Provide management guidance, resources and support to staff to minimise the risk of infection
Overview
This standard is part of the competence area related to providing management and supervision in cleaning. It is about providing management guidance, resources and support to staff to minimise the risk of infection. It is for supervisors in the cleaning industry who need to ensure that the required training is provided to cleaning staff to enable them to minimise the risk of acquiring and spreading infection. It applies to all cleaning staff in any areas where the risk of infection is an issue.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- ensure the safe systems of work and requirements are followed for protection of cleaning staff
- monitor staff health and well-being in relation to viruses and infections
- train your staff in enhanced cleaning and infection control procedures, where required
- provide the relevant protective equipment and products for cleaning staff
- ensure protective equipment is worn throughout cleaning and is reused or disposed of within organisational safety procedures
- follow formal risk management requirements of your organisation before entering the workplace
- take the relevant actions depending on the outcome of risk assessments carried out
- follow organisational requirements in relation to suspected or confirmed infections of staff
- follow your organisation's requirements for mitigation of risk of infection in the workplace
- ensure cleaning products including specialist cleaning solutions, antibacterial and antiviral chemicals are available
- ensure enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination are followed
- ensure of used cleaning and protective equipment is disposed of in accordance with specified safety procedures
- wash and dry your hands thoroughly and safely in accordance with organisational requirements
- ensure the hand washing facilities are maintained with an adequate supply of washing solution, disinfection gels and a hygienic means of hand drying
- adopt and apply the relevant infection control policies and guidelines relevant to your organisation
- update your cleaning staff on the relevant policies and guidelines on infection control
- arrange for induction training and further update to ensure your staff follow safe working practice
- ensure that the infection control is an integral part of all employees work routine
- ensure employees received all required immunisations and were provided with occupational health services to minimise the risks of infection while working
- monitor, audit and provide feedback on staff practices in relation to infection control
- monitor the relevant resources, equipment and environmental aspects that may affect practices in infection control
- investigate the causes of problems reported and initiate prompt remedial action, where appropriate
- review all reported adverse events that may represent an infection risk and, where appropriate, act in a timely manner to eliminate the problems
- analyse all incidents of reported adverse events to identify recurrent trends, problems and take action to deal with them
- inform the relevant member of staff where the infection control requires a remedial assistance
- ensure all relevant information about infection control is clearly displayed throughout your organisation's premises
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Legislation and policy
1. the current standard of infection control and precautions and the relevant legislation and policies in relation to this
2. the relevant health and safety regulations
3. the relevant regulations concerning substances hazardous to health
Technical knowledge
4. the facts about the chain of infection
5. the root cause analysis in relation to infection control
6. how to ensure risks of infection are assessed in your areas of activity
7. what actions to take before, during and after a procedure to minimise the risks of infection
8. the relevant immunisations that can protect against occupationally acquired infection
9. the means of referring staff to occupational health advice
10. the designated facilities for provision of hand hygiene
11. the designated facilities for first aid provision
12. the types of protective equipment your staff require
13. the awareness of latex allergy and your organisation's procedures on the provision of latex free gloves
Organisational procedures
14. your organisation's safe systems of work and requirements for protection of cleaning staff
15. your organisation's procedures for monitoring staff health and well-being in relation to viruses and infections
16. your organisation's enhanced cleaning and infection control procedures training
17. the relevant protective equipment and products required for the job
18. how to reuse the protective equipment or dispose of it in line with your organisation's safety procedures
19. organisational requirements to minimise risk of infection when traveling to site and working on premises
20. the relevant actions depending on the outcome of risk assessments carried out
21. your organisation's principles of formal risk assessment before entering the workplace
22. your organisation's procedures for mitigating the risk of infection
23. the frequency of routine cleaning in communal areas, facilities and high-contact areas
24. how to implement enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures for suspected or confirmed virus contamination
25. the range of specialist cleaning products and how to use them safely and effectively
26. the cleaning procedures to follow, depending on the environment and risks identified
27. your organisation's procedures for cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment
28. your organisation's procedures for disposing of used cleaning equipment and protective equipment
29. the duration of hand washing procedures after the protective equipment is removed
30. the relevant techniques to adopt and apply your organisation's policies and guidelines on infection control
31. the mechanism to provide induction training and further update for your employees
32. how to acquire the protective equipment and how to deal with used equipment
33. the relevant supplies and facilities to enable staff to apply the agreed standard infection control and prevention measures
34. how to monitor staff working practices and to take action to maintain the required standards of hygiene
35. your and your employees' roles and responsibilities in relation to infection control
36. how to maintain records required in your area of activity
37. the relevant reporting mechanisms for any accidents and incidents to ensure action is taken to eliminate problems
38. when and how to report issues that are outside your scope of responsibilities