Cleaning Glossary — Compliance & Regulation

Updated Jun 3, 2026 Reviewed by Opora Editorial Team Editorial standards →

A reference glossary of 40 terms used in commercial cleaning compliance & regulation. Definitions are anchored to primary sources from BLS, OSHA, EPA, ISSA, APPA, and CDC.

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OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
OSHA Walking-Working Surfaces Standard
GHS
Personal Protective Equipment
NFPA (flammable storage)
DOT Hazmat Classification
EPA Design for Environment
GSA (federal procurement)
VOC Regulation
PFAS Regulation (cleaning products)
CDC
HICPAC
GBAC (regulatory context)
FSMA
HACCP
USDA Approval
ADA Compliance (cleaning)
LEED v5
WELL v2
Fitwel
ISSA 447
CIMS
CIMS-GB
HEHP
NCCI Class Code 9014
Experience Modification Rate
OSHA General Duty Clause
Exposure Control Plan
Wet Floor Warning
ASHRAE 62.1
ASHRAE 241
Right to Know
Lockout/Tagout
Respiratory Protection
OSHA Recordkeeping
NAICS 561720
SAM.gov
GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation
GBAC STAR Service Accreditation

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

Year after year, OSHA's top-cited standard in the building and facility services sector is the same one: 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), universally called HazCom. This is not because cleaning industry employers are uniquely negligent — it reflects the structural reality that chemical...

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OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

A janitor discovers a smear of blood on a restroom floor. A day porter responds to a report of a soiled elevator.

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OSHA Walking-Working Surfaces Standard

Also called: Slip/trip/fall; 29 CFR 1910.22

The OSHA Walking-Working Surfaces Standard (29 CFR 1910.22) mandates that all walking-working surfaces be kept clean, dry, and free from slip, trip, and fall hazards. Surfaces must be structurally sound and maintained. For BSCs, this standard directly governs wet floor management during and after cleaning operations: wet floors created by mopping, floor scrubbing, or chemical stripping constitute a recognized slip hazard under 1910.22 and must be appropriately marked with visible wet floor warning signs for the duration of the hazard. Removal of warning signs before the floor is dry constitutes a violation. BSCs who fail to post or prematurely remove wet floor signs expose their client and themselves to OSHA citation and civil liability in the event of a slip-and-fall injury. The standard also applies to BSC storage areas, janitor closets, and supply areas within client facilities where cleaning equipment creates trip hazards.

Related: Wet Floor Warning, Slip Resistance, Personal Protective Equipment, OSHA General Duty Clause, OSHA Recordkeeping

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.22

GHS

Also called: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

GHS is the United Nations-developed international system for classifying chemicals by hazard type and communicating that information through standardized labels (including signal words, hazard pictograms, H-statements, and P-statements) and Safety Data Sheets. OSHA adopted GHS through the 2012 HCS revision (HCS 2012), aligning U.S. chemical labeling and SDS format with GHS Revision 3. The 2024 HCS update (HazCom 2024) further aligns with GHS Revision 7. GHS is not directly enforceable international law; each country adopts it through domestic regulation. In the U.S., OSHA's HCS is the legal implementation for workplace chemicals; EPA's label requirements under FIFRA are separately governed but increasingly incorporate GHS elements. For BSCs, GHS provides a consistent, cross-border framework for understanding chemical hazards regardless of which country the product is manufactured in — critical for BSCs sourcing products from international distributors or operating across U.S.-Canada borders.

Related: GHS Pictogram, Safety Data Sheet, Hazard Statement, Signal Word, HazCom 2024

Source: https://www.osha.gov/hazcom/ghsguideoct05.pdf

Personal Protective Equipment

Also called: PPE

Personal Protective Equipment encompasses gloves, eye protection, face shields, respirators, protective footwear, aprons, and other equipment worn by workers to minimize exposure to identified workplace hazards. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires employers to perform a hazard assessment, document it in writing, and select and provide PPE based on the identified hazards — PPE selection cannot be delegated entirely to employees. For BSCs, PPE requirements vary by task: chemical floor stripping requires nitrile gloves, eye protection, and non-slip footwear; bloodborne pathogen cleanup requires impervious gloves, eye protection, and possibly face shield and gown depending on exposure volume; aerial chemical spraying requires splash goggles and chemical-resistant gloves. SDSs Section 8 specifies recommended PPE for each product. BSCs must also train workers on correct PPE donning, doffing, inspection, and maintenance. Reusable PPE must be cleaned and stored correctly; contaminated gloves used across multiple rooms transfer pathogens rather than preventing exposure.

