Workplace Safety in Janitorial Settings Training Course

As the unsung experts of the workplace, janitorial and custodial professionals handle everything from strong chemicals to heavy machinery and materials left behind. Because of this, you are exposed to a wider range of hazards than almost anyone else in the workforce. This training is not about ticking a box; it’s about Custodial Intelligence—ensuring you clock out just as healthy as you clocked in.  

This course provides comprehensive guidance on the real risks faced every shift, starting with Chemical Safety. You will learn about your "Right to Know" under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. We cover the vital importance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), proper labeling for secondary containers, and the Golden Rule of chemical safety: Never, ever mix chemicals, especially bleach with ammonia, which can create fatal gases.  

Next, we confront Hidden Hazards like Bloodborne Pathogens (Hepatitis B, C, and HIV). You will learn to live by Universal Precautions, treating all human blood and suspicious body fluids (OPIM) as infectious. We detail how to handle sharp hazards and trash bags safely, stressing the importance of never pushing trash down with your hands or feet.  

The course addresses Compactors and Machinery, machines designed to crush with thousands of pounds of force. You will learn two essential rules: Never bypass a safety guard and Respect the Lock of a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure, understanding that a jammed machine requires professional maintenance, not a heroic attempt to reach in.  

A critical section is devoted to Protecting Your Body (Ergonomics). Since Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are the most common industry injury, we teach you how to avoid the "Cleaner's Twist" by moving your feet, and the "Deep Dive" by lifting with your legs and bending at the knees. You'll learn to hug the load and keep heavy objects in the "Power Zone"—close to your body.  

We also explore building-related dangers, advising that in facilities built before 1978, lead-based paint may be present, and before 1980, there's a chance of asbestos-containing materials. You will learn why high-speed buffering on old 9x9 tiles can release asbestos dust and that your job is to report suspect materials, not sample them.  

Finally, the training covers Slips, Trips, and Falls (the leading cause of lost work time), emphasizing slip-resistant footwear, managing vacuum cords, and ladder safety (never standing on the top step). It concludes with Situational Awareness for the "Lone Worker", advising staff to Control Access (don't prop doors open) and to never investigate a suspected break-in. This training is essential for anyone on the facility services team who handles cleaning chemicals, operates heavy equipment, or works alone after hours.  

This program is available with Spanish and French closed captions.