Use and store equipment and cleaning agents safely

URN: INSC005
Business Sectors (Suites): Cleaning and Support Services
Developed by: Skills CFA
Approved on: 2021

Overview

This standard is part of the competence area related to providing cleaning services, including the use of equipment. It is about using and storing equipment and cleaning agents safely. It is for cleaning operatives who need to follow manufacturer's instructions and procedures for the safe use and storage of equipment and cleaning agents. It is also about ensuring that equipment is in a fit for work condition and making appropriate selections of cleaning agents, using them correctly and disposing of them safely.


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 adequately ventilated for the equipment used and chemicals stored

Using and storing equipment and cleaning agents

11.  check equipment is safe and free from faults when removing from storage

12.  use specialist equipment for disinfection, including fog, mist, vapour and ultraviolet (UV) systems and follow relevant procedures for re-entry

13.  report any faults with equipment to the relevant member of staff in accordance with your organisation's procedures

14.  use equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and procedures

15.  clean equipment and check for safety before returning it to the storage area

16.  ensure the storage area is clean before returning the equipment to it

17.  ensure that equipment and cleaning agents are stored securely and in line with health and safety rules and procedures

18.  ensure there are no spillages or leakages and manage these if found

19.  select the appropriate cleaning agents for the area to be cleaned

20.  select and use cleaning agents in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and stock control procedures

21.  store cleaning agents securely and safely following access and security work procedures

22.  check the stock levels and follow your organisation's procedures for reporting any shortages

23.  refill the stock levels when required

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 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.      how and where to display the relevant safety and infection control signage for cleaning areas

7.      the organisational requirements for safe systems of work

8.      your organisation's requirements for minimising risk of infection while working on premises

9.      how to check that the equipment is safe for use

10.  why it is important to choose the correct colour coded equipment and how to use it

11.  why it is important to ventilate the area

Using and storing equipment and cleaning agents

12.  why it is important to wear protective clothing when using equipment and cleaning agents

13.  the location of the storage area and how to gain access

14.  the location of the nearest water and electricity supplies to the storage area for cleaning and testing equipment

15.  how to use specialist equipment for disinfection using fog, mist, vapour and ultraviolet (UV) systems

16.  how to check equipment for faults

17.  the relevant member of staff for reporting the faults with equipment and your organisation's procedures for this

18.  the relevant health and safety legislation for the use of equipment and cleaning agents

19.  how to clean equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and procedures

20.  how to store equipment in accordance with relevant health and safety requirements and procedures

21.  your organisation's procedures for disposal of expired cleaning agents

22.  the relevant legal requirements and safe practices for using cleaning agents

23.  the warning signs used on cleaning agent containers and their meaning

24.  how to select appropriate cleaning agents for variety of cleaning tasks within your scope of responsibilities

25.  why it is dangerous to mix certain types of cleaning agents together

26.  why it is important to follow manufacturer's instructions on cleaning agents

27.  what might happen if you do not follow the relevant legal requirements for your work

28.  why work routines and sequences require to be followed

29.  what preparations should be made to the work area before using cleaning agents

30.  how cleaning agents should be stored safely and the reasons for this

31.  your organisation's procedures for reporting shortages of cleaning agents

32.  the types of problems that could occur when preparing and using cleaning agents and how to deal with these

Controlling the risk of infection

33.  your organisation's procedures for mitigating the risk of infection

34.  the frequency of routine cleaning in communal areas, facilities and high-contact areas

35.  the enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination

36.  the areas for cleaning and how to identify high contact touch points

37.  the range of specialist cleaning products and how to use them safely and effectively

38.  the cleaning procedures to follow, depending on the environment and risks identified

39.  your organisation's procedures for cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment

40.  your organisation's procedures for disposing of used cleaning equipment and protective equipment

41.  the duration of hand washing procedures after the protective equipment is removed


Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Instructus

Original URN

ASTC108

Relevant Occupations

Cleaning Services Operations, Cleaning Support Operations, Elementary Cleaning Occupations, Elementary Occupations, Retail and Commercial Enterprise, Service Enterprises

SOC Code

9223

Keywords

instructions, organisational procedures, equipment, cleaning agents, disposing