We have mentioned for the first part of this article the things you have to consider when directing your staff and employees as well as the company’s cleaning contracts. In this article, we will now deal with other aspects that should met by the company as the necessary requirements for your services.

Make sure that you have good working relationship with your staff and employees. This does not only mean that you see them in a regular basis but on a deeper scale. You must be able to communicate with about issues regarding the company and their work. Ask them about their work and their concerns. Your employees should not have any problems approaching as this will prevent further conflicts in the future. It is best that they will tell you their concerns as it happens so that you can take immediate action regarding them. If they have any questions regarding the method, language, safety procedures or with the consumer, they should be able to consult you immediately. It is also important that the employees and staff understand the contract they are signing prior to their work. You must somehow explain the legal matters concerning the contract and their job. If they have problems, listen to what they have to say because it can help you to provide better service not only to your clients but your employees as well.

Aside from the cleanliness that the clients’ demand, it is also your primary concern to make sure that your employees are safe. It is, as we all know your responsibility to provide proper protection against harmful chemicals that they need to treat. Make sure you will give them the right Personal Protective Equipment or PPE when they are working. You also have to inform the workers how important PPE is and why they need it. There should proper communication and discipline especially to those who overlook the value of PPE. If you have a client that concerns special kinds of chemicals, it is your responsibility to ask and research about the proper protective equipment for their products.

Aside from the protective gear of your employees, it is your responsibility also to make in no doubt that all the equipment and materials that the workers will use is in good condition. You can hire someone who will check about all these concerns. He or she has to make sure that electric tools have PAT appraisal, the chemicals are fresh and are used within its shelf life, excess cleaning materials should be disposed properly etc. If there are equipment that should be repaired, the assigned personnel should inform you and immediately take the action needed. Thus, these personnel shall be trained and capable to take care of the inventories of the materials and equipment that your company is using.

Lastly, if the client has any concerns and changes with the type of service you offer they should not inform the worker or personnel alone. Changes in the kind of work might lead to further risks of your employees. Thus, the client should contact the employer and not just the workers. It is also important that you have instructed your staff and employees regarding these changes. They should know how to refuse and ask the clients to bring their concerns to the employer.

See: How to start a cleaning service

Manufacturing cleaning services companies hire employees to the work. Their work involves tedious tasks and high risks especially for industrial companies that have toxic products and chemicals in their factories. It is said that the cleaning industry is one of the most accident prone jobs. The company as well as the owner is responsible for taking care of legal obligations in order approve all relevant legislations.

Running a cleaning company is not an easy job since there are tasks that should be done and things to be considered regarding the company and its employees. There are things you have to remember and follow in order to direct your staff and take care of the cleaning contracts the most effective way.

As a cleaning service company, you accept clients that will need your services for cleaning. It is important that before accepting any client and having an agreement, you have to check and secure the place. Visit the place and make sure that there is enough ventilation. Check whether the company that your employees will work with follow the procedures for safe and healthy. Ask whether they have evacuation plans and equipments in case any emergency happens. Also check other places such as the admittance and storage room. Make sure that there are no blockages that would cause harm or accident such as fire risks, trip hazards etc. to your employees. If your employees are dealing with hazardous chemicals that may be a threat to health, you have to ask the client the kind of equipment your employees need so you can provide the safety gear necessary for their work. It is very important that you consider the Health and/or safety of your employees since they are of course your liability. They are the most important branch of your company because their performance will affect the company. If they are harmed, then it can affect the number of employees that will be interested in the work. This could lead to insufficient number of staff if action is not taken.

Another important thing that you should consider is the ability of your employees. You should only assign tasks to them that you know there are capable of doing. They should proper training and debriefing regarding the work that they will do. You can let them do a practical test about their job to assure you that they are capable of ding it. Aside from that, they should also know policies of the company regarding Health and/or safety procedures, disaster procedures, technique statements, and safe working practices when dealing with hazardous chemicals, supplies and equipment. This does not only concern a document that will be handed to the employees. It is a must that you know that they understand everything written in the documents. If they have problems understanding due to their nationality or any other reason, you can present the Health and/or safety procedures in pictures for them to further understand it. It is indeed your responsibility that your employees fully understand about Health and/or safety as well as other policies of your company.

See: How to start a cleaning service

As an employer, you need to make sure that your staffs, as well as clients are safely kept away from harm. Especially in the cleaning business, which involves the use of tall ladders and spillage of water is inevitable, accidents may happen. We often have the idea that accidents happen just out of bad luck and that it just happens without anyone to blame. But beware, this “just out of bad luck” accidents often cost employers thousands of dollars in hospital fees. Also, this causes staff shortage which can cause delays in work and a possibility of customers pulling out jobs assigned to you.

If, all our lives, we may have believed that there is nothing that we can do about accidents, it’s time to realize that we can always prevent accidents from happening. As employers, you must need to take all the precautionary measures needed in order to ensure safety. This can be beneficial for all, both the employer and the staff. The employers can save a lot of money from hospital costs on the other hand, the staff will then be safe, and prevent accidents from happening which is such a hassle.

