WorkSafeBC Requirements Every Commercial Cleaner Must Follow: 2025 Compliance Guide

WorkSafeBC imposed 361 administrative penalties totaling $7.6 million in 2024 for workplace safety violations across British Columbia (WorkSafeBC, 2025). For commercial cleaning contractors working in office buildings, retail centers, and multi-unit properties, understanding and following WorkSafeBC regulations is not optional. It protects workers, prevents costly fines, and keeps your business operating.

Commercial properties present unique safety challenges. Fall protection requirements apply to window cleaning and facade work. Asbestos management plans affect maintenance activities in older buildings. New 2025 regulations mandate written chemical inventories for all cleaning companies.

At WashTech, we maintain full WorkSafeBC coverage and liability insurance for all commercial cleaning services across Vancouver. This guide covers the essential safety requirements every commercial cleaning contractor must follow in 2025.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive breakdown and guide for commercial cleaning, click here to check it out.

Core WorkSafeBC Requirements for All Commercial Cleaners

Three fundamental requirements apply to every commercial cleaning operation in British Columbia, regardless of building size or service type.

WHMIS Training and Chemical Safety

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015) is mandatory for any worker handling hazardous products. Commercial cleaning involves frequent use of chemicals including bleach, ammonia, and industrial degreasers (WorkSafeBC, 2025).

WHMIS compliance requires three elements:

• Proper labeling on all hazardous product containers
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) accessible to all workers
• Worker education and training on chemical hazards

Cleaning professionals face injury rates 40% higher than office workers, with 20% of injuries resulting from chemical exposures (CCOHS, 2025). Failing to maintain WHMIS compliance can result in fines up to $750,000 for severe violations (Worksite Safety, 2025).

Workers must understand which chemicals they are using, potential health effects, and emergency procedures for spills or exposures. This training must be documented and updated when new products are introduced.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Employers must provide specific PPE for chemical work and elevated tasks. This includes gloves compatible with cleaning chemicals, eye protection (goggles or face shields), and respirators when working with products that produce fumes (WorkSafeBC, 2025).

Workers are responsible for providing their own basic PPE including safety footwear and hard hats when required. All equipment must fit properly, be maintained in good condition, and not create additional hazards.

Proper PPE selection depends on the specific cleaning task. Pressure washing commercial building exteriors requires different protection than interior janitorial work.

WorkSafeBC Coverage Verification

All cleaning contractors must carry active WorkSafeBC coverage. Property managers should verify coverage before allowing any contractor to begin work. This verification protects both workers and building owners from liability.

Coverage ensures injured workers receive compensation and medical care. It also demonstrates that a contractor operates legally and takes worker safety seriously. At WashTech, we provide proof of WorkSafeBC coverage and liability insurance for all commercial window cleaning and exterior maintenance projects.

Fall Protection Requirements for Commercial Buildings

Fall protection represents one of the most serious safety concerns for commercial cleaning contractors. WorkSafeBC imposed 105 administrative penalties totaling over $1.12 million in 2024 specifically for fall protection violations (ConstructConnect, 2025).

The 3-Metre Rule

Fall protection systems are mandatory when work is performed at a height of 3 metres (10 feet) or greater (WorkSafeBC, 2025). Protection is also required at lesser heights when a fall could result in injury greater than landing on a flat surface.

This requirement applies to multiple commercial cleaning activities:

• Window cleaning on multi-story buildings
• Facade maintenance and soft washing
• High-level gutter cleaning on commercial properties
• Skylight cleaning and glass awning maintenance

The 3-metre threshold is absolute. Even brief tasks at this height require proper fall protection.

Fall Protection Hierarchy

WorkSafeBC requires employers to follow a specific hierarchy when selecting fall protection methods. Guardrails must be used first when practicable. These can be permanent installations or temporary barriers around roof edges and elevated work areas.

When guardrails are not practicable, fall restraint systems are the next option. These systems prevent workers from reaching fall hazards. They include harnesses connected to fixed anchor points that limit movement.

Fall arrest systems come third in the hierarchy. These systems stop a worker's fall after it begins, using harnesses, lanyards, and properly rated anchors. They require careful calculation of fall distances to ensure workers will not hit the ground or lower levels.

Alternative safe work procedures may only be used when the above options are not practicable or would create greater hazards. These alternatives require WorkSafeBC approval.

High-Risk Violation with Serious Penalties

The statistics demonstrate why WorkSafeBC enforces fall protection so aggressively. Over the past five years, the agency accepted 22,044 claims for falls from heights. These incidents resulted in 5,703 serious injuries and 88 fatalities (ConstructConnect, 2025).

Repeat violations result in substantially increased penalties. The penalty amount is based on the employer's payroll size, the nature of the violation, and whether similar violations occurred within the previous three years (WorkSafeBC, 2025).

Our team uses ladder-free gutter cleaning equipment when accessing rooftop drainage systems on commercial buildings presents fall hazards. This specialized equipment allows ground-level operation, eliminating fall risks entirely.

