Work using different chemicals and equipment (2HK2)

INTRODUCTION

This unit is about choosing the right cleaning chemicals, using the chemicals correctly and disposing of them safely. This unit also covers using manual equipment (such as wet mops, dry mops, dusters and buckets) and electrical equipment (such as suction cleaners and spray extractors)

Housekeeping requires the use of some chemicals to remove dirt, keep bacteria down, treat stains and polish furniture and floors. Some of these chemicals may be hazardous to health if not used correctly or harmful to surfaces or fabrics if they are used carelessly. The main form of hazard is not wearing gloves when using general purpose cleaner which seems quite harmless, however, prolonged contact will cause the skin to dry out and the user may develop dermatitis.

Your employer is obliged by law to give you training on the use of all chemicals. This booklet cannot possibly go into all the chemicals available for use. Your company will have received enough information on the uses, hazards, benefits and safe use and storage of all the chemicals it uses from the supplier. However it does give guideline in the common use of chemicals.

Should you require specific details/instructions, consult the packaging and your supervisor/supplier. It is the employee’s responsibility to use chemicals safely. Never leave them unattended. The equipment you use may be electric or manual. Care should be taken when using cleaning, and storing these.

KEY WORDS

COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations Act. This gives advice on precautions to take when storing and using chemicals.

Corrosive – This means that the chemical will corrode skin, fabric or other surfaces on contact. Likely to cause severe burns.

Irritant or Harmful – A limited health risk. Prolonged contact may cause Inflammation and irritation.

Toxic – May cause serious health problems or even death if breathed in, swallowed or In contact with skin or eyes.

PPE – Personal, protective equipment, i.e. gloves, mask, goggles, uniform.

WORK USING DIFFERENT CHEMICALS

Be aware of the chemicals you are using. Some cleaners you use are hazardous. Sometimes the harm is not immediate but regular contact can lead to problems. From the product label, workplace instructions and training, you will get help on how to use cleaners safely.  Pay careful attention to this guidance at all times.

Preparation – Always read the label. If protective clothing is advised then follow it. Harm to yourself cannot be rectified later on. Wear gloves, goggles, face-mask if there is a risk of toxification, irritation or corrosion.

Correct Chemicals – Make sure you are using the correct chemical for the job; this will aid effective cleaning and lessen the risk of damage to surfaces. If there is a risk of surrounding areas being damaged by the chemicals – protect them.

Types of chemicals you are likely to use are;

• Detergent – Everyday substances that contain mild chemicals, soaps and will kill bacteria, i.e. bathroom spray, flash, etc.
• Abrasive – Mild detergents of household use. Harmful to surfaces such as polished, baths, tops, mirrors, wood, etc. Will not kill bacteria but will remove stubborn stains i.e. Jif.
• Degreasing Agents – Strong, corrosive, irritant and toxic chemical for heavy duty cleaning for built up grease. Must be used in a well ventilated room i.e. Mr. Muscle. Milder forms are available in the form of bathroom cleaners.
• Acid – Corrosive, harmful, irritant. Toxic if swallowed. Very heavy uses that must be used with extreme care i.e. Bleach, caustic soda.
• Organic Solvent – Milder forms of cleaning agents made from natural ingredients, they tend to be kinder and ‘greener’ than manufactured chemicals. Caution should still be applied. Not usually as effective as other chemicals, but worth a try.

USING CHEMICALS

Once you are prepared for the clearing task by wearing the correct Personal Protective clothing (PPE) and understanding the use of the chemicals, you can set about your task. First of all consider the facts of the task before you choose the most appropriate chemical for the job, things like the surface to be cleaned and how dirty it may be, what type of dirt it actually is. Your time involved in the task and the cost of the correct cleaning and the quality of the finished result you require. Once you have considered all the facts you can then decide on the most appropriate cleaner and set about preparing it for us.

Prepare the chemical by the manufacturers instructions, diluting properly and mixing well. Never mix one chemical with another, this may cause dangerous fumes to be released when chemicals are mixed or even an unknown type of reaction. Never put the diluted chemical/cleaner in an unlabelled container, as this could cause problems at a later stage. Don’t guess the quantities; use the scoop or measuring cup provided.
To dilute always use the manufacturer’s instructions with regards to the amount/parts of water to the chemical, this will make sure the chemical performs properly and does the job well and also does not cause unnecessary injury or damage. Use the cleaner sparingly, cleaning is more about elbow grease than the amount of chemical you use. Always make sure you put up signage to let other people know that chemicals are in the process of being used.

Know what you should do if you or a surrounding area should come into contact with chemicals. In case of contact with skin or eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. If swallowed, drink plenty of water or milk. Seek medical advice immediately. If spilt on your clothing, take off immediately. When using chemicals you should always complete your safety data sheet or, if in a training session, your training record. This will ensure that everything you have done is recorded and documented, so to ensure you are safe and trained in using chemicals.

Storing and Disposing
All chemicals should be stored in their original container and in a locked storage area. They must be clearly labelled with the product and instructions. Never put chemicals in any container that may be used to drink out of.
On the label it will tell you what temperature and conditions to store the chemical at and how to dispose of it. Never pierce aerosols and all empty containers should never come into contact with fire or heat.

