November 2015

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

NOVEMBER 2015

SPECIAL REPORT

BUSINESS

FUTURE TRENDS

Trolleys special focus Starts page 25

Hand hygiene spotlight

Refugee crisis for EU

Connected Cleaning

Page 35

Page 45

Page 33

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CONTENTS

November 2015 | Vol.23, No.6

BUSINESS

SPECIAL REPORTS

45 Benefit or burden?

25 The jolliest of trolleys

Hartley Milner considers the economic impact of the current refugee crisis across Europe.

How can trolley manufacturers enhance the appearance of their products?

33 Connected cleaning Markus Asch of Kärcher and EUnited on the networking megatrend.

35 Hand washing - why so vital?

Why is it so important that we wash our hands, frequently and effectively?

42 A change will do you good 03 News

How can we positively influence hand hygiene behaviour in workplaces?

49 How to choose a sweeper

14 European reports

What are the chief factors to consider when selecting a new sweeper?

52 Piling on the pressure

56 New product review

Criterion Publishing Ltd PO Box 299, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1FP UK T +44 (0)1494 791222 F +44 (0)1494 792223 info@europeancleaningjournal.com www. europeancleaningjournal.com Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80

Ann Laffeaty considers the most demanding high pressure cleaning tasks.

Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty Advertisement Director Chris Godman Advertisement Sales Carole Dawson Circulation Marie Payne

Italy, Spain & Switzerland Fabio Potesta Mediapoint & Communications Corte Lambruschini, Corso Buenos Aires, 8 V0 Piano, Interno 7 16129 Genova, Italy T +39 010 570 4948 F +39 010 553 0088 info@mediapointsrl.it www. mediapointsrl.it

European Cleaning Journal is published six times a year by Criterion Publishing Ltd. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in European Cleaning, Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents can accept no responsibility for the varacity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

Germany Reinhard Knittler Knittler Medien, Mittlerer Hubweg 5, D-72227 Egenhausen, Germany T +49 7453/9385 787 F +49 7453/9385 797 info@knittler.de www.knittler.de ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2015

NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

C.difficile cases surge after UK’s NHS relaxes hygiene rules

Register now for your free monthly email newsletter from ECJ. Remember to bookmark the ECJ website and don’t miss our regular blogs - including Dr Ilham Kadri from Diversey Care, Rob den Hertog of Amsterdam RAI, Peter Ankerstjerne of ISS, EUnited’s Markus Asch and Vectair’s Paul Wonnacott www.europeancleaningjournal.com

EVENTS

The number of cases of Clostridium difficile in NHS hospitals has risen following the relaxation of government rules on fighting the infection.

Changes introduced in April 2014 raised the numbers of allowable cases in most hospitals while also slashing the fine for every ‘excess’ case from 69,200 euros (£50,000) to 13,800 euros (£10,000).

During the subsequent 12 months there was a six per cent rise in C.difficile cases - the first increase since compulsory recording began in 2007.

As an example, the number of allowable cases at the Royal Bolton Hospital in Lancashire was increased from 28 to 48. Doctors were also given the right to decide which cases were ‘avoidable’ which potentially meant they would incur fewer fines.

The fact that today’s hospitals are fuller than ever could be contributing to the rise in C.difficile according to

Dr David Jenkins, consultant medical microbiologist and head of infection prevention at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

“A study we published in 2010 showed that if you increase your bed occupancy rate over 80 per cent, the risk of C.difficile increases by about 50 per cent,” he said.

Fuller hospitals An NHS England spokesman added: “The NHS has managed to reduce C.difficile infections by 75 per cent since 2007/08 and not all remaining infections are preventable, with many picked up outside of hospital.”

Symptoms of C.difficile, which most commonly affects people who have been treated with antibiotics, include diarrhoea, a high temperature and abdominal cramps. It can also lead to life-threatening complications such as a severe swelling of the bowel from a build-up of gas.

Le nombre des cas de Clostridium difficile est en hausse dans les hôpitaux publics britanniques par suite de l’assouplissement de règles concernant la lutte contre cette infection.

November 25-27

September 7-9 2016

Clean Expo Japan/Toilet Tokyo

ISSA/Interclean Istanbul

Tokyo, Japan www.jma.or.jp/clean/en

Istanbul, Turkey www.issainterclean.com

January 17-23 2016

October 25-28 2016

Cleaning Technology Week

ISSA/Interclean North America

Mumbai, India www.ctwindia.com

Chicago, USA www.issainterclean.com

January 21-23 2016

March 14-16 2017

Clean India Pulire

The Cleaning Show

Mumbai, India www.cleanindiapulire.com

London, UK www.cleaningshow.co.uk

March 9-12 2016

September 11-14 2017

Cleaning Show Romania

ISSA/Interclean North America

Bucharest, Romania www.cleaningshow.ro

Las Vegas, USA www.issainterclean.com

April 4-7 2016

September 19-22 2017

WFBSC World Congress

CMS

Tokyo, Japan www.wfbsc.org/world-congress

Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com

May 10-13 2016

October 2-5 2018

ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam

ISSA/Interclean North America

Amsterdam, Netherlands www.issainterclean.com

Orlando, USA www.issainterclean.com

May 19-20 2016

Clean NZ Auckland, New Zealand www.cleannzexpo.co.nz June 15-17 2016

ESCLEAN Madrid, Spain www.fsms.ifema.es To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com

Die Anzahl der Fälle von Clostridium difficile in Krankenhäusern des staatlichen Gesundheitsdienstes in Großbritannien hat zugenommen, nachdem die Bestimmungen zur Bekämpfung der Infektion gelockert wurden.

Il numero di casi di Clostridium difficile negli ospedali del Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (NHS) è aumentato in seguito al rilassamento delle norme del governo sulla lotta alle infezioni.

November 2015 | ECJ | 3

NEWS One in three worldwide fail to wash hands after using toilet

A global survey from WIN/ Gallup International has revealed 65 per cent of those polled across 64 countries ‘agree’ that washing their hands with soap and water is something they automatically do - however 26 per cent somewhat agree, while just under one in 10 (eight per cent) disagree.

The survey interviewed a total of 62,398 people across the world and found there are significant differences by region.

Those from China and Japan were significantly less likely to automatically use soap and water (23 per cent and 30 per cent respectively), while those from Saudi Arabia were most

Il ressort d’une enquête d’envergure mondiale qu’une personne sur trois ne pratique pas le lavage systématique des mains après avoir été aux toilettes.

November 2015 | ECJ | 4

likely to wash hands with soap and water.

Within Europe the Greeks reported to be the cleanest, 85 per cent agreeing they wash their hands with soap and water automatically, the Dutch the least likely (50 per cent).

In the Americas Colombia proved to be the cleanest with 93 per cent agreeing that they automatically wash their hands with soap while Mexico was the least likely to agree with 32 per cent either simply somewhat

agreeing, somewhat disagreeing or disagreeing completely.

Jean-Marc Leger, president of WIN/Gallup International Association said: “It is estimated 15 per cent of the global population defecates in the open while 35 per cent have no access to safe toilet facilities.

Our research shows that an alarmingly high number of people across the world are not washing their hands with soap under water, either through lack of facilities or bad habits.”

Register now for your free monthly email newsletter from ECJ. Simply send your email address to michelle@ europeancleaningjournal.com

Aus einer weltweiten Studie geht hervor, dass jeder Dritte auf der ganzen Welt nach einem Besuch der Toilette nicht immer richtig die Hände wäscht.

Un sondaggio mondiale ha rivelato che in tutto il mondo una persona su tre non si lava sempre le mani in modo corretto dopo aver usato la toilette.

NEWS UK sector taskforce campaigns to improve working conditions A campaign to promote good working conditions in the UK cleaning sector has been launched by an industry-led taskforce set up by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The taskforce is made up of businesses, trade associations and trade unions.

The Commission convened the taskforce following publication of its report ‘The Invisible Workforce: employment practices in the cleaning sector’.

This set out EHRC’s findings on employment practices in the commercial cleaning sector in England, Scotland and Wales.

The report found many examples of good practice.

These included cleaning firms with policies in place to promote equality and also clients who enter into longer-term contracts.

These help firms to develop positive relationships with suppliers and also encourage investment in workforce development, leading to greater job stability.

and said they did not understand their rights.

So the taskforce has developed principles for responsible procurement. The purpose of this is to encourage clients who buy cleaning services to consider the impact of procurement on the employment practices of cleaning providers.

No contracts

Value of operatives

However the report also found some employers did not provide contracts to staff. And some failed to pay their employees in full, or to pay sickness or holiday leave entitlements. Many cleaning operatives are female migrants, who spoke of being ‘invisible’, of being treated badly compared to other employees,

The taskforce also developed a poster to highlight the value of cleaning operatives, and Your Rights at Work postcards for

Une campagne pour la promotion de bonnes conditions de travail dans le secteur britannique de la propreté a été lancée par la Commission de l’égalité et des droits de l’homme (EHRC).

cleaning firms to send to their employees explaining their employment rights.

Caroline Waters, equality and human rights commissioner and taskforce chair said: “The Commission’s role is to promote and enforce the laws that protect our rights to fairness, dignity and respect. It has been a privilege to have worked over the past year or so with so many people who are committed to improving working conditions of cleaning operatives.”

This edition’s special report on hand hygiene starts on page 35

Eine Kampagne zur Förderung guter Arbeitsbedingungen in der britischen Reinigungsbranche wurde von einer Arbeitsgruppe vorgestellt, die von der Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) ins Leben gerufen wurde.

Una taskforce organizzata dalla commissione dei diritti umani e di uguaglianza (Equality and Human Rights Commission - EHRC) ha lanciato una campagna per promuovere delle buone condizioni di lavoro nel settore del cleaning nel Regno Unito.

NEWS EXTRA New CLP corrosion pictogram on cleaners most relevant for eyes

Companies implemented the new European regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical mixtures (CLP) before the legal deadline of June 2015.

We now see the result of this regulation on product labels in consumer stores and in the professional cleaning market.

Dr Ir Ad Jespers, director global regulatory assurance Sealed Air Diversey Care, writes exclusively for ECJ. CLP turned the way the hazards of chemical mixtures need to be interpreted upside down. The well-known orange hazard symbols have been replaced by more stylish red rimmed squares. Not only the styling of the pictograms changed but also the way of assessing these new pictograms to a mixture. To make matters worse, also the criteria to define the classification have become more stringent. The result of all this is that many well established products look more dangerous now because more hazardous pictograms are shown on the label as mandatory. Fortunately most of these products can be handled in the same safe way and without changes to required personal protection in practical use.

Skin or eye damage?

Let’s focus now on the new corrosion pictogram which leads

to most misunderstanding in practice. It shows test tubes splashing a hole in a piece of metal and in a hand. In the past this symbol would only appear on caustic products, concentrated descalers and other truly corrosive products.

These products should only be used with appropriate skin protection or in controlled dosing systems to minimise the chance of skin contact. Now under CLP, the new corrosion pictogram is also used to indicate a serious eye damage hazard. The serious eye damage hazard and not potential skin effects is the main reason why many professional cleaning products bear the new corrosion pictogram.

Safety Data Sheet Despite the fact that - due to the new pictograms - products now look more dangerous, in practice the recommended handling and recommended use of personal protective equipment does not change much for professional cleaners.

A cleaner classified as ‘severe eye irritant’ with black cross on orange background under previous legislation required eye protection when handled. The same product under CLP is most often classified as ‘severe eye damage’ and labelled with the corrosion pictogram. However the recommended personal protection in both cases remains

• Le règlement européen relatif à la classification, à l’étiquetage et à l’emballage de mélanges chimiques (règlement CLP) a entièrement modifié la manière d’interpréter les dangers présentés par les mélanges chimiques. Dr Ir Ad Jespers, directeur du service de conformité réglementaire chez Sealed Air, Diversey Care, offre des orientations sur les nouveaux pictogrammes.

• ISS, le prestataire mondial de facility services, a nommé Martin Gaarn Thomsen au poste de chef d’exploitation du groupe, chargé des opérations mondiales.

November 2015 | ECJ | 6

the same: eye protection only.

The product label does not always give guidance on what risk mitigation measures are most appropriate when using a specific product. More comprehensive information is always provided in section 8 of the Safety Data Sheet.

Manufacturers of cleaning products indicate here which measures are required or recommended for the specific product as it is marketed.

Section 8 also indicates which measures are needed while using the working solution, which is usually a dilution of the marketed concentrated product. In practice, the potential of eye or skin effects of a dilution are usually so low that no special protection is needed while handling.

Nevertheless when exposure under foreseeable use conditions is significant protection may be recommended. Manufacturers will indicate that for the dilution in section 8.

Conclusion CLP is the biggest regulatory change for mixtures in more than 40 years. Over the last few years manufacturers of cleaning products have worked hard to classify their products appropriately and to define the recommended handling associated with the new classification. I am convinced that despite the large apparent changes, the market will realise that the products have not changed and can be used as safely as before when used as recommended in the Safety Data Sheet.

Keep up to date with industry news on the ECJ website

ISS appoints new global coo Global facility services provider ISS has appointed Martin Gaarn Thomsen as its group chief operating officer, global operations. Gaarn Thomsen has been with the company since 1999 and has most recently served as country manager of Denmark.

Jeff Gravenhorst, group ceo commented: “This is a very important position at our executive group management board. We have considered both internal and external candidates, and I’m proud that we have had a very strong bench of highly qualified internal candidates.

Martin’s understanding of ISS

• Die europäische Verordnung über die Einstufung, Kennzeichnung und Verpackung von Stoffen und Gemischen (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical mixtures, CLP) machte es erforderlich, die Art und Weise, wie die Gefahren von Stoffen und Gemischen beurteilt werden, vollständig zu ändern.

Dr Ir Ad Jespers, Global Regulatory Assurance Director bei Sealed Air, Diversey Care, bietet eine Anleitung zu den neuen Piktogrammen.

• Das globale Gebäudetechnikunternehmen ISS hat Martin Gaarn Thomsen zum Group Chief Operating Officer, Global Operations, ernannt.

both from a country, regional and group perspective makes him the perfect match for this job.”

“I am very excited about this new opportunity,” said Martin Gaarn Thomsen. “It’s been three very inspiring years as country manager and I’ve had the pleasure of getting even closer to some of our key customers. I look forward to working closely with our regional and country organisations to further improve customer focus within our organisation.”

The appointment is effective February 1 2016. www.issworld.com

• Le norme europee su classificazione, etichettatura e confezionamento delle miscele chimiche (Classification, Labelling and Packaging - CLP) ha completamente cambiato il modo in cui si interpretano i pericoli relativi ai prodotti chimici miscelati. Il Dr. Ir Ad Jespers, direttore della normativa sicurezza mondiale della Sealed Air, Diversey Care, offre una guida per i nuovi pittogrammi.

