African Cleaning Review by African Cleaning Review

May/June 2014 | R40.25 (incl. VAT)

Hospitality cleaning Window cleaning with pure water Visiting ISSA/Interclean 2014 Hand hygiene in healthcare Innovative entrance vacuum platform

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

contents MAY/JUNE 2014 • VOL 15 NO. 3

Smarter skin care Rubbermaid skin care products provide customers with a comprehensive hygiene programme of innovative product solutions. Read more on page 16.

Opinion

Hand washing key in the prevention of absenteeism

Industry News

Creative talent promoted proper hand hygiene Rentokil FM arm sold Second European design award for Initial Numatic distributors join forces for growth Growing chemical firm relocates to new premises SAPCA conference dates announced Industry loss – Tennant MD Ricky Bodmer

FM Review

12 19

The HOST dry extraction cleaning story

Features Hospitality cleaning – the inside track Hand hygiene in healthcare Other facilities just as important when it comes to hand hygiene

Educational

12 26 28 14

Pure water: The perfect partner when it comes to window cleaning

Special Feature

Amsterdam show offers the future of cleaning

People and Events

All editorial contributions can be sent to the editor who reserves the right to publish editorial based on the strength of its content. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publishers. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in African Cleaning Review, e-squared publications and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright of all material published in African Cleaning Review remains with e-squared publications and its agents.

Upcoming Features 2014

Optimising business processes through use of tablets Top 10 greenest hospitals in the world

Advertorial

African Cleaning Review is aimed at end-users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, Pest Control and Facility Management Services industries. It is published every other month by: e-squared publications. Tel: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Fax: +27 (0) 86 672 4794 PO Box 1976, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za Editor/Publisher: Johann van Vuuren +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Features: Teresa Settas +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Advertising: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Administration and Accounts: Nandé Jacobs email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za

Jul/Aug issue: • Washroom dispensers • Hard floor care Sept/Oct issue: • Outdoor cleaning • Food hygiene Nov/Dec issue: • High pressure systems • Transport cleaning

Online version of ACR African Cleaning Review is now also available electronically. If you have not received the ACR email newsletter, then email us at: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za

Visiting the 25th edition of ISSA/Interclean

Laundry Review

Industry Association formed Upcoming laundry courses

New Products Smoking management solutions Safety boots with soul

32 Media Partner

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

from the editor

opinion

Hand washing key in preventing staff absenteeism Winter has already made its presence felt following cold snaps nationwide,

Clean hands = saving lives In a special feature, African Cleaning Review focuses on the recent ISSA/ Interclean show held in Amsterdam. There is much to learn from this event and although it is not possible to cover everything, we have put together snippets of news and information (showcased at this world platform for cleaning professionals) in order to inform and bring our readers up to date on the latest developments, innovations and relevant news. With winter and its associated seasonal germs now a reality, and considering the significance of May 5 (WHO – Save lives: clean your hands campaign), we explore the very relevant issue of hand hygiene and its importance in combatting absenteeism at work as well as its impact on healthcare environments where the transmission of germs can result in critical consequences. Healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of people across the globe and many of these infections can be attributed to the lack of performing a simple task – hand washing, which is either not performed or inefficiently executed. Additionally, it is also the National Contract Cleaners Association’s (NCCA) 25th-year jubilee this year, which coincidentally coincides with similar celebrations by the Amsterdam show and groups the NCCA with global peers such as the European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) that celebrated their silver jubilee last year. African Cleaning Review will definitely keep you abreast of planned celebrations.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

and Kimberly-Clark Professional* end-user manager Nthato Malope advises employers to take a proactive approach towards reducing absenteeism that is directly related to seasonal illnesses such as colds and flu.

ne of the biggest health scares that could be linked to these common seasonal illnesses is the growing number of lethal bacteria that are resistant to all known drugs – and are contracted in hospital wards by patients who may be undergoing routine checks. The National Institute of Communicable Diseases recently revealed that its laboratory had confirmed 63 cases of antibiotic resistant superbugs collectively known as Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CREs), which first appeared in South Africa less than two years ago. The CRE bug has been found in private and public hospitals around the country, and is able to survive in the human stomach and on hospital surfaces. It turns treatable infections into life-threatening cases, and is passed from patient to patient in hospital wards. Figures published by the South African Society for Clinical Microbiology show that drug-resistant bugs are spreading. The figures do not specify CRE superbug infections, but are based on tests of serious infections. Between January 2012 and June 2012, it found over 400 cases of Paeruginosa bacteria, which attacks damaged tissue and infects patients with low immunity. In Cape Town, 12 percent of 44 cases were resistant to last-resort antibiotics.

In Johannesburg, more than 60 percent of these cases were resistant to all but one class of antibiotic and, in Durban, 27 percent of 217 cases of E.Coli were resistant to most antibiotics. According to Malope, one of the most simple methods of avoiding the transfer of this deadly superbug is to wash one’s hands thoroughly – in the workplace and in the hospital – on a regular basis. “During the flu season, there is a sharp rise in the number of people making routine visits to the hospital, as a result of them feeling unwell and displaying classic cold and flu symptoms. With the real threat of contracting something far more dangerous, it is more important than ever to take a proactive response to everyday hygiene practices,” he explains. Malope points out that THE HEALTHY WORKPLACE PROJECT has been developed to assist employers in minimising the risk of bacteria and virus transfer, by providing the necessary tools that help to reduce the alarmingly high number of germs in the workplace. “The workplace is an ideal breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, especially in an open-plan office environment where people work in close proximity to each other for long periods of time. Unfortunately many people don’t know that a flu virus can live on any surface that a sick person touches for up to 48 hours,” he continues.

opinion

Nthato Malope

In order to address these health risks, the Kimberly-Clark Professional* HEALTHY WORKPLACE PROJECT was developed to educate and encourage employers to help their staff reduce the risk of cross contamination of germs in typical office hot spots such as desks, boardrooms, reception areas, canteens and other high traffic areas, through a simple ‘wash, wipe and sanitise’ protocol that ensures maximum protection, all day long throughout the workplace.

THE HEALTHY WORKPLACE PROJECT comprises a simple three-step process, namely: 1. Workplace Site Assessment: Businesses that are interested in learning more about where its people are most vulnerable to the spread of germs in their offices will be offered the opportunity to receive a comprehensive assessment of their whole working

environment, from reception desks to individual workstations. Following this visit, the HEALTHY WORKPLACE PROJECT team will make tailored recommendations on where to place products such as hand sanitisers and desk wipes. 2. Installing Kleenex Branded Hygiene Products: With advice and practical support, the Kimberly-Clark Professional* team will help customers to install the best possible hygiene systems around the workplace and, most importantly, inspire staff to use them regularly – steps that could help prevent the spread of germs that cause a range of illnesses. 3. An Interactive Communication Campaign: In addition, companies that take advantage of the assessment will receive an engagement activation

pack comprising a whole range of internal communication material, all carrying information and messages about workplace hygiene. The materials in the pack have been carefully designed to attract the attention of employees, and persuade them to use the hygiene products made available by their employer, helping to achieve a long-term positive change in their behaviour. Malope points out that the three-step process is easy to implement, and is designed to create a more hygieneconscious, motivated and engaged workforce. “Statistically only 75 percent of men wash their hands after using the washroom. Therefore, germs are not fought in the washroom. In creating a healthy workplace, employers should encourage and make available proper hand hygiene solutions in the areas where employees actually work,” he concludes.

