18 Aug 2012 Trail run @ Sondela Nature Reserve

Trail Run @ Sondela Nature Reserve!!!!


On Saturday, 18 Aug, Sondela had a trail run. At this event I marshalled at the 5km run. We had to start working at 6am. There weren’t a lot of entrees but the spirit was high.

At 7am we were all at our different points we had to marshal. Everything was checked so the race could run smoothly. After all the 10km people passed we had to wait for what felt like ages for the 5km to start. This race went quite fast and before I knew it the people came past me and I had to show them where to go.

After the big trails were done, we had a 500m run with the little kids. There was only 3 kids entered in this race so all the students that was working at the race had to run with them. This was a lot of fun to help the kids finish the race and helping them finish.

After the race they had price giving ceremony with a lot of prices to give away including hampers and Sondela wines. We started packing up everything and we put them away again. When that was finished we all could go home that afternoon and enjoy our off weekends with the peace of mind that everything was a success!!!

4th week @ Accommodation

Module 6 - Cleaning procedures

In this Module we learned about the cleaning procedures that Sondela follows.  There are certain steps we had to learn about cleaning a bedroom and bathroom and there is also a specific way we have to make up the beds! We learned about the different types of spoilages and the reason we clean the chalets and Makhato houses. We have a lot of cleaning chemicals and equipment we have to use. We had to identify the cross contamination hazards and the different types of finishes we have to clean. This Module was by far the longest one we had to do so far but I have learned so much!

Basic reasons for cleaning:

·        Customer expectation

·        Appareance

·        Expanding the life-span of surfaces and finishes

Different types of spoilage:

·        Dirt

·        Dust

·        Organic matter

·        Bacteria

·        Grafitti

Cleaning chemicals we use at Sondela:

·        Swish – Removes watermarks from sanitary fittings

·        Window cleaner – Removes marks from windows and mirrors

·        Bathroom cleaner – To wash the basin, bath, toilet and shower with.

·        Carpet shampoo – Removes stains on carpets and couches

·        Sunlight liquid – Removes grease from dishes

·        Descaler – Removes chalk from kettles

·        Oven cleaner – Removes fat/ greases from oven/ stoves

·        Furniture polish – Protects furniture/ wood and makes it shine

·        Air freshener – Used in the rooms to refresh the area after cleaning

·        Pine gel – Removes dirt from floors and refreshes

·        Bleach – Removes stains from white furnishings/ linen

·        R2/ multipurpose – Removes dirt from numerous surfaces

Cleaning equipment:

·        Manual – Towels, sweepers, brushes, brooms etc.

·        Suction – Vacuum cleaners, water vacuums and curtain steamers

·        Rotary – Polishing machine, dry foam shampooing

Cross contamination hazards:

·        One cloth for different tasks

·        Incorrect procedures

·        Personal hygiene factors

·        Clean/ soiled linen mixed

·        Using guest towels for cleaning

·        Not cleaning mops/ cloths

Different types of finishes:

·        Hard floors

·        Floor coverings

·        Walls & ceilings

·        Sanitary fittings

·        Furniture

Procedures for cleaning a bathroom:

·        Turn light on

·        Open windows

·        Check general condition of the room and report any problems/ faults to supervisor or maintenance

·        Remove rubbish and soiled linen

·        Dust all areas from top to bottom with a yellow cloth & feather duster

·        Clean bath, basin, toilet and shower by using bathroom cleaner and red cloth

·        Remember to wear protective clothing

·        Spray swish on all sanitary fittings

·        Allow to work then wipe off with red cloth and ensure it is watermark free

·        Clean windows, mirror and shower door by using window cleaner and blue cloth ensuring it is spot free

·        Replace any missing items/ amenities and towels

·        Sweep the floor an mop by starting from furthest point from the door

·        Check bathroom for overall product

·        Spray air freshener

·        Close windows

·        Switch off light

Procedures for cleaning a bedroom:

·        Turn on light

·        Open curtains

·        Open windows

·        Check general condition of room and report any fault/ problems to supervisor or maintenance

·        Remove all rubbish & soiled linen

·        Dust the room (cupboards, surfaces and appliances) from top to bottom using yellow cloth & feather duster

·        Polish the room by using green cloth and furniture polish (all wood furnishings)

·        Make up the bed by using clean linen

·        Clean windows and mirrors by using the blue cloth and window cleaner and ensure it is spot free

·        Replace all missing items/ amenities

·        Sweep/ vacuum the floor/ carpet and then mop/ wash it starting from the furthest point to the door.

·        Check room for overall appearance

·        Spray air freshener

·        Close windows

·        Turn off light

Procedures for making up a bed:  

·        Take off dirty/ soiled linen.

·        Check for guest belongings

·        Turn mattress over

·        Place mattress protector and tuck in along sides

·        Place fitted sheet and tuck in along sides

·        Place flat sheet and tuck in at the bottom. Fold the bottom corners as demonstrated, tuck in. Fold the top of sheet backwards with 30com and tuck in along sides

·        Place duvet/ bedspread and make sure it’s even at both sides of the bed. Make sure it’s free from creases and bumps

·        Place standard pillows followed by oxford pillows

·        Fold throw as demonstrated and place at the bottom of the bed

·        Fold towels as demonstrated and place at the sides of the bed

·        Place scatter cushions

·        Check overall product

3rd week @ Accommodation

Module 5 - Fire Prevention 

This week we learned more about fire prevention in the workplace. This Module covers the cause of fires, fire detectors, different fire extinguishers and equipment and the action to be taken when you come across a fire or a possible fire.

The possible causes of fire includes:

·        Lack of maintenance - maintenance not cleaning up after working or working with faulty equipment

·        Electrical sparks- equipment that is faulty or open wires close to water

·        Human error - not disposing of cigarette buds correctly

·        Cleaning - wrong chemicals mixed or stored in the wrong place

Fire detection and alarm systems:

·        Detectors - heat, flames, smoke

·        Alarms - manual alarm where you have to break the glass and pull the leaver

            - automatic goes off when 2 or more of the detectors are picked up

·        Testing - regular fire drill should be done to make sure everybody knows the company procedure to follow and where the assembly points are.

Fire fighting equipment:

·        Fire blankets

·        Backpack sprayers

·        Flaps

·        Extinguishers     -           Red - Water – Wood, grass etc.

                                    -           Green - Halon - Electical fires

                                    -           Blue - Dry Powder/ DCP - Electrical/ Flammable liquid fires

                                    -           Cream - Foam - Flammable liquid fires

-               Black – CO2 – Electrical fires

·        Protective clothing        -           Helmet

-           Goggles

-           Mask

-           Balaklava

-           Overalls

-           Boots

Action to be taken in discovery of a fire:

·        Report to internal and external customers – management, staff and then guests

·        If authorized or verbally informed raise the alarm

·        Evacuate to Assembly points starting with disabled persons first.

·        Do a roll call to see if everyone is there

·        Write a report

·        Do a follow up