Housekeeping, a profession in its own right
Just because we learned to clean from our parents doesn't mean we become professional housekeepers. Oh no, housekeeping is a profession in its own right. Some building managers struggle to understand why their building isn't receiving the level of hygiene and sanitation they'd like. Here are some possible solutions.
Quality initial and ongoing training
Regardless of the employee's experience to date, it's best to review their skills during any mandate discussions. At the beginning of the job, it's also important to communicate your own standards. Many employees learn the trade "on the job," as they say.
And like any other employee, those in housekeeping also need to renew themselves. Every year, new products and work methods are developed. New equipment is released with improvements in ergonomics or the way a task is performed.
It's important to renew yourself every year by improving your training offerings. By conducting quality control, you can improve employee maintenance methods through refresher training. By identifying recurring non-conformities throughout the year, it's easy to determine what should be included in a refresher during group training. However, to achieve this, you'll need to have a written quality control system. This should also be noted statistically to monitor short-, medium-, and long-term progress. These methods have an effective impact on the quality of housekeeping.
The right washing tools and equipment
The world of household maintenance tool and equipment manufacturers is constantly evolving. The ergonomics of the equipment are being studied and improved, in addition to the ease of operation and part replacement. Of course, we don't replace our equipment every year. However, when the equipment is expensive to repair, it might be time to consider it.
It's important to reevaluate the best equipment based on the type of surface or the workspace, which influences the choice of equipment. And of course, we must ensure that the employee doesn't have to carry equipment up and down the stairs. So, in the absence of an elevator, we must consider the employee's health and safety.
The choice of accessories is also important. They should be chosen based on what the employee has on their work route. There should be a sufficient number of accessories relative to the number of employees. It is best to purchase quality materials to avoid premature breakage.
The right detergent for the right surface
There's been a lot of progress in the laundry sector in recent years. Eco-friendly products are now effective. Biotechnology is also a great innovation. We also encourage the use of dispensers. Underdosing or overdosing can permanently damage a surface. The right dose and the right product for the right surface are key. But first and foremost, you need to assess your needs.
In some establishments or organizations, employees can each order their own preferred products. I wouldn't encourage this. It's preferable to have the same product line in a building. Employees who have received training on laundry products will then be able to use them wisely.
Inventory also needs to be monitored, as I sometimes see cleaning rooms overflowing with products. After a while, the product loses its effectiveness, so you need to ensure you have the right amount.
Good working methods
Housekeeping methods have evolved considerably in recent years. However, I still occasionally encounter work teams without any recognized methods. Recently, I conducted a quality control check in a building where clothing scraps were still being used for cleaning.
There are usually large areas to cover during a work route. But this depends on work methods and efficient organization. I often see employees retracing their steps inefficiently. However, this can be learned.
Balanced and logical work routes
Sometimes, employees are simply told that they only have to cover this or that section, without any other instructions. So, the employee does what they think is right! It is therefore important to specify what is to be done in each room. It is also important to carefully consider the route the employee should follow during their work routine. Some tasks sometimes have to be performed several times a day, so work routes must take this into account. The separation of work must also be fair between employees to avoid creating injustice. Thus, some tasks may not be performed correctly in the case of one employee having too much work compared to another.
So, as you can see, there are many important points to consider to achieve satisfactory housekeeping quality. Housekeeping managers sometimes lack the necessary training to properly assess all these points, which is why a building hygiene and sanitation expert is sometimes required. This expert will be able to properly assess your needs, follow up with employees and the manager, and make recommendations for improvement. CF Salubrité is pleased to offer these services and even monitor them through regular quality controls throughout the year.
Finally, here is an article dealing with the profession of trainer and consultant in hygiene and sanitation
