Chemical safety for cleaners: SDS, dilution and never mixing

Read the label and the SDS

Every hazardous chemical at work should have a label and a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS tells you the hazards, the PPE to wear, how to store it and what to do if it splashes on you or someone breathes it in. Know where your site keeps them.

Never mix chemicals

Some common cleaning chemicals react dangerously. Bleach mixed with ammonia-based products, or with acidic products such as some toilet and descaling cleaners, can release toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between products when the procedure says so, and never combine leftovers.

Dilute correctly

• Use the dilution on the label or your site's dispenser — stronger is not better, and too weak may not work.
• Add the concentrate to water, not water to the concentrate, unless the label says otherwise.
• Label every bottle you decant into with what is in it.

Protect yourself

• Wear the gloves, eye protection and other PPE the SDS lists.
• Keep rooms ventilated when using strong products.
• Store chemicals in their original or properly labelled containers, away from food.
• Report splashes, rashes or breathing problems straight away.

Chemicals and infection control

Disinfectants only work on a surface that has been cleaned first and only if they stay wet for their contact time. Using more product doesn't replace either step.