Cleaning Collaborative Spaces – 3 things you need to know
The impact of COVID-19 continues to reshape office space. Workplace trends are for agile, hybrid, social offices for use as hubs for collaboration and communication rather than the traditional desk setting. With so many workspaces fundamentally changing their design, this blog looks at cleaning collaborative spaces and the 3 things you need to know.
Hybrid Working and collaboration – the new office role
Hybrid working allows staff to work flexibility, splitting their time between working remotely and the workplace, and allows them to choose where best to complete their work.
The office still plays a key role for face-to-face meetings and training. As collaborative hubs, office are places were people gather to solve problems, create solutions and discuss opportunities. And collaboration plays a crucial role in productivity. Collaborative energy, getting together to brainstorm ideas on whiteboards, leads to innovation and improvements.
Cleaning collaborative spaces – 3 things you need to know: Visibility, Flexibility and Efficiency
Cleaning is no longer about visible dirt, and it requires a very different approach to provide the levels of assurance that returning staff demand and expect. To make staff feel confident, keeping collaborative spaces safe and hygienic is vital. Here are three things you need to know:-
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Visibility in office cleaning – daily presence to give confidence
Cleaning is changing post COVID. Previously schedules were focused on cleaning desks and other fixed locations, and this generally took place out of hours. Requirements now are for daytime visibility with cleaning staff regularly sanitizing touchpoints and busy communal areas. Where budgets allow, some workspaces are insisting on a continual daytime cleaning presence to ensure that spaces are always safe and ready for use. Typical flexible working spaces include:-
- Collaboration zones
- Break out, chill out and social areas
- Formal meeting rooms
- Informal meeting spaces
- Work pods incl acoustic pods
- Team working benches
- Kitchen and café areas
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Flexibility in office cleaning schedules – matching cleaning to office usage
Changing space needs a change in cleaning approach. Having flexible cleaning schedules which can adapt to office usage is essential. The new hybrid office interior layout differs from the traditional one in many ways, below are some examples:-
- Booths and work pods instead of desks.
May require additional time to fully clean and sanitise as this includes the walls, floor, door, desk and seating area
- More soft seating and upholstery
Upholstery can quickly become stained and dirty and this does not give a welcoming impression. More frequent cleaning of soft seating is necessary to match the increased usage and maintain a healthy, fresh environment.
- Storage lockers
In traditional office spaces, even in open plan areas, individuals had their own assigned storage space eg pedestals with cleaning scheduled weekly. Storage is evolving and shared solutions are now more common. There is a requirement for daily sanitisation of handles, keypads or manual dials to maintain surfaces free from germs and give staff peace of mind.
- Benches and screens
Informal spaces with benches mean that many people may use the same space so these need to be frequently cleaned in-between use. Where traditional desk seating remains unchanged, safety is provided with screens or dividers to reduce the risk of any cross infection.
- Meeting room booking system screens
To ensure touch screens are safe, the cleaning teams will schedule regular wipe downs with sanitizing solutions
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Efficiency with office cleaning materials and equipment – the right products at the right time
Daily cleaning and sanitizing materials need to be effective anti-viral proven to kill coronaviruses and conforming to EN14476. Touchpoint cleaning is the regular sanitisation of frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, entry screens, shared switches and kitchen appliances.
Investing in mobile fogging machines on site will enable quick reactive sanitisations of areas.
Finally ensuring sufficient stock of hand sanitizer, wipes and PPE provides further reassurance for staff. In addition, ensuring good supplies of soap and regular checks to ensure they don’t run out should be a daily task for office cleaning teams.
TemcoUK Facility Services has experience of cleaning collaborative workspaces
Many of our clients are adapting or refurbishing their workspace to accommodate the new requirements post COVID. We have a lot of experience of cleaning collaborative spaces, managing the changing cleaning requirements and working in close cooperation with the FM team to understand the individual daily demands and amend our schedules accordingly.
If you would like to discuss your cleaning or are considering a change of provider, please contact Temco today 01895 520370.
The importance of cleaning contract audits
As every Facility Manager knows, keeping track of all aspects of a cleaning contract is not always easy! Having the right information at the right time is powerful and allows swift interventions when necessary, improving overall compliance. One way to manage this is by using specific cleaning and FM audits. This blog looks at the importance of cleaning contract audits.
What is the purpose of a cleaning contract audit
The purpose of any audit is to maintain a clean and hygienic work environment for staff and visitors. A clean environment is important in the defence against infection and reducing the spread of germs and viruses, as well as creating a productive workspace. Fully understanding the cleaning results and adapting schedules accordingly also improves efficiencies and ultimately offers better client value.
How often to conduct an audit?
Depending on the size and nature of the premises, managers would typically conduct audits on a monthly basis. They should be scheduled in advance and if possible, should be jointly conducted with the client. This way identifies issues which can then be rectified. The walk around can include the whole building, or each month one area can be the focus, for example a floor or a building.
