Post-Event Breakdown
Breakdown refers to the stage at the end of a service or event in which service professionals ensure the venue is restored to its original state. For sanitation, breakdown includes structuring safety precautions, administering the breakdown, and debriefing with the staff.
1.Structure Safety Precautions
The sanitation captain should first put into place precautions for the safe breakdown of an event. This includes:
Equipping staff with the proper PPE (e.g., gloves)
Reminding staff of proper lifting techniques and phrases (e.g., “Behind you”) to prevent injuries
Checking and clearing pathways of any spills and/or obstacles for the safe transportation of equipment between spaces
Ensuring noise levels remain low to avoid disturbing any lingering final guests or service professionals
2. Administer Breakdown
The sanitation captain should maintain close communication with the event captain to coordinate the breakdown process as it involves the service professional team. This communication should address the order and flow of items to and from the sanitation station. Recall that there are two general approaches to breakdown:
A phased breakdown, in which the sanitation staff break down one station at a time and bring all station equipment to sanitation simultaneously
A zoned breakdown, in which the sanitation staff break down multiple stations at a time and bring equipment to dedicated sanitation receiving zones
In this, keep like items together (e.g., water glasses, white wine glasses) and clear like items in rounds before moving onto other items. Similarly, keep like items together as they are returned to designated crates, bins, racks, and/or flip-lid storage totes or containers.
Work with the event captain and the client or the designated venue contact to align breakdown procedures with any specific requirements. Ensure the placement of items in the correct location at the end of the event, referencing the relevant documentation (e.g., BEO, rental list, floor plan) to confirm item pickup location. Complete a final walkthrough of the space to ensure proper organization and cleanliness of the space.
3.Debrief with Sanitation Staff
The sanitation staff participate in a short post-event debrief to discuss relevant information related to the setup, execution, and breakdown of the event. The sanitation captain directs this debrief and solicits feedback through facilitating an open dialogue with the team. The captain documents this feedback to include in the post-event review.