HOW TO USE THIS COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING MATERIAL

Welcome!

Welcome to the module in Cleaning Public Areas, Facilities & Equipment.

This module contains training materials and activities for you to complete.

The unit of competency “Clean Public Areas, Facilities & Equipment”

covers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes in cleaning public areas, facilities and
equipment. It includes selecting and setting up of equipment and materials;
applying cleaning technique; cleaning dry and wet areas; and maintaining and
storing cleaning equipment and chemicals. It is one of the specialized modules
required to complete so as to qualify you in the National Certification in
HOUSEKEEPING Level II (NCII).

You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to

complete each learning outcome of the module. Each of the learning outcomes is
provided with Information Sheets. Follow these activities on your own and answer
the self-check at the end of each learning outcome. You may remove a blank
answer sheet at the end of each module (or get the answer sheets from the
facilitator) to write the answers for each self-check. If you have questions, don’t
hesitate to ask your facilitator for assistance.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)

You may already have some or most of the knowledge and skills covered in
this learner’s guide because you have:
 Been working for some time.
 Already completed training in this area.

If you can demonstrate to your trainer that you are competent in a particular
skill or skills, talk to the facilitator about having them formally recognized so you
do not have to do the same training again. If you have qualification or Certificate of
Competency from the previous trainings, show it to the facilitator. If the skills you
acquired are still current and relevant to the unit/s of competency they may
become part of the evidence you can present for RPL. If you are not sure about the
currency of your skills, discuss this with your facilitator.

Remember to:
Read information sheets and complete self-checks. Suggested references are
included to supplement the materials provided in this module.

Perform the Task Sheets and Job Sheets until you are confident that your
outputs conform to the Performance Criteria Checklist that follows every sheet.
Submit outputs of the Task Sheets and Job Sheets to your facilitator for
evaluation and recording in the Achievement Chart. Outputs shall serve as your
portfolio during the Institutional Competency Evaluation. When you feel confident
that you have had sufficient practice, ask your trainer to evaluate you. The results
of your assessment will be recorded in your Progress Chart.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page

HOW TO USE THIS COMPETENCY- BASED LEARNING MATERIALS 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
LIST OF COMPETENCIES 4
5
MODULE CONTENT
7
LEARNING OUTCOME #3 CLEAN DRY AND WET AREAS
LEARNING EXPERIENCES 9
INFORMATION SHEET 5.3-1- Prepare Area for Work 10
SELF CHECK 5.3-1 18
ANSWER KEY 5.3 -1 19

INFORMATION SHEET 5.3-2 – WET AND DRY AREA CLEANING 20

SELF CHECK 5.3-2 29

30
ANSWER KEY 5.3-2
TASK SHEET 5.3-2 31
PERFORMANCE CRITETIA CHECKLIST 32
INFORMATION SHEET 5.3-3 –
Disposal of Garbage and Used Chemicals 33

SELF CHECK 5.3-3 38

ANSWER KEY 5.3.3 39
GLOSSARY 40
REFERENCES 41
 QUALIFICATION TITLE COMPETENCY BASED
LEARNING MATERIALS

List of Competencies
NO. Unit of Competency Module Title Code

1 Provide housekeeping Providing

services to guests housekeeping services
TTRS 123111
to guests
2 Clean and prepare Cleaning and
rooms for incoming preparing rooms for
TTRS 123112
guests incoming guests
3 Provide valet/butler Providing valet/butler
service service
TTRS 123113
4 Laundry linen and Laundering linen and
guests clothes guests clothes
TTRS 123114
5 Clean public areas, Cleaning public
facilities and areas, facilities and
TTRS 123115
equipment equipment
6 Deal with/handle Dealing with/handle TTRS 123122
intoxicated guests intoxicated guests

Qualification Title: Housekeeping NC II

Unit of Competency: Clean Public Areas, Facilities & Equipment
Module Title: Cleaning Public Areas, Facilities & Equipment
Module Descriptor:
This unit of competency deals with the knowledge and skills required in cleaning
public areas, facilities and equipment. It includes selecting and setting up of
equipment and materials; applying cleaning technique; cleaning dry and wet areas;
and, maintaining and storing cleaning equipment and chemicals.
Nominal Duration: 80 hours
Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this module, you must be able to:

LO1. Select and set up equipment and materials

LO2. Apply cleaning technique
LO3. Clean dry and wet areas
LO4. Maintain and store cleaning equipment and chemicals
1. Assessment Criteria:
2. Equipment are selected according to type of cleaning to be done
3. All equipment are checked if clean and in safe working condition prior to
use
4. Suitable dry and wet cleaning agents and chemicals are selected and
prepared in accordance with manufacturer’s and relevant occupational
health and safety requirements
5. Protective clothing are selected and used when necessary
6. Furniture, fixtures, ceilings and walling materials used are assessed
7. Appropriate cleaning equipment and chemicals are selected in
accordance with type of material used
8. Cleaning technique is applied on furniture and walling materials in
accordance with type of material used
9. Appropriate procedures is applied in accordance with technique
10. Equipment and chemicals are properly cleaned and stored in
accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and requirements
11. Wet and dry areas are prepared for cleaning and hazards are
identified and assessed
12. The work area is barricaded or warning signs are placed, as
appropriate, to reduce risk to colleagues and customers
13. Cleaning agents or chemicals are selected and applied on specific areas
in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, safety procedures
and establishment policies and procedures
14. Equipment are used safely in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations
15. Garbage and used chemicals are disposed off in accordance with
hygiene, safety and environmental legislation requirements
16. Equipment are cleaned after use in accordance with enterprise
requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
17. Routine preventive maintenance is carried out or arranged in
accordance with enterprise procedures
18. Defects are identified and reported in accordance with
establishment procedures
19. Equipment are stored in the designated area and in condition ready
for re-use
20. Chemicals are stored and controlled in accordance with health and safety
requirements
LEARNING OUTCOME NO. 3 Clean Dry and Wet Areas
CONTENTS:
 Prepare area for work
 Wet and dry area cleaning
 Types of chemical and cleaning agent
 Disposal of garbage and used chemicals

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

 Wet and dry areas are prepared for cleaning and hazards are identified
and assessed
 The work area is barricaded or warning signs are placed,
as appropriate, to reduce risk to colleagues and customers
 Cleaning agents or chemicals are selected and applied on specific
areas in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, safety
procedures and enterprise policies and procedures
 Equipment are used safely in accordance with
manufacturer's recommendations
 Garbage and used chemicals are disposed off in accordance
with hygiene, safety and environmental legislation requirements
CONDITIONS:

The students/trainees must be provided with the following:

Equipment

 Electrically powered equipment (vacuum cleaner, carpet

shampoo machines, scrubbing machines, polishers)

Tools And Accessories

 Buckets
 Mops
 Brooms
 Brushes
 Garbage receptacles
 Protective gloves
 Warning signs
 PPE
 Dust pan
 Cloth and sponges
 Soft bristled toothbrush

Cleaning Products
 Moisturizing soap
 Rubbing alcohol
 Leather protection cream
 Liquid or powder fabric detergent
 Cleaning shampoo
 Stain remover
Learning Materials
 Video
 Competency-based learning materials

