The cleaning business requires using chemicals which can be very hazardous. As such, it is necessary to provide your employees especially the new hires with all the information must know about the chemicals they are handling. Give your employees with a material safety data sheet that will help them have more knowledge of the substances they are using. However, do not be overly dependent on hand-outs as training is what you really need to provide your employees.

It is the duty of the employer to give his staff proper education and training. You have to equip your employees with the right information and know-how for their job. To accomplish this, you need to plan your staff’s training.

Create a lesson plan ahead of time and device job aids containing all the data your employees need to know, including all pertinent information about the business and their respective work assignments. List the chemicals you are using in your cleaning assignments by groups. A cleaning business uses a wide array of chemicals such as all-purpose cleaners, carpet cleaners, window cleaners, disinfectants and more. Discuss what each chemical group is all about so that your new employees will learn what they need to know about them. If your employees require clarification on some chemicals, give them additional information which will help them understand the subject more.

Distribute multiple copies of your material safety data sheet to your new employees. This will allow them to be more familiar with the chemicals and also know what to do in case of emergencies. When teaching your staff, make sure that all the chemicals are properly labeled so they will understand what you are discussing and avoid any confusion in the process. Also, because there are a lot of names that need to be remembered, a glossary of terms will also be of huge assistance to your employees.

Stress the importance of having a material data sheet to your new employees. Inform your employees that the data sheet has important health and safety information about the chemicals they are using, and how such details should be read.

Being able to understand what the material data sheet contains will also assist your new employees in deciding how a particular chemical should be handled and what type of clothing should be worn when using them. If your employees are well-educated and trained with how the chemicals should be used, accidents and injuries can be avoided.

Normally, the day comes and goes without any untoward incident. Nevertheless, there will always be times when something unexpected happens, and whether it may be a simple problem or a matter of life and death, what’s important is that your employees should know what to do in such circumstances.

Cleaning assignments are usually done at night or after normal working hours. As such, in the event of a power disruption, your staff may not be able to resume their work. Nevertheless, it does not follow that they should leave the place immediately. Most buildings and establishments have back-up generators or lights, but if the location of your staff does not have one, they should proceed to the nearest exit. Instruct your staff to contact their supervisor once they get hold of a phone or a cell phone. If both are ¬

not available, advise them to wait for 30 minutes for the electricity to come back. Otherwise, they can leave the place and look contact their supervisor as soon as possible.

Spills – Even if your staffs are very careful in handling cleaning products, spills cannot be avoided all together. As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, the cleaning business involves using various kinds of chemicals. What’s important however is that your employees know the products they are using inside and out, and also where to find the MSDS.

Most cleaning products have substances which can skin or eye irritations, and even burns. Thus, it is very important to use protective clothing and accessories like goggles and gloves. Small spills can simply be cleaned with a clean cloth and left to dry. However, spills that cannot be remedied immediately should be fenced with a tape or surrounded with chairs so that other people will not accidentally step or touch the affected area. As there are different ways of cleaning different chemicals, your staff should know how to check the MSDS. Also, you should remind your staff to always consult a supervisor if they are unsure about something or if they need more information.

Falls - Due to embarrassment, people try to act like nothing happened after a fall. However, you should tell your staff to persuade the person who fell to stay where he or she is, until they can be 100% sure they are in good condition. Promptly call for help if needed. Check what caused the person to fall once you’ve helped them (ex. wet floor, loose tile, hole in the carpet, etc.) and report it as soon as possible. Afterwards, create a written report about the incident.

Fires – The location of fire extinguishers is something that your cleaning staff should know. They should also know where the emergency phone numbers are listed. Should your staff encounter a small fire and is knowledgeable on how to use an extinguisher, the employee should put out the fire immediately and contact their supervisor. However, if they are unable to do so, they should leave the building at once and call the fire department, his or her supervisor, and the company’s contact person.

Health problems – To avoid spreading illness, a sick employee should be advised to stay home. If a health problem or emergency unexpectedly comes up while working, your employees should also be trained on how to respond to them.

Choking – If your staff or other people in the area do not know how to apply first aid, they should immediately call 911 and ask for assistance.

Heart Attacks – Place the victim in a comfortable position and call 911 as soon as possible.

For more: How to start a cleaning business by StartCleaningService.com