Related: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Exposure Control Plan, Safety Training, Respiratory Protection, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.138

NFPA (flammable storage)

Also called: National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 30 — Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code — establishes requirements for the storage, handling, and use of flammable (Class I) and combustible (Class II and III) liquids in commercial and industrial settings. BSC operations involve flammable solvents (isopropanol, acetone, mineral spirits), combustible floor finishing products, and in some cases propane-powered burnisher fuel storage, all of which fall under NFPA 30 requirements. Key requirements include: maximum quantities that can be stored in a standard cleaning closet without a rated flammable storage cabinet; container closure and secondary containment requirements; and ignition source separation distances. NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) addresses corridor clearance and egress requirements relevant to BSC equipment and supply storage in occupied buildings. Local fire authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) enforce NFPA codes through facility inspections; BSCs should ensure their chemical storage practices comply with NFPA 30 requirements at every client site.

Related: Safety Data Sheet, VOC, Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment, DOT Hazmat Classification

Source: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-30

DOT Hazmat Classification

Also called: DOT; Department of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR Parts 171–180) govern the transport of chemicals with flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, or acute toxicity designations. Cleaning chemicals commonly subject to DOT hazmat shipping requirements include concentrated sodium hypochlorite (corrosive, oxidizer), concentrated acids (corrosive), isopropanol and solvent-based products (flammable liquid), and certain compressed gases. DOT hazmat compliance affects shipping labels, packaging specifications, shipper and carrier documentation requirements, and training obligations for employees who package or transport hazmat. For BSCs, DOT compliance applies when transporting chemicals in company vehicles across public roads — not just when shipping via common carrier. An employee transporting several gallons of concentrated floor stripper or muriatic acid descaler in an unmarked van without proper secondary containment and shipping papers may be in violation of 49 CFR. BSCs should audit their chemical transport practices, particularly for accounts requiring periodic delivery of bulk concentrates.

Related: Safety Data Sheet, NFPA (flammable storage), FIFRA, Personal Protective Equipment, Concentrate

Source: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs

EPA Design for Environment

Also called: DfE (legacy name)

EPA Design for Environment was the earlier name for the voluntary program that evaluated cleaning product ingredient safety for human health and environmental impact, replaced by the EPA Safer Choice brand in 2015. Products certified under DfE were reviewed against the same ingredient standards that now underlie Safer Choice certification. The DfE label — a stylized handshake symbol — still appears in distributor catalogs, older product literature, and some facility purchasing specifications written before 2015. EPA Safer Choice history confirms that the DfE certification criteria are substantively continuous with Safer Choice. For BSCs and procurement officers, a product still marketed with the DfE label should be treated as equivalent to a Safer Choice-certified product for LEED documentation purposes, though confirming active certification status via EPA's Safer Choice product registry is recommended before citing it in a bid. No new certifications have been issued under the DfE brand since 2015.

Related: EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, EcoLogo, CIMS-GB, LEED v5

Source: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice

GSA (federal procurement)

Also called: General Services Administration

The General Services Administration manages federal government real estate and procurement. BSCs pursuing federal janitorial contracts must register in SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) and align their products and services with the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), specifically Category 56 (Buildings and Building Materials/Industrial Services). Federal janitorial contracts are most commonly solicited under NAICS 561720. GSA contracts define socioeconomic set-aside categories (Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB) that affect which solicitations a BSC is eligible to bid. GSA pricing on the MAS schedule represents a maximum — agencies may negotiate lower. For BSCs new to federal procurement, the SAM.gov registration (annual renewal required), CAGE code assignment, and representations and certifications in the solicitation package are administrative prerequisites that take time to establish; BSCs should allow 30 to 60 days for initial SAM.gov registration processing before bidding on federal solicitations.

Related: SAM.gov, NAICS 561720, GovWin IQ, RFP, Scope of Work

Source: https://www.gsa.gov/buy-through-us/purchasing-programs/gsa-multiple-award-schedule

VOC Regulation

Also called: Volatile organic compound limits; VOC compliance

VOC regulations restrict the concentration of volatile organic compounds in cleaning products to reduce ground-level ozone formation from photochemical reactions between VOCs and nitrogen oxides. EPA National VOC Emission Standards establish federal weight-percentage limits by product category. California's CARB Regulation 94658 and OTC (Ozone Transport Commission) state rules are generally more restrictive than federal standards and apply to products sold or used in those jurisdictions. For BSCs, VOC regulation compliance is a product selection issue: products sold nationally may not be compliant in California or OTC states. BSCs operating in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, or Washington D.C. should verify that cleaning products in their program carry CARB-compliant or OTC-compliant labeling. VOC content is disclosed in SDS Panel 9.

