2018 has been a fantastic year for the custodial services industry, with an increasing focus on cleaning for health, as well as personal hand hygiene.
2018 Custodial Services Year in Review
2018 was witness to tragedy and success.
The deaths of several children due to adenovirus outbreaks in medical care and education facilities underscored the importance of ongoing and high-quality clean for health first practices.
Additionally, the devastating 2017-2018 flu outbreak demonstrated the importance of regularly cleaning and sanitizing high contact surfaces, as well as high-performance hand hygiene practices.
Conversely, the impact of implementing green cleaning practices and sustainable building standards showed is the viability of improving the well-being and productivity of workers and students occupying these spaces, as well as the short and long-term benefits of occupant engagement in cleaning and recycling at school and work.
Cleaning Checklists and the Importance of Regular Cleaning Programs
If this year has taught us anything, it is that workers and students are knowledgeable and willing to actively participate in the cleanup of the spaces they occupy at both school and work.
The challenge is not the willingness to engage, but the lack of direction--underscoring the importance of establishing and publishing a detailed cleaning schedule that takes into account the input of facility occupants, specifically where hazards are identified, or concerns regarding chemicals used and dispersed into the local environment arise.
The most critical spaces are offices or classrooms and primary work areas, kitchen and dining areas, and restrooms.
As a general rule of thumb:
- Always clean first, then sanitize or disinfect--making sure to remove all dirt and debris before spraying any disinfectant product.
- Start at the highest point and work your way down.
- Clean the floor last, starting with the corner furthest away from the exit and work your way back and out.
- Implement the two-bucket cleaning method combined with color-coded microfiber to avoid cross-contamination.
- Minimize the number of chemicals and cleaning products you are using to lower costs, reduce complexity, and improve indoor air quality.
- Institute routine wipe down schedules for high-contact surfaces, such as coffee pots, door handles, sink faucets, and elevator and vending machine buttons.
For More Information:
- Office Cleaning Checklist
- Summer School Cleaning Checklist
- Office Kitchen and Lunchroom Cleaning Checklist
How Important is Hand-Hygiene?
Hand-hygiene may be so important that it supersedes a flu shot in its ability to prevent the spread of influenza and other deadly diseases--a fact that was made painfully obvious during several tragic flu seasons where the virus mutated beyond the ability of the inoculation to address.
For maximum benefits:
- Always wash and dry your hands prior to eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing into your hand, or after coming into contact with someone you know or suspect of being ill.
- Use regular, unscented soap and warm water.
- Scrub your hands, top and bottom, making sure to get between the fingers and under the nails, for at least 20 seconds, but preferably 40 seconds.
- Rinse your hands with warm water in a downward motion, into the sink, and away from your body, making certain to keep long sleeves out of the party.
- Dry your hands with a paper towel or clean cotton towel, and avoid the use of air blown hand dryers.
- Consider using a paper towel to open the door and avoid direct skin to surface contact.
- Sanitize your hands with a liquid hand sanitizer upon exiting, allowing it to dry naturally, as opposed to wiping it off.
For More Information:
- Hand Hygiene and the Flu
- The Importance of Handwashing and Hand Hygiene
- Handwashing for Healthy Holidays
- Janitorial Services and the Joint Commission on Hand Hygiene
Takeaway
2018 taught us a great deal about the nature of the world that we engage with and the methods that we use to protect ourselves from the harmful germs and bacteria that permeate our living, working, and educational spaces.
One of the most important lessons was to actively reach out and engage with building occupants and take their input into consideration when cleaning and disinfecting critical facilities, especially in education and healthcare where occupants likely fall into a vulnerable demographic.
Additionally, we learned about the importance of taking an active role in our own health and wellbeing by maintaining a high standard of cleanliness on our person and within the spaces we occupy, especially where we eat.
If you would like to discover more about the fantastic benefits of outsourced janitorial services or the positive impact of cleaning for health first custodial programs and the impact high-performance hand hygiene practices can have on your life and business--contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
