Choosing Safer Cleaning Chemicals:
Green Cleaners
Many employers and buildingmanagers are
purchasing “green” cleaning chemicals with the
expectation that green cleaning products are safer
for workers and the environment. However, placing
the word “green” in a name or on a bottle does not
ensure that a chemical is safe. Employers should review
the cleaning chemicals they purchase,
including green cleaning products, to understand
their health and safety hazards. Employers should
choose the least hazardous cleaners.
Independent organizations are now certifying
chemicals, including cleaners, as “green.” Certified
green cleaners must meet specific criteria as
defined by the certifying organization. Employers
may find information from these certifying
organizations helpful when purchasing cleaning
chemicals. Some certifying organizations are
listed under the Resources section below. The EPA
webpages “Cleaning” (http://www.epa.gov/epp/
pubs/products/cleaning.htm) and “Greening Your
Purchase of Cleaning Products: A Guide for
Federal Purchasers” (http://epa.gov/epp/pubs/
cleaning.htm) provide comprehensive guidance for
purchasers of cleaning products.
Choosing Safer Cleaning Chemicals:
Material Safety Data Sheets
When choosing safer cleaning chemicals,
employers can learn much from Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDSs). Employers must obtain and
maintain MSDSs for all hazardous cleaning
products and chemicals that they use. MSDSs
must be readily accessible to workers. Employers
can use the information contained in the MSDSs to
ensure that workers are properly protected.MSDSs
include the following important information:
• Hazardous chemical ingredients;
• Symptoms and health problems that may be
caused by the chemical ingredients;
• First-aid measures if workers are exposed;
• Recommended personal protective equipment,
such as gloves, safety goggles or respirators;
and
• Proper procedures for cleaning up spills.
SafeWork PracticesWhen Using
Cleaning Chemicals
Employers must provide safe working conditions
for employees using cleaning chemicals.When
cleaning chemicals are hazardous, employers
must train workers on safe work practices for
using these chemicals. Safe work practices when
using cleaning chemicals include the following:
• Warning workers not to mix cleaning products
that contain bleach and ammonia;
• Making sure that workers know which cleaning
chemicals must be diluted and how to correctly
dilute the cleaners they are using;
• Thoroughly reviewing and training workers on
the use, storage and emergency spill procedures
for cleaning chemicals;
• Reviewing the proper protective equipment
needed, such as gloves and goggles, and
providing the proper protective equipment to
the workers using the cleaning product;
• Ensuring that all containers of cleaning
products and chemicals are labeled to identify
their contents and hazards;
• Operating ventilation systems as needed during
cleaning tasks to allow sufficient air flow and
prevent buildup of hazardous vapors; and
• Providing workers with a place to wash up after
using cleaning chemicals.