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July 2, 2019

Do You Know What’s on a Household Chemical Label?

Many different types of hazard signs.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S ON A HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL LABEL?

We all use chemicals to clean at home every day, whether it’s using washing up liquid, all-purpose cleaners, toilet cleaners and everything in between, but do you know what information is on the chemicals you have at home? It’s probably something most of us don’t even think about, we just pick the product up off the shelf and use it, but knowing what’s in our products and how to use them is vital to protect you, your family and your home from harm.

Most chemicals you’ll have at home aren’t dangerous when used correctly, however, some chemicals need to be handled more carefully than others and this is where the labelling on the product comes in, telling you the dangers of the chemical and advising how to use them safely.

Most chemical products will have one of the below symbols on the label, these are the pictograms for the GHS (Globally Harmonised System) Classification of Risk Symbols. These symbols give you an indication straight away of the potential dangers of the chemical you’re about to use if they’re used incorrectly. Some of the more dangerous symbols you can still find on household items, for example, white spirit (turps), a common product used at home, has the Serious Health Hazard symbol on meaning that it can cause serious long-term health problems when used incorrectly.

As well as the classification risk of the product you will also find on the label what it does, for example degreasing, sanitizing or disinfecting, what EN regulations it meets and how to apply the product and how long you should leave the chemical on for before wiping clean. You will also find on the label the ingredients of the product and the environmental information of the chemical, so you can be aware of how harmful the chemicals you are using are to the environment.

Chemical Product Documentation

So, how can you make sure you’re using hazardous chemicals safely? We’d recommend following these guidelines:

  • Only use as much as you need of the product.
  • Use products when children and pets are not in the area, if possible.
  • Ensure the area in which you are cleaning is properly ventilated.
  • Never leave chemical products unattended, there have been incidents in the past where people have mistaken chemicals for a drink and suffered serious health consequences.
  • Never mix any chemicals with anything else but water, as this can create toxic gases.
  • After using chemicals, make sure you thoroughly wash any part of your skin that came into contact with the product with warm soapy water.

New Recycling and Food Waste Regulations Take Effect on 31st March 2025

By Aaron Clark • January 8, 2025
Starting 31st March 2025, businesses across England will face new regulations mandating the separation of dry recycling and food waste from general waste. In line with the UK government’s sustainability goals under the Environment Act 2021 , is a pivotal step toward minimising the environmental impact of commercial waste. Under the new regulations, waste must be separated at the source before it is collected. This means businesses are responsible for ensuring recyclable and food waste is sorted appropriately on-site. Additionally, the use of equipment such as macerators and similar food waste treatment devices will no longer be allowed. Key Waste Streams to Separate Businesses must manage their waste according to the following categories: Food Waste: All food waste should be handled sustainably. Dry Mixed Recyclables: This includes paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and other recyclable materials. General Waste: Non-recyclable items fall into this category. Businesses that fail to comply with these requirements may face financial penalties, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the new waste management standards. Starting in April 2025, members of the public and other stakeholders will have the ability to report workplaces that fail to comply with these regulations to the Environment Agency. Who Needs to Comply? This legislation applies to businesses, public sector organisations, and third-sector institutions with 10 or more employees. Affected entities include: Restaurants and cafés Offices and co-working spaces Schools and educational institutions Hospitals and healthcare facilities Transport hubs such as train stations and airports Smaller businesses, while not immediately required to comply, are encouraged to adopt these practices early to benefit from cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
Person in hazmat suit cleaning

COSHH Frequently Asked Questions

August 29, 2024
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations are essential for maintaining a safe workplace, especially when dealing with hazardous substances. It is a legal requirement to comply with these regulations to ensure safety. Below, we address some of the most common questions surrounding COSHH to help you understand and comply with these critical safety requirements. COSHH Assessment Does my employer need to provide me with a copy of the COSHH assessment? Yes, employers are required to provide information about the hazards, risks, and control measures related to hazardous substances. If your employer has five or more employees, they must also record the significant findings of the risk assessment, and this record should be accessible for inspection by safety representatives and authorities.
A row of hospital beds are lined up in a hospital hallway.

Are Hospital Surfaces Really Clean?

By Aaron Clark • February 29, 2024
A recent study reveals that despite strict adherence to recommended disinfection protocols in hospitals, microbial contamination persists on high-touch surfaces. Conducted by researchers at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, the study involved sampling 400 high-touch surfaces, such as workstations, breakroom tables, bed rails, resuscitation training dummies, and computer keyboards at nurse’s stations. The analysis […] The post Are Hospital Surfaces Really Clean? appeared first on Spectrum.
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