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Safety

There’s an injury on the job?

Determine how serious the injury is first, then:

  • If dire, call 911 immediately, then call the office immediately after

or

  • contact management if immediate help is not required

Safety regulations

Bello’s Cleaning Safety Regulations Agreement

It is necessary for all employees to abide by the Safety Regulations set forth in this Agreement.

NEVER CARRY A VACUUM UP/DOWN STAIRS when the other hand is also full of equipment. One hand must be free at all times to enable proper balance.

DO NOT GO HIGHER THAN TWO STEPS ON A LADDER. Even on a “Top To Bottom,” or spring cleaning, the cleaning tech is only allowed to go up two steps on a kitchen ladder.

IF A CUSTOMER HAS A TALL SHOWER STALL, it is policy to clean as high as is naturally reachable, NO CLIMBING IN THE SHOWER.

TO PREVENT A NASTY SPILL, Make sure you close the lid of any chemicals before setting them down. Also put a towel outside the shower door or tub, this will help to prevent you from slipping and protect the carpet or tile from being damaged. If you should spill make sure to quickly wipe up or use a towel to soak up the spill from the carpet by blotting repeatedly on the spill.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS A WET FLOOR. Even in bare or stocking feet wet floors are treacherous. If time is of the essence and the floor must be walked on, use a few rags under the shoes to provide traction. This also works well in large showers.

DO NOT COMBINE AMMONIA AND BLEACH BASED CHEMICALS. Any cleaner such as glass cleaner, bathroom disinfectant or soap scum remover may contain ammonia. Mildew remover and most abrasive cleansers contain bleach. DO NOT MIX THE TWO!!

DO NOT APPROACH A SNARLING PET. If the work order says it is friendly, but it is not appearing that way IT IS NOT MANDATORY TO STAY AND CLEAN. Do not risk being bitten, leave, call the office so that they can contact the customer and reschedule the cleaning.

IF UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE HOME, it is also okay to leave. If the customer’s teenage children are home or have friends over and their behavior and appearance border on menacing, LEAVE. If they are doing anything that may be illegal it is also okay to leave. The same applies to adults in the home. If ever experiencing harassment, the same applies.

NEVER MASH DOWN ON OR COMPACT TRASH IN THE CAN WITH YOUR HANDS! With the risk of AIDS and other infectious diseases, do not risk being stuck by a needle, cut by any broken or sharp material in the trash. Never pick through the customer’s garbage.

DO NOT TRY TO READ THE WORK ORDER AND DRIVE! Be sure to read the work order while the car is parked. Reading and driving is asking for an accident.

DO NOT OPERATE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ON A WET FLOOR. Vacuums, electric brooms, etc… are prone to shock if used on wet floors.

COVID-19

CAUTIONS, PROTOCOL, AND BEST PRACTICES:

  • If you’re sick or have flu-like symptoms – contact the office and do not come to work
  • If you’re exposed to the corona virus  – contact the office and get tested before coming to work
  • NEVER touch your face directly with your hands
  • When possible, wear a mask while in a client’s home
  • Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between you and others at all times while working

CHECKLIST BEFORE ENTERING HOME:

  • Sanitize the following:
    1. Vacuum handle and bottom of the vacuum
    2. Caddie handle and bottom of the caddie
    3. Any poles used
    4. Handles on all items used
    5. Bottom of shoes
  • Wipe front door with cloth and disinfectant and go straight to the sink to wash hands 

WHILE INSIDE THE HOME:

  • When using disinfectant, spray directly onto a cloth and wipe the item – do not spray directly onto the item itself
  • Toilet brushes – after use rinse in toilet, spray with disinfectant and flush toilet again on last toilet in home
  • Wash hands when entering homes and upon leaving
  • Social distancing stay 6 feet away at all times from others
  • Use a handkerchief or facemask to cover your face when clients are home
  • If a client is occupying the next area to clean, politely ask if they can move to one of the areas you have already cleaned to maintain the company-required social distancing measures.

Dealing with pets

We love them, but sometimes as strangers, pets can not be the friendliest little furballs. So at any time, if you feel uncomfortable with a pet, please exit the home and call the office. We try to do a really good job of putting notes in Service Autopilot if the client does have a pet so you know what to expect but at any time if the pet is left loose or if you’re not comfortable, please call the office and we will call the client to address this.

We never want you to feel uncomfortable or threatened by a pet that may be left in the home. Sometimes, clients may say “Oh, you know. They’re so sweet. We’re just going to leave them loose”, but what the client sometimes doesn’t understand is that we are a stranger to their pet and as a pet, they’re doing their job to protect that home.

We want you to be safe and feel safe so please, if at any time you’re uncomfortable with a pet in the house or if a pet is left loose and you’re not comfortable, please let the office manager know and exit the home immediately until you hear back about what the next steps to take will be.

AS A REMINDER:

  • Make sure that doors are closed if there is a pet in the home
    • pets may escape if they are not properly trained
  • let the homeowner know if there is a pet that seems angry
    • let the office know if you cannot contact anyone

Thermostat policy

We know at times, it can get very hot while cleaning. We will do our best to send out thermostat/temperature requests to all of our clients when it is a concern. You are allowed to lower the thermostat for the air conditioner in a client’s home, but you must return it back to its original setting.

If at any time you forget to return the thermostat back to the original setting, immediately contact the office.

Because some of our clients are seasonal, imagine having the thermostat turned down to 70º for a month – the electric bill would be enormous!

 

If you forget – since accidents happen – you must contact the office immediately, regardless if it is the afternoon or on a weekend – you must still call the office to address this.

