Cleaning & Property Services · Employer knowledge

Health, safety & worksite risks

Manage the risks created by the cleaning or property work itself and by the client environment — including slips, manual tasks, equipment, work at height, vehicles and changing site conditions.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, a PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers it engages or whose work it influences or directs, and must ensure other people are not put at risk by the work. The General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations require applicable risks to be identified, controlled using the prescribed hierarchy, and the controls maintained and reviewed.

For cleaning and property services, the risk profile changes with the job and site. Managers should consider wet floors and pedestrian access, repetitive or forceful manual tasks, electrical and powered equipment, ladders or other work at height, vehicles, sharp or contaminated materials, and hazards created by the client's premises or by other work happening there. Chemicals and lone work are covered in their own NZQC manager guides because they have additional specific requirements.

What should a manager have in place?

Site & task assessmentIdentify the hazards and risks relevant to the service, site and timing of the work. Include risks to cleaners, client workers, occupants, visitors and others who may be affected.

Slips, access & public protectionPlan wet or recently cleaned areas, cords, equipment and work zones so they do not create uncontrolled risks. Use controls appropriate to the site rather than relying only on warning signs.

Manual work & equipmentSelect suitable equipment and work methods for the task. Consider load, repetition, awkward postures, pushing or pulling, equipment condition and the worker's knowledge and experience.

Height & changing conditionsWhere work involves a risk of falling, choose controls appropriate to the height, task and environment. Reassess when access, weather, occupancy, equipment or other site conditions change.

Manager check

Have we assessed the actual service and client site rather than relying on one generic cleaning checklist?
Are wet floors, cords, equipment and work zones controlled so workers and other people are not unnecessarily exposed?
Are manual tasks and equipment set up to reduce risk so far as is reasonably practicable?
Is equipment suitable, maintained and used by workers with appropriate information, training or supervision?
If work at height is required, have we considered whether the work can be done from the ground and selected suitable controls for any remaining fall risk?
Do we review controls when the client site, task, equipment or conditions change?
Are workers involved in identifying problems and improving the controls that affect their work?

NZ risk-management regulations →WorkSafe: working at height →Back to Cleaning & Property Hub

NZQC provides practical educational information. It is not legal advice and does not certify that a provider is compliant. Check the official source and the requirements that apply to your service, contracts and scope.