ADVICE & OPINION
COMPLIANCE
In association with CLEANING AND HYGIENE
Ensuring that a building, site or location is kept clean is not only a legal requirement,
but it can have a positive impact on visitors to the organisation. And in the current
COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that businesses are doing all that they can to instil
confi dence in their workforce and visitors that premises are clean. www.barbour-ehs.com
The FM sector as a whole and particularly the
cleaning industry, has had to be dynamic
in its response to the challenges of the pandemic.
COVID-19 – CLEANING CONSIDERATIONS
With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, consideration
should be given to the range of cleaning
requirements that are needed to ensure you are
working to COVID-19 safety standards and complying
with government guidance on cleaning.
COVID-19 – RISK ASSESSMENT
Employers are required to protect people from
harm, and this includes taking reasonable steps to
protect workers and others from COVID-19.
Before deciding what cleaning is suitable for the
premises, a risk assessment will be needed to help
you manage risk and decide how best to work safely
and protect people during the pandemic. The risk
assessment will help identify what your cleaning
regime will look like.
The COVID-19 risk assessment will also determine
whether the business requires a full-time cleaning
team or fewer cleaning sta to deal with the
situation.
RISK CONTROL MEASURES
Ensure consistent regular cleaning processes are
in place across all sites. Large sites may require
cleaners to be based on site throughout the day to
carry out routine cleaning.
Ensure additional cleaning of high-risk areas
such as door handles, surfaces, light switches, li
control panels etc.
The cleaning team must ensure they always
maintain social distance during cleaning and
wash hands a er cleaning.
Provide clear information and guidance to
cleaning personnel to ensure they are aware of
the tasks.
Monitor cleaning and any concerns should be
raised immediately to line managers.
Encourage colleagues to raise any concerns or
requests with their line manager.
Once a risk assessment has been carried out,
premises should display the government notice
12 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021
to show the workplace has complied with the
guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Cleaning can involve accessing all parts of a site or
building exposing operatives to the full range of risks
on that site. Operatives may work at height, access
confined spaces or work on their own.
MANAGING THE RISKS
Ensure that an excellent cleaning service is
in place either by in-house provision or by
outsourcing.
Ensure that in-house cleaning sta or cleaning
contractors are vetted appropriately before
commencement of work.
Ensure high levels of training are provided in the
case of in-house cleaning provision to prevent risk
of accidents and illness.
Ensure that valuable assets and confidential
information are kept secure.
Consider the access requirements for cleaning
contractors.
Address work at height requirements especially
for window cleaners.
Consider slips, trips and falls by, for example,
ensuring wet floor signs are always used, and
cleaners use electrical sockets nearest to where
they are working to reduce the risk of tripping
over leads and cables.
Review health and safety requirements if the
premises have recently been refurbished.
Make sure that suitable COSHH assessments are
carried out and are up to date.
For workers involved in cleaning of leisure
centres, spas, jacuzzis or shower heads, a risk
assessment should be available outlining what
measures are in place to manage and prevent the
risk from legionnaire’s disease.
Where healthcare is provided, ensure that
cleaning regimes take account of standards of
personal hygiene and infection control.
For catering facilities ensure that high standards
of personal hygiene are adopted and Sducts and
flues are regularly inspected and cleaned.
Consider the safety of cleaning contractors.
Ensure temps are briefed on safety procedures by
the supervisor before beginning work.
Ensure procedures are in place to address lone
working; for example, cleaning sta sign in/out – if
they have not signed out by 7.15 pm, security sta
should look for them.
Provide cleaning sta with details of fire
emergency procedures, including location of fire
exits.
Ensure suitable first aid arrangements are in place
for cleaning operatives.
Provide site information to cleaning sta and
establish if it needs to be provided in languages
other than English.
Determine what personal protective equipment
(PPE) is required for cleaning sta .
Make sure that cleaning equipment is subject to
suitable maintenance regimes.
Ensure that sta are trained in basic electrical
safety and do pre-use visual checks for any
equipment used.
Where fall arrest, access equipment and safety
devices are provided make sure that they are
subject to adequate inspection and testing.
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