Maintain personal hygiene when cleaning
Overview
This standard is part of the competence area related to working within designated procedures, and health and safety. It is about maintaining personal hygiene when cleaning. It is for cleaning operatives who should always keep themselves and the working areas hygienic, clean and tidy while controlling the risk of infection. The standard also addresses the use of protective equipment, its disposal depending on the tasks you are carrying out.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Preparation and protection
1. carry out health checks and follow organisational procedures for safe working practice
2. follow dynamic risk assessment requirements of your organisation within the workplace
3. take the relevant actions depending on the outcome of risk assessments carried out
4. ensure all required products and protective equipment are available
5. wear the relevant protective equipment while carrying out cleaning
6. follow organisational procedures for reusing or disposing of protective equipment
7. ensure the safe systems of work and requirements are followed
8. select the appropriate colour-coded equipment
9. ensure any relevant safety and warning signs are displayed clearly
10. ensure the working area is ventilated to avoid exposure to dust and chemical fumes
Protection
11. wear clean clothes and shoes
12. use the protective equipment in accordance with the relevant Health and Safety Regulations depending on the tasks you are carrying out
13. ensure the protective equipment is clearly labelled in accordance with the relevant regulations
14. select the appropriate protective equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and your organisation's guidance and procedures
15. ensure the protective equipment you are using is clean and fit for use and changed when necessary, in line with your organisation's guidance and procedures
16. ensure the replacement protective equipment is available, when required
17. dispose of the used protective equipment appropriately in accordance with your organisation's procedures
Personal hygiene
18. maintain personal hygiene by keeping your hair, skin and nails clean
19. follow your organisation's procedures for washing your hands at appropriate times
20. use the relevant skin care products to prevent occupational skin disorders (OSDs)
21. report cuts, grazes, skin conditions, infections and stomach illnesses to the relevant member of staff
22. ensure cuts, grazes or skin conditions are covered with an appropriate dressing
23. follow your organisation's relevant guidance and procedures on the type of jewellery and other accessories may be worn
Controlling the risk of infection
24. follow your organisation's requirements for mitigation of risk of infection in the workplace
25. follow the cleaning procedures depending on environment and identified risks
26. examine areas for cleaning and identify any high contact touch points
27. carry out cleaning in accordance with work schedule and required frequency depending on the outcomes of risk assessment
28. use cleaning products including specialist cleaning solutions, antibacterial and antiviral chemicals
29. use disposable cleaning equipment to reduce viral loading in the areas being cleaned
30. follow the enhanced cleaning, decontamination and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination
31. dispose of used cleaning and protective equipment in accordance with specified safety procedures
32. clean and disinfect reusable cleaning equipment
33. wash and dry your hands thoroughly and safely in accordance with organisational requirements
34. ensure the hand washing facilities are maintained with an adequate supply of washing solution, disinfection gels and a hygienic means of hand drying
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Preparation and protection
1. the health checks and relevant procedures for safe working practice
2. your organisation's principles of dynamic risk assessment within the workplace
3. the relevant actions depending on the outcome of risk assessments carried out
4. the products and protective equipment for carrying out cleaning and infection control
5. how to reuse the protective equipment or dispose of it in line with your organisation's safety procedures
6. the organisational requirements for safe systems of work
7. how and where to display the relevant safety and infection control signage for cleaning areas
8. your organisation's requirements for minimising risk of infection while working on premises
9. why it is important to choose the correct colour coded equipment and how to use it
10. why it is important to work in a ventilated area
Protection
11. the relevant types of protective equipment and how to access them
12. the use of relevant protective equipment depending on the tasks you are carrying out
13. how protective equipment should be checked through, selected, labelled and why it should be worn
14. your organisation's procedures for storing the protective equipment and keeping it clean
15. how to dispose of used protective equipment within your organisation's procedures
Personal hygiene
16. why it is necessary to use the relevant skin care products and apply these regularly
17. why it is important to follow your organisation's procedures for washing your hands at all appropriate times
18. why it is important to report illnesses and infections, particularly stomach illnesses, to the relevant member of staff
19. why it is important to maintain a personal hygiene by keeping your hair, skin and nails clean
20. your organisation's procedures for reporting cuts, grazes, skin conditions, illnesses or infections
21. why wearing jewellery and other accessories may represent a risk to personal and environmental hygiene
22. the health and safety risks associated with the tasks you are carrying out
Controlling the risk of infection
23. your organisation's procedures for mitigating the risk of infection
24. the frequency of routine cleaning in communal areas, facilities and high-contact areas
25. the enhanced cleaning, decontamination g and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination
26. the areas for cleaning and how to identify high contact touch points
27. the range of specialist cleaning products and how to use them safely and effectively
28. the cleaning procedures to follow, depending on the environment and risks identified
29. your organisation's procedures for cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment
30. your organisation's procedures for disposing of used cleaning equipment and protective equipment
31. the duration of hand washing procedures after the protective equipment is removed