1

Organize and Maintain Work Areas

Module SIRXCLM001A

In order to achieve competency in this module you must complete the following activities.

Contents Page Number

Critical Aspects of Assessment 2

Key Terms and Concepts 3

Maintaining the Work Area 4

Applying housekeeping policy 7

Performing Housekeeping Routines 8

Personal Hygiene Practices 9

Routinely Cleaning 10

Hazard Identification and Removal 11

Waste Removal and Disposal 12

Storage and Maintenance of Cleaning Equipment 13

2

Perform Routine Housekeeping Duties

Module WRRM2B

Housekeeping is the cleaning and tidying of your store, the merchandise you sell and areas such as your counters,

change rooms and store rooms. It also includes the cleanliness of staff and their personal hygiene standards.

This unit encompasses the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to maintain and organise work areas in a retail

environment. It includes the organisation of the work area to keep the workplace tidy, clean and safe, and the

application of appropriate personal hygiene practices by staff members.

Housekeeping is an essential element of successful retailing. The overall image the store is trying to project can be

enhanced by effective housekeeping policies and procedures.

Customers today are very discerning and expect to shop in an environment that is tidy, clean and safe. It is the

responsibility of all team members to ensure that these expectations are met.

Critical Aspects of Assessment

To demonstrate competency in this unit, a candidate must be able to:

consistently apply housekeeping duties to the work area, point of sales terminals, walkways and fixtures/display

areas

consistently apply safe work practices in the operation and maintenance of a range of cleaning/housekeeping

equipment according to:

store policy and procedures

occupational health and safety legislation/regulation/codes of practice

industry codes of practice

manufacturers’ instructions and design specifications

apply the store housekeeping program to the work area and report faults/problems to the relevant

person/department

accurately read and interpret, and consistently apply manufacturers’ instructions for cleaning products, tools

and equipment

complete tasks within the set time frame.

3

Key Terms and Concepts Hazard: anything that has the potential to harm the health and safety of a person, including work practices and procedures. Hazard signage: visual signs used to warn of potential hazards. Housekeeping policy: a set of guidelines that document the standards and procedures to be performed when undertaking housekeeping tasks. Industry codes of practice: agreed standards of practice amongst those in an industry. Personal hygiene and presentation: standards set by an employer to ensure all team members positively reflect the store’s image in their presentation. Recycling: the reuse of materials, usually for further manufacture. Roster: a list of people responsible for undertaking designated tasks. Risk: the likelihood of an accident occurring and the potential severity of the accident. Schedule: a plan that outlines tasks to be performed and the time frame allocated for tasks. Stock rotation: involves moving older stock to the front of a shelf or fixture and putting new stock at the back when stock is replenished. This ensures the older stock is sold first. Stock storage: an area in a store where reserve stock is held until it is required on the shop floor. This area is often also called a storeroom. Waste disposal: disposal of goods, packaging materials etc, in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

Question 1 - Complete the table

Term Description

Personal hygiene and

presentation

agreed standards of practice amongst those in an industry.

Risk

Hazard signage

an area in a store where reserve stock is held until it is required on the shop floor. This area is

often also called a storeroom.

Roster

a set of guidelines that document the standards and procedures to be performed when

undertaking housekeeping tasks.

the reuse of materials, usually for further manufacture.

Stock rotation

a plan that outlines tasks to be performed and the time frame allocated for tasks

anything that has the potential to harm the health and safety of a person, including work

practices and procedures.

Waste disposal

4

Maintaining the Work Area

Maintaining the work area in a tidy, clean and safe way reflects a positive store image and helps create an environment

that is pleasant for all customers and conducive to sales.

Retail stores vary considerably from large department stores to much smaller specialty stores, therefore the

housekeeping policies and procedures can also vary considerably. Team members must be familiar with their store’s

policies and procedures and occupational health and safety requirements as this will ensure the store looks its best and

the correct image is being projected to customers.

