Top 12 Custodial Worker Skills to Put on Your Resume
In the competitive field of custodial work, distinguishing yourself as a top candidate requires more than just a willingness to clean. A compelling resume that showcases a blend of technical expertise, soft skills, and a strong work ethic can position you as the ideal candidate for any custodial role.
Custodial Worker Skills
- Sanitization Protocols
- Chemical Handling
- Floor Buffing
- Waste Management
- Autoclave Operation
- Pressure Washing
- Carpet Cleaning (Carpet Extractors)
- Inventory Management (QuickBooks)
- Safety Compliance
- Equipment Maintenance
- Space Organization
- Biohazard Disposal
1. Sanitization Protocols
Sanitization protocols for a custodial worker refer to the standardized procedures and guidelines followed to effectively clean and disinfect areas and surfaces, aiming to remove dirt, germs, and pathogens to ensure a safe and hygienic environment.
Why It's Important
Sanitization protocols are crucial for custodial workers as they ensure the elimination of harmful pathogens, reduce the spread of diseases, maintain a safe and healthy environment, and uphold public health standards.
How to Improve Sanitization Protocols Skills
Improving sanitization protocols for a custodial worker involves a multi-step approach focusing on enhanced training, selecting effective sanitizers, and implementing a systematic cleaning schedule.
Training: Ensure all custodial workers undergo comprehensive training on the latest sanitization techniques and products, emphasizing the importance of proper dilution rates and contact times for disinfectants.
Effective Sanitizers: Use EPA-approved disinfectants that are effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens while being safe for surfaces and the environment.
Systematic Cleaning Schedule: Develop a cleaning and disinfection plan that includes frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas and spaces with high occupancy or turnover rates.
Cross-Contamination Prevention: Implement use of color-coded microfiber cloths and mops to reduce cross-contamination between different areas (e.g., restrooms, kitchens, and general office spaces).
Quality Assurance: Regularly review and update protocols based on feedback, new research, and guidance from health authorities to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.
By focusing on these key areas, custodial workers can significantly improve sanitization protocols, contributing to a healthier and safer environment.
How to Display Sanitization Protocols Skills on Your Resume
2. Chemical Handling
Chemical handling, for a custodial worker, involves the safe usage, storage, and disposal of cleaning chemicals, following proper guidelines to ensure personal safety and environmental protection.
Why It's Important
Chemical handling is crucial for custodial workers to ensure safety, prevent accidents, and protect health by minimizing exposure to hazardous substances and maintaining a clean, safe environment.
How to Improve Chemical Handling Skills
Improving chemical handling for a custodial worker involves adhering to safety protocols and proper usage guidelines. Here are key steps:
Read and Understand SDS: Always start by reading the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical to understand hazards and required protective measures.
Wear PPE: Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and masks as recommended in the SDS.
Proper Storage: Store chemicals as recommended, often in a cool, dry place and away from incompatible substances. Label storage areas clearly. EPA Guidelines provide more details.
Use Correctly: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dilution and application. Overuse can be hazardous and wasteful.
Spill Management: Know the procedure for dealing with spills, including using spill kits and ventilating the area. The OSHA Fact Sheet offers guidance.
Dispose Properly: Dispose of chemicals and containers according to local regulations to minimize environmental impact. EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act provides disposal guidelines.
Continuous Education: Stay informed about chemical safety through ongoing training and resources like NIOSH.
Emergency Preparedness: Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures, including the use of eyewash stations and showers, and know how to access MSDS/SDS in an emergency.
By following these steps and continuously updating knowledge and practices, custodial workers can significantly improve chemical handling, ensuring a safer work environment.
How to Display Chemical Handling Skills on Your Resume
3. Floor Buffing
Floor buffing is a cleaning process used by custodial workers to enhance the shine and smoothness of a floor surface by using a floor buffer machine to polish the floor at a high speed.
Why It's Important
Floor buffing is important for custodial workers as it restores a floor's shine, removes scuffs, and maintains a clean, professional appearance, enhancing the longevity and safety of flooring surfaces.
How to Improve Floor Buffing Skills
To improve floor buffing as a custodial worker, focus on these concise steps:
Preparation: Ensure the floor is clean by sweeping or vacuuming to remove loose dirt and debris.
Appropriate Equipment: Use a high-quality floor buffer and the correct buffing pads. Soft pads are generally for light cleaning and shine, while harder pads are for removing scratches and stains. Selecting Floor Pads
Proper Cleaning Solution: Use the right cleaning solution for your floor type. Dilute the solution according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Buffing Technique: Start with the buffer at a low speed and gradually increase as needed. Move in a side-to-side motion, overlapping each path for even coverage. Floor Buffing Tips
Regular Maintenance: Regularly clean and replace the pads on your buffer to maintain its effectiveness.
