The ACOP to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to keep work equipment, including fleet vehicles, in a clean condition to prevent risks to health. HSG264 provides practical guidance on workplace cleanliness that extends to the interiors of vehicles used for work.
Legal background: ACOP and HSG264
The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) linked to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out the duty to maintain work equipment in a clean state. This duty is not limited to machinery in a factory; it covers any equipment that employees use, which includes cars, vans and trucks operated as part of a fleet. HSG264 “Workplace health, safety and welfare: Workplace cleanliness” interprets that duty, giving examples of cleaning schedules, methods and standards that help achieve compliance. While HSG264 focuses on fixed premises, its principles of regular cleaning, appropriate methods and record‑keeping are transferable to mobile assets.
Applying the guidance to fleet vehicles
Fleet managers must consider:
- The frequency of cleaning needed to prevent build‑up of dirt, dust and microbial contaminants that could affect driver health or vehicle hygiene.
- The suitability of cleaning methods for the vehicle’s interior materials (fabric, plastic, leather) without causing damage or leaving harmful residues.
- The need to keep records of cleaning activities as part of a risk‑assessment and to demonstrate compliance if inspected.
- The practicality of carrying out cleaning without disrupting operational schedules.
These points map directly to the ACOP requirement to keep equipment clean and the HSG264 advice on systematic, documented cleaning.
Mobile valeting + ozone treatment as a risk‑control measure
A scheduled mobile valeting service that uses a waterless pre‑traction and a finishing product such as PureShield provides a low‑moisture method for removing surface soils. Adding an ozone treatment stage introduces a gaseous oxidant that penetrates textiles and vents, reducing microbial load without wetting the interior. Together, they:
- Remove particulate matter and organic residues that can harbour bacteria or allergens.
- Achieve a hygienic condition without the large volumes of water associated with traditional jet washing, which can pose slip hazards and require drainage provisions.
- Leave no chemical residue that could affect interior surfaces when PureShield is applied as the only branded product named in customer‑facing material.
- Can be performed at the fleet’s depot or drivers’ home locations, fitting into shift patterns and minimizing vehicle downtime.
This approach aligns with the hierarchy of risk control: it addresses the hazard (contaminated surfaces) at source, relies on a method that is readily available, and supports ongoing maintenance rather than a one‑off deep clean.
Practical steps for fleet/HR managers
- Review your current vehicle cleaning schedule against the ACOP duty and HSG264 guidance.
- Identify a mobile valeting provider that offers a waterless process and can add ozone treatment on request.
- Define a frequency (e.g., every four weeks) based on vehicle usage, driver feedback and any recorded incidents.
- Arrange for the service to visit your operating base or use a route‑based model that covers drivers’ home postcodes (for example, services covering KT postcodes or SW postcodes).
- Keep a simple log of each visit: date, vehicle registration, service type and any notes on interior condition.
- Use the log as part of your internal health‑and‑safety documentation and to show compliance during audits or inspections.
When communicating with providers, request that they refer only to the branded product PureShield if they mention any protection layer, and avoid specifying other chemical names.
Internal links
For fleet‑specific information, see our Corporate fleet solutions. If you operate in the Esher area, learn more about our mobile car valeting in Esher. For customers based in Cobham, details are available on our mobile car valeting in Cobham.
Closing CTA
Fleet managers can request a sample Scope 3 data export by visiting our Corporate fleet solutions.