ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN OTHER INSTITUTES

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN OTHER INSTITUTES

Housekeeping is the only department which plays a vital role in the upkeep and maintenance of the any institution. Below is the list of various institutions:

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN HOSPITALS

Hospital is a place, which renders medical service to the patients. The role of housekeeping in hospitals is to create a peaceful, infection free and pleasant atmosphere required for the speedy recovery of the patients. It should also create a homely atmosphere for the patients.

Housekeeping refers to the general cleaning of hospitals and clinics, including the floors, walls, and certain types of equipment, tables and other surfaces. The purpose of general housekeeping is to:

  • reduce the number of microorganisms that may come in contact with patients, visitors, staff and the community; and
  • Provide a clean and pleasant atmosphere for patients and staff.

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN SHOPPING MALLS

Typical tasks performed by Housekeeping Crew before or after mall/store closing:

  • Cleans entrances, restrooms, vinyl, stone and other hard floor surfaces, carpet, Food Court, break rooms.
  • Performs thorough cleaning and restocks restrooms. Cleaning tasks include dusting, wiping, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing and using various machines.
  • Uses all proper safety precautions and protective equipment for   access to floor for cleaning.

Typical tasks performed by Housekeeping Crew during mall/store open hours:

  • Patrols mall on foot looking for spills and other hazards to shoppers, store employees and mall staff.
  • Cleans up wet or dry spills, or calls for assistance to clean up larger spills.
  • Wipes down mall common area furniture, mall entrance doors, well glass. Scrapes up gum from flooring surfaces and sidewalks.
  • Performs touch-up cleaning and restocks restrooms. .
  • Wipes down tables and chairs after each customer. .
  • Empties common area trash receptacles into large wheeled cart and moves trash to designated trash compactor area from service corridors   
  • May use cleaning chemicals, mops, buckets, rags, brooms, vacuum cleaners, commercial ride-on or walk-behind floor scrubbing machines, electric and/or propane floor buffer, and other equipment to accomplish tasks.
  • Performs other cleaning tasks as assigned.

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN ACADEMIC INSTITUTES/UNIVERSITIES

The accommodation manager may be in charge of the student accommodation on and off campus, but in other management set ups there will be an overall domestic manager sometimes known as a director of the residential organization. In this case the director will be responsible for:

  • Catering
  • Housekeeping of student halls
  • Co-ordination of maintenance and repairs
  • Organization of off campus student accommodation

Although universities do get government grants they are largely self financing organizations and they must at least break even at the end of any one financial year. With this policy in mind it is the job of the accommodation manager to play his/her part by marketing accommodation during vacations and keeping control over costs of the accommodation function. Apart from the financial side of the operations the accommodation manager must be concerned with the well being of the students and staff, the cleanliness and hygiene of the accommodation and of course the smooth running of the department. A housekeeper will normally be in charge of a hall of residence containing up to 500 beds. Students usually have single study bedrooms with shared toilets and shower facilities but in some colleges and universities, there are also shared bedrooms. The halls may be single sea or mixed but they are of two types: 

  • Fully catering halls in which case the housekeeper is normally responsible for both catering and housekeeping services to the hall.
  • Self catering halls in which case the housekeeper is simply in charge of housekeeping services as the students cook for themselves.
  • The housekeeper who also is sometimes known as a domestic bursar is responsible for the following in his/her particular hall.
  • Cleanliness and hygiene
  • Pest control
  • Keys and student mail
  • His/her own staff welfare, work supplies and organization
  • Linen
  • Bed control-one person per bed so avoiding financial/ethical problems for the hall and study problems for the student
  • The housekeeper in a hall of residence should always on duty when the students check in. A rooming list will have been issued previously from the accommodation secretary so that s/he knows exactly who has been allotted to which room. Room keys are handed out on arrival and often a small deposit is taken to cover the cost of the loss of the key or any damage to the study bedroom or breakages in the hall when students check out. The housekeeper must always be on hand to do an inventory as items do tend to take on the role of souvenirs.

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN MUSEUMS, ART GALLERIES, LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES: 

Those establishments will include display areas, exhibits, and workshops, archive areas for old documents and/or books and extensive shelving carrying books. Particular problems include:

  • Dust control and control of ultra-violet light necessary to prevent the deterioration of exhibits.
  • Cleaning the extensive numbers of shelves, books, and areas of glass
  • The organization and supervision of cleaning and maintenance usually forms part of the curator’s or librarian’s job description. The cleaning of technical areas and exhibits is normally undertaken by curatorial staff and by cleaning staff under their supervision.

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN PUBLIC TOILETS: 

  • Public toilets are frequently subjected to heavy soiling and vandalism. Routine cleaning is undertaken by an attendant.

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN SPORTS AND LEISURE CENTRES: 

This Will include squash courts, gymnasia, swimming pools, restaurants and bars, indoor bowling greens and sport courts. Particular problems will include:

  • Extensive usage during day and evening
  • Need to maintain the floors of gymnasia and squash courts
  • High standard of hygiene required in wet areas
  • Maintenance of air and water conditioning plant

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING IN OFFICES

In offices and other buildings open to the public cleaning is a continuous operation of which the occupants and the public are usually unaware. Cleaning and services are varied and relate to the particular organization. But, as a general rule, most large office blocks have a resident caretaker or house manager who has overall charge of the building for security, fire prevention, heating and ventilation and who will either liaise with the tenants for their cleaning arrangements supervise contractors or organize his own staff.

All the main cleaning has to be completed before offices are opened or the public are admitted and work may be going on in the evening, overnight or early in the morning with, in most cases, a small back-up staff employed during the day to cope with the toilet areas, dust and debris and for any emergency. The main duties of an office housekeeping manager are:

  • Supervision of the daily cleaning and the organization and supervision of the periodical cleaning
  • Supervision of contractors for windows, boilers and lifts, floral displays, specialist cleaners.
  • Recruitment and selection of cleaners within the offices establishment.
  • Training organization and welfare of all cleaning staff.
  • The purchase and stock control of all cleaning supplies and equipment within the budget limits.
  • Maintaining regular inspections of the building fabric, furniture, fittings, plant and equipment and arranging routine repairs. Reporting any major faults to the office administrator.
  • Liaising with tenants and users of the establishment o0n cleaning and housekeeping requirements.
  • The disposal of confidential waste by shredder and incinerator and the control and disposition of rubbish.
  • Any security measures as determined by the tenants and the office administrator.
  • Any other duties which can be considered part of the housekeeping services.