Related: VOC, Solvent Cleaner, EPA Safer Choice, WELL v2, PFAS Regulation (cleaning products)

Source: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/national-volatile-organic-compound-emission-standards-consumer

PFAS Regulation (cleaning products)

Also called: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance bans

State-level restrictions on PFAS in cleaning products are accelerating ahead of any comprehensive federal cleaning product rule. Minnesota's Amara's Law banned PFAS in cleaning products effective January 1, 2025. Maine's and Colorado's cleaning product PFAS bans take effect January 1, 2026. Other states including Washington, Oregon, and New York have introduced or are considering similar legislation. The EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap signals ongoing federal restriction activity, including TSCA-based PFAS reporting rules. For BSCs operating in regulated states, PFAS compliance requires auditing current chemical programs for PFAS-containing ingredients — particularly surfactants and floor finish leveling agents — and substituting compliant alternatives before state effective dates. Distributors and manufacturers are required to disclose PFAS content under state laws; BSCs should request written PFAS disclosure from their chemical suppliers for every product in their program.

Related: PFAS, TSCA, VOC Regulation, EPA Safer Choice, Safety Data Sheet

Source: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024

CDC

Also called: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the U.S. federal public health agency responsible for developing and disseminating science-based infection control guidelines referenced across healthcare environmental services. The CDC/HICPAC 2003 Guideline for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities remains the primary environmental cleaning standard for healthcare BSC programs. CDC also publishes pathogen-specific guidance (C. diff, MRSA, norovirus, SARS-CoV-2) that informs disinfectant selection, contact times, and PPE requirements for BSC healthcare accounts. CDC guidance is not legally binding regulation — it does not carry the enforcement authority of an OSHA standard or EPA rule — but it defines the standard of care that GBAC STAR accreditation, HEHP certification, and most healthcare facility contract specifications require BSCs to follow. BSCs bidding healthcare accounts should be fluent in the applicable CDC guideline sections governing surface disinfection, mopping systems, and laundry management.

Related: HICPAC, GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, HEHP, Personal Protective Equipment

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/

HICPAC

Also called: Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee

HICPAC is a CDC-affiliated federal advisory committee that develops evidence-based infection control guidelines for healthcare facilities. HICPAC guidelines define the standard of care for environmental services disinfection protocols, isolation room cleaning procedures, and contact and droplet precaution compliance in healthcare settings. HICPAC recommendations are categorized by evidence strength: Category IA (strongly recommended, with high-quality evidence), IB (strongly recommended, effective evidence), IC (required by regulation), II (suggestive evidence), and unresolved (insufficient evidence). For BSCs in healthcare, HICPAC recommendations are the clinical benchmark against which environmental hygiene programs are evaluated in Joint Commission, CMS, and state health department inspections. HICPAC's guidance on terminal cleaning of isolation rooms, high-touch surface disinfection frequency, and disinfectant selection for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) directly defines BSC performance requirements in hospital accounts.

Related: CDC, GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, HEHP, Hospital-Grade Disinfectant, Exposure Control Plan

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/

GBAC (regulatory context)

Also called: Global Biorisk Advisory Council

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council is an ISSA-affiliated council that develops science-based biorisk management standards, training programs, and accreditation frameworks for cleaning operations. GBAC STAR accreditation — in both Facility and Service designations — is increasingly written into healthcare and hospitality RFP requirements as a demonstrable biorisk management credential. GBAC's 20 program elements for the STAR accreditation address policies and procedures, training, product selection, verification methods, and corrective actions — forming a comprehensive biorisk management system framework rather than a product-level certification. For BSCs, GBAC STAR Service accreditation signals to prospective healthcare, hospitality, and government clients that the BSC has implemented a validated, documented biorisk management program. The accreditation process requires evidence submission, third-party review, and annual renewal.

Related: GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, HICPAC, CDC, CIMS

Source: https://gbac.issa.com

FSMA

Also called: Food Safety Modernization Act

FSMA (21 U.S.C. §2201 et seq.) is the FDA law requiring food facilities to implement hazard analysis and preventive controls for food safety. For cleaning operations, FSMA's Preventive Controls for Human Food rule (21 CFR Part 117) requires food processing facilities to have written sanitation procedures that specify cleaning agents, sanitizers, concentrations, application methods, and verification steps. Environmental monitoring for pathogens such as Listeria is required in high-risk zones. BSCs providing cleaning services to FDA-regulated food processing facilities must align their chemical programs, procedures, and documentation with the facility's FSMA preventive controls plan. BSC workers in food processing environments may need pathogen awareness training specific to the regulated environment. FSMA's sanitary transportation rule and produce safety rule also have environmental hygiene implications relevant to BSC scopes in food distribution and packing facilities.

