Despite the risks, janitors play a huge role in protecting the health of building occupants. They prevent the spread of illness and infection, control indoor air quality, and protect the indoor environment.

Janitors and building cleaners keep office buildings, schools, hospitals, and other places clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some clean only, while others have a wide range of duties. In addition to keeping the inside of buildings clean and orderly, some janitors and building cleaners work outdoors.

Having janitorial staff in your business can increase employee activity, professional appearance and morale booster are just some of the benefits.  

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The cleaning staff plays an extremely important role in the health and wellbeing of our daily lives.  The lead janitor and janitorial staff ensures that our client is operating in a clean and safe environment.  Because we help create the environment for our customers, we ensure that our work is done in a manner that is safe and detailed.  With that being said, each area that we clean has site specific needs and the janitorial staff provides us with constant focus to these needs and much needed attention to detail.  We must never underestimate the importance of our roles in regards to the health and safety of the general public, our customers.

The  janitorial staff has 4 main functions during day-to-day operations and while under assignment.  The janitorial staff may be responsible for opening the facility, policing the facility, performing tasks in specialized areas, or responding to special requests.  The janitorial staff also bears the responsibility to minimizing customer complaints by ensuring that our clients needs are being met.  Undoubtedly, the janitorial staff is the front line to any operation.

Not only is the janitorial staff instrumental in ensuring a clean and safe environment by actively policing an assigned facility,  but the janitorial staff also becomes a part of the customer's daily staff as well.  Because of this, we must represent our clients with a cheerful, professional, and polished experience at all times.  Therefore, the communication of the janitorial staff is also imperative in the daily operation of our assigned job sites.  

By now you recognize the importance of a knowledgeable and certified janitorial staff.  Take a moment to view certified cleaning companies in your area by visiting:  https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

When it comes to great customer service, all the members of IJCSA has you covered! IJCSA members, understand just how vital it is to ensure our clients needs, concerns, and complaints are addressed when it comes to cleaning their homes or business. 

We want all of our clients to feel heard, understood, and cared for. We strive to make sure if you are unsatisfied for any reason, to work at it until it is done just how you prefer it or until the matter is fixed 100%. For all your cleaning needs, visit this link here, https://www.ijcsa.org/Find-A-Cleaning-Service-Janitorial-Service. 

Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Most cleaning employees and staff may come into contact with human blood thus making the importance of cleaning employees & staff knowing about bloodborne pathogens to be very crucial.

Cleaning employees must be taught the important precautions on what to do and not do when having to clean up any blood, vomit, urine, etc. due to always assuming ALL body fluids to be potentially contaminated. They must know what gear to wear, what cleaners to use, what is the proper disposal, as well as knowing the proper steps to take in case they may have been exposed to such contaminates. 

With cleaning employees and staff knowing about bloodborne pathogens, they are aware of their risk, it helps reduce the risk of exposure, and it allows them to proceed their job with proper caution and knowledge. With them not knowing about bloodborne pathogens, could be very dangerous not just for the employee, but for everyone they may come into contact with after possible exposure unknowingly. 

   Among the many pathogens that can be spread through blood, HIV, HBV, and HCV are the most common.  Other pathogens include but are not limited to Ebola and other Hemorrhagic fevers, Syphillis and Brucellosis.

   It is important for all company staff to know and understand bloodborne pathogens, exposure protocol, along with symptoms of pathogens that can be easily spread.  

   Janitorial staff have a greater risk of direct exposure to these pathogens.  Especially for those that work in medical or where hazardous waste, sharps, etc. are present.  These janitorial staff members can then potentially infect those at the office and public.  Office personnel can then potentially spread these pathogens to other co-workers and the public.  These are only some reasons why Bloodborne pathogens shouldn't be taken lightly. If exposure occurs the exposure control plan should be followed. The exposure control plan should be updated once a year or when OSHA makes any changes.

   Proper ongoing training can prevent and eliminate direct and indirect infections, creating a safer and healthier environment.  This training can also reduce or eliminate workers compensation claims as well as any potential lawsuits. 

   Businesses using janitorial companies that are properly trained and certified, such as IJCSA certification courses, can be assured that they are using a knowledgeable, consistent and professional company. Some businesses may prefer or be required to use a certified company. In either case being member of IJCSA puts you one step ahead of your competition.

   Cleaning Employees and their belongings, as well as the equipment that they used, is very important to me now, even more so than it was before I learned about bloodborne pathogens. Since you can never be sure whether an employee has come into contact with blood or another fluid, you should always operate under the assumption that they have, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment is of the utmost significance.

   Cleaning is also an important step in preventing the spread of contaminants. Because of the nature of our work, which requires us to relocate frequently, it is critical that we maintain the health and safety of our clients and the community at large and avoid spreading infectious diseases. In this age of Covid, we are carrying a massive duty, which even makes it necessary for us to exercise caution and behave responsibly when it comes to the health and safety of our customers as well as our employees.

   Because establishing trust and a good reputation is so essential in our profession, it is essential to maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene. Our customers will be able to rest easier knowing that we are doing our part to be responsible.

Bloodborne pathogens can be extremely dangerous when not handled correctly.  Bloodborne pathogens can carry diseases which can spread to yourself and others.  In some cases coming into contact may even be fatal.  Proper handling and training are essential to prevent this from happening.

One important key to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens is, to always use gloves.  Be extremely careful not to touch anything outside of the object that has blood/fluid on it and if you can avoid touching the fluid all together, by using the material around it to cover it, please do so.  Once you are finished remove gloves in the proper manner, by carefully pulling one glove down with the other, pulling just under the top of the glove.  Once the glove is almost off, begin pulling the opposite glove down using the same method and folding one into the other leaving the clean side showing.  After use dispose them into the proper container and wash your hands immediately.

Second, wear protective eyewear.  Should anything splash or come up, your eyes will be protected. If any fluid gets on glasses, get a clean pair of gloves, remove them and then dispose of them in the proper container.  Should any fluid get on your skin, wash it off immediately with antibacterial soap and report it to your supervisor.

Cleaning up after patients is an important job. Environmental services employees are tasked with cleaning up bodily fluids as well as the usual toilet and floor. Body fluids can make others sick if not clean up using Universal Precautions.

OSHA works with facilities to make sure employees are safe. Employees cleaning up after patients should be provided with gloves, absorbents, tongs and other tools that allow them to clean up body fluids without getting it on their skin. Proper disposal of sharps such as needles is also important. Needle sticks can lead to serious illnesses.

Universal precautions are designed to keep people safe while they are performing the duties of their jobs. Rules like not reusing towels and disinfecting buckets and mops aids in keeping staff safe as well as patients and others working in the area.

Carpet looking a little cringe? Not sure where to start when it comes to finding the right carpet cleaning company? Don't fret, IJCSA will save the day! Visit International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association - Carpet Cleaning Directory (ijcsa.org) today to find a certified professional carpet cleaning company! 

How you plan to implement a carpet cleaning program into your business, or the benefits of having your carpet or rugs cleaned by certified IJCSA members.

I plan to implement a carpet cleaning program into my business by first taking the carpet cleaning certification course. Then I will only do residential homes. I intend to stay small in the terms of carpet cleaning. 

The carpet cleaning program will be its own individual program. I will not combine it with my residential cleanings. However, I intend to provide fair and honest quotes when it comes to carpet cleaning. 

The benefits of having your carpet or rugs cleaned by certified IJCSA members is that we have the knowledge and experience. We strive to make sure the job will be done professionally and with integrity, while being fair and timely.