In short
Yes. Regulation 9 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 says every workplace, and its furniture, furnishings and fittings, must be kept sufficiently clean. The HSE's approved code of practice explains that means regular cleaning so dirt and refuse do not accumulate and spillages are removed as soon as possible, with the frequency and standard depending on the nature of the business. The regulations apply in England, Wales and Scotland.
This is a job for our Commercial cleaning service.
What regulation 9 says
- Every workplace and the furniture, furnishings and fittings in it shall be kept sufficiently clean.
- The surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings inside buildings shall be capable of being kept sufficiently clean.
- So far as is reasonably practicable, waste materials shall not be allowed to accumulate except in suitable receptacles.
What "sufficiently clean" means
The HSE's approved code of practice (L24) says workplaces should be regularly cleaned to ensure that dirt or refuse is not allowed to accumulate and spillages and deposits are removed or cleaned up as soon as possible. The frequency and standard of cleanliness depend on the nature of the business, so an office, a food shop and a workshop will differ.
How the cleaning must be done
The code says cleaning should be carried out by an effective and suitable method and without creating, or exposing anyone to, a health or safety risk. Where cleaning products are hazardous, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) apply: the HSE says employers must assess the risks from hazardous substances, prevent or control exposure, and give staff information, instruction and training about the risks.
What this means when you hire a cleaner
The duty to keep the workplace clean stays with the employer or the person in control of the premises, even when the cleaning is done by someone else. Agree in writing what is cleaned, how often and when, and how the cleaner will handle products.
Commercial cleaning from SAS Cleaning
SAS Cleaning cleans offices, retail spaces and other business premises in Wisbech and across the Fens, daily, weekly or as a one-off, during or outside working hours. Describe the premises through the enquiry form, or see commercial cleaning.
Northern Ireland has separate regulations. This is general information, not legal advice.