8.3 Safety in room cleaning and servicing
Keep in mind the following safety precautions when cleaning guest rooms:
• Do not leave cleaning liquids or equipment unattended - especially if there are
any children around.
• Load trolleys carefully so that items will not fall off, and so that you can see where
you are going. Do not overload trolleys.
• Do not empty broken glass or crockery into the plastic waste bag; wrap them
before throwing them away, or throw them away separately.
• Do not empty ashtrays into plastic bags or cardboard boxes.
• Do not leave linen lying in piles in the corridors or in fire escape routes, where they
may cause a fall, or prevent evacuation in an emergency situation.
• Do not run your hands along surfaces you cannot see without checking first that
there are no sharp edges.
• Take care when running hot water from taps in bathrooms - it might be hot enough
to burn or scald you.
• Let light bulbs cool down before touching them to clean or replace them.
• Report any loose light fittings to your supervisor, or to the maintenance department.
• Clean the other side of the bath first, so that you do not have to lean over a
slippery, wet surface.
• Wet bathroom floors can also be very slippery; leave them as dry as possible.
• Wash your hands after cleaning the toilet, or wear protective rubber gloves.
• Don’t reach into waste paper baskets without looking, as they might have broken
glass or razor blades in them.
• Check that there are enough ashtrays available for guest use so that they do not
use waste paper baskets that could cause fires.
• When changing beds, check the bed for any sharp objects. Get help when turning
the mattress.
• Furniture must not block the passages or fire exits, not even for a short time.
• Do not stack armchairs or small tables on top of chairs when cleaning rooms, they
might topple over and hurt you.
8.4 Preventing Accidents
It is important to try and avoid accidents from occurring. In case an accident does occur, you should know the location of the First Aid Box and be able to use it.
• Preventfall
o Pick up anything that falls on the floor immediately.
o Avoid over-wetting floors when washing, as they could be slippery.
o Neverrun.
o Wear suitable shoes with a non-slip sole. You could trip in high heels or sandals. o When using a step ladder only use the area within your reach. Make sure your
ladder or working platform is safe to stand on.
o Securely fasten all windows before attempting to clean them. Never lean against
a window when cleaning it. You could over balance and fall out.
o Report minor maintenance faults that could be safety hazards (e.g. torn carpets,
damaged flooring, worn stair heads).
o Bad lighting can be dangerous, especially in stairwells. Replace burnt out bulbs
immediately.
o Never leave objects on the stairs.