HSE press release: E205:03 - 13 October 2003

SAFE USE OF CLEANING CHEMICALS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a new information sheet giving advice about using cleaning chemicals safely in the hospitality industry.

The sheet will be of interest to managers and their staff who may be using all sorts of cleaning chemicals including washing-up liquids, heavy-duty drain cleaning products, oven cleaners, toilet cleaners and bleaches. It provides practical advice on how the risks may be avoided or reduced by ensuring control measures are in place such as having safe handling and storage arrangements. It highlights the need to provide information and training for staff that use cleaning chemicals.

It also contains several real life case studies highlighting the risks people may encounter. The most common risks are from chemicals coming into contact with the skin or eyes, breathing in or swallowing. Without proper controls, some may cause dermatitis or other skin irritations, asthma and breathing problems.

Today also sees the start of European Safety and Health Week on dangerous substances, October 13-18. Cancer, skin disease and asthma are just some of the risks and they can have a devastating effect on people's lives. The Week aims to get everyone to think about how biological agents, chemicals and dangerous substances might affect them and their family.

Free copies of "Safe use of cleaning chemicals in the hospitality industry" Catering Information Sheet no 22, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995. The leaflet will be available on HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/caterdex.htm

Notes to editors

1.This year's European Week for Safety and Health runs from 13 to 18 October 2003. The Week is aimed at getting employers and workers across Europe to think more about how to ensure that hazardous substances do not affect them and their families. The campaign will focus on controlling chemicals used in the work place, chemicals that, along with process generated fumes and dusts, can cause ill health such as occupational asthma, skin disease and cancer.

2. For more information on easy steps to controlling chemicals in the workplace see COSHH essentials on the HSE web site at: http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:

Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

PRESS ENQUIRIES regarding this press release: Journalists only:

Liz Justice 020 7717 6179