Safety in Commercial Cleaning – are your cleaning operatives using equipment correctly?

No matter how many teams you have to manage, the main responsibility that you have as a cleaning contractor, is to make sure that your teams are safe.

Being responsible for your employees can be overwhelming sometimes so we’ve created a list of questions to help you think about updating any training or procedures.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about your employees’ use of PPE:

• Are all employees aware about PPE?
• Have they received training about PPE?
• Has feedback been given about their use of the equipment?

Why is important to know that equipment is being used correctly?

It is due diligent to follow Health and Safety procedures and it’s in the best interest of you and your team. Mistakes can lead to accidents and legal action.

Ladders:

It's imperative to instill a safety-first mindset within your team, urging them not to take unnecessary risks. Ladders should never be positioned on uneven or slippery surfaces; instead, a stable foundation is essential. Make sure your team are comfortable assessing their own risks. Are there any damaged rungs or bends? Does the ladder securely lock into place? The choice of ladder should align with its intended use. For industrial tasks, opt for robust ladders with platform steps and adequate tread. Prior to ascending, ensure the ladder's structural stability and advise against overloading or carrying heavy loads.

Protective clothes and shoes:

When marshalling or performing maintenance tasks, it's essential to wear a high-visibility jacket. Assess the lighting conditions at the work site; if they're dim, wearing hi-vis clothing is crucial for visibility. In low-light settings, increasing the amount of hi-vis attire worn is necessary to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries. Industrial settings require sturdy, high-grip boots, while in sanitary environments, disposable shoe covers should be worn over regular footwear to prevent contamination. Ensure your team is equipped with all necessary safety gear to mitigate risks effectively.

Face Shields:

During maintenance work, there may be flying debris or a risk of chemicals entering the eyes. In such situations, a face shield is essential, as it also prevents substances from reaching the mouth. Evaluate the specific risks involved and decide based on the nature of the substances being handled.

Protective gloves:

Before delegating a task ask yourself whether there will be any handling of toxic materials, which your team might need synthetic gloves for Is there a risk of being cut? A cotton glove would be much better suited for this occasion. Perhaps there is a risk of a cut and infection to the wound or other bacteria? Then disposable gloves would be the best thing to wear to protect against the infection and stop it from spreading.