 

If you have questions about the thermostat or do not know how to adjust it, please call the office because we will be able to reach out to the client since some thermostats are locked by default

Using ladder & step-stools

Some clients may ask for you to clean an area which is higher than what we normally service.

Remember: we will never ask you to use a ladder or climb higher than a 2-step ladder

If the client asks you to clean an area that is out of reach from our normal service or tools we use:

  • contact the office
  • they will reach out to the client to explain the protocol we have in place for using ladders
  • do NOT under any circumstances climb higher than a 2 step stool or ladder
  • you will not be covered under company insurance, nor do we want to put you at risk for injury.

 

We would rather politely decline that specific request to the client than put any of our employees in danger.

Blood & other biohazards

Bodily fluids (feces, urine, vomit, blood, etc) are not within our scope of service. Technically, handling bodily fluids would be considered a Biohazard and requires additional training and specialization.

If you do happen to see any biohazardous waste, such as pet feces, blood, or urine in the home, you are not required to clean or pick it up. Instead:

  • send a message on hangout to the office letting them know

If the client is home:

  • politely mention to the client: “unfortunately, this is outside of the scope of our services since we are required by law to have special training and licensing to properly handle “Biohazardous substances” or bodily fluids.”

Lifting or moving heavy items

You are not required to lift or move any items that you can’t pick up easily

Examples are:

  • refrigerators
  • large or heavy couches
  • love seats
  • stone tables

you can move or lift up:

  • small end tables
  • light couches
  • lamps or light fixtures (within reason)

 

If a client asks you to lift or move something heavy:

  • explain to the customer that we don’t move or lift heavy items because:
    • we don’t want to risk hurting ourselves
    • we don’t want to risk damaging the flooring or cracking tiles when it is moved
    • “If you would be willing to move it yourself, I’d be more than happy to vacuum the area after it’s moved!”

How to maintain your health & energy

All of the following areas of health and wellness can help you feel your best, but can also help you improve the quality of your work, how you feel at the end of the day, and how much money you make because of your performance. It is always a good idea to keep your health as your top priority!

EATING:

Make sure to keep yourself well nourished with water and protein to keep your muscles going.

  • don’t skip lunch – your body needs the energy!
  • keep light, healthy, protein-rich snacks with you in case you start to feel sluggish
  • always have water with you and stay hydrated while working

POSITIVITY:

Staying positive and in a good mood has many biological and psychological benefits. Bad stress and negativity have been found to lower your immune system and introduce illness and fatigue. Staying positive will help:

  • improve your immune system and stay healthy
  • give you more energy
  • can be infectious – being positive will help you make more money
    • clients feed off your emotions and can affect how they think of you and ultimately, how much they tip!
  • opens up better opportunities in work and life!

BODY MECHANICS:

  • pay attention to how you’re doing or moving certain things
  • make sure to lift with your legs
  • try not to hunch over when cleaning lower areas
  • maintain your posture

Taking an Epsom salt bath at the end of the day will help relax your muscles and prevent them from getting tense

INFLAMMATION & SORENESS:

Sinuses, stomach pains & ulcers, arthritis, and cancer are all sources of inflammation which can be alleviated partly by:

  • consuming foods high in anti-oxidants
  • avoiding processed foods
  • sticking to eating gluten-free foods

SLEEP:

  • helps your body recover
  • improves your bodies immune system
  • gives you more energy
  • improves your focus

SALT BATHS:

  • help draw toxins out of your body
  • improve recovery from injury
  • stimulates relaxation
  • alleviates inflammation

CHIROPRACTORS:

Seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis is a good idea because cleaning can be a very physical job. Getting an adjustment can:

  • ensure your body stays aligned to prevent injury
  • help you continue feeling your best
  • decreases your chances of getting carpal tunnel

MASSAGES:

Getting a massage once a month can:

  • help keep your muscles loose
  • improve the amount of energy you have
  • works toxins out of your body
  • improves circulation
    • Keeping you healthy
    • Helps you recover from illness
    • decreases your chances of getting carpal tunnel

First aid & job related injury

In the event of any injury on the job, determine how serious the injury is first, then:

  • If it is an emergency, call 911 immediately

or

  • contact management if immediate help is not required

How to deal with pet accidents

Handling pet accidents (or pet waste IE: feces, urine, or vomit) is not within our scope of service. Technically, cleaning up any feces, urine, or bodily fluids would be considered a Biohazard and requires additional training and specialization.

 

If you happen to hear of any pet accidents in the home, Cleaning Techs are not required to clean or pick it up. Instead:

  • call the client to let them know this is outside of our scope of work.

If the client is home:

  • Have the Cleaning Tech politely mention to the client: “unfortunately, this is outside of the scope of our services since we are required by law to have special training and licensing to properly handle “biohazardous substances” or bodily fluids.”

How & when should I take a break?

Breaks should be taken between houses, not during the cleaning unless the house is over 5 hours. Some cleaners may not take breaks or may be used to working straight through which is fine, but please remember that your health is very important, even if you just need to take a brain break. If you do take a break between houses:

  • find a nice parking lot
  • park under a tree
  • bring easy foods to take for a break:
    • granola bars
    • non-microwaveable foods

PLEASE REMEMBER:

  • when possible, please do not use the client’s bathroom unless you kindly ask permission beforehand

SMOKING:

  • In the interest of promoting a healthy work environment for our clients and employees smoking is not permitted on the job site (or any portion of the client property) while wearing your uniform, or in company office spaces except in designated areas.  Smoke breaks must be taken during regular break times.