Cleaning to improve health

Infection Control ChecklistYears ago, a cleaner’s job was to ensure that whatever they were cleaning looked clean. Fast forward to 2018, and cleaning is no longer just for appearance, in fact this year, there is a noticeable trend towards cleaning for health, where the goal is to minimise the potentially negative impact cleaning has on building occupants and operatives themselves, and help reduce the spread of bacteria.

Here at Jangro, we believe that this isn’t just a passing trend, but a serious issue that is a fundamental part of the cleaning industry. After all, bacteria can travel so easily, yet having some simple infection control procedures in place will prevent any serious health hazards from occurring. We’ve put together a check-list of infection control solutions below – see how many you already employ, and whether you have room for improvement!

Did you know that approximately 80% of the total amount of soil present within a building is brought in via people’s feet? It has also been estimated that up to 90% of such soil can be prevented from entering the building by installing an effective barrier matting system. An air-shower at the entrance will also prevent soil from entering the building by producing a powerful but comfortable downward draught that dislodges any loose soil particles from people’s clothes. These are forced downwards, towards the floor, where they can then be trapped and contained within the fibres of the barrier mats.

Improve Air Quality

Improve air quality with a properly maintained air-conditioning system and by fitting HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air filters) to vacuum cleaners. This dramatically increases their ability to filter exhaust air, thus reducing the amount of dust being emitted during cleaning.

Prohibit smoking & provide litter bins

Effective waste disposal procedures will go a long way to reducing the risks associated with the spread of bacteria and infection. Also prohibiting smoking and providing litter bins by the entrance of buildings can help prevent soils from entering.

Colour Coding Chart

Eliminate the risk of cross-contamination by adopting a colour-coding system – this will ensure that certain cleaning tools and equipment are only used for particular areas or tasks, and will stop, for example a mop that has been used in a toilet, also being used in a food preparation area. Although there is no legislative requirement to operate a colour-coded cleaning regime, ideally all equipment within the different areas will be suitably colour coded. Jangro manufactures and distributes all of the equipment needed to support such cleaning regimes, from cloths, sponges to mops, dust pans, and buckets.

Do not underestimate the importance of training. All cleaning companies must ensure that their operatives know which products to use, and when and how to use them. Once the concept of colour coding and how it effectively contributes to the prevention of infection is fully understood by cleaning operatives, you will be well on the way to ensuring a safer working environment, one of the central requirements of Health and Safety legislation.

Visit the Jangro LMS for our training module on colour-coding.

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For more information or advice, please call our friendly distributors on 01204 795 955 or visit the Jangro website.

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