Safe Working Conditions of

Equipment
• Proper safe working conditions of equipment
are important factors to consider in
housekeeping activities. Selecting the proper
tool for the job and using the tool properly will
increase efficiency and reduce maintenance
problems.
• Purchase tools that are well made and suited
to the intended use. Commercial usage may
entail more heavy-duty demands on
equipment Always follow the routine “clean up
while in use and clean up before keeping it.”
• Maintenance is an excellent and effective means
of improving the performance and condition of
equipment and tools. A good maintenance
system promotes early discovery of problems,
this providing enough time for effective
maintenance planning so that resources are
readily available.
Tools and Equipment • Perform basic preventive maintenance.
Care
• Execute clean up practices on the tools and
equipment that must be maintained.
• Keep all cutting tools sharp. Use the right tool
for the job.
• Ensure tools are in safe working order. Attach
a “ do not use” tag to damaged tools and
notify the maintenance department.
• Clean up and pick up after yourself as you go.
Good maintenance practices on the job site
must be maintained.
• Manufacturer’s instructions for operation and
maintenance should be followed.
• All equipment must be inspected before and
after use and all defects should be reported.
 Organization of Maintenance Methods and
Systems
• 5S is the name of workplace organization methodology that uses a list of 5 Japanese
words which are seire, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
• Seire- (sort) - is tidiness; the process of sorting, taking out and disposing
unnecessary items in the work area, keeping only the necessary items.
• Seiton ( systematize) – orderliness. The tools, equipment and materials must be
properly arranged for easier and efficient access.
• Seiso ( sweep) – cleanliness. Cleaning even if the area is not dirty. This prevents
things from getting too dirty. This is a daily activity.
• Seiketsu ( standardize) – Maintaining the workplace in high standard housekeeping.
Preparing housekeeping standard checklist for every housekeeping duty to be
performed.
• Shitsuke ( self-discipline) –Doing things without being told. Leaving the workplace
clean or even cleaner.
Safekeeping of Cleaning Tools and
Equipment

 Store hand tools in

a clean dry storage
area.

 Protect surfaces of
cutting tools in
storage.
 Equipment
• Store equipment in a clean dry storage
area.
• Rinse and clean spray equipment after
each use.
• Clean and check wheel-driven gears.
• Clean maid’s cart after use.
• Carts and trolleys should never be used
as general dumping grounds when not
is use.
• When storing maid’s cart, cleaning
equipment should be dry and well-
ventilated.
 Safekeeping of Cleaning Tools,
Equipment and Chemicals

• Provision should be made for correct storage of all

equipment.
• There should be space for each machine.
• Shelves, cupboards, and drawers for all spare parts
(example: mop, brush, mop heads, and mop pads)
should be provided.
• Storage place should be equipped with power points.
• Proper lighting should be provided.
 Importance of
Maintenance of Equipment

