New Cleaning Employee Onboarding

Procedure Steps

1. 1

   Day 1: Paperwork & Orientation

   Complete required employment paperwork: Form I-9 (Section 1 must be completed by end of first day, Section 2 within 3 business days), Form W-4 (federal tax withholding), state income tax withholding form (if applicable in your state), and direct deposit authorization. Review employee handbook and company policies. Issue uniform, ID badge, and building access credentials. Tour office/warehouse facility. Introduce to team lead and crew members.

2. 2

   Day 1: Required Safety Training Decision

   Complete before the employee is assigned to any tasks involving these hazards — this is a legal requirement, not optional. Hazard Communication (HazCom) training per 29 CFR 1910.1200(h): methods to detect chemical releases, how to read SDS and labels, location of SDS at each work site, specific chemical hazards they will encounter, and protective measures. Bloodborne Pathogen training per 29 CFR 1910.1030 (required when your employer exposure determination establishes that employees may have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials — conduct the exposure determination per 1910.1030(c)(1) before assigning this training): exposure control procedures, PPE for biohazard cleanup, sharps handling and disposal. Slip, trip, and fall prevention per 29 CFR 1910.22: proper footwear, wet floor signage, cord management, ladder safety basics. Ergonomic lifting techniques: proper lift posture, weight limits, when to ask for help. Emergency procedures: evacuation routes, assembly points, emergency contacts, incident reporting. Employee signs training acknowledgment for each topic.

3. 3

   Day 1: PPE & SDS Familiarization

   Demonstrate proper PPE selection, use, and care for each type: gloves (correct material per SDS), eye protection, apron. Show employee how to access SDS at each work location (binder, tablet, phone app). Walk through SDS for the 3-5 chemicals they will use most frequently. Verify employee can independently find and read an SDS.

4. 4

   Days 2-3: Equipment Training

   Hands-on training with all cleaning equipment: vacuum cleaners (upright and backpack), mop systems (flat mop and bucket wringer), floor buffers/scrubbers (if applicable), carpet extractors (if applicable). Demonstrate proper chemical dilution using manufacturer ratios. Practice supply cart organization and stocking. Review equipment maintenance: how to report malfunctions, basic cleaning of equipment after use.

5. 5

   Days 2-3: Cleaning Techniques

   Demonstrate and practice proper techniques for: restroom sanitization (pre-spray, dwell time, clean sequence), floor care for hard surfaces and carpet, dusting (high to low), glass and mirror cleaning (streak-free technique), trash collection and liner replacement, high-touch surface disinfection. Employee practices each technique under direct supervision and receives immediate feedback.

6. 6

   Week 1: Supervised Site Work

   Shadow experienced crew member at assigned client site(s). Practice all cleaning tasks with direct supervision. Review site-specific procedures: client expectations, scope of work, special instructions. Learn building access procedures, alarm codes, and key management protocols. Supervisor checks work quality at the end of each shift and provides feedback.

7. 7

   Week 2: Semi-Independent Work

   Employee completes assigned areas with periodic supervisor check-ins (at least twice per shift). Supervisor inspects completed work at end of shift. Address any quality issues immediately with hands-on coaching. Employee begins managing their own time and pacing across assigned areas.

8. 8

   Weeks 3-4: Independent Work

   Employee works assigned areas independently. Supervisor conducts quality inspections 2-3 times per week using the Quality Inspection Walkthrough procedure. Employee learns to handle common situations independently: supply shortages, minor equipment issues, client requests or questions. Review and document any areas needing additional training.

9. 9

   30-Day Performance Review Decision

   Supervisor conducts formal performance review meeting. Review quality inspection scores from the training period. Discuss specific strengths and areas for improvement with concrete examples. Confirm employee understands and can independently follow all assigned procedures. Verify all required training documentation is complete and filed. Set performance goals for the next 60 days. Employee signs review acknowledgment.