The purpose of a facility cleaning plan is to ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all occupants, and its benefits include reducing the risk of infection and improving the overall appearance and functionality of the facility.
What are the Components of an Effective Facility Cleaning Plan?
An effective facility cleaning plan should include the following components:
- Cleaning schedule: A comprehensive cleaning schedule that outlines the frequency and scope of cleaning tasks for all areas of the facility.
- Cleaning products: A list of approved cleaning products that are effective in removing dirt, grime, and germs, while also being safe for the surfaces being cleaned and for the people using the facility.
- Cleaning protocols: Clear guidelines and procedures for cleaning each area of the facility, including instructions on properly using cleaning products and equipment.
- Training: Regular training and education for cleaning staff on proper cleaning techniques, safety protocols, and cleaning products and equipment use.
- Quality control: Regular inspections and audits to ensure that cleaning standards are being met and that any deficiencies are promptly addressed.
- Communication: Effective communication between cleaning staff, facility management, and facility occupants to address concerns, report issues, and provide feedback on cleaning effectiveness.
- Continual improvement: A commitment to continually assess and improve the cleaning plan based on feedback, new research, and changes in the facility's needs.
By incorporating these components into a facility cleaning plan, facility managers can ensure that their facilities are clean, safe, and healthy for all occupants.
What are the Benefits of Implementing a Facility Cleaning Plan?
There are several financial and health benefits for businesses and schools that implement facility cleaning plans, including:
- Reduced absenteeism: A clean and healthy environment can help reduce the spread of germs and illnesses, leading to fewer employee or student absences and increased productivity.
- Improved air quality: Regular cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems can improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and improving overall health.
- Reduced healthcare costs: By reducing the risk of illness and infection, businesses and schools can save on healthcare costs associated with employee or student illnesses.
- Improved reputation: A clean and well-maintained facility can improve the reputation of a business or school, leading to increased customer or student satisfaction and loyalty.
- Extended lifespan of assets: Regular cleaning and maintenance of equipment and facilities can extend their lifespan and reduce the need for costly repairs or replacements.
Overall, implementing a facility cleaning plan can lead to a healthier and more productive environment for employees and students, as well as financial benefits for businesses and schools.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
In general, healthier employees are more productive.
Healthier employees are less likely to call in sick or use vacation time due to illness
Companies that support workplace health have a greater percentage of employees at work every day
Because employee health frequently carries over into better health behavior that impact both the employee and their family (such as nutritious meals cooked at home or increased physical activity with the family), employees may miss less work caring for ill family members as well.
Similarly, workplace health programs can reduce presenteeism — the measurable extent to which health symptoms, conditions, and diseases adversely affect the work productivity of individuals who choose to remain at work
The cost savings of providing a workplace health program can be measured against absenteeism among employees, reduced overtime to cover absent employees, and costs to train replacement employees.
How Can Small Businesses Begin to Implement an Effective Facility Cleaning Plan?
- Conduct a facility assessment: Start by assessing your facility's current cleaning practices, identifying any areas that need improvement, and developing a plan to address them.
- Establish cleaning protocols: Establish clear protocols for cleaning and disinfecting all facility areas, including restrooms, common areas, and workstations. Use cleaning products that effectively remove dirt and germs while being safe for the surfaces being cleaned and for the people using the facility.
- Schedule regular cleaning: Develop a schedule for regular cleaning and disinfecting based on the specific needs of your facility. Assign responsibilities to specific staff members or consider hiring a professional cleaning service if necessary.
- Train employees: Train all employees on proper cleaning techniques and safety protocols, as well as the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy work environment.
- Provide cleaning supplies: Provide all necessary cleaning supplies and equipment, including gloves, masks, cleaning products, and disinfectants.
- Implement quality control measures: Regularly inspect and audit the facility to ensure that cleaning standards are being met and that any deficiencies are promptly addressed.
- Communicate with employees: Regularly communicate with employees about the cleaning plan, providing updates and answering any questions or concerns they may have.
Takeaway
An effective facility cleaning plan includes components such as a cleaning schedule, cleaning products, cleaning protocols, training, quality control, communication, and continual improvement.
Implementing a facility cleaning plan can provide financial and health benefits, such as reducing absenteeism, improving air quality, reducing healthcare costs, improving reputation, and extending the lifespan of assets.
Small businesses can begin implementing an effective facility cleaning plan by conducting a facility assessment, establishing cleaning protocols, scheduling regular cleaning, training employees, providing cleaning supplies, implementing quality control measures, and communicating with employees.
Overall, an effective facility cleaning plan can lead to a healthier and more productive environment for employees and students, as well as financial benefits for businesses and schools.
Onboarding and managing the requisite labor and material resources necessary to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are achieved and maintained may prove cost-prohibitive for many organizations.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and disinfection services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, 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
In Palmdale, CA, or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756
