What commercial cleaning best practice means for us
We provide commercial cleaning and facility support services across a broad array of sectors. From manufacturing to medical facilities and from schools to (retirement) homes, we set ourselves the highest of standards. And to keep to those standards, we follow cleaning best practice. It’s a result of years of experience and success in commercial cleaning. This blog looks at five cleaning fundamentals which we follow throughout our portfolio of cleaning services.
1. Planning our projects properly
In any commercial cleaning assignment, we’ll ensure that all supporting documentation including risk assessment and method statements are current and available to support the service delivery through best practice and compliance. For our risk assessments, we look at two axes of risk: the severity of impact and the likelihood of an event taking place. We’ll cover off the risks to our cleaning operatives as well as our clients, ensuring we make mitigations for all the risks we assess. And we’ll make sure to follow clear cleaning processes for each and every task, so whichever services we’re providing, both we and our clients know exactly what we’re doing and the standards we’ll deliver. As the saying goes: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
2. Using our cleaning products correctly
We know that one of the worst things a cleaning company can do is fail to follow manufacturers’ guidelines. Inappropriate chemical dilution can create slip hazards due to residues on floors, can damage the surface over time, or can undermine the efficacy of products. Equally, we’re conscious that many operators use disinfectants far too readily, even when this is not appropriate to the risk level of that particular area or zone of the building. Not only may this represent unnecessary extra products and resources being used, but it can also lead to increases in costs and can create shortages for sectors which need them more urgently.
We carefully consider the products we use, always looking to reduce any environmental impact. We work closely with our supply chain and strive for innovation and service improvements, especially when they can enhance our commitment to sustainability, continue to deliver correct process and methodology, and improve working practices.
3. Following clean to dirty pathways
One of the biggest risks in cleaning is cross-contamination, the result of transmitting bacteria from one source to another, leading to the spread of bacteria. We all know that there are some parts of a building that are dirtier or more exposed to contaminants and pathogens than others. Applying correct cleaning process and methodology is imperative to reduce any risk of cross contamination and achieve the right results through best practice and a systematic approach. We always follow the ‘clean to dirty’ path in our cleaning operations. By moving from the cleanest surfaces to the dirtiest surfaces, we minimise the risk of cross-contamination. Other methodologies we apply are cleaning from high to low and from outside to inside, following the clean to dirty path. A logical sequence promotes a safer working practice and reduces the risk of cross contamination.
4. Colour coding all our equipment
We operate our Fidelis Colour Coding Scheme. We train all operatives so that they’re aware of applying colour coding to their daily tasks, and to recognise any potential dangers that they may encounter. Through correct training and the following of set procedures and guidelines, we reduce the risk of cross contamination. It’s important to follow and reinforce best practice to prevent the risk of bacteria spreading. Operating a simple colour coding regime in the tasks we complete helps prevent the spread, while maintaining high standards for a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
5. Having the right operatives in place for the job
This may be the last point in our list, but our operatives are hugely important to us here at Fidelis. Indeed, without our operatives, we would be nothing. It’s important that we get the right people, and we provide them with full training and support including the selection of the right tools to do the job right first time (from cleaning materials to PPE). And we ensure that they’re fully prepared, helped and supported by our Contract Managers for the task in hand and can deliver the requirements and meet the client expectation. Look out for a forthcoming blog where we take a closer look at our cleaning operatives and our approach to delivering a diverse workforce.
We’re experts in commercial cleaning, and we pass on that expertise to our cleaning operatives. Our training begins on day one; on induction, they receive information on all our cleaning processes, including the correct dosage and use of all our cleaning products. We make sure all our operatives follow rigorous health and safety guidelines, including infection control and decontamination. That way, our clients can be confident that we’re applying best practice, and we’re following a clear consistent methodology for effective cleaning.
- Telephone: 0845 431 0382 | 0121 289 3258
- Email: info@fidelisgroup.co.uk
- Website: www.fidelisgroup.co.uk
Post by Chris Ryan
Chris is Commercial Manager at Fidelis Group, a business which stays true to providing cleaning and related property services to the commercial and industrial sector. Having joined Fidelis in March 2022, Chris has a strong management background in FM and cleaning services. He works to help Fidelis become a partner of choice within the commercial and industrial cleaning sector.
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