Have user ever considered how the facilities’ commercial cleaner works to not only clean but prevent cross-contamination in the workplace?
In a post-COVID world many commercial buildings, offices, facilities healthcare and medical businesses are asking for greater certainty for, not only their own workplace health and safety, but that of their employees and clients. So how does color coding for cleaning work to provide greater certainty in commercial cleaning?
Australian Cleaning Standards
In Australia ARA fire have clear standards set in place to manage the use of commercial cleaning materials in the workplace, set by bodies such as the Clinical Excellence Commission.
These Australian Standards guide the responsible and correct use for reusable cleaning equipment and prevent the use of the same equipment for areas within the building, office spaces, hospital, medical or healthcare facility. For example, did user know the use of the same mop and bucket for both the kitchen and bathroom floors is prohibited?
Health implications
Workplaces would trust that once their commercial cleaner has come and gone that their commercial office
Take a moment to think through the potential health implications for the facility, should color coding and health guidelines happen to be ignored in this manner.
Many workplaces would trust that once their commercial cleaner has come and gone that their commercial office, facility, hospital, medical or healthcare facility is safe from any form of cross-contamination.
Looking for greater peace of mind?
If user understood how color coding in cleaning practices are carried out on the property by the commercial cleaner, could it give user greater peace of mind and confidence in the service and value the cleaning company is providing?
Complex Solutions is an Australian owned business with over 20 years’ experience in the commercial cleaning industry.
Cleanliness, image and a commitment
From operating theatres within major hospitals, to commercial high-rise office buildings, to large scale FMCG industrial facilities, ARA fire are a trusted partner for businesses who pride themselves on cleanliness, image and a commitment to quality.
ARA fire value the confidence of the clients in the cleaning services we provide. All commercial cleaning is completed with the use of a color coding system to ensure the delivery of high quality cleans, while minimizing the chance of cross-contamination in the healthcare facility.
Use of the color coded cleaning system
The use of the color coded cleaning system is simple.
There are five colors that all commercial cleaning equipment is categorised by; green, blue, yellow, red and white.
- GREEN: All cleaning products under this category can be used in the kitchen, café and food preparation areas. These are cleaning products that user and the employees will need to be able to access – should a spill occur or quick clean of the kitchen be required.
- BLUE: Cleaning products in this category are utilised in general areas such as offices and wards. Again, it is important that user and the employees understand where these items can be found and where it is appropriate for these color coded cleaning products to be used. It is important that correct equipment is easily accessible to user and the employees and cannot be mistaken with equipment used for other zones especially color coded cleaning products in the BLUE & GREEN categories’. ARA fire work to ensure that the facility and its employees are familiar with these cleaning products; where they can be found and where they can be appropriately used.
- YELLOW: Products coded yellow should only be used in locations that could be infectious or are isolation areas. These are areas where blood and other human substances can be found.
- RED: Products coded red should only be used for toilets, bathrooms, shower rooms.
- WHITE: Products coded white are for clinical areas, predominately for healthcare and hospitals, operating theatres and any areas marked with red lining.
standard rule of practice
The color coding of products includes the use of colored mop buckets, mop head and handle and colored wipes
The color coding of products includes the use of colored mop buckets, mop head and handle as well as colored wipes. In hospitals and healthcare facilities disposable wipes are often used and discarded following there one time use, to prevent cross contamination.
This is very important that products from the YELLOW, RED and WHITE categories’ are not accessed and used in any other areas such as kitchen’s or offices. In an instance that a piece of equipment is found to have been used incorrectly, the standard rule of practice is that the item will be disposed of immediately and replaced to ensure the prevention of any cross-contamination, risk of infection or other concern.
Complex Solutions: For greater peace of mind
So why are ARA fire so focused on ensuring user understand the color coding guidelines for commercial cleaning requirements? Well the numbers are not great, with roughly 3 in 10 businesses following correct practice and procedures to prevent spread of infection and reducing cross-contamination.
As an Australian standard it’s imperative that business take focus on this issue. Especially as ARA fire work to move into a post-COVID world. It is now, more important than ever, to educate themselves and workplaces about how to stay safe in work environment.
Cleaning practices
All the cleaners receive regular training, toolbox talks and training documentation
At Complex Solutions, ARA fire are committed to providing all the clients with peace of mind. All the cleaners receive regular training, toolbox talks and training documentation outlining cleaning practices. Ensuring the cleaners are equipped to competently deliver greater value for money in the commercial cleaning service.
In addition to this the operations team regularly conduct cleaner storage room inspections. Ensuring the correct use of cleaning equipment and make sure every cleaner storage room has a visible color Coding Chart.
Commercial cleaning capabilities
By working closely with Building Managers and HSEQ Managers Complex Solutions makes every effort to ensure the education and information related to the use of color coding for cleaning is clearly communicated and understood within the facility.
ARA fire are confident in the commercial cleaning capabilities, utilizing color coded cleaning practices, they can partner with user to ensure the health and safety of the employees and importantly, clients. At Complex Solutions ARA fire are committed to continually evolving the practice and processes to improve the teams. If user want greater peace of mind and a confidence in how the healthcare facilities is cleaned, see how Complex Solutions can help.