Safety First: Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and safety glasses. Ensure the area is well-ventilated.
For a more detailed guide, refer to professional custodial resources or the equipment's manual.
How to Display Floor Buffing Skills on Your Resume
4. Waste Management
Waste Management for a Custodial Worker involves collecting, transporting, disposing of, or recycling waste materials generated from buildings, facilities, or grounds to ensure cleanliness, sanitation, and environmental sustainability.
Why It's Important
Waste management is important for custodial workers as it ensures a clean, safe, and healthy environment, reduces pollution, conserves resources, and enhances sustainability by properly disposing of or recycling waste.
How to Improve Waste Management Skills
Improving waste management, especially for a custodial worker, involves a few key strategies that focus on reducing waste, enhancing recycling efforts, and ensuring proper disposal of different types of waste. Here's a concise guide:
Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge about what can be recycled and how to dispose of hazardous waste properly is crucial. Encourage participation in educational programs. EPA’s Guidelines can be a good starting point.
Implement a Recycling Program: Set up clearly labeled bins for different types of waste (e.g., paper, plastics, organic). The Recycling Partnership offers resources to help start or improve recycling programs.
Reduce Waste: Focus on reducing the amount of waste generated. Encourage the use of reusable items and proper portions to minimize food waste. The Zero Waste International Alliance provides strategies for moving towards zero waste.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous Waste: Ensure chemicals and electronic waste are disposed of according to local regulations to prevent environmental contamination. Earth911 has a search tool for local recycling and disposal options for various materials.
Regular Training: Stay updated with the latest waste management practices and regulations. Participate in workshops or online courses. Websites like Coursera and edX offer courses on environmental sustainability and waste management.
Adopt New Technologies: Utilize waste management software and apps for better waste tracking and management. This can enhance efficiency in sorting and disposing of waste correctly.
By focusing on these strategies, custodial workers can significantly contribute to improved waste management and environmental sustainability.
How to Display Waste Management Skills on Your Resume
5. Autoclave Operation
Autoclave operation involves using a high-pressure steam sterilizer to clean and disinfect tools, equipment, and waste. As a custodial worker, this means loading items properly, selecting the correct cycle, starting the machine, and safely unloading sterilized items once the cycle is complete, ensuring all items are free from harmful microorganisms.
Why It's Important
Autoclave operation is crucial for a custodial worker because it effectively sterilizes equipment and waste, ensuring a safe, germ-free environment and preventing the spread of infections.
How to Improve Autoclave Operation Skills
To improve autoclave operation as a custodial worker, focus on the following concise steps:
Understand the Basics: Familiarize yourself with the autoclave's operations and safety guidelines. CDC Guidelines offer a comprehensive overview.
Proper Loading: Ensure items are properly loaded and not overcrowded. This ensures even steam circulation. University of Michigan provides clear loading instructions.
Routine Maintenance: Perform regular checks and maintenance. OSHA Guidelines can guide on safety and maintenance standards.
Training: Seek training or refresher courses on autoclave operation. Online resources like Coursera often offer relevant courses.
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions: Always refer to the autoclave manufacturer’s manual for specific operation and troubleshooting tips.
Improving autoclave operation involves a blend of understanding the equipment, adhering to safety and loading protocols, regular maintenance, and continuous learning.
How to Display Autoclave Operation Skills on Your Resume
6. Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is a cleaning method used by custodial workers that involves using high-pressure water spray to remove dirt, grime, mold, and other debris from surfaces and objects such as buildings, vehicles, and concrete paths.
Why It's Important
Pressure washing is important for custodial workers as it effectively removes stubborn dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces, enhancing cleanliness, maintaining property aesthetics, and preventing the buildup of harmful substances, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
How to Improve Pressure Washing Skills
To improve pressure washing as a custodial worker, consider the following steps:
Choose the Right Equipment: Select a pressure washer with appropriate PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute) ratings for the task. Heavier-duty cleaning may require more powerful equipment (PressureWashr).
Use Proper Nozzles: Different nozzles control the water stream's intensity and spread. Use a wider angle for general cleaning and a narrower angle for tough stains (Ultimate Washer).
Pre-Cleaning Preparation: Remove loose debris and cover delicate plants or outdoor fixtures. Pre-treat stubborn stains with appropriate cleaners (Bob Vila).
Safety First: Wear protective gear, including goggles and gloves. Ensure you're using the pressure washer safely to avoid injury or damage to surfaces (OSHA).
Efficient Cleaning Techniques: Start from the top and move downwards in smooth, overlapping strokes to avoid streaking. Keep the nozzle moving to prevent surface damage.
Regular Maintenance: Keep your pressure washer in top condition by regularly checking and cleaning its components. This includes changing the oil, inspecting hoses, and cleaning filters (Family Handyman).