Reach your target market cost-effectively!

Advertise in African Cleaning Review – your direct link to end-users, building service contractors, key institutional sectors including government, healthcare, education and retail centres, hospitality, food processing and general manufacturing. The source of workplace hygiene solutions Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

industry news Creative talent promotes the importance of proper hand hygiene

n view of promoting the importance of hand hygiene and hand drying in public washrooms and reinforcing its message in an original manner, the European Tissue Symposium (ETS), based in Brussels, launched the fourth edition of the ETS Cartoon Contest. ETS regularly invests in scientific research but additionally it also reaches out to young talented artists to help them convey their message through the creation of cartoons or illustrations. The last three ETS Cartoon Contests took place in close collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, Italy. New this year is the partnership with the Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW) of Hamburg, Germany. In addition, the contest is also open to international participants. “The ETS Cartoon Contest brings together the best of two complementary worlds,” says professor Mario Rivelli (artistic name Otto Gabos) from the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna. “Art and science create synergy, and the cartoon contest creates the perfect platform to bring the message around proper hand hygiene to a broader audience.”

1st prize: Johannes Siemensmeyer’s cartoon “CleanerLilies”.

Last year’s cartoon contest resulted in 71 entries from 37 countries worldwide. A selection of these entries, together with the winning contribution was showcased during the recent ISSA/Interclean exhibition held in Amsterdam. “We will be celebrating the Global Hand Washing Day later this year,” says Roberto Berardi, President of ETS. “That is why for this year’s ETS Cartoon Contest title we have chosen – Hands, wash’em with soap, dry’em with paper’, which makes immediate reference to the importance of washing your hands. Along with washing them, drying them is equally as important and plays a fundamental part in promoting hand hygiene and controlling the spread of infections,” Berardi concludes.

Rentokil FM arm sold

nterserve, the UK building and construction services firm, has completed a deal to buy Rentokil’s facility services business, Initial Facilities, for £250 million, in a move that creates one of the UK’s top three facilities services firms by turnover according to building.co.uk.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

Initial Facilities employs around 25 000 people across the UK, Ireland and Spain and posted £542 million in revenue last year. Adrian Ringrose, chief executive of Interserve, said: “We are building upon the strength of both companies to create a truly outstanding proposition for our customers and employees. Interserve, as a top-three player in the market by revenue, now has a more balanced portfolio of clients between the public and private sector,

and a greater breadth of services and capabilities by which to grow our presence across the UK facilities management market.” The acquisition gives Interserve access to more than 400 private sector clients including JP Morgan and the London Underground. The deal comes as Rentokil, whose services range from pest control to catering and security, nears the end of a major restructuring programme to focus on core businesses.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

industry news Second European design award for Initial

eading hygiene service provider to commercial businesses recently announced that its new Signature range of washroom products won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for product design excellence.

The Red Dot Design Award follows another significant award, the President’s Design Award 2013, which Signature was awarded for Design of the Year. Acclaimed industry experts judged contenders against demanding criteria including originality, execution and functionality. Similarly, the Red Dot Design Awards are an internationally recognised product accolade with previous high profile brands such as Mercedes, Apple and Bosch winning. This year, a panel of 40 international experts discussed and evaluated 4 815 entries from 53 countries, awarding select designs with quality and innovative strength, the coveted Red Dot quality seal. “Initial spends a huge amount of

time on research and development, striving to create state-of-the-art hygiene products that not only look beautiful, but also deliver real benefits to our customers. All Signature products were tested for durability up to 3,8 million uses and are manufactured from fully recyclable materials. We are delighted to have won this prestigious award, hot on the heels of the Singapore President’s Design Award”, commented Rentokil Initial SA Marketing Communications Manager, Nathalie Leblond. Signature is Initial’s latest range of washroom hygiene products that include paper towel dispensers, feminine hygiene units, toilet seat sanitisers, soap dispensers and air freshener units.

Numatic distributors join forces for growth

ohannesburg based Phoenix Cleancare and Direct Cleaning Solutions (formerly Mopping Equipment) announced that the two cleaning equipment suppliers would merge with effect from 1 May 2014. The two companies are currently Numatic and Innu-Science distributors and are very active in the professional cleaning market, although, in different market segments. According to company spokesman, Ron Colling, having considered their synergies the merger will enable the new company to double its capacity with improved

infrastructure and improved client support. It also creates an opportunity to grow the business to achieve a national footprint in the provision of consumables, equipment and related products. “It would have taken us a lot longer to grow organically on our own, therefore this merger will greatly assist us in achieving our goal of becoming a national player in the cleaning sector,” said Colling. The company is based in Randburg and will trade as Phoenix Direct Cleaning Solutions, with Ron Colling, Keith Parkin, Ross Phillips and Bruce Williams as its directors.

Pictured at the NCCA stand during the recent ISSA/ Interclean show from left to right are: Ron Colling, Keith Parkin, Ross Phillips and Bruce Williams.

Leading FM solutions firm wins 25 year PPP project

ntegrated facilities management solutions provider Servest forms part of a concession company who was awarded a twenty-five year contract by the Department of Statistics, Stats SA. Stats SA currently occupies a number of facilities in Tshwane and during 2012 a tender was issued to procure single serviced accommodation on a site in Salvokop. The contract was recently awarded to the Dipalopalo Consortium in which

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

Servest is both a shareholder and a key sub-contractor. The concessionaire (consisting of WBHO, Royal Bafokeng Astrapack, Servest, Vulindlela, Fikile and Crowie Concessions), is required to finance, design, build and operate the new Stats SA’s Flagship building in Pretoria, scheduled for completion in April 2016. “We are thrilled to have been awarded this prestigious contract, which marks one of our first big Public Private

Partnerships (PPP) in South Africa,” says Kevin Derrick, CEO of Servest Southern Africa and Africa. “The contract was awarded based on access to the required funding, as well as the ability to provide an integrated service throughout the lifecycle of the built asset.” The facilities management stage will be led predominantly by Servest who will provide technical support and key operational assistance, together with their existing multi services.

industry news Growing chemical firm relocates to new premises

xponential growth experienced in the five years since its establishment has led Branson Chemicals to move to a custombuilt manufacturing and office facility situated in Cosmo Business Park, north of Randburg. The new premises provide 1 700 m2 of production space plus administration offices and a fullyequipped laboratory. Director Gerald Brown explained that Branson’s hygiene and cleaning chemical sales have increased by 25 percent per annum. “Major growth has been seen in the institutional, food and beverage industries and dairy plants, but more specifically in the dairy farm sector where we are regarded as the market leaders.” The company has a range of over 100 products and cleaning programmes, developed in-house. The microbiological laboratory is also capable of under-taking hygiene audits.

“Our short term goal is to aggressively expand into the food and beverage, hospitality, healthcare and institutional industries. An important product that has found favour is the company’s portion-controlled dishwashing machine detergent, available in a concentrated solid-cast format. It is definitely the future for this industry as the major advantage is proven savings as wastage is reduced. We are also establishing a dishwasher rental programme for the hospitality industry,” says Brown.

The company is also introducing specialised pressure washing machines – both fixed and mobile for the food and beverage sector. Branson has formed an alliance with a specialist group to develop the water care market into Africa for the processing, food and beverage and general industries.