There are many areas in a store that need to be considered, including:

point of sale area

counters

walkways/aisles

merchandise

fittings and fixtures

storerooms

fitting rooms

receiving docks

Areas where there is a high level of customer contact require special attention. These can include:

point of sale area

walkways/aisles

counters

This is a store that is very cluttered, and it doesn't seem to have any

particular way of organising its work and display areas. Some of the

merchandise is stacked on top of boxes - a potential safety hazard

because they could easily topple over and injure someone. As you

can see, the overall impression is that the store is untidy - a negative

image for customers

Here is a store that is well organised - the walkways and floor areas

are uncluttered and the merchandise is organised neatly on various

displays and fixtures. Customers could safely browse in this store

without worrying about knocking anything over. The overall

impression is that the store is clean and tidy - a positive image for

customers

Keeping these areas clean and well organised will help to give the customer the impression that the store is professional

and caring, and leave them with positive memories of a pleasant buying experience.

Usually you find yourself working at a hectic pace, especially on busy days.

Sometimes it seems easier to leave a bit of a mess behind when you finish a task, because you know you can go back

and clean it up later.

While this might sound like a sensible approach, what often happens is that you don't get time to go back and clean it

up, so the mess remains for all your customers to see.

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The other problem is that if you do this a few times during the day, there's a great big mess to clean before you go

home! Cleaning up a big mess is usually the last thing you feel like when you've had a busy day.

The best solution is to clean as you go!

The final point to consider about the "Clean As You Go" technique is that in some situations, it may be inappropriate to

clean your work area. Eg, if customers are in the store, you wouldn't get the vacuum cleaner out and start cleaning the

carpet. If you're unsure, check your store's policy and/or procedures, or ask your manager.

The counter area in your store is very important, because customers often spend a lot of time there. Many stores fill

their counter areas up with what are known as "impulse lines" - usually lower priced items that catch the customer's

eye, making them buy the item on impulse.

This point of sale area is well organised - the counter is clear and

the till is not surrounded by unnecessary items. The overall look is

neat and tidy.

This point of sale area is untidy and disorganized, leaving the

customer with a poor image of the shop.

When applying housekeeping procedures to your counter area, five key points must be considered.

1) Clean

2) Safe

3) Uncluttered

4) Well organized

5) Customer friendly

Keeping these five key points in mind at all times will ensure that your counter area contributes to the overall

professional and positive image that your store presents.

The primary and recency theory

The primary and recency theory states that a customer remembers the first and last thing they see when they visit a

store. It follows that these areas must be kept consistently tidy, clean and safe if the customer is to leave the store

remembering the buying experience as enjoyable.

Safety of customers, staff and store visitors is an important part of presenting store image. It is also a legal requirement

that stores aim to protect the health safety and welfare of people at work.

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For a store to meet its responsibilities under the Act, employees involved in housekeeping must take an active role to

ensure they keep areas tidy, clean and safe. Whilst performing normal workplace duties team members can identify

potential hazards and asses risks. Some obvious areas of concern include:

Keeping aisles/walkways clear and free from hazards including packaging materials, poorly stacked displays, spilt

merchandise. etc.

Ensuring all floor area is free from potential trip or slip hazards including torn carpet, broken tiles, spilt

merchandise etc.

Checking fittings and fixtures to make sure they are not dangerously positioned

Positioning merchandise and signage in such a way that they do not obstruct vision or overhang dangerously.

It is a legal requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (OH&S Act 2000) that all employees must notify

and act on workplace hazards. For information on the OH&S Act and the OH&S Regulations 2001, visit the Workcover

NSW site, which allows for downloads of summaries of the Act and Regulations.

Question 1 -Multiple Choice -Select the best answer. – There maybe more than one correct answer.

a) What does the technique “Clean as you go” involve?

o It means that you clean up just as you're going home

o It involves leaving your mess for someone else to clean up

o It means that as you make the mess you clean it up

b) Which of the following areas have a high level of customer contact and require extra attention.

o point of sale area

o storerooms

o fitting rooms

o receiving docks

o counters

o walkways/aisles

o merchandise

o fittings and fixtures

Question 2 - Complete the following table

Characteristics of a positive store image Characteristics of a negative store image

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Question 3 - Fill in the blanks

Maintaining the work area in a t______, c____ and s____ way reflects a p______ store image and helps create an

e___________ that is pleasant for all customers and c________ to sales.

