SOP0013 – Cleaning Procedure – Vacuuming

Table of Contents

Scope

This procedure details the safe method of Vacuuming

Responsibilities

Responsible	Task
Cleaning Technician/Franchisee	Actual Operation
Site or Service Unit Team Leader	General Oversight of operation and job Audit
Operations Supervisors	Audit of operations of Site and Service unit team leaders and technicians
Branch/Area Manager	Audit of Control of operations and Division team leaders
General Manager and Operations Manager	Responsible for setting up and monitor safe procedure

Approved Equipment/Consumables/Personal Protective Equipment

Approved Consumables	Approved Equipment
Gloves	Backpack vacuum
Out of service Tag	Pull Behind Vacuum
36/72lt Bin Liners	Upright Vacuum
	Vacuum Pole
	Vacuuming Head
	Colour coded cloths

Procedure

Wearing gloves, pick up any large debris or obstructions from the floor
Check the vacuum cleaner is in suitable working condition. Inspect the cord to ensure no cuts or exposed wiring visible. If the vacuum cleaner is faulty, DO NOT proceed to use it. Tie an “out of service” tag onto the vacuum cleaner and detail the fault on the tag.
Assemble the vacuum cleaner and its parts
Find an easily accessible power point not in use. Ensure the power point you are plugging into is in good working condition – do not use a colored power point. Do not remove a device plugged in to use power point
Plug in and switch on at the power point
Ensure the head, straight pipe and hose are in a comfortable working condition and the foot is flat against the floor and is switched to the right setting
Switch on at the vacuum

Do not use vacuum cleaner in an area where water is present

Keeping your back straight, proceed to vacuum the area starting at the further point of the room and making your way back to the exit point of the area. If the pipe isn’t long enough for you an additional attachment may be added to lengthen the straight pipe and prevent back strain. Glide the vacuum head over the carpet area directly in front of you using a back and forward motion. The cord is not to be wrapped up around arms while vacuum. It is important you are aware of the cords whereabouts at all times throughout vacuuming and the cord is not over stretched. If more length is required, an extension cord may be used.
Repeat process until whole area has been vacuumed
Remove the vacuum head from the end of the straight pipe, run the end of the straight pipe along the edges and corners to remove any dust

If vacuuming’s not sucking properly check vacuum pipe, head and hose for blockages and remove any blockages

Once complete, turn off the vacuum first at the vacuum switch and then at the power point and unplug
Wind the cord starting at the vacuum in a loose but not large coil after removing the cord from the power point
Empty the vacuum cleaner bag. Do not empty the contents into garden, lawns or any area outside the client’s premises. Always empty the contents of the vacuum bag into a bin liner and then place into waste
Wipe over vacuum cleaner removing any dust with damp cloth
Once per week or more regular if required wash the cloth bag and allow to dry properly before use. Allow at least one full day before use for drying

Pull along Vacuum

Pull along vacuum cleaners are used on all dry surfaces
They are a barrel like machine and have a flexible hose with an elbow pipe then straight pipes connected to a floor tool
Additional poles (attachments) may be provided if needed to prevent stooping, bending or reaching when vacuuming
The floor tool can be used for either carpet or hard floor surfaces. Adjust for carpets by using the switch lever on top of the floor tool to either raise the strip brush or to drop down for hard floor surfaces
Some surfaces require less suction. An adjustable suction control switch is on the elbow of the pipe
If the vacuum is not sucking correctly check for blockages in the pipes, hose or floor tool and the dust bag is empty
Inside the vacuum there is a soft material dust bag which traps the dust and dirt sucked up from the surface. The bag needs to be emptied at the end of each shift. Turn off the machine and the switch at the power point remove the cord from the power point. Remove the bag from the vacuum cleaner and gently shaking the contents into a bin or garbage bag. The vacuum will suck much easier if the bag is empty from dust and dirt. The bag should be rinsed and/or washed at least once a week
Some vacuum cleaners are fitted with HEPA filtration system. HEPA filter is a sealed filtration system that retains up to 90% of dirt, dust pollens and mites encountered during vacuuming. The filter is located on the inside of the lid and needs to be removed and cleaned weekly using a small soft brush to remove any dust collected sin the filter. If the filter is damaged report immediately to area manager.

Back-Pack Vacuum

Back-pack vacuum cleaners are used in cluttered areas and are worn strapped on the cleaners back
When placing back-pack onto your back, lift the machine onto a table or ledge, or have another cleaner help assist. Adjust the harness to suit you to the machine sitting at the top section of a back. Put your arms in the harness and fasten the waist strap. The machine must sit high on a back to prevent any damage to the spine. Ensure the shoulder straps are pulled tight and the waist strap firm and comfortable.
When using the back-pack vacuum cleaner it is important to use the correct posture. Stand straight without bending / stooping when vacuuming
Store neatly. Coil the cord starting from the machine end and finishing with the plug end to prevent any kinking of the cord

Upright Vacuum

Upright vacuum cleaners may be used in open spaces where appropriate
Extension cords may be required
The dust canister should be emptied and wiped out after every use, ensuring is dry before next use
Store neatly. Coil the cord onto the cord holders on machine wrapping from machine end

Extension Cords

An extension cord is an extra length of electrical cord which attaches to the electrical cord on the vacuum cleaner or any piece of electrical equipment when the cord is not long enough to reach an area
Only one cord to be attached at any one time
Remove extension cord from the electrical appliance once finished
Coil the cord starting from one end and finishing with the other end while the cord is laid out straight and not coiled to prevent any kinking of the cord. Secure and store in a neat manner
Ensure there are no twists or knots in the cord
Do not store near in a wet area

Forms and Registers

Document Number	Document Name
OR0037	Approved Consumables List

Amendment Record

Issue#: 1 Issue Date: 13/7/2022

Rev#	Date	Section#	Para.#	Description of Change	Prepared By	Approved By
1

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Disclaimer: This document contains material to assist in meeting environmental management, Work Health and Safety and Quality obligations under the International Standard ISO AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016,14001:2016 and other legislative bodies. This document contains material sourced from Safe Work Australia. Any such material remains subject to copyright © Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/copyright. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of publication, it is provided as guidance only and does not provide legal advice on meeting your obligations. This document and its contents are © A2Z services 2018 and or the originating source authors and no permission is given for its duplication or copying, in part or in its entirety, for use outside its original purposes as stated within the company.