For more information visit: www.bransonchemicals.co.za

industry news SAPCA conference dates announced

Industry loss

The South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) announced that its bi-annual conference is set to take place at the Leriba Hotel and Spa in Centurion in August 2014. The two-day conference planned for 20 and 21 August offers a dynamic speaker programme covering interesting topics. Several of the confirmed speakers include: • Jonathan Leeming, MD of VenonWorks who will uncover the misinformation related to, and present the bare facts on, “Spider and Scorpion – Friends or Foe?”. • Steve Broadbent of Ensystex will be addressing the topic of “Multi-versus single-rodenticide feeds”. • Jaco Scheepers, a field biologist at the University of Pretoria will cover the topic of “Insect identification and preservation”. • Jim Fredericks, Ph.D, Vice President, Technical and Regulatory affairs at the National Pest Management Association (US) and Executive Director, Pest Management Foundation. • Elize Lourens, Deputy Director of Occupational Health and Safety on the topic of “Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace”.

Ricky Bodmer, MD of Goscor Cleaning Equipment passed away on 17 April 2014 at the age of 56. Ricky played an integral role within the Goscor Group since joining in 1992 as a service manager. His technical knowledge and skills, coupled with his passion for after-sales service built an enviable reputation for him as people grew to know and respect him for service excellence and his open and honest approach to customers. Ricky poured energy, enthusiasm and time into the Goscor Cleaning Equipment business, nurturing the Tennant brand of cleaning equipment to become the industry leader in mechanised equipment. Ricky became an industry expert. His transparent approach built longterm relationships with his customers and suppliers who trusted him and regarded his opinion highly. He was unique, displayed enormous dedication to his work, possessed unmatched technical skills to support his engaging personality and direct approach. He had a wonderful sense of humour, made many friends, and will be sorely missed. Ricky is survived by his wife Sherridan and children Wesley and Nicole.

For more information or to book your seat as this year’s conference visit: www.sapca.org.za

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

facilities management review

Optimising business processes through the use of tablets

Top

A Belgian cleaning company signed an agreement to optimise its business processes through the use of tablets and the FacilityApp-platform at the recent ISSA/Interclean 2014 exhibition.

greenest hospitals in the world

Nine US hospitals are rated among the 10 most environmentally conscious in the world, according to Healthcare-AdministrationDegree.net.

“T Johan de Punder, head of Development at FacilityApps.com shows the latest functionalities with a Log App.

emco-Euroclean, one of the largest facility service providers in Belgium, a subsidiary of Temco Europe Holdings, will in future optimise its processes on the work floor through FacilityApps. Founded in 1971, TemcoEuroclean offers a full range of services for the maintenance of buildings. Temco-Euroclean rates amoungst the top five cleaning companies in Belgium. The Temco Europe Group is the first international client of software innovator FacilityApps.com, located in Purmerend in the Netherlands.

Creating more time for the client FacilityApps.com is a software developer and innovator of business applications for business processes and document processing. The fast-growing company commenced with development of the FacilityApps platform during 2010 with an initial focus on the cleaning

and facility management market. The package is developed from workplace needs and is easy to use. Digital processing is done from the source and all the tools for a high-quality service are mobile and at your disposal in real time. Through communication via tablets everybody is always aware of each other’s activities and the quality of service can be guaranteed. Paper disappears and the manager spends less time on administrative tasks. As a result, the focus is placed where it should be – on the client. “We are an ambitious and progressive service provider, that believes that co-operation with FacilityApps.com will enable us to propagate our core values and objectives even better”, said Benoit Maerten, MD, Temco Europe Group. For more information visit: www.euroclean.be or www.facilityapps.com

hese modern, state-ofthe-art facilities feature a host of eco-friendly initiatives, from paperless recordkeeping to energy-conserving boilers, green roofs and on-site power plants,” according to the article. “Healthcare administration graduates working at these greenminded facilities can rest a little easier, safe in the knowledge that their employers are doing more than their share to help save the planet.” Experts selected hospitals based on a combination of criteria such as recycling efforts, certification from environmental bodies and green construction, according to a statement from the site.

The top 10 hospitals in the article’s list of 30 are: 1. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, a paperless environment that features quality public transportation and vehicle-sharing benefits and uses recycled water and materials.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

<< from previous page

2. Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin, which uses environmentally-friendly interior paints, a sunlight-reflective white roof and a rainwater collection irrigation system. 3. Providence Newberg (Ore.) Medical Center, which meets all of its power requirements with energy from renewable sources and uses a ventilation system that continually brings in air from outside rather than recycling indoor air. 4. Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greenberg, Kan., which features lighting controls, low-flush toilets and a “heat recovery system.” 5. Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center, part of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, which has occupant-sensitive lighting, computer-controlled heating and ventilation and a motorised system that minimises sun glare. 6. Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, which uses energy-efficient boilers and room design that minimises natural light. 7. West Kendall Baptist Hospital in Miami, which is built to endure a category-five hurricane, and is capable of remaining self-sufficient for at least five days. 8. The Katz Women’s Hospital Post Partum Unit at North Shore University in Manhasset, N.Y., which features natural light-based heating and cooling and environmentally friendly paints. 9. Muskogee (Okla.) Community Hospital, which uses a closed-loop geothermal system. 10. St. Mary’s Hospital in Sechelt, British Columbia, which features carbon-neutral heating and cooling systems. Hospitals are retrofitting their facilities in accordance with Department of Energy guidelines to save on operating costs. Hospitals can save more than 30 percent of their annual energy costs by implementing the guidelines listed in the retrofit, according to the guide, as well as improve equipment longevity, decrease patient recovery times and create a more attractive brand. Source: FierceHealthcare

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

advertorial host

The HOST dry extraction cleaning story By Geoff Greeley

Conventional wisdom says you need lots of water to flush out the deepdown dirt, regardless of the surface you are cleaning. Actual practice suggests something completely different – just the right amount of water will extract the deep-down dirt without losing control of it.

The three most common complaints in floor (carpet and textured floors) cleaning are: • Wick back • Resoil • Downtime All caused by losing control of the liquid during the cleaning process. When it comes to cleaning, floors (carpet and textured) are not horizontal but vertical. Carpet is a deep piled fabric. Grouted tile and textured floors have hills and valleys, cracks and crevices. Everyone says that in order to clean these floors properly, they must be deep cleaned. That is true, but unless you control your deep cleaning, you will drive the soil and spots to the depths – leading to the three most common complaints. These textured surfaces are actually vertical, not horizontal, and the challenge is to clean them from the bottom up – dissolve and extract the soil without losing it in the depths of the floor. The HOST System offers controlled deep cleaning – combining airflow, pile lifting and green cleaning chemistry to extract the deep-down soil without losing control. First, the powerful airflow, combined with the upward revolving (counter-revolving) 5-inch diameter brushes, extracts the deep-down dry dirt efficiently and quickly. Secondly, the HOST SPONGES contain just the right amount of green cleaning chemistry to dissolve the soil, but not so much that the soil is driven deeper. Thirdly, the HOST machine’s upward revolving brushes carry the HOST SPONGES to the deepest part of the floor; therefore the soil is dissolved trapped and absorbed instantaneously. This action, working from the bottom up, controls the liquid and the soil that is absorbed – preventing wick back, resoiling and keeping the floor dry and ready to use. This solves the three most common complaints while leaving a clean and dry floor that is ready to use.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

feature hospitality cleaning

Hospitality cleaning – the inside track A total of 937 792 tourists visited South Africa during December 2013, making it the highest-ever recorded number of tourists in the country in any one month, according to Statistics South Africa. The local hospitality industry stands to benefit immensely from the increasing number of tourists visiting our shores, however, it is a competitive industry where occupancy levels rule and therefore the levels of cleanliness in a hotel become an obvious priority.