• L’impresa mondiale fornitrice di servizi ISS ha nominato Martin Gaarn Thomsen direttore operativo del gruppo per le operazioni mondiali.

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NEWS Sleeping on a hot bed of bacteria? Your bed could make you ill...

A scientific study analysing samples of eight-year-old mattresses has highlighted the variety of bacteria, yeasts and moulds that thrive in the material. And these particles can provoke allergies, cause infections and exacerbate existing lung conditions.

That’s according to the study commissioned by UK bed specialist Dreams and carried out under direction from university professor and environmental hygiene expert Dr Lisa Ackerley. Samples were taken at different depths - from the mattress exterior to the base layer. The tests revealed the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

There were also yeasts and moulds such as Cladosporium on the top layer plus Aspergillus and Saprophytic moulds deeper within the mattress.

Microbes develop Dr Ackerley said of the study: “Most people would be rather surprised by the things you can find in an old mattress. Mould spores and bacteria build up over the years and although invisible, you could be breathing in these harmful spores at night.

Due to the amount of human contact with the average mattress, it’s inevitable that microbes and unwanted guests will develop over time. People tend to focus on cleaning the things they can see - pillows and

Une étude scientifique consistant à analyser des échantillons de matelas de huit ans d’âge a fait ressortir l’assortiment des bactéries, levures et moisissures qui y abondent.

sheets, but the mattress itself can be a ‘hot bed’ of potential illness.”

Faecal contamination She added: “Finding bacteria such as E.coli indicates the presence of faecal contamination, which shows that if someone was carrying

Im Rahmen einer wissenschaftlichen Studie wurden Proben von acht Jahre alten Matratzen analysiert. Das Ergebnis zeigt, dass eine Vielzahl von Bakterien, Hefen und Pilzen in ihnen gedeihen.

an infectious disease, it could be passed on to someone else sharing the bed, or using the bed at another time.

“Some Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can cause skin infections and there are strains that are antibiotic resistant, including MRSA.”

Uno studio scientifico che ha analizzato campioni di materassi dell’età di otto anni, ha evidenziato le diverse varietà di batteri, lieviti e muffe che ne prosperano all’interno.

NEWS SCA recognised in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

Tork manufacturer SCA has been included in this year’s Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, one of the most prestigious sustainability

rankings in the world.

The company also appears in the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index and has been

named industry leader in the Household Products sector.

“We are proud that SCA has been internationally recognised for its efforts to promote longterm sustainable development,” said Magnus Groth, president and ceo of SCA. “Our sustainability programme is well integrated into our business and represents an important building block in SCA’s strategy for profitable growth, brand building and value creation.”

their portfolios. Companies are assessed according to economic, environmental and social parameters.

David Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said: “More and more investors look at companies’ environmental policies and track records in making their investment decisions.

High scores

“The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices are comprehensive benchmarks that allow investors to gauge the collective performance of those companies that meet the RobecoSAM standard for corporate sustainability and to formulate global allocations consistent with sustainable investment standards and practices.” www.sca.com

SCA was awarded particularly high scores in the areas of branding, innovation, environmental management and social reporting.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices were launched in 1999 as the first global sustainability benchmarks. They are a guide for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into

Benchmarks

Pay rise for Ireland’s cleaners

Students lax in hand washing

About 50,000 workers in Ireland’s security and contract cleaning sectors are to receive pay increases under new employment regulation orders.

Under the new measures signed by minister for business and employment Ged Nash, pay for 30,000 contract cleaning personnel will rise to €9.75 per hour.

Nash urged employers in the retail, accommodation and hospitality sectors, who have so far not engaged in revised wage-setting mechanisms - known as joint labour committees - in their sectors, to do so.

He said as the economy continued to improve these employers could face a squeeze

More than 50 per cent of students tested on a US college campus were found to have large amounts of different types of bacteria on their hands.

The aim of the study - carried out at the University of Findlay in Ohio – was to consider the link between hand hygiene and illness.

Study author Xu Lu swabbed the hands of 224 student volunteers three times: before they washed their hands, after they washed their hands in their own way and after they had washed them according to Center for Disease Control guidelines.

The hands of 58 per cent of the volunteers were found to have been colonised by so many microbes at the start of the

in their labour forces.

Nash made the announcement of the new employment order covering the security and contract cleaning sectors at the launch of the new Workplace Relations Commission.

Next edition of ECJ - Feb/March 2016

• SCA, le fabricant de la marque Tork de produits d’hygiène, a été inclus aux Indices de durabilité environnementale du Dow Jones.

• Quelque 50 000 travailleurs du secteur de la sécurité et de la propreté industrielle en Irlande vont recevoir des augmentations de salaires en vertu d’une nouvelle réglementation de l’emploi.

• Plus de la moitié des étudiants testés dans le campus d’une université américaine ont présenté des quantités importantes de diverses bactéries sur leurs mains.

November 2015 | ECJ |10

• SCA, Hersteller der Marke Tork von Hygieneprodukten, wurde in den diesjährigen DowJones-Nachhaltigkeitsindex aufgenommen.

• In Irland werden rund 50.000 Arbeitnehmer in den Branchen Sicherheit und Vertragsreinigung gemäß neuen Verordnungen zu Arbeitsverträgen höhere Löhne erhalten.

• Mehr als 50 Prozent der Studierenden, die auf einem amerikanischen Hochschulgelände getestet wurden, hatten große Mengen verschiedener Arten von Bakterien auf den Händen.

study that researchers were unable to make an accurate count. Overall normal hand washing significantly decreased the amount of germs on students’ hands - particularly when following CDC procedure.

Around 25 per cent of the volunteers claimed to be already ill when the study began. Routine hand washing did not reduce the germ count on the hands of the unwell students. But when they washed their hands according to the CDC protocol, a significant improvement was noted.

Study authors claim college campuses are high-risk places for spreading infections as students live in close proximity to one another.

• La SCA, produttrice della marca di prodotti per l’igiene Tork, è stata inclusa negli indici di sostenibilità Dow Jones Sustainability Indices di quest’anno.

• In Irlanda, circa 50.000 lavoratori del settore degli appalti di pulizia e della sicurezza riceveranno un aumento salariale in base ai nuovi ordini sulla normativa del lavoro.

• Sulle mani di oltre il 50 per cento degli studenti che sono stati testati nel campus di un college in America è stata trovata una grande quantità di diversi tipi di batteri.

NEWS Looking ahead to ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam 2016 The organisers of the ISSA/ INTERCLEAN Amsterdam 2016 exhibition taking place next May have dedicated the show to the theme ‘Networking and Innovation’. In line with that there will be a number of new developments in terms of how the event is staged, says Amsterdam RAI. Already confirmed to fill more of the RAI’s exhibition halls than ever before, the 2016 ISSA/ INTERCLEAN Amsterdam will be the largest ever industry show there - surpassing even the 2014 Silver Jubilee event. There will be over 700 exhibitors from more than 40 countries covering an area of 60,000 square metres. Live demonstrations will

take place in the Outdoor and High Pressure demonstration areas.

Once again the Washroom section of the exhibition will be one of the largest, with over 170 exhibitors already confirmed there. There will also be a dedicated Steam Cleaning area.

Conference programme And taking place alongside the trade show will be the ISSA educational conference programme. Details are currently being finalised however subjects already confirmed are ‘The Rise of the Robots’ and ‘Cleaning Machines - Rent or Buy?’. The Women’s Forum and global association meetings will

Les organisateurs du salon ISSA/Interclean d’Amsterdam, qui aura lieu du 10 au 13 mai 2016, ont fourni des précisions supplémentaires concernant leurs plans pour l’introduction de nouveaux éléments à cette manifestation.

November 2015 | ECJ | 12

also take place following their introduction in 2014.

As well as being a physical event ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam 2016 is a virtual platform where suppliers and buyers can connect and interact.

One key innovation, says Amsterdam RAI, is a dedicated

Die Organisatoren der ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam, die vom 10.–13. Mai 2016 stattfinden wird, haben weitere Einzelheiten zu den geplanten neuen Features der Messe bekannt gegeben.

content-based portal where visitors can fully prepare for their visit online and schedule appointments to visit a particular exhibitor.

For details visit: www.issainterclean.com • ECJ is the official media partner for ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam.

Gli organizzatori della ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam, che si terrà dal 10 al 13 maggio 2016, hanno rivelato ulteriori dettagli sui loro piani per i nuovi eventi dell’esibizione.

UPDATE: GERMANY Negotiation culture German correspondent Thomas Schulte-Marxloh reports on a new labour agreement in cleaning.

In the context of a new labour agreement for about 600,000 employees in the contract cleaning industry, employers reinforced their commitment to minimum wages. “We introduced minimum wages at a time when politicians were still discussing it. Now we have again underlined our position that we advocate tariff agreements for the contract cleaning industry,” Thomas Conrady, chairman of the tariff commission of the German contract cleaning association BIV and Johannes Bungart, its managing director explained in a joint statement.

The new labour agreement will come into effect in January 2016 and will be valid for two years.

Employees in the western part of Germany will receive 10 euro per hour which is 1.5 euro above the statutory minimum wage.

Employees in the eastern part of Germany will receive 9.05 euro per hour which is also above the statutory minimum.

The first increase of the tariff wages in wage group I – 75 per cent of German employees in the contract cleaning industry belong to this group – will be 2.6 per cent in Western Germany and 2.4 per cent in Eastern Germany. In a second step, coming into effect in January 2017, the wage increase will be two per cent in west Germany and four per cent in east Germany. The harmonisation of wages across Germany also makes some progress and will reach 90.7 per cent in 2017.

Other employees in the contract cleaning industry will also receive more money to a comparable extent, due to the new tariff agreement.

Representatives of the Notre correspondent en Allemagne, Thomas Schulte-Marxloh, fait rapport sur une nouvelle convention du travail intéressant 600 000 employés du secteur de la propreté.

November 2015 | ECJ | 14

employer’s association and the IG BAU (union of the employees) were able to achieve the new labour agreement after 18 hours of negotiations. Conrady explained: “We, the employers, said right from the beginning: we want an agreement that corresponds to the general economic development. With this compromise, we have reached the limits of our capacity. It was our goal to avoid both time without tariff agreement and strikes. We finally achieved this goal. I appreciate the efforts of the union IG BAU to reach a consensus in a constructive way. The agreement provides legal security for the 600,000 employees of our industry, for the contact cleaning companies and their customers.”

Both parties also agreed on limits regarding a concentration of work performance. According to the union they aimed at measures to avoid overtime of the employees before and after raised tariff wages. The union also calls for measures regarding qualification and training, improved education and better work and health protection.

“The employees also want to participate in the development of the industry. Their knowledge and experience should be considered in an agreement on overtime. This way it can be guaranteed employees really benefit from an increase of wages”, says Ulrike Laux, chairwoman of the union’s representatives in the negotiations.

After very unpleasant negotiations between other unions and employers, the agreement in the contract cleaning industry was achieved almost in silence and without damage.

Der DeutschlandKorrespondent Thomas Schulte-Marxloh berichtet über eine neue Tarifvereinbarung für 600.000 Mitarbeiter der Vertragsreinigungsbranche.

Dalla Germania, il corrispondente Thomas Schulte-Marxloh ci informa su un nuovo contratto collettivo di lavoro per 600.000 dipendenti del settore degli appalti dei servizi di pulizia.

UPDATE: UK The end of another year...

As 2015 draws to a close, ECJ’s UK correspondent Lynn Webster encourages businesses to focus on growth and moving forward in the new year.

The end of another year is nigh.

As we draw closer to the end of the calendar year it is a time for reflection. However the experience of many clients and colleagues is one of keen focus, moving forward and revitalising their businesses. The talk is of growth, rebranding and generating future success. Unfortunately for some less fortunate there is still the quest for survival.

The people and news columns in our industry press feature many stories of the recent promotions of their personnel as businesses expand, and the appointments of key individuals who will act to enhance and develop new business opportunities. The recruiters are busy finding that right fit for each client. Business development directors and managers are the featured roles with those with proven expertise able to secure excellent salaries and benefits packages. It is clear from these examples that companies are once again investing in their people.

Business consultants and facilitators are busy working with the senior management teams and board directors, challenging the norms of day-to-day business delivery. Naturally this involves revisiting the company’s mission statement, questioning ‘is the vision where you want to be?’ and do the objectives fit in the constantly developing market place. Furthermore are the goals that are being set realistic and are targets really achievable.

Essentially this belongs under the banner of strategic review.

Valuable days in business are being set aside to consider the options; whether it be for the next 12 months trading or the fiveyear plan with exciting opportuniAlors que l’année 2015 touche à sa fin, notre correspondante au Royaume-Uni, Lynn Webster, recommande aux entreprises de se réserver un temps pour planifier l’avenir.

ties ahead when looking into the crystal ball of business change. In some cases the thoughts move to that of acquisitions, debated in the board room for fulfilling the gap in specific market sectors, for considering geographical expansion or generally encouraging further development in the current fields of expertise.

Thoughts on the company ‘away days’ provide structured time away from the everyday business activity for deciding on which road to take; making decisions at the crossroads for business. A current common theme is changing the mode of transport. With involvement and participation in a number of such events recently the talk and examples provided by facilitators are no longer of the roads but of boats with a specific book quoted as a regular occurrence.

Whilst not wishing to openly promote such an individual’s work the references and something worthy of consideration are the very apt messages from Ben Hunt-Davis’s motivational and autobiographical book ‘Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?’

Hunt-Davis was a member of the men’s rowing eight that won an Olympic gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Along with executive coach Harriet Beveridge his book provides insight into the strategies and techniques used to improve the team’s game and of course make the boat go faster! And a helpful process in achieving corporate success. So whatever your challenges, whatever your goals, the focus may not only be on going faster but on keeping your boat afloat, and survival in what are sometimes still turbulent waters ahead.

Zum bevorstehenden Ende des Jahres 2015 ruft die britische ECJKorrespondentin Lynn Webster Unternehmen dazu auf, Zeit für die Zukunftsplanung vorzusehen.

Mentre la fine del 2015 si avvicina, la corrispondente britannica di ECJ Lynn Webster fa un appello alle imprese per trovare del tempo per fare dei piani per il futuro.

UPDATE: RUSSIA The right time for change?

Is a period of economic decline the right time to make strategic business changes, asks Oleg Popov of Cristanval Cleaning - ECJ Russia correspondent.