ASSESSMENT METHODS:
 Oral questions
 Written questions
 Workplace observation
 Portfolio
 Written examination
 LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Learning Outcome No. 3: CLEAN DRY AND WET AREAS
Learning Activities Special Instructions
Read Information Sheet 5.3-1 on After reading the topic answer Self-
Prepare Area for Work Check 5.3-1
Answer Self-Check 5.3-1 Check your answers using ANSWER
Compare answers with Answer Key KEY. If you got 100% correct answer
5.3-1 in this Self-check, you can now move
to the next Information Sheet. If not,
review the Information Sheet and go
over the Self-check again.
Read Information Sheet 5.3-2 on Check your answers using ANSWER
Wet and Dry Area Cleaning KEY. If you got 100% correct answer
in this Self-check, you can now move
to the next Information Sheet. If not,
review the Information Sheet and go
over the Self-check again.
Answer Self-Check 5.3-2 Check your answers using ANSWER
KEY. If you got 100% correct answer
Compare answers with Answer Key in this Self-check, you can now move
to the next Information Sheet. If not,
5.3-2
review the Information Sheet and go
over the Self-check again.
Perform Task Sheet 5.3-2 Evaluate your work using
performance criteria
Answer Performance Criteria
Checklist Present output to trainer for
evaluation

Read Information Sheet 5.3-3 on After reading the topic, answer Sel
Disposal of Garbage and Used
Check 5.3-3
Chemicals
Answer Self-Check 5.3-3 Check your answers using ANSWER
KEY. If you got 100% correct answer
Compare answers with Answer Key in this Self-check, you can now move
to the next Information Sheet. If not,
5.3-3
review the Information Sheet and go
over the Self-check again.

After doing all the activities of this LO, you are now ready to proceed
to the next Learning Outcome.

INFORMATION SHEET No. 5.3-1

PREPARE AREA FOR WORK

Learning Objectives:

After reading this Information Sheet, you should be able to know how to
prepare area for work

Introduction
Before starting to clean an area, you should prepare to clean. If this is done
correctly, disruption to guests and other staff will be minimal and you will make
your job easier.

Always have all your cleaning equipment, chemicals and accessories ready for
the job you are about to do. If you do not have all the time that you need for
cleaning, you will waste precious time by having to run back to the cleaners’ store
for something that you need or have forgotten.

Assess the area

 Sometimes before cleaning you may have to move furniture in order to do so

e.g. if you are cleaning a restaurant or bar area where there is a lot of
furniture, you may have to lift chairs or move table. If you need assistance to
do this, call your supervisor. Never move items that are too heavy or need two
or more people to do so as you may hurt yourself.
 It may be necessary for you to close an area e.g. if you are mopping a toilet
floor area during operational hours, you will need to close the toilets so that
guests are not injured by slipping on wet floors or feel that their privacy is
compromised. If this is the case, always place the correct signage at the door
with direction to other facilities,
 In the case of cleaning a 24 hour restaurant, each section of the restaurant
will need to be roped off at one time to facilitate cleaning, this will be done in
co-operation with the restaurant staff who will be able to close off sections
after busy meal periods. They will do this on a rotational basis with signage
and ropes and stanchions.
 As a guideline never clean without three meters of where guests are sitting.


Periodic cleaning
 If you are required to clean carpets or strip and seal floor areas, this will
usually be done after hours or overnight.
 Your supervisor will advise the relevant staff in advance of this specialized
scheduled cleaning and time frames.
 Help should be sought from other staff to remove all furniture in advance so
that you will have more time to complete the cleaning tasks.

High cleaning

 If you are required to clean high areas such

as air vents of chandeliers, you may need to cover
furniture and fittings or carpets and plants with
drop sheets. This is to protect them from falling
debris.
 Failure to do this will add time to the
overall cleaning project and may also damage
other surfaces if not protected.

 Do not forget to place caution signs and rope off the area if necessary.

In what order should you work?

 Remove all rubbish and waste

 Cleaning is then divided into dry or wet tasks
 It is usual that where there are dry tasks these are completed first followed by
 wet tasks
 High cleaning is done before low cleaning (dust falls down)
 Floor cleaning is done last (to clean all the debris from the cleaning process)
 Work systematically around a room or area so you do not miss any surface or
forget to clean an item
 Work clockwise if possible, completing one task at a time and work
backwards towards the exit door

Minimize customer inconvenience

Even though cleaning is a very important task, it must be undertaken with

some sensitivity.

Just because it is important does not give us

permission or the right to do it when and as we please.
Common sense must be used when scheduling and
performing cleaning tasks. You cannot simply go ahead
regardless, if cleaning would create an unsafe situation for
patrons or staff, or if it would provide a major inconvenience
to people or the operation of the business.

As an example, automatic doors are usually cleaned at night or at another

low traffic time to minimize inconvenience to people. This concept means that we
have to be flexible when cleaning.

If we have been instructed to clean a certain area, that is traditionally quiet

or unused at that time, and we find it busy and full of customers, then the cleaning
has to be deferred and rescheduled. Not only is there a safety issue involved here,
but there are also guest comfort and inconvenience factors that demand attention.

Cleaning always requires you to think before acting. Two things to think about are
timing and site availability factors.

Consider:

 Can the job be completed before the area is needed?

 Is there enough staff to handle the job to get it done on time – if relevant?
 Have you got the right chemicals and enough of them to allow the job to be
started and finished without interruption – the more interruptions there are
to the cleaning process, the higher the chance that we will inconvenience
someone?
 All the supervisors, clients and users are happy for the intended work to
proceed?

Never just assume you can go ahead even when given a job card. Always check
first.

Cleaning activities are normally timed to occur, for the most part, when public
activity is at its minimum.

There will always, however, be times when cleaning must be done

while people are in the area. This may be a regular pattern of
events such as the on-going cleaning of public areas such
as reception lobbies, swimming pool areas or caused by
particular one-off circumstances such as functions, special
events.

In essence, most other activities will take precedence over

cleaning. While one hopes for mutual co-operation and
understanding in the workplace between staff, this usually
translates into cleaners needing to stop what they are doing so
that other work can go ahead.

Commonly this means that you may be unable to start or complete a certain
activity such as sweeping or mopping a floor, and that you will have to move on
and clean the toilets and car park and then come back to do the floor.

When cleaning you must always strive to keep the interruption and disruption
caused to anyone to an absolute minimum.

Cleaning duties can disrupt customers:

 As a result of noise caused during the cleaning activities

 By providing a physical obstruction to them when they are moving about
 Through unwanted interruption to their activities in the room where you are
cleaning.

Cleaning duties can disrupt the work of other staff and the operation of
the business:
 By not being completed by the scheduled time – meaning that a department
isn’t ready when expected leaving staff standing around waiting for you to
finish
 When cleaning staff and cleaning equipment are present in areas when other
staff are trying, or preparing to, deliver service to patrons

 By not accommodating unforeseen operational

issues into the sequence in which areas are to be
cleaned, or into the extent of cleaning to be
provided. For example:
 A dining room due to be cleaned at 9:30PM is still
full of in-house guests who are dining there,
spending well and enjoying themselves. Go ahead and do other cleaning
duties now and return at 11:00PM to do the dining room
 A lobby area due for a full clean is found to be teeming with 300 check-in
guests who have just arrived with their luggage on several buses. Just do a
spot clean, empty the bins and tidy things up. Leave the vacuum cleaning
and scheduled cleaning of the drapes until tomorrow.

You can further minimize interruption or disruption by:

 Observing “Do Not Disturb‟ signs on guest rooms if you are cleaning them
 Keeping noise to a minimum when moving around any accommodation area,
function room or area being used for a meeting or conference
 Conversing quietly with other staff and guests. Only converse with patrons
when they initiate the discussion
 Keeping trolleys and cleaning equipment out of high traffic areas.

