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Showing our support to the healthcare sector with the release of healthcare cleaning skills

We are pleased to announce the long-awaited launch of healthcare cleaning skills. Version 3 of The BICSc Cleaning Professional’s Skills Suite currently contains over 40 skills, which enables candidates to learn the principles of how to carry out cleaning-related tasks effectively and safely, with this in mind we have adapted our skills to align with both PAS 5748:2014 and the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness Manual 2021.

This new publication incidentally includes the recommended BICSc area colour-coding, which has for more than 20 years called for the use of yellow janitorial equipment and hand protection to be used within clinical areas. 

For those who have the responsibility of cleaning service delivery we understand you will be aiming to consistently maintain high levels of cleanliness and standards. The risk of the spread of infection and the dangers to patients are primary concerns. The confidence of patients, visitors and staff can have a negative influence by the perception of low standards of cleanliness.

A workforce operating within a healthcare setting who are all trained to the same standard can successfully control the spread of infection thus creating a cleaner and safer environment, whether it’s a patient area, staffroom or public toilets – standards are standards.

There is an even greater motivation to achieve ongoing improvements in cleanliness and maintain the very best practice when it comes to hygiene in healthcare.

This launch is also environmentally friendly as BICSc Accredited Training Members  utilising the healthcare skills will only be able to access the assessment of these skills via the CPSS app. Existing Accredited Training Members in a healthcare environment can convert their current skills with ease. 

What are the differences between these skills and the current Cleaning Professional’s Skills Suite? The main differences are as follows for all skills will include Health and Safety Compliance and an understanding of either PAS 5748:2014 and the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness Manual 2021.

Procedure – Health and Safety considerations

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the standard operating procedure or method statement, risk assessment, COSHH assessment and NHS Manual
  • Wash your hands as per the NHS approved method
 

Procedure – Method      

Base Units

  • No method changes for BU1,2,3,4,7,9
 

BU5

  • Use of the correctly coloured waste bag for the area and waste type
 

BU6,8,10,11,12,13

  • If using a hand bucket, discard the cloths in line with NHS policy as they become soiled or when all 8 surfaces are used. If using a spray bottle refold and respray and discard the cloth in line with NHS policy when all 8 surfaces are used.
  • NB: Immersion of the cloth a second time is a H&S failure in the marking for these skills
 

Additional Units

  • No method changes for AU1,2,3,4,6,7,10,12
 

AU5

  • On horizontal surfaces start with the edges then infill with systematic overlapping passes use all 8 clean surfaces of the cloth and then discard in line with NHS policy.
  • If a table is being cleaned the legs should be cleaned after the horizontal surfaces have been cleaned, the underside of the table should be included in the cleaning process. Legs should be washed from top to bottom and rinsed from top to bottom pushing any loose dirt to the floor where it can be removed.
  • Vertical surfaces should be washed starting from the top using systematic overlapping passes working to the bottom. The operative should maintain good posture and must not overstretch. Feet must remain flat on the floor at all times.
  • Washing is started from the top working to the bottom of the vertical surface to reduce the risk of cross contamination of the area.
 

AU8,9,11,13

  • If using a hand bucket, discard the cloths in line with NHS policy as they become soiled or when all 8 surfaces are used. If using a spray bottle refold and respray and discard the cloth in line with NHS policy when all 8 surfaces are used.
  • NB: Immersion of the cloth a second time is a H&S failure in the marking for these skills
 

Specialist Units

  • No change to SU1,4,5,6,8,11,12
 

SU3,13

  • When the cloth become soiled or when all 8 surfaces are used was it disposed of or laundered in line with NHS policy
  • NB: Immersion of the cloth a second time is a H&S failure in the marking for these skills
 

 

Talk to us about your training requirements by email trainingandservices@bics.org.uk or by phone 01604 678 712

To find out more about The Cleaning Professional’s Skills Suite CLICK HERE

Membership | Training | Standards

BICSc is the largest independent, professional, and educational body within the cleaning industry providing training and education, setting standards and procedures for cleaning. BICSc membership now stands at over 50,000 individual and corporate members in the UK and Internationally.

We are a membership organisation that strives to bring recognition of the vital role cleaning operatives play in everyone’s day-to-day life.

Whether you’re shopping, travelling, working, holidaying or recuperating, every one of these scenarios has cleaning staff striving to ensure that the environment is not only clean but also safe.

Founded over 60 years ago, BICSc key objective is to promote the value and professionalism of the cleaning industry, providing training in the key skills required to enhance a cleaning operative’s core role whilst keeping them safe and encouraging them to work in a more effective and efficient manner.

With a range of both practical and theoretical qualifications available, BICSc has something to help further the career of every cleaning professional from entry level, through to supervisor level, and up to an employer with your own business tendering for cleaning contracts.

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