Related: HACCP, FDA (food-contact surfaces), NSF International, USDA Approval, Food-Contact Sanitizer

Source: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma

HACCP

Also called: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

HACCP is a systematic, science-based food safety management framework identifying biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food production and establishing Critical Control Points (CCPs) where controls prevent, eliminate, or reduce hazards to acceptable levels. FDA HACCP principles and USDA FSIS regulations require HACCP plans in meat, poultry, seafood, and juice processing facilities. For BSCs, HACCP is relevant in two ways: first, sanitation procedures at critical control points (food-contact surfaces, CIP systems, drain areas) are directly governed by the facility's HACCP plan, and BSC workers must follow those procedures precisely; second, the HACCP color-coding concept (red for raw meat surfaces, blue for fish, yellow for poultry, green for produce) informs color-coded cleaning tool systems used in multi-zone cleaning programs even outside food manufacturing. BSCs working in food facilities should receive the facility's HACCP plan sanitation procedures as part of onboarding, as deviation from those procedures is a regulatory compliance issue, not merely a quality issue.

Related: FSMA, FDA (food-contact surfaces), Food-Contact Sanitizer, NSF International, Color-Coded Cleaning System (restroom)

Source: https://www.fda.gov/food/hazard-analysis-critical-control-point-haccp/haccp-principles-application-guidelines

USDA Approval

Also called: USDA authorized for use

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) authorizes cleaning compounds and sanitizing agents for use in federally inspected meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities. USDA FSIS maintains a list of approved substances (formerly the "USDA-accepted" list, now administered through the FDA 21 CFR Part 178 and NSF registration framework). For a cleaning or sanitizing product to be used in a federally inspected establishment, it must be approved by the applicable regulatory body — USDA for meat and poultry plants under FSIS jurisdiction, or FDA for other food facilities. BSCs contracted to service federally inspected processing plants must verify that every product in their chemical program is approved for use at that facility; bringing an unapproved product into a federally inspected establishment is a regulatory violation that can halt production and trigger FSIS enforcement action.

Related: FSMA, HACCP, FDA (food-contact surfaces), NSF International, Food-Contact Sanitizer

Source: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/regulations-policies/use-chemicals-processing

ADA Compliance (cleaning)

Also called: Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines require accessible restroom facilities, accessible pathways, and floor surfaces that do not impede mobility device use. BSC cleaning operations affect ADA compliance in several ways: applying a floor finish formulation that reduces coefficient of friction below acceptable levels on ramps or entrances creates an ADA accessibility hazard; using a wet mop system that leaves excess standing water blocks wheelchair-accessible pathways in violation of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 and creates a fall risk for mobility-impaired occupants; and placing cleaning equipment, carts, or wet floor signs in ADA-required clear floor space obstructs accessible routes. The ADA National Network provides technical guidance on floor surface standards and accessible route clearances. BSCs should train crews on required minimum aisle clearance widths (36 inches minimum, 44 inches preferred in high-traffic corridors) and mandate that carts and equipment do not block accessible routes during service.

Related: Slip Resistance, Wet Floor Warning, OSHA Walking-Working Surfaces Standard, Floor Finish, Personal Protective Equipment

Source: https://adata.org/publication/ada-national-network-fact-sheet

LEED v5

Also called: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design version 5

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the USGBC green building rating system in its fifth major version (LEED v5, in development as of 2026). Cleaning operations affect LEED certification through Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credits addressing low-emitting materials and cleaning products (requiring low-VOC, third-party-certified products such as Green Seal, EcoLogo, or EPA Safer Choice), and through Sustainable Sites and Operations credits requiring environmentally preferred purchasing and chemical management programs. LEED Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance (LEED EB:O+M) is the certification pathway most relevant to BSCs because it applies to ongoing building operations rather than new construction. CIMS-GB certification demonstrates that a BSC's cleaning program meets LEED EB:O+M credit requirements, simplifying client LEED documentation. For BSCs, LEED accounts require documented chemical inventories with certification status, VOC content records, and purchasing evidence maintained for LEED audit.

Related: WELL v2, Fitwel, CIMS-GB, EPA Safer Choice, VOC

Source: https://www.usgbc.org/leed

WELL v2

Also called: WELL Building Standard version 2

The WELL Building Standard v2, administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), is a performance-based certification system focused on occupant health across 10 concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, and Community. Cleaning operations are most directly regulated through the Air concept (VOC, TVOC, and particulate limits in occupied spaces) and the Materials concept (restrictions on hazardous cleaning product ingredients). WELL Air requirements set ambient concentration thresholds for TVOC (500 ppb maximum), PM2.5 (12 µg/m³ maximum), and other pollutants that high-VOC cleaning products can exceed. Fragrance-free or low-fragrance cleaning products are specified in some WELL programs because fragrances contribute to TVOC loading. For BSCs serving WELL-certified or pre-certified buildings, product selection must account for TVOC and VOC content from all cleaning agents, air fresheners, and disinfectants used in the space.