R_____ stores vary considerably from large d_________ stores to much smaller s_________ stores, therefore the

housekeeping p________ and p_________ can also vary considerably. Team members must be f_______ with their

store’s policies and procedures and o_________ h_____ and s______ requirements as this will ensure the store looks its

best and the correct i________ is being projected to c______________.

Question 4 -Complete the following table

Well Organised Counter Poorly Organised Counter

Question 5 - Name 5 key points to consider when applying housekeeping procedures to your counter area.

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________

Question 6 -Explain what Primary and Recency theory is.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 7 - What is the legal requirement of stores in relation to safety?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 8 -Name the safety concerns in regards to the floor area.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 9 - All employees must notify and act on workplace hazards is a legal requirement of which act?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 10

Complete the exercise

http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/contentPages/EducationAndTraining/ActivitiesAndTests/HuntTheHazards/hunt.htm

Print the Congratulations Certificate

8

Applying housekeeping policy

Applying housekeeping policy requires that team members be familiar with their store’s policies. These policies will

reflect the image the store is trying to project to customers and will comply with all OH&S Act 2000 requirements.

Rosters or schedules are an effective way of ensuring all housekeeping tasks are performed in a timely manner. Some

areas in a store require constant or daily attention whilst others may only need attention weekly or even monthly. Some

areas require a combination. For example, merchandise may be dusted daily but the fixtures where merchandise is

positioned may be cleaned monthly.

Areas within a store where housekeeping duties are performed can include:

Point of sale terminal Merchandise

Point of sale area Displays

Counters Dock areas

Walkways/aisles Storerooms

Fixtures/shelving Staff amenities

Housekeeping tasks may include:

Dusting Facing up merchandise

Cleaning Removing waste

Sweeping Vacuuming

Mopping Polishing

Replacing damaged merchandise Clearing walkways

Washing fixtures/fittings Tidying

Rosters/schedules

To ensure a systematic approach to housekeeping rosters/schedules are implemented.

A typical roster may include:

Task Time Frequency Staff Member Completed/

checked

Daily

Remember, all housekeeping duties should be performed with minimum disruption to customers and other staff

members. Therefore the timing of the task can be crucial.

How often the task is performed or the frequency will depend on the size of the store, how many customers are served

and the store’s individual policies.

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Question 1 - State if the following are Housekeeping Duties or Housekeeping Tasks.

Duty or Task Duty or Task

Displays Clearing walkways

Dock areas Tidying

Facing up merchandise Storerooms

Removing waste Staff amenities

Merchandise Point of sale area

Mopping Vacuuming

Counters Polishing

Dusting Point of sale terminal

Cleaning Replacing damaged merchandise

Sweeping Washing fixtures/fittings

Walkways/aisles Fixtures/shelving

Question 3 - Decide at what time of day each of the daily housekeeping duties listed below should be performed.

Vacuuming the carpeted floors Sweeping the wood floors Cleaning all the glass counters

Dusting all the fixtures Returning stock to displays Cleaning change rooms

Cleaning mirrors in change rooms Wiping over the register Doing the dishes

Tidying the storeroom Tidying shelves Clearing walkways

Tidying counters Organising items on display fixtures Cleaning the EFTPOS machine

Tasks to be done before the store opens

Tasks to be done regularly through the day

Tasks to be done after the store closes:

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Performing Housekeeping Routines

All housekeeping routines must be performed efficiently and effectively. It is important that all team members perform

their tasks in accordance with store policy and procedures, ensuring minimum disruption to customers and other

business activities.

The clean as you go theory states that by picking up, organising and cleaning up as tasks are undertaken, housekeeping

time can be kept to a minimum.

