Carry out cleaning work outside
Overview
This standard is part of the competence area related to providing cleaning services, including the use of equipment. It is about carrying out cleaning work outside. It is for cleaning operatives who use tools and machinery which may present a high health and safety risk. Environmental conditions can also affect when and how the work can be done. It is important to take into consideration such environmental factors as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind and icy conditions.
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
Your work activities
10. ensure all required permits and checks are in place for carrying out your work
11. ensure the location is accessible and is safe for carrying out your work
12. ensure your skills, aptitude and personal hygiene meet the workplace standards
13. inspect the area for work and decide on the sequence of tasks for carrying out the work, considering how environmental conditions may affect this
14. ensure that the required tools, equipment and machinery are available
15. choose the most appropriate tools, equipment and machinery for the work considering such factors as risk, access, time and environmental conditions
16. wear the relevant protective equipment required for the work site, environmental conditions, method and equipment being used
17. check that all areas where work is to be carried out are safe and accessible for the equipment and machinery being used
18. follow your organisation's procedures for dealing with any lost property or unattended items
Carry out your cleaning duties
19. assess the potential impact of environmental conditions on your work
20. carry out the tasks in a logical sequence ensuring the surrounding areas are not adversely affected
21. use the appropriate cleaning method depending on the work area and the nature of work
22. ensure that your work does not obstruct, disturb or cause nuisance to the general public
23. adapt your work method according to the tools, equipment and machinery used according to other factors such as environmental or weather conditions
24. identify and report any difficulties in carrying out your work and any additional work required that is outside your area of responsibility to the relevant member of staff
25. report and deal with any accidental damage caused when carrying out the work to the relevant member of staff
26. return the tools, equipment and machinery you have used to the designated area and ensure they are clean, safe and securely stored
27. replace the equipment and materials and arrange the additional materials, when required
28. inform the relevant member of staff when the tools and machinery require repair
Controlling the risk of infection
29. follow your organisation's requirements for mitigation of risk of infection in the workplace
30. follow the cleaning procedures depending on environment and identified risks
31. carry out cleaning in accordance with work schedule and required frequency depending on the outcomes of risk assessment
32. use cleaning products including specialist cleaning solutions, antibacterial and antiviral chemicals
33. use disposable cleaning equipment to reduce viral loading in the areas being cleaned
34. follow the enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination
35. dispose of used cleaning and protective equipment in accordance with specified safety procedures
36. clean and disinfect reusable cleaning equipment
37. wash and dry your hands thoroughly and safely in accordance with organisational requirements
38. 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
Your work activities
11. the permits and checks required for carrying out your work
12. the location for carrying out the work and the best means of accessing the work area
13. your organisation's standards of skills, aptitude and personal hygiene and why it is important to meet them
14. how to inspect the area to assess what work is required and the best way of carrying this out, considering environmental conditions and, where relevant, public access
15. how environmental and weather conditions might affect that work to be carried out
16. the relevant equipment, machinery and materials required for the work area
17. which methods and materials will be most effective for carrying out the work required and the alternative resources available
18. how to access the work area without causing injury or damage
19. your organisation's procedures for dealing with lost property and unattended items and why these should be followed
Carry out your cleaning duties
20. how environmental conditions may affect the performance of equipment and machinery and other factors, such as drying times
21. the right methods of using with chosen equipment and materials
22. the results of using the wrong or unsuitable materials or not following the manufacturers' instructions
23. why you may be required to change your methods to suit the environmental conditions, work required and the equipment available
24. the methods and techniques that may obstruct or cause nuisance to the general public and how to avoid this
25. why it is important to check the quality of your work as it progresses
26. the tasks you have the skill to perform and required to complete
27. the relevant member of staff for reporting any difficulties in carrying out your work
28. your organisation's procedures for dealing with and reporting the accidental damage
29. the storage areas for the return of equipment, materials and machinery and why they should be kept clean, safe and secure
30. your organisation's procedures for obtaining replacement and additional equipment and materials
Controlling the risk of infection
31. your organisation's procedures for mitigating the risk of infection
32. the frequency of routine cleaning in communal areas, facilities and high-contact areas
33. the enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination
34. the areas for cleaning and how to identify high contact touch points
35. the range of specialist cleaning products and how to use them safely and effectively
36. the cleaning procedures to follow, depending on the environment and risks identified
37. your organisation's procedures for cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment
38. your organisation's procedures for disposing of used cleaning equipment and protective equipment
39. the duration of hand washing procedures after the protective equipment is removed