Tools for Supervisors

1. Tools for Supervisors Helpful Notes

2. Helpful notes

3. 1A: Keep Materials & Storage Areas Clean & Organized • Keep supply closets and storage areas clean and organized to minimize contamination, disorganization which wastes time trying to find supplies; and to minimize having dirty equipment spread soils and contamination to other parts of the building. • Equipment and tools such as mop buckets, cloths and sponges can actually spread contamination if they themselves are dirty. • Hand mops upside down so they dry properly. Do not leave them in the mop bucket. • Vacuum cleaners without the proper dust bags can spread small particles that occupants can inhale that can harm their health. Make sure to keep them clean. • Autoscrubbers and carpet extraction equipment need to be kept clean --- especially the solution tanks. • Use only approved products. • Dispose of wastes appropriately

4. 1B: Pest Management • The intent of this module is to help cleaning staff recognize the signs of pest, as well as the conditions that are conducive to pest infestations. • The work custodians perform are important in combatting pest infestations • Pests are constantly looking for places to live in buildings. They want food, water and a comfortable place to live • Always be on the lookout for signs of pests • Rat and mouse droppings (always use health protective protocols when cleaning up) • Ants send individual “scouts” to find habitat. When you see individual ants, clean the area with surface cleaner to remove their trail • Rats often rub their fur repeatedly in certain areas • Pests will always look for and make their homes in places with accessible food, water and less disturbed areas such as inside cabinets. If you see conditions such as water leaks, improperly stored food or excessive clutter, report them to your supervisor • Immediately report conditions to your supervisor that allow pests easy entry, such as gaps around wall plugs, below doors. An adult rat can enter through a hole the size of a quarter

5. 1C: Where Problems Hide in the Open • The work that janitors do is important because bacteria, viruses, allergens and other harmful contaminants can make people sick. Even when it is not life threatening, it still affects people’s performance. The intent of this module is to reinforce the importance of paying attention to cleaning solutions and equipment to keep them performing effectively. • Cleaning removes the bacteria, viruses, allergens and other contaminants that can harm occupants health. • Since time is limited, focus on the important surfaces which are those that multiple occupants touch. • Take steps to prevent unintentionally spreading germs, soil and other contaminants.. • Equipment and tools such as mop buckets, cloths and sponges can actually spread contamination if they themselves are dirty • Vacuum cleaners without the proper dust bags can spread small particles that occupants can inhale that can harm their health • Use color-coded microfiber mops and cloths and use them properly • Use only approved products • Be efficient! Keep your cart clean and organized. • If doors to rooms which should be cleaned are locked, notify your supervisor • If we clean to protect health, facilities will look and be very clean.

6. 2A: Ergonomics • Encourage cleaning personnel to use better ergonomics to protect their own health. • Most injuries to janitors are musculoskeletal injuries (back injuries) caused by improper lifting, bending over, using equipment improperly, etc. • Adjust backpack vacuum harnesses for proper fit • Stand-up straight • Life with the legs, not the back • Use extension poles so workers don’t have to bend over

7. 2B: Reinforcing OSHA Safety Training • The intent of this module is to communicate critical health and safety requirements and tips to be used throughout the workplace to protect worker health. • Proper use of personal protective equipment at all times, including: • Appropriate breathing protection (dust or chemical) • Eye protection (safety glasses) • Gloves (appropriate for chemicals being used • Uniforms (designed and made for custodial work) • Footwear (safety boots, chemical resistant if necessary, anti-skid soles) • Understanding a Safety Data Sheet (date, first aid, cleanup, etc.) • Labels (especially on secondary containers filled from dilution station • Ventilation

8. 3A: Focus on Things People Touch • Cleaning should focus on protecting health. If we clean to protect health, appearances will also be addressed. • 80% of illnesses are spread by hand contact as compared to general indoor air quality • Cleaning is important because bacteria, viruses, allergens and other harmful contaminants can make people sick. Even when it is not life threatening, it still affects people’s performance. • Since cleaning time is limited, we need to focus on the important surfaces, which are those that multiple occupants touch. • Make sure cleaning staff and products are not contributing to a potential problem. • Equipment and tools such as mop buckets, cloths and sponges can actually spread contamination if they themselves are dirty • Vacuum cleaners without the proper dust bags can spread small particles that occupants can inhale that can harm their health • Some conventional cleaning chemicals have fragrances, solvents and other ingredients that can be inhaled and trigger asthmatic attacks or other respiratory problems. • Some conventional cleaning chemicals have extreme pH’s which can burn eyes and skin. • Use only approved products