2025 Enforcement Priority: Asbestos in Commercial Buildings

Asbestos exposure remains the leading cause of work-related deaths in British Columbia. In 2023, asbestos exposure contributed to 93 of 175 workplace deaths (Business in Vancouver, 2024).

Why Asbestos Matters for Cleaners

Commercial buildings constructed before 1990 likely contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These materials appear in drywall, flooring, ceiling tiles, insulation, and block walls containing vermiculite (WorkSafeBC, 2025).

Cleaning, maintenance, and renovation activities can disturb these materials. When disturbed, asbestos breaks down into microscopic fibers that cause serious lung diseases. These diseases have latency periods of 20 to 50 years before symptoms appear.

Most workers diagnosed with asbestos-related disease were exposed decades before diagnosis. Between 2002 and 2021, WorkSafeBC accepted 1,112 workplace death claims related to asbestos exposure (WorkSafeBC, 2022).

Commercial Property Asbestos Management Plans

WorkSafeBC is actively enforcing its Commercial Properties Asbestos Initiative. This enforcement targets commercial property owners, building managers, and prime contractors (WorkSafeBC, 2025).

Building owners must establish asbestos management plans. These plans identify where ACMs exist in the building, assess the risk of exposure, and outline control measures. The plans must consider all workers who could encounter asbestos, including cleaning contractors.

Property management employers and prime contractors must ensure contractors receive information about asbestos hazards before work begins. This includes sharing relevant sections of the asbestos management plan.

For contractors performing parkade cleaning or other underground maintenance work, understanding potential asbestos locations is critical. Older parkades may contain ACMs in ceiling materials, pipe insulation, or concrete additives.

Contractor Obligations

Before starting any commercial cleaning work, review the property's asbestos management plan. Ask the property manager or building owner for this documentation. Do not begin work without understanding where ACMs may be present.

Never disturb materials suspected to contain asbestos. If you accidentally disturb suspected ACMs, stop work immediately and notify the property owner or prime contractor.

Only licensed asbestos abatement contractors may remove ACMs. Since January 2024, British Columbia requires asbestos abatement contractors to hold valid licenses issued by WorkSafeBC (WorkSafeBC, 2023).

New February 2025 Requirement: Emergency Planning for Hazardous Substances

Comprehensive amendments to WorkSafeBC's emergency planning regulations took effect on February 3, 2025. These changes affect every British Columbia employer that uses hazardous substances (Chemscape, 2025).

Written Chemical Inventory Mandatory

All employers must now maintain a written inventory of hazardous substances. This requirement applies to commercial cleaning companies that use industrial-grade chemicals.

The inventory must document each hazardous substance's location, maximum quantities stored, and container sizes (WorkSafeBC, 2025). This includes cleaning chemicals, degreasers, disinfectants, and products used for exterior cleaning like soft washing solutions.

The inventory must be readily available to workers. It serves as the foundation for risk assessment and emergency response planning.

Risk Assessment and Emergency Response Plan

Employers must conduct annual risk assessments evaluating potential emergencies involving hazardous substances. The assessment must identify on-site and off-site risks.

A written emergency response plan must address procedures for spills, releases, and exposures. The plan must cover worker protection, evacuation procedures, and notification of emergency responders.

Worker participation in plan development is mandatory. This ensures the plan reflects actual workplace conditions and the people who will use it during emergencies understand their roles (Manufacturing Safety Alliance BC, 2025).

Regular documented drills are required. Annual plan reviews ensure the plan remains current as operations or chemical inventories change.

Compliance Consequences

Non-compliance with emergency planning requirements can result in monetary fines and stop-work orders. The regulations aim to minimize risks to workers and the public from chemical emergencies.

For contractors working in occupied commercial buildings, proper chemical handling and emergency preparedness protects building occupants and demonstrates professionalism to property managers.

Multi-Employer Workplace Coordination

Commercial properties typically involve multiple employers working simultaneously. A property manager oversees the building, a janitorial company handles daily cleaning, and specialized contractors perform window washing or exterior maintenance.

WorkSafeBC requires coordination of health and safety activities at these multi-employer workplaces. The prime contractor bears primary responsibility for this coordination (WorkSafeBC, 2025).

The prime contractor is typically defined by written agreement with the building owner. If no agreement exists, the building owner is the prime contractor.

Prime contractor responsibilities include:

• Ensuring all contractors have WorkSafeBC coverage
• Coordinating safety activities between contractors
• Informing contractors of known hazards
• Ensuring contractors follow site-specific safety requirements

Cleaning contractors must coordinate with other contractors on-site. This prevents conflicts like commercial window cleaning occurring while painting contractors work above.

Report unsafe conditions to the prime contractor or property manager immediately. This includes fall hazards, exposed electrical equipment, or suspected asbestos disturbance.

Understanding multi-employer coordination is essential for any contractor servicing commercial properties. Clear communication prevents safety incidents and ensures compliance.