• Equipment have to be properly maintained to keep their

optimum condition at acceptable levels and minimum
cost to satisfy their expected services.
• Maintaining equipment extend their useful life,
assure their operational readiness, properly dispose
hazardous waste and ensure safety of the personnel
handling the equipment.
 BASIC MAINTENANCE OF
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
• Machines must be handled by qualified and trained personnel.
Manufacturer’s manual could help as guide in maintaining equipment
and tools for proper usage.
• Equipment can be classified into two: mechanical and manual
cleaning equipment.
• Types of cleaning equipment:
• 1. MECHANICAL: Vacuum cleaner, Wet vacuum, Wet extractors,
Rotary Floor Machine
• 2. MANUAL: Brushes, Containers, Brooms, Dusters, cloths Mops
MECHANICAL CLEANING
EQUIPMENT
• Vacuum Cleaner:
• Vacuum cleaners are the greatest friends
of housekeeping cleaning staff. They
come with nozzles and attachment for all
types of surfaces. Vacuum cleaner can be
categorized into two types. such as: The
Upright Vacuum (operate on a combine
suction) The Floor Vacuum (cylindrical
and spherical that woks on solely suction)
• Wet vacuums
• Wet vacuum is used to absorb water from
floors and to rinse the soiled area with the
help of suction and water sprayer. Wet
vacuums cleaner has collection tank which
store the water to absorb water from floor.
Wet vacuum cleaners are available in several
shapes and sizes.
• Wet extractors
• Wet extractions have suction and water injection
features. With this they simultaneously rinse and
suck water from the surface. They are best for both
carpets and floor. The basic principle of operation is
that the extractor sprays water and detergent onto
the surface and then uses suction to extract the
water into tanks build into the wet extractor Wet
extractors
• Wet extractors Wet extractor come in various
shapes and sizes. They come in lighter portable
tank versions, as well as the heavy duty push-cart
variety. Some extractors can also have a feature for
dry pick-up like normal vacuum cleaner.
• Rotary Floor machine
• Rotary floor machine are used for multipurpose e. g
shampoo, polish, scrub just by changing one attachment
it can be applicable in both floor and carpets.
• They can be used for both carpets and floors just by the
change of an attachment. The rotary machine build-in
trays for dissolving detergents and tanks for water
absorption and supply.
• Box Sweeper
• It is electric sweeper that consists of a friction
brush. The brush often is fit to revolve
vertically or horizontally, when the equipment
moves on the surface. It can clean floors as
well as carpets. The wider the better is the box
sweeper brush.
• Polishing Machine
• They are used to add a shine to
the floors of most frequented
areas of the hotel.
• Scrubber
• It is a floor care accessory that
comes with handheld electrically
operated scrubber. It is used where
only mopping doesn’t suffice. It
can scrub stubborn and sticky
stains on the floors of cafeterias,
restaurants, lobbies, and fitness
areas where people can take food
and beverages.
• Vapor Cleaning Machine
• They are used where the chemical odors are
not desired.
• They are equipped for continuous operation.
They heat up quickly and work with low
amount of moisture.
• They kill the bed bugs and their eggs, the
yielding a completely clean environment.
• Scarifying machine
• It is used for keeping gardens, golf courts, and lawn
in the hotel premises. It cuts through the turf, and
removes moss and dead grass.
• It helps grow spongy lawn. Scarifies have fixed
knife blades attached to the rotary cylinder. They
cut through the grass by which the offshoots are
separated into lots of individual plants.
• This helps to thicken up the turf and improve its
health.
 MANUAL CLEANING
TOOLS
• MOPS
• There are various types of mops such as string mops,
flat mops, dust mops, and synthetic mops. Mops are
generally made of flat cotton strings or heavy-duty
sponges fixed on the metal frames.
• The cotton mops have high absorbing ability but need
more care unlike the synthetic mops that offer almost
zero absorbing ability and very less maintenance
• Mops are easy way to clean dust from floors. Mops
should be washed with foamy water or detergents and
dried properly
• Brushes −
• They are handheld flat brushes with bristles to
dust the plain surfaces as well as the corners.
Brushes are made of different material which
comes in variety of sizes and shapes
• They come with non-slip handles and stiff scratch-
free bristles. They help removing stubborn dust.
• Uses of brushes:
• To clean sensitive surface e.g. lampshades,
feather brushes are used. Special nylon toilet
brushes are used to clean WC.
• To clean carpets, carpet hand brushes are often
use as a substitute for vacuum cleaner.
• Care and cleaning of brushes- Brushes should be
gently tapped on a hard surface to loosen dust
after the cleaning process. And then washed it,
the final rinse should be in cold saline water to
help the bristles regain their stiffness, dry it in
sun or open air.
• BROOMS
• Brooms The main job of a broom is to
take away the large particles of soil
from hard and tough floor.
• Types of brooms: Soft-bristled brooms,
Wall brooms, Hard-bristled brooms.
• Use and maintenance of brooms ;
Brooms are maintained in the same
manner as brushes.
• DUSTERS
• Dusters are used in hotels to clean loose dust
and wash various surfaces. Dusters comes in
various sizes for different purposes.
• Dusters are made of soft cotton, flannel and
artificial feather mounted on a stick. Care and
cleaning of cloths- Good care of cloth is
important for efficient cleaning and longer life.
• Dusting cloths: They are soft cloths used for wiping the
surface dust. CLOTHS Dusters Swabs and wipes, Floor
cloths, Glass cloths, Scrims Wet cloth
• CARE AND CLEANING: Wash, rinse and dry thoroughly
after use. Wash in hot detergent water, rinse and dry
thoroughly after use. Those used on WCs should be
disinfected after washing. Wash in hot detergent water,
rinse, disinfect and dry thoroughly. Wash, rinse and dry
after use. Wash, rinse and dry after use. Wash in hot
detergent water, rinse, dry and disinfected periodically.
• Abrasives
• They are the sharpening stones or
grit papers used to polish metal or
wooden surfaces. There are
various abrasives depending upon
the size of grit and adhesion of
grit particles on the paper.
• Chambermaid’s Trolley/Housekeeping
Trolley −
• This trolley is large enough to keep all the guest
room and guest bathroom supplies in an organized
manner. It makes the housekeeping staff to move
it around and carry large number of items in one
trip while keeping and cleaning the guest rooms.