By following the principle of cleaning as you go the store’s image is projected as both professional and caring and

customer safety is ensured at all times, thus enhancing the shopping experience for the customer.

Employers must ensure staff members are familiar with the operation and safety requirements of any equipment or

cleaning agents before they undertake housekeeping duties. To ensure correct handling and storage Material Safety

Data Sheets (MSDS) must be accessible to all staff for any hazardous substance they are required to use. Where

necessary, personal protective equipment (PPE) should also be supplied by the employer. Look at the CSIRO website for

an example of an MSDS. <http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/msds.htm>

Whilst undertaking housekeeping duties, team members must ensure the safety of themselves and customers. Any

equipment used must be stored appropriately to avoid potentially hazardous situations. If floors are left wet,

appropriate signage must be used to warn customers and other staff of a potential hazard.

All housekeeping tasks must be performed to the standard outlined in the store policy and procedure manual.

Question 1 - What is MSDS an acronym for?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Question 2 - Go the following website in order to answer the following questions.

http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/msds.htm

a) What does MSDS tell you?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

b) Name at Least 4 Physical Characteristics.

______________________________ ____________________________________

______________________________ ____________________________________

c) Match the following Precautions for use with its description

Ventilation Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) explain how much exposure is safe over the short and

long term.

Exposure Limits. The MSDS will detail any necessary action to prevent fire hazards (ventilation,

earthing, etc.).

Personal Protection. Any specific type of respirator, clothing or other protective equipment needed will

be explained.

Flammability. This section will explain any special ventilation requirements.

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d) True or False;

Safe Handling Information includes:

o Storage and Transport.

o Spills and Disposal.

o Fire and Explosion Hazards.

Question 3 - What should you do if the floor is left wet?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 4 -True or False

Statement True or False

All housekeeping tasks must be performed to the standard outlined in the store policy and procedure manual

Whilst undertaking housekeeping duties, team members must not ensure the safety of themselves and customers

All housekeeping routines must be performed whenever you feel like it

It is not important that all team members perform their tasks in accordance with store policy and procedures, ensuring minimum disruption to customers and other business activities.

The clean as you go theory states that by picking up, organising and cleaning up as tasks are undertaken, housekeeping time can be kept to a minimum

Question 5 - Look at the Picture below

Instructions:

In the table below, list the items that you need to

re-organise on Dave’s mess.

Explain where you would put each item and why

The first one is done for you.

Item Where it should go

Unwanted paper Recycle paper bin, to minimize waste and have minimal impact on the environment

12

Personal Hygiene Practices

Individual staff presentation can make a major contribution to the overall image that a store conveys to customers. It is

therefore important that all staff members dress and present themselves in a way that complies with employer dress

standards. Standards change from store to store. Some issue uniforms, others set dress codes, some require staff to

wear merchandise that is currently available and some have no policy at all.

An important aspect of your personal presentation involves personal hygiene. Making sure that you are clean and neat

at all times ensures that you are communicating a positive image. Personal hygiene is one important aspect of your

store's housekeeping procedures.

Image is created by not only what is worn, but how it is worn. All clothing should be clean and ironed. Shoes should be

clean and make-up and accessories should be appropriate.

The image presented must be that of a professional: clean, tidy and ready to serve the customer.

As a minimum, individuals should ensure that:

hands and fingernails are clean hair is clean and brushed teeth are clean

deodorant is worn face is clean.

If staff members are handling food substances extra standards would apply. These might include:

wearing gloves

tying hair back / hair net

removing jewellery

Some people think that personal hygiene is only important in retail stores that deal with food.

This is not the case - personal hygiene is important all the time.

Some stores have a specific policy that deals with personal hygiene. This is often included in the general dress standards

guidelines for the store.

Assessment 1 - You are the new owner of a retail store. You have decided that you need a policy to explain the

personal hygiene standards of your store.

Create a Personal Hygiene Policy for your own store. You can base it on any type of store that you like - fashion,

hardware, grocery or … use your imagination!