Benefits of a cleaning site audit
Raise the standard at the client premises
Keeping workplaces clean and hygienic is more important than ever and regular inspections help to keep track of standards and monitor performance.
Measuring the contract
Collecting consistent data each audit enables easy comparison and measurement. Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets, agreed during the mobilization phase, can be monitored throughout the duration of the contract and changes made accordingly.
Identify issues early on
It's easy to identify any issues at an early stage so that cleaning teams are able to quickly take action and rectify. For example, missed areas can be added to a cleaning schedule or if there are upcoming events or changes these can be planned prior to the event.
Visual evidence and comments
Having the ability to include images and comments is very helpful. Images improve clarity and support the findings of the audit and are a very good reference to fully explain a score. Comments help to direct the corrective actions to ensure compliance.
What areas does a cleaning audit include?
The cleaning audit should include all elements of the cleaning specification. This would typically include the following:-
- Entrance mats, doors and reception areas
- Office desks, chairs, pedestals, lockers and other storage units
- Waste and recycling bins
- Carpets and hard flooring
- Washrooms and kitchens
- Doors and door frames
- Hallways, stairs and landings
- Skirting boards, ledges and pipes
- Windows and sills
Smart audits for real time visibility
Digital smart audits report on only the relevant items to an individual contract. They are paperless and can generate PDF reports quickly. These reports are very easy to share so that the client has real time visibility and information.
How to score areas?
Scoring is the power behind the audit and gives clients valuable insight into performance over time. Scores can be presented in any format, from a percentage to a range for example one to ten.
TemcoUK Facility Services uses smart software for cleaning contract audits
We have been using smart audit software for many years Temco, it is deeply embedded in our operational management process.
Our area managers all have access to audits and conduct them using mobile devices. We conduct monthly quality audits using smart cloud-based software and share them immediately with you in PDF format, so you have instant feedback. We also upload audits onto a secure online portal.
We've custom written our audits so they meet our specific requirements, we have written and adapted these over the years to create a meaningful document which we always share with clients. All areas receive a score 1-5 in relation to the compliance with specification. Audits include images, scoring and can be bespoke if you have specific reporting requirements.
We additionally conduct regular compliance audits. Any periodic work (such as carpet deep cleaning) is accompanied with a bespoke risk assessment method statement and a report with client sign off will be provided using this software.
If you would like to understand more about how we manage our contract or if you’re thinking of switching your cleaning provider, please contact Temco today 01895 520370.
What is a Commercial Builder and Sparkle clean?
Construction and building is messy work! For any office or other commercial renovation or refit project, there will be a lot of dust and dirt created. Cleaning is the final task to make the premises tidy and presentable and ready for handover or occupation. There can be a lot of confusion over what is included, so this blog explores what is a commercial builder and sparkle clean and what does it include.
The Building Phase
Cleaning should not be booked until all contractors and trades are finished with the construction work or renovation. This includes for example all the mechanical and electrical (M&E) works, carpentry, plastering, roofing, painting and decorating and the commercial refurbishment teams.
Builder and Sparkle clean specification
With so many elements to a builders clean, the scope varies enormously from client to client. This is why it’s vital to agree a cleaning specification in advance which is tailored to the specific project. Having a pre-agree specification will provide clarity to all parties. This will list all tasks included in the commercial builder and sparkle clean, which are typically the following:-
Internal tasks
- Clearing away debris and rubbish from the building work
- Vacuum carpets
- Mechanically scrub and clean hard floors with a scrubber dryer
- Damp wipe office surfaces such as desks, chairs and cupboards
- Clean internal glass partitions
- Remove all dust and visible marks including cupboards inside and out
- Clean all areas including stairwells, corridors and lift lobby area
- Clean washrooms including tiled area, sanitary units, appliances and partitions
- Deep clean kitchen including surfaces, appliances and shelves
- Clean internal windows including frames to remove dirt, paint splashes and adhesive residue from sticky duct tape
- Clean high-level fittings eg lights, ceiling tiles and air conditioning vents
- Removing old corporate branding such as vinyl graphics or glass manifestations
External tasks
- Window cleaning to leave clean and streak free
- Gutters, soffits and fascia cleaning to remove any construction mess
- Pathway and walkway jet-washing and resanded if necessary
- Litter picking of car parks, bike stores, smoking areas and patios
- Cleaning meeting booths or collaborative outdoor pods
Sparkle clean
Sparkle cleaning is the final step to delivering an immaculately clean area, from floor to ceiling. Often dubbed the handover clean, the aim is to give the project the ‘WOW’ factor. This work will include many elements of the builders clean such as cleaning window sills, removing finger marks, cleaning door handles and door vision panels. It may also include removing site health and safety signs and cleaning the adhesive marks left behind.
Attention to detail
Professional cleaning teams must be thorough and leave all surfaces clean and tidy, free from visible marks and dust. With larger areas sometimes it’s easy to miss small marks and stains, so leaving time at the end for a final check will pick up the finer details and ensure all parts of the specification are met.
