Hazardous substances:

Be aware, assess and protect

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Cleaning and
dry cleaning sector
www.chemicalscampaign.eu
SLIC
Senior Labour
Inspectors
Committee

Financed by the European Union

This leaflet provides information on the risks of exposure to hazardous substances used in dry
cleaning and other cleaning operations (for example, domestic cleaning).
Workers may be exposed to various hazardous substances during cleaning operations. Some
of them contain high risks, such as the organic solvent perchloroethylene, which may enter
the human body when the vapours are inhaled or when it comes into contact with the
skin. Symptoms of exposure include:
Loss of memory
Dizziness
Headaches
Irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract
What should employers do to assess the health and safety risks to exposed workers and to
decide on the necessary preventive measures?
1. I dentify the hazards and assess the types of risk resulting from operations carried
out in their workplace.
2. Select the preventive or risk control measures they should use.
3. Always re-examine these measures to check whether they remain adequate and
whether any new risks have emerged.

WHAT MEASURES?

These may be collective protection, work organisation or personal protective equipment (PPE)
measures.
How are collective protection measures implemented?
By fitting specially adapted devices to the work equipment or premises.

NOTE:

When designing premises or purchasing equipment, you should ensure that safety
features are fully integrated.
How can work be organised in order to eliminate or reduce risk?
F
 or example, by reducing the exposure time of each worker, exposing fewer
workers to risk, removing risks from areas where workers are present and storing
products and materials correctly.
What kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used?
I t should be borne in mind that PPE is always an additional or supplementary
measure. The best solutions are those which opt for fully integrated safety,
collective protection or work organisation measures.
T
 here are various types of PPE, such as masks, gloves, goggles, aprons and boots.
Consult the product label or material safety data sheet to find out which should
be used (see the final page).

Is there any document that provides information on the substances used?

Y
 es. You can find detailed information in the material safety data sheets.
Additionally, the labels on the packaging of each product contain information
which should be studied. Read them carefully!
How can exposure to hazardous substances be reduced in dry cleaning premises?
There are technologies which enable exposure to perchloroethylene to be reduced, such as
the use of a wet cleaning process whenever possible.

DRY CLEANING EQUIPMENT

Dry cleaning equipment should be kept as far away from workers as possible to ensure that they
only remain close to it for short periods of time.

No. Why? There is no separation between the

equipment
and the areas where workers are

based, meaning that they are always exposed
to vapours.

Yes. Why? The dry cleaning equipment is

installed in an area which workers only go to
for short periods of time.

The greatest source of exposure for workers occurs when the dry cleaning machines are loaded
and unloaded. When new machines are purchased, preference should be given to those fitted
with refrigeration and carbon absorbers.
Maintenance of the equipment is very important, since it not only increases their useful life
and performance but also reduces the exposure of workers, as a machine in poor condition
can result in greater exposure to solvents.
During maintenance, great attention should be paid to the vapour recovery systems and
checks should be carried out to ensure that liquids and vapours are not escaping into the
tubes and pipes of the equipment itself. Whilst carrying out maintenance work, workers
should wear individual protective equipment (gloves, goggles and mask).

Cleaning and dry cleaning sector

No. Why? The pipes are not properly installed

and the equipment is not checked regularly. The
vapours released into the workplace are harmful
to workers.

Yes. Why? The equipment is insulated, the

pipe leads directly to the exterior and is in
good condition. Maintenance is efficient.
Workers are protected.

What preventive measures should be implemented?

T
 he workplace should be ventilated and maintained at a constant temperature.
T
 he ventilation should be installed in a way that prevents vapours from reaching
the respiratory tract of workers.
V
 entilation should be supplemented by capturing and eliminating vapours close
to the area where they are produced or released (local exhaust ventilation) or by
systems to dilute the vapour concentrations (general exhaust ventilation).
W
 ork equipment should not be allowed to release vapours.
The best solution is a machine with integrated exhaust ventilation, which employers may opt
for when purchasing new equipment. A vacuum system fitted near the door may be used on
older machines to capture vapours whenever it is opened and to prevent the door from being
opened when the vapour concentration in the drum is above 300 ppm.

WARNING

Keep workplaces ventilated and at

temperatures suitable for the physical wellbeing of workers. Expose only the minimum
number of people to vapours.

GOOD WORKING PRACTICES

No. Why? The door of the machine should only

be left open for the minimum amount of time
necessary.

Yes. Why? The worker is waiting for the

machine to end the cleaning cycle and will
only open the door when the sign is displayed.

Prevention of exposure to vapours also involves adopting good practices. The employee is
responsible for training workers and informing them about the risks to which they are exposed
and the working practices they should adopt to avoid exposure. The following are examples
of good practice:
Do not open the door when the machine is running.
Do not reduce the drying time.
Keep the door closed whenever you are not loading or unloading clothes.
W
 hen loading or unloading clothes, keep your head as far away from the machine
door as possible.
N
 ever put your head inside the machine. If an article of clothing becomes stuck in
the machine, use a suitable tool to remove it.

