How to Stay Safe and Scale Cleaning Resources During the Festive Season
The holiday season brings with it a lot of joy and excitement, but it can also cause problems during business hours. Understandably, minds tend to wander towards end-of-year work break-ups and family vacations, and some may even indulge in a little too much “festive cheer.” According to WorkSafe Victoria, the weeks leading up to Christmas are among the most dangerous times of the year for workplaces, with increased incidents often attributed to heightened pressure and distractions. In their 2023 campaign, WorkSafe emphasized the need for vigilance, urging businesses to slow down and prioritize safety during this hectic period. Taking your eye off the ball, even for a moment, can have extreme consequences in some work environments. Thankfully, Conquest is here to provide several strategies to help keep your employees safe and scale cleaning resources throughout the festive season.
Start With Clear Communication
Preparation goes beyond equipment checks; clear communication is key to maintaining safety. Here’s what you can do:
- Open Dialogue with Operators: Ensure that equipment operators fully understand their responsibilities. Be clear about safety protocols, and ensure everyone knows the importance of staying alert.
- Monitor Health and Fatigue: With the festive season in full swing, fatigue and illness are common. Check that employees are physically fit to operate equipment. If they’re feeling under the weather or overly tired, it’s better to make alternate arrangements to avoid potential accidents.
Be Aware of the Potential Drawbacks of the Festive Season
The holiday season often brings an increase in foot and vehicle traffic, which presents additional risks. The combination of higher activity levels and distractions can lead to incidents. Consider the following:
- Increased Traffic and Hazards: More pedestrians and vehicles around your business increases the likelihood of accidents involving equipment. The additional traffic leads to a faster build-up of dust and debris, making slip and trip hazards more common.
- Loss of Focus: The festive atmosphere can cause employees to become less attentive to safety details, so it’s crucial to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining safety standards.
- WHS Compliance: During this time, ensure you’re still adhering to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, even when things get busy.
Review Your Equipment Fleet
Your industrial floor cleaning equipment will likely be used more frequently during the holidays, so it’s vital to ensure everything is in top condition. Here’s how:
- Pre-Holiday Inspection: Before the season begins, check all floor scrubbers, sweepers and industrial vehicles to ensure they’re in peak operational condition. Inspect for any signs of wear and ensure they meet current safety standards.
- Add Safety Features: Consider additional safety features, such as safety belts, flashing beacons, or warning lights, to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
- Book a Professional Service: If necessary, have your machines serviced by a qualified technician to prevent costly breakdowns during the holiday rush.
- Routine Maintenance: Even with the best equipment, maintenance is key. Always clean and empty the equipment after each use. For instance, filters in heavy-duty sweepers should be cleaned to prevent damage, and the recovery tank in floor scrubbers should be flushed with clean water to avoid bacteria or odour buildup.
- Proper Storage: When storing your sweepers, scrubbers, or other cleaning equipment, ensure they are kept in a dry, clean environment. Prolonged exposure to hot winds or direct sunlight can cause premature aging, damaging seals and squeegee rubbers, which ultimately reduces efficiency.
Scale for the season with Conquest Hire
If you need to scale your cleaning resources without committing to a long-term investment or intend to deep clean during the festive downtime, Conquest Hire offers flexible short-term hire options. Here’s how we can help:
- Flexible Hire Terms: Hire equipment in as little as one day, allowing you to adjust to seasonal demands.
- Wide Range of Equipment: Access state-of-the-art floor sweepers, scrubbers, UTVs, and industrial vehicles.
- Convenient Options: Equipment is available for both pick-up and delivery, making it easy to get the resources you need when you need them.
- Cost-Effective: Get the support you need without the hefty price tag of purchasing equipment outright.
The holiday season can be chaotic in many ways. The challenge of managing an increase in business shouldn’t be one of them. For expert guidance on ensuring your business runs smoothly and safely over the Christmas period, contact us here.
Complete the form below and our friendly team will be in touch to assist with your holiday equipment requirements.