Strategic management pioneer Igor Ansoff stated that strategic changes are a declaration of war both to your own team and everyone else. What would be the cause for such a rash and dogmatic statement? One must always remember that all departments of a company, personnel, management, partners, clients – everyone has their own goals and expectations that don’t necessarily coincide with those of other members of the company. Before you decide to undertake strategic changes, are you certain that your employees, partners, and clients will be able to overcome them?

Any system is optimised, so there is always something that can be improved without resorting to radical changes. During an economic decline, we strive to save not only our money, but also other resources. First on that list is human resources. When beginning a revolution, it is easy to lose motivation and disorganise your team. Global changes are needed in a company only when it is incapable of achieving its set goals based on the current regime. First, be sure you are able to prove that you are truly in need of transformations before you decide to test your luck in a dangerous game.

Dans le contexte actuel de dégradation de la conjoncture économique, le moment est-il opportun pour les entreprises de procéder à des changements stratégiques ? C’est la question qu’examine notre correspondant en Russie, Oleg Popov, de l’entreprise de propreté Cristanval.

November 2015 | ECJ | 16

Any system will experience resistance to changes. Scientists have researched the 100 best companies in the world and determined a consistent sequence of reactions observed to altered conditions. Any work force goes through these four stages: 1. Everyone supports the changes. 2. People begin to have doubts. 3. Everyone is against the changes. 4. The situation is stabilised back to normal.

If even in the best corporations the employees are resistant to change, what does that say about the average business? In the best case scenario, everyone will merely resort back to the former conditions and in the worst case, irreversible processes will take place resulting in the company’s collapse. This is especially dangerous during an economic decline.

And even if we’ve entered into a

Ist eine wirtschaftliche Talfahrt der richtige Zeitpunkt für Unternehmen, um strategische Änderungen vorzunehmen? Unser Russland-Korrespondent, der bei der Reinigungsfirma Cristanval tätige Oleg Popov, diskutiert diese Frage.

time of turbulence and figures are on decline, it doesn’t mean that the former model of operation must be changed.

Owners of large and averagesize cleaning companies communicate with one another. Everyone understands that making it through a period of uncertainty is possible only when putting all of the team’s heads together.

Caution is the main trend currently determining the behaviour of companies on the Russian market.

No one is making rash changes or changing their team.

My advice, before you make the decision to undertake transformations within your company, is to prove that you actually in fact need them. Sometimes the way to overcome an economic decline is by simply improving upon what you’ve achieved over your many years of progress.

Un periodo di declino economico è il momento giusto per le attività commerciali di fare cambiamenti strategici? Il corrispondente russo Oleg Popov della Cristanval Cleaning discute sulla questione.

UPDATE: FRANCE It’s not easy to get precise figures regarding the number of sales and marketing people in cleaning companies, which together employ 472, 234 people. That’s because sales and marketing functions cover a great many roles and positions. In order to have a better grasp of that population, the French Observatory of cleaning trades carried out a survey.

While everyone agrees that sales and marketing functions are vital for improving a company’s turnover, a 2013 forecast study showed these functions are somewhat understated, poorly defined and hardly marketed by cleaning companies, who moreover aren’t proactive in terms of tendering their services.

Paradoxically the sector doesn’t appear to use a specific term to describe the activities of a sales or marketing person. People working in those areas can have all sorts of descriptions, varying from one

company to another. The status of people in sales and marketing can vary as much as their job titles.

Beyond people who hold dedicated commercial positions, there are others who carry out sales and marketing duties in addition to other roles.

It seems that sales and marketing people are quite loyal to their employers, despite their being exposed to strong pressures to move elsewhere. Everywhere in the cleaning sector, staff turnover was limited. This is particularly true of employees aged 40 and over, who are offered good opportunities to further their careers.

The reverse is more likely among younger people, who are more volatile and mobile, and ready to change employers if the chances of increased earnings and career development appear to be better.

Large companies generally favour in-house promotion as employees who already work for

Dans son reportage de France, Christian Bouzols discute du rôle des commerciaux dans les entreprises de propreté, en s’appuyant sur un récent sondage.

Sales in cleaning companies The sales function in French cleaning companies is often poorly defined, writes Christian Bouzols. a company are more informed of its values and culture. However in small and medium enterprises external recruitment is preferred.

Companies are more interested in qualities such as motivation and experience then in qualifications.

However they insist on an educational level corresponding to a two year post-baccalaureate diploma, and higher educational qualifications are now being considered.

Companies say they have problems in hiring commercial staff not because of a lack of applicants, but be cause of the difficulty in identifying and attracting good people.

They often find it hard to integrate young people in sales and marketing functions because

Anknüpfend an eine jüngst veröffentlichte Umfrage untersucht Christian Bouzols in seinem Bericht aus Frankreich die Verkaufs- und Marketingfunktionen innerhalb von Reinigungsunternehmen.

these functions are challenging and the realities involved in supplying cleaning services is more complex than it seems.

Various factors seem to be important in cleaning companies making the best use of their commercial function: a better match between this function and the operations of the company, particularly as regards conditions of sales and monitoring; the ability to express verbally the identity and specific qualities of the company; the ability to formulate and leverage complete tenders; and the ability to adapt to the specific requirements of various types of customers. Diversification has become a major requirement.

Dalla Francia, il corrispondente Christian Bouzols esamina le vendite e le funzioni di marketing all’interno delle imprese di pulizia in seguito a quanto emerge da un sondaggio recente.

November 2015 | ECJ | 17

UPDATE: ITALY The hygiene of food From Italy, Anna Garbagna reports on hygiene processes in the food preparation industry.

Afidamp recently organised a conference within Expo 2015: a specific analysis on the food industry – organised by Istituto Piepoli – to highlight the critical areas to intervene in to improve the food production process.

The purpose of the survey, in line with the theme launched

by EXPO and linked to food was

to verify the state of the art of processes to guarantee cleanliness and sanification in food industries, with specific reference to air quality and the control of ventilation ducts.

Between July and September, 251 companies were interviewed.

It emerged that for two companies out of three, cleaning costs

weigh less than five per cent of the production process while for eight companies out of 10 this cost has not changed for at least three years and it will be much the same in the future. In eight cases out of 10 cleaning is carried out in-house.

In general, in light of the relationship between the food industry and hygiene, it must be noted that if on the one hand over 70 per cent of the companies of the sector show themselves as particularly virtuous by using professional products,

on the other hand 40 per cent of companies are inadequate on the matter of training, which is not provided in specific areas. Training also definitely represents a critical point for the 20 per cent of businesses which outsource cleaning because almost 60 per cent do not require the cleaning company to carry out training specific to the food industry.

There is also another weak point: in one case out of two, the checks to verify the level of cleaning are not carried out creating a clear division between companies which are part of associations of employers which already have in place a system of final checks and those which are not part of any association. This prove the great contribution that associations can bring by helping companies to raise standards by way of a more scrupulous attention to hygiene.

87 per cent of companies resort to an HACCP consultant, while only two companies out of 10 entrust a technical consultant for cleaning (it seems a DIY vision of cleaning is predominant).

Fortunately even if they are considered more expensive, professional products are used by 73 per cent of companies while only 13 per cent use only domestic products - the remaining 14 per cent use both.

Almost six companies out of 10 of those that use their own members of staff, carry out cleaning training courses. But four out of 10 companies are not aware of the importance of training.

Another important aspect was the high perception towards hygienic inspection and cleaning of aeration ducts, which is carried out annually by about 65 per cent of companies. But only 17 per cent of companies uses specialised engineers while the remaining 83 per cent use uncertified cleaning companies.

Dans son reportage d’Italie, Anna Garbagna se paenche sur les normes d’hygiène et de propreté appliquées dans l’industrie alimentaire de son pays.

In Ihrem Bericht aus Italien untersucht Anna Garbagna die Hygiene- und Reinigungsstandards in der Nahrungsmittelindustrie.

Dall’Italia, la corrispondente Anna Garbagna si occupa degli stadard di igiene e di pulizia nell’industria della preparazione alimentare.

November 2015 | ECJ | 18

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UPDATE: DENMARK

UPDATE: NETHERLANDS

New cleaning sector trade event

Setting the record straight

ECJ correspondent in Scandinavia Lotte Printz reports from a new professional cleaning trade fair in Denmark - the first in the country since 2002

Nico Lemmens in the Netherlands brings news of research into enzyme-based cleaners.

There were no Usain Bolts on the list of contestants for the Danish championships in floor cleaning and window cleaning at the Cleaning Industry Fair held this October in Denmark.

For sure, less prominent names would have done it even though they were to compete against time. But no one signed up for the floor cleaning championship whatsoever! While the floor cleaning was cancelled, 10 contestants had the chance to shine in the window cleaning competition. And did – PudserHuset (House of Polishers) taking first place.

Despite the poor turnout of contestants, Jørgen Kjeldsen from the company Hygiejnefokus, the fair organiser, is prepared to give the championships another go in future cleaning industry events. And he is confident that the actual fair will be back in two years’ time.

“This year’s fair was a ‘feeler’, but with 30 exhibitors and approximately 700 visitors, we have proven it can be done and I’m close to being proud of it,” Jørgen Kjeldsen said smiling when stalls, scrubbers and cleaning trolleys were being removed from the venue. “I’ve already announced the 2017 fair, which I think will be double the size. With some adjustments here and there, of course.”

This was the first official fair for the professional cleaning sector held in Denmark since 2002 and even though Jørgen Kjeldsen himself was sceptical at first, he thinks there is a need in Denmark for a forum where players can acquire and share knowledge.

“This industry’s main focus Notre correspondante en Scandinavie Lotte Printz rend compte d’un récent salon de la propreté au Danemark, le premier à y avoir lieu depuis de nombreuses années.

has always been on price. We wanted to create a forum where a networking and qualityoriented mindset could thrive.”

The exhibitors ECJ spoke to seemed pleased and networking and knowledge acquisition scored high when visitors were asked about reasons for going.

Robots take over!

Networking facilities were provided at the fair along with seminarss in hygiene consciousness and training in specific software for managing cleaning, for example. And if participants found their way to the conference room, there were various talks about work environment, cleaning quality and innovation.

“What will you do if robots have taken over your jobs in 10 years’ time?” Erik Hallgren of the Danish Technological Institute asked rhetorically in his talk about innovation – to shake up habitual thinking a bit.

“Innovation is almost a no-go in the Danish cleaning industry as it takes a great deal of effort and is both money- and timeconsuming,” he continued. Erik Hallgren then suggested that the trade takes a closer look not only at innovation budgets, but also at organisational forms, at customers and facility management among other things.

All three conference topics are likely to be on the agenda again for the 2017 fair as they are essential to the business and its future, the organiser believes.

Special report on hand hygiene starts page 35

Die ECJKorrespondentin für Skandinavien Lotte Printz berichtet von einer Reinigungsmesse, die kürzlich in Dänemark stattfand – der ersten, die hier seit vielen Jahren veranstaltet wurde.

November 2015 | ECJ | 20

La corrispondente scandinava Lotte Printz ci riporta le notizie di una recente fiera del settore del cleaning tenutasi in Danimarca, il primo evento che si tiene da molti anni in quella nazione.

During the last few years we have seen the arrival of new cleansers called ‘probiotics’. It’s a new name for an old product: cleansers on the basis of bacteria (bacterial or microbiological cleaning), well known since 1988. Not all the literature on this subject is objective. That is why VSR, the Dutch Association for Cleaning Research, decided to publish an article to straighten things out.

People usually associate the term ‘bacteria’ with infections and diseases. However most bacteria are not only harmless, but also even useful or indispensible. Without bacteria we would not be able to digest our food.

Bacteria are used in water purification and the removal of oil from soil. Such applications led up to the idea of using bacteria in cleaning. Sometimes it is said that bacteria ‘eat’ dirt or stench.

In fact, though, bacteria produce enzymes that do the job.

Enzymes are proteins produced by living cells. Different kinds of enzymes perform different functions (destruction of proteins, carbohydrates etc). Enzymes have been used in household detergents for a long time.

In the article VSR wants to straighten things out. Some manufacturers make claims that prove not to stand up to critical analysis. Some of these claims are to be qualified while others are downright incorrect.

One of the claims to be qualified is: ‘bacterial cleansers are able to break down biofilms’.

This is true, but only if the film is not too thick and provided that there is enough exposure time. Another one is: ‘bacterial cleansers remove allergens’. This is possible in principle; the question is whether in dry areas the bacteria have enough time to do L’Association néerlandaise de recherche en matière de propreté, VSR, a publié une communication sur les nettoyants bactériens, ou microbiologiques, rapporte Nico Lemmens.

their work. For that no scientific evidence has been found. Finally we have this one: ‘bacterial cleansers break down ultra fine dust’. This is not true. Ultra fine dust consists of soot. These are complex synthetic and inorganic materials. Enzymes cannot remove such materials.

The article sums up the following do’s and don’ts.

Apply bacterial cleaning only there were things are continuously wet without either extreme high or extreme low temperatures. In case of new products: always apply tests on a small scale in order to show that the agent is suitable for the purpose.

Ask from manufacturers of bacterial cleansers any relevant risk assessments as well as quality control information (is the product polluted with harmful bacteria?).

Do not mix bacterial cleansers with regular cleansers, especially not with strong acids, alkalines or disinfectants as they destroy the active components.

Be very careful when using bacterial cleansers in the presence of very young and very old people, pregnant women and other people with sensitive health conditions. When using spraying techniques, keep people out and make sure the area is sufficiently ventilated before letting people in again.

Do not use bacterial cleansers for disinfecting purposes. Some producers use the term ‘microorganisms’. This is confusing because yeasts, fungi, amoeba and other single-celled organisms are also microorganisms, whereas bacterial cleansers exclusively use bacteria.

Finally: avoid using the term ‘probiotics’, which is reserved for dietary supplements.

Die niederländische Vereniging Schoonmaak Research (VSR), eine unabhängige Forschungsorganisation für die professionelle Reinigungsindustrie, hat eine Studie zu bakteriellen bzw. mikrobiologischen Reinigungsmitteln veröffentlicht, berichtet Nico Lemmens.

L’Associazione Olandese per la Ricerca sul Cleaning VSR ha pubblicato un documento su detergenti battericidi o detergenti microbiologici , come ci riferisce il corrispondente Nico Lemmens.

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TROLLEY SYSTEMS

The jolliest of trolleys How can a trolley manufacturer enhance the look of their products to make the traditional cleaning cart appear easier on the eye?

And why should they bother to do so in the first place? Ann Laffeaty discovers the reasons behind today’s trend towards more attractive trolleys.