State what of store you have and make sure that you cover all of the important areas that are involved with the personal

hygiene standards of the staff in a retail store

- Attach the document Label Assessment 1

Question 3 -List the 5 minimum requirements, individuals should personally do to present an appropriate image.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Question 4 - Fill in the blanks

Individual s_____ presentation can make a major c___________ to the overall image that a store conveys to customers.

It is therefore important that all staff members d_____ and present themselves in a way that complies with employer

dress s__________. Standards change from store to s_____. Some issue uniforms, others set d_____c_____, some

require staff to wear m_______ that is currently available and some have no policy at all.

An important aspect of your p_________ presentation involves personal h______. Making sure that you are clean and

n_____ at all times ensures that you are communicating a p______ image. Personal hygiene is one important aspect of

your store's h___________ procedures.

I______ is created by not only what is worn, but h___ it is worn. All clothing should be clean and i_____. Shoes should

be clean and make-up and accessories should be a__________.

Question 5 - True or False

a) Personal hygiene is only important in retail stores that deal with food.

b) Personal hygiene is important all the time.

c) Shoes should be clean and make-up and accessories should be appropriate.

d) Standards are the same in every retail store.

e) Image is created by not only what is worn, but how it is worn.

f) Not ironing your shirt creates a good impression.

g) An important aspect of your personal presentation involves personal hygiene.

h) Making sure that you are clean and neat at all times ensures that you are communicating a positive image.

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Routinely Cleaning

Store appearance is an important aspect of creating an image for customers. Ensuring housekeeping routines are carried

out safeguards the store’s image and provides an environment that is both safe and pleasurable for customers to shop

in.

To ensure customers enjoy their shopping experience the daily, weekly and monthly housekeeping routines must be

carried out effectively and efficiently.

From time to time situations arise that require team members’ immediate attention. In these situations team members

need to be prepared to act to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers and other staff.

Common situations include:

merchandise spill/damage

unscheduled deliveries

leaks

Team members must be familiar with the location and storage of necessary cleaning materials and equipment to

facilitate prompt action in such situations.

Question 1 - Decide whether the tasks in the list below should be carried out daily, weekly or monthly.

Cleaning any glass

Cleaning counters

Cleaning displays

Cleaning EFTPOS equipment

Cleaning point of sale area

Cleaning the fridge

Cleaning windows

Clearing walkways

Washing walls

Dusting displays

Polishing

Removing waste

Stock returns

Sweeping

Tidying shelves

Tidying storeroom

Vacuuming

Washing fixtures & fittings

Daily Weekly Monthly

Question 2

State the importance of the following

Importance

Store Appearance

Housekeeping Routines

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Hazard Identification and Removal

In maintaining the cleanliness of the store team members may occasionally need to attend to potential hazards.

Identifying and removing hazards quickly and efficiently helps to safeguard the store’s image and projects a professional

and caring image to the customers.

Potential hazards common in a retail setting can lead to:

slips

trips

falls

Team members need to follow five clear steps in removing potential hazards. These include:

be observant

identify hazards

inform appropriate staff

display warning signs for customers and staff

implement required action to remove a hazard.

If all team members are vigilant, hazards can be removed with little disruption to the day to day running of the business.

However, before removing the hazard team members need to be aware of any potential danger it may pose to them

and act appropriately. They also need to know how to dispose of any hazardous materials appropriately. For example,

thick gloves should be worn when picking up broken glass and the glass should be wrapped in newspaper to ensure safe

disposal of the glass. Broken glass is not suitable for recycling.

Wet floors are another area of key concern to the retailer. Spills must be attended to immediately and use of warning

signs is essential when cleaning up spills. Again, team members need to look after their own safety when attending to

spills. Identification of the spill is essential to determine appropriate clean up strategies, along with any special

considerations the product may pose. Some products are hazardous and have been classified as a dangerous good, for

example liquid pool chlorine. These goods have special handling requirements as outlined on the label and the Material

Safety Data Sheets and require people to wear personal protective equipment when dealing with them.

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Question 1

a) Go to the following website; http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/slips.htm

When does a slip occur?