There are certain factors which have been identified that may cause accidents to happen in a work area: these are lack of training for safety, flooring, improper footwear used and lack of sign in hazard areas.

* The most effective way of preventing accidents from happening is by placing “safety signs” in danger zones. This is very important since people do not really notice a wet floor immediately. The more signs used the better. They need to be warned beforehand so as to prevent accidents. Placement of these signs are not really specific, as long as you put them is places that can be seen.

* There are different kinds of safety signs depending on the hazard present. The most commonly used, or even the only existing one which we recognize are the floor signs. These are used to inform people if usually floors are wet after mopping. Effective signage usually needs to be knee-length, with bright colors used, yellow is recommended.

* Safety cones are used for minimal spillage, just as “warning” signs for the people to keep away from the area until the spills have been taken care of. A practical sign are the over-the-spill pads, which are lightweight, made out of propylene material which is very absorbent. This is very handy since it can do two jobs at once. First is it cleans the spills at the same time warning the people to stay away from there.

* Besides slipping, falling from high areas can also cause the worst injuries in the workplace. Cleaning in high areas usually involve the use of ladders. There are some guidelines that must be remembered when using ladders for cleaning. Ladders that are used must be appropriate for the cleaning job. Make sure that the ladders are of the right height and are in a good condition, making sure that the steps are secured. Always check if the ladders are in good working condition.

* Heights more than 6 feet are quite alarming and care must taken. You may want to have an assistant to hold the ladder as you work on higher areas. The right angle must be used. That is, a foot spread for every four feet length of ladder length. This is really important since too small or large ladder angles can result to an unstable ladder causing imbalance, which can lead to falling.

* The spreaders of the ladders must be locked in place. Climbing a ladder especially for higher ones, two hands must be used. If toolboxes or other equipment are needed to be used, make sure that these are in a tool belt.

* Never ever carry large equipment while going up a ladder. Weights must be centered in between the ladder handles and never overreach. Check for grease or any substance in the sole of the shoes that may cause slipping when climbing the ladders.

* Never ever lean on ladders to reach the other side. The best way is to move the ladder. It may be much of a hassle since it adds to the work, but safety is more important so a little effort won’t hurt.

* When working in an area with a lot of people, caution cones must be used to warn them from falling debris. It is also advised not to use electrical wires when dealing with electrical fixtures.

* Lastly, never ever panic when climbing up a ladder, concentrate when going up, especially when working up.

* When using ladders, care must really be taken. Use ladders only on flat surfaces to avoid wobbling.

* Storage must also be taken seriously. Storage of ladders must be proper, taking into consideration that it might fall on someone. Most importantly, it must be kept in mind that it can have a tripping hazard, that not only people working can be harmed by this.

Safety in the workplace is the responsibility of both the employer and the staff. Employers, besides from making sure there are safety signs available, must hold safety seminars and training for the employees.

The cleaning staff must know how to use ladders properly too. It helps to know what will must they do in case of accident-inducing events happen. The employees must then attend to these safety precautions, they must act quickly so what is right should these happen.

Also, additional written guidelines can also help the employees to be reminded to keep safe in all the jobs they are doing. Ensuring safety in the workplace can be rewarding. It can even save you and your company from a lawsuit.

Accidents can be prevented; we must all work together and cooperate in order to have a safe environment. This can work to our advantage because all of us can be victims of carelessness. We just need to be prepared and prevent this from happening. This can save us all the hassle from being hurt in accidents and still continue with our daily lives.

See: How to start a cleaning business

As a industrial cleaning services corporation employing cleaners to bring out the work then Health and Safety plays an indispensable part in making sure that you are victorious and will remain so. The cleaning business is rated second after the construction business for work linked accidents. As an owner you have a responsibility of care to release and a legal obligation to ratify all the relevant legislation.

For Cleaning Companies in the untimely stages of business this can be an intimidating task. By reading the subsequent advice you can begin to think about ways in which you can direct your cleaning contracts and staff in an effectual way.

When visiting a new location on quoting for an agreement ask yourself first– Is the site a secure place to labour? Do you have any concerns about admittance, ventilation, and storeroom? Premises that are mixed-up with blockage will not only influence the ease to which your employees can carry out their errands, but can pose fire risk, trip hazards and other possible dangers to your employees. Remember – they are your liability. You have a responsibility of care to them and cannot situate them at risk.

Are your workers fully trained, capable and confident in carrying out their work in the safest probable way? All of your workers should be common with your company’s Health and Safety procedure, emergency procedures, Method Statements, COSHH assessments and safe operational practices such as storeroom of chemicals, materials and tools, and the means of removal for certain chemicals. Remember – this is not just a matter of given that documentation, all employees must fully recognize all aspects of Health and Safety in their employment. This is a meticulous problem for employees who may have English as a second speech, or anyone who, for whatever reason has difficultly understanding written English. If you know or suspect that this may be the case for any of your workers, then consider the provision of Health and Safety certification in picture format for them, as well as lengthier and heavily supervised training sessions. Always make strange considerations for those who may be susceptible through inexperience, age, disability, and in their ability to recognize written and/or spoken English. It is your liability to ensure that all your workers fully understand all aspects of Health and Safety. Further deliberation on these issues will be sustained in the second part of this article.