A cleaning trolley is essentially a practical tool. It can be argued that its appearance is irrelevant so long as it can accommodate everything that the cleaner will require during his or her shift. So why are today’s trolleys becoming more attractive all the time? Admittedly new printing techniques make it easier for companies to add logos, slogans and images to their trolleys. But are manufacturers enhancing cleaning trolleys simply because they can?

On the contrary according to Filmop export manager Paolo Scapinello. He believes that the trend towards smartening up trolleys reflects a deep-seated change in attitudes towards cleaning. “The public used to think of cleaners simply as the people who got rid of the dirt,” he said. “But recent global pandemics such as SARS and swine flu have changed all this and there is now a general perception of cleaners as the protectors of our health.

“This change in attitude has had a knock-on effect on trolleys, many of which used to be messy-looking carts that gave the impression of disorder. But there is no need for a trolley to be an eyesore.”

According to Scapinello the appearance

of trolleys is becoming more important all the time. “From a customer’s point of view, a filthy trolley will not give an impression of cleanliness and hygiene.

However trolleys need to be efficient as well as attractive,” he said. Latest products from Filmop include the Alpha line for general cleaning and the Emotion line.

“Both models are extremely customisable and can accommodate any request in terms of picture, logo, name or drawing,” said Scapinello. “For example we recently had a request from a children’s hospital in France for cartoons to be used to decorate the sides of their trolleys to brighten up the days of the young patients.”

The company’s Emotion trolley line is targeted chiefly at four and five-star hotels where a more discreet design is often preferred. “In these types of facilities we are often asked to provide room service trolleys that match the décor of the room and that tone in with the furnishings and carpets,” he said.

Increase satisfaction He feels that an attractive trolley can help to increase the cleaners’ job satisfaction. “It makes them feel more accountable,” he explained. “A smart trolley will give the cleaner pride in what they do and make them more likely to want to keep it looking that way. They will also prefer being in charge of an attractive trolley that is made of easy-to-clean plastic rather than a scruffy old metal cart that may have begun to rust.”

And he believes that the trend for more attractive trolleys will continue. “It is important for a company’s image,” he said. “A presentable-looking trolley will catch the eye and alert customers and guests to the fact that cleaning is taking place.

However a trolley need not stand out – it should be fully integrated with the décor of the environment.”

TTS export sales manager Alessandro Costantini agrees that the emphasis on appearance is a growing trend within the trolley sector - and he concurs with Scapinello about the reasons behind

the change. “The image of the cleaning industry and of cleaners in general is improving,” he said. “The sector is now being assessed not only on its efficiency but also on the visual impact of items such as cleaners’ uniforms and equipment. And this comes at a time when we are seeing a general strengthening of cleaners’ image and a new level of dignity for the sector.”

Professional image He says an attractive trolley can provide a cleaning company with a modern and professional image. “Everyone can benefit from this type of aesthetic improvement: the manufacturers, the cleaners, the service providers and the end-users,” he said.

TTS’s Magic Line of trolleys offers the possibility of a high level of customisation, says Costantini. “We can print on any visible part of a trolley and our designs can incorporate logos, web addresses, graphics, texture, photos or any other visual element requested by the customer,” he said.

“Trolley customisation is a daily request for us and we have supplied bespoke trolleys to a range of sectors including hotels, cleaning companies, hospital, sports grounds and institutions. We are sometimes even asked to add doors or walls to a trolley not for any functional need, but simply to provide more surfaces that can be customised with a logo.”

However he adds that trolleys should never be considered merely as a decorative object. “Manufacturers must keep in mind the fact that trolleys need to help cleaners in their day-to-day operations,” he said. “Factors such as price-quality ratio, efficiency and functionality are all key points to consider when choosing a cleaning trolley. “Once these have been satisfied we can start to talk about aesthetics and appearance.”

Marketing and communications manager at Kärcher Linda Schrödter says customers associate trolleys that offer a high quality design and appearance with good performance and improved hygiene. “If a cleaning firm brings along quality equipContinued page 26

November 2015 | ECJ | 25

TROLLEY SYSTEMS The jolliest of trolleys (continued) ment, the customer transfers that perception to the quality of the work,” she said.

“Visual appeal also plays an important role when deciding on a product because first impressions both count and endure.”

She says image is becoming increasingly important since the cleaning buyer associates quality and performance with a strong brand. “An attractive cleaning trolley also gives a more professional appearance,” she said. “High quality materials imply better quality jobs and this gives employees a sense of self-esteem. An attractive cleaning trolley also enhances job satisfaction and improves the working environment for the cleaner. And this is good for productivity because employees who operate in a pleasant working environment tend to work faster and more efficiently.”

She adds that employees will value a smart trolley more highly and treat it more carefully than a battered old cart.

“This in turn enhances operational safety and creates the best possible ergonomics,” she said.

According to Schrödter it is becoming increasingly easy to adapt a trolley to individual customer requirements. “New printing methods and technologies make it

November 2015 | ECJ | 26

possible to match products more precisely to customers’ needs in terms of colourcoded labelling and individual logos,” she said. “Changes in a company’s logo can also be implemented more quickly these days.”

She says customers consider factors such as quality, robustness, compactness, capacity and versatility when purchasing a trolley. “But an attractive design is also important since the appearance of a product will influence the purchasing decision,” says Schrödter,

Unique systems International sales manager at Crisp Clean Judy Toes says her company has always understood the need for trolleys to be aesthetically pleasing. “The functionality of a trolley along with its efficiency, ergonomics and aesthetics are all key considerations during the design and development process,” she said. “Customers have been asking for bespoke trolleys for years.

“They want to be able to offer a unique system to their customers and they are able to do so simply by adding accessories or components to a standard trolley base. And today’s printing techniques are

frequently being used to enhance the appearance of trolley systems.”

She says a well-designed trolley provides a professional appearance a nd claims her company’s Nipper Plus is designed to be aesthetically pleasing while also being functional, ergonomic and adaptable.

Business development manager at Vileda Paul Harleman feels that both the design and the appearance of trolleys are becoming increasingly important. “Like cars there are no bad trolleys any more,” he said. “The trend is being driven by sectors such as hospitality and healthcare where cleaning operations need to take place during the day and where smart, attractive equipment is therefore required.”

He agrees with other manufacturers that a cleaner is more likely to take care of an aesthetically-pleasing trolley. “Appearance creates a value perception, both for the facility user and for the cleaner,” he said. “You will instinctively treat a welldesigned product better than you would an unattractive one.”

He says trolley customisation has become easier and more affordable Continued page 28

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TROLLEY SYSTEMS today than it used to be in the past. “New techniques are available to personalise your trolley and to make it more attractive and we expect this facility to improve even further in the future.”

All Vileda’s Origo trolleys can be customised and decorated using a printed wrap on panels and doors, says Harleman.

Customers can choose any slogan, logo or image they wish.

“For example a major contract cleaner recently wanted its trolleys to be decorated with images of the company’s cleaners in order to demonstrate their pride in the workforce,” he said. “A healthcare customer also asked for pictures of monuments from its home town to be displayed on its trolleys. And an ambulance company customer decorated its trolleys with the Si son chariot de nettoyage est personnalisé, l’opérateur pourrait tirer davantage de fierté de son travail et de son équipement. De plus, grâce aux avancées de l’impression numérique, les clients de services de propreté pourraient afficher des adresses de site Web, des coordonnées de contact et des images sur leurs chariots. ECJ interroge des fabricants pour savoir à quel point l’aspect d’un chariot de nettoyage mérite d’être jugé important et comment le rehausser.

November 2015 | ECJ | 28

official ambulance colours and stripes.”

He adds that factors such as cost, efficiency and space management are all very important to Vileda’s customers. “But it is often our experience that a trolley’s appearance is considered to be equally as important as the other factors.”

Better performance IPC Group managing director Michele Redi agrees that an attractive trolley can lead to improved performance from a cleaner. “A clean and elegant trolley that is also highly functional will inspire a feeling of order, hygiene and tidiness,” he said.

IPC’s new printing techniques allow the company to satisfy even the most difficult of customisation requests, claims Redi.

“At Pulire 2015 we exhibited our modular Die individuelle Anpassung von Reinigungswagen kann dazu beitragen, dass das Reinigungspersonal stolz auf den Beruf und die verwendete Ausrüstung ist. Moderne digitale Drucktechniken ermöglichen es Kunden, Elemente wie eine Websiteadresse, Kontaktangaben und Bilder am Reinigungswagen anzubringen. Das ECJ befragt Hersteller, wie wichtig das Aussehen eines Reinigungswagens ist und welche Möglichkeit zur Aufwertung es gibt.

BRIX trolley range which is fully customisable and we used modern art pictures and images of the natural environment to highlight this new design,” he said. All IPC trolleys can be customised with a company’s logo along with images provided by the customers.

Redi believes that the appearance of trolleys will become increasingly important as companies seek to differentiate themselves further from the competition.

“Customers like to stand out from the mass market which is why we are continually developing new products that can satisfy ever-more demanding clients,” he said. “But for most of our customers, what remains really important is a true compromise between an attractive, customised trolley concept and a competitive price.”

La personalizzazione dei carrelli può aiutare ad aumentare il senso di orgoglio di un addetto alle pulizie per il suo lavoro e le attrezzature che utilizza.

Le moderne tecniche di stampa digitale permettono ai clienti di includere sui loro carrelli elementi quali l’indirizzo web, i contatti e le immagini. ECJ chiede ai produttori qual è l’importanza dell’immagine di un carrello e i vari modi in cui questa immagine si può potenziare.

PRODUCTS: TROLLEYS

Small areas

Two versions

TTS has expanded its Magic range of trolleys with the introduction of Mini Magic models, which have been designed to operate in small areas while still incorporating all the features of the larger versions.

Measuring 50 x 52 cm, users can choose the best configuration for their needs in terms of storage

VoleoPro is the newest trolley from Vileda Professional, developed for areas where space is limited and a full-size trolley is too large - its footprint is half a square metre.

Two versions are available, basic and standard, and Vileda says this model offers a high degree of flexibility and customisation. It can carry all the company’s floor cleaning systems, boxes and buckets plus other tools needed for daily cleaning.

The constructional parts of the trolley are made of polypropylene (PP), and from August of this year those parts have been made of 95 per cent post consumed PP and five per cent virgin material. This is as a result of Vileda developing a way to use waste material for the production of plastic parts, in conjunction with a partner. www.vileda-professional.com

area, waste collection and washing areas. And thanks to the new TTS plastic hooks Magic+ can be created - a fully accessorised trolley connected to a smaller mobile workplace when needed.

This means a part of the workstation can be disconnected from the main trolley and the operator can take just the section they need. www.ttsystem.com

Heat resistant

Trolley systems from Fanset are manufactured in chemical- and heat-resistant polypropylene, in 6 mm thickness. Said to be easy to manoeuvre, each model features tyres capable of transporting up to 100 kg of weight, along with buffer and brakes.

Recently developed are the new mini trolleys Procart JET. www.fanset.com

Next edition of ECJ February/March 2016

• Les chariots de nettoyage Mini Magic de TTS sont conçus pour travailler sur de petites surfaces.

• Le chariot de nettoyage VoleoPro de Vileda est construit à 95 % à partir de polypropylène recyclé.

• Les chariots proposés par Fanset sont fabriqués en polypropylène, un matériau résistant aux agents chimiques.

• Die Reinigungswagen Mini Magic von TTS wurden zum Einsatz in kleinen Bereichen entwickelt.

• Der Reinigungswagen VoleoPro von Vileda wird zu 95 Prozent aus recyceltem Polypropylen hergestellt.

• Reinigungswagen von Fanset werden aus chemikalienbeständigem Polypropylen hergestellt.

• I carrelli di pulizia Mini Magic della TTS sono stati sviluppati per essere usati in aree di piccole dimensioni.

• Il carrrello per le pulizie VoleoPro della Vileda è prodotto per il 95 per cento con polipropilene riutilizzato.

• I carrelli della Fanset sono prodotti in polipropilene che è un materiale resistente ai prodotti chimici.

November 2015 | ECJ | 29

PRODUCTS: TROLLEYS

• Le système TASKI de chariot de nettoyage signé Diversey Care est une station de travail modulaire à plus de 100 accessoires.

• Kärcher produit différent systèmes de chariot de nettoyage à codage et dessin ergonomique distincts.

• Filmop a mis au point l’Alpha Split pour ses chariots de nettoyage afin de permettre la collecte séparée de déchets.

• Das Reinigungswagensystem TASKI von Diversey Care ist ein modularer Arbeitsplatz mit über 100 Zubehörteilen.

• Kärcher produziert eine Reihe von Reinigungswagensystemen, die Farbkodierung und ergonomisches Design bieten.

• Filmop hat zum Einsatz auf seinen Moppreinigungswagen das System Alpha Split entwickelt, das die getrennte Abfallsammlung ermöglicht.

• Il sistema di carrelli TASKI della Diversey Care è una stazione modulare di lavoro con oltre 100 accessori.

• La Kärcher produce numerosi sistemi di carrelli con codice colore e design ergonomico.

• La Filmop ha progettato il sistema Alpha Split che permette la raccolta differenziata dei rifiuti e che può essere usato sui suoi trolley per mop.

November 2015 | ECJ | 30

Accessories The TASKI Trolley System is a modular workstation from Diversey Care boasting over 100 accessories and 1.3 million possible configurations. This gives users the facility to build a trolley solution for any cleaning task in any environment.

The system has been designed ergonomically with the ability to adjust the height and position of the accessories. And changes can be made by adding or removing various modular components without buying a new system or chassis.

The latest configuration is the Nano trolley - claimed to be 30 per cent lighter and 20 per cent narrower than other models in the range making it suitable for small and confined areas. www.diversey.com

Two systems Recently Kärcher has significantly expanded its line of manual cleaning tools, including trolley systems. Colour coding is incorporated as standard and the company has placed great emphasis on ergonomics and user-friendly operation. www.karcher.com

Separate waste Alpha Split is the separate waste collection system introduced by Filmop for use on its Alpha trolleys.

Thanks to the new removable drawer positioned underneath the bag holder and the dividers

of the upper section, the operator can have up to six different compartments for waste collection. By adding other small dividers the number can be increased to eight sections.

This removable drawer can also be used as an additional storage area for the trolley so that it can be used for a combination of waste collection, wet mopping and storage in one compact work station. www.filmop.com

CLEANING IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

Connected cleaning Markus Asch is vice chairman of the management board at cleaning equipment manufacturer Kärcher and president of EUnited Cleaning. In this exclusive article for ECJ he writes about the networking megatrend and the opportunities offered by concepts such as the Internet of Things, smart buildings and machine to machine communication.

