Commercial cleaning is a complicated edeavour when you consider use, traffic, labour, and more, but it can become even more of a challenge in event venues with a crowd. When planning to host a corporate training, presentation, or event where there will be a large group in attendance, how can you stay on top of your cleaning protocols and ensure a safe and hygienic environment for everyone?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines gatherings as requiring “distinctive planning, communication, and risk-management strategies due to the concentration of people and increased public health risks.” Research shows that professional, consistent cleaning can reduce the transmission of illnesses by up to 80 per cent, so remaining vigilant with your protocols, especially with increased traffic, keeps visitors safer. Along with safety, strictly adhering to your cleaning plan means increased compliance, better staff and visitor confidence, and more efficient budget and labour management.
No matter the size of your group, commercial cleaning for gatherings and events requires a three-tiered approach to successfully manage traffic levels and maintain a high level of hygiene: pre-event, during-event, and post-event.
Pre-event practices
Taking a proactive approach to the cleaning with a plan before the event even starts means a more organized, effective strategy and improved results for during and after the event. Begin by conducting a deep clean of the space so that you know that the areas are sanitized and that you are starting off in the same manner that you’d like to finish. Next, take steps to prepare the space for optimal event management with increased waste stations, floor protection like matting, and sanitized high-traffic areas like door handles, washrooms, and common rooms. You may also be able to create a plan to re-direct traffic to minimize congestion and keep busy areas clear, so assess your facility to see whether this is feasible and can help you optimize your cleaning efforts during the event.
Also, conduct an inventory of supplies (replenishing where needed), train staff to be ready for all scenarios, and adjust storage to ensure that you have quick access to everything you might need should an accident or spill occur during the event.
During-event procedures
Cleaning and sanitization throughout the event can be a challenge, but staying organized with dedicated staff at designated stations can help ensure that each section of the space remains consistently serviced throughout the event. This includes restroom attendants, inventory management, kitchen duty, or assigning staff to any other areas that will need regular attention during the event. Having previously trained staff on accident protocols, teams should be on the lookout for spills or any concerns that could cause slip and fall risk, staining, or a messy appearance, monitoring the event space needs in real time.
Take the time to make it easy for guests to neatly dispose of their garbage with accessible receptacles and clear signage. If guests can help keep the space clean, it will make the event more enjoyable and help limit the amount of cleanup after the event is over.
Post-event protocols
Once the event has ended, it’s time to get to work putting the space back together, starting with garbage removal and cleaning up any debris that doesn’t belong. Next, fully sanitizing the space by deploying teams into specific zones like kitchen, restrooms, and more to help increase speed and efficiency. Consider adopting a colour coded system for equipment and tools to help reduce cross-contamination and improve your cleaning efforts. Checking for damages, taking left items to the lost and found, and reorganizing and restocking cleaning supplies should all be part of the post-event checklist.
Once everything is back in order, all surfaces have been disinfected, floors and fixtures have been deep cleaned, do a final check to ensure that everything is as it should be before signing off on the post-clean. The job is complete when the space looks like it is ready to host another event.
Hosting corporate events, from a small meeting to a large function requires adding cleaning protocols to keep everyone safe and the premises hygienic, as well as a plan to reinstate the space to make it functional as soon as you can.