Pat Monteiro

A supply partner is critical in order to ensure consistency and quality in terms of products delivered.

n an exclusive interview, African Cleaning Review talks to Pat Monteiro, MD of Ubunye Cleaning Services, a multi Golden Service Awardwinning company that merged with Tsebo Outsourcing Group last year. Pat offers her views pertaining to the challenges and realities of providing an outsourced cleaning service to the hospitality industry.

How is hotel cleaning different to other forms of cleaning? The unique challenge is that every hotel operates differently, whether it is

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

part of the same group or not. It also comes down to who you are working for because you have to adapt to that individual’s requirements. For instance, if a GM is replaced it is not business as usual, you have to interpret the new requirements correctly and align your cleaning services in order to supersede the client’s expectations. Another challenging factor is that staff numbers don’t remain consistent, as they are linked to hotel occupancy levels. After all, as cleaning professionals we are expected to provide superior service levels irrespective of staff ratios.

How important is the executive housekeeper in this scenario? Hugely important – you have to view your relationship with the executive housekeeper as a partnership. They lead the way in terms of a hotel’s standards and special requirements, therefore cleaning companies have to embrace this partnership in order to provide a service that is on par with the hotel’s expectations. To maintain this partnership, it is of vital importance that the cleaning company maintains effective ways of communication and continuously nurtures the working relationship with the executive housekeeper.

How do you determine work loading in a fluctuating occupancy environment? It is difficult, because although the contract cleaner is able to provide adequate staff initially, the problem of

excess staff always remains when there is a dip in hotel occupancy; how do you continue to employ them? Fortunately we are now part of a bigger group and therefore excess staff can be deployed elsewhere. However many cleaning operators don’t have this luxury and therefore have to lay off trained staff. Hotel cleaning remains a difficult task with tight deadlines on turning rooms and obviously the star rating affects this as well. In general I would say a room can be turned between 25 to 40 minutes using one staff member. Obviously in hotels without janitorial trolleys where everything is still carried by hand it can take a lot longer to clean a room.

Who checks the room once cleaned? Again there are different scenarios. Some hotels will have their own supervisors while in others the contract cleaner will provide a supervisor. She will have a checklist to ensure that everything has been done satisfactorily and then spot checks will be performed by the cleaning company’s contract manager (or alternatively the executive housekeeper). At hotels where we provide cleaning services, we rely heavily on the supervisor to check the rooms.

State the importance of partnering with the correct suppliers A supply partner is critical in order to ensure consistency and quality in terms of products delivered. There is no point in having a situation where

Obviously costs are very important in today’s economic climate. However, I think costs have to be market related whilst considering a big factor – your on site management. You must have strong management and effective leadership. you never know if you will get the same quality products. It is also a question of ensuring that, if stock is required at short notice, the supplier can deliver. Training is also important; suppliers should have the capacity to train cleaning staff in the use of their products. Suppliers should be forward thinking, thereby assisting service providers in achieving their objectives in a professional environment. I have always maintained that ‘cheap is expensive’ at the end of the day, so we have always utilised quality products and products that we can rely on consistently, thereby avoiding being shortchanged.

How relevant is staff training where cleaning staff often portray the hotel’s image? It is very important, especially considering that more often than not cleaning staff are dressed in the hotel’s uniform. Therefore, to the guest they appear as an extension of hotel staff. Attitude is crucial, the ability to communicate confidently, a friendly disposition and they have to be good at what they do. Therefore staff training is vital and it is something that we take very seriously to ensure we provide the hospitality industry with people who understand the ethos of a hotel. In addition, cleaning staff attend induction sessions presented by the hotel to further ensure the cleaning staff are the correct fit for that specific environment and become

part of the hotel, even though they are still managed by Ubunye Cleaning Services.

How important is the price aspect when tendering for a hotel contract? Obviously costs are very important in today’s economic climate. However, I think costs have to be market related whilst still considering a big factor – your on-site management. You must have strong management and effective leadership. Leadership is something that you pay a premium for, because they have to operate in a situation and under conditions where they understand the client’s demands and meet these effectively. This individual should firstly filter down the cleaning company’s policies, ethos, etc. Then they should be able to double up on the client’s side whilst getting the best out of staff in order to provide a superior service to the client. Management is a costly component, but it is something that can prove invaluable to the bigger picture, especially as it impacts directly on the hotel’s ability to sell a pleasant and inviting room.

Is the scope for cleaning contractors broadening due to hospitality outsourcing? Absolutely, and it has been the trend for some time now. Cost is the biggest driver, especially considering the alternative where hotels employ their own permanent in-house staff.

That in itself will result in hotels having to employ more staff than actually needed, thus adversely affecting their profitability. However, when outsourcing to a professional cleaning contractor, the hotel only pays for the staff they need, when they need them.

How do you rate South African cleaning standards? As South African cleaning professionals, we do provide an extraordinary service and that is really exciting. I have travelled extensively and have taken note of cleaning systems and standards in other parts of the world, and I am happy to say that we do maintain high standards in South Africa. We benchmark ourselves very well against international standards and I do believe that many people will be surprised at the standards we set in this country.

What does the future hold for hospitality cleaning? Efficiency will play a major part in the evolution of cleaning. Traditionally the cleaning of a room was performed in a predetermined way, however the opportunity is nigh to change our productivity levels in order to achieve future goals. By sourcing the right people, and with continuous training, we can upskill staff to reach their true potential and thereby create a stable and reliable workforce, well positioned to serve the burgeoning hospitality industry.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

educational

Pure water: The perfect partner when it comes to window cleaning Water is vital for the survival and health of all forms of life, and it plays a crucial role in the cleaning industry. Torsten Deutzmann, Strategic Business Unit Director of Unger Professional Worldwide, explains how water purification has advanced, ensuring that cleaning is now even quicker and more efficient, giving better results for the professional.

here would we be without water? It covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface and without it life would be impossible. Access to safe water is also essential to health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)/ UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme Report 2013 update, 768 million people in the world do not have access to safe water, which is roughly one tenth of the world’s population. Another sobering statistic, this time from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Report, 2006, is that half the hospital beds in developing countries are occupied by people suffering from diseases caused by poor water, sanitation and hygiene. Water is therefore an absolute necessity – and its importance to the cleaning industry is obvious. However, when it comes to window cleaning, water has gone through something of a transformation, helping professionals to deliver even better results thanks to advances in technology.