Great Advices in terms of Health and Safety for Contract Cleaners Part II

In Part 1 of this editorial we looked at how your workers could be brought to a stage of good accepting of the hazards and how to conquer them. Part 2 looks at other aspect of your role as an owner in meeting the essential requirements associated with your ‘duty of concern.

Are you overseeing your employees adequately? This is not just a matter of showing your facade every so habitually, but ensuring that you get together with them regularly to talk about any issues that may be happening concerning their work. Often, when Cleaning Companies force out jobs, it is the cleaners themselves who discern more about what is available on in the contracts than the boss themselves. Workers should be confident to come to you with any troubles they may be having with any of the method, equipment, language, or the consumer. It may be that after talks with your cleaning personnel you make a decision to review these features of the contract, or it may be that the whole thing is running effortlessly and no action is necessary. Either way, the views of your workers matter, and these gathering times can give a simple and effectual way of selling with problems before they start.

It is your accountability as an employer to give all of your staff with the right Personal Protective Equipment. Cleaning employees are not accountable for providing their own PPE. It is necessary that you make you workers aware of the causes that they need PPE, the right use of such matter and procedures for restoreing and/or repairing items. Communication should be confident, and you should for all time react promptly to any issue that your workers raise concerning PPE. Items of PPE must be suitable for the job and must be a right fit for the person. It is your blame to do your research into the properties and right use of PPE to decide suitability, for example, the resistance of definite gloves to exacting chemicals. Because PPE is a last option after other methods have been deemed inappropriate, it is necessary that it is treated with great significance.

It is your blame to make sure that all tools and materials provided for utilize by your workers are well maintained. Do not rely on your cleaning employees reporting issues back to you. Electric tools should be out to date with PAT appraisal, chemicals should not be authorized to go further than their shelf life and should be predisposed of according to manufacturer orders, and broken and/or faulty kit should be removed from building as soon as it happens. These are not the tasks of cleaning staff, and events such as disposal of chemicals and the mend of equipment should only ever be carried out by a capable, trained and authorised individual.

In cases where cleaning corporations have placed staff in exact places of work, boss should be aware that an ordinary problem is that the client themselves ask the cleaners, not yourselves, to carry out firm tasks beyond the realms of their common cleaning timetable. It happens regularly in cleaning contracts, and may seem to be a small point, but could establish to be a major Health and safety apprehension. Cleaning staff commonly feel obliged to meet your customers requests, but if a task is beyond their usual cleaning schedule, it is likely that it requires different materials, equipment and even certain training and/or supervision, it may even necessitate a risk assessment and resulting risk control systems. Should there be changes to the cleaning schedule it is important the customer contacts you directly, and not simply ask the cleaners.

See: How to start a cleaning business

The MSDS or material safety data sheet is the end result that may be used by your personnel to be apprised of the danger and sensitivity of the compounds used in performing your contracted task. Simple issuance is not sufficient, for this would be a mere scrap of paper unless supported by adequate instructions for its use.

The learning activities must be designed to allow the staff to obtain the necessary know-how. And this would entail a bit of preparation, from making handouts to the pedagogical techniques necessary to impart the necessary knowledge. Since there may just be too much ground to cover, it would be best that you prepare the learning into different modules for particular chemicals used. You can plan it by step or by item, and they would be much more effective and easier to recall by the employees. Just emphasize on the particular items you wish to give stress to when making your presentation.

The MSDS sheet should be included in a kit that is easily accessible, to ensure familiarity if an emergency does occur. Also, having the proper labels in containers and exhibiting them to reinforce the learning process. Also, having a quick-index of terms would be great in assisting the employees recall the proper information.

It is paramount that the employees understand the importance and value of the MSDS sheet. The kit would include many important facts on health and precautions to be undertaken for the chemicals in the workplace. These include emergency first aid measures that can spell the difference in avoiding mortal injury. It also provides the guidelines on safety clothing before handling products.

Since there is much to learn, there are some ways to make this easier. Here are few guidelines for it.

Take a sample of the MSDS and have employees find in the quick index provided terms they are not familiar with.

Make them comfortable with the MSDS and run through each of the pages so that the specified information would be easily accessible.

Discuss the medical consequences of possible scenarios, and reiterate procedures for handling and first aid.

Make an exercise as f proper identification of harmful chemicals with the labels in used

Take all in a step-by-step review of the safety procedures for each chemical, its proper storage and use procedures, and the disposal of materials.

Do not forget to mention those special precautions for inflammable compounds and the disposition of all the materials used in the job, from transport to waste disposal.

As stipulated by law, the maker of the compounds is required to submit the MSDS produced. Employees that are properly trained and has easy access to the materials would make the workplace safe and sound for all. Also a well trained and well equipped staff would be able to provide professional work and be able to address issues that may come along with the chemicals used in the cleaning service.

See: How to start a cleaning service