9. 3B: Cleaning for Vulnerable Occupants • The intent of this module is to reinforce the importance of green cleaning and the possible impacts we have on occupants and visitors who may be extraordinarily sensitive or susceptible to the exposure effects of our practices and products (even though they are certified to have reduced impacts). • The buildings we clean are occupied and visited by individuals who may be more vulnerable or sensitive to chemical exposure than others. • Sensitive individuals can include pregnant women, those with asthma or are sick, children, seniors and those with other immune compromising conditions • Apply spray cleaners directly onto the cleaning cloth rather than across large surfaces being cleaned (such as a table top or refrigerator) to avoid excess spray into the air • Use only approved products • Avoid products with unnecessary fragrances added • Check equipment and products, such as mops, mop water, cloths and vacuum bags to ensure they are in proper condition and not excessively dirty

10. 3C: Proper Use of Disinfectants and Hand Sanitizers • Disinfectants are chemicals that are specifically formulated to kill living organisms or prevent them from reproducing. These are serious chemicals and by definition, they are toxic. Thus we want to use them only where and when necessary. • Because disinfectants are all different, it is important to read the directions for use, especially regarding: • Proper dilution rate as concentrated products are diluted at different rates. For example, some are diluted 1 ounce per gallon of water, while others may be ½ ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces, etc per gallon of water. • Dwell time (how long the surface must remain wet for the chemicals to kill the bacteria). For example, it is common for many disinfectants to require the surface to be wet for 10 minutes, while others require the surface to be wet for only 5 minutes and some sanitize in only 30 seconds. • Check for any personal protective equipment requirements such as gloves and safety glasses. • Hand sanitizers should only be used when the is no soap and water. • During flu season we should consider installing waterless hand sanitizer stations where people congregate. For example, in elevator lobbies (where people wait for the elevator), cafeterias (where people pick-up or drop-off food trays), breakrooms, etc.

11. 3D: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls • If floors are wet or have any type of obstruction, hole, etc., use yellow hazard signs so occupants will be alerted and more careful. • Clean-up wet floors as soon as possible. Microfiber mops using a cotton blend will absorb water and floors will dry faster compared to conventional cotton string mops. • Use entry way mats especially in rainy weather to capture water (rain) and reduce slips. Make sure mats are maintained, as they too need cleaning including the possible use of a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water. • If a ladder is necessary, ask for assistance – someone to hold the ladder. And make sure the ladder is placed close to where it is needed and on a level surface. • Look for other issues that unintentionally cause slips, trips or falling such as electrical cords for vacuums and other cleaning equipment in use during times when buildings are occupied.

12. 4A: Using Green Products • Green products are safer for cleaning personnel, building occupants and the environment • Use only products approved by the City of San Francisco • Look to see if the chemicals cleaning products are certified by Green Seal, Safer Choice or UL/Ecologo • Green products (like all products) must be used correctly • Do NOT play chemist – follow manufacturer’s recommended dilutions and use directions • Do NOT mix cleaning products. • Green products must be disposed of properly after use

13. 4B: Reducing Energy and Water Use • The intent of this module is to raise custodian’s awareness of the positive role they can play in helping the city conserve precious energy and water resources • Custodians are often the first and last city staff in facilities and spend the most time looking at facility conditions • You can help reduce our environmental footprint by being aware of unnecessary resource use, such as lights left on or appliances left on. • Check that refrigerator and freeze doors are closed, coffee pots and television monitors are turned off • Periodically check and clean the coils underneath refrigerators • Report plumbing leak and drips immediately • Report malfunctioning sensors on toilets, urinals and faucets • The cleaning products we use are formulated to work effectively in cold water. They will not work differently with hot water. • Do not double pump the dilution machines to increase product concentration or otherwise change the formulations • Microfiber cloths and mops are tools that help conserve water

14. 4C: Solid Waste and Recycling • The intent of this module is to raise custodian’s awareness of the positive role they can play in helping the city manage its waste properly and meet is recycling goals • Custodians are not responsible for solid waste management, but are often the only ones who see the contents of containers and can help make the program successful • Be familiar with what should be in each container • Where there is contamination in a waste stream, speak to your supervisor about communications with office staff. Contamination costs the City money to clean up and sort • Overflowing trash or recycling is unsanitary and time consuming to clean up. If you find consistently overflowing containers, speak to your supervisor about increasing frequency of pick up • Wash out the bins as often as possible • Beware of improperly disposed special wastes such as batteries, fluorescent light tubes, medical wastes, paint, electronic equipment.