Why and how do you purify water? Purified water has many different uses. It plays an important role in laboratory testing, for scientific and engineering purposes, and in a number of other industry sectors such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In freshwater and

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

marine aquariums it helps keep fish free of disease because it does not contain impurities such as copper or chlorine. Processes such as carbon filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation and electrodialysis can be used to purify water, but reverse osmosis (RO) and deionisation (DI) have emerged as the most popular methods when it comes to window cleaning. • Reverse osmosis (RO) – In this method, water is pressed through a membrane with a relatively high pressure (10 bars). During this process, the ions in the water are filtered out with water molecules that are attracted to these ions. This method allows the professional window cleaner to work continuously for more hours, with low-maintenance costs, so it is recommended for frequent usage of pure water. • Deionisation (DI) – DI is a chemical process that uses speciallymanufactured ion-exchange resins to remove mineral ions from the water. This includes cations such as sodium, calcium, iron and copper, as well as anions like chloride and sulphate. As 100 percent of the incoming water can be used, this results in the production of

almost 100 percent pure water, as opposed to a 60 percent output of pure water with RO. This method is recommended for low or medium usage of pure water. Purified water is important to window cleaners – and other cleaning professionals such as car wash businesses – because it dries without leaving the spots caused by dissolved solutes, which can be found in ‘normal’ water. Pure water delivers a better result, with no smears or streaks, boosting productivity and results. Water-fed poles have become the equipment of choice for professional window cleaners, allowing them to clean high buildings and windows safely from the ground, alleviating the need to work at height. Pure water is used in this type of cleaning because it does not compromise in terms of clarity – glass surfaces are left sparklingly clear, without the need for chemicals. The most effective DI systems on the market stream water by line pressure through a mixed-based resin. This initiates an ion-exchange process that binds the minerals and impurities and holds these back. These impurities are known as total dissolved solids (TDS) and are measured in parts per million (ppm) – water is considered pure when its TDS is measured at 0 ppm. The best

educational window cleaning DI systems deliver 100 percent pure water with no electrical power required, making it immediately usable on site, and offering a high level of water production per hour. ‘Plug and play’ options, where you simply connect the hoses and switch on the system, are also the most convenient to use.

Showing off the latest DI vessel is ACR Editor Johann van Vuuren with Unger UK General Manager Dave Rogers on the Unger exhibition stand.

Quicker, easier and environmentally friendly One aspect of DI that needs to be considered is that the resin, which does all of the hard work, will need to be replaced regularly. The resin looks and feels a bit like sand, typically comes in 25 litre bags, and has to be poured into the DI vessels. With most systems currently on the market, this usually takes around 5–10 minutes. Although this isn’t a huge amount of time, a quicker route to replacement would make the lives of professionals even easier. Thanks to advances in technology and design this could soon be a reality. It’s now becoming possible to offer a faster change of resin, through specially designed bags, already filled with resin, which could cut replacement times down to as little as 10 seconds. Also, to date, DI systems have mainly been hybrids, off-the-shelf units used in other industries and applications, which have been adapted for cleaning purposes.

However, because of feedback from users, and the obvious importance of this type of cleaning to the sector, the first ‘bespoke’ unit, designed and manufactured solely for the cleaning industry, is not far away. To conclude, pure water offers a range of benefits to the professional window cleaner. Its ability to clean without leaving spots and streaks means it delivers an even better result to the end customer, improving satisfaction and client retention rates. Because a thorough clean can be achieved without the use of chemicals, environmental goals are attained and corporate social responsibility (CSR) targets are achieved, with the added benefit that money is saved. And as the newest innovations become available, jobs will take even less time to complete, increasing return on investment (ROI) with no drop in hygiene standards. For more information visit: www.ungerglobal.com

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

special feature ISSA/Interclean 2014 Amsterdam

Amsterdam show offers the future of cleaning Celebrating its silver anniversary, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest exhibition for the professional hygiene and cleaning sector ISSA/Interclean took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands from 6 to 9 May. African Cleaning Review attended the event that covers a gross exhibition area of more than 50 000 square metres.

five percent growth in visitors and the largest recorded attendance to date was a definite indication that the industry is recovering from the recession, according to the organisers. ISSA/Interclean was founded in 1967 and has grown from a national end-user fair to an international business platform offering a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the professional cleaning sector from close to 700 exhibitors. Over the past five decades the exhibition has also featured pavilions from the Americas, France and the UK and has become the acknowledged world-leading event for the professional cleaning industry and the place to be for face-to-face networking, knowledge exchange and product innovation. It was clearly evident at the show that the sustainability issue in cleaning remains, and will indeed grow with the continuous introduction of new environmentally-friendly equipment utilising less energy, less water and even fever chemicals. Internet technology is also creating an increased presence with the introduction of various monitoring, tracking and analysing devices available to this market.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

special feature ISSA/Interclean 2014 Amsterdam

NCCA participation The National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA South Africa) exhibited at the show for the third time since 2010. The Association, celebrating its 25-year jubilee, was represented by the National Chairman Clive Damonze, Gauteng province Chairman Patrick Makhubela and Eastern Cape province Chairman Marius Olivier, and in addition, represented South Africa at the Global Association Meeting. The meeting was hosted by the ISSA with the purpose of uniting associations from across the world in order to exchange information, discuss similar challenges and to foster ongoing dialogue. Clive Damonze welcomed the group as one of the official speakers and proceeded to cut the NCCA’s celebratory 25th jubilee cake presented to the NCCA by Keith Baker, European Director of the ISSA. The NCCA stand is always a welcome sight for the many South Africans travelling to the show, as it offers an opportunity to take a break from the show floor while comparing notes with fellow local industry professionals. The customary NCCA cocktail party after-show closure on the first day has grown in attendance and was attended by close to 120 individuals, some of whom then went on a boat tour of Amsterdam’s canals as part of the South African tour organised by SWB Sports’ Steve Braham.

“A visit to this show is entirely significant because it exposes South Africans to modern innovations, global networking and informative seminars, thereby keeping us informed about the latest developments around the world. The exposure is invaluable, both for individual companies as well as our Association because it serves as a platform to enter into dialogue with industry peers, to evaluate industry threats and recognise future opportunities.” Clive Damonze, NCCA National Chairman.

Seminars The cleaning industry Association, ISSA, once again put together a stimulating seminar programme during the show that was well worth attending and offered discerning overviews of topical issues including: • The importance of washroom hygiene – sponsored by the European Tissue Symposium • Balancing sustainability goals whilst maintaining effective hygiene – sponsored by Sealed Air Corp • Changing the conversation from cost to profit – presented by the ISSA • Industry woman’s forum – Sponsored by Sealed Air Corp The seminars were complemented by a mini-skills programme where several teams from four different countries competed by demonstrating specialised cleaning methods while being judged for competence by industry specialists in areas such as cleaning a clean room, stripping and removing polymer and cleaning a hospital room using steam.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

special feature ISSA/Interclean 2014 Amsterdam Innovation awards The Amsterdam Show Innovation Awards ceremony attracted more than 50 entrants and took place on the first day of the show; all the products entered were launched at the show. The objective of the Innovation Awards is to reward the latest introductions to the market in order to highlight the efforts of the industry in their continuous research and development. Sustainability, originality, practicality, ergonomics and economical issues are the main aspects taken into consideration by the international jury during the assessment of entries.