“There is no longer anything new. Everything that can be invented has been invented.” Charles H Duell, commissioner of the US Patent and Trademark Office, ventured this daring prediction when he retired in 1899. It would be an understatement to say this was a gross misjudgment. In fact the opposite is the case: the number of patent applications being filed around the world is increasing every year. As such it comes as little surprise that entire industries and branches time and again experience periods of major upheaval. Building service contractors are no exception. In recent years two factors have emerged as the driving force behind building cleaning. Number one: the development of new machines to mechanise cleaning operations carried out manually up to now, thereby enabling them to be performed more quickly and thoroughly than before. And number two: improvements to existing machines.

However there is now another development beginning to make waves in our industry, whose potential is not yet clear: the megatrend of networking. It lies at the Markus Asch est vice-président du directoire du fabricant d’équipements de propreté Kärcher et président de l’organisation EUnited Cleaning. Dans cet article exclusif pour ECJ, il traite de la mégatendance du réseautage et des perspectives offertes par des concepts tels que l’Internet des Objets, les immeubles intelligents et les communications machine à machine.

core of concepts such as the Internet of Things, smart buildings and machine to machine communication, and opens up a number of new possibilities for applying intelligent services in conjunction with building cleaning.

What could this mean in concrete terms? Here are a couple of examples to demonstrate its potential. Imagine a lift that knows how many people are entering and exiting on which floor. This information can be factored into cleaning planning, as it could help determine how often the coffee machine or water dispenser is used. When booking the use of a meeting room, it is now common in many companies to arrange the catering options along with it. Conference and meeting rooms are only provided with electricity, heating and air conditioning when the rooms are marked as ‘occupied’ in the booking system. It is just as easy to arrange for building cleaning via the same system after the meeting is finished.

By incorporating weather forecasts into the planning process for outer shell maintenance activities (window cleaning, the cleaning of solar panels, care and maintenance of outside areas and green spaces), these tasks can be carried out more efficiently and at reduced cost. The result of such considerations will be a process that ensures timely cleaning and the availability of the appropriate equipment at any time. But how can we realise this potential?

I call our vision ‘Connected Cleaning’.

The aim of the concept is to work together with architects, building planners, IT service providers, construction companies and other equipment providers to design system solutions that harness the increasing potential of networking to help

cleaning companies with their operations and ultimately enable them to develop new services and increase efficiency.

This includes machine innovation that uses networking as its basis. Fleet management is a key word here. As well as localising individual machines, aspects such as operational status and level of maintenance can be monitored and a servicing schedule can be drawn up. Naturally this is only the first step. Connected Cleaning will be formed from a network of interlinked people, buildings, settlements and products. In a next step many potentially huge opportunities could be explored in connection with scenarios such as smart buildings. If, for example, the floor of a building communicates with the cleaning machines and signals its degree of soiling, the detergent volume can be administered as required instead of working according to standardised parameters. And machine settings, such as the contact pressure for scrubber dryers, can be automatically adapted to suit the specific situation.

Where heavy soiling needs to be removed quickly, eg large liquid spillages, the building can even direct the cleaner to the location where cleaning is required.

It is possible to optimise processes without compromising on cleanliness or hygiene in any location where cleaning operations – whether dusting, cleaning windows or floor care – are carried out at defined intervals without identifying actual requirements. At the same time, this also increases the efficient use of machines and personnel. Everybody benefits: contract cleaners, facility managers and building users.

Does it all still seem a long way off?

Maybe so – but the first developments are already in sight.

Markus Asch ist Stellvertretender Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung des Reinigungsmaschinenherstellers Kärcher und Präsident von EUnited Cleaning. In diesem exklusiv für das ECJ verfassten Artikel behandelt er den Netzwerk-Megatrend und die Gelegenheiten, die sich durch Konzepte wie das Internet der Dinge, intelligente Gebäude und Maschine-zu-Maschine-Kommunikation ergeben.

Markus Asch è il vice presidente del management board della azienda di produzione di attrezzature per le pulizie Kärcher e presidente di EUnited Cleaning. In questo articolo in esclusiva per ECJ ci parla della forte tendenza per il networking e le opportunità offerte da concetti tipo Internet delle Cose, edifici smart e comunicazione da macchina a macchina.

November 2015 | ECJ | 33

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAND HYGIENE

Can washrooms make you sick?

One out of four refillable bulk soap dispensers are contaminated with illness-causing bacteria.1 Once dispensers become contaminated, they can’t be cleaned, even with bleach. The bacteria re-grows.

HAND CONTACT by cleaning crew

AIRBORNE GERMS from environment More than

of illnesses can be transmitted by hands.1

FOREIGN OBJECTS

GOJO® SANITARY SEALED™ soap systems are the safe, smart, sustainable alternative.

Helping prevent illness and absenteeism as proven by multiple outcome studies conducted by GOJO.

VANDALISM by washroom visitors

50%

20%

29%

43%

21%

Reduction in Absenteeism

Washroom users can have 25 TIMES more germs on their hands AFTER washing with contaminated soap. 2 BEFORE

AFTER

Workplacea Elementary Schoolb (FedEx Custom Critical) (with Handwash Program)

Extended Care Facilityc

Acute Care Facilityd

Higher Educatione (University of Colorado Dorm Study)

“Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.”2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Actual petri dish photos

If you would like to know more about absenteeism and hand hygiene email ‘ECJ’ to infouk@GOJO.com a. FedEx Outcome Study Executive Update: Interim Report, July 27, 2004, (unpublished) GOJO Industries, Inc., 90.3% confidence interval b. M. Guinan M. McGuckin, and Y. Ali. 2002. The effect of a comprehensive handwashing program on absenteeism in elementary schools. American Journal of Infection Control. 30(4):217-220. c. EJ Fendler, Y Ali, BS Hammond, MK Lyons, MB Kelly, NA Vowell; Effects of alcohol hand sanitizer on infection control in an extended care facility.

Am J Infect Control. 2002, 30:226-233. d. J Hilburn, BS Hammond, EJ Fendler and PA Groziak. 2003. “Use of alcohol hand sanitizer as an infection control strategy in an acute care facility.” American Journal of Infection Control 31: 109-116 e. C White, R Kolble, R Carlson, N Lipson, M Dolan, Y Ali, M Cline. 2003. “The effect of hand hyagiene on illness rate among students in university residence halls.” American Journal of Infection Control 31: 364-370 1. 2013 meta-analysis of germ transmission data by Dr. Gerba, University of Arizon 2. http://www.cdc.gov/features/handhygiene PURELL® sold under the GOJO® brand in Germany.

©2015. GOJO Industries-Europe Ltd. All rights reserved.

HAND HYGIENE

Hand washing - why so vital?

Much work has been done in the promotion of good hand hygiene practice, and that work continues to be necessary. But why exactly is hand hygiene so vital? What are the bacteria to be found on the hands, are they all potentially dangerous, how long do they remain active and how are they passed on? And how do we select the right products to combat those hand hygiene challenges?

In most food processing or food service industries the handling of food is commonplace and often impossible to avoid.

Cross-contamination by the transfer of pathogenic or food spoilage organisms can be a significant issue.

A lack of hand washing when required and not following a correct hand washing procedure are the most common problems observed in these environments. For the food producers and retailers who supply contaminated product which results in isolated or large scale food poisoning outbreaks, the consequences can be disastrous including penalties which could vary from small fines to closure.

Hands are one of the most common vehicles for transfer of microorganisms to high-risk products and can become contaminated in a number of ways. A lack of hand hygiene in the workplace can often, therefore, be the root cause in many cases of sickness.

Therefore minimising exposure to the spread of germs and bacteria is critical to

ensuring workplace efficiency as well as best practice.

What are the bacteria to be found on the hands, are they all potentially dangerous, how long do they remain active and how are they passed on?

Hands carry two main types of bacteria: • Resident bacteria • Transient bacteria Resident bacteria are a part of our natural flora, are not normally pathogenic and tend to be found on the superficial skin surface (epidermis). However 10 to 20 per cent of this total resident population are within the epidermal layer of the skin and in skin crevices where they are very difficult to remove or kill through washing and/or disinfecting the hands.

The washing and disinfecting of hands will remove most of these bacteria present on the skin surface, suppressing the levels for a given period of time. However the numbers will begin to increase shortly after the washing has been completed.

Tests have shown that even after repeated washing, large numbers of bacteria can still be recovered from the fingers and thumbs.

Types of resident bacteria vary from person to person and generally don’t cause food poisoning. The exception to this rule is Staphylococcus aureus. It is estimated that 40 per cent of people carry this microorganism as part of their resident body flora, which can easily be transferred to the hands. Infected cuts and boils can be a significant source of Staphylococcus aureus.

Transient bacteria are those that are found on the surface of the skin but do not normally reside there. They have been transferred onto the skin from another source by direct contact or by aerosols.

Transient bacteria collect on the surface of the hands, usually on the palms, under fingernails and on the fingertips and can also cause infections on broken skin.

Unless these bacteria can be removed effectively they are likely to be spread from hand to food contact surface, thereby

presenting a cross contamination risk.

The type of transient bacteria on the skin will be varied and dependent on what has been touched. Pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp and Clostridium perfringens can all be carried on the skin. In addition high levels of transient microorganisms are found attached to hand, fingertips and fingernails after visiting the toilet and after handling raw food. These may include a significant number of pathogens.

Broken skin, cuts, boils and spots cannot effectively be cleaned by a hand washing routine and should therefore always be properly covered.

Active bacteria How long do these bacteria remain active? Studies have shown the ability of microorganisms to survive on hands for differing times. With some studies showing bacteria and viruses viable and transferable for up to 60 minutes.

And how do we select the right products to use in order to kill those bacteria, in terms of antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial soaps?

Although antimicrobial soaps have a distinct advantage over non-antimicrobial versions in that they can achieve a higher bacterial log reduction during a standard hand washing procedure, several lab studies have found that the use of non-antimicrobial soaps can be nearly as effective.

Some studies determined that washing the hands for 30 seconds with a non-antimicrobial soap can achieve between 1.8 and 2.8 Log reduction, close to the typical figure of three Log achieved when using an antimicrobial soap.

Other studies also found there was no difference between the use of an antimicrobial and a non-antimicrobial soap in reducing the bacterial counts on the skin.

There is some evidence that because antimicrobial soaps are more aggressive than non-antimicrobial soaps, they can have a long term undesirable effect on resident bacteria (typically harmless). The defence Continued page 35

November 2015 | ECJ |35

HAND HYGIENE Hand washing - why so vital? (continued)

provided by the resident bacteria may become weaker and allow transient bacteria an opportunity to colonise the skin.

It is important to realise that individuals will also have different levels of resistance to hand care products (including resistance to some antimicrobial/non-antimicrobial soaps). Hand washing on its own does not guarantee that hands will be ‘bacteria free’ but it plays a vital role in the overall hand washing process.

The final stage of the hand washing process is drying. It is critical to achieving clean hands but can often be overlooked.

It has been demonstrated that the dryer the hands after proper hand washing, the lower the level of cross-contamination from hand to food or to food contact surface. One study found that 1,000 times as many microorganisms can be spread from damp hands than with dry hands.

However the most effective drying method continues to be debated. Warm air dryers, disposable paper towels or cabinet towels may all be used but each has drawbacks.

Hand drying methods Warm air dryers are generally not recommended in food processing areas as the user is unlikely to achieve thorough drying of the hands, leaving them damp and promoting microbial growth. People may also become impatient and use their work garments to finish drying their hands. Research carried out on 35 air dryers found

Des efforts sont inlassablement entrepris en vue de promouvoir une bonne hygiène des mains et il convient qu’ils soient poursuivis. Mais pourquoi l’hygiène des mains est-elle aussi importante ?

Quelles sont les bactéries que les mains peuvent abriter et pourquoi sont-elles potentiellement dangereuses ? Quelle est leur durée d’activité et par quels moyens sont-elles transmises ? Comment sélectionner les produits qui conviennent pour relever les défis de l’hygiène des mains ?

November 2015 | ECJ | 36

that 100 per cent of the dryers inlets and airflows and 97 per cent of the nozzles contained Staphylococci and Micrococci probably from hair and skin, 95 per cent showed evidence of potential Staphylococcus aureus and at least six species of Enterobacteria were isolated from the air flows of 63 per cent of the dryers. Manufacturers such as Dyson have introduced the Airblade style hand dryers which have proven very popular and are making inroads within food handling areas. However if this type of hand dryer is to be used in a food processing environment (particularly in high care) it should always be trialled alongside a traditional paper towel system to determine its effectiveness.

Disposable or paper towels can now be dispensed in a variety of ways. Units that require as little hand interaction as possible often have the advantage. But storage of the paper towels plays a huge role and needs careful consideration due to high absorbency levels. Ideally they should be kept in a dry area where the risk of becoming damp is negligible.

Hand sanitisers have traditionally been based on alcohol, although some newer generation products are alcohol free. The solution is rubbed into the hands after thorough washing and drying and allowed to evaporate on the hands. The hand sanitiser provides a further reduction in microorganisms on the skin surface. Alcohol based hand sanitisers often contain an emollient system that helps reduce the

Es wurden viele Bemühungen zur Förderung eines guten Handhygieneverfahrens unternommen, und diese Bemühungen sind auch weiterhin erforderlich.

Doch warum genau ist Handhygiene so wichtig?

Welche Bakterien sind auf den Händen zu finden, sind sie alle potenziell gefährlich, wie lange bleiben sie aktiv, und wie werden sie übertragen? Welche Kriterien gibt es für die Auswahl der richtigen Produkte, um diesen Herausforderungen der Handhygiene wirksam zu begegnen?

drying of the skin caused by the alcohol.

In a survey of the British public’s hand washing habits it was found that 32 per cent of the people surveyed didn’t bother to wash their hands after using the toilet; of those who did 58 per cent used water only. If this finding is representative then hand hygiene training of staff within the food service and food processing industry for example must be considered a prerequisite of induction to a food processing environment.

This training must include all personnel who enter the production areas including visitors or contractors. Compliance with a method or procedure will increase if there is understanding and agreement on that requirement. Ideally every site should have its own hand care policy.

The quality and quantity of the hand care facilities provided by a workplace will ultimately determine the effectiveness of a site’s hand care policy. The planning and attention to locations of hand care facilities must be given careful consideration so as not to impede on existing operations.

Most food poisoning outbreaks are caused by negligence or ignorance and a failure to implement good hygiene practice. That is why food processors in particular should ensure that they have various management systems in place to ensure that standards are met.

The most important part of any hand washing procedure is the technique employed and the time spent on it. A knowledgeable and motivated workforce that understands their responsibilities is the key to safe food production.