Related: LEED v5, Fitwel, ASHRAE 62.1, VOC, EPA Safer Choice

Source: https://www.wellcertified.com

Fitwel

Also called: Fitwel certification

Fitwel is a building certification program developed with support from the CDC Foundation and now operated by the Center for Active Design, focused on connecting building design and operations to occupant health outcomes. The program uses a scorecard system across multiple health categories, including indoor air quality, active design, and cleaning and maintenance operations. Cleaning-related requirements in Fitwel include use of low-VOC cleaning products, IAQ monitoring, and maintenance of cleaning records. Unlike LEED or WELL, Fitwel does not require specific third-party product certifications by name — it evaluates whether the products used meet low-VOC thresholds. For BSCs managing Fitwel-certified accounts, maintaining a current chemical inventory with documented VOC content and obtaining client-approved product substitution approval for any chemical program changes are the primary operational requirements. Fitwel certification is renewed annually, requiring ongoing compliance evidence.

Related: LEED v5, WELL v2, VOC, EPA Safer Choice, ASHRAE 62.1

Source: https://www.fitwel.org

ISSA 447

Every janitorial bid math calculation starts with the same question: how many labor hours does it take to clean this space? Without an objective reference, the answer is whoever's gut feeling wins.

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CIMS

Also called: Cleaning Industry Management Standard

CIMS (Cleaning Industry Management Standard) is an ISSA certification assessing BSC organizational management systems across five core areas: quality systems, service delivery, human resources, health/safety/environmental stewardship, and management commitment. CIMS certification requires on-site assessment by an ISSA-approved CIMS Certification Expert (CCE), documented systems in each core area, and periodic recertification. Certification demonstrates that a BSC has formalized operational processes rather than relying on informal practices. CIMS is increasingly required or scored in commercial and institutional RFPs — particularly from healthcare systems, universities, and government agencies — as a management quality signal. CIMS-GB (CIMS Green Building) is an optional add-on module that validates green cleaning practices compatible with LEED EB:O+M documentation. For BSCs, CIMS certification requires up-front investment in process documentation and system formalization, typically taking six to 18 months to achieve from a standing start.

Related: CIMS-GB, GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, ISSA 447, ISSA, Scope of Work

Source: https://cims.issa.com

CIMS-GB

Also called: CIMS Green Building

CIMS-GB is the Green Building add-on module for CIMS certification, validating that a BSC's cleaning practices meet the environmental purchasing, chemical management, and IAQ performance criteria that contribute to LEED Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance credit categories. CIMS-GB requires that the BSC's cleaning program use environmentally certified products (Green Seal, EcoLogo, EPA Safer Choice), maintain a documented chemical inventory, use HEPA-filter vacuums, and provide training aligned with green cleaning requirements. Some Class A commercial, healthcare, and institutional RFPs specifically require CIMS-GB as a bid prerequisite alongside CIMS. For BSCs pursuing LEED EB:O+M accounts, CIMS-GB certification simplifies the client's LEED documentation burden because the BSC's certified program provides evidence for multiple credit subcategories without requiring the client to independently verify every product and practice. CIMS-GB is not valid without the underlying CIMS certification.

Related: CIMS, LEED v5, Green Seal, EPA Safer Choice, EcoLogo

Source: https://cims.issa.com

HEHP

Also called: Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Professional

HEHP (Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Professional) is an ISSA certification program launched June 1, 2026 for environmental services professionals working in hospitals, ambulatory care centers, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. The program has three tiers: Foundational (frontline EVS workers), Advanced (supervisors and EVS managers), and Measurement/Validation (QA and program leadership). The program was developed with input from EVS directors and infection preventionists to standardize healthcare cleaning competency and provide a structured career pathway in healthcare environmental services. For BSCs competing in the healthcare market, HEHP certification of EVS supervisors and managers signals clinical competency to hospital systems and healthcare facility managers who evaluate BSC qualifications. Healthcare EVS is a higher-margin service category than standard commercial cleaning; HEHP differentiates a BSC from competitors who do not invest in clinical-grade training.

