COSHH Risks for Cleaning Contractors

Quick answer

COSHH risks for cleaning contractors arise when staff use, dilute, store, transport or dispose of hazardous cleaning substances. Good COSHH records, training, PPE, product controls and incident reporting help reduce injury, property damage, pollution and insurance claim risks.

For the main quote route, compare cleaning contractors insurance for UK cleaning businesses, including public liability, employers liability, tools, key holding, property damage and contract requirements, or start a cleaning contractors insurance quote.

Insurers may ask about

Cleaning activities, premises cleaned, staff numbers, subcontractors, chemicals, working at height, equipment values, key holding, claims history and contract limits.

Common claims

Typical cleaning contractor claims can involve wet floor slips, water damage, chemical damage, damaged customer property, stolen equipment or employee injuries.

Client documents may include

Commercial clients may request public liability certificates, employers liability certificates, RAMS, COSHH assessments, subcontractor evidence and health and safety documents.

Why COSHH Matters For Cleaning Contractors

Cleaning contractors regularly use products that can irritate skin, damage eyes, affect breathing, stain surfaces, corrode fixtures or create hazardous reactions if mixed incorrectly. COSHH controls help contractors assess substances, understand exposure routes and decide what training, PPE, storage and supervision are needed. This matters for routine cleaning, healthcare cleaning, industrial cleaning, kitchen deep cleaning, floor treatment and mobile teams carrying chemicals between sites. Clients may also ask for COSHH evidence before work starts, especially in schools, healthcare premises, factories, food environments and public sector contracts.

• Assess hazardous cleaning products before use
• Train staff on dilution, PPE and safe handling
• Store and transport chemicals securely
• Keep COSHH records ready for client evidence requests

Common Chemical Risk Scenarios

Chemical incidents can happen when products are mixed, decanted into unlabelled containers, used at the wrong dilution, applied to unsuitable surfaces or transported without controls. Claims can involve burns, respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, stained carpets, damaged flooring, corroded metal, contaminated stock, pollution or employee illness. Contractors should pay particular attention to stronger degreasers, descalers, disinfectants, solvents, sanitisers, biocides and specialist industrial products. The premises matter too: a spill in a hospital, school, restaurant, factory or shopping centre can create different consequences.

• Incorrect dilution or mixing of incompatible products
• Chemical injury to staff, visitors or client employees
• Damage to floors, fixtures, stock or equipment
• Spills, runoff, waste and pollution-sensitive sites

How COSHH Links To Insurance

COSHH records can support insurance underwriting and claims defence. If a chemical injury or property damage claim is made, insurers may need to understand what product was used, how it was stored, whether staff were trained and what PPE was required. Public liability may be relevant for third-party injury or property damage, while employers liability may be relevant for employee injury or illness. Pollution or environmental cover may also matter where runoff, drains, waste or contamination are involved. The insurance policy should reflect specialist chemical use rather than assuming all cleaning products are low risk.

• Support public liability and employers liability evidence
• Show product selection, PPE and training controls
• Help explain chemical damage or injury allegations
• Disclose specialist chemicals and pollution exposure

Keeping COSHH Controls Current

COSHH assessments should be reviewed when products, sites, staff, methods or client requirements change. Contractors should retain safety data sheets, product approvals, training logs, PPE records, incident reports and near-miss records. Insure24 can help UK cleaning contractors compare suitable cover options and consider how COSHH, public liability, employers liability, pollution and specialist activity wording fit together.

• Review assessments when products or work changes
• Keep safety data sheets and product-use records
• Record training, PPE issue and supervision
• Update insurance when stronger or specialist chemicals are used