Eliminating waste through effective worker training

Poor training in the professional cleaning industry generates widespread waste, directly impacting profitability and safety. When workers lack proper training, negative consequences often cascade throughout cleaning operations, according to Stephen Ashkin sustainability expert and the Father of Green Cleaning.

Ashkin cites the following examples to bolster his statement:

• Time is lost to correct poorly cleaned areas.

• Improperly trained workers often use excessive cleaning solutions that are not diluted properly, hampering cleaning performance.

• Equipment misuse extends work duration and often damages equipment.

• Regulatory compliance costs, penalties, and workman’s compensation charges increase.

• High worker turnover negates past training investments.

• Safety incidents and potential injuries can escalate.

The training gap

Proper training has always been a crucial factor in the professional cleaning industry. However, it’s a challenge that we’ve struggled to overcome. In far too many situations, no training is provided for cleaning workers, and this needs to change. And when it is provided, cleaning contractors often focus on just teaching basic skills and miss critical steps that eliminate waste. Workers develop inefficient habits when left to figure out processes on their own.

Three essential steps to improve training and reduce waste

1. Conduct skills assessments

Observe workers performing cleaning tasks. Each worker may have developed unique methods based on past training or through trial and error. Identify which approaches are correct and minimise waste, and which are not, then correct and eliminate inefficiencies. This direct observation reveals the gap between trained and untrained workers and actual work performance.

2. Gather worker feedback

Ask workers directly where they need additional training. Their daily cleaning experience provides invaluable insights into their cleaning process and training gaps. Collect this feedback in meetings or through anonymous written submissions to encourage honest input.

3. Analyse performance data

Compare completion times across comparable sites. When one set of workers finishes a building in three hours, and another set of workers in an identical building takes five hours, the difference typically stems from variations in the quality of training. The faster crew has eliminated wasteful steps through proper training.

The bottom line

Practical training transforms waste into efficiency. By implementing systematic skills assessment, gathering worker feedback, and analysing performance data, cleaning contractors can eliminate the costly waste that undermines profitability and safety. Investing in comprehensive training pays dividends through reduced costs, improved safety, and increased customer satisfaction.