cleaning industry health and safety measures
Preventive and interventional methods used in the cleaning industry to maintain health and safety for all workers and tertiary persons.
Window cleaners use cleaning tools such as sponges and detergents to clean windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces of buildings, both on the interior and exterior. They use specific ladders to clean taller buildings, using safety belts for support.
Competences and skills
35 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 3 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
3 competencespersonal protective equipment
Types of protective materials and equipment foreseen for various types of tasks such as general or specialised cleaning activities.
risk assessment for window cleaning
Risk assessment process that takes into consideration all the risk factors, monitoring of control measures and recording assessments related to working in the window cleaning field.
Essential skills and competences 14 competences
Occupation specific
5 competencesfollow reporting procedures
Apply and follow the procedures for reporting any damage, breakages and/or complaints or disagreements to the appropriate supervisory authority.
prepare cleaning materials for window cleaning
Ensure the appropriate preparation of the cleaning products and equipment such as ladders, cradles and rope access equipment required to clean windows at heights.
protect window frames
Apply a protection sheet on the frames or borders of the windows in order to protect them against scratches or dirt.
report on window damage
Inform the client or responsible authorities about damage occurred during or prior to the window cleaning activities.
use a water-fed pole system
Make use of poles fitted with brushes and water dispersing mechanisms to reach windows and facades at heights.
Sector-specific
4 competencesfollow organisational guidelines in the cleaning industry
Apply and follow all protocols or guidelines described by the company within your specific cleaning area. It can also involve wearing the foreseen uniform or piece of clothing at all times or using specific equipment or materials.
follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health
Adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result in illness or injury.
green
maintain inventory of cleaning supplies
Follow the stock of cleaning materials, order new material when the stock is empty and follow their usage to maintain a constant supply.
maintain personal hygiene standards when cleaning
Make sure to keep yourself clean and tidy and wear protective equipment when performing cleaning activities, as required by the health and safety procedures of the task or the organisation.
Cross-sector
5 competencesclean glass surfaces
Use cleaning products to clean any surface covered by glass.
complete report sheets of activity
Keep written records of the service provided on a regular or punctual basis, with explicit hours of work performed and signature.
dispose of non-hazardous waste
Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures except for waste incineration.
green
handle chemical cleaning agents
Ensure proper handling, storage, management and disposal of cleaning chemicals (CIP) in accordance with regulations.
- Scope note
- The chemicals include hazardous materials.
maintain cleaning equipment
Clean and preserve the equipment and material used for cleaning purposes in a proper state.
Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competencecustomer service
Processes and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer's or service user's satisfaction.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 17 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceperform glazing reconditioning
Recondition and replace glass materials and windows.
Sector-specific
5 competencesclean particular areas manually
Perform cleaning activities in specific areas by hand, when the surface is small or obstructed and the only means to clean such places is manually.
issue sales invoices
Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
manage a small-to-medium business
Manage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.
manage routine waste
Treat routine waste carefully when performing cleaning activities and ensure that the waste collection and surrounding areas are maintained clean at all times.
supervise the work of cleaning staff
Coordinate the work of staff in the cleaning areas by planning and monitoring the work of cleaning staff and giving feedback on their activity.
Cross-sector
11 competencesapply proofing membranes
Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any membranes overlap top over bottom to prevent water from seeping in. Check the compatibility of multiple membranes used together.
carry out pressure washing activities
Use high pressure equipment in order to clean areas, surfaces and materials.
clean building facade
Perform cleaning activities of the main face of a building, using appropriate equipment, as required by the complexity and height of the building.
clean public furniture
Perform cleaning activities of objects or equipment in the public domain, on streets or other public places, used for various purposes.
follow safety procedures when working at heights
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
maintain professional administration
File and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.
operate aerial work platforms
Tend mechanical devices that allow momentary access to high, usually inaccessible areas. Ensure your own safety and the safety of surrounding people.
perform cleaning activities in an environmentally friendly way
Undertake all cleaning duties in a manner which minimises environmental damage, follow methods that lessen pollution and wastage of resources.
green
perform outdoor cleaning activities
Adapt the cleaning working methods and procedures to the environmental conditions and adapt to weather conditions such as rain, strong wind or snow, when this affects the performance of the equipment or machinery that is being used.
read technical datasheet
Read and understand the technical specifications describing the characteristics and functionality mode of a product, component or machine, usually provided by the manufacturer.
select hazard control
Perform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management