Perform street cleansing using manually operated equipment
Overview
This standard is part of the competence area related to providing cleaning services, including the use of equipment. It is about performing street cleansing manually using manually operated equipment. It is for cleaning operatives who remove litter and detritus from public areas including grounds, streets, pavements, pedestrianised areas and car parks. It involves identifying the waste and following your organisation's current procedures to deal with any litter that may pose a risk to health and safety. It is important to ensure that, when you have finished your work, grounds are litter free and debris and detritus, as is feasible, has been removed.
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
Controlling the risk of infection
10. follow your organisation's requirements for mitigation of risk of infection in the workplace
11. follow the cleaning procedures depending on environment and identified risks
12. carry out cleaning in accordance with work schedule and required frequency depending on the outcomes of risk assessment
13. dispose of used cleaning and protective equipment in accordance with specified safety procedures
14. clean and disinfect reusable cleaning equipment
15. wash and dry your hands thoroughly and safely in accordance with organisational requirements
Remove litter and detritus from grounds
16. ensure you have your organisation's instructions and are aware of safety procedures for carrying out the work
17. ensure that protective equipment is provided and worn during the cleaning
18. confirm the area to be cleaned
19. choose the equipment and cleaning methods that are suitable for collection of the litter, detritus and debris and the surface clearing
20. use the agreed methods for removing the litter from the ground surface
21. secure any unused mobile equipment to prevent risk of injury to yourself and the general public
22. identify the type of litter and waste for collection and adhere to the relevant procedures for removing it
23. segregate litter and put it in the designated containers, where necessary
24. clear as much detritus and debris as you can within the working conditions
25. follow your organisation's procedures if you encounter items, detritus or debris that appear to be hazardous or represent a health risk
Maintain waste collection points
26. confirm the number of containers that you must empty and their location
27. follow your organisation's procedures if you find containers that have types of litter, detritus and debris that require specialist treatment or handling
28. choose equipment that is suitable for the removal of litter, detritus and debris within your working conditions
29. use this equipment safely and in accordance with your organisation's and legal requirements
30. empty the containers fully and replace them as necessary
31. ensure the area around the container is clean and tidy
32. take the collected detritus and debris to the correct collection point
33. report any problems to the relevant member of staff in a timely manner
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
Controlling the risk of infection
10. your organisation's procedures for mitigating the risk of infection
11. the frequency of routine cleaning in communal areas, facilities and high-contact areas
12. the cleaning procedures to follow, depending on the environment and risks identified
13. your organisation's procedures for cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment
14. your organisation's procedures for disposing of used cleaning equipment and protective equipment
15. the duration of hand washing procedures after the protective equipment is removed
Remove litter and detritus from grounds
16. your organisation's instructions and safety procedures for carrying out the work
17. the factors to take into account when identifying litter and procedures for reporting items when you think they might present a risk to health and safety
18. why protective equipment must be worn during the cleaning
19. who to contact if the type of litter, detritus or debris appear hazardous or unsafe and require a specialist removal
20. the suitable equipment for different types of litter removal
21. why you should secure mobile equipment and what could happen if you fail to do so
22. why litter needs to be segregated and the designated containers for disposal
23. how to dispose a bulky waste according to your organisation's procedures
24. the designated place for litter containers and how to transfer them safely
25. why it is important to ensure the work area is left litter free
26. how to carry out a visual inspection of the items for disposal
Maintain waste collection points
27. where to find information on the number and location of waste containers to be emptied
28. what constitutes unacceptable and/or unsafe types of debris and detritus and the action to take to deal with it
29. the suitable equipment for removing debris and detritus and how to operate it safely, according to your organisation's requirements
30. the procedures for emptying containers and how to identify when they need replacing
31. the procedures for reporting problems and to whom they should be reported