OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets workplace safety standards that apply to commercial cleaning operations in every state, including New York. For property managers and building owners, understanding these regulations is not just a legal obligation — it is a practical necessity for managing vendor relationships and protecting your building from liability.
The most relevant OSHA standards for commercial cleaning operations fall into several categories: hazard communication, bloodborne pathogens, personal protective equipment, slip and fall prevention, and chemical safety. Your cleaning vendor should be able to demonstrate compliance with all of these.
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), commonly known as "HazCom," requires that all employees who work with hazardous chemicals — including cleaning products — receive proper training. This includes understanding Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical used, knowing how to read product labels, and understanding the hazards associated with each product. Your cleaning company should maintain a complete SDS binder (or digital equivalent) for all products used in your building, and every crew member should be trained on proper use and emergency procedures.
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) is critical for any cleaning operation where workers may encounter blood or other potentially infectious materials. In office buildings, this applies to restroom cleaning, first aid station maintenance, and any situation involving bodily fluid cleanup. Cleaning staff should be trained in universal precautions, have access to appropriate PPE (gloves, face protection), and follow specific protocols for handling contaminated materials. If your building has medical or dental tenants, this standard becomes even more critical.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements under OSHA (29 CFR 1910.132-138) mandate that employers provide and train workers on appropriate protective equipment for the hazards they face. For cleaning staff, this typically includes chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection when using certain products, non-slip footwear, and respiratory protection when working with strong chemicals or in environments with poor ventilation. A reputable cleaning company provides all PPE at no cost to workers and trains them on proper use.
Slip, trip, and fall prevention is one of the most practical OSHA concerns in commercial cleaning. Wet floors are an obvious hazard, but OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) also requires employers to identify and address less obvious hazards: electrical cords across walkways, unstable ladder use, improperly stored equipment, and inadequate lighting in work areas. Your cleaning vendor should use proper wet floor signage, barrier systems during floor care operations, and slip-resistant floor finishes.
Chemical safety extends beyond HazCom training to practical storage and handling procedures. OSHA requires that incompatible chemicals be stored separately, that concentrated products be diluted according to manufacturer specifications, and that all containers be properly labeled. In your building, this means your cleaning vendor should have a designated, ventilated storage area for chemicals and equipment — not a random closet with unlabeled spray bottles.
New York State and New York City add additional requirements on top of federal OSHA standards. The NYC Department of Buildings has specific maintenance codes for commercial properties. The NYC Department of Health has sanitary code requirements. And Local Law 97 (the Climate Mobilization Act) is driving changes in how buildings approach sustainability, including the cleaning products and equipment they use.
So what should you require from your cleaning vendor? At minimum, ask for documentation of their OSHA training programs, including training dates, topics covered, and employee sign-off sheets. Request copies of their Safety Data Sheets for all products used in your building. Verify their workers' compensation insurance is current. And ask about their injury and incident reporting procedures — a company that has never had a workplace injury is either brand new or not being honest about their safety record.
The bottom line for property managers is this: OSHA compliance is your cleaning vendor's responsibility, but the liability for workplace injuries in your building can extend to the building owner. Choosing a vendor with documented, verifiable compliance programs is not just best practice — it is risk management.