Common Commercial Cleaning Violations to Avoid

WorkSafeBC's penalty database reveals patterns in commercial cleaning violations. Understanding these common mistakes helps contractors maintain compliance.

The most frequent violations include:

• Working above 3 metres without proper fall protection systems
• Inadequate WHMIS training documentation for workers handling chemicals
• Missing asbestos awareness training for work in commercial buildings
• No written chemical inventory following February 2025 requirements
• Improper chemical storage in occupied buildings
• Failure to coordinate with prime contractor at multi-employer worksites

Many violations are classified as "repeated and high-risk." This classification significantly increases penalty amounts. Employers who receive penalties for substantially similar violations within three years face escalated fines.

The maximum statutory penalty for 2025 is $798,867.87 (CBC News, 2025). While most commercial cleaning violations result in smaller penalties, the financial impact can still threaten business operations.

Documentation is critical. Maintain records of WHMIS training, fall protection inspections, chemical inventories, and emergency drills. These records demonstrate due diligence if WorkSafeBC inspects your worksite.

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Key Takeaways

• Fall protection systems are mandatory at 3 metres or greater, with WorkSafeBC imposing 105 penalties totaling $1.12 million in 2024 for violations (ConstructConnect, 2025)
• Asbestos exposure remains the leading cause of BC workplace deaths, with commercial building owners now required to maintain asbestos management plans that contractors must review before starting work (WorkSafeBC, 2025)
• New February 2025 regulations require written chemical inventories for all cleaning companies using hazardous substances, with annual risk assessments and documented emergency drills (Chemscape, 2025)
• Commercial cleaning contractors face injury rates 40% higher than office workers, with chemical exposure and slips on wet surfaces accounting for 45% of incidents (CCOHS, 2025)
• Multi-employer workplace coordination requires clear communication between building owners, property managers, prime contractors, and all cleaning contractors to prevent safety violations (WorkSafeBC, 2025)

What happens if WorkSafeBC inspects my commercial cleaning site?

WorkSafeBC prevention officers conduct both scheduled and unannounced inspections. Officers verify fall protection systems, review WHMIS training records, check chemical inventories, and confirm WorkSafeBC coverage. They can issue orders requiring immediate compliance, stop-work orders for high-risk violations, or administrative penalties. Maintaining proper documentation demonstrates due diligence and reduces penalty risk.

Do I need asbestos training to clean commercial buildings?

Yes. WorkSafeBC requires asbestos awareness training for anyone working in commercial buildings constructed before 1990. This training does not qualify you to remove asbestos, but ensures you can identify potential asbestos-containing materials and know what to do if you disturb them. Building owners must share their asbestos management plans with all contractors before work begins.

How much are WorkSafeBC penalties for commercial cleaning violations?

Penalties vary based on your company's payroll size, the violation's severity, and your violation history. Fall protection violations in 2024 ranged from $2,500 to $68,000 for individual incidents. Repeat violations within three years receive substantially higher penalties. High-risk violations that could cause serious injury result in the largest fines. The 2025 maximum penalty is $798,867.87.

What is the difference between fall restraint and fall arrest systems?

Fall restraint systems prevent workers from reaching edges where they could fall. The system restricts movement so the worker cannot get close enough to fall. Fall arrest systems stop a worker after a fall has begun, using shock-absorbing lanyards to reduce impact forces. WorkSafeBC requires fall restraint systems when practicable because they prevent falls rather than just stopping them.

Do property managers need to verify contractor WorkSafeBC coverage?

Yes. At multi-employer workplaces, prime contractors and property owners must ensure all contractors have valid WorkSafeBC coverage before allowing work to begin. This verification protects the building owner from liability if a contractor's worker is injured. Request a current Certificate of Coverage or clearance letter directly from WorkSafeBC before authorizing any cleaning work.

What chemicals require a written inventory under the new 2025 rules?

Any hazardous substance as defined by WorkSafeBC requires inventory documentation. This includes commercial cleaning chemicals that have hazard symbols on their labels or Safety Data Sheets. Common examples include bleach, ammonia, industrial degreasers, disinfectants, and soft washing solutions. If a product requires WHMIS labeling, it belongs in your chemical inventory.

Can I use a ladder for commercial window cleaning above 3 metres?

Yes, but you must still use fall protection. Ladders alone do not satisfy fall protection requirements at heights above 3 metres. Workers on ladders at this height must wear harnesses connected to adequate anchor points. The fall protection system must prevent the worker from hitting the ground or lower levels if they fall. Many contractors use specialized equipment or rope access systems for high-rise window cleaning to ensure proper protection.

Who is responsible for safety when multiple contractors work in a commercial building?

The prime contractor coordinates safety at multi-employer workplaces. This is typically established by written agreement between the property owner and a main contractor. If no agreement exists, the building owner is the prime contractor. All contractors must follow the prime contractor's safety requirements and coordinate their work to prevent conflicts. Each individual contractor remains responsible for their own workers' safety.

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