RISK ASSESSMENT

School Activity Cleaning Review Date:

Assessment completed by:

Name:
Hazard Persons Date:
Current Controls Signature:
Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
Use of cleaning Staf  Less hazardous chemicals used wherever Only use cleaning
chemicals / Visitors possible materials available
detergents Pupils  All containers clearly labelled on EA’s contract
 Always read the labels before using
Dermatitis Harmful Substances Further information,
Skin irritation  Material Safety Data Sheet for substances posters, training
Eye damage obtained from supplier, guidance followed materials can be
(splashes) and copy kept on file downloaded from
Allergies  COSHH Assessment completed for all the HSE website
Burns 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 school
hours where possible
 Stores kept locked during school day
 All spills to be cleaned up immediately
 All substances are stored securely in
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Hazard Persons Current Controls Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
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
Contact with Staf  Potential hazardous wastes e.g. vomit /
biological agents Visitors bodily fluids disposed of correctly and
Pupils surfaces properly disinfected
 Disposable gloves and aprons are used for all
Needle stick activities that may result in contamination of
injuries clothing with blood, body fluids or faeces
Infectious disease  Such PPE is double bagged and disposed of
appropriately after a single use
 Hands thoroughly washed after 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

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Hazard Persons Current Controls Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
appropriate waste disposal company
 If an employee sufers a needlestick injury
bleeding is initially encouraged and medical
attention is sought immediately
Contact with Staf  Staf made aware of any potentially HSE Powerpoint
hazardous hazardous substances which they may presentation training
substances Dermatitis inadvertently encounter when cleaning areas package
Allergy such as a science lab (www.hse.gov.uk/ski
 Cleaners receive clear instructions on what n/professional/traini
areas, equipment or substances they must ng resources.htm) is
not touch when cleaning specialist rooms used to inform staf
 Staf are aware of hazard warning symbols on about dermatitis and
chemicals and care required when cleaning relevant posters
specialist areas (www.hse.gov.uk/ski
 Staf received skin care training n/professional/poster
s) displayed.
Slips trips and falls Staf  All spillages to be dealt with immediately
Visitors  Wet floor signs to be used when appropriate
Pupils  Dry mop floors after cleaning up initial
spillage
Strains  Pupils, visitors etc. to be kept away from spill
Sprains area during cleaning
Broken limbs
Use of electrical Staf  Annual, regular electrical test
equipment Visitors  Ensure all connections are properly fixed
Pupils  Visual inspection pre-use
 A residual current device to be used in higher
Electrical shock risk situations, e.g., equipment used outside
Burns or in wet conditions, and for equipment
where there is a risk of cables being severed
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Hazard Persons Current Controls Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
 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
Cleaning using Staf  Manual Handling Assessment carried out for
equipment Visitors use of floor bufer etc.
Pupils  Training given in correct procedure for use of
such equipment
Back injuries,  Training given in correct lifting techniques
sprains, strains  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
Creation of dust Staf  Empty vacuum cleaner dust bags regularly
particles Pupils  Check bags are intact
 Wet clean ceramic rooms
Inhalation  Vacuum wood dust with suitable filter fitted to
Breathing machine
difficulties  Use dust mask in very dusty conditions
Contact with Staf  Broken glassware disposed to a separate waste
broken glass glass bin and not mixed with general waste
Cuts  Bin liners are not used for glassware disposal
bins

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Hazard Persons Current Controls Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
Washing and Staf  Wet floor signs are used when washing floors
vacuuming floors Pupils  Stairways are washed outside of heavy usage
and stairways times and steps are dried immediately where
Slips possible
Falls  Care is taken to ensure cable of vacuum
cleaner does not pose a trip hazard
Inadequate Staf  Cleaners have access to toilet, and washing
welfare facilities Pupils facilities
 Cleaners have a place to store outdoor clothes
Cross and personal belongings while at work
contamination
Pushing/pulling Staf  A manual handling risk assessment has been
heavy or awkward completed
items Back injury  Storage areas for cleaning supplies, toilet
Strains paper, etc. are arranged so that items are
readily accessible, not requiring excessive
stretching or reaching and not liable to fall
Unsafe use of Staf  Ladders are only used for short duration
ladders work (less than 30 minutes) and where the risk
Falls from height of injury is low
Unsafe storage of  Ladders are only used for light work and
ladders not for work that involves carrying heavy or
awkward items
Unsecured ladders  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

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Hazard Persons Current Controls Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
second person
 Ladders are not placed on a box or other
unstable base
 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
Defective ladders Staf  The ladder is checked before use for cracked or
bent stiles or rungs, corrosion, defective or
Falls from height missing fittings or ties
 Ladder is removed from use if found to be
defective
 Defects are reported
 Wooden ladders are not painted
Overreaching Staf  When using ladders members of staf do
whilst using not work on top 3 rungs or top 2 steps of
ladders Fall from height stepladders
resulting in  Where possible an alternative method of
serious injury 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
Cleaning of toilets Staf  Condition of toilets and hand basins checked by
cleaner daily

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Hazard Persons Current Controls Further Action Action by Whom Action by When Completed
Exposed and Necessary
How
Loose/broken  Cracked floor tiles are reported to the relevant
fittings Cuts person and repaired as soon as possible
 See Legionella risk assessment
Cracked floor tiles Slips, trips, falls  See mould risk assessment
 Water temperature to basins maintained below
Legionella Respiratory scalding. Scalding water problems to reported
disease by cleaning staf to building supervisor and
Mould growth Respiratory action taken immediately
disease –mould  Extraction system is operational or windows can
Improperly toxins be opened
maintained hot Burns/scalds
and cold water
system

Scalding water

Inadequate
ventilation

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