__________________________________________________________________________________

b) What are the 3 most common causes of slips?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

c) How can you cut down the risk of slipping on wet indoor surfaces?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

d) True or False

In outdoors in inclement weather you can reduce the risk of slipping if you;

Speed up to react to a change in traction.

Wear slip-resistant shoes or overshoes, and carry your work shoes.

Never wear sunglasses when outdoors in ice and snow to help you see possible hazards.

Be careful of wet shoes on a dry floor.

e) What type of footwear should you wear?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

f) Why should you clean up small spills?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Question 2

a) Go to the following website; http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/manhand.htm

Complete the Table in relation to Manually Handling Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s Don’ts

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Question 3

a) List the 7 types manual handling injuries

_____________________________________ ________________________________________

_____________________________________ ________________________________________

_____________________________________ ________________________________________

_____________________________________ ________________________________________

b) List the 4 areas that you should be informed and trained in

_____________________________________ ________________________________________

_____________________________________ ________________________________________

c) True or False

o It is the employer's responsibility, as far as possible, to provide a safe working environment

o Most manual handling injuries could have been prevented by education, training, and supervision.

o It is the employer's responsibility to provide you with safe work procedures, and with education, training and

supervision for manual handling tasks

o Safe work procedures should be prepared by employers with the help of employees to care for the special needs

of young and inexperienced workers.

d) Fill in the blanks

Statistics show that most of the victims of back _______ are below the age of ___or above the age of ___. This points to

___________ and lack of ___________ and _________ in the former group, and to an accumulation of minor damage

and decreasing physical resilience in the latter.

As a rough rule of thumb, persons should not ______ unassisted, weights greater than about ______.

The Safety Officer holds several lifting manuals including the ______________________________

________________________.

Observation of the few golden rules of lifting listed below could ____________ reduce the injury rate.

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e) Place the following statements in under the correct headings

The task should be planned before work begins;

Suitable protective clothing should be provided and worn.

Remove unnecessary tasks;

Two people to carry bigger loads

Prevent heavy carrying;

Reduce bending, twisting, reaching movements;

Employees should be trained in the skills required;

Provide rest breaks during heavy or repetitive work;

Lighten loads (break loads into smaller quantities);

Employees should be told about potential hazards;

Provide shelf storage for heavier objects at waist level, smaller objects on high or low shelves;

Prevent double handling;

Each manual handling job or task

should have its own safe

procedure

Safe work procedures should

reduce lifting, carrying, pushing,

pulling, lowering, throwing,

holding, or tasks requiring the use

of force

Specific tasks may be

The way should be cleared to avoid

bumping into or tripping over

things

Provide such mechanical aids as

trolleys, hoists, levers, adjustable

height workbenches and seating,

hooks and jacks, tools and

equipment kept within easy reach.

Prevent muscle strain and fatigue.

This includes warming up before

working, allocating time for rest

breaks, and allowing time to

gradually get used to a new job.

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Question 4

What are the five clear steps team members need to follow in removing potential hazards?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Question 5

What should be worn when picking up broken glass?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Question 6

Draw an example of a sign, in the space provided, that you would display if the floors are wet.

Question 7

What is the classification system?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Question 8

Go to the following website; http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/dangood.htm

State what the following signs are classified as.

_____________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ______________

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Waste Removal and Disposal

In a busy retail environment it is common to accumulate general waste materials. General materials might include:

packaging materials

rubbish

broken or damaged merchandise

paper

glass

plastic.

If the retailer deals with food, other food or liquid waste materials might include:

food substances

fats

oils.

All waste must be removed safely and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. Policies on waste removal and

disposal will vary from store to store depending on current housekeeping policies and procedures. The Environment

Protection Authority in NSW can work with retailers to assist them in designing and implementing appropriate waste

disposal strategies.

When removing general waste it is important to:

use correct lifting techniques

wear gloves or other personal protective equipment as required

move steadily – don’t rush

remove waste from customers’ sight

separate waste in accordance with store policies and procedures to ensure effective recycling.