Related: GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, HICPAC, CDC, Exposure Control Plan, ISSA

Source: https://www.issa.com/certification

NCCI Class Code 9014

Also called: Janitorial class code; workers' comp class 9014

NCCI Class Code 9014 is the National Council on Compensation Insurance workers' compensation classification code for janitorial and building cleaning operations performed by contract — the class code under which the vast majority of BSC workers are insured. NCCI's classification system assigns base premium rates to each class code based on the historical loss experience of the occupational group. For BSCs, Class Code 9014 typically carries one of the higher base rates in the commercial service sector due to the injury frequency associated with floor care, chemical exposure, slip-and-fall incidents, and musculoskeletal strains. The assigned class code drives the base workers' compensation premium per $100 of payroll; the BSC's Experience Modification Rate (EMR) then multiplies that base rate up or down based on the employer's actual claims history. Misclassification of cleaning workers under a lower-rate class code to reduce premium is insurance fraud.

Related: Experience Modification Rate, Workers' Compensation Insurance, OSHA Recordkeeping, Labor Burden, NCCI

Source: https://www.ncci.com

Experience Modification Rate

Also called: EMR; x-mod; experience modifier

The Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is an NCCI-calculated actuarial multiplier applied to a BSC's workers' compensation premium based on the employer's actual loss experience over the prior three policy years compared to the expected losses for employers of similar size in the same class code. An EMR of 1.0 is the industry average; an EMR above 1.0 increases the annual premium (e.g., 1.25 EMR = 25% above base rate); an EMR below 1.0 reduces it (e.g., 0.85 = 15% below base rate). EMR is recalculated annually; the policy year used is typically three to five years prior, making today's loss control decisions affect premiums three years out. Many healthcare systems, government agencies, and Class A commercial accounts require EMR below a specified threshold (commonly 1.0 or 0.9) as a bid prerequisite — an EMR above that threshold disqualifies the BSC regardless of pricing. BSCs reduce EMR over time through consistent safety programs, early return-to-work protocols, and claims management.

Related: NCCI Class Code 9014, Workers' Compensation Insurance, OSHA Recordkeeping, Labor Burden, Safety Training

Source: https://www.ncci.com

OSHA General Duty Clause

Also called: Section 5(a)(1)

The OSHA General Duty Clause (OSH Act Section 5(a)(1)) requires every employer to furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. OSHA cites this clause when a specific standard does not exist for a recognized hazard — for example, heat illness risk during summer outdoor cleaning operations, ergonomic hazards from repetitive floor machine operation, or cumulative chemical exposure from inadequately ventilated cleaning product use. For BSCs, the General Duty Clause is relevant precisely because not every hazard their workers encounter is covered by a specific 29 CFR standard. OSHA's use of the clause requires demonstrating: the employer recognized the hazard (or should have); the hazard caused or could cause serious harm; a feasible method of abatement existed; and the employer failed to implement it. BSCs can limit General Duty Clause exposure through documented hazard assessments and written safety programs.

Related: OSHA Recordkeeping, Personal Protective Equipment, Exposure Control Plan, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Safety Training

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/oshact/section5-duties

Exposure Control Plan

Also called: ECP; BBP exposure control plan

An Exposure Control Plan (ECP) is a written document required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(c) for employers whose workers have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The ECP must identify job classifications and tasks with exposure potential; specify engineering controls, work practice controls, and PPE for each exposure situation; describe hepatitis B vaccination policy; outline post-exposure evaluation procedures; and cover training and recordkeeping requirements. The ECP must be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever new job classifications or tasks are added. For BSCs, the ECP must cover restroom service, blood spill cleanup, trauma scene remediation, and any other task where blood or OPIM contact is reasonably anticipated. OSHA inspectors request the ECP as one of the first documents during a bloodborne pathogen inspection. An ECP that exists but has not been updated in three years, or does not cover all exposed job titles, will result in citation.

Related: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, Personal Protective Equipment, Safety Training, OSHA Recordkeeping, Feminine Hygiene Waste Disposal

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030

Wet Floor Warning

Also called: Wet floor sign; caution sign

A wet floor warning sign is a physical safety device required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 whenever a wet floor condition creates a slip hazard in a walking-working area. Signs must be visible from the approach direction, appropriate in size and color (typically yellow with international wet floor symbol), and must remain in place until the surface hazard is fully eliminated — not removed based on time elapsed. OSHA does not specify a manufacturer-standard design, but ANSI Z535 standards govern safety sign format and color coding. For BSCs, wet floor sign compliance is operationally significant: removing signs too early after mopping or autoscrubbing is a common violation. In healthcare facilities where patient mobility and fall risk are elevated, wet floor sign placement and removal timing is a Joint Commission observation point as well as an OSHA requirement. BSCs should establish a crew training standard specifying that signs are placed before any wet work begins and removed only after the operator verifies the surface is dry.