Identify hazards
 Before an area can be cleaned it must be assessed and prepared and cleared
of any items and hazards. This must be regarded as standard operating
procedure when undertaking any cleaning task. A hazard can be defined as a
source of danger. Assessing the cleaning task to be done is the first step in any
cleaning job.

Assessing the job means taking a quick look at the area to be cleaned and
determining things like:

 Can I do the job now? Should I do the job now? Or does it

need to be re-scheduled for one or more reasons?
 Have I got all the equipment and all the chemicals and
cleaning agents I need to do this job, or do I need to go and
get something else now that I have seen what is involved?
There is no point starting a job and having to leave it half-
way through while you go and fetch other items that are
needed
 Do I need extra staff, or can I do it on my own or with the
staff I already have? Where time is critical there can be a need to get extra
staff to assist
 What special challenges does this job present, if any? Does it have to be done
by a specific time? Are there special cleaning standards etc that need to be
applied to this job? Are there any cost limitations in terms of material or
labor?
 What hazards are present in relation to this job? Are there special dangers
inherent in this job that make it different than normal or which present
special threats?

In terms of cleaning duties and considering the dangers

present in the cleaning work site, hazards may include, but are
not limited to:

 Spillages of food and liquids or all types

 Breakages of packages, individual items, glass containers
 Wet or slippery surfaces – which may include from
natural elements
 Broken or damaged furniture
 Fumes
 Blood, human waste, needles/syringes, and surgical dressings
 Used condoms
 Sharp objects including syringes, knives, blades and
skewers
 Broken glass – from windows, glassware, mirrors
 Fat and oil
 Heated/hot utensils and surfaces
 Sharp food scraps such as bones and crustacean shells.

Note that the time of day and the physical location of the
area to be cleaned can also form part of the threat/hazard
matrix that may need to be assessed.

For example, entering a remote part of the property on your

own at 3:00AM may be deemed dangerous, but doing so at
 1:30PM may be quite alright. This highlights that many
cleaning jobs are subject to unusual hours when there are
fewer members of the public around and there is a higher
incidence of illegal activity.

All areas must be cleared of hazards before cleaning can

commence.

Some basic procedures

When preparing to clean an area the following should be

applied where necessary:

 Never take chances if you think you may harm or injure

yourself, another person or property. Never start a cleaning
job if you are concerned for your personal safety. You
should also immediately stop any cleaning job where you
believe a danger exists
 Make sure you have all the necessary equipment and
materials
before you start to do the job properly and completely. Some jobs such as
stripping and re-sealing a floor can’t be stopped and started
 Move items that pose a hazard, that might get damaged during the cleaning
process or get in the way of the cleaning process and slow the job down.
Items that may need to be moved or removed may include guest property as
well as enterprise assets
 Where items have to be moved to allow the cleaning to be done, the items that
have to be moved must be removed to a place that doesn’t cause them to
become hazards such as tripping hazards, obstructions in their own right
somewhere else
 Ensure the security of any items that have been moved. Keep them in-sight,
keep them behind locked doors, put them out of temptation’s way
 Replace items that have been moved when the job has
been completed
 Lock doors where necessary to maintain security – if you
had to unlock a door at night to enter a bar, a room then
you should lock that door again once you are inside. This
is not so much to lock yourself in, but to lock potential
offenders, thieves, etc. out
 Turn off alarms when entering an alarmed area.

Preparatory cleaning tasks

Most cleaning jobs can be seen as comprising four separate parts:

 Preparing the area

 Setting-up equipment and materials
 Doing the job
 Cleaning up/finishing up after the job.

The cleaning-related tasks that can be seen to be part of the preparatory

process prior to ‘actual’ cleaning can include:

 Moving the cleaning equipment and materials into a position that will
enable them to be readily used – close to the job but not interfering with the
work that needs to be done
  Walking over the area and picking up any loose rubbish – papers,
discarded boxes, large items, by hand and putting them into a rubbish
receptacle
 Sweeping the area – to remove dust. In some cases „sweeping‟ may be the
entire cleaning job that needs to be done but in many cases, sweeping can be
seen as a preparatory task for others jobs such as wet mopping, stripping etc
 Setting up or assembling any equipment that needs to be put together
 Mixing any chemicals or preparing chemicals and cleaning
agents that will be needed
 Deciding where to start the job, the physical direction the
work will take and where the job will conclude. This is often vital
with cleaning tasks because you often don’t want to walk over
surfaces that have just been mopped, re-sealed etc and you have
to make sure you don’t trap yourself into a corner. Working from
the furthest point back to the entry door is a usual work
direction.

Barricade the work area or place safety warning signs

Extreme care must be exercised when cleaning any public area.

There is always the potential for a guest or staff member, to be injured as a

result of the cleaning: this is not just a bad public relations outcome, but it can
mean a lengthy and expensive court case that also causes negative relations
with the wider community.

One way of limiting the possibility of guest or other injury is to barricade the
work area or put in place appropriate warning signs every time cleaning is
undertaken. This applies equally to front-of-house and back-of-house areas.

Signage and barriers serve three purposes:

 They warn people of danger – reducing the risk of injury due to slipping
 They help keep people away from the work area – which allows us to work
unimpeded and keeps their feet off surfaces that need to dry
 They are evidence that the establishment has discharged its duty of care
obligation to others.

Failure to display these warning signs, etc provide guests

and staff with a ready-made legal case should they fall, trip or
otherwise become injured as a result of the cleaning being
carried out.

The courts have left us in absolutely no doubt that

we are wholly and solely responsible for and worker
safety. We have a duty of care to maintain a workplace
that does not pose a risk to people, and where we
breach that duty and injury results, we can expect
severe penalties.

The need to barricade or use appropriate signs for every cleaning job cannot
be over-emphasized. All too often, cleaning staff become complacent and
fail to barricade the area adequately, and this always seems to be the
time when an injury occurs.

When barricading an area, common sense must be applied. If there are too
many people in the area, then, as already mentioned, cleaning has to be
deferred and done later.

Barricades and signage must be put in position before any cleaning begins.

The following points should be followed with reference to barricades and safety
signs:

 “Slippery When Wet” signs must be used when mopping or

working with a slippery surface – there must be sufficient of
these signs to provide suitable and adequate warning to anyone
who may enter the cleaning area from any direction. They must
be sufficient to be “readily visible”.

 During cleaning, “Cleaning in Progress” signs should be posted as

a warning to patrons and staff in the same way that Slippery
When Wet signs are posted

 Physical barriers (fluoro-tape) and physical restraints (purpose-built safety

barriers) may be used to restrict access to a site

 Locked doors are another practical way of denying access to

areas and rooms

 Your workplace may have other signage that they require you to
erect when cleaning is being done – often the signs that are
available will depend on the company from whom they were
bought.

To find out what applies:

 Ask your supervisor

 Read relevant Work Instructions, Job Safety Analyses, or Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs).
 SELF CHECK 5.3-1

Directions: Provide the answer to the following statements. Write your answer
in a separate paper.

1. In what order of cleaning should you follow when you work?

2. What are purposes of signage and barriers?
 ANSWER KEY 5.3-1

1. In what order should you work?

 Remove all rubbish and waste

 Cleaning is then divided into dry or wet tasks
 It is usual that where there are dry tasks, these are completed first followed
by wet tasks
 High cleaning is done before low cleaning (dust falls down)
 Floor cleaning is done last (to clean all the debris from the cleaning process)
 Work systematically around a room area so you do not miss any surface or
forget to clean an item
 Work clockwise if possible completing one task at a time and work backwards
towards the exit door

2. Purposes of signage and barriers

a. They warn people of danger – reducing the risk of injury due to
slipping
b. They help keep people away from the work area – which allows us to
work unimpeded and keeps their feet off surfaces that need to dry
c. They are evidence that the establishment has discharged its duty of
care obligation to others.
 INFORMATION SHEET 5.3-2
WET AND DRY AREA CLEANING

Learning Objective:

After reading this information sheet, you should be able to differentiate the
cleaning techniques in wet and dry areas

Introduction

Cleaning tasks are often divided into “dry” and “wet” activities. Equipment and
techniques in cleaning areas depends on the area to be cleaned.