• Trolley Care and Maintenance

• All soiled linen bags and thrash bags should be
emptied.
• Thorough cleaning of maid’s cart is done one a
week. The wheels may be oiled during the cleaning
for smooth movement of the trolley
• DUSTBINS-
• They are used to collect daily garbage
produced in the hotel.
• Care of dust bins:
• They must be washed daily with soap and
water, properly dried up. Dust bins are lined
with plastic to prevent dirt from sticking
• Dustpans
• They are used to collect dust and
garbage from the floor and putting it
into the dustbin. Cleaning is by
washing and drying before use.
• Mop Wringer trolley
• A mop bucket cart (or mop trolley) is a
wheeled bucket that allows its user to wring
out a wet mop without getting the hands
dirty. The mops are squeezed between two
surfaces to remove dirty water from it.
• Mop wringer is thoroughly washed with
soap and water and let dry.
• Spray Bottles
• They are used to spray water or chemical
solutions on the surface that needs cleaning.
• They are also used to spray water on the
delicate flowers or leaves of flower
arrangement.
• They must be properly washed before
storing for future use.
 Storage and cleaning of
housekeeping equipment:
• Cleaning equipment requires attention to avoid cross-transmission of
microorganisms and growth of microorganisms in dirty environments.
• Tools and equipment used for cleaning and disinfecting must be cleaned and
dried between uses (e.g. buckets, mop handles, squirt bottles, wet floor
signs) Mop heads and cloths should be laundered daily and dried thoroughly
before storage
• Cleaning equipment shall be well maintained, cleaned and in good repair
Cleaning carts: Should have a separation between clean and soiled items; Should
never contain personal clothing or grooming supplies, food or beverages;
• Should be thoroughly cleaned at the end of the day; In long-term care homes,
cleaning carts shall be equipped with a locked compartment for storage of
hazardous substances and each cart shall be locked at all times when not
attended
CHAPTER EXAM
 Written Test
Test I. True or False. Write True if the statement is correct and False if the
statement is wrong. Write your answer on the space provided.
• _____ 1. Cleaning chemicals can be mixed in one container as long as they
• are of the same “type”.
• _____ 2. A zero-tolerance policy provides safeguard against sexual
• harassment in the workplace.
• _____ 3. Excessive “room quota” is counter productive.
• _____ 4. Use of PPE completely prevents injury.
• _____ 5. PPE’s are removed right after use.
• _____6. Blood-borne pathogens means that the microorganism are
• transmitted through blood and blood products.
• _____ 7. Carpet hand brush can be used as a substitute for vacuum cleaner.
• _____ 8. Mops are washed and soaked while attached to the mop head.
• _____ 9. Only experienced personnel can take care and maintain an
• equipment.
• _____ 10. Ergonomics is the proper use of equipment.
Test II. Multiple-choice. Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write
the letter of your answer on the black before each number.

