Good Cleaning Practices

Though not strictly required, good cleaning practices can help minimize the amount of dust in the air while handling or cleaning.

Keeping dust low to the ground is a high priority so that it stays away from your face. While picking up waste collected with push brooms, the waste should be kept low to the ground. Dustpans can help with this. When workers are cleaning machines with brushes or cloths, they should wipe downward and as far away from their faces as possible. Workers should not clean objects or clothing by blowing on them, fanning them, or brushing them off with their hands.

Do not let waste build up on the floor. Waste should be cleaned up as soon as possible. If the waste is an object other than textile waste, it should be placed in a separate waste receptacle so that it does not need to be sorted later. Waste receptacles should not be placed beneath fans or blowers and should not be overloaded. This makes sure no waste overflows onto the floor and helps keep dust out of the air.

Objects that need to be stored should be kept in a covered container that is regularly cleaned to avoid the accumulation of dust.

Though not required by 8 CCR 5190, the CDC recommends that workers never eat, drink, or smoke in areas where cotton dust is present. Workers should also wash their hands and face before doing any of these activities.

To learn more about Cotton Dust Safety visit our Cal/OSHA Cotton Dust Safety Online Training web page.