Tips for hand hygiene • All food service, food processing and other hygiene-critical sites should always implement a strict hand care policy • Hand hygiene training of staff must be considered a prerequisite of induction to a hygiene-critical environment • Planning and attention to locations of hand care facilities must be given careful consideration • Hand washing alone does not equal bacteria free • Hand washing technique is key.

Molto lavoro è già stato fatto per la promozione di una buona pratica di igiene delle mani e questo lavoro continua ad essere necessario. Ma perchè esattamente l’igiene delle mani è di così vitale importanza? Quali sono i germi che si trovano sulle mani? E sono tutti un potenziale pericolo, per quanto tempo rimangono attivi e come vengono passati ad altre persone? E come scegliamo i prodotti adatti a combattere queste sfide legate all’igiene delle mani?

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

• Cannon Hygiene a introduit le désinfectant de poignée de porte CannonTouch.

• Excel Dryer a introduit le sèchemains à air chaud ThinAir, capable de sécher des mains en l’espace de 15 secondes.

• GOJO a lancé son désinfectant des mains Purell Advanced sous un format à mousse.

• Neu von Cannon Hygiene ist CannonTouch, ein Händedesinfektionsmittel für Türgriffe.

• Neu von Excel Dryer ist der Warmlufthändetrockner ThinAir, der nach eigenen Angaben Hände in 15 Sekunden trocknet.

• GOJO hat das Händedesinfektionsmittel Purell Advanced in Schaumform vorgestellt.

• Il nuovo prodotto della Cannon Hygiene è il sanitizzante per maniglie Touch Door Handle Sanitiser.

• La novità della Excel Dryer è l’asciugamani ad aria calda ThinAir che asciuga le mani in 15 secondi.

• La GOJO ha lanciato il suo sanitizzante per mani Purell Advanced in versione schiuma.

November 2015 | ECJ | 38

Handle sanitiser

Quick dry

The CannonTouch Door Handle Sanitiser is the latest development in serviced washroom hygiene from Cannon Hygiene.

This dispenser is installed above horizontal or vertical door handles and provides a spray

of sanitiser every time the door shuts in preparation for the next user. Its ultra-fine mist is claimed to kill 99.99 per cent of everyday bacteria and contact viruses in less than 30 seconds.

The new product, Cannon says, is designed to help companies improve hand hygiene and break the transmission path of bacteria from surface to hand. www.cannonhygiene.com

New from Excel Dryer is the ThinAir hand dryer - the company boasts this model can dry hands in 15 seconds, operating on less than 960 watts to as little as 333 watts (without heat).

ThinAir boasts a slim profile, adjustable speed and sound control, on/off heat, antimicrobial ABS cover and washable pre-filter to extend the life of the unit. It is sensor-activated and touch-free, and optional Microban antimicrobial wall guards protect wall finishes. www.exceldryer.com

New foam GOJO has launched its Purell Advanced hand sanitiser in a foam format which boasts the same efficacy as the original gel formulation introduced in 2012, killing 99.99 per cent of the most common germs.

The rich foam is enriched with skin conditioning agents to help maintain skin health and moisture. It is fragrance and dye free, as well as glove compatible with latex, nitrile and vinyl. www.gojo.com

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

Counter mount Deb Group has launched the CTF Ultra counter mounted foaming soap dispenser, featuring its TouchFREE technology.

A smart sensor automatically detects hands.

The system also includes a new pump and delivery tube with every hygienically sealed refill

bottle, keeping soap fresh and eliminating the risk of crosscontamination. Refill installation is said to be quick and simple, while the low refill and low battery LED indicators notify washroom staff when maintenance is required.

Also new from Deb is the Deb Stoko global product range, following the company’s acquisition

of Stoko Professional Skincare in 2014. The line is divided into four steps - protect, cleanse, sanitise and restore - and features new packaging and a colour-coded design to encourage compliance. www.debgroup.com

fungi and viruses.

And by using the absorbency powder the spills are solidified and easy to remove. www.diversey.com

Functional

Spill kit For safe and efficient removal of body spillages Diversey Care offers its Oxivir Plus Spill Kit. The kit contains correct personal protection equipment including goggles, high absorbency powder and cleaning set, and a spray bottle of Oxivir Plus disinfectant. This boasts broadspectrum performance against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts,

Dr Clean says its new hand cleanser dispensers DT 1200, DT 1500 and DM 1200 are functional and practical, offering both manual and notouch function.

The patented modular design is said to be easy to clean and maintain while the flexible nozzle enables handling of liquid, spray or foam soap. Dosage is adjustable. www.doctorclean.com.cn

• Deb Group a lancé la gamme générale Deb Stoko de produits pour le soin des mains au travail.

• Pour l’enlèvement sûr et efficace d’épandages de fluides corporels, Diversey Care propose son Spill Kit. • Les nouveaux distributeurs de savon DoctorClean sont à fonctionnement à la fois manuel et sans contact.

• Die Deb Group hat die globale Produktreihe Deb Stoko mit Produkten zur Hautpflege nach der Arbeit vorgestellt.

• Zur sicheren und effizienten Entfernung von Körperflüssigkeiten bietet Diversey Care das Spill Kit. • Die neuen Seifenspender von DoctorClean bieten sowohl manuellen als auch berührungslosen Betrieb.

• La Deb Group ha lanciato la gamma di prodotti globale di articoli per la cura della pelle per il settore professionale Deb Stoko.

• Per la rimozione efficace e sicura di liquidi e sostanze corporee, la Diversey Care propone il suo kit Spill.

• I nuovi dispenser di sapone della DoctorClean offrono funzioni manuale e no-touch.

November 2015 | ECJ | 39

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

• Pour le nettoyage des mains dans les situations de service sévère, Americol a mis au point le distributeur PRO-2000.

• Tork propose des produits de protection des mains à utiliser pour le nettoyage de toilettes publiques, ainsi que dans des environnements où l’hygiène est critique.

• Ophardt Hygiene a ouvert le « Campus de la conformité », centre de formation à l’hygiène des mains pour employés de services de santé.

• Zur Handreinigung bei Anwendungen mit hoher Beanspruchung hat Americol den Spender PRO-2000 entwickelt.

• Tork bietet Handschutzprodukte zur allgemeinen Verwendung in Waschräumen und für Bereiche, in denen Hygiene besonders wichtig ist.

• Ophardt Hygiene hat den Compliance Campus eröffnet, ein Schulungszentrum für Handhygiene für Beschäftigte des Gesundheitswesens.

• La Americol ha sviluppato il dispenser PRO-2000 per il lavaggio delle mani nelle applicazioni industriali.

• La Tork propone prodotti per la protezione delle mani per uso generico per le sale da bagno e inoltre per ambienti dove l’igiene è di vitale importanza.

• La Ophardt Hygiene ha aperto il Compliance Campus, un centro di addestramento per l’igiene delle mani per gli operatori del settore sanitario.

November 2015 | ECJ | 40

Heavy duty

For use in automotive, industrial and institutional applications Americol has developed the PRO-200 hand hygiene dispenser. The system boasts sturdy and compact design, ease of use and optimum hygiene - the sealed cartridges are collapsible and come with a premounted, ready-to-use pump.

The dispenser comes with five different formulas. Americol also offers a wide range of personal care products, cosmetic and technical cleaning products, hand soaps and disinfectants. www.americol.nl

Protect hands Tork offers a range of hand protection products for general washroom use as well as for hygiene-critical environments such as the healthcare sector.

Tork Antimicrobial Foam Soap and Tork Extra Mild Soap in both foam and liquid formats are ideal for use in healthcare institutions such as hospitals and clinics. Tork Antimicrobial Foam Soap is active against a range of bacteria, viruses and fungi and also contains moisturising agents. It is a hand cleanser and antimicrobial agent in one.

Both the liquid and foam versions of Tork Extra Mild soap contain moisturising agents and

are perfume and colour-free. For an added level of skin protection there is a hand and body lotion to keep the hands supple and prevent issues such as occupational dermatitis. www.sca.com

Hygiene centre

Dispenser producer Ophardt Hygiene has opened its Compliance Campus, a centre for hand hygiene training and seminars, at its headquarters in Germany.

As well as showcasing the company’s own range of hand hygiene systems the facility offers visitors a ‘mini hospital’ setting covering two floors and over 500 square metres for product training and seminars. www.compliance-campus.com

HAND HYGIENE

A change will do you good Trudi Osborne, marketing and communications manager at hand dryer manufacturer Airdri, explains how people not washing their hands properly, or at all, requires a new approach if we are to improve hand hygiene.

It is widely accepted that unclean hands are a major source of infection but surveys regularly show that a significant number of people continue to ignore the need to wash their hands regularly and especially after using the washroom.

People are creatures of habit and very resistant to change, even though we know that certain things are bad for our health.

A recent survey found that only 38 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women wash their hands after going to the toilet. So evidently, where hand hygiene is concerned, simply giving people information – such as the fact that around 80 per cent of diseases are transmitted by touch – is ineffective in influencing behaviour.

So how do we improve hand hygiene?

The importance of influencing behaviour in order to achieve positive change is becoming increasingly well accepted in many different spheres of life. Behavioural theories and models of behavioural change are used by those looking to influence people, to help identify the issues to consider and the initiatives and interventions that are most likely to result in successful outcomes.

The reasons why people don’t wash their hands vary. Some don’t believe it makes a difference, others are absent minded and just forget, some don’t like or trust the facilities available, while others just do not respond well to being told what to do and deliberately choose to

November 2015 | ECJ | 42

ignore any exhortations and appeals.

Behaviour change theory suggests that in order for behaviour change to happen, certain circumstances need to occur. Not everyone will be in the same position but the circumstances include: • Dissatisfaction with the current situation • Having a positive image of the future • Believing that it is possible to change • Being subject to positive environmental pressures (normalisation) • Having specific triggers for action • Knowing what to do to change successfully It is not sufficient just to have the information (to ‘know what to do to change’). The other motivational circumstances are also required. Working out how to meet these circumstances is an important part of any attempts to change people’s behaviour.

circumstances that might lead them to want to change. If they believe they are responsible for making colleagues ill, will they still continue not to wash and dry their hands? Making the issue personal by directly asking people about their behaviour can also be effective.

Washroom surveys tend to monitor hand hygiene behaviour, or lack of it, rather than ask people what they do. Asking as opposed to telling, has been shown to increase the propensity to change.

Other key interventions that increase the likelihood of a change in behaviour are when people are: • Encouraged to create their own goals • Able to record their own progress and are given feedback • Given frequent reminders of their goals • Rewarded for success.

Take small steps

Behaviour change techniques have already been used successfully in health situations. The UK’s Department of Health introduced the ‘Change4Life’ campaign which includes behaviour change elements. The campaign aims to get the British public exercising more and eating more healthily.

In this situation the campaign organisers found that before they could expect behaviour change on any significant scale, the following circumstances needed to be in place: • Concern that weight gain has health consequences • Recognition that families are at risk and desire to take responsibility for reducing that risk • Knowledge of what is necessary for change • A belief that change is possible.

They therefore designed the programme to include the following elements: • Ask: use a variety of mechanisms (face to face, direct mail, online, telephony, interactive television, newspapers, point of sale) to get questions into the hands of as many families (with a bias towards

Nudge theory is a key part of behaviour change. This is the suggestion that it is easier and more productive to influence and persuade people through small, but important, alterations to their behaviour rather than attempting a complete overhaul. ‘Nudges’ direct us towards the larger end goal, but do not aim to get to the final destination in one step. By using nudges it is possible to overcome people’s inherent resistance to change, as it happens incrementally.

Another important behaviour change theory is ‘normalisation’. The theory suggests that people are more likely to change their behaviour if a large number of other people are behaving that way already. As a general rule we don’t want to be the outsider looking in. However at the moment, the surveys about washroom behaviour are all too often normalising not washing your hands; making the desired behaviour change increasingly less likely.

A further key area in behaviour change theory is ‘personalisation’. By making the change something that directly affects the person whose behaviour you are trying to influence you can trigger the

‘Change4Life’ campaign

HAND HYGIENE at-risk families) as possible • Benchmark: use mass media to bring the results to life and to tell people where they and their neighbours stand in relation to the nation • Create practical goals: allow families (online, by telephone or by post) to select a behaviour to change, based on their own needs and aspirations • Record: provide a mechanism for the individual to record their own behaviour (and for a sub-set to provide that data to us) • Remind: remind people of the goals they set, recognise achievement and incentivise further change • Report back: tell the nation (via PR, follow-up programming).

After just one year a total of 413,466 Dans de nombreuses sphères de la vie, on reconnaît de plus en plus l’importance de la faculté d’influencer des comportements en vue d’opérer des changements positifs. Cela s’applique particulièrement à l’hygiène des mains, car selon les enquêtes, une partie importante de la population ne se lave toujours pas les mains après avoir utilisé les WC. Que faire pour obtenir les changements de comportement requis ?

families had signed-up to Change4Life (the target was 200,000) and 44,833 families were proven to still be interacting with Change4Life six months after joining (the target was 33,333). A tracking study found that over one million mums were already claiming to have made changes to their children’s diet or activity levels as a result of Change4Life.

Manufacturers invest considerable amounts of time and money developing products, which are faster, quieter, smaller and more effective, to make washrooms more inclusive and help to increase levels of hand hygiene. Drying hands effectively after they are washed is a key component of effective hand hygiene. Damp hands are a haven for germs and can reportedly

spread up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands.

When designing our hand dryers we plan for all users, regardless of age or ability, to make sure there are no barriers to effective hand hygiene. This inclusive approach can help people get to a number of the circumstances that make behaviour change possible including: having a positive image of the future; believing that it is possible to change and knowing what to do to change successfully.

Technology and hygiene equipment alone cannot make people wash their hands more thoroughly and regularly, but they can play an important role alongside other efforts to influence people’s behaviour in the washroom. www.airdri.com

Wie wichtig die Beeinflussung von Verhalten ist, um positive Änderungen zu erzielen, findet zunehmende Akzeptanz in vielen verschiedenen Bereichen des Lebens. Dies gilt auch für die Handhygiene, und Umfragen zeigen, dass ein großer Prozentsatz nach einem Besuch der Toilette noch immer nicht die Hände wäscht. Wie erreichen wir die erforderlichen Verhaltensänderungen?

L’importanza di influenzare il comportamento allo scopo di ottenere un cambiamento positivo sta diventando sempre più ben accetto in numerosi ambiti diversi di vita. Questo si applica anche all’igiene delle mani, con dei sondaggi che mostrano una alta percentuale di persone che ancora oggi non si lavano le mani dopo essere stati alla toilette. Come possiamo causare i cambiamenti necessari nel comportamento?

