Monsoons not only tend to damage structures but also pose multi-health hazards like contamination and spread of infection. Smart organisations resort to preventive maintenance to secure the property and surrounding areas, rather than resorting to disaster management at the time of crisis. Vijayalakshmi Sridhar takes stock of the pre-monsoon preparations at education institutions and malls
Before the rainy season starts, the prepping starts with the terraces and stormwater drains being cleaned thoroughly so that there are no leakages, seepages and blockages. The next step is to keep the environment dirt-free so that there are no molds and fungi when the rains start lashing out.
Says Pallavi Chaudhari, Assistant professor, Accommodation- Operations, D.Y. Patil School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Mumbai, “Being a hotel management institute, scheduled cleaning of the kitchens, front office and other areas, are done every day. Daily cleaning involves sweeping and mopping while deep cleaning and scrubbing are taken up on weekly or fortnightly basis. Moreover, the ventilation and temperatures being controlled in the kitchen and proper ducting system the indoor air quality is always good and monitored. Further, there is no accumulation of dirt at any given time. Hence when the monsoon season starts, our focus is totally on handling the challenges that come with it.”
When it comes to malls, there are processes in place to be followed as part of the pre-monsoon preparation. Sudhir Chalamcherry, DGM, Mall Operations, Metro Junction Mall, Kalyan, says, “The prepping starts with cleaning and servicing the storm waters drains. Testing the drain line chambers using jet pumps; cleaning and servicing the drain line chambers in the regular drainage and checking for blocks with pond testing are some of the activities. Besides, all the walls, terrace floors and ceilings are checked for water proofing.”
“Every floor has a water filter counter and is under an AMC. The technicians frequently check the pH level of the water. From the teaching faculty to the staff to the kids, everyone drinks the same water.”
– Pallavi Chaudhari
How SWM helps
At D.Y. Patil, the wet waste is processed in the in-house compost pit and the manure is utilized for gardens. The dry waste goes to the central collection unit and gets picked up. Plastic usage in the campus is also limited and so during rainy season there are no clogging issues. D.Y. Patil engages the students in the Institute’s advocacy mission.
“As part of the curriculum the children are taught about waste management, personal hygiene and proper disposal In fact, our school children go out to other schools for conducting workshops on garbage segregation. Though they are not involved in cleaning the premises, they get a thorough information of it as part of the housekeeping practical sessions,” says Pallavi.
“We are seeing people not only talking about cleaning but actually doing it. Even the kids are so aware of it. In fact, 200 kids from our housekeeping batch went out recently and cleaned two government offices.”
– Sudhir Chalamcherry
Providing clean drinking water
Water happens to be the major carrier of infection, especially during rains. Provision of water stations with clean drinking water for the staff becomes mandatory for organizations.
At Metro Mall, says Sudhir, “We have an RO plant that caters to our requirement.” At D.Y. Patil, adds Pallavi, “Every floor has a water filter counter and is under an AMC. The technicians frequently check the pH level of the water. From the teaching faculty to the staff to the kids, everyone drinks the same water.”
Keeping the rain soaked mud at bay
For flies that are usually rampant during rains, Pallavi tells us, “We do constant mopping with citronella based chemicals and also keep fly granules in the garbage and entrance points. This prohibits the flies inside the campus.”
Metro Mall follows a rigorous pest control program with extra add-ins for the season. “During monsoon, our pest control contractors take a survey of the place and treatments for flies and insects are administered.”
Washroom hygiene
Hygiene needs to be observed precisely as infection is in the air. In this season, washrooms with their slushy and wet floors can prove to be hazardous.
“In each floor, we have separate washrooms for ladies and gents. They are constantly manned round the clock.
Thanks to our efforts, so far there has never been an infection breakout,” says Pallavi.
Sudhir shares the comprehensive approach at the Metro Mall. “In addition to all these proactive steps, we deploy additional staff to make sure the parking and common areas are well lit and there is no skidding while parking. Additional umbrellas are provided and anti-drip plastic bags are provided for the visitors to carry the umbrellas inside. The entrance areas are carpeted and we keep dry by mopping the places regularly and avoiding the possibility of slipping.”
The Swacch Bharat impact
Though cleaning is a year round activity that is part of the operations of these establishments, has Swacch Bharat ramped up the efforts and added to the significance of hygiene and cleaning?
“We are seeing people not only talking about cleaning but actually doing it. Even the kids are so aware of it. In fact, 200 kids from our housekeeping batch went out recently and cleaned two government offices.”
“Swacch Bharat is instilling responsibility in individuals and inspiring them to keep public places like malls clean,” says Sudhir.
Preparing for rains may be different in different segments but the common factor in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene at all places, is water.