WET AREA CLEANING

There are many public areas in a hotel that contain wet areas. These are floor
areas that can be classified as areas that either:
 Commonly have wet surfaces
 Require water to clean them

The types of surfaces that are usually wet or require water to clean them include:
 Wood
 Carpet
 Marble
 Rubber
 Tiles
 Concrete
 Vinyl.

Like the process involved in assessing wet areas to be cleaned, there are some points
to keep in mind:
 When should it be cleaned routinely?
 When is an „immediate clean required?
 When is the most appropriate time to clean it to
keep customer disruption to a minimum?
 What do I need to clean it?
 How do I clean it?

Equipment

When deciding the best equipment to clean a wet area or using a wet cleaning
method, the type of surface to be cleaned is important.

 Mops
 Brooms and brushes
 Cloths and sponges
 Buckets
 Carpet shampoo machines
 Polishers
 Scrubbing machines
 Floor machines
Cleaning products

There is a great deal of cleaning products that can be used when cleaning wet
areas or using wet cleaning methods.

Prepare for work area

When preparing to clean a floor using a wet method ensure the floor area to be
cleaned is free from any furniture or other objects.
 Stacking tables and chairs to a side or placing chairs on a table so the floor
area is clear
 Done at night when there are fewer customers in the public areas such as the
lobby or when specific outlets are closed, such as pool area. Gymnasium and
restaurants.

Clean Wet Areas

Wet areas include swimming pools, saunas, laundries, toilets, bars (server)
and bathrooms.

Cleaning pools

The following steps can be followed by public area cleaners to ensure the pool
remains clean and inviting for guests:

 Remove leaves and other floating items – pick up junk before it sinks or gets
clogged in the plumbing
 At least once a week, clean leaves out of the pool's strainers (the baskets that
catch debris)
 Brush your pool walls weekly to remove algae and other culprits - use a soft
brush on tile or fiberglass walls and a stiffer brush on the walls of plaster-
lined pools. If you need to undertake deeper cleaning, use a nylon scouring
pad and a liquid cleaner
 Vacuum each week to keep the pool water clean. Cover the entire bottom of
the pool with your vacuum strokes.
 Keep your pool water sanitized to reduce algae and
bacteria. Liquid chlorine is the most common sanitizer,
although there are other, newer methods. Use a test kit
to tell when you need to add chlorine
 If your pool water is cloudy, check your filter and clean
it, if necessary. Different steps are required to clean
sand, diatomaceous earth and cartridge filters
 Place a pool cover on at the end of the day if required
 Check pool lighting
 Always keep chemicals stored out of direct sunlight. Keep them in a cool dry
place. Do NOT store acid and chlorine right next to each other
 Keep vegetation, animals and chemicals away from and out of the pool.
Cleaning pool area

Not only must the pool be inviting, but the pool area itself must also be clean,
safe and ready for use.

Activities to ensure a pool area remains operating efficiently include:

 Washing and sweeping tiles around pool and under deck chairs
 Returning pool devices and recreational equipment to their designated areas
 Realigning deck chairs and umbrellas
 Removing used towels and placing new towels on deck chairs or stations,
where required
 Removing dirty glasses, plates and napkins
 Cleaning pool side tables and chairs including the realignment of promotions
or other table materials.

Cleaning public bathrooms

A. Cleaning vanity areas

The vanity area is normally the most used area in a rest room.
The vanity area normally includes:
 Bathroom bench
 Basins
 Taps
 Mirror
 Hand towels
 Amenities
 Soap containers.

Similar to when cleaning most surfaces, always wear

protective gloves when cleaning the vanity/washing area.

The recommended steps are:

1. Clean and dry shelves

2. Scrub hand basin, rinse, then dry and polish
with clean cloth – check plughole
3. Polish fittings and taps
4. Clean and dry wall tiles
5. Clean, dry and polish bench top
6. Clean and polish mirror
7. Check under vanity for cleanliness
– Cobwebs, etc
8. Replenish stock – soap, tissues, facial items, shower caps, water
9. Replenish towels – paper or linen
10. Conduct final check.

B. Cleaning public area showers

Some hospitality organizations will provide public shower

facilities. This may include golf clubhouses or an area close to
pools or beach at a resort allowing guests to refresh without having to return to
their rooms.

Always wear protective gloves when cleaning a shower.

The shower can be effectively cleaned as follows:

1. Wet shower basin and sides

2. Clean tiles and floor – check plughole for foreign matter
3. Clean shower curtain – check pole is clean and all hooks are in
place and working
4. Rinse walls and floor thoroughly
5. Polish fittings
6. Replenish supplies – shampoo, conditioner and soap
7. Conduct final inspection – leave shower curtain neat and to one side.

C. Cleaning toilets

The following steps are effective when:

1. Flush toilet to wet sides of bowl

2. Pour in cleanser – leave to soak: continue with other
work
3. Wash lid and dry – both sides and near back hinges
4. Wash seat and dry – both sides and near back hinges
5. Wash outsides of the bowl and dry
6. Wash and dry water holding unit and polish button
7. Scour bowl thoroughly – use a toilet brush
8. Flush toilet a number of times to wash away dirt and residue
9. Place a hygiene strip over the closed toilet lid
10. Conduct final inspection – leave lid down when thoroughly cleaned.

Take a second to recheck that the toilet is clean. This includes the lid and
seats, on both sides.

It is also important to ensure any chemicals are removed from toilet surfaces
as this cause discomfort if coming in contact with the skin of guest

Mopping

Floors can become very dirty places and therefore it

is important they are cleaned correctly and thoroughly.

From dirt and dust to the hairsprays, soaps and

shampoos, dirt can easily stick around for awhile. While
floors are nice to look at when they're clean and sparkling,
it doesn't take much to sully them.

Dirt and grime trapped between the tiles and

marring the appearance of the grout can make the floor
unclean.

Keeping floors clean is essential not only for looking nice, but for sanitary reasons
as well.
Steps to Mopping

1. Remove everything that may be on the floor such as mats, such as trash
cans, and small pieces of furniture
2. Sweep the floor to remove dirt, hair, dust and other debris
3. Dissolve detergents into warm water using the manufacturer’s instructions
for the correct water to detergent ratio
4. Pour the solution over the entire floor so that the solution can fill into the
grout lines
5. Allow the solution to remain on the floor for 15 to 20 minutes
6. Scrub the grout with a small medium-bristled brush
7. Rinse the floor with a mop dampened with clean water
8. Mix a second batch of detergent and water
9. Mop the entire floor with fresh solution
10. Rinse the mop with clean water and mop a second time over the floor to rinse
11. Use a squeegee to push residual moisture to one area of the floor before
absorbing it with dry towels

Tidy work site

At the completion of cleaning it is important to ensure the

public area is left in a clean and tidy state.

More importantly, the surfaces must be dry or safe for

customers to use. If the floor is still wet, not only does it attract
more dirt by people walking but ca n cause falls and spills.

If it absolutely essential that customers must use an area

which contains a wet surface, adequate warning signs and
barriers should be put into place.