TemcoUK Facility Services provides builder and sparkle clean services
TemcoUK provides builders and sparkle cleans to commercial property following construction work, office refurbishments or brand-new builds. Fully insured and trained with specialist cleaning equipment, our expert team provide professional cleaning services to get your office back up and running and ready for use.
Health and safety is our highest priority. We prepare Task and site specific Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) and brief our team before any work starts onsite. And we follow all relevant health and safety control measures and wear the appropriate PPE as directed. We are SafeContractor and CHAS accredited as well as ISO9001 and ISO14001. Furthermore we are CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) registered for ease of invoicing.
All work will be accompanied by a report on completion showing before, during and after images and comments.
We often work out of hours to minimize disruption on site and will work with you to ensure we meet deadlines.
Temco has a wealth of experience of working with a wide range of clients from open plan office renovations to total refits. Following a free site survey where we will discuss your requirements and understand your objective, we provide a quote accompanied by a detailed specification.
If you need to arrange a builder sparkle clean, contact Temco today for a quote 01895 520370.
Cleaning advice for a COVID-Secure workplace
Since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in England on 19th July, the advice has changed from work from home if possible, to promoting a gradual return to the office. Industry experts predict that by September many office workers will be back at least some days in the office. Good hygiene has never been more important, and staff need to feel confident that their workplace is a safe. In this blog we look at cleaning advice for a COVID-secure workplace.
Current Government guidance requires employers to complete and implement a COVID-19 risk assessment and take action to prevent transmission, this includes
- One-way systems to minimise contact
- Social distancing
- Desk partitions if face-to-face working or allocating workstations to individuals
- Effective cleaning
Employers have a duty to keep staff and visitors safe whilst on their premises. Keeping the workplace clean and hygienic reduces the potential for coronavirus to spread and cleaning plays a major role.
5 Cleaning tips and advice for a COVID-Secure workplace
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Use anti-viral disinfectant cleaner
Using professional grade products proven to kill coronaviruses is key. Cleaning products which have been independently tested to EN14476 – the European Standard for Virucidal Effectiveness – guarantees that the product is effective and suitable for use not only against COVID-19 but also against a range of pathogenic viruses including Influenza A (H1N1 and Swine Flu).
Implementing a clear desk policy helps to keep surfaces clear so that cleaning routine are effective. Cleaners won't usually move personal items on desks, so having clear areas will make it easier to clean surfaces, keyboards and phones.
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Update Staff training to ensure cleaners understand how to clean effectively
COVID training is essential so that the team know how to clean and sanitise effectively. For example, understanding chemical contact time and correct clean cloth usage.
Contact time is the time stated by the manufacturer on how long the chemical needs to be left in order to kill the bacteria or virus. It is typically anything from a few seconds to 5 minutes. It matters because this is the time required for the chemical to be effective.
Using clean cloths is of paramount importance to avoid cross contamination when cleaning and sanitising. Used cloths should be cleaned at 60 degrees or sanitised after use.
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Enhanced cleaning with a focus on High frequency touchpoint cleaning
Reviewing and updating cleaning schedules is important to make sure the tasks reflect the new requirements. Touchpoints are areas which are frequently touched within an office, such as
- door handles, push plates and stair rails
- light switches and lift panels
- kitchen appliance handles
- coffee machines, printers and photocopier buttons
Identifying and focusing on these touchpoints will reduce the risk of cross contamination. The visible presence of cleaners or day housekeepers sanitising throughout the day will provide additional reassurance to returning staff that their workplace is hygienic and safe.
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Antimicrobial solutions for hygienically safe workplace environments
Next generation surface protection provides hygiene solutions which are highly suitable for the workplace. Antimicrobial protective pads and wraps are effective against SARS-COV-2 and reduce the requirement for continual cleaning in high traffic areas. Using silver ion technology they degrade the biological makeup of pathogens, resulting in a much lower risk of cross contamination.
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Sanitisation, Fogging and sanitiser supply
Specialist backpack machines can dispense a fine spray to disinfect all surfaces quickly and in a targeted manner. Delivering a liquid layer of detergent which dries quickly provides very effective virus control and allows cleaning teams to respond quickly to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
For a COVID-Secure workplace another good way to promote hand hygiene in the office is to ensure hand sanitiser is readily available. This should be the building entrance, in communal areas and in meeting rooms. Together with hand washing, sanitiser reduces the risk of virus transmission. Sanitiser is available in individual bottles or in bulk 5l bottles as required.
TemcoUK Facility Services provides commercial daily office cleaning
TemcoUK provides a full range of office cleaning services which prevent the spread of COVID-19. From touch point cleaning to sanitisation and fogging, we keep workplaces hygienic and safe. Check out our services here.
Our fully trained specialist teams can carry out site or area sanitisations, and we work in line with government and industry guidelines.
Contact us for more information or for a free quote.