Another important consideration is the environment - naturally, you want to ensure that you are following

"environmentally-friendly" waste disposal procedures.

Most waste ends up in land-fill areas around the country. These areas occupy a lot of space, and in some cases the waste

pollutes the ground so that the whole area can not be used for many years.

It is estimated that over 50% of the waste currently occupying space in land-fill areas could have been recycled or

reused, if people had followed responsible waste removal and disposal procedures.

For detailed information on handling liquid waste visit the website of the Environment Protection Authority NSW (EPA)

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/handlewaste05246.pdf

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Question 1 - Name a liquid waste that could be found at KFC? __________________________________________________________________________________ Question 2 -Go to the following website; http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/handlewaste05246.pdf a) How can you make sure that liquid waster does not enter the storm water system? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ b) List 3 ways that you can improve the handling of liquid waste and minimize the risk to the environment? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ c) Complete the following saying Remember the drain________________________________________________________________ Question 3 a) Name 8 types of general waste. _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ b) Name 3 types of liquid waste. _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ c) List 6 procedures that are important to follow when removing general waste. __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Question 4 Complete the following sentences a) Most waste ends up in ______________________________________________________________ b) These areas occupy a lot of space, and in some cases _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

c) _________________________________currently occupying space in land-fill areas could have been recycled or

reused, if people had followed responsible waste removal and disposal procedures.

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Storage and Maintenance of Cleaning Equipment

All cleaning equipment used to perform housekeeping tasks must be stored safely and securely and according to the

manufacturer’s instructions where appropriate. This will ensure a safe environment for staff, customers and any other

visitors to the store.

Cleaning equipment varies from store to store. However, some equipment is used in all retail outlets. Common

equipment includes:

mops cloths

buckets spray cleaner

brooms window cleaner

dusters cleaning chemicals

hazard warning signs floor polishers

dust pans and brushes vacuums

bins ladders

blades trolleys

Cleaning chemicals often are hazardous and can be identified as such from the label. Team members must always

consult the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet on the product. This will give them vital information on handling and

storage of the product.

Suppliers of products are responsible for supplying Material Safety Data Sheets for their products. Store management

should have a file containing Material Safety Data Sheets on all products they handle. This file must be kept in the same

storage area as the chemicals to ensure quick access to information where necessary.

There are nine classifications of dangerous goods, many of which can be found in retail outlets. Training must be

provided by the employer in the handling of such products for any team members who may come in contact with them.

For a full list of the classifications and special storage and handling requirements visit the CSIRO website. This site is

particularly useful for identifying labels.

http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/dangood.htm

Many tools or items of equipment requiring cleaning are equipped with guards to protect the operator, for example a

meat slicer used in a delicatessen. Equipment should never be operated without the guard in place and the

manufacturer’s guidelines must be followed to ensure safe use of equipment.

Information Sources

http://www.minerals.csiro.au

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au

http://hsc.csu.edu.au/retail

http://online.egtafe.vic.edu.au

http://www.workcover.com.au

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Question 1 Go to the following website; http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/lead.htm a) What are the 3 ways that Lead can enter the body? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ b) Name 3 symptoms of lead poisoning? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ c) Name the 3 groups most at risk from the adverse effects of lead poisoning? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ d) How is Lead Poisoning treated? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Question 2 List 10 common cleaning items found in Retail Stores? _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ Question 3 Go to the following website; http://www.minerals.csiro.au/safety/dangood.htm Name the 9 nine classifications of dangerous goods _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________________ Question 4 - True or False

Statement True or False There are ten classifications of dangerous goods Suppliers of products are responsible for supplying Material Safety Data Sheets for their products Cleaning chemicals rarely hazardous and can be identified as such from the label.

Team members must always consult the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet on the product.

Equipment should never be operated without the guard in place and the manufacturer’s guidelines must be followed to ensure safe use of equipment

All cleaning equipment used to perform housekeeping tasks must be stored safely and securely and according to the manufacturer’s instructions where appropriate