Once the follow is dry, all equipment and furniture should be

returned to their original location and all „wet floor‟ caution signs removed.

DRY CLEANING

Technique

Cleaning and tidying techniques may include:

1. Physically picking items up – from

 The floor
 Furniture – tables and chairs
 Window ledges
 Counter tops
 Toilets
 Placing them into bins
 2. Sweeping – including:
 Floors with soft brooms
 Some furniture may also be swept with purpose-built brushes supplied
by the manufacturer of the furniture
 Using brooms to remove cobwebs from high areas (vents, fans, ceilings,
light fixtures) as required/ when noticed
 Using dust pan and brush – to:
o Clean up dirt and dust swept up by broom
o Clean up breakages of glasses and bottles

3. Dusting – using a duster or dust cloth to remove dust. The dusting cloth may
be dry or impregnated with a cleaning agent (multi-purpose cleaner) to
increase adhesion of dust particles to cloth

4. Dry mopping – using a specialized dust mop to clean areas: no water or

cleaning solution is used. Dry mopping does not use the same mop head as
for “wet mopping”
The two main types of dry mops are:
 Dusting mops – to clean skirting boards and polished surfaces
 Polishing mops – for buffing and polishing

5. Vacuuming the floor – using wet and dry vacuum cleaners:

Whatever the shape, size or style of vacuum cleaners, their job is to

suck up dust and dirt off floor surfaces and other areas (such as drapes,
furniture and ceiling). Most vacuum cleaners have a variety of attachments
designed for specific purposes (such as crevice nozzles)

6. Vacuuming furniture – especially under cushions, down the sides of chairs

and sofas and to remove surface dust and dirt

7. Polishing – this can involve hand polishing or the use of a polishing machine.
Polish protects surfaces and forms a barrier against liquid that may harm the
surface.

Hand polishing refers to polishing furniture, counters and mirrors

using nominated polishes (usually a paste, liquid, and cream or aerosol product)
with lint-free cloths. Polish is “applied and then polished off”. When using an
aerosol, be careful about “drift” (the product drifting to other areas and items) when
applying the polish.

A polishing machine is used to polish or “buff” floor surfaces – such as

polished floors. Polishing a floor helps resist scratching and enhances appearance.
Burnishers come in different sizes to enable access and time-effective polishing in
small as well as large areas. Some include a suction facility that sucks up dust
particles during the polishing process: where these exist, filters need to be changes
as recommended by the manufacturer (or as reading from equipment gauges
dictate)
 How to Use and Maintain a High Speed Floor Buffer/Polisher

Floor buffers are an upright electrical cleaning device similar to vacuum

cleaners in size and shape. They are used to both clean and shine non-carpeted
flooring. High-speed floor buffers are typically used in hospitals, schools and
businesses because they can quickly and effectively clean and polish large expanses
of floor. High-speed buffers are able to polish so well due to pads that can rotate as
much as 2000 revolutions per minute. The high speed creates heat, which aids in
creating a bright shine. Floor buffers, especially heavy high-speed buffers, can be
difficult to operate.

Steps for using a high-speed buffer:

1. Clear the floor furniture and other objects. Place chairs on top of tables
and move them to the edges of the room. If possible, move everything out
of the room into a hallway or another room. Buffers can clean spills and
remove some dirt but large pieces of debris should e picked up before
buffing.
2. Examine your scrub brush or polishing pad for cleanliness. Replace a
buffer pad that appears used or soiled. Using a dirty buffer pad can
scratch the floor, especially at such high speeds. Checks for defects in
the pad such as missing portions of pad fabric or unevenness.
3. Move to a back corner of the room to begin. Locate the farther corner
from the entrance of the room you are buffing in order to prevent
stepping on the freshly buffed floor as you work. Walking over a floor
that has been buffed might scuff or dent the surface. Make sure there is
a close electric outlet and that your high-speed floor buffer cord is long
enough to span the entire room. If it is not, plan your buffing route
around the location of the other outlets to prevent having walk over the
buffed portion of the floor.
4. Apply buffing solution or polishing cream on the pad or directly on the
floor.
5. Turn the buffer on. Locate the “on” switch. This button is usually
positioned with other control buttons on the arm of the appliance.
Consult the owner’s manual if you cannot find the controls. Choose an
appropriate setting for the type of lfoor and type of dirt. Some high-speed
floor buffers have multiple settings that allow you to select different
rpms.
6. Proceed slowly in a back and forth pattern across the room. Move
laterally throughout the room starting from the right. Work very slowly
and carefully. Change up your direction and begin working from left to
right to guarantee even buffing. Overlap about 1/3 of each row as you
continue to buffer. This ensures you don’t miss a spot.
7. Examine the pad 1 to 2 times during the process of buffing. Check for
rips, large pieces of debris or an excessively grimy pad. Replace the pad
as needed.
 TIPS:

 Use only as much buffing solution or polishing cream as necessary. Spreading

too much solution can make it more difficult to maintain an even floor.
 There are two (2) main types of buffing pad: cutting and polishing. Cutting
pads are best used for cleaning extremely dirty floors, as they are made of
more abrasive material. Polishing pads are most effective for finishing off a
floor after it’s been cleaned.
 High-speed floor buffers can be used on all hard, non-carpeted surfaces.
 Replacement buffer pads can be obtained through the floor buffer
manufacturer’s website or by calling the manufacturer’s customer service
line. You can also find replacement pads at commercial cleaning supply
outlets or home improvement stores.

WARNINGS:

Do not linger in one area for more than 2 seconds. This will cause you to apply too much
cleaner or polish in 1 area, which can result in an uneven floor.

Where and how to store your cleaning supplies

1. Clean, cool, dry

 Store your cleaning supplies in an area that is clean and free of debris.
Make sure that there aren’t any temperature extremes in the area where
your cleaning supplies are stored. Another thing to make sure of is that
the area is dry.
2. Original containers
 Keep cleaning supplies in their original containers. If you mix your own
cleaners, make sure you use new bottles and label them to avoid a mix
up. Some cleaners can cause a lot of problems when they are mixed, so
always follow manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Safe storage
 Be sure to keep your cleaning supplies stored in places where your
children and/or pets will not be able to get them. Consider higher
storage or locked storage to protect small children and pets.
4. Cleaning caddies
 Create smaller cleaning kits for the different areas of your home.
Cleaning caddies can hold nearly all the supplies needed to clean an
entire room and be stores right in the room they are needed. The only
things you’ll have to haul into the room are floor care items.

Clean dry areas

Dry areas are offices, restaurants, lobby areas and functions rooms.
 Erect signage
 Select the correct chemicals and equipment for the surfaces to be
cleaned
 Remove all waste from the area
 Wash the bins and liners
 Dust or damp wipe all dry surfaces cleaning from top to bottom (picture
 frames, furniture, desks, chairs, filinf cabinets, door fittings, fire
extinguishers, plant pots, skirting boards etc. working in a circular way
around the room)
 Lift up any furniture and fittings off the floor if possible
 Sweep and mop any hard floors
 Vacuum the carpet working towards the exit door
 Re-position all furniture
 Remove signage
 Check all surfaces for spots and stains
 Re-clean as necessary and remove signage
 SELF CHECK 5.3-2

Directions: provide the answer to the following statements. Write your answer in
a separate sheet of paper.

