Mopping floors is just one of a custodian's daily duties
The school custodial staff are primarily in charge of basic maintenance and cleanliness around a school building. Though often overlooked, janitorial staff are key members of the school environment who are responsible for everything from emptying wastebaskets in classrooms to setting up, tearing down and cleaning up after special events in the school.
Classroom Responsibilities
Custodians' daily responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness in every classroom in the school. This includes emptying wastepaper baskets, vacuuming carpeted areas, sweeping and occasionally mopping floors, cleaning all windows inside and out, dusting, cleaning blackboards, emptying pencil sharpeners, cleaning and disinfecting any sinks in the classroom, lifting or moving furniture, and completing minor repairs including changing light bulbs. More labor-intensive or specialty repairs are usually handled by school district maintenance workers who must be called into the school.
Restroom Responsibilities
In student and faculty restrooms, custodians are responsible for making sure tissue, paper towel and soap dispensers are stocked, and that additional stock and supplies are available if necessary. They are also responsible for cleaning and disinfecting toilets, urinals and sinks, as well as spot-cleaning walls, floors or other surfaces as necessary in case of spills or accidents. General cleanliness tasks, like emptying wastebaskets and mopping the floor, are part of the custodian's job in the restrooms as well.
Lunchroom Responsibilities
In some schools, the gym doubles as a lunchroom. Where this is the case, the custodian must set up tables before the lunch period and put them up afterward. In both schools with a combination lunchroom and gym and schools with a designated lunchroom, custodians are responsible for emptying trash cans after lunch, wiping down tables and sweeping the floor once students have finished eating. They may also be required to mop and spot-clean messes and spills that occur during lunch.
Hallway Responsibilities
Custodians are commonly thought of as mopping or sweeping hallway floors. This is indeed a large part of their job. In addition to mopping and sweeping, custodians in most schools are expected to vacuum any carpeted areas daily, clean and maintain radiators and ventilation systems, maintain a consistent temperature by monitoring heating and air conditioning, change burnt out light bulbs, washing windows and emptying trashcans in hallways.
Duties Outside The School
Custodians are responsible for light maintenance on the school grounds. In colder climates during the winter, it is the custodian's job to salt walkways and paved areas to prevent ice from forming and creating slipping hazards. They are also responsible for cleaning outside windows and eliminating any safety hazards, both inside and outside, in a timely manner.
Tags: They also, also responsible, also responsible cleaning, carpeted areas, cleaning disinfecting, custodians responsible, emptying wastebaskets