“There is so much to learn here, both from a product point of view as well as building relationships with likeminded people in a global arena. Associations from around the world are present to learn from one another and therefore we must harness and cherish the relationships shaped at the show. We need to embrace the bigger picture and become part of the world of cleaning or risk being left behind.” Marius Olivier, NCCA Chairman, Eastern Cape. The B60/10C MopVac from Kärcher was declared the best innovation at the show and received the coveted 2014 ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam Innovation Award. The MopVac was found by the international team of judges to have filled the gap between the mop and bucket and scrubber dryer. It is able to clean open areas five times faster than a regular mop and is much more economical and costeffective than a scrubber dryer. It eliminates the need for swinging and wringing thereby reducing the possibility of operator injury. The fact that there is no need for a battery or electricity (as the floor is dried using a vacuum pump) makes this cleaning tool ultimately simple and cost-effective to use and maintain, as well as eco-friendly. Demonstrating the MopVac and showing off the Innovation Award is Kärcher Sales Manager Dean Fairley. Wetrok’s Discomatic Mambo scrubber dryer was declared a winner in the category of machines, accessories and components. This compact 30 litre scrubber dryer is extremely manoeuverable, which makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which extends running time to four times that of any conventional lead battery. Water feed can be regulated from the control panel and to make operator training even simpler, there are only four control buttons. Alpheios International won a category Innovation Award for what was demonstrated: a pair of Google glasses with an app known as “ExpertAtHand” that allows the wearer to forward photos or videos of onsite cleaning problems to the office whilst communicating in real time for advice and onsite problem solving. The app is available both as a service from Alpheios and for cleaning managers to interact with and support their cleaners. Another category Innovation Award went to European Cleaning Machines Recycling BV (ECMR) for the company’s initiative to recycle cleaning equipment. The company works closely with major equipment manufacturers to collect obsolete equipment and then recycle the plastic, batteries, metal and electronics according to environmental regulations.

African Cleaning Review March/April 2014

Clean Hands by Roberto Fiaschi, Italy.

special feature ISSA/Interclean 2014 Amsterdam Cartoon contest The European Tissue Symposium (ETS) launched the 4th edition of the ETS International Cartoon Contest, using creative talent to promote the importance of proper hand drying and hand hygiene. Last year’s cartoon contest resulted in 71 entries, from 37 countries worldwide and a selection of these entries together with the winning contribution, were on exhibit at the show.

“ISSA/Interclean 2014 was the biggest show ever! It has become a pilgrimage every two years for South Africans. The interest has been growing during previous shows but for 2014, South African visitor numbers rocketed significantly. It was an excellent opportunity to interact at a higher level, see new innovations and to experience the magnitude of the global cleaning industry. More significantly was witnessing the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) taking the lead in a groundbreaking meeting of ISSA Associations initiated by our chairman Clive Damonze.” Patrick Makhubela, NCCA Chairman, Gauteng.

Outdoor demo show The outdoor demo show was a new addition to the 2014 show and brought equipment manufacturers, distributors and retailers together for a live demonstration of the various aspects of outdoor cleaning. Whilst the inclement weather hampered activities at times it was still a worthy attraction.

SA tour group This year saw the largest South African cleaning professional tour group attending the show to date. The group of 44 led by tour leader Steve Braham arrived in Amsterdam two days before the opening of the show. It allowed for ample time to shake off the travel weariness and on a sunny Monday morning the South Africans set off on a bus tour to see more of the Netherlands, including the Dutch flower market; the king of the Netherlands’ working palace; Noordeinde, the Peace Palace that houses the International Court of Justice in The Hague; the 16th century city of Delft, known for its historic town centre; delft blue pottery, and the works of Dutch painter Vermeer. The tour group’s last official gathering took them to the historic d’Vijff Vlieghen culinary museum in the heart of Amsterdam to enjoy a three-course dinner whilst sitting under four original Rembrandt etchings and listening to Steve Braham’s humorous take on the tour.

The working palace of King Willem Alexander in The Hague, pictured behind the tour group consisting of cleaning professionals from Botswana, Mozambique and SA.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

special feature ISSA/Interclean 2014 Amsterdam A glimpse at some of the new products on show Many manufacturers exhibit at a show to showcase their latest offerings and this show with its international audience was no different. Listed below is just a small example of the broad spectrum of cleaning solutions showcased during the four days.

Biodegradable toilet tissue – Sofidel introduced their Biologic Active Tissue paper technology. It contains different micro-organisms, completely harmless to humans and the environment. Upon reaching the water the micro-organisms are activated, producing enzymes that feed on the dirt present in the pipes and sewers. Once the action is complete it biodegrades without leaving any residue behind. The BATP technology also contributes to the reduction of surfactants released by detergents in drains. www.sofidel.it

Orbio os3 from Tennant – According to Tennant the os3 is the future of on-site generation that generates both cleaning and disinfecting solutions. These solutions are created through water electrolysis, which includes a small amount of salt. The os3 also includes a unique satellite system, which allows solution dispensing in remote locations. A lifecycle assessment by a third party expert demonstrates the reduced environmental footprint compared to shipping conventional packaged chemicals. Pictured with the Orbio os3 is Goscor Group Chairman Tony Siddle. www.tennantco.com

Teinnova launched a new way of duct cleaning – Visioair cleans, views and verifies all cleaning work in AC ducts in one sole operation by using air injection, which is quicker, more cost effective and efficient than traditional methods. An air head that can travel any shape and size of duct, through the propulsion provided by compressed air with an air blade effect that easily detaches adhered dirt from all sides of the duct. It is green technology without the use of any chemicals, done on a dry basis whereby dust is vacuumed instantly by an aspirator system filtering the smallest dust particles. www.teinnovacleaning.com

The Multiproduct Mobile Dosing system by Novadoz ensures eco-responsible use of cleaning and disinfecting products. This extremely mobile dosing system creates a ready-for-use solution from any water line connection and offers three products of choice and customised dilution for each one. www.novadoz.com

Gumwand’s chewing gum removal machine destroys chewing gum in three seconds during a steam cleaning operation, leaving only a light foam, which disappears when dried with no secondary cleaning required. It is capable of cleaning 700 spots in an hour. www.dirksenbv.nl

ProfilGate is a patented industrial cleaning system that solves the problem of dirt entering sensitive areas via tyres from forklift trucks and the like. ProfilGate cleaning grates are said to eliminate flooring soiling problems in entrance zones by as much as 90 percent. The system cleans the outer surface of tyres, wheels and shoes upon contact with the uniquely angled brushes. By altering the angle at each alternative location it provides a sidewards diagonal movement that pushes the dirt off without the use of electricity. The brushes are robust with guaranteed durability of up to 100 000 movements under very heavy traffic. www.profilgate.de

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

special feature ISSA/Interclean 2014 Amsterdam

Sad farewell With deep sadness many in the cleaning industry paid tribute to Peter Holt, former Managing Director of UK-based floor care systems manufacturer Truvox International. Peter collapsed during an interview at the ISSA/Interclean Silver Jubilee celebrations and subsequently passed away, having suffered a severe heart attack. Peter was involved with the show and the cleaning industry for many years and had several friends in South Africa. As South Africans in the cleaning industry our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

More than just walking the aisles This is really a vast exhibition and therefore you can be excused for missing some very informative and interesting displays. However, the experience of walking the aisles in halls where the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best cleaning solutions are on offer will linger with you long after the doors closed on the final day. It is however not a case of merely walking the aisles, it is the significance of experiencing the best in first world cleaning linked with multiple opportunities to learn, network and explore that which is not yet available in our country. For those who are still considering a visit to this exhibition you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be disappointed; it is an invaluable learning tool for any cleaning professional. Just ensure you wear comfortable shoes otherwise you might find yourself having to retire from the exhibition after the second day.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

people and events Visiting a world showcase As many as 136 South Africans travelled to Amsterdam to attend the 25th edition of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest professional cleaning exhibition. Apart from those visitors who were part of the official tour group, many others made their way independently to the cleaning showcase. African Cleaning Review caught up with them as they made their way through the close to 700 exhibits, on stands or during other group activities.

