Best Practices for Cleaning and Custodial Services
In This Free Course, You Will Learn How To
- Understand the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act and its relevance to cleaning and custodial services.
- Learn the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees in maintaining workplace safety.
- Identify common hazards in cleaning and custodial services, such as slips, trips, falls, musculoskeletal injuries, chemical handling, and work at heights.
- Implement a Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) to enhance safety practices.
- Develop safe work procedures and provide safety training to workers.
- Promote communication and employee participation in safety initiatives.
- Conduct incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure proper maintenance and regular safety inspections to keep equipment safe
In cleaning and custodial services, workplace safety is essential for protecting workers from various hazards. Both employers and employees share the responsibility for maintaining a safe work environment. Employers must implement safety policies, provide necessary resources, and conduct regular risk assessments. Employees must follow safety procedures, report unsafe conditions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when required. When both parties work together, a strong safety culture is established.
Common hazards in cleaning and custodial services include slips, trips, and falls, often caused by wet floors or cluttered spaces. Musculoskeletal injuries can result from lifting, bending, and repetitive movements. Using ergonomic tools and following proper lifting techniques can help prevent these injuries. Workers also face exposure to chemicals. Safe handling, proper storage, and the correct PPE, such as gloves and masks, are essential. Work at heights increases the risk of falls, which can be prevented with proper training on ladder safety, scaffolding, and fall protection equipment.
A Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) is a crucial tool for managing risks and improving safety. This system helps assess hazards, implement control measures, and monitor safety standards regularly to ensure continuous improvement. It’s important to establish safe work procedures, like proper cleaning methods and safe handling of hazardous materials. Regular training ensures workers are familiar with these procedures.
Clear communication about safety concerns and encouraging employee participation in safety initiatives help maintain safety standards. After any accidents, incident investigations should identify the root cause and lead to corrective actions that prevent future incidents. Regular equipment maintenance and safety inspections ensure everything remains in safe working order.
To sum up, ensuring safety in cleaning and custodial services requires both employers and employees to be proactive. By identifying hazards, providing training, and regularly reviewing safety procedures, risks can be reduced, leading to a safer work environment for everyone.
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act
Module 3: Responsibilities
Module 4: Risk Management
Module 5: Hazards in Cleaning and Custodial Services
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Handling of Chemicals
- Work at Heights
- Electrical Hazards
- Exposure to Noise
- Biological Hazards
- Crushing Hazards
- Impact Hazards
Module 6: Workplace Safety and Health Management System
- WSH Policy and Organisation
- In-house WSH Rules and Regulations
- Risk Management
- Safe Work Procedures
- Safety Training
- Communication
- Employee Participation
- Incident Investigation
- Maintenance Programme
- Occupational Health Programmes
- Emergency Preparedness
- Documentation and Review
- Safety Promotion
- Contractor Management
- Safety Inspection
