FEATURE So Happy Together
Nigel Crunden, Business Specialist at Office Depot, tells us why it is important for cleaning contractors, facilities managers and procurement teams to work together in order to keep cleaning standards high.
Maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace at all times can be challenging. However, if there is a close, collaborative relationship between external cleaning contractors, facilities management and procurement teams, then the risk of cleaning standards slipping can be significantly reduced.
Open Communication There are a number of specific areas this collaborative approach should cover, such as selecting the right products, appropriate storage of cleaning chemicals and training. However, the specifics of these areas become redundant if there is not an overarching focus on consistent communication between contractors and in-house teams.
Different
environments have specific cleaning
challenges that need to be discussed at
the beginning of a relationship.
This is a particular risk when it comes to appointing external or new cleaning contractors. After an introduction to a business and its cleaning requirements, some providers are left to their own devices and have little subsequent contact with an FM team on day-to-day maintenance challenges. This can leave contracted cleaners in the dark as to their progress and increases the risk of new requirements not being met. To address this, contractors should
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take the lead from the outset and implement introductory meetings and regular catch-ups with internal FM representatives or teams. It is only by doing this that a process for gathering feedback and reacting to change can be established.
Collaborate On
Product Choice From the outset it needs to be clear which cleaning products are preferred as well as agreeing on the right volume and concentration levels. Cleaning contractors are well-placed to advise on this, but ultimately the decision on product choice lies with internal teams.
Taking a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t advised. Different environments have specific cleaning challenges that need to be discussed at the beginning of a relationship. It may be that individual procurement teams have decided on a suite of products to use and communicated this to the FM department. However cleaning contractors should provide consultancy and where appropriate, break down common misconceptions. For example, some internal procurement teams see disinfectant as a multi-purpose cleaner when its sole function is to remove infectious bacteria without effectively cleaning a surface simultaneously. Here, cleaning providers can provide valuable insight relating to the use of multi-purpose cleaning products. These clean and disinfect at the same time as well as reducing the cost of purchasing specialist alternatives and saving on storage space.
Safe Chemical Storage It is never safe to assume that correct procedures surrounding the safe storage of hazardous chemicals have been followed internally. Cleaning operatives must take it upon
themselves to liaise with internal FM teams to check that chemicals are being prepared, labelled and stored appropriately. For instance, where these are mixed on site, there is a greater risk of spillage and contact with the skin. Wherever harmful chemicals are present, providers have a responsibility to protect cleaning staff with gloves and durable workwear.
Training Regular training of cleaning operatives is essential and something that an external provider should proactively implement. This should not only cover new procedures and products but also refresher sessions on the safest and most effective way to use existing products and equipment.
Stronger Together Robust communication between external cleaning providers and internal teams is a vital aspect of meeting the needs of a commercial customer. A one-off meeting at the beginning of the partnership is not enough to ensure that ongoing issues and new requirements are addressed quickly and efficiently. A regular open channel of communication gives providers the opportunity to react in good time and offer valuable input relating to products and the safe storage of hazardous chemicals. Running parallel with this should be a commitment to the regular training of cleaning operatives to ensure they are working safely and are fully compliant with company procedures and the standard of work that is expected. Combining expertise in this way allows external contractors to provide the best service possible and makes the prospect of a longer- term relationship with their business customers more likely.
www.officedepot.eu www.tomorrowscleaning.com
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