Cleaning Services Standard

Introduction

The overall aim of the service is to provide a highly proficient, motivated and effective workforce, which is committed to providing a high standard of cleaning services in University buildings, thereby assisting the core business of the University and to create an environment which is conducive to work and aesthetically pleasing for University students, employees, and visitors.
Cleaning Services is part of the Facilities Directorate and services all buildings on the main University campus with the exception of the Refectory, Students Union and Halls of Residence. The offices are located at 28 University Road.

Our vision

Our vision is to provide a quality service to the University, by continuously exceeding customer expectations, enhancing the student experience and valuing the skills, experience and diversity of our staff.

Our Service Level Standard

Objective of the standard

The purpose of this Service Level Standard is to describe the key services we provide and the quality standards we aim for in terms of service delivery.

This Standard sets out:

• The services we provide to the majority of the University of Leeds.
• The overall standard which we aim to achieve in the provision of our services.
• A mechanism for resolving any problems relating to the delivery of the service

Service Level Agreement

This SLA illustrates how the standard of cleaning can be achieved to an acceptable level of quality, this is an output-based specification based on BICSc outcome criteria, which means that detailed frequencies and times are not included however the outcomes will meet this criteria. The objectives set are for fully occupied areas, frequency of cleans will be adjusted dependent on use of areas.

The objectives of the output specification are:

• Main entrances, internal access routes, large circulation spaces, lift cars and lobbies will be cleaned daily
• WC/washroom facilities, will have a full daily clean and additional cleans and checks during the day dependent on footfall
• Welfare and rest areas such as shared kitchens will be cleaned weekly, however crockery, cutlery etc. will not be cleaned. Internal of fridges will also not be cleaned.
• Floors and accessible surfaces in offices, meeting rooms, teaching spaces will be checked and cleaned daily and receive a full clean weekly.
• Refuse and recycling will be removed daily.

The cleaning standards will be measured using the BICSc outcome criteria for defining ‘what is clean’ the quality of cleaning will be measured, recorded and corrective actions taken where required.

Additional cleaning services provided:

• Provide a waste management service for the removal of all types of waste from campus.
• Provide collection and recycling facilities for cardboard, paper, confidential papers, glass, plastics, aluminium cans, IT and other electrical equipment, fluorescent light tubes, and batteries.
• Provide and manage a facility for the disposal of healthcare waste.
• Provide and monitor the annual window cleaning contract.
• Provide a facility for dealing with emergencies, e.g. floods. Contact the Helpdesk if required eshelp@leeds.ac.uk / ext. 35555. If the incident happens during out of office hours, please contact Security on 0113 343 5494
• Provide a feminine hygiene service.
• Additional services are available for an additional charge. Contact Helpdesk to arrange eshelp@leeds.ac.uk / ext. 35555

Cleaning Services will endeavour to be flexible and agile in responding to the University changing needs to work towards a more sustainable and settled future way of working.

Customer service

We welcome constructive feedback on the services provided by Cleaning Services. Comments on our work should be made via the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk ext. 35555.
Any requests for cleaning should be made via the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk ext. 35555.

Window cleaning

Windows are cleaned annually by specialist contractors, who tender for the work every three years. The contract includes the cleaning of all glass on both sides in all types of window frames, fanlights, doors and internal partitions. This contract doesn’t include the internal secondary glazing. The contract is monitored by Cleaning Services management team.

If you require any additional window cleaning to be carried out, this can be arranged through Cleaning Services upon production of an Internal Work Order.

Waste management

The University of Leeds collects and disposes of approximately 1600 tonnes of waste per year from its main campus. The following waste streams are segregated, diverted from landfill and recycled – paper, cardboard, plastics, cans, glass, batteries, electrical and electronic waste, toner cartridges, fluorescent light tubes, wood and mobile phones.
If you have any queries relating to the disposal of chemical or radioactive waste please refer to the University’s Waste Policy Document for further information.

Disposal of clinical waste

Those departments that generate clinical waste are responsible for ensuring that the waste produced is handled and disposed of in a secure and correct manner. In order to be able to identify the origin of a bag of clinical waste from its generation to final disposal, all bags must be sealed with a numbered tag, which can be obtained from Cleaning Services. The bags should be taken to one of the Clinical Waste Stores, contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk ext. 35555 if you need information on where these are located. Departments will be charged for this service.
If you have any queries relating to the disposal of clinical waste, please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555.

Office recycling scheme

An office recycling scheme is in operation across campus for the disposal of plastics, cans, glass and paper. Recycling bins for these products along with one for general waste are sited at recycling points. These bins are then emptied by Cleaning Services.

Please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555 if you require any further information.

Recycling of office paper

The University operates a recycling scheme for office waste paper. Cardboard boxes and green plastic bags are provided to departments by Cleaning Services.
The boxes will be emptied by the cleaning staff as necessary. If you require any additional drums or for further information on the scheme please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555.

Confidential waste paper & cardboard collection

Confidential waste papers must be put into white paper sacks and these can be obtained from Cleaning Services via the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555.
Please do not overfill the bags.

A disposal procedure for confidential waste paper can be found on our Cleaning Services page

Disposal of redundant computers & WEEE

All old and redundant electrical equipment should be recycled by contacting Cleaning Services who will arrange for collection. They should not be placed in the general refuse bins as they are classed as hazardous waste under the WEEE regulations.
Please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555 for collection. There is no charge for this service.

Disposal of printer toners & cartridges

All used printer toners and cartridges should be placed in one of several recycling boxes located around campus. For nearest location please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555.

Disposal of mobile phones

Old mobile phones can be recycled, please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555 for further information.

Disposal of batteries

Domestic type batteries can be disposed of in designated containers that can be found across campus. They must not be put in with the general refuse. Please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555 when these require emptying.
Depleted Lithium or Cadmium rechargeable batteries or Mercury containing batteries are “special wastes” and should therefore not go in the general waste skips. Since they have to be treated as chemical waste they can be forwarded to Safety Advisory Services by internal mail, provided that they are in sound condition and not leaking.
Lead Acid Batteries also constitute “special wastes” and for the purposes of disposal are treated as per Waste Chemicals.

Disposal of Glass from Laboratories

There are a number of potential ways to recycle uncontaminated glass from laboratories. In all cases the glass must be clean and free from residue of hazardous chemicals. For more information on acceptable ways to clean the glass contact your local Health and Safety team or eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 3555.
Some suppliers operate free of charge reuse schemes for used chemical bottles:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific will collect 1 litre and 2.5 litre glass Winchester bottles from the following brands: Fisher Chemical, Fisher BioReagents, Acros Organics, Maybridge.
• VWR will collect empty glass bottles, plastic bottles, drums, and tip boxes that were originally sourced from them.
• Sigma/Merck will collect 1 litre and 2.5 litre glass Winchester bottles that they have supplied.
  Each scheme has specific requirements which must be followed. If you would like to start using one of these schemes contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555 and more information on the requirements will be provided.

There are also some laboratory glass recycling bins around campus, located in the same compound as Healthcare Waste bins. This service may be chargeable. These are located close to:

• Faculty of Biological Sciences
• Faculty of Environment
• Engineering
• School of Chemistry

For exact locations please contact the Helpdesk eshelp@leeds.ac.uk or ext. 35555. Glass in the lab glass recycling bins must be cleaned, with lids removed and labels either removed or obscured.