All in it together

November 2015 | ECJ | 43

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BUSINESS: IMMIGRATION

Benefit or burden?

Not so long ago, immigration was welcomed as a godsend to Europe’s burgeoning economies. Since the recession times have changed and jobs are in short supply, yet we are now being asked to soak up a mass migration of people on an scale not seen since the Second World War. Benefit or burden?

Hartley Milner considers the likely economic impact of the refugee crisis.

Harrowing scenes of migrants fleeing from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict hotspots fill our TV screens almost daily.

We cannot fail to be moved by the plight of these beleaguered people as they risk their lives to seek a new start for themselves and their families in Europe.

Tens of thousands of Europeans have taken to the streets of their cities in recent months to show solidarity with the huge numbers of refugees streaming across our borders. But there have been counterdemonstrations too, mainly, though not exclusively, in eastern European countries.

Public concern about the impact of immigration on the national and cultural

identity of European countries has simmered for decades. Governments, however, have been more swayed by the benefits of being able to call upon a seemingly bottomless pool of cheap and willing labour to help run public services and fuel economic growth.

Then came the financial crash in 2008, followed by a massive jobs cull as governments and businesses sought to tighten their belts. Over the past seven years, long-term unemployment in Europe has swelled. The latest figures show around half of the region’s 25 million unemployed have been jobless for more than a year and 12 per cent have not worked in over four years.

Only Germany has seen a continuous fall in unemployment, down to 4.5 per cent in August 2015 – its lowest level since unification in 1990. In the UK the jobless rate rose to 5.6 per cent during the period March-May after falling during the previous two years.

Now the EU has told member states they must sign up to a refugee resettlement programme imposing

mandatory quotas for the numbers they take in. Backed into a corner, governments are beginning to wake up to their electorate’s growing concerns about levels of immigration and are cautious about agreeing precise figures.

Chief among people’s anxieties highlighted in surveys are the effects of high immigration on jobs, welfare benefits, housing, public services and infrastructure, in addition to any historic concerns over loss of national identity.

However, these concerns are based on nothing more than the public’s perceptions of the likely impact of the rise in immigration, not on any hard evidence.

Indeed, economists and business leaders argue that far from doing Europe harm the current mass influx of migrants provides a timely opportunity for the region to secure its future as a vibrant trading force within the global economy.

So far this year more than 464,000 migrants are known to have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to enter Europe - more than twice Continued page 46

November 2015 | ECJ | 45

BUSINESS: IMMIGRATION Benefit or burden? (continued) as many as in 2014. The total figure could exceed one million by early 2016, according to some estimates. Given their countries of origin (the largest numbers are from Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan), most refugees are likely to have a credible claim for refugee status under human rights legislation.

“Firstly we must see this issue for what it is – a humanitarian crisis on an scale rivalling the flight of the Jews in the last world war, which is something my family knows about only too well,” said consultant demographic analyst Adam Breslau. “So there is a moral obligation here for Europe to act.

“That said, we need to recognise that it is not all one-way traffic. For Europe, the migration represents a challenge, yes, but also an opportunity. The continent faces a major demographic change with an increasingly ageing population, and in some countries the population is actually in decline. Fertility in the EU now averages out at one-and-a-half children for each female. We will need a healthy influx of labour just to maintain our workforce at its current level, let alone meet the demands of future growth.”

In Greece and Italy last year there were more deaths than births, while in Germany more jobs are being created than there are people to do them. Across Europe to date, immigration has led to a substantial increase in overall employment, and therefore GDP, without any significant negative impacts on the employment prospects of those native to the host country.

Working age “By far, the majority of migrants we see coming into Europe are of working age, or will be in the not too distant future, as they need to be relatively fit just to make the hazardous journey here in the first place,” Breslau continued. “Being in a younger and more economically active age group, they will have lower average dependency levels than much of the native-born population, so they are unlikely to be a burden.

“Migrants provide a ready labour source in areas of employment such as agriculture, office cleaning, fast-food Il n’y a pas si longtemps, l’immigration était bienvenue par des économies européennes qui se trouvaient en période de haute conjoncture. Mais depuis la récession, les temps ont changé et les emplois se sont faits rares. Nous sommes néanmoins priés aujourd’hui d’absorber des immigrants en nombre jamais observé depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Avantage ou fardeau ? Hartley Milner examine les impacts économiques probables de la crise des réfugiés.

November 2015 | ECJ | 46

catering and for repetitive task roles in manufacturing, often taking jobs that native-born people shun. Others arrive here with high skill levels, expertise and technical know-how, and then among them are entrepreneurs who go on to create employment opportunities.

“The concerns about high unemployment in Europe are well stated, but its economies will not remain depressed forever and when the good times return the continent will need to be in a position to compete in rejuvenated world markets, and this will require having a workforce in place that is able to respond to the challenge.

Pressure on infrastructure “Regarding public services it is certainly true that population growth creates pressures on health, welfare and education provision, but the experience of host countries to date shows that these issues are more than compensated for by increased tax revenues.”

There will inevitably be a short-term cost to an intake of so many refugees until they are absorbed into the mainstream, and it is difficult to accurately predict how each country will cope. But while many governments are vacillating over the numbers they are prepared to let in, Europe’s biggest economy, Germany, sees the refugee crisis as an opportunity and is set to accept 800,000 asylum-seekers this year alone.

“If we can integrate them quickly into the jobs market, we’ll be helping the refugees, but also helping ourselves as well,” said Ulrich Grillo, head of the powerful BDI industry federation.

Business leaders in Germany are concerned that the rapidly ageing population and low birth rate are slowly depleting the pool of skilled as well as unskilled workers. It is estimated that the country is short of 140,000 engineers, programmers and technicians and has 40,000 training places across all sectors that will remain unfilled this year.

France has said it is prepared to take 24,000 refugees immediately. Less keen to welcome the migrants in such large numbers is the UK, which has committed Es ist noch gar nicht so lange her, da wurde die Immigration als Geschenk des Himmels für die boomenden Volkswirtschaften Europas begrüßt.

Mit der Rezession haben sich die Zeiten gewandelt, und Arbeitsplätze sind knapp, doch gerade jetzt wird von uns gefordert, die größte Völkerwanderung seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg aufzunehmen. Vorteil oder Bürde? Hartley Milner erwägt die wahrscheinlichen wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der Flüchtlingskrise.

to accepting 20,000, but by 2020. Rising immigration is set to be a central issue when the Brits vote at their referendum on EU membership in 2017, or earlier. In response to the electorate’s concerns, prime minister David Cameron has pledged to cut net immigration to the UK in the long term. But UK business groups have warned him about the risks of sending out a message to its trading partners that Britain isn’t ‘open for business’.

“In the short term, failing to increase the skilled migration cap will make it more difficult for businesses to access the skills they need to succeed,” said Katja Hall, deputy director-general of business lobbying organisation the CBI. The Institute of Directors, meanwhile, accepted companies could not have a ‘tin-ear’ to public unease about the level of immigration, but added: “Companies need migrants to be able to fill skills gaps.”

This has certainly been true of Iain Ludlow’s poultry farming business in the east of England, where he employs 37 full and part-time staff in his meat processing and packaging unit.

Good supply of labour “I would not call this skilled work, but you have to know what you are doing with the cutting implements we use and be aware of the need for good hygiene practices,” he said. “It can also be a messy job and does not pay particularly well. I pay more than the minimum wage, but it is work that does not appeal to local people, so I rely heavily on labour from overseas.

And I have found that generally these people work harder and are more reliable.

“Luckily, immigrant labour is in good supply at the moment which greatly influenced my decision two years ago to expand my meat processing unit to also take poultry from other farms in the area.

I know of many businesses in the region that are benefiting from having such a readily available workforce to call on and creating much-needed jobs.

“It would be foolish, and probably disastrous for many businesses, if this reliable labour supply was ever put in jeopardy simply to satisfy some unconscionable political agenda.”

Non molto tempo fa, l’immigrazione era accolta come un dono dal cielo per le economie europee in forte espansione. Dalla recessione però i tempi sono cambiati e i posti di lavoro sono scarsi, eppure ci viene chiesto di assorbire la migrazione di massa di un numero di persone così alto come non si verificava dalla Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Un beneficio o un peso? Hartley Milner prende in considerazione l’impatto economico che presumibilmente può avere la crisi dei profughi.

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SWEEPERS

How to choose a sweeper Sweep area, environment, dirt level, power source – what are the chief factors that a customer needs to consider when choosing a new sweeping machine?

Sweepers come in all shapes, sizes and models. And it can be confusing for customers when trying to decide on the type of machine that best suits their needs – particularly when there are so many factors that might influence their decision.

One important consideration will be the size of the area to be cleaned, for example. Purchasers will also need to decide between a ride-on and a walk-behind model. But the first question that needs to be answered is whether the sweeper will be destined for indoor or outdoor use according to Truvox national sales manager Stephen Pinhorne.

“Access to electrical sockets is likely to be an issue outside where long trailing cables will also pose a serious risk,” he said.

“The size of the area to be cleaned and the labour costs involved will also need to be factored into the equation.”

Noise levels are another important consideration since these may have an impact on daytime cleaning where building occupants are likely to be disturbed, he says. “The location will also have a major bearing on the type of debris that needs to be removed whether this will be leaves, twigs, stones, cigarette ends or wrappers, for example,” he added.

According to Pinhorne the chief mistake that customers make when choosing a sweeper is to select a model with the wrong spec for the application and scale of the task in hand. “Sometimes a sweeper may be over-specified for the job or too small to complete the task efficiently,” he said. “The size of the area to be swept is fundamental when choosing a sweeper but other factors need to be considered as well. These include the well-being of personnel, the longevity of the machine

and the availability of storage space.”

Application technology trainer and consultant at Hako Klaus Serfezi agrees that the size of the area to be cleaned and on-site conditions are both crucial considerations. “Buyers should also consider factors such as drive-through widths; whether the sweeper is for an indoor or outdoor application and how crammed the floor space is likely to be with shelves and racks,” he said. “The kind of dirt to be tackled and the degree of soiling involved will also need to be considered.”

He says the type of drive – whether the machine should be battery, LPG, diesel or petrol-powered – will largely depend on where the machine will be used and whether it will be employed in a single or multiple-shift operation. “If there is a chance the machine will at some stage be used in an environment such as a multistorey car park this will be another factor to be considered,” he said. “If the machine is usually parked in a poorly-heated room when not in use, a battery-driven model will not be recommended since low temperatures could damage the battery.”

Indoor use He says a battery-driven machine will often be a good choice for indoor use due to the low noise emissions. “Economic efficiency is another consideration since if the machine is too small, many trips will be required to empty the dirt hopper which will lead to too much unproductive working time,” he said. “In addition the risk of overstraining the sweeper due to long hours of operation will need to be factored in since this would inevitably lead to high repair costs.

“When purchasing an oversized machine on the other hand, the investment costs will be too high in proportion to the cleaning performance required.”

Easy handling is a high priority for most customers according to Serfezi. “This keeps training time as short as possible,” he explained. “The machine should also enable fast and cost-efficient operation while also offering high area performance.”

He says customers should consider all the aforementioned factors before purchasing a machine. “Some only consider the buying price but it is highly unlikely that the cheapest machine on the market will turn out to be the most economicallyefficient solution in the long term,” he said.

“The crucial point is to calculate the actual life cycle costs of the machine.”

He adds that some customers may be swayed by the look of a machine or by the manufacturer’s hype. “Some purchasing decisions are made because a clever marketing campaign highlights certain features that – on closer inspection - have no impact on the machine’s cleaning performance or productivity,” he said.

Hako provides profitability calculations that take into account all recurrent operating and maintenance expenditure plus facts about the property to be cleaned. “It is important to do this instead of merely looking at the initial purchasing costs,” said Serfezi.

He says the decision between a walkbehind or ride-on sweeper will depend largely on the area of use. “Depending on the working width, walk-behind sweepers offer performances of between 2,000 and 3,400 square metres per hour and are often used at petrol stations, cash and carries and at smaller supermarkets where there is limited parking space,” he said. “Otherwise they are used indoors by small industrial companies to clean traffic, production and storage areas.

“Ride-on sweepers on the other hand offer practical area performances of between 4,500 and 25,000 square metres per hour. They are used in areas where cleaning with a walk-behind machine would be too time-consuming and where the technical capabilities of a walk-behind is simply not sufficient.

“If in doubt and with plenty of room for manoeuvre I would personally always go for a ride-on machine. Besides the productivity advantages these offer they also tend to increase the operator’s motivation Continued page 50

November 2015 | ECJ | 49

SWEEPERS How to choose a sweeper (continued) since they are regarded as an upgrade.”

Marketing and communications manager at Kärcher Linda Schrödter says ustomers also need to consider floor covering, types of dirt and filter technology before choosing a sweeper.

“They should also look at whether the machine is service-friendly and what accessories it will require along with the right choice of lateral brush,” she said.

“Before deciding on a machine the customer should then tour the premises with a manufacturer’s consultant who will be better able to identify potentially difficult places and suggest solutions to suit

individual requirements.”

She says cost will inevitably play a major role for many customers. “However, factors such as sustainability are also becoming increasingly important because some invitations to tender specify that cleaning contractors must adopt resource-saving work methods,” she said.

Robust and easy to use “Some service providers are even required to share energy costs so it is in their interest to go with sustainable machines.”

She says a sweeper must be robust and easy to use and that tasks such as clean-

ing and maintaining the dust filter should require as little time as possible. “Effective operation plays a major role,” she said.

Director of Van der Reest Machines Johan van der Reest says the main factors to be considered when choosing a sweeper include the type of power source, the environment to be cleaned and the level of soiling. “Customers should also look at whether the sweeping system involves a broom or a vacuum,” he said. “And in the case of battery-powered models they need to look at the type of battery required: whether it is a traditional wet battery or a maintenance-free option.”

However he says the major consideration for most customers tends to be Investment cost. “Though of course productivity is also important since the larger the machine, the lower the labour costs will be,” he said. “And we see increasing numbers of customers looking at the monthly costs of operational leasing.”

He adds that professional advice from an impartial expert is invaluable. “I don’t compromise when I give advice,” he said. “If a customer feels that the pricing of the most suitable machine is too high I will still refuse to deliver a cheaper model. “If I did, I would have to pay the bill for an unsatisfied customer at a later stage.”

Avant de fixer son choix sur l’achat d’une balayeuse industrielle, il faut se poser plusieurs questions. Quel sera le type de revêtement à balayer ? Que sera la superficie à couvrir et y aura-t-il une source de courant à proximité ?