By following these steps and adhering to manufacturer guidelines and safety protocols, you can significantly improve your pressure washing results as a custodial worker.
How to Display Pressure Washing Skills on Your Resume
7. Carpet Cleaning (Carpet Extractors)
Carpet cleaning, using carpet extractors, involves a machine that injects a water and cleaning solution mix into the carpet and then vacuums up the dirt and liquid, effectively deep-cleaning the carpet fibers. This process is essential for custodial workers for maintaining cleanliness and extending the life of carpets in commercial and residential settings.
Why It's Important
Carpet cleaning, using carpet extractors, is crucial for custodial workers to maintain a healthy, clean, and visually appealing environment. It removes deep-seated dirt, allergens, and stains, prolongs carpet life, and ensures sanitary conditions.
How to Improve Carpet Cleaning (Carpet Extractors) Skills
Improving carpet cleaning, especially when using carpet extractors, involves a mix of preparation, proper technique, and maintenance. Here's a concise guide for custodial workers:
Preparation: Vacuum the carpet thoroughly before using an extractor. This removes surface dirt, allowing the extractor to clean more deeply.
Solution Choice: Use the correct cleaning solution recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your extractor's manual. This ensures effectiveness and prevents damage.
Proper Technique: Move the extractor slowly to allow it to inject the cleaning solution and suck up the dirt effectively. Overlapping slightly on each pass ensures no spots are missed. ISSA provides guidelines and courses on proper cleaning techniques.
Regular Maintenance: Clean and maintain your extractor according to the manufacturer's instructions. Regularly check for and repair any leaks or damage to ensure peak performance. CRI (The Carpet and Rug Institute) offers maintenance tips for cleaning equipment.
Spot Cleaning: Pre-treat stains and high-traffic areas with a spot cleaner before using the extractor for more effective removal.
Dry Properly: Ensure the carpet dries completely to prevent mold or mildew. Using fans or air-conditioning can speed up the drying process.
By incorporating these practices, custodial workers can significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of carpet cleaning using carpet extractors.
How to Display Carpet Cleaning (Carpet Extractors) Skills on Your Resume
8. Inventory Management (QuickBooks)
Inventory Management in QuickBooks allows businesses to track and manage the quantity, purchase orders, and sales of their inventory items, streamlining the process of ordering, storing, and using supplies efficiently. For a Custodial Worker, it could help in managing cleaning supplies, equipment, and other materials, ensuring they are always adequately stocked and reordered on time.
Why It's Important
Inventory Management in QuickBooks is important for a Custodial Worker as it ensures accurate tracking of cleaning supplies and equipment, helps in maintaining optimal stock levels, and enables efficient budgeting and spending, ensuring operational continuity and cost-effectiveness.
How to Improve Inventory Management (QuickBooks) Skills
Improving inventory management in QuickBooks, especially for a custodial worker, involves a few key steps to ensure accuracy and efficiency in tracking supplies and equipment. Here’s a concise guide:
Set Up Inventory Properly: Ensure each inventory item is accurately set up in QuickBooks with correct details (name, description, price, and quantity on hand). QuickBooks Help provides a step-by-step guide.
Regular Updates: Consistently update inventory levels as you replenish supplies or equipment to maintain accuracy. Use QuickBooks' inventory tracking feature for real-time updates.
Utilize Reports: Generate inventory reports regularly to analyze usage patterns, identify fast-moving items, and anticipate reorder points. This QuickBooks guide on reports can help.
Conduct Physical Inventory Counts: Perform regular physical counts to verify QuickBooks data. Here's how to adjust inventory quantity on hand.
Optimize Reorder Points: Set and regularly review reorder points for each inventory item to prevent stockouts. QuickBooks doesn’t directly set reorder points, but you can manage this through regular inventory analysis and setting up reminders.
By following these steps and utilizing QuickBooks’ features effectively, a custodial worker can maintain an efficient inventory management system.
How to Display Inventory Management (QuickBooks) Skills on Your Resume
9. Safety Compliance
Safety compliance for a custodial worker involves adhering to established health and safety regulations and guidelines to prevent accidents, injuries, and exposure to harmful substances during their cleaning and maintenance duties.
Why It's Important
Safety compliance is crucial for a custodial worker to prevent accidents, ensure a healthy environment, protect against hazardous chemicals, and adhere to legal regulations, ultimately safeguarding both the worker and building occupants.
How to Improve Safety Compliance Skills
Improving safety compliance for a custodial worker involves a combination of training, proper equipment, and adherence to safety protocols. Here’s a concise guide:
Education and Training: Provide comprehensive safety training specific to custodial tasks, including the handling of cleaning chemicals and operating equipment.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure custodial staff are equipped with and know how to properly use PPE, such as gloves and goggles, to protect against chemical exposure and injuries.