1. What are the cleaning and tidying techniques?

 ANSWER KEY 5.3-2

Cleaning and tidying techniques may include:

2. Physically picking items up

3. Sweeping
4. Dusting
5. Dry mopping
6. Vacuuming the floor
7. Vacuuming the furniture
8. Polishing
 TASK SHEET 5.3-2

Title : MOPPING THE FLOOR

Performance Objective: to be able to show the procedure in mopping the

floor

Supplies: Mop and mop squeezer

Bucket
Floor Cleaner detergent
small soft brush
soft broom
dust pan

Steps/Procedures:

1. Remove everything that may be on the floor such as mats, such as

trash cans, and small pieces of furniture
2. Sweep the floor to remove dirt, hair, dust and other debris
3. Dissolve detergents into warm water using the manufacturer’s
instructions for the correct water to detergent ratio
4. Pour the solution over the entire floor so that the solution can fill into
the grout lines
5. Allow the solution to remain on the floor for 15 to 20 minutes
6. Scrub the grout with a small medium-bristled brush
7. Rinse the floor with a mop dampened with clean water
8. Mix a second batch of detergent and water
9. Mop the entire floor with fresh solution
10. Rinse the mop with clean water and mop a second time over the floor
to rinse

Assessment Method: Demonstration and oral questioning

To check if you have done the steps correctly, please refer to the performance
criteria checklist
 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA CHECKLIST 5.3-2

Did you…… YES NO

1. Remove everything that may be on the floor such as mats,
such as trash cans, and small pieces of furniture?

2. Sweep the floor to remove dirt, hair, dust and other debris?
3. Dissolve detergents into warm water using the
manufacturer’s instructions for the correct water to
detergent ratio?

4. Pour the solution over the entire floor so that the solution
can fill into the grout lines?

5. Allow the solution to remain on the floor for 15 to 20?

minutes
6. Scrub the grout with a small medium-bristled brush?

7. Rinse the floor with a mop dampened with clean water?

8. Mix a second batch of detergent and water?

9. Mop the entire floor with fresh solution?

10. Rinse the mop with clean water and mop a second time over
the floor to rinse?

Trainee’s Signature: Date:

Trainer’s Signature: Date:

 INFORMATION SHEET 5.3-3

TYPES OF CHEMICALS AND CLEANING AGENTS

Learning Objectives:

After reading this information sheet, you should be able to identify cleaning
agents and chemicals and their proper handling and preparation in accordance to
occupational health and safety requirements.

Introduction:

All cleaning agents and chemicals are designed to clean specific surfaces. It is
most important that the correct cleaning agent or chemical is used on the correct
surfaces. Using the wrong cleaning agent or chemical on the wrong surface can
destroy the item, requiring it to be discarded and replaced.

Safe handling of chemicals

Whenever you are required to deal with chemicals, employers are required are
under a legal obligation to provide you with:
 Appropriate and sufficient training and information
 Adequate monitoring and supervision
 Necessary safety equipment and protective clothing

Material Safety Data Sheet

Employers are also required to ensure that all chemicals used in the workplace are
accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). This
Material Safety Data Sheet must be kept near the chemicals,
and cover issues such as:
 Product classification
 Storage requirements
 Transportation regulations
 Safe handling procedures
 First aid

Any chemical users must know where these sheets are and abide by any
specific directions or cautions.
Suppliers of chemicals are obliged by law to provide you with MSDS for any
chemicals you purchase form them
 General rules for dealing with chemicals

 Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions – this is the Golden Rule when
handling, using or otherwise dealing with chemicals or cleaning agents
 Never mix chemicals together – doing this can cause them to be ineffective,
can cause them to give off toxic fumes, and can cause them to explode.
 Read the label.
 Contact the supplier or your supervisor if unsure about any aspect of using
or dealing with any chemical
 Never store chemical with food – it is illegal to do so
 Avoid contact with bare skin, eyes, mouth etc and any chemicals – this
applies to direct contact, as well as indirect contact
 Follow the specific advice on the relevant MSDS if you swallow a chemical or
get it in your eyes or on your skin
 Work in ventilated conditions when using chemicals
 Always wear the personal protective clothing and equipment provided by your
employer when dealing with chemicals
 Don’t handle chemicals until you have had appropriate training either from a
supervisor, an experienced staff member or a representative from the
appropriate HAZCHEM signs
 Only use the designated items to measure the chemicals to be use – never
use jugs or container that could then be inadvertently used elsewhere in the
property for food preparation or service purposes
 Treat the handling of chemicals with the seriousness it deserves – focus on
the chemical handling task at hand. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted. No
messing about while working with chemicals
 Make sure an approved ‘Chemicals Register’ is kept on the premises.

Selecting and preparing chemicals for use

When selecting cleaning chemicals, ALWAYS try to restrict the number to a

minimum. Cleaning chemicals if used properly make your job easier but, if not, can
be both hazardous to your health and damage surfaces that you can clean. It is
important that you understand all aspects of each one including what they should
be for, and the safety precautions to take.

Chemicals may be delivered in:

 Liquid form – most detergents, cleaners, sanitizers, and
disinfectants
 Dry/powder form – some detergents come in this
dry/powder form
 Aerosol form – for pesticides and deodorizers
 Paste form – polishes

How do you find out which one to use for a particular job?
 Talk to your supervisor or a rep from the chemical company
 Check the FSP regarding chemicals in food areas
 Read the label on the drums/containers
 Check out any wall charts provided by the supplier

Dilute properly
Read the label and use the chemical correctly. Some chemicals will be used
undiluted at all times. Some will be used neat in certain applications and diluted in
others. The level of dilution can vary depending on the type of application. Always
measure chemicals, never guess at how much you are using. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.

Follow relevant work procedures

Where the employer has specific, written directions that relate to selection,
preparation and application of chemicals these must be followed. You should be
made aware of what these are during induction and other on-the-job training.
They can take the form of:
 Job instructions
 Checklists
 Job Safety Analysis
 Work instructions

Types of cleaning agents and chemicals

The brand or type used in one establishment can vary greatly to the brand or
type used in another. Cleaning companies will work with you to identify and
understand the cleaning jobs you need to complete and recommend appropriate
products with the necessary active ingredients. Most companies will provide you
with samples to allow you to test the products before you buy them.

1. Water
It is vital that you determine whether the cleaning
agent or chemical you propose to use needs to be diluted or
whether it can be used neat: damage can be caused by using
neat product when it should have been diluted. Water is also
important in the cleaning process because it is also used to:
 Loosen and dissolve dirt and grime from surfaces
 Rinse surfaces and cleaning equipment.

Remember that clean water should be used at all times

and dirty water should be disposed off appropriately – which
means down a gully trap or a designated sink for emptying
buckets.

2. Soap
Generally, soap is made from animal fats and
caustic soda. It can be an effective cleaning agent for
some surfaces, but it can leave unacceptable and
unattractive residue. If not dried quickly, this residue will
dry and create the need to for the entire surface to be
cleaned again. This residue needs to be removed with a
detergent-based product. In general terms, soap is not used for cleaning
equipment/surfaces.
3. Polishes
Polish can come as a paste, liquid or cream form. It protects surfaces and
forms a barrier against liquids that may harm the surface.

Spirit-based polishes are generally used for metal surfaces as well as window
and mirrors.
Oil-based polishes are generally used for leather, wood, synthetic flooring,
linoleum and tiles.

4. Abrasives
Abrasive cleaning agents are available in
powder, cream or paste forms. They are used for
scouring and cleaning ceramic or enamel surfaces.
An example of such surface is the toilet bowl or the
shower basin: abrasive cleaners must not be used
on surfaces that scratch easily. Abrasive can be
hard to rinse away, so it is important to wipe and
rinse as soon as possible after application: if they
are left to dry, abrasive can be much harder to
rinse away, and may leave behind harmful residue.

