How Professional Cleaning Contributes to Compliance with Safety and Occupational Health Standards

Adhering to safety regulations is essential to ensure the occupational health of everyone present in the workplace. These standards are fundamental pillars for employee well-being and the proper functioning of any company.

In this context, professional cleaning serves as a strategic ally in meeting these requirements, often mandated by regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Labour, Anvisa, and ABNT standards.

Beyond maintaining an aesthetically pleasing environment, cleaning performed by specialised professionals is an integral part of efficient occupational risk management, directly contributing to accident prevention, disease control, and compliance with existing legislation.

In this article, we will highlight how professional cleaning helps your company meet safety standards in a practical, efficient, and sustainable manner. Read on!

1. Safer Environments and the Elimination of Physical Risks

One of the main objectives of occupational safety is to prevent accidents that could compromise employees’ physical integrity.

Dirty or poorly maintained environments pose several risks, including:

• Slippery floors due to the accumulation of liquids or waste;
  
• Cluttered spaces, increasing the chances of slips and trips;
  
• Dust and dirt that impair visibility or machine operation.
  

Professional cleaning directly addresses these critical points, ensuring floors are dry and clearly marked, passage areas are unobstructed, and surfaces are free from dust or grease.

All these measures significantly reduce the risk of accidents, especially in industrial, food, or healthcare sectors.

2. Prevention of Occupational Diseases

In addition to physical accidents, many diseases can arise due to poorly sanitised environments. The most common include:

• Respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, asthma, and bronchitis caused by dust, mould, and mites;
  
• Dermatitis caused by contact with contaminated surfaces or products;
  
• Gastrointestinal infections due to microorganisms in food areas or restrooms.
  

Professional cleaning uses the appropriate products and techniques for disinfecting environments, controlling microorganisms, and promoting collective health within the company. This aligns directly with the guidelines of NR-7 (Medical Control Program for Occupational Health) and NR-24 (Sanitary Conditions and Comfort in Workplaces).

3. Compliance with Regulatory Standards (NRs)

The Regulatory Standards (NRs) are a set of guidelines established by the Ministry of Labour that guide companies on best practices for safety and health at work.

Some NRs directly related to cleaning include:

• NR-9 – Environmental Risk Prevention Program (PPRA): Cleaning helps identify and control physical, chemical, and biological agents.
  
• NR-17 – Ergonomics: A clean and organised environment promotes the ergonomic arrangement of furniture and equipment.
  
• NR-24: Addresses sanitary facilities and worker comfort, including proper cleaning of restrooms, changing rooms, and break areas.
  

By hiring a professional cleaning company, an organisation ensures that these practices are correctly implemented, avoiding fines, penalties, or stoppages by labour inspectors.

4. Training and Qualification of Cleaning Professionals

Another crucial aspect of professional cleaning for safety compliance is that the professionals involved are trained to follow safety standards and specific protocols. This includes:

• Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
  
• Proper storage and handling of chemical products;
  
• Application of techniques that minimise the risk of contamination and accidents.
  

This training prevents errors commonly made in ad-hoc cleaning or when untrained employees perform cleaning duties, ensuring standardised, safe services that meet legal requirements.

5. Reduced Absenteeism and Increased Productivity

The combination of a clean, hygienic, and risk-free environment directly results in a benefit for the company: fewer sick days due to health problems.

According to data from Social Security, thousands of occupational illnesses could be avoided with proper workplace hygiene practices.

With fewer employees sick or injured, the company benefits from:

• Increased productivity;
  
• Positive organisational climate;
  
• Reduced costs related to replacements and compensations;
  
• Compliance with occupational safety and health targets.
  

In sectors where risk control is even more sensitive, such as hospitals, food industries, or laboratories, professional cleaning becomes a mandatory and strategic element.

6. Inspections, Audits, and Certifications

Companies seeking quality certifications (such as ISO 45001, focused on occupational health and safety) or those that undergo audits by clients and government agencies must prove that they maintain a clean and safe work environment.

A professional cleaning company offers:

• Service reports;
  
• Cleaning checklists;
  
• Guarantee of using certified products;
  
• Techniques validated by international standards.
  

These documents are essential for proving compliance with safety standards and provide additional credibility to the company in the marketplace.