Our staff are fully vetted, medically fit, and properly equipped for each specialist cleaning assignment, providing clients with confidence.
Here at React Specialist Cleaning, we know that our human resources are among our most important assets. Without vetted, fit and equipped staff, we wouldn’t be able to undertake the wide range of specialist cleaning assignments which we take on. Our staff’s professionalism and fitness for work are also key in providing confidence for our clients. In those cases where the highest levels of discretion or sensitivity are involved, we’re particularly proud that our teams deliver an excellent service. In this blog, we’ll look at what it means when we say our staff are fully vetted, medically fit and properly equipped.
Ensuring our staff are fully vetted with DBS checks
We vet all our staff who are working in sensitive areas through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). DBS checks mean employers in England and Wales can check an individual’s criminal record as part of their recruitment or safeguarding processes. (You might still hear people refer to ‘CRB checks’, the older system which was carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) during the period 2002-2012). The DBS is a government agency attached to the Home Office. It merged the functions of the former CRB and the Independent Safeguarding Authority in 2012.
Under the process of DBS checks, there are two levels of criminal record check. React uses a standard DBS check, which provides details of an individual’s convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings recorded on police central records. This includes both ‘spent’ and ‘unspent’ convictions. (Organisations which work directly with children and vulnerable adults can request an enhanced check to provide an added level of assurance). As part of our recruitment process, we will review the DBS check for the individual involved. If we were to find that a potential employee has a conviction, we would then make a judgement as to their suitability to work in more sensitive areas.
Health checks, vaccinations and self-reporting make for medically fit staff
We also set great store in ensuring that our staff are medically fit. Of course, this is all the more important in the face of the current pandemic. Where possible, we make sure that our staff are fully immunized for blood-borne pathogens such as tetanus and hepatitis. For infections where there is no vaccine (including, of course, Covid-19), our other policies and procedures become ever more relevant. As well as general hygiene, we adopt a particularly rigorous approach to hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
Our approach to the health of our specialist cleaning staff is total. This therefore also extends to making sure our staff inform us as soon as they are sick. Again, this is of course especially important given the current circumstances and the range of different Covid-19 symptoms. We adopt a ‘no-blame’ attitude towards sickness and reporting being unable to work. Staff must inform their line manager as soon as possible about any sickness or concerning symptoms. We have strict processes around returning to work after any period of sickness. And we also look after our staff’s mental health, especially for our trauma cleaning teams. We provide a confidential helpline and access to face-to-face counselling sessions.
Our staff are responsible for safety and security in every job
Ultimately, our primary duty of care is towards our clients’ security and safety. We train our staff in every aspect of specialist cleaning. Of course, this training is very specific for specialist cleaning staff involved in infection control. They get to know the correct dosage and use of all types of sanitising fluids and other cleaning products. We follow rigorous health and safety guidelines for all decontamination and deep cleaning processes, adhering to rules around colour-coding, specialist equipment, and disinfection methods.
One key element of protecting our specialist cleaning staff is of course Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It’s vital to have the correct PPE, and clear instructions on how to put on and remove all such equipment. For disinfection, we insist on every possible precaution. As a minimum, this would include a Hazmat Category 3 suit, A1P2 mask and two pairs of disposable gloves. Of course, it’s all well and good having equipment, but it needs frequent checking. Before any cleaning job, we prepare sanitising equipment following the industry standards. And most importantly, we always display warning signs near areas to be disinfected. That way, we always meet the greater needs of protecting public health alongside the health of our specialist cleaning staff.
Contact one of the team today to find out more about React Specialist Cleaning and our approach to our fully vetted, medically fit staff.
Telephone: 01283 550 503
Email: info@reactplc.co.uk
Website: www.reactsc.co.uk
Post by Shaun D. Doak
Shaun is the CEO of React Group plc., a business dedicated to specialist cleaning, hygiene and decontamination. He is deeply committed to making sure that every one of our company’s clients receives the highest possible level of service. An expert in HVAC and commercial and industrial cleaning methodologies, Shaun has extensive experience in the facilities management and renewable services sector.
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