HOW CAN EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES BE REDUCED

IN OTHER CLEANING OPERATIONS?
When cleaning, workers may be exposed to:
Perchloroethylene, if they are cleaning clothes
Ammonium compounds, if cleaning floors, glass, toilets or when waxing
Isopropanol and acids, when cleaning glass and toilets
Surface-active agents, which are considered the main active component in most cleaning
agents, may cause skin problems. Cleaning products used in the most common operations
are usually mixtures of different chemicals, including respiratory and dermatological irritants
and sensitising agents.
The use of diluted bleach, air fresheners and aerosols by domestic cleaners who have asthma
or chronic bronchitis has been associated with a worsening of pulmonary diseases. Carpet
shampoos and floor cleaning products which contain ethanolamine as an active substance
are the main cause of respiratory diseases.

Cleaning and dry cleaning sector

The risk of inhaling hazardous substances may be classified as low, medium or high according
to the tasks in question.
The risk of exposure to the skin is higher in tasks such as cleaning windows, toilets and sinks,
since spray products are used. These may penetrate the skin which, due to frequent contact
with these products and with water, may have lost its normal protective barrier.
Polishing and waxing are the most dangerous operations, since they may cause dust to be
inhaled.
Never mix unknown substances! Mixing bleach with ammonia or acids, for example, may
produce hazardous fumes that cause acute respiratory infections that require immediate
medical treatment.

WHAT ARE THE APPROPRIATE PREVENTIVE MEASURES?

Eliminate or reduce dangers by not using hazardous substances. Example: Replace
spray products.
Remove dangers to workers by selecting a low gas, vapour or fume emission process
(for example, by using closed systems which eliminate contact with the skin). In order
to do so, it is necessary to choose suitable equipment and keep it in good condition.
Extract substances in the area where they form or are released. If this is not possible,
only use products in well ventilated areas (Example: with doors and windows open).

Keep all areas well-aired.

Use individual protective equipment (for example, gloves, protective clothing and
protective breathing equipment). Do not use gloves or other IPE beyond their expiry
date. Use creams to help protect the natural skin barriers.

RECEPTION OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Reception is the first stage in the handling of chemical products.
You should pay attention to the following:

Identification, registration and monitoring of the arrival of products

Checking the condition of the packaging (for any damage or missing labels)
Checking the information on the label
Checking the material safety data sheets supplied with the product

WHAT IS STATED ON THE LABELS?

All containers for hazardous products or preparations must be duly labelled.
Labels must be legible and contain the following information:
Name of product
Identity of manufacturer
Importer or distributor
Risk warnings
Safety warnings
Hazard pictograms or symbols

HOW DO YOU READ THE LABEL?

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS (in accordance with Annex II of EC Directive 67/548)
IDENTIFICATION OF PRODUCT
(Substance or preparation)

NOTE: In addition to symbols indicating toxic,

harmful and irritant substances, you may also
find carcinogenic, sensitisation, mutagenic
or reproductive toxicant symbols identified
by means of a characteristic R phrase.a

ABCDE-33
Contains...

DESCRIPTION
OF RISK

Toxic

(R phrases)

(In accordance with

Annex III of EC
Directive 67/548)
PREVENTION
MEASURES
(S phrases)

(In accordance with

Annex IV of EC
Directive 67/548)

Highly
flammable

R 11-23/25:
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
Highly flammable
S7-16-24-45:
Keep container tightly closed
Keep away from sources of ignition no smoking
Avoid contact with skin
In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice
immediately (show the label where possible)

COMPOSITION
(List of hazardous
substances contained
in the preparation,
according to concentration
and toxicity)

XXX Plc
ABY St.
Tel: ...
NAME OF ENTITY
RESPONSIBLE
FOR SALES
(Name, address and
phone number)

WHICH SYMBOLS ARE USED ON LABELS?

In Europe, hazards are identified in accordance with Annex II of Directive 67/548/EEC.

The symbols mean the following:

1. Highly flammable (F) and Extremely
flammable (F+)
2. Toxic (T) and Very toxic (T+)
3. Corrosive (C)
4. Oxidising (O)

5. Harmful (Xn)
6. Irritant (Xi)
7. Explosive (E)
8. Dangerous for the environment

Cleaning and dry cleaning sector

The new classification system for hazard symbols shown below, developed in order to create
the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling, may already appear on some
labels.

Physical hazards
1 - Explosive / Self-Reactive / Organic peroxides
2 Flammable / Self-Reactive / Pyrophoric / Self-heating
/ Emits flammable gas / Organic peroxides
3 Oxidiser
4 Gas under pressure
5 Corrosive

Health Hazards
1 - Acutely toxic
2 Irritant / Skin sensitisation / Acutely toxic / Narcotic effect
/ Respiratory tract irritant
3 Carcinogenic / Respiratory sensitisation / Reproductive toxicity
/ Specific organ toxicity / Mutagenic / Inhalation toxicity
4 Corrosive

Environmental hazards
1 - Toxic for the environment

Examples only. For further information, consult the labels.

What are l safety data sheets?

The safety data sheet enables you to identify whether hazardous
chemical agents are present in the products used and helps you assess
the risks to the health and safety of workers resulting from the use of
these agents.
When delivering a hazardous substance, or even before doing so, every
manufacturer, importer and/or distributor must send the user a safety
data sheet containing the information needed to protect human life and the environment. The
information contained in the safety data sheet must be written in the official language of the
Member State in which the workplace is located.
If this is not the case, you should demand this from your manufacturer or supplier.
For further information, please contact:

The ACT is solely responsible for the contents of this publication.