It’s more important than ever to maintain excellent hygiene standards in all areas, and a key part of this is ensuring that cleaning tools and equipment are hygienic. In this guide we set out the key steps and share some helpful resources to help you do this.

STEP 1: Ensure you have the right equipment

If you have not already carried out a full review and risk assessment around cleaning in your business, now is the time to do that. Look at all the hazards that could potentially arise if your premises and equipment is not cleaned thoroughly and note them down. This will then help you to take the next step of writing down clear cleaning procedures, including which cleaning tasks need to be carried out and how frequently. Look at this list alongside your current equipment and supplies and you can then assess if you have all the equipment and cleaning supplies that you need. When checking equipment, consider the design, age and state of repair of the equipment. For example, brushes or buckets with scratches or grooves in the design can collect grime and bacteria. Some equipment, such as the Vikan hygiene tools we stock, are specifically designed to have smooth contours and detachable elements which make them easy to keep clean.

VIKAN LARGE 20L HYGIENE BUCKET C/W HANDLE, £26.07

Click here to see our range of Vikan hygiene equipment

STEP 2: Colour code items used in specific areas

Different cleaning routines should be established for different areas of your premises. In particular, different procedures and equipment should be used for food contact and non-food contact areas. To avoid cross-contamination of areas, such as toilet areas and main entrances or food preparation areas,  must be easily identifiable and kept separate from those used in different areas. Color coding is often a simple solution but don’t use stickers which can come off or attract dirt as they disintegrate, it’s best to use cleaning tools which are colour coded. You can see a variety of differently colour coded hygiene equipment including sponges and scourers, brushes, mops and tubs in our brochure of hygiene tools and equipment. Failing that, you can also use labelling and tagging systems which can help to ensure the right cleaning tools are used in the right areas. Please call us on 01726 74264 or email sales@cisafety.com for more details.

STEP 3:  Put clear written cleaning procedures in place -- including the decontamination and storage of cleaning tools.

Having done the preparatory work, the next step is to set out clear written cleaning procedures and train staff accordingly. Training should happen at induction and be regularly reviewed. A key part of the cleaning procedures for each area of your premises should include cleaning and storing the tools used. The procedures need to be carefully considered but should include the following:

• Clean and store the equipment correctly after every use ensuring it is thoroughly clean, sanitized and dry and ready for the next use.
• Dispose of cleaning products that may have been contaminated.
• Remove visible dirt and debris and pre-rinse
• Wash the item using the detergent or product at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer for cleaning the item. The rinse clean again.
• Check and sanitize. Make sure the item is well cleaned and sanitize using disinfectant or sanitizer where appropriate.
• Dry and store in the correct place, in the correct way. Ideally, for example, brushes should be hung on hooks or stored in a way where they are not kept on the floor or in disarray. We do have storage solutions for hygiene tools and equipment available. Please contact our sales team on 01726 74264 or at sales@cisafety.com for more information.
• Record that the item has been cleaned, checked and stored appropriately.

STEP 4: Have scheduled times and records for cleaning processes

Set out how frequently certain tasks need to be completed and how often items should be replaced. Cleaning cloths and sponges for example, should be replaced regularly. It may be that a brush used in a general area where there is no food preparation is cleaned and checked once a month. Write out the procedures but also ensure that reasonable records are kept by staff of who cleaned which items and who was responsible for doing so. There are many variations on the best processes for different businesses and a very helpful guide can be found from Vikan. Click here to view and download Vikan’s guide to cleaning tool maintenance   We can also offer helpful advice on products and systems which will make the task of keeping your cleaning equipment hygienic easier and faster. Please contact our sales team on 01726 74264 or at sales@cisafety.com for advice relating to your specific needs.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, guidance on First Aid procedures has changed. In this guide we will set out what changes need to be made to your current First Aid equipment and outline the procedures and training that First Aid responders in your workplace need to be aware of.

Updating your First Aid kit

Current HSE guidance states that first aiders should wear additional PPE when carrying out first aid. Guidance states that when giving first aid to someone, you should use the following equipment if available:

• a fluid-repellent surgical mask

3 ply surgical mask, £0.98

3 PLY SURGICAL MASKS, BLUE, £0.98 each

These masks are disposable and fluid resistant and made to a high standard. Please note, priced singly, but sold in boxes of 50.

