RISK ASSESSMENT
School
Activity
Assessment completed by:
Name:
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Use of cleaning
chemicals /
detergents
Staff
Visitors
Pupils
Dermatitis
Skin irritation
Eye damage
(splashes)
Allergies
Burns
Date:
Current Controls
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Less hazardous chemicals used
wherever possible
All containers clearly labelled
Always read the labels before using
Harmful Substances
Material Safety Data Sheet for
substances obtained from supplier,
guidance followed and copy kept on file
COSHH Assessment completed for all
hazardous chemicals and control
measures implemented
Appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (e.g. rubber gloves resistant
to detergents etc.) provided and worn
Gloves washed before removal
Use of equipment i.e. mops
Restrict access by others when
hazardous substances in use
Activities are undertaken outside of
Cleaning
Review Date:
Signature:
Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
Only use cleaning
materials
available on EA’s
contract
Further
information,
posters, training
materials can be
downloaded from
the HSE website
Page 1
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls
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Contact with
biological
agents
Staff
Visitors
Pupils
Needle stick
injuries
Infectious
disease
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Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
school hours where possible
Stores kept locked during school day
All spills to be cleaned up immediately
All substances are stored securely in
approved containers
Only decant into appropriate labelled
container
Necessary hazard warning signs in
place
Dispose of any hazardous materials
through authorised contractor
Relevant employees are aware of the
hazards and precautions that must be
taken when using chemical products
and have access to safety data sheets
Bleach and acidic toilet cleaners are
never mixed or put into toilet bowl
together
Potential hazardous wastes e.g. vomit /
bodily fluids disposed of correctly and
surfaces properly disinfected
Disposable gloves and aprons are used
for all activities that may result in
contamination of clothing with blood,
body fluids or faeces
Such PPE is double bagged and
disposed of appropriately after a single
use
Hands thoroughly washed after
Page 2
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls
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Contact with
hazardous
substances
Staff
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Dermatitis
Allergy
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completion of task
Cuts/abrasions on the hands are
suitably covered
To reduce possibility of needle stick
injuries, individuals should not put
their hands into bins where they
cannot see the contents
Clinical waste is disposed of in a
clinical waste/sharps bin and disposed
of by an appropriate waste disposal
company
If an employee suffers a needlestick
injury bleeding is initially encouraged
and medical attention is sought
immediately
Staff made aware of any potentially
hazardous substances which they may
inadvertently encounter when cleaning
areas such as a science lab
Cleaners receive clear instructions on
what areas, equipment or substances
they must not touch when cleaning
specialist rooms
Staff are aware of hazard warning
symbols on chemicals and care required
when cleaning specialist areas
Staff received skin care training
Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
HSE Powerpoint
presentation
training package
(www.hse.gov.uk/s
kin/professional/tr
aining
resources.htm) is
used to inform
staff about
dermatitis and
relevant posters
(www.hse.gov.uk/s
kin/professional/po
sters) displayed.
Page 3
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Slips trips and
falls
Staff
Visitors
Pupils
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Strains
Sprains
Broken limbs
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Staff
Visitors
Pupils
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Use of
electrical
equipment
Electrical shock
Burns
Current Controls
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Cleaning using
equipment
Staff
Visitors
Pupils
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Back injuries,
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Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
All spillages to be dealt with
immediately
Wet floor signs to be used when
appropriate
Dry mop floors after cleaning up initial
spillage
Pupils, visitors etc to be kept away
from spill area during cleaning
Annual, regular electrical test
Ensure all connections are properly
fixed
Visual inspection pre-use
A residual current device to be used in
higher risk situations, e.g., equipment
used outside or in wet conditions, and
for equipment where there is a risk of
cables being severed
Uncoil fully any extension leads used
Faults in equipment reported to the
relevant person
Defective electrical equipment clearly
identified, labeled as out of use and
stored separately to prevent accidental
use
Manual Handling Assessment carried
out for use of floor buffer etc.
