can help keep custodians in a better physi-cal condition, reducing wear and tear on the back and other joints. A Place For Everything The product you choose for your facility should have ample space. Because repeated use often breeds a sense of ownership, the custodian who uses the same cart day after day will want it to contain the things they will need and want in order to make their shift more pro-ductive and more comfortable. A cart should have plenty of space for items of a more personal nature, such as snacks, drinks or other items that will help the user get through any length of shift without needing to make multiple trips away from the area in which they are working. According to Klawitter, there are certain essentials that every custodial cart should have, including: ■ Adaptability: Carts are expected to meet many needs ■ Sufficient storage space: To reduce unnecessary trips to the supply closet ■ Convenient tool storage: To maxi-mize work efficiency ■ Durability: To hold up to round-the-clock use ■ Easy maneuverability: This typically means having a push handle and 360-degree swivel casters ■ Easy to clean: A dirty cart reflects poorly on the facility and housekeep-ing staff ■ Locking capability: For safe and secure storage of items like cleaning chemicals and to help protect against the potential theft of valuable, reusable items. Have different capacity carts for the differ-ent types of cleaning you will be performing. Trying to turn an existing cart in to something it isn’t will result in issues and problems down the road. The custodial cart should always address three things: Safety, maneuverability and productivity. If all three are addressed, your cart is doing its job. CM Amanda Martini-Hughes is the assistant editor of Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine. A graduate from Siena College, she can be reached at AMartini-Hughes@ NTPMedia.com. Since joining the publication, Martini-Hughes has worked on numerous industry articles and is responsible for populating the industry’s only daily electronic newsletter, CM e-News Daily. Chat online: Facebook.com/ CMMOnline and Twitter.com/CMeNewsDaily. Customization Today’s custodial carts can be looked at as new cars with all the amenities. Providing “upgrades” for the cart will ensure that it is helping and not hindering productivity. “Look at what the cart actually offers,” says Strother. “Not all carts are created equally. Ultimately, you’re looking for the best solution for the type of segment clean-ing you are performing.” It is just as important to be sure that your cart is not becoming overloaded with things that aren’t necessary. Product Information no. 211 on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 39
CMM – Archives Mar 2012: 39