Regular Safety Audits: Conduct regular safety audits to identify and mitigate potential hazards in the workplace.
Establish Safety Protocols: Develop and enforce clear safety protocols, including proper storage of hazardous materials and emergency response procedures.
Encourage Reporting: Promote a culture where workers feel safe to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve safety compliance among custodial workers, ensuring a safer and healthier work environment.
How to Display Safety Compliance Skills on Your Resume
10. Equipment Maintenance
Equipment maintenance, in the context of a custodial worker, involves the regular cleaning, inspection, and repair of cleaning tools and machines to ensure they operate efficiently and safely.
Why It's Important
Equipment maintenance is crucial for a custodial worker as it ensures cleaning tools are in optimal condition, enhancing efficiency, safety, and prolonging equipment lifespan, thereby reducing downtime and repair costs.
How to Improve Equipment Maintenance Skills
Improving equipment maintenance for a custodial worker involves a few straightforward steps:
Routine Checks: Regularly inspect equipment for signs of wear or damage. Custodial Training Manual provides insights into routine maintenance schedules and checklists.
Follow Manufacturer's Guidelines: Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, maintenance, and storage. This Equipment Maintenance Checklist can be adapted to specific custodial equipment.
Proper Cleaning and Storage: Clean and store all equipment according to guidelines. This Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Custodial Equipment offers practical tips.
Training and Education: Ensure all custodial workers are trained on the proper use and maintenance of equipment. The ISSA Training Standards cover equipment care.
Report and Address Issues Promptly: Encourage reporting of any equipment issues immediately, and ensure they are addressed promptly to prevent further damage. Consider a maintenance request system like the one discussed in Maintenance Care.
By incorporating these steps, you can significantly improve the lifespan and efficiency of custodial equipment.
How to Display Equipment Maintenance Skills on Your Resume
11. Space Organization
Space organization refers to the efficient and systematic arrangement of physical spaces, including cleaning and maintaining areas to ensure a safe, orderly, and pleasant environment. For a custodial worker, it involves tasks such as cleaning, decluttering, and organizing facilities to support hygiene and functionality.
Why It's Important
Space organization is crucial for a custodial worker as it enhances cleaning efficiency, ensures safety by reducing clutter-related hazards, and improves the overall appearance and functionality of the environment.
How to Improve Space Organization Skills
Improving space organization for a custodial worker involves a few key strategies:
Declutter: Regularly remove unnecessary items from workspaces. The Spruce offers practical decluttering tips.
Implement a Cleaning Schedule: Establish a consistent cleaning routine. Good Housekeeping provides a guide on how often to clean various spaces.
Use Effective Storage Solutions: Optimize storage with appropriate containers and labeling. HGTV suggests efficient organization products.
Prioritize Safety: Keep walkways clear and store hazardous materials properly. OSHA outlines safety guidelines for workplaces.
Continual Learning and Adaptation: Stay informed on new organization and cleaning techniques. Websites like ISSA offer resources and training for cleaning professionals.
By following these strategies, custodial workers can significantly improve space organization, leading to more efficient and safer work environments.
How to Display Space Organization Skills on Your Resume
12. Biohazard Disposal
Biohazard disposal involves safely removing and disposing of waste that contains biological substances that could pose a health risk to humans or the environment, such as medical waste, body fluids, and sharps, adhering to specific protocols to prevent contamination and spread of disease.
Why It's Important
Biohazard disposal is crucial for ensuring a safe and healthy environment by preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting custodial workers, other employees, and the public from potential health hazards.
How to Improve Biohazard Disposal Skills
Improving biohazard disposal for custodial workers involves adhering to strict guidelines to ensure safety and compliance. Here are concise steps:
Training: Ensure all custodial staff are trained on OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standards and understand the specific procedures for handling and disposing of biohazardous waste.
Correct Equipment: Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, and masks, to protect against exposure.
Appropriate Disposal Containers: Utilize FDA-approved sharps disposal containers for needles and other sharp objects. For other biohazardous waste, use labeled, leak-proof biohazard bags and containers.
Segregation: Segregate biohazardous waste from regular waste at the point of generation to avoid contamination.
Transport and Storage: Follow proper procedures for the safe transport and storage of biohazardous waste to prevent accidental exposure or spillage.
Disposal: Ensure biohazardous waste is disposed of according to local regulations, often requiring autoclaving or incineration. Check with your local waste management authorities for specific guidelines.
Spill Management: Have a spill management plan in place, including immediate containment and disinfection procedures.
Documentation: Keep detailed records of biohazardous waste handling and disposal for regulatory compliance and auditing purposes.
By following these steps and maintaining ongoing education on best practices, custodial workers can significantly improve biohazard disposal in their workplaces.
How to Display Biohazard Disposal Skills on Your Resume
