Inspections

Employers often provide world class facilities for their clients and customers yet they overlook the importance of keeping the facilities of their own employees equally clean. Well looked-after staff facilities will have a positive impact on the appearance, confidence and performance of employees.

When nature calls, the last thing anybody wants is to run around trying to locate an alternatively clean and descent toilet. Toilets are the most important facilities in a premise and they need extreme care and maintenance. If not, diseases would become the order of the day because toilets can pose as a breeding area for germs.

Diseases can spread rapidly hence, it is essential that the cleanliness of toilets is monitored regularly and that a risk assessment is constantly conducted.

A clean toilet should be noticeable by a fresh smell coming from it. Proper chemicals and detergents should be used to eliminate or curb bad odours. In men's toilets it is advisable to use perfumed blocks in urinals.

Toilet seats should be disinfected from time to time. If cleaning is not done regularly germs could be transmitted from one person to the next by contact.

With particular attention to ladies toilets, employers should ensure that these toilets are furnished with 2 separate dustbins, one normal bin for waste and a sanitary bin for their special needs. The unavailability of a sanitary bin could force female users to flash the waste meant to be disposed in a bin, which is likely to cause a blockage in the drainage system. This can result in an overflow which will pose as a breeding area for germs and diseases.

Special attention should be given to toilets for disabled people as they need extra care and maintenance. Even though a company might not have a disabled person employed, it does not automatically mean such a facility is not used. Disabled people may not be in the best position to practise maximum hygiene on their own; hence a company should make it a priority to ensure this facility is kept clean. Their condition is fragile already and a rapid spread of germs and diseases could endanger their lives even more.

Companies that employ Muslim should pay extra attention to the cleanliness of the floors. Although such attention should be given to floors of any toilet, Muslim people are emphatic on the importance of clean floors.

All toilets taps, basins and plumbing systems should be leak-free. The cleanliness of all toilet components should complement the cleanliness of the floors. Toilet floors should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. A risk assessment should establish if floors are free of cracks and breakings as this could cause tripping hazard. Broken tiles should be replaced immediately to curb a breed of germs which could be a catalyst for diseases.

It is also important to inspect soap dispensers during a risk assessment as these tend to leak. Dispensers are advisable as they reduce the risk of a rapid spread of germs compared to the use of a block of soap by one person after the other.

A risk assessment should also determine if there is at least one way of drying hands. Use of hand towels should be ruled out as they can transfer germs and diseases from one person to another.

Paper towels are the best when it comes to cleaning and drying of hands as they curb the chances of germs being transmitted. However, employers should see to it that there are sufficient waste bins to dispose used towels and that they are emptied regularly.

When electrical hand dryers are used, the scope of a risk assessment should be widened by inspecting this electrical equipment too.

Symbolic signs should be displayed in each toilet door for different genders. The signs should be visible, clear and free of rust and toilets for disabled people should be clearly labelled. An inspector should check if the signs meet the SANS standards so that they not misinforming or meaningless.

Toilets are the least-likely place in a company that people would like to show off, but when less attention is given to cleaning the toilet over cleaning a boardroom, the impact could be much more severe.