Training given in correct procedure for
use of such equipment
Training given in correct lifting
Page 4
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Current Controls
sprains, strains
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Creation of
dust particles
Staff
Pupils
Inhalation
Breathing
difficulties
Contact with
broken glass
Staff
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Cuts
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Washing and
vacuuming
floors and
stairways
Staff
Pupils
Slips
Falls
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Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
techniques
Minimise manual handling
Appropriate footwear worn
Mechanical lifting aids available
(trolleys etc.)
Improve workplace layout
Store heavy items at waist level
Cleaning supplies are arranged so that
items are readily accessible, not
requiring excessive stretching, or
reaching and not liable to fall
Empty vacuum cleaner dust bags
regularly
Check bags are intact
Wet clean ceramic rooms
Vacuum wood dust with suitable filter
fitted to machine
Use dust mask in very dusty conditions
Broken glassware disposed to a separate
waste glass bin and not mixed with
general waste
Bin liners are not used for glassware
disposal bins
Wet floor signs are used when washing
floors
Stairways are washed outside of heavy
usage times and steps are dried
immediately where possible
Care is taken to ensure cable of vacuum
Page 5
Hazard
Persons
Exposed and
How
Inadequate
welfare
facilities
Staff
Pupils
Pushing/pullin
g heavy or
awkward
items
Unsafe use of
ladders
Unsafe storage
of ladders
Unsecured
ladders
Cross
contamination
Staff
Current Controls
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Back injury
Strains
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Staff
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Falls from
height
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Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
cleaner does not pose a trip hazard
Cleaners have access to toilet, and
washing facilities
Cleaners have a place to store outdoor
clothes and personal belongings while at
work
A manual handling risk assessment
has been completed
Storage areas for cleaning supplies,
toilet paper, etc are arranged so that
items are readily accessible, not
requiring excessive stretching or
reaching and not liable to fall
Ladders are only used for short duration
work (less than 30 minutes) and where
the risk of injury is low
Ladders are only used for light work and
not for work that involves carrying heavy
or awkward items
Ladders are stored safely and
unauthorised use id prohibited
Ladders are set out on a firm base and
leaning at the correct angle (75 degrees,
1:4)
Ladders are tied at the top to a secure
structure or secured at the bottom or held
by a second person
Ladders are not placed on a box or other
unstable base
Page 6
Hazard
Defective
ladders
Persons
Exposed and
How
Staff
Falls from
height
Overreaching
whilst using
ladders
Staff
Cleaning of
toilets
Staff
Loose/broken
fittings
Cuts
Fall from
height
resulting in
serious injury
Current Controls
Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
 Ladders are removed to storage at the end
of each working day to ensure that
unauthorised access to roof etc by others,
particularly pupils, is prevented
 Footwear is free from mud/grease before
climbing a ladder
 3 points of contact are maintained at the
working position
 The ladder is checked before use for
cracked or bent stiles or rungs, corrosion,
defective or missing fittings or ties
 Ladder is removed from use if found to be
defective
 Defects are reported
 Wooden ladders are not painted
 When using ladders members of staff do
not work on top 3 rungs or top 2 steps of
stepladders
 Where possible an alternative method of
working is used e.g. using an extendable
pole to clean high level areas
 Ladders are properly set to avoid
overreaching
 Mobile towers are used where practicable
 Condition of toilets and hand basins
checked by cleaner daily
 Cracked floor tiles are reported to the
relevant person and repaired as soon as
possible
Page 7
Hazard
Cracked floor
tiles
Legionella
Mould growth
Improperly
maintained hot
and cold water
system
Persons
Exposed and
How
Slips, trips,
falls
Respiratory
disease
Respiratory
disease –mould
toxins
Burns/scalds
Current Controls
Further Action
Necessary
Action by Whom
Action by
When
Completed
 See Legionella risk assessment
 See mould risk assessment
 Water temperature to basins maintained
below scalding. Scalding water problems
to reported by cleaning staff to building
supervisor and action taken immediately
 Extraction system is operational or
windows can be opened
Scalding water
Inadequate
ventilation
Page 8