• ____ 1. What equipment is used in stripping, polishing hard floors?

• A. Vacuum cleaner C. Floor Mop
• B. Floor scrubber D. Floor machine
• _____ 2. Which of the following equipment remove soil and dirt using steam
• under pressure?
• A. Carpet shampoo machine
• B. Vacuum cleaner
• C. High pressure washer
• D. Floor scrubber
• _____ 3. The following are kinds of acids used in cleaning, EXCEPT:
• A. Hydrochloric acid C. Peptic acid
• B. Acetic acid D. Citric acid
• _____ 4. Which type of acid is used to remove stubborn dirt?
• A. Oxalic acid C. Hydrochloric acid
• B. Acetic acid D. Citric acid
• _____ 5. What alkaline-based cleaning agent is used for whitening and
• removing stain?
• A. Sodium carbonate C. Sodium hypochlorite
• B. Sodium hydroxide D. Sodium chloride
• _____ 6. What administrative function reduces hazards in the workplace by
• moving the workers to different tasks during the prescribed time?
• A. Job enlargement C. Team work
• B. Job rotation D. Job analysis
• _____ 7. What is the efficient and effective way of using the body in doing
• work?
• A. Body posture C. Body stance
• B. Body language D. Body mechanics
• _____ 8. The following reduces repetitive movement injury, EXCEPT:
• A. Do heavier tasks at the end of the work shift
• B. Use lighter vacuum cleaner
• C. Choose equipment with low noise emission
• _____ 9. Which of the following measures prevents the spread of infection?
• A. Use long-handle tools
• B. Do handwashing
• C. Maintain and repair equipment
• D. Distribute weight evenly in a trolley
• _____ 10. Which of the following prevent muskulo-skeletal injuries?
• A. Use fitted sheets instead of flat sheets in bedmaking
• B. Do warm-up exercises before starting work
• C. Push the cart with both hands to prevent body twisting
• D. All of the above
• _____ 11. What PPE are used in handling chemicals?
• A. Mask and bonnet C. Ear muffs and eye shield
• B. Apron and hood D. Mask and gloves
• _____ 12. If “warning” sign is posted in a container, the product:
• A. Must be used carefully C. Is extremely toxic
• _____ 13. When pushing a trolley in a ramp, how should you position
• yourself?
• A. In front of the trolley
• B. At the back of the trolley
• C. At the left side of the trolley
• D. At the right side of the trolley
• _____ 14. An employee waxing or stripping floor wax must wear:
• A. Rubber boots C. Rubber-soled shoes
• B. Leather boots D. Leather-soled shoes
• _____ 15. What will you do before using a step ladder?
• A. Check the manufacturer
• B. Check the date purchased
• C. Check the ladder rungs and latches
• D. Check the type of work to be done
• _____ 16. What term describes “keeping things orderly and systematic”?
• A. Seiso C. Seire
• B. Seiton D. Seiketsu
• _____ 17. Dusting cloth should be washed in a:
• A. Warm water C. Tepid water
• _____ 18. After cleaning, brushes are soaked in a cold saline water solution
• to:
• A. Make the bristles sturdy
• B. Keep the bristles soft and fluffy
• C. Keep the bristles durable
• D. Help the bristles gain their stiffness
• _____ 19. What is the best reference in the proper use of equipment?
• A. Purchase order C. Maintenance Program
• B. Maintenance Checklist D. Manufacturer’s manual
• _____ 20. Why do we have to maintain our equipment?
• A. To assure readiness for use
• B. To extend the usefulness of the equipment
• C. To protect the people using the equipment
• D. All of the above
 Test II. Enumeration

• 1- 5 Common hazards in the workplace

• 6- 15 Mechanical equipment used in housekeeping
• 16- 20 Types of eye protection