By Stephen Dove
On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, it’s important to challenge the assumption that empty buildings are safer buildings.
In reality, school holiday cleaning periods, especially summer deep cleans, introduce a different set of risks. Regular term time cleaning brings structure, supervision and routine, in contrast, holiday periods often involve intensive cleaning tasks, specialist equipment and reduced oversight For school cleaning teams and site staff, this is often one of the most demanding and potentially hazardous times of the year.
Why do Holiday Deep Cleans Increase Risk?
During term time, school cleaning services operate within clear procedures, regular supervision, and consistent routines. However, during deep cleaning in schools, those safeguards can change:
- Fewer staff on-site
- Reduced supervision
- More complex or physically demanding tasks
- Increased use of specialist cleaning equipment
According to CleanTEC QuEST Manager and BICSc-accredited trainer Stephen Dove, who regularly delivers health and safety training for school cleaning staff, the same risks appear every year:
" When environments are quieter, people can become more relaxed about risk. But the hazards don't go away, they just change."
Common Health and Safety Risks in School Deep Cleans
1. Improvisation and Unsafe Practices
One of the biggest risks during school deep cleaning services is staff taking shortcuts. This can include:
- Standing on desks or chairs to reach high areas
- Rushing physically demanding tasks
- Skipping proper equipment use
Using the correct tools, such as extension poles, and maintaining stable footing on dry floors are essential school cleaning safety practices.
2. Reduced Visibility and Communication
Even during school holiday cleaning, clear communication is critical:
- Signing in and out of site
- Using appropriate warning signage
- Ensuring staff are not working alone
Strong site safety procedures in schools help prevent accidents and ensure accountability.
3. Manual Handling Injuries
Manual handling in school cleaning is a major risk during deep cleans, when furniture and equipment are frequently moved.
To reduce injury risk:
- Follow proper lifting techniques
- Use team lifts where required
- Avoid overexertion
These simple steps are key to maintaining health and safety compliance in schools.
Maintaining Consistent Health and Safety Standards
The core principles of school cleaning health and safety don’t change but consistency is everything.
"Health and safety isn't something you switch on when a building is busy" Stephen adds. "It's about maintaining the same standards, especially when no one else is around."
This World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a reminder that effective health and safety in school environments depends on:
- Strong leadership
- Consistent procedures
- Ongoing staff training
- Safe behaviours during both term time and holiday periods
For those delivering deep cleans, the quietest times can often be the most high-risk, ‘making vigilance more important than ever.
Stephen Dove MBICSc
Stephen is QuEST Manager at CleanTEC Services. Joining CleanTEC in 2022, Stephen is a BICSc accredited trainer and member of the BICSc council, with over 30 years of experience in the cleaning industry.
Contact CleanTEC for School Cleaning
If you are interested in our school cleaning services, call us on 01923 671181 or 0121 289 6568.
Or fill in the online contact form, and we will call you at a time most convenient for you.