Please note that there are discounts available on masks when ordering larger quantities when bought in boxes of 100 / cases of 1000. For more information, call us on 01726 74264 or email sales@cisafety.com

• disposable gloves

Powder free nitrile gloves, £0.88

Powder free nitrile gloves, £0.88

These are useful for any first aid situation. Beaded cuff, ambidextrous disposable gloves with high tensile strength and optimum sensitivity.

Please note that there are discounts available on these gloves when ordering larger quantities. For more information, call us on 01726 74264 or email sales@cisafety.com

Click here to see more of our disposable gloves

• eye protection

XCEL lightweight safety spectacles, £3.06

XCEL lightweight safety spectacles, £3.06

These safety spectacles are close fitting and suitable for men or women.

Click here for our full range of eye protection

• apron or other suitable covering

Disposable poly aprons (roll of 200) £6.26

DISPOSABLE POLY APRON ON ROLL, 27" X 46" BLUE, 1 ROLL OF 200, £6.26

Our range of light duty polythene aprons are packed perforated on rolls, each individually wrapped in a polybag to ensure they are clean and safe for use in first aid situations.

Other items to consider:

Rebreath pocket mask, £14.12

Rebreath pocket mask, £14.12

This pocket mask not only helps to prevent cross infection, it comes with a valve which allows the first aid responder to deliver the right amount of air with control and accuracy

Non contact thermometer, £79.79

Non contact thermometer, £79.79

This thermometer can detect a fever from up to 5cm away from the forehead, allowing for hygienic and non invasive testing to establish if someone has one of the key COVID-19 symptoms of a high fever.

MEDIANA HEARTON A15 ADULT/PAEDIATRIC AED DEFIBRILLATOR, £999.00

MEDIANA HEARTON A15 ADULT/PAEDIATRIC AED DEFIBRILLATOR, £999.00

This automated External Defibrillator (AED) device comes with dual pads for adult and paediatric use. This durable unit is built to take the demands of professional use but is priced for the workplace, office or school. Operation is designed to be simple and fast, simply open the cover and select adult or paediatric and the voice commands will guide you through the rest of the actions with visual indicators to clarify next step. Pads are always connected and ready to use.

First aid procedures and training

Official advice is for all employers to review their first aid procedures and training requirements given the current coronavirus pandemic and to discuss this with your first raiders.

Click here to see a full guide from the HSE here.

Initial assessment: Keep your distance

Guidance is that first aiders should try to assist  at a safe distance and minimise the time where they share a breathing zone with the person who is sick or injured. If the person being helped is capable, they can be given verbal instructions to do things to help their situation, but treating the casualty properly is the first concern.

Follow the 3P model – preserve life, prevent worsening, promote recovery.

CPR

One of the key changes is the new guidance on giving mouth to mouth resuscitation and CPR. It’s essential that all First Aid officers in your company are trained and aware of these changes. Guidance is to follow the procedure set out in this guide by the Resuscitation Council UK:

https://www.resus.org.uk/covid-19-resources/covid-19-resources-general-public/resuscitation-council-uk-statement-covid-19

Here is a summary:

Preserve life: CPR

• Call 999 immediately – tell the call handler if the patient has any COVID-19 symptoms
• Ask for help. If a portable defibrillator is available, ask for it
• Before starting CPR, to minimise transmission risk, use a cloth or towel to cover the patient’s mouth and nose, while still permitting breathing to restart following successful resuscitation
• If available, use:
  • a fluid-repellent surgical mask
  • disposable gloves
  • eye protection
  • apron or other suitable covering
• Only deliver CPR by chest compressions and use a defibrillator (if available) – don’t do rescue breaths

After delivering any first aid

• Ensure you safely discard disposable items and clean reusable ones thoroughly.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser as soon as possible.

First aid qualifications

If because of coronavirus your first aider cannot complete training for their First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work qualification within the usual timeframe, training can restart at a later date as long as:

• a full recap of training delivered before the interruption is done before moving onto undelivered modules
• the awarding body is satisfied that you can show:
  • a full understanding of all aspects of the course content
  • the knowledge required and competencies at the end of the training.

FAW or EFAW certificates that expired after 16 March 2020 can remain valid until 31 October 2020 or 6 months from date of expiry, whichever is later. All requalification training for these certificates should be completed by 31 March 2021

If you would like more advice or guidance on First Aid equipment for your workplace, our team are experienced and happy to help. Please call us on 01726 74264 or email sales@cisafety.com