The Importance of Training Your Cleaning Staff on Proper Product Use
Why is training your cleaning operatives on proper product usage important? According to the HSE (Health and safety statistics), the leading cause of non-lethal accidents at work are slips, trips, and falls (29%). The Facilities Management industry plays a crucial role in safeguarding members of the public and their operatives from such incidents, as well as ensuring cleaning teams remain well-trained on how to use the latest janitorial technology and equipment. The (BCC) British Cleaning Council reported in 2022 the cleaning industry has more than 1.47 million workers and about 66,000 businesses operating. Keeping this many employees safe and appropriately trained is a mammoth task.
Within this article, we will highlight how important it is to train cleaning operatives on correct product use.
Top 4 Reasons Training Cleaning Staff Is Important
Health and Safety: Improper use of cleaning products can lead to health issues such as skin irritation, respiratory problems, and even chemical burns. Proper training can help prevent these health hazards by educating staff on how to safely handle and use cleaning products. Using specialist health and safety management systems like Atlas by Citation makes training and compliance much easier for head office and remote teams.
More Effective: Proper training can help make sure that cleaning products are used in the most effective way, producing a more clean environment. When your cleaners understand how to use products correctly, they are able to clean more thoroughly, mitigating the spread of germs and bacteria.
Less Waste & Costs: Poor use of cleaning products can lead to waste and increased costs. For example, an operative could not be following the specific product dosages, which wastes money and impacts the environment. Proper training can help prevent this by teaching staff to use the appropriate amount of product for each task. There are a number of fixed-dose chemicals on the market to help lower the cost in use, such as Soap20 and SoluCLEAN.
Morale: Well-trained employees who fully understand their importance within an organisation perform much higher and have significantly higher retention rates than poorly trained employees. Training also increases workforce morale by providing operatives with opportunities for personal growth which are invaluable to many.
Final Thoughts
Training for cleaning staff on the use of cleaning products is essential to ensure the health and safety of those in the facility, increase cleaning effectiveness, reduce costs, and protect surfaces. Regular training, following manufacturer instructions, the use of PPE, and proper storage and disposal are key elements of effective product use.
Gather and review Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all of our chemicals in use as they contain valuable information on proper use and the health risks associated with using. Not only this, Safety Data Sheets provide important information on the safe handling and use of our products, making it easier for employers to train their staff and ensure a clean and healthy environment.
Investing in proper training for your cleaning staff is a smart move that can help keep your facility clean, healthy, and safe for everyone.