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Cleaning best practice
The short answer
Gloves matched to the chemical, eye protection whenever anything is sprayed overhead, and respiratory protection for dust work or confined spaces.
Protective equipment fails when it is uncomfortable, because it stops being worn. Choosing the right item matters as much as issuing one.
How it is done
- Nitrile for most chemicals; check compatibility for solvents.
- Eye protection for overhead spraying and any descaling work.
- Dust masks rated for the particle, not a fabric face covering.
- Non-slip footwear on wet floors, every time.
Why it matters
The commonest injuries in this trade are chemical splashes to the eye and slips on wet floors. Both are preventable with equipment that costs very little.
questions
Asked about this
For dust-generating work such as duct or post-construction cleaning, yes. For routine cleaning it depends on the products and the household's preference.
We avoid them because of latex allergy risk to both crew and client, and use nitrile instead.
references
Background reading
- Personal protective equipment — Wikipedia
- Occupational safety and health — Wikipedia
External encyclopaedia entries for the underlying concepts. They explain the science; the practice above is how we apply it in UAE properties.