Responsive and Responsible

The route inspection process allows us, as an organization, to provide better feedback on the work performed day in and day out, as well as acknowledge individuals for doing a great job.  Route inspections lean directly into our core value of responsibility, where we believe that if we hold each other accountable, more trust is established, and the value of our work becomes more meaningful and impactful.

Once a month, a supervisor will randomly follow you while on route and inspect up to 10 different stops. This supervisor will be looking for a variety of things, including everything from the tag number on the unit all the way down to the cleanliness of the unit.

To begin, a supervisor will first look to make sure if the tag number on the unit does, in fact, match the unit number listed on the account.  If the unit number is incorrect, the supervisor will then contact dispatch to see if it was updated on your paperwork or tablet.  If it wasn’t updated, 5 points will be deducted from the overall inspection score.

Next, the supervisor will thoroughly inspect important details such as signed date stickers, unit supplies, tank evacuation, and any extra add-ons that may be on the account. Failure to complete any of these items will result in an immediate failure of the inspection.

When reviewing a date sticker, the supervisor will first look to see that it is signed and dated inside the designated boxes. Next, they’ll look to see if the month and date are also correct. This is important because customers can, and often will, use incorrect dates as a way for us to return to reservice the unit. If all checks out, the inspector will then make sure there are no more than 3 date stickers overlayed.  If any of these things do not check out, it will equate to a failed inspection.

After reviewing the date sticker, the supervisor will then look to the waste tank to see that the waste and debris were pumped accordingly, and liquid blue was used. If the tank is not evacuated accordingly and waste or debris is still present inside the tank, the unit will fail the inspection.

If hand sanitizer is listed on the account, the supervisor will then check to see if it is filled to the appropriate level. They will also check to see if the dispenser itself is in proper working order.  Failure to replenish hand sanitizer or to fix a broken dispenser will result in an automatic failure of the inspection.

Lastly, the supervisor will check to see if there are any other additional add-ons or amenities listed on the account that are missing or not functional at the time of inspection.  This includes things such as seat covers, hand sanitizer, light kits, heaters, stakes, etc. If any of these are missing or broken, the unit will fail the inspection.

With the hard stuff out of the way, the supervisor will then look to the unit’s overall cleanliness and supplies.  They’ll look to the toilet paper, water/blue ratio in the tank, urinal, tank, seat, lid, floor, interior walls, exterior walls, and unwanted odors or graffiti.

When inspecting a unit with a 2-bar toilet paper holder, there should be a minimum of 1.5 rolls of toilet paper.  A unit with a 3-bar holder should have a minimum of 2.5 rolls.  If the unit is properly stocked, 10 points are awarded. If it is understocked, 5 points are awarded.  If it is left unstocked, 0 points are awarded.

Ideally, the tank of a unit should have approximately 5 gallons of water with a dark blue tint to receive the full 10 points.  If the unit needs more or less water or more or less blue, 5 points are awarded.  If it has little or no water or blue, 0 points are awarded.

To receive the full 15 points on the urinal, it should be clean enough to look new.  However, if it is properly cleaned at a satisfactory level, it receives 10 points. If there are little attempt to clean the urinal and build-up is present or it is not winterized is graded as needs improvement and receives 5 points. Finally, if there was no attempt to clean the urinal, it scores a 0.

If the unit contains a sink, it needs to be cleaned, stocked, and fully functional to receive the full 15 points.  If it is cleaned at a satisfactory level and stocked, it receives 10 points.  If improvement is needed due to poor cleaning or stocking issues, it receives 5 points.  If no attempt was made to clean, stock, or fix a leaking sink zero points are awarded.

When inspecting of the tank, seat, and lid, the supervisor will award the full 15 points (or 20 points for an ADA or handicap unit) if it is cleaned, looks new, and is not wet. If properly cleaned and not wet, 10 points (or 15 for an ADA or handicap) are awarded.  If it is poorly cleaned or left wet, only 5 points are given.  If no attempt was made to clean or trash was left on the tank, no points are awarded.

The floor cleanliness is graded on a similar scale to the tank, seat, and lid.  A full 15 points (or 20 for ADA or handicap) are awarded if the floor is cleaned and looks as good as new. If clean and no stains are present, 10 points (or 15 for ADA or handicap) are awarded.  If some scuffs, dirt, or stains are present, 5 points are given.  If the floor is full of stains, trash, and no attempt to clean was made, 0 are added.

Just as the tank, seat, and lid, and the floor are graded, the interior walls follow suit. 15 points (or 20 for ADA and handicap) are given if the walls look new and no dust is present. 10 points (or 15 for ADA or handicap) are given if they are cleaned satisfactorily. 5 points are given if the walls are cleaned but improvement is needed, and zero points are given if there was no attempt to clean.

While spending time on the exterior of the unit is not a major focus during a typical service procedure, the supervisor will check to make the unit appears clean from the outside.  If this is the case, 5 points are given.  If the unit is excessively dirty on the outside, or the decals are in bad shape, and no attempt was made to rinse it, 0 points are given.

To combat excessive odors, each driver should be equipped with a cabana spray.  When performing a standard service, the cabana spray should be used to help mask any unwanted odors.  When the time comes for inspection, the supervisor will award 5 points in there is no odor and the cabana spray was used. If it smells of waste or urine and no spray was used, no points are given.

Finally, the supervisor will check for any graffiti inside or outside of the unit.  If no graffiti is present or if the driver already called for the unit to be exchanged because of it, 10 points are awarded. If there is minor graffiti left behind, but you attempted to clean it, 5 points are awarded.  If the unit is left with crude language, excessive graffiti all over, or there was no call for an exchange, 0 points are awarded.

After reviewing the cleanliness of the unit, the supervisor will conclude the inspection by looking at the overall mechanical functionality of the unit.  This includes things such as a functional hand sanitizer dispenser, a properly attached toilet seat, and all doors and handles are working properly.  For each item that is not functional at the time of inspection, 1 point will be deducted from the overall inspection score.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the route inspection process is not 100% perfect and can come with some caveats.  Because of this, we’re always reviewing and evaluating best practices with the inspection team to help provide better feedback on the work conducted each day, as well as acknowledge individuals for doing a great job.