers in the cleaning sector undertake various activities and perform those in different work environments.

How much workers are exposed to chemicals (i.e. Formaldehyde) depends on the type of products which are used by the workers and the environment in which the activity takes place.

ISS Group is a cleaning company in Sweden with more than 5,000 cleaners employed. ISS Group aims to reduce the exposure to workers to cleaning chemicals to the minimum level possible by

(a) by the elimination of chemicals from the cleaning process,
(b) by reducing the need for cleaning chemicals (using a three-point platform) and
(c) through employee training and daily follow-ups by onsite managers.

More information

ISS World

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Published June 20, 2018

Please note that this substance or some of it's compounds are listed in Annex XIV (REACH regulation). This substance some of it's compounds are only allowed to be used, imported, or brought into the market, if authorisation requirements of REACH are fulfilled.

Please be aware that for this carcinogen you need to be more cautious when determining potential skin contact and how to regard dermal exposure in your risk reduction strategy.

Relevance

Carcinogens involved:
Formaldehyde

Sector(s) involved:
Other cleaning activities

About this case

Company:

ISS Facility Services AB

Country:
Sweden

For more information please contact:

Leif Persson, Head of Business Development Cleaning

General facts

Facts about cancer-causing agents:

The direct costs of carcinogen exposure at work across Europe are estimated at 2.4 billion Euros per year.
Every year, about 120.000 persons get cancer from exposure to carcinogens at work
Annually more than 100.000 people die because of work-related cancer.

Controlling chemicals in the cleaning sector - less is more

Controlling chemicals in the cleaning sector - less is more

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