Related: OSHA Walking-Working Surfaces Standard, Slip Resistance, ADA Compliance (cleaning), Floor Stripping, Autoscrubber

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.22

ASHRAE 62.1

Also called: ASHRAE Standard 62.1 — Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 specifies minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality criteria for occupied commercial and institutional buildings. The standard defines minimum outdoor air delivery rates by occupancy type and establishes contaminant concentration limits for carbon dioxide and other pollutants. For BSC operations, ASHRAE 62.1 is relevant because high-VOC cleaning products used in buildings with minimum or inadequate ventilation can cause TVOC concentrations to exceed acceptable levels during and after application. Cleaning in occupied buildings with minimum ASHRAE 62.1 outdoor air rates requires product selection specifically calibrated for low TVOC impact. LEED, WELL, and Fitwel specifications reference ASHRAE 62.1 compliance as a baseline, with their own tighter requirements layered on top. BSCs using aerosol disinfectants, solvent-based strippers, or high-fragrance products in low-ventilation spaces should assess whether use during occupied hours is compatible with ASHRAE 62.1 air quality thresholds.

Related: ASHRAE 241, VOC, WELL v2, LEED v5, Fitwel

Source: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/standards-62-1-62-2

ASHRAE 241

Also called: ASHRAE Standard 241 — Control of Infectious Aerosols

ASHRAE Standard 241, published in 2023, establishes minimum requirements for ventilation, filtration, and air disinfection to control the transmission of infectious aerosols in occupied buildings. The standard introduces the concept of Equivalent Clean Air (ECA) — the volume of pathogen-free air delivered per person per unit time from a combination of outdoor air, filtration (MERV-rated), and in-room air disinfection technologies (UV-C, HEPA, bipolar ionization). For BSCs, ASHRAE 241 is operationally relevant in two ways: it affects the building environments in which BSC workers operate (the building's compliance with 241 reduces aerosol transmission risk during cleaning of occupied spaces); and it informs the specification of supplemental air disinfection equipment (UV-C devices, portable HEPA air scrubbers) that BSCs may operate or maintain as part of expanded IAQ service scopes in healthcare or high-occupancy institutional accounts.

Related: ASHRAE 62.1, HEPA Filtration, UV-C Disinfection Device, VOC, WELL v2

Source: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/ashrae-standard-241

Right to Know

Also called: Employee RTK; hazard right to know

The employee Right to Know is the principle, implemented through OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and state HazCom laws, that workers have a legally protected right to access information about hazardous chemicals in their workplace. This right encompasses: access to Safety Data Sheets for every hazardous chemical they work with; readable labels on all containers; and training in a language and vocabulary they understand on the hazards and safe handling of those chemicals. Multiple states (New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, and others) have enacted additional Right to Know laws that impose state-specific requirements beyond OSHA's federal HCS. For BSCs, the Right to Know requirement means that SDS files must be physically or electronically accessible during every work shift — not locked in an office or accessible only through a system the crew does not have login credentials for. Right to Know violations are commonly cited together with HazCom violations.

Related: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Safety Data Sheet, Safety Training, Personal Protective Equipment, GHS

Source: https://www.osha.gov/hazcom

Lockout/Tagout

Also called: LOTO; 29 CFR 1910.147

The OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy standard (29 CFR 1910.147), known as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), requires procedures to isolate and de-energize machinery and equipment before maintenance, servicing, or cleaning operations that expose workers to unexpected energization or release of stored energy. For BSCs, LOTO applies when workers service or clean powered floor equipment (electrical autoscrubbers, burnishers) in ways that involve removing guards or accessing drive components; when workers clean around powered conveyor systems, compactors, or HVAC equipment in client facilities; and in any situation where unexpected machinery startup could injure a cleaning worker. BSCs who conduct in-house equipment maintenance or who clean in industrial environments with powered equipment should have written LOTO procedures and provide LOTO training to affected workers. Failure to implement LOTO programs is a consistently cited OSHA violation in facility services inspections.

Related: Personal Protective Equipment, OSHA General Duty Clause, Safety Training, OSHA Recordkeeping, Equipment fleet maintenance

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.147

Respiratory Protection

Also called: Respirator; 29 CFR 1910.134

The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) governs the selection, use, fit-testing, and training requirements for respiratory protective equipment. When engineering controls (ventilation) and work practice controls cannot adequately reduce worker inhalation exposure to hazardous vapors, dusts, or aerosols, OSHA requires a written respiratory protection program, medical evaluation for respirator use, fit-testing for tight-fitting respirators, and annual training. For BSCs, respiratory protection is most commonly required in high-VOC solvent application, concentrated acid or alkaline product handling in enclosed spaces, aerosol disinfectant applications in confined areas, and remediation work involving mold, asbestos, or silica-containing dust. Disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators are not substitutes for supplied-air respirators when vapors above the permissible exposure limit are present. BSCs should perform a respiratory hazard assessment for any cleaning task involving chemical spray, high-temperature steam, or enclosed-space chemical application.