5. Detergents
Detergents are chemical-based and can vary in
strength; therefore it is important to follow the correct
dilution instructions when using this type of cleaning agent.
Detergents have different pH scales and it is the pH
level of the detergent that informs the user of the type of
surface it is best to used on.
 Acidic detergents (graded as having a pH of 1to 6)
should be used for cleaning ceramic surfaces.
 A pH of 7 is a neutral pH level and these types of
detergents are useful for general cleaning.
 Alkaline detergents (graded as having a pH of 8to14) should be used only for
specialist tasks, as they can be corrosive and have the ability to damage a
surface.
High alkaline detergents should be used only as directed and only on surfaces they
were designed to clean. The surface they are used to clean should also be rinsed
thoroughly to remove any harmful residue. Remember that high alkaline detergents
can be harmful to the skin. They should be treated with care and spillage should be
avoided at all times. Protective clothing should be worn when using high alkaline
detergents.

6. Specialized cleaning agent

Cleaning chemicals have been developed to address specific cleaning tasks.
These ‘specialty’ products have been developed for:
 A range of floor and carpet cleaning needs – specific for different surface type
(tile, lino, carpet, wood, etc) and specific stains, dirt and types of damage. These
include stripping and re-sealing products for hard floor surfaces
 Window and glass
 Stainless steel
 Leather
  Aluminum
 Toilets
 Various laundry uses
 Cleaning specific equipment and areas – such as rubbish bins. Smokehouses,
vehicle, furniture polishes.

7. Solvents
Solvent-based detergents will dissolve heavy grease and oil. It
is most important to realize that not all surfaces can be
cleaned with solvent detergents. For example, it would not be
appropriate to remove oil that has been spilt onto a lounge suite
with a solvent detergent. However a metal surface could
remain unharmed if cleaned with a solvent detergent.
Again, refer to the manufacturer’s instruction when
using such a cleaning product. Remember that solvent-based
detergents may be harmful to the skin. They should be treated with
care and spillage should be avoided at all times. Surfaces that have
been cleaned with solvents must be rinsed thoroughly to remove any harmful
residue.

8. Disinfectant
Disinfectants are cleaning agents that destroy disease-
carrying micro-organisms. It should be diluted according to
manufacturer’s instructions: if it is diluted too much, the
disinfectant will become ineffective. Disinfectant have a strong scent
and so are not suitable for use in the kitchen or any food area. It
should be used only in the toilet, bathroom and change areas

9. Deodorizers
Deodorizers are used to mask or eliminate unpleasant
smells. They are commonly in aerosol form and should be
sprayed sparingly to achieve their aim but not dominate or over-
power. Urinal block are also used to mask smells in gent’s
toilets. When using them, follow the recommended dosage rate.
Don’t simply throw handfuls of them into the urinal. They are
expensive and on their own they don’t provide any cleaning
function.
 SELF CHECK No.5.3-3

Direction: provide the correct answer to the following. Write your answer in a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Content of Material safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

2. Forms of chemicals
3. What are the types of cleaning agents and chemicals?
4. Why is water important in cleaning?
5. Cleaning agents that addressed specific cleaning tasks.
 ANSWER KEY No.5.3-3

1. Content of Material safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

 Job instructions
 Checklists
 Job safety analysis
 Work instructions
2. Forms of chemicals
 Liquid form
 Dry/powder form
 Aerosol form
 Paste form
3. Types of cleaning agents and chemicals
a. Water
b. Soap
c. Polishes
d. Abrasive
e. Detergents
f. Specialized cleaning agents
g. Solvents
h. Disinfectants
i. deodorizers

4. Water is important in cleaning because it loosen and dissolve dirt and

grime from surfaces and it rinse surfaces and cleaning equipment
5. Specialized cleaning agents
 INFORMATION SHEET NO. 5.3-4
DISPOSAL OF WASTE AND USED CHEMICALS

Learning objective:

After reading this information sheet, you should be able to apply proper
disposal of garbage and used chemicals.

Introduction

Disposal of waste should be done regularly throughout the day in order to

remove the possibility of bad smells and to eliminate the possibility of attracting
pests and vermin. It must never be allowed to accumulate inside the premises. A
minimum requirement is to remove all garbage on a daily basis.

Types of waste

 Food waste
 Dry waste
 Waste that can be recycled
 Medicine and infectious waste
 Return waste

Food waste

This is generated primarily from restaurants and kitchen areas although

there may be some from staff lunch rooms. this should be disposed of in heavy duty
garbage bags tied at the top. The bags should not be overfilled or leak

Dry waste

The amount of dry waste produced by hotels has been dramatically reduced
due to the increase and availability of recycling. There is still dry waste produced
such as used paper towels and cigarette butts and food wrappings. This is classified
as general rubbish and should be disposed of in garbage bags. Where you are
removing cigarett3e butts from ashtrays, always ensure that they are not
smoldering.

Waste that can be recycled

Currently, much of today’s waste may be recycled by companies and local

government bodies. Due to the increased information and awareness of
environmental issues, most businesses recycle some of their waste. Find out the
procedures at your workplace, if any for recycling.
Recyclable waste may include:
 Newspapers and magazines
 Cardboard boxes
 Bottles and cans
 Metal items (old fridges and washing machines)
 Toner cartridges

Medical and infectious waste

 Waste that is potentially infectious may include surgical and sanitary

dressings, used condoms and syringes. Sanitary dressings are usually
disposed of in special sanitary units located in female toilet areas. The
designated contractor will be responsible for correct disposal of this waste.
 Used condoms should be handled by wearing rubber gloves and wrapping in
paper before disposing of in the dry waste
 In hotels, there may be times when syringes are discovered in public toilets or
in plant pots. These may be disposed of correctly in a sharps container. Some
public toilets have installed wall mounted units but many users do not
disposed of syringes thoughtfully

Find out the correct procedure in your work area for disposal of these items.
When full, these containers are sent to a medical waste company for correct
disposal. They are usually burnt.

Return waste

 This applies to waste that is returnable to its source. Some companies for
example refund monies for the return of empty containers e.g. bottles,
chemical containers, and milk crates.

Disposal of waste

 All waste is usually taken to a central area where it is stored until it is

collected by outside contractors
 This area must be located far away from the public areas in a separate
designated area
 The area may have many separate bins with lids or there may be one or more
large bulk storage bins
 The storage area should be kept as cool as possible to avoid rubbish rotting
and smelling until it can be collected
 In large properties, this may de daily or several times per week depending on
volume
 The rubbish storage area should have access to hot water for cleaning and
preferably have an easy to clean floor. Many food establishments have a steel
non slip floor for hygiene reasons.

Rubbish chutes

 High rise buildings may have a rubbish chute accessible from each floor
where all waste can be disposed of to a central area. With this process,
rubbish may fall directly into either a bulk rubbish bin or into a rubbish
 compactor.
 It is not recommended that glass bottles be placed down a rubbish chute,
because of the speed at which they fall, they can shatter on impact and cause
injury to people below. Large cardboard boxes can also block the chute if not
broken into small pieces.
 The doors on each floor must be locked at all times for safety reasons.

Rubbish compactors

 When rubbish is placed into a rubbish compactor, the machine compacts the
rubbish into a large storage (compaction) unit. The units grinds and presses
the rubbish and when the compaction unit is full, it is transported off site
and replaced with another one by a waste disposal contractor.
 The compactor unit needs to manned to ensure there are no blockages.
 Rubbish may also be placed manually into the compactor unit where there is
no chute. Some units have a lifting device attached which can lift and empty
rubbish bins directly into the unit.

