Cleaning Code of Conduct
By Mike Schaffer - President, Tornado Industries

Floor care is some of the most difficult work in the cleaning profession.  And because it is so difficult and labor intensive, it does not surprise me that some cleaning professionals have even asked themselves just why we maintain hard surface floors? 

Although it may seem obvious, some of the key reasons we maintain hard surface floors include:

Appearance

Clean, shiny floors look good and present a positive first impression to all that enter a building or area. Discoloration in the corners, finish build up along the edges, dust under furniture, scuffs and black marks and a dull appearance all indicate inadequate maintenance procedures and/or frequencies. For better or worse, floors mirror a facility’s cleanliness.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)/Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Due to gravity, sooner or later, much of what’s in the air settles to the floor. Pollutants and contaminants, including microbes riding on soil particles, end up on floors. Floor maintenance procedures can either remove contaminants or redistribute them throughout the building.

Many of the procedures once believed safe are now considered contributors to indoor air quality problems. This can range from chemical vapors to the dust stirred up by sweeping, dust mopping, floor machine use and other activities commonly performed as part of daily work routines.

Slip Safety

Proper floor care prevents accidents and reduces liability. Clean, well-maintained floors provide a safer walking surface. A written, enforced policy to remove spills and tracked-in moisture protects people. And when service calls are logged, the policy provides evidence of responsible care.

Written procedures, adequate and documented frequency of service, regular training and the use of wet floor signs, caution tape and barricades are solid defense against injuries and liability for slip, trip and fall accidents.

Pride and Satisfaction

Properly maintained floors look good and get noticed. In this area especially, professional cleaners gain recognition from their level of knowledge, skill and service. It takes dedication and hard work to keep floors looking like new. Cleaning professionals should take pride in providing quality floor maintenance since their work impacts everyone entering the building.