KEY POINTS

• Know the chemicals you are using
• Be careful, don’t rush
• Always put up signs
• Always wear protective clothing
• Report accidents or spillages immediately
• Record chemical use on safety data sheets or training record

WORK USING MANUAL EQUIPMENT

• During your working day you will use various types or manual equipment, form cloths for cleaning/dusting to mops for floors.
• Care of this equipment should be paramount to stop damage occurring to the equipment and the area you are cleaning.
• Brushes and mops should be used correctly to prevent back injuries during prolonged use.

Preparation
Before you start to clean you must first make sure that you are prepared by having all equipment available and secondly that the area you are cleaning is prepared. This is done by removing obstacles off the floors or surfaces and having a well stocked trolley.  When you are lifting heavy objects, you should always remember to use the correct safe handling techniques so not to hurt or cause an injury to yourself and to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

• Stand with the item between your feet to start off with
• Bend your knees and hips and keep your back straight
• Grip the item firmly with both hands – one at the furthest point and one underneath if possible
• Lift the item up by bending the knees and hips, keeping your back straight

Selection
Make sure that you select the correct piece of equipment for the correct job to ensure that the job is done properly and effectively without damage. Listed are common types of equipment and their uses;

• Mops – For stripping dirt from hard surfaces and applying cleaning chemicals to large surfaces. Don’t over wet and always use hazard signs to warn of dangers whilst cleaning.
• Brushes – Large ones used for hard floor surfaces. Be careful not to be too hasty and kick up to much dust or debris whilst using.
• Cloths – Some organisations have a colour coded cloth system to reduce the risks of contamination

E.g.
Blue for general low risk areas
Green for general food and bar use
Red for toilet and sanitary appliances
Yellow for sinks, baths, showers, etc

If the organisation does not operate a similar system as above then you must ensure that you do not use the same cloth for the whole room. Remember bacteria are invisible and can be spread by dirty cloths.

• Abrasive Scourers – This equipment may be used to remove stubborn stains. However, they will scratch a polished finish permanently so care must be taken. They can be used on tiled and some basins and bath areas. Always use the correct equipment and chemicals for the job. The aim is to remove dirt as easily, quickly and thoroughly as possible. There should be no harm done to the item or surface you are cleaning not to yourself. There should be no risk of moving the dirt elsewhere.

Safety
When using manual equipment over a period of time take precautions so as not to hurt yourself. For instance, when brushing and mopping always:

• Alternate between walking and standing movements
• Use the large muscle groups in arms and legs
• Turn body by turning at the feet
• Avoid sudden movements that may hurt the back
• Handles on equipment should suit the person’s height

Worn out equipment
Naturally equipment will wear out. Once it does it should no longer be used. Throw out all broken or worn out equipment to avoid damage to areas/surfaces and yourself.
For security and safety purposes, once finished with, all equipment should be stored and locked away so as to prevent theft and untrained dangerous use.

Problems and solutions to using manual equipment

KEY POINTS

• Assess the job that needs doing and be well prepared
• Choose the correct equipment for the job
• Never use broken or damaged equipment
• Only us equipment you  have been trained to use
• Use all equipment safely and put up signs to caution other people
• Store equipment away after use; never leave it in a way which may endanger others

WORK USING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

In your role you may use electrical equipment to help you remove dirt. Always follow the instructions and training you have been given and there should be no safety risk. Always make sure electrical equipment has been tested and displays the inspection/testing sticker.
Various types of electrical equipment have been designed for specific jobs, such as vacuum cleaners for the removal of debris, shampooing machines for carpets and upholstery dirt removal and buffers for hard surface cleaning and polishing.

General guidelines

• Have you been Trained? - Never use equipment that you have not been trained on. You could cause harm to yourself, to others and damage both the machine and the surface.
• Check the Equipment Before and After Uses - Examine leads, plugs, waste bags etc before use.
• Stop if there is a Fault - If equipment stops working/appears to be faulty, stop using it. Unusual noises, overheating, cutting out during use is a sign of a problem. Label the machine out or order and report to your supervisor.
• Avoid Electric Shocks - Always have dry hands. Always turn off the machine and unplug it before emptying or putting away.
• Avoid Trips - Always have the wires over your shoulder to prevent trips. Use a hazard sign to warn people of danger.
• Storage - All equipment should be emptied if appropriate the wire coiled and stored in a locked storeroom.

Cleaning, shampooing and polishing
As part of your job you may be required to vacuum, curtains, chairs, etc. The process is fairly straight forward: remove all large debris so as they don’t clog the vacuum pipes. Pull out all furniture and clear behind. Use hoses, soft furnishing nozzles, brushes, etc to get into all areas. Do small sections at a time, returning furniture to it original place as you go.
Some hotels employ contractors to regularly shampoo carpets and upholstery, however this may be your role to remove smaller stains as follows: identify the equipment you are using and follow the manufactures instructions for use. Vacuum the area to be cleaned thoroughly.
Make up the shampoo as per the instructions. Work in small sections ensuring that you have tested for colourfastness first. When thoroughly dried, vacuum again to remove shampoo residue and dissolved dirt.
For hard surfaces that require buffing: firstly apply polish stripper with a mop and soak for 5 minutes. Agitate the floor with buffer using abrasive pad/scrubber and leave for 5 minutes.
Remove the slurry and use dry mop. Add polish to floor with mop and spread evenly.
Allow drying. Use attachment on buffer to produce required finish.
If you are unsure of how to use any equipment or have not be trained to do so then stop! Ask for help.

KEY POINTS

• Never use equipment until you are trained
• Follow the manufactures instructions
• Use the correct equipment for the job
• Remember safety