All cleaning workers are potentially exposed to chemical hazards. An aggravating factor is that they
usually lack the basic OSH knowledge in relation to the cleaning products that they use to perform their
work, as well as the knowledge on how to use, store and mix them safely, and to substitute dangerous
chemicals with less hazardous ones. Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are generally not
read although they contain crucial information on the composition, concentration and hazardous effects
of the cleaning agent and its constituents, as well as on its safe handling [26]. However, many
ingredients that are found in ready-to-use solutions prepared by mixing and diluting concentrated
products are not listed in the MSDS of these concentrated products as MSDS are required to list only
the ingredients in concentrations above 1%. It is therefore important to consider the
composition of the ready-to-use solutions in the workplace risk assessment, in particular with
regards to sensitizers as sensitization may occur even at trace concentrations [23]. Last but not least,
because the risks to cleaners’ health from cleaning products is a function of the product
formulations and the working procedures, it is important to take both aspects in account when
assessing the exposure and the risks and in order to develop appropriate prevention measures.