The big spring cleaning

The month of April awakens something within us every year: the desire for spring cleaning. This is well documented for residential homes. But what about commercial, industrial, and institutional properties? Initially, it's best to have a cleaning quote detailing all the work that needs to be done throughout the year. Once this is done, it's easier to organize the work according to the seasons. However, whether it's residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional, spring is the preferred season for these tasks:

• Cleaning of interior and exterior building windows
• Washing of bathroom and kitchen walls and other sections
• Brushing ceramic floors
• Scrubbing or stripping vinyl tile floors
• Washing entrance rugs and carpets
• As well as washing chairs, armchairs and sofas covered with fabric
• Suction of ventilation hatches
• Washing the light fixtures
• The interior and exterior of kitchen and bathroom cabinets
• Cleaning household appliances
• And even washing trash cans as well as indoor and outdoor recycling containers. 

Health and safety

It's best to ask your building's guests to clear the space of their personal belongings so that janitors don't have difficulty cleaning efficiently. And of course, this should be organized by section. You don't tackle the entire building from the start. It's important to understand that spring cleaning requires customer cooperation. However, they still need to work efficiently.

Additionally, safety must be a top priority for the team leader. During spring cleaning, it's usually necessary to have a large cleaning team. For example, you'll want to ensure all employees wear safety shoes. Additionally, you'll want to properly manage the flow of cleaning equipment and its cords. Speaking of cords, they must not be nicked, cut, or patched. Remember that this work is being done in water. 

Please note that to operate lifting equipment, employees must hold a competency card that is less than three years old. They must carry their competency card with them at all times. Lifting equipment must have been inspected by the team leader before use. The best method of health and safety prevention remains prevention, demonstrating by example, and not negotiating on this issue. 

A good training method

I find that the spring cleaning period is a good time to train staff on specific methods. Since they are under the supervision of a team leader, it's an opportunity to benefit from their tips and tricks on real-life projects. It's also an opportunity to evaluate a new employee who is under supervision. Personally, I favor the idea of employees becoming versatile in a building, being able to handle all types of work.

Another training idea: the team leader could take the opportunity to remind the team of the health and safety rules. I am always surprised to see that the worst workplace accidents are often caused by the employee who no longer believes in the potential danger.

Quality control should not be neglected. 

Although the team leader was present throughout the work, he can't see everything. Therefore, it's best to conduct a quality control check on all floors using a scoring grid for each floor. The team leader will ensure that any non-conformities are corrected as the relevant employee completes the quality control check on each floor. Of course, you could also decide to have the quality control performed by a supervisor with a more objective perspective. 

If necessary, we will be happy to play this role for you:  https://cfsalubrite.com/services/controle-qualite-de-lentretien-menager/

A little help?

Please note that if you do not have the staff to carry out your spring cleaning, I will be happy to refer you to several cleaning companies that can serve all regions of Quebec. This service is free for me. 

Please note that the platform and articulated arm cradle driving skills card must be renewed every 3 years. For information on this training:   https://cfsalubrite.com/formations-cfs/conduite-de-plate-formes-nacelles-elevatrices/ 

Need help with employee training, quality control or work organization? Contact us.