Related: Personal Protective Equipment, OSHA General Duty Clause, Safety Training, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, VOC

Source: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134

OSHA Recordkeeping

Also called: OSHA 300 log; 29 CFR 1904

OSHA 29 CFR Part 1904 requires BSCs with ten or more employees to record work-related injuries and illnesses meeting specific severity criteria on OSHA Form 300 (the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), summarize annual injury data on Form 300A, and post Form 300A in each establishment from February 1 through April 30. Form 301 (the Injury and Illness Incident Report) is completed for each recordable case. OSHA 300 log data is used by NCCI as an input in the Experience Modification Rate calculation — accurate recordkeeping directly affects workers' compensation premiums. Industries with high illness and injury rates may be selected for OSHA programmed inspections using 300 log data; janitorial services (NAICS 561720) has historically appeared in OSHA's targeted inspection programs for musculoskeletal disorders and chemical exposures. Electronic submission of the 300A is now required for employers with 100+ employees in NAICS 561720.

Related: Experience Modification Rate, OSHA General Duty Clause, NCCI Class Code 9014, Safety Training, Workers' Compensation Insurance

Source: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping

NAICS 561720

Before a BSC can bid a federal janitorial contract, register as a government vendor, or access BLS wage data for its specific industry, it needs to know its code: NAICS 561720. Assigned by the U.S.

Read the full guide →

SAM.gov

Also called: System for Award Management

SAM.gov is the U.S. federal government's official online procurement registration and solicitation portal, administered by the General Services Administration (GSA). All contractors who want to bid on or receive federal janitorial contracts must maintain an active SAM.gov registration with a unique Entity Identifier (UEI), valid Taxpayer Identification Number, banking information for electronic payment, and complete representations and certifications. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually; a lapsed registration automatically disqualifies a BSC from receiving federal contract awards. In addition to registration, BSC operators can use SAM.gov to search for open janitorial solicitations (filtering by NAICS 561720 and set-aside type), monitor awarded contracts, and track contract modification history for intelligence on competitors' federal accounts. GovWin IQ and similar subscription platforms supplement SAM.gov with state and local government solicitations not published on the federal portal.

Related: NAICS 561720, GSA (federal procurement), GovWin IQ, RFP, NAICS 561720

Source: https://sam.gov

GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation

Also called: GBAC STAR Facility

GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation is awarded by ISSA/GBAC to building owners and operators — not to BSC service companies — who demonstrate that their facility has implemented 20 science-based program elements for biorisk management, including written policies, cleaning and disinfection protocols, training, verification procedures, and corrective action systems. It is distinct from GBAC STAR Service Accreditation (which is awarded to the BSC company providing the services). In a GBAC STAR-accredited facility, the BSC's service delivery must align with the facility's biorisk management program requirements. For BSCs, pursuing facility-level accreditation for their clients' buildings is an upsell opportunity — the BSC can guide the facility through the 20-element documentation process and provide ongoing compliance support as a value-added service. Healthcare, hospitality, and sports venue clients have shown the highest adoption of GBAC STAR Facility accreditation.

Related: GBAC STAR Service Accreditation, GBAC (regulatory context), HICPAC, CDC, CIMS

Source: https://gbac.issa.com/gbac-star-accreditation/

GBAC STAR Service Accreditation

Also called: GBAC STAR Service

GBAC STAR Service Accreditation is awarded by ISSA/GBAC to building service contractor companies that demonstrate the organizational capacity and documented procedures to develop and implement compliant biorisk management programs for their clients. The accreditation requires evidence of the same 20 program elements as GBAC STAR Facility — policies, protocols, training, product selection criteria, verification methods, and corrective action processes — applied at the company level rather than the building level. GBAC STAR Service is increasingly written into healthcare, hospitality, government, and Class A commercial RFPs as a minimum qualification requirement. For BSCs, the accreditation differentiates the company from unaccredited competitors in competitive bids and provides a nationally recognized credential that reduces the due diligence burden on prospective clients evaluating biorisk management capability. Maintaining the accreditation requires annual evidence review and renewal.

Related: GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, GBAC (regulatory context), CIMS, HEHP, ISSA

Source: https://gbac.issa.com/gbac-star-accreditation/