Hygiene and sanitation continue to remain in the spotlight, but in some cases, cleaning practices have loosened, reverting back to some of the pre-pandemic habits. Keeping commercial cleaning staff safe is a paramount concern for your business, and along with responsible chemical use and appropriate dilution, PPE is a large part of that mission.

Making sure that your staff is protected means supplying the correct equipment, soliciting feedback to improve your practice, and training your teams to be proactive in staying safe.

Equipment

While you may already have all the equipment you need for your cleaners, keeping a checklist on hand to effectively manage inventory can help you stay organized and prepared. Here is a list of the PPE items to keep stocked for your staff:

• Face masks protect from dust inhalation, as well as from harmful cleaning chemicals with harsh gases or vapours.
• Safety goggles help avoid eye contact with any splashing cleaning solutions.
• Disposable gloves to provide a barrier between the skin and abrasive chemicals, germs, and other contaminants your team may come into contact with.
• Industrial gloves are important to have on hand for handling chemicals that can dissolve rubber gloves, such as strong bleaches or heavy-duty degreasers. These can also protect staff from hot surfaces or steam as well.
• Disposable overshoes can come in handy when cleaning in inclement weather, helping to protect customers’ floors from the outside elements.
• Earplugs are recommended for staff cleaning in loud spaces like factories or when using loud equipment.

Collaboration

Your teams are using the equipment you provide, and they know which items are effective and where there are opportunities for improvement. Getting feedback from your staff allows you to get crucial information to improve your operations while showing them that you value their health and their feedback. Task your teams to know what’s new, too. As items are introduced on the market and improvements are made, work with your staff to strive to better your efforts with up-and-coming innovation.

Training

Employees and managers can become lax as time progresses, loosening the rules or forgetting the basics. Conducting regular refresher courses on equipment and proper use, as well as incorporating that into your onboarding practices can help keep everyone safe. Prioritizing safety is key in commercial cleaning and PPE is a major part of that effort. Supplying the correct equipment, staying stocked, keeping your eye on innovation, and training your teams will keep them safe and protected in the workplace.