Manual rubbish compactors

There are many styles available but manual compactors are useful when
rubbish storage areas are small. They can be used for general dry or wet rubbish or
for paper and cardboard. The latter have a baling action which can tie up piles into
bales ready for collection for recycling.

Precautions when handling waste

 ALWAYS wear rubber gloves when handling rubbish. When picking up

cigarette butts, empty drink containers or used tissues, you will be also
picking up other people’s germs. You should pick these up with long handled
tongs or “nippers’.
 NEVER place hands in to any type of rubbish bin as there may be broken
glass or razor blades on which you can cut yourself
 ALWAYS any cuts or abrasion on your hand with a waterproof dressing to
prevent bacteria entering wound
 NEVER carry rubbish bags that are too heavy – use trolley
 NEVER dispose of broken glass or syringes into plastic bags. They may pierce
the bag and cause harm to you and others
 Broken glass and crockery should be wrapped in thick newspaper before
disposal. Some workplaces may have a special bucket for holding broken
glass and crockery
 ALWAYS wash your hands after handling rubbish.

Once rubbish has been collected from the room, public areas and kitchen, it
must be transported safely to the appropriate garbage location, usually a dump
master.

Near the dump master there may be a number of recycling stations – paper,
plastics, cans and as much garbage as possible should be recycled.

Protective clothing should always be worn when handling or disposing of

garbage. Chemicals are different to garbage and should be treated as such.
In addition:
 Comply with any recycling protocols the business has
 Make sure all rubbish goes into the bins and is not left lying around next to
them
 Close lids to bins after using them. There may be a need to lock them to
prevent unauthorized use
 Use the appropriate bin/disposal system for the appropriate type of rubbish.
Liquid waste must be separated from solid waste.
 Wash hands after handling rubbish.

Disposal of chemicals

When cleaning, handling and disposing of chemicals, the following points

should be adhered to:
 Chemicals should never come in direct contact with the skin – always wear
PPE
 When spilt, chemicals should be initially soaked up with sand, earth or some
kind of designated absorbent material.

Left-over chemicals in undiluted form must never be disposed of down a sink or a

gully trap.

Removal of chemical waste

 Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

This should have directions for correct disposal of
chemical waste
 Follow these instructions exactly
 Some chemicals should not be flushed down the
drain as they could be corrosive or impact on the
environment
 Use a registered accredited commercial chemical waste disposal company.

Items that should be professionally disposed of:

 Acids
 Alkalis
 Aerosols
 Waxes
 Paint cans
 Paint thinners
 Solvents

Oven cleaners
 Pest poisons
 Glues
 Fertilizers

What to do in case of a chemical spill

 Only trained staff should deal with a large chemical spill

  The size of a spill will affect how you deal with it
 Attend to staff who may have been affected and let decontaminate under a
shower for 10-15 minutes
 Remove and dispose of all contaminated clothing
 If the spill is large, all staff should be evacuated from the immediate area
 Ventilate the area as much as possible
 Call the relevant emergency services to assist and advise
 Wear protective clothing at all times in this situation – gloves, face mask,
protective clothing and rubber boots
 Try to stop the spill if possible. Turn off the tap of place the container on its
side
 The use of sand or an absorbent compound (sand or sawdust) is particularly
helpful in this case, this can then be swept up as solid matter and disposed
of later
 Wash the area down completely after clean up
 Investigate how the spill occur in order to review all handling procedures
 Record the incident and retrain staff

The following table (from Work Safe Victoria), indicate the sorts of problems that
chemicals can cause to people in our industry.

Hazard type Who? Effect on the human body

Cleaning–using detergents  Cleaners  Headaches and dizziness
and cleaning agents in  Ground staff  Sleepiness
washing, disinfecting,  Housekeeping  Itchiness and rashes
general and specific – staff  Nausea and vomiting
purpose cleaning;  Cellar persons  Burning to eyes and skin
swimming pool cleaning  Bar staff  Difficulty breathing
and maintenance; beer line  Kitchen hands  Coughing and
cleaning; degreasing tasks;  Maintenance watering eyes
oven and drain cleaning staff  Unconsciousness
 Outside  Cancer and birth defects
contractors  Damage to internal organs
 Respiratory tract infection

Insecticides & pesticides-  Ground staff  Headaches and dizziness

using to control pests &  Housekeeping  Sleepiness
rodents; to eliminate or staff  Itchiness and rashes
control pests on flora  Cleaners  Nausea and vomiting
 Maintenance  Burning to eyes and skin
staff  Difficulty breathing
 Outside  Coughing and
contractors watering eyes
  Unconsciousness
 Cancer and birth defects
 Damage to internal organs
 Respiratory tract infection

(Source: Worksafe Victoria)

 SELF CHECK 5.3-4

Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is
incorrect. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Garbage must be disposed of regularly – on a daily basis.

2. Protective clothing should always be worn when handling or disposing of
garbage.
3. Disposal of chemicals and garbage are the same.
4. Always wear PPE when handling and disposing chemicals.
5. When a chemical spilt, wipe with a cloth or paper.
6. Undiluted left-over chemicals must never be disposed of down a sink or a
gully.
 ANSWER KEY 5.3-4

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
 GLOSSARY

Chemical A product, normally in liquid format, used to clean a

surface
Clean Free from dirt; unsoiled; unstained
Deodorizer To remove, disguise, or absorb the odur of, esp. when
unpleasant
Deep Cleaning Substantial cleaning used to remove more than surface
Disinfectant Any chemical agent used chiefly on inanimate objects to
destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful organism
Fabric A cloth made by weaving, knitting or felting fibers
Fittings Anything provided as equipment, parts, supply
Furnishings Furniture, carpeting, etc. for a house/room
Furniture The movable articles, as tables, chairs, desks or
Housekeeping The maintenance of a house or domestic establishment
Hygiene A condition or practice conducive to the preservation of
health, as cleanliness
Laundry Articles of clothing, linens, etc that have been or are to
be washed
Leather The skin of an animal, with the hair removed, prepared
Manual handling The act of pushing, pulling or lifting
OHS Occupational Health and Safety
Policy A rule, a definite course of action
Polih To make smooth and glossy, especially by rubbing or
friction
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
Procedure A particular course or mode of action
Public Areas Any location with a hotel that all customers have access
to and can use, not for the exclusive use of one
particular customer
Upholstery The material used in housekeeping tpo move supplies
from area to area
 REFERENCES:

Branson & Lennox, Hotel Housekeeping, Edward Arnold (UK)

Casado, Matt A.; 2011 (2nd edition); Housekeeping Management

(Course Smart); Wiley

David M Allen, Accommodation & Cleaning Services/Operations,

Hutchinson (UK) Doris Hatfield & Christine Winter, Professional

Housekeeping, Hutchinson (UK)

Iris Jones & Cynthia Phillips, Commercial Housekeeping and

Maintenance, Stanley Thornes (UK)

JKP Edwards, Floors and their maintenance, Cresta (UK)

Jones, Thomas J. A. 2007 (5th edition); Professional Management of

Housekeeping Operations; Wiley

Kappa, Margaret M., 1997 (2nd edition); Housekeeping Management;

Educational Institute of the American Hotel Motel Association

Lia Low, Keep it Clean, The Bodley Head (UK)

Nitschke, Aleta A. 2008 (3rd edition); Managing Housekeeping

Operations; Educational Institute of the American Hotel Motel
Association

O'Fallon, Michael J.; 2010 (5th edition); Hotel Management and Operations;
Wiley

Robert J. Martin & Thomas Jones, Professional Management of

Housekeeping Operations, Wiley