CM/Spotlight: Hard Floor Care screens of JanSan professionals and their clients — and they must become a priority in everyday operations. When we peel back the onion and look at the contributing causes of slip and fall incidents, it can become most revealing. This way, we can better understand what steps can be taken to lessen the likelihood of a slip and fall incident occurring. There are five areas that can contribute to a possible slip and fall, and a “no” answer to these questions should raise concern: 1. Are the tools being used to maintain the facility the right tools and are they clean and free of contaminants? 2. Are the proper cleaning chemicals being used that will help increase the traction on the floor? 3. Are the instructions for the chemicals being followed correctly? 4. Is the floor being cleaned the correct number of times each day based on volume of usage? 5. Are you educating your clients on ways to promote floor safety? The Right Equipment Using the right equipment and supplies is an essential part of any floor care program designed to reduce liabilities from slip and fall incidents. When a carpenter begins to build a struc-ture, he or she certainly would not begin the project with a set of golf clubs. They would know that having the right equipment will get the job done effectively and make the job go smoother, producing a finished job to be proud of. This is especially true for the JanSan professional. Starting the job with clean mop buckets, clean and rinsed out mop heads and clean deck brushes and squeegees will make the job go smoother. Mop buckets that take into consideration ergonomics will aid in better water extrac-tion from mops and will be much easier to operate. Using the right mop head for the job at hand will cover the needed square footage with the least amount of effort. Deck brushes work great on grouted floors; however, if an aggressive scrub may be needed on a tile floor, a doodlebug, often referred to as a “pot scrubber on a stick,” can be used. Squeegees are great, but must be replaced when they become ragged and leave voids due to tears and cuts on the leading edges. The Right Chemicals When cleaning hard surface floors in food-service facilities, many believe that using a detergent that produces high suds is a good strategy. In fact, more suds does not mean better cleaning. Choosing a product that is designed Circle Product Information no. 205 on page 32
CMM – Archives Mar 2011: 22
