Everyday Professional

30.09.2020 - Alberto Müller is 53 and has been working for Dussmann Service, Switzerland as a janitor and cleaning operative since October. One of the contracts he works on is with the Zurich public transport authority, at the tram depot in Kalkbreite, which is one of the city’s biggest tram depots. 

How does a “regular” workday look?  

At the end of April - at the height of the Corona pandemic - the public transport authorities commissioned Dussmann Service AG to disinfect the trams and buses at the city's seven depots. All contact surfaces in passenger areas and drivers' cabins were disinfected. As of September, the contract was reduced to cleaning and disinfection of the tram and bus drivers’ cabins. Every night between 8:30 pm and 02:00 in the morning we clean and disinfect over 40 trams as they enter the Kalkbreite depot in three groups. At the weekends, fewer vehicles are in use and this was the case during the lockdown too. At the beginning of the job we worked in teams of two because there were so many areas to clean. Since September, I have often worked with my wife, who is also a member of the team. 

What are the challenges that you face? 

Special attention is paid to occupational health and safety at the depot where there are many hazards; trams and buses are always maneuvering in and out of parking and we wear yellow warning vests to ensure that we are not overlooked. The maintenance pits also represent a constant risk; special care must be taken to ensure that no one stumbles into them. There is also, of course, the current increased risk of corona infection so we always wear a mask and gloves. 

What do you like about your work? 

I enjoy my work for Dussmann Service and the cleaning work at the tram depot was a new and challenging task. My wife and I are very proud of our work; we know it is an important contribution to society.