At the show Prime Cleaning Suppliers received the Wetrok Partner of the Year award from the Swiss cleaning equipment manufacturer. The Prime group is pictured here holding the Wetrok Innovation Award and Wetrok Partner of the Year Award.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

feature hand hygiene

Hand hygiene in healthcare It is a generally known fact that hands transmit germs and many diseases. Therefore clean hands are the single most important factor in preventing the spread of dangerous germs and antibiotic resistance in healthcare environments.

ospitals are being urged to do more to promote hand hygiene among both nursing staff and patients, as improving hand hygiene will certainly prevent the spread of germs from one patient to another. Annually, on May 5, healthcare providers around the world join together to celebrate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands” initiative. It has had an extremely positive impact on the sector since its inception in 2005. The WHO’s Five Moments of Hand Hygiene recommends that healthcare workers wash their hands: • before patient contact • before an antiseptic task • following the risk of exposure to body fluids • following patient contact • following contact with patient surroundings.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

These simple precautions cover the majority of situations and should always be employed by everyone working in a healthcare setting, including the cleaning staff. GOJO Industries, Inc. is the leading global producer and marketer of skin health and hygiene solutions for awayfrom-home settings and participated at the recent ISSA/Interclean show in Amsterdam. GOJO demonstrated its support for the May 5 campaign through a number of activities and initiatives. Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) affect hundreds of millions of people across the world every year, yet many are preventable through good hand hygiene – cleaning hands at the right times and in the right way. The WHO has been instrumental in promoting best practice in hand hygiene for many years, working to make infection prevention and control a priority in healthcare, with clean hands as the basis. GOJO has produced a special pledge card to encourage infection control nurses (ICNs) to show their support for the WHO’s ‘SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands’ campaign. The card shows the WHO’s five moments for hand hygiene on one side, and a link to the WHO website, where ICNs can register their involvement and commitment to the initiative, on the reverse. It is completely portable, being the size of a credit card, so it acts as a constant reminder for busy healthcare workers to practise good hand hygiene at all times. The GOJO Clean Hands Programme has been specifically developed to help hospitals achieve their targets for infection control and hand hygiene compliance through education, raising awareness and unique training sessions.

Through the programme, GOJO aims to reduce the pressures on healthcare workers by providing training and on-going support to infection control teams and link nurses. Led by GOJO’s newly-created healthcare support managers, and with input from renowned patient safety and hand hygiene improvement experts, the programme’s goal is to achieve safer patient care and an increase in patient confidence and satisfaction. GOJO has also produced a new set of communication materials to complement the programme. These eye catching and informative visual reminders can be sited at key locations within hospitals to reinforce the need for good hand hygiene to healthcare workers, visitors and patients.

A global commitment to reducing HAIs GOJO is a member of POPS (Private Organizations for Patient Safety), a collaborative scheme launched by the WHO in 2012 to support its ‘Clean Care is Safer Care’ programme. This collaboration sees private companies involved in the hand hygiene sector working with the WHO to benefit patients across the globe, by sharing best practice and information in order to improve implementation of WHO recommendations, especially in the least developed countries. POPS hopes to achieve a reduction in HAIs through improvements in hand hygiene by: • increasing hand hygiene education and awareness • improving access to commodities and products such as water, soap, towels and hygienic hand rubs. continues on page 28 >>

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

feature hand hygiene << from page 26 “GOJO is committed to participating with the WHO as one of the original members of the POPS initiative to raise hand hygiene awareness and provide education,” said Jim Arbogast, Ph.D., Vice President of Product Development at GOJO. “In the future, you will see a greater emphasis on electronic compliance monitoring systems as part of the observation and feedback portion of the multimodal strategy, robust education and new transportable products to assist the healthcare professional in practising good hand hygiene.” GOJO recommends using the full hand hygiene regime for hospitals and adherence to the WHO guidelines on the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. Washing hands with liquid or foam soap and water is advised between significant events, and always when the hands are visibly soiled. It also supports the WHO’s Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy, which aims to improve hand hygiene compliance by staff that work with patients in healthcare settings by creating a ‘culture of safety’ through training and education, making hygienic hand rubs available at the point of care, and enhanced observation and feedback of and from healthcare workers. Suzanne De Maine, European Marketing Manager for GOJO Europe, said: “HAIs pose a real threat to the physical welfare of patients and staff, with the added negative effect on hospital budgets that have to deal with the consequences of an outbreak, and the subsequent work needed to return things to normal. Hand Hygiene Day is a perfect time to acknowledge how much progress has already been made in this area, and for GOJO to reaffirm its on-going commitment to improving hand hygiene compliance and patient safety for all.” For more information about GOJO’s Clean Hands Programme visit: www.gojo.com/united-kingdom Many products are available to healthcare facilities and more widespread use of these products will improve the adherence to recommended hand hygiene practices that will ultimately promote patient safety and prevent infections.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

Other facilities just as important when it comes to hand hygiene Studies by the department of soil, water and environmental science at the University of Arizona have proved that by encouraging hand washing and the regular use of gel and foam hand sanitisers, illness and absenteeism can be reduced by as much as fifty percent. Although the reasons for this should be quite clear, many institutions still fail to implement basic washroom and office hygiene.

ffice hygiene specialist Initial, a division of Rentokil Initial South Africa, has been studying the risks associated with poor office hygiene and health for decades and offers useful hand hygiene solutions. Offices, manufacturing facilities, leisure centres, schools and universities – to name but a few – all run the risk of bacteria and other infectious organisms being transmitted when contaminated hands and office equipment such as keyboards, telephones, copiers and desks come into contact with one another. Most working environments contain some particularly high-traffic areas, such as a reception area, the washroom and the canteen, and it is these areas especially that require first-class hygiene services if one is serious about preventing illness and absenteeism in the workplace. Unless effective hand sanitisers are being used, you run the risk of exposure to the germs that cause respiratory and other diseases in even primary health care areas like doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms! Raising the standard of hand hygiene is considered to be one of the most effective ways to prevent crosscontamination and cross-infection.

Soap dispensers ease hand washing Contrary to belief, hand washing with a shared bar of soap can exacerbate the problem of cross-contamination. Bacteria thrive in the warm, moist conditions found in most soap dishes, and then simply spread to other users of the soap. A hygienic – and convenient – alternative to soap bars is the modular soap dispenser from Initial, mounted on the washroom wall. A mounted dispenser not only means that usage is controlled through measured doses, but there is also the opportunity to offer washroom visitors an extensive range of liquid or foam hand washing soaps, luxury cleansing soaps and hypoallergenic soaps for top hand hygiene practices, all of which are available in sealed sachets to prevent the risk of bacterial contamination which can be caused by soap bars and the topping up of soap dispensers. It’s 1 litre capacity provides approximately 1 000 washes and ensures a constant level of service, while the non-drip valve keeps the washbasin neat and tidy. Dispensing is achieved with an effortless, hygienic push on the front of the dispenser, making it easy to

feature hand hygiene

In busy washrooms, warm air dryers are often the most practical and costeffective solution.

operate, even with one hand. Robust construction reduces the risk of the hand wash dispenser being pulled off the wall, and, in areas where there is a risk of vandalism, the lockable cover prevents tampering with the soap.

