When you hire a commercial cleaning company for your Sioux Falls facility, you aren’t just paying for shiny floors and empty trash cans. You’re paying for a partner who keeps you out of legal trouble. As of 2026, a single serious OSHA violation can cost up to $16,550, and if a vendor creates a hazard in your building, you can end up sharing the liability.
At Optimal Prime Cleaning Services, we don’t treat compliance like an optional upgrade. It’s built into how we work. Here’s what you need to know to protect your business and make sure your cleaning provider is actually following the rules.
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200) is one of OSHA’s most frequently cited standards, and a dusty binder in a closet doesn’t cover it.
– SDS on demand. We keep up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical we bring into your building. Whether it’s paper or digital, your staff has to be able to get to that information during any shift without asking permission.
– Secondary labels. Ever seen a spray bottle with “Blue Cleaner” scrawled on it in Sharpie? On anything beyond an immediate-use container, that’s a HazCom problem. Every secondary bottle needs a label that conveys the same hazards as the original container.
– Deadlines matter. OSHA updated these rules in 2024, and after an extension issued in early 2026, employers have until November 20, 2026 to update their hazard communication programs, workplace labeling, and worker training for hazardous substances (the deadline for mixtures comes later). We’re already working to the updated standard.
Cleaning isn’t one-size-fits-all. OSHA requires a hazard assessment to determine the protective equipment a task calls for. If your current cleaners are stripping floors in sneakers or using strong chemicals without eye protection, that’s a risk to your facility.
What proper PPE looks like by task:
– General cleaning: nitrile or latex gloves.
– Disinfection: chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection.
– Floor stripping: slip-resistant footwear and splash protection.
– Biohazards: full body coverings and fluid-resistant masks.
In South Dakota, we deal with snow, ice, and salt for a good chunk of the year. OSHA 1910.22 requires walking surfaces to be kept clean, orderly, and — as far as it’s practical — dry.
A crew that just mops is doing the minimum. Doing it right means:
1. Signs first. Wet floor signs go out before the mop touches the floor.
2. Smart timing. Floor work gets scheduled during low-traffic hours to keep people away from wet surfaces.
3. Matting that’s maintained. Entryways get the attention, so the slush gets stopped before it becomes a slip hazard.
It’s actually a violation of federal law to claim a product “disinfects” if it doesn’t carry an EPA registration number.
– Registered products only. The disinfectants we use are EPA-registered, including products on the EPA’s List N, its list of disinfectants for use against COVID-19.
– Dwell time. The label tells you how long a surface has to stay wet for the product to actually work. Spray it and wipe it off right away, and nothing’s been disinfected — the germs just got moved around.
OSHA operates under the Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine. In plain terms: if a cleaning vendor leaves a bucket in a dark hallway and your employee trips over it, OSHA can cite both the cleaning company and your business.
Before you sign a contract, ask for:
– A written hazard communication program.
– Proof of PPE training records.
– EPA registration numbers for their disinfectants.
– Proof of workers’ comp and liability insurance.
We’d rather you verify our compliance than take it on faith. That means transparent documentation, from scannable SDS access to a documented inspection process, so you have what you need for an audit or inspection.
Don’t risk a $16,000 mistake. Request a quote, and Optimal Prime Cleaning Services can talk through how we keep a Sioux Falls facility safe, sanitary, and compliant.
This article is provided by Optimal Prime Cleaning Services for general informational purposes only. It is not legal or compliance advice for your specific facility. OSHA and EPA requirements change and can vary by situation, so for guidance on your obligations, consult OSHA, the EPA, or a qualified professional.
