Prepare, clean & maintain floor surfaces

Prepare, clean & maintain floor surfaces

Tasks covered:

Prepare, dry sweep & damp mop floors

Prepare & suction clean floor surfaces

Prepare, spray clean & buff floor surfaces

Preparation

Yourself

◦Clean & smart appearance

◦PPE Gloves Suitable footwear Plastic apron

Work area

◦Ventilate the area

◦Hazard warning signs

◦Removing furniture or large debris

◦Protecting surrounding surfaces

Choose and use the correct machinery & equipment for the job!

Health and safety

Before using electrical equipment…..

Check the power supply cables and plug for damage, report and labelif necessary, isolate machine and do not use

Ensure hands are dry when plugging or unplugging electrical machinery.

When plugging a machine into an electric socket, make sure theswitch is in the off position

Always make sure to plug the machine into a free plug socket. Ifnon-available, ask a supervisor before unplugging any other machines

Ensure that portable appliance testing (PAT) has been undertaken inthe last 12 months. If not, do not use, remove and report tosupervisor/manager, do not use, label as faulty and remove from use.

Before starting and after use, carefully check that internal dust bags are not full, check the internal filters are clean and free from debris and brushes or pads are not damaged or worn

Health and safety

Don’t forget!Always keep cable behind the machines.

Do not place cable over shoulder at any time.

Place a safety sign over the lead/cable

Remember non-electrical equipment needs checking for safety too. This may include mops, buckets, brushes or mop-sweepers

Report any issues with work area and/or equipment

All equipment should be left clean, dry and tidy in storage area after use.

Health and safety

Chemicals

◦Remember to follow manufacturers instructions

◦Ensure you have the correct chemical for the

type of flooring and the task in hand

◦Always follow dilution rates

◦Remember to wear PPE when handling cleaning

agents

Dry Sweeping - Method

Prepare area

Keep mop head in contact with the floor AT

ALL TIMES

Maintain a leading edge

Cover floor area systematically

Remove soilage with a dustpan & brush

Mop head MUST be suction cleaned after use

Dry Sweeping - Method

Always sweep using

a continuous stroke

using overlapping

passes

Damp Mopping - Method

Prepare area

Apply cleaning solution to the floor using the

mop

Mop the floor using a figure of 8 stroke with

each pass overlapping

Clean edges by ‘cutting in’ parallel to skirtings

Use an abrasive pad on stubborn marks

Damp Mopping - Method

Ensure bucket is always behind line of work

When wringing out mop stand in front of the

wringer and press down firmly

Remember to change the cleaning solution

when dirty

Try and leave the floor as dry as

possible

Suction cleaning - Method

Prepare area & machinery – Remember to adjust the vacuum cleaner if needed for the surface being cleaned

Switch the vacuum cleaner on.

Start vacuuming the floor at a point furthest from the door, payingparticular attention to edges and corners.

Suction clean the floor in parallel, overlapping lanes covering all the floor area. Several passes may be needed.

On completion, re-wind the cable.

After use, all equipment should be checked, cleaned, dried and returned to the storage area.

Buffing - Method

Prepare area & check machinery

Ensure you have the correct pad for the task and floor

surface

Buff the floor using overlapping passes to ensure an even

appearance

Remember to ‘cut in’ parallel to skirtings

Always position cable behind the line of work

Check and turn the pad as necessary

Always mop sweep the floor after buffing

Spray cleaning - Method

Prepare area & check machinery

Ensure you have the correct pad & cleaning agent for the

task and floor surface

Spray a fine mist over an area of about 2m² taking care not

to over spray onto other surfaces

Pass machine over the damp area and buff until dry and

polished. Overlap to ensure an even appearance

Spray cleaning - Method

Spray clean adjacent to skirtings by ‘cutting in’

Always position cable behind the line of work

Check and turn the pad as necessary

Always mop sweep the floor after spray cleaning

Check floor for even appearance after completion

After tasks are completed…

Remember all equipment should be checked and cleaned after use

Any damage should be reported to the appropriate person

Cleaning solutions should be disposed of in an environmentally

friendly way

Cleaning cupboards should be secured after use

Remove hazard warning signs and close ventilation when

appropriate

Return furniture to its original position