Foam hand wash dispensers that clean and soften hands Choosing Initialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wall-mounted foam soap dispenser will also take the look of your bathroom away from the rural or dreary. It comes in a modern and sleek design, either white or metallic, not only to ensure optimum washroom hygiene levels suit the colour of the facility but to ensure a touch of class. It is very economical, delivering nearly 1 300 doses of foam from only 650ml of anti-bacterial, mildly perfumed soap that also contains emollients to soften the skin.

empty cartridges with hygienically sealed ones to ensure top levels of washroom hygiene.

Paper towel dispensers for drying hands As studies have proved that many people prefer hand drying with paper towels, Initial offers two paper-based drying systems. One uses individual paper towels and the other paper rolls. The individual paper towel dispenser has a large reservoir that keeps towels clean, dry and hygienic. A specially designed aperture guarantees economical use. On the roll paper towel dispenser, the paper gets cut automatically to provide the user with an individual, hygienic piece. Dispensers keep towels dry, clean and contamination free, are lockable and show fill level, to make it easy to see that there are enough paper towels in the washroom.

Antibacterial liquid hand wash soap Initial Liquid hand washing soap is a high quality, SABS tested, antibacterial soap, available in perfumed and unperfumed options. It is hygienically dispensed in economical, measured doses from sturdy, leak-free units. A special pump action ensures that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no dripping, which means up to 1 000 squeezes and improved value for money. Initial service staff replace

Warm air dryers In busy washrooms, warm air dryers are often the most practical and costeffective solution. The Initial hand dryers are equipped with infrared motion sensors, so that they start up when hands are placed underneath, eliminating the need to touch the unit with wet hands to allow for improved toilet hygiene practices. Air from the

hand dryer is properly related to the surrounding air temperature, and never too hot for the user. Drying time is as short as twenty seconds.

No soap and water? No problem! Initial has a waterless hand sanitiser solution for those times when one is not able to get to a washbasin. Two waterless, antibacterial hand sanitising systems are the perfect alternatives to hand washing. Antibacterial hand wipes and antibacterial hand sanitiser gel are innovative ways to ensure that hands are refreshed and cleansed wherever you are. Both kill 99,9 percent of the bacteria found on the hands and contain cosmetic oils to prevent drying irritating the skin. Hand sanitiser gel and wipes are offered in attractive, compact and lightweight dispensers, which can be installed in places like workstations, smoking rooms and boardrooms. By exercising good hand hygiene practices and washing hands regulary, companies stand to improve office hygiene, as well as toilet hygiene behaviour in the workplace, thus eliminating employee non-attendance and increasing efficiency levels in the workplace. For more information e-mail: nathalie.leblond@rentokil-initial.com

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

laundry review

Industry Association formed

he South African Textile Services Association (SATSA) became a reality during January this year for an industry that employs an estimated 55 000 people in South Africa. Based in Germiston, this long overdue industry association caters for the needs of laundry processes and management. It will implement regular training courses and seminars, as well as offer guidance with respect to the implementation of national norms and standards relating to environmental health in terms of the National Health Act, 2003.

During 4 and 12 March 2014 SATSA presented training courses on ‘Textiles for Launderers’, Wash Process Design’ and ‘Chemistry of Detergents’ to eight laundry engineers from the Gauteng Department of infrastructure at the Kopanong Conference Centre in Benoni.

SATSA now offers many training courses for launderers to improve quality of service and broaden their knowledge and understanding on laundry and textiles, backed by regular news updates and bulletins.

Definition of a laundry according to the Association A laundry or drycleaner is defined as any premises or facility where textiles undergo any cleansing and/or finishing (ironing, pressing or tumble drying) process where such cleansing/ finishing process is either: • For financial gain and/or where such machinery used to provide the textile cleansing and/or finishing service is an integral part of another service that is provided for financial gain; or • For processing textiles that have been used or intended for use in the ‘Healthcare’ sector or any medical, health or government facility.

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

Courses planned for July 2014 The Washing Technology (3 days) Durban: 8–11 July Johannesburg: 22–24 July

The Finishing Technology (4 days) Cape Town: 14–18 July

A range of specialised technical, management and sales workshops as well as technical manuals are available. For more information, contact ian@laundryandtextiles.com

new products Introducing an innovative entrance vacuum platform What can be regarded as an innovative way of reducing the costs of floor maintenance, especially in the entrances to buildings, the company Steponit launched a system that automatically vacuums a pedestrian’s feet upon entering a building. The system is said to be more effective than traditional entrance mats, as a powerful vacuum system is activated the moment you step onto the mat, resulting in the removal of dirt from the bottom of shoe soles and thereby eliminating the transfer of dirt into the building. The entrance platform is completeley safe and easy to maintain by switching off the machine and then removing the dust tray for cleaning. The platform is available in two models with model 101 measuring 617mm x 1 132mm which makes it suitable for single doors measuring up to 805mm, elevator entrances and shop fronts. Model 202 is suitable for double doors where there is no break in stride, measuring 1 306mm x 1 284mm. The vacuum platform can be plugged into a normal 220v power point for operation. The platform is available throughout South Africa in 60 standard colours and can also be matched to existing entrance colours. For more information visit: www.steponit.co.za

New power tool dust extraction system Bosch Power Tools has launched a new range of GDE dust extraction systems, thereby ensuring a cleaner and healthier work environment for trade professionals. The Bosch range of GDE dust extraction systems have been designed specifically for drilling and chiselling tools. Bosch Industrial Power Tools SA senior brand manager Craig Berridge notes that the new GDE dust extraction systems are lightweight, yet robust, and easy to assemble. He commented: “The GDE dust extraction systems are easy to use and add little or no extra weight to

the machine. All drilling debris and dust are extracted from the source thereby eliminating the need to clean up after work is complete.” These dust extractors work on a two-chamber system. Berridge explains: “One of the chambers collects the dust while drilling, and the other chamber connects to the wet/dry extractor to create a vacuum in order to create suction to keep the extractor attached to the wall.” The GDE Max Professional offers the user virtually dust-free chiselling. It is suitable for most SDS-max rotary and demolition hammers available in the Bosch range. “The GDE max is easily fitted onto the tool using a quick-action clamp, and can be adjusted to suit different working positions and tools plus there is no need to remove it when changing the drill bit.” For more information e-mail:

New fibre concept for non-wovens industry

Eurocel is a European product through and through. The cellulose fibres are produced in Austria during an environmentally-responsible process. It is based on the idea of offering a high quality European product to consumers. Sandler, a German non-wovens manufacturer partner, adopted the idea and developed a new product to meet client expectations. Due to the sustainable and high quality production of fibre material at Lenzing, combined with Sandler’s innovative strength, a wipe has now been created that is extremely skin friendly. The wipe also offers improved volume, higher tear resistance and reduced elongation.

craig.berridge@za.bosch.com For more information visit: www.lenzing.com

African Cleaning Review May/June 2014

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