Cleaning chemical mishaps are all too common and typically result in wide-scale evacuations, closed businesses, and injuries resulting in hospitalizations.
The Challenge of Custodian Caused Cleaning Chemical Mishaps
The custodial profession is fraught with sometimes dangerous challenges, ranging from repetitive motion injuries, slip and fall accidents, and toxic chemical exposure.
The sustainability rebound effect is a common occurrence for schools and businesses who achieve their targeted sustainability goals and then effectively reverse course in conservation by increasing spending and resource use.
What Is The Sustainability Rebound Effect?
The sustainability rebound effect is defined as;
[...] the reduction in expected gains from new technologies that increase the efficiency of resource use, because of behavioral or other systemic responses.
A clean working or learning environment has been shown in numerous studies to have a positive impact on the physical health of facility occupants, but new studies are showing that a hygienic, clutter-free classroom or office also has a demonstrably positive effect on mental wellbeing.
Odor masking vs. removal is an inefficient and ill-advised approach to indoor air quality control that will lead to reduced occupant satisfaction, as well as decreased output quality and profits.
Odor Masking Vs. Elimination
Odor masking via perfumes and aerosols is a common, yet ill-advised method for masking odors that do little to nothing to improve the smell.
One of the most well-known secrets to success in business is maintaining a high-quality office cleaning service to ensure the professional appearance of the facility and the health and performance of the office staff.
What to Look for in a High-Quality Cleaning Service
Successful business owners know that in order to maintain the competitive edge necessary in today's market, they must retain the services of highly qualified building service contractors and service personnel who are equipped with the latest skills and technologies.
Cryptosporidium is a waterborne parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, and is the leading cause of diarrhea acquired from water among humans.
Increasing Instances of Cryptosporidium
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), instances of Cryptosporidium have increased by 13%, on average, each year since 2009.
Cryptosporidium is:
The leading cause of diarrhea acquired through the consumption of contaminated water.
With the widespread dissemination of information regarding the dangers of ultra-sterile environments, as well as the products used to clean and disinfect them, one might feel entitled to ask--is my office or classroom too clean?
Is it Posible to be Too Clean?
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, clean is defined as;
Free from dirt or pollution.
The improper use of cleaning chemicals and machinery poses serious health risks to custodial staff and building occupants--potentially leading to life-long illnesses or even death.
Mishandling Cleaning Products Is Dangerous
Conventional home and commercial cleaning products are made from toxic chemicals that are dangerous to humans and animals.
Color coding your cleaning closet and assigning each color to a specific area will significantly reduce the potential for cross-contamination between rooms and surfaces.
Prevent Cross-Contamination With Color-Coded Cleaning
Color coding cleaning equipment serves a similar function across every industry and business type:
Prevent cross-contamination.
Implementing Lean principles--started by the Ford Motor Company and popularized by the Toyota Motor Corporation--into your organizations cleaning practices will eliminate human and other resource waste.
How to Reduce Cleaning Department Waste Through Lean Management
For any number of reasons--ranging from a lack of experience and training in new hires to the mismanagement of resources--your organizations cleaning department is likely responsible for a significant amount of waste--be that time, energy, or material.