Faut-il tenir compte du bilan sonore ? Des fabricants nous expliquent les points à considérer avant de choisir une balayeuses et comment adapter la machine aux tâches prévues.

Bei der Auswahl einer gewerblichen Kehrmaschine müssen verschiedene Faktoren berücksichtigt werden.

Welche Art von Bodenoberfläche wird gekehrt? Wie groß ist die Fläche und ist eine Stromquelle verfügbar? Muss der Geräuschpegel berücksichtigt werden?

Wir fragen Hersteller nach den Punkten, die bei der Auswahl einer Kehrmaschine zur berücksichtigen sind, und wir ordnen die richtige Kehrmaschinenart verschiedenen Aufgaben zu.

Prima di scegliere una spazzatrice industriale bisogna prendere in considerazione un certo numero di elementi. Quale tipo di pavimento verrà spazzato? Di che dimensioni sarà l’area da spazzare e sarà disponibile una fonte di energia? E i livelli di rumore devono essere inclusi? Chiediamo ai produttori quali sono i fattori da considerare prima di scegliere una spazzatrice, e abbinare il tipo corretto di spazzatrice ai vari compiti.

November 2015 | ECJ | 50

PRODUCTS: SWEEPERS

Customise Hako says its Sweepmaster 980 R/RH vacuum sweeper vehicles can be tailored to meet requirements such as comfort seat, warning light, LPG drive, raised dumping, left-hand side brush, vacuum cleaner for the electric vehicles and cab safety roof.

its original range, originally launched in 1975. The R850 is no longer a heavy duty machine, however, but one designed to offer sweeping performance at a low price.

One of the features that makes the R850 so cost effective, says RCM, is manual dumping rather than hydraulic. However it is keen to point out that in terms of strength and reliability it offers the same benefits as its other sweepers. www.rcm.it

User friendly Kärcher’s new KM 125/130 R ride-on sweeper was developed with user-friendliness and efficient operation as top priorities. One of its key features is the rotating brush, which is mounted between the main roller brush and the side brush and is an optional extra.

It enables dirt to be completely picked up from corners in one pass.

The roller brush positioned on

the rear axle can be removed and replaced without tools, and its position allows bumps to be driven over safely and ramps to be driven up or down.

Every 15 seconds one of the three flat pleated filters is automatically cleaned with a blast of compressed air using Kärcher TACT filter cleaning technology.

Performance is up to 10,000 square metres per hour, and the Kärcher Fleet fleet management is available as an optional extra. www.karcher.com

Area coverage is up to 7,200 square metres per hour and optimum sweeping is guaranteed by the large cylindrical brush combined with the powerful suction turbine. Resonance shaking system enables long periods between cleaning.

The Sweepmaster 1500 RH, meanwhile, boasts 16,200 square metres per hour cleaning performance, powerful engines, different types of drive and a strong sweeping unit. www.hako.com

Model updated RCM has updated one of the most important sweepers in • La balayeuse-aspiratrice Sweepmaster B/P980 R/RH proposée par Hako peut traiter jusqu’à 7200 mètres carrés à l’heure.

• RCM fait valoir le haut rapport performance/prix de la R850, sa nouvelle balayeuse à conducteur porté.

• Parmi les derniers produits Kärcher figure la balayeuse KM 125/130 R à conducteur embarqué.

• Das Kehrmaschinenfahrzeug Sweepmaster B/P980 R/RH von Hako kann bis zu 7.200 qm pro Stunde reinigen.

• Laut eigenen Angaben von RCM bietet die neue Ausführung der Aufsitz-Kehrmaschine R850 hohe Leistung zu niedrigen Preis.

• Unter den Neuentwicklungen von Kärcher befindet sich die AufsitzKehrmaschine KM 125/130 R. • Il veicolo spazzante/aspirante Sweepmaster B/P980 R/RH della Hako è in grado di pulire fino a 7.200 metri quadrati in un’ora.

• La RCM afferma che la nuova versione della spazzatrice con operatore a bordo R850 offre alto rendimento a un prezzo basso.

• Fra i nuovi prodotti della Kärcher c’è la spazzatrice con operatore a bordo KM 125/130 R.

November 2015 | ECJ | 51

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING

Piling on the pressure Cleaning away substances such as chewing gum, paint, rust and scale can be tricky - even with a state-of-the-art high-pressure cleaning system. And removing any substances from a delicate surface such as a car’s bodywork or the crumbling façade of an old building can also be problematic.

ECJ’s Ann Laffeaty looks at some of the most difficult high pressure cleaning tasks.

Cleaning away substances such as chewing gum, paint, rust and scale can be hard work even when using state-ofthe-art high pressure cleaning equipment.

And tasks such as removing soiling from the delicate surface of a car’s paintwork or from the crumbling façade of an old building can also be problematical.

In fact there are any number of factors that can make high pressure cleaning tasks overly difficult according to product management director at Nilfisk Andrew Caddick. “Considerations such as the accessibility of the area to be cleaned; the type of dirt to be removed and how ingrained it is plus the requirement to respect the delicate nature of the cleaning surface can all add to the level of difficulty,” he said.

He cites tank cleaning as one the most challenging high pressure tasks there are.

“Here there is a need to clean in areas that may be inaccessible and that cannot in generally be seen,” he said. “This type of job may also represent a health risk – for example, people have died while cleaning wine barrels from the inside.”

November 2015 | ECJ | 52

Another particularly difficult task is the cleaning of frying oil from snack production lines and removing melted chocolate from cake-making equipment, says Caddick. “Here the dirt involved tends to be sticky and difficult to remove and it may actually need ‘melting’ rather than blasting away.”

Removing dried concrete from vehicles and construction equipment represents another major challenge, says Caddick.

“While it is not particularly difficult to pressure-wash the tough dirt from these hard surfaces, it can be tiring due to the high water pressures required and the general intense nature of the application,” he said.

Another difficult task involves the cleaning of pig sties, particularly when the pigs have been fed on substances such as molasses and peas. “Here the dirt will be sticky and ingrained and the task may require special processes such as soaking the surfaces or using a detergent to soften the dirt,” he said.

Avoiding damage “Cleaning surfaces such as monuments, marble walls and delicate stonework can also be a problem since there is a need to avoid damaging the surface. If any residue salts or products are left behind, this could damage the porous stonework later on. Delicate stone surfaces In general require non-abrasive cleaning methods and specialist accessories along with low pressure levels and longer cleaning times.”

He says each application has its own particular challenges. “There may be several possible cleaning methods but the user may not have the necessary information or experience to judge which one will obtain the best results at the lowest running costs,” he said. “This is something that is often underestimated and can lead to over-use of the washer and high cost in use of fuel, labour, water or electricity.”

He says that although hot water is more efficient in some cases than cold, many users will ramp up the heat whether it

is required or not in the belief that this will lead to better results. “However our efficiency tests have shown that for some applications, a temperature of 90°C is only four per cent more efficient than 60°C yet will almost double the fuel costs,” he said.

“A major challenge is to know which combination of water flow, pressure, temperature, detergent and accessories will obtain the best result at the lowest cost.”

He says today’s focus on health and safety can add to the difficulty of certain cleaning applications. “For example there is an increasing need to limit cleaning time for the user and to pay more attention to noise and vibration levels and to provide protective clothing.”

He adds that there is a solution for every type of challenge. “For example you could use a softblasting system when cleaning a crumbling building façade, or soft cleaning techniques that involve the continual dripping of water over the surface. This removes some types of dirt without involving the harsh impact of high pressure.”

He says chewing gum can usually be cleaned away using very hot water and pressure levels of around 200 bar. “Here you would probably need to use detergent and perhaps an accessory such as a rotating bar,” he said. “However this type of task is increasingly being solved by using a steam cleaner with brass brush nozzles and special dissolving chemicals.”

Removing graffiti and chewing gum are among the most difficult tasks that Kärcher has had to face according to environmental public relations officer Linda Schrödter. “Paint, varnish and rust are also hard to remove and it can be tough to clean pipes that have become completely blocked as well,” she said. “It is also difficult to clean away the encrusted grime that collects on historic buildings and monuments. Here special attention needs to be paid to the stone surface particularly when dealing with porous

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING structures such as sandstone that can be prone to flaking.”

She says the cleaning of hard-to-access environments and equipment such as gutters, underbodies, facades and ceilings presents a further challenge.

“Nowadays we use rope access technology to reach hard-to-access places,” she said. “In addition there are compact pressure washers that can be safely used on scaffolding.”

She agrees with Caddick that choosing the correct cleaning agent requires a level of know-how that the average user does not possess. “Choosing the right accessories can also be critical,” she said.

“The pressure washer has basic features and there are certain difficult applications that can only be executed efficiently by using the right accessories.

“For example pipe cleaning requires a specific hose and an appropriate nozzle while graffiti, paint or rust can be removed using a wet blasting set. Underbody cleaning is best carried out with a flexible spray lance or underbody spray lance, while facade and ceiling cleaning needs to be tackled with the aid of a telescopic rod. Often we find that users do not know about all the available accessories.”

Kärcher is launching a new range of hot water, high pressure trailers for outdoor use. These have a built-in frost protection device and an eco-efficiency mode that keeps the water temperature at a constant 60°C to save energy.

temperatures of 80-90°C. “When it comes to removing paint, rust or scales, a sandblasting system together with a cold water high pressure washer works well,” he said.

“A cold water system and a fan nozzle would also work for cleaning the facade of a crumbling building. But it can be difficult to pressure-wash solar panels because here you need to use systems that will clean both quickly and efficiently while also providing accessibility to high roofs.”

Kärcher’s Linda Schrödter agrees that solar panel cleaning can be a problem.

“Solar panels need to be kept thoroughly clean since dirt can reduce electricity production by up to 30 per cent,” she said.

The company’s own iSolar system uses rotating brushes attached to a telescopic lance to clean solar panels using nonscratch nylon bristles.

Nilfisk’s Andrew Caddick says he would tackle the same task using a water filtration unit in conjunction with the pressure washer. “High pressure and flow levels must be avoided on solar panels which means that a very soft brush with lower performance is needed to accomplish the task,” he said. “At the same time, water quality is critical since the solar panel must not be left with any

stains from poor water or lime.”

Solar panel cleaning is just one of a number of recent applications for high pressure cleaning equipment that are presenting manufacturers with additional challenges. Another involves the task of sustainable weed-killing, says Schrödter.

“The trend is toward eco-friendly weedkilling systems that use hot water, but these require the consistent delivery of water at very high temperatures.”

Europe’s growing number of windmills represents another challenge according to Caddick. “It can be difficult to reach the blades,” he explains. “Even when using a crane to reach the required heights it can be a major challenge to blast away the dirt from the blades.”

Nilfisk is working on several new concepts and on a number of accessory ideas. “Our focus is on providing new solutions for the toughest of industrial applications where higher performance levels are required,” said Caddick.

“We also bring information, experience and test results to the market to help guide the user’s choice in terms of cleaning solution, machinery and accessories. This allows them to focus on the total cost of cleaning while maintaining the best results.”

Die Beseitigung von Substanzen wie Kaugummi, Lack, Rost und Kalkablagerungen kann problematisch sein, selbst mit einem hochmodernen HochdruckReinigungssystem. Und auch das Entfernen von Substanzen von einer empfindlichen Oberfläche wie einer Autokarosserie oder der abbröckelnden Fassade eines alten Gebäudes kann schwierig sein. Das ECJ betrachtet einige der schwierigsten Aufgaben für die Hochdruckreinigung.

La rimozione e pulizia di sostanze tipo la gomma da masticare, la vernice, la ruggine e il calcare può essere difficoltosa, anche con un sistema ultramoderno di pulizia ad alta pressione. E anche rimuovere qualsiasi sostanza da una superficie delicata tipo la carrozzeria di una automobile o la facciata fatiscente di un vecchio edificio può essere problematico. ECJ si occupa di alcuni dei compiti più difficili della pulizia ad alta pressione.

Saving energy Cleaning the keels of ships is one the most difficult tasks that Idrobase technical product manager Giovanni Maniero has encountered. “This is because the scales that collect on the outside of ships can be very difficult to remove,” he said. “This type of task requires cleaning systems using very high pressures, typically of between 500 and 800 bar.”

Idrobase offers a range of hot and cold water high pressure washers for various applications in the shipbuilding, food, car wash, agriculture, ground handling, industrial and repair shop sectors.

According to Maniero, chewing gum can be removed from surfaces using a hot water high pressure system at Le nettoyage de substances telles que chewing-gum, peinture, rouille et tartre peut s’avérer délicat, même si on dispose d’une machine de nettoyage sous pression de dernière technique. De plus, l’élimination de substances à partir de surfaces délicates, telles que des carrosseries de véhicules ou façades fêlées d’immeubles anciens, peut aussi présenter de problèmes. ECJ examine certaines des missions les plus difficiles du nettoyage sous pression.

November 2015 | ECJ | 53

PRODUCTS: HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS

Small portable The latest addition to the Annovi Reverberi high pressure cleaner range is the VIP machine. This compact and portable model is designed for frequent use.

Also new is the 10 series which boasts an ergonomic design and foldable handle for easy storage. It also comes with an accessories handle.

In the hot water range Annovi Reverberi has added the 56/58 series, designed for periodic use

in garages, farms and workshops.

Available in four versions this model boasts high mobility thanks to large rubber wheels, durable plastic casing, vertical stainless steel boiler, 10-metre hose, gun and lance. www.annovi-reverberi.com

Car washing The latest development from R+M/Suttner is the ST-164 easyfoam two-chemical injector with bypass designed for

professional car washing and offering two chemical stages including foaming, rinsing and waxing.

The foaming device is made from a combination of stainless steel and high performance plastic and all versions are suitable for pressure from 80 to 350 bar.

In combination with a foam lance, for example the ST-75 or the changeover lance ST-175 Foam & Clean, the ST-164 can suck in chemicals by means of

the integrated check valve and foam them depending on the chosen nozzle.

Combined with Suttner’s patented Low Trigger Force (LTF) spray guns, handling for the operator can be made easier even when working for long periods. www.rm-suttner.com • Le dernier-né de la gamme de nettoyeurs haute pression Annovi Reverberi est le VIP, une machine compacte et portable pour usage fréquent.

• Pour le lavage de voitures, R+M/ Suttner a mis au point le ST-164, un injecteur de mousse à double agent chimique.

• Beim neuesten Hochdruckreiniger von Annovi Reverberi handelt es sich um den VIP, ein kompaktes und tragbares Gerät für den häufigen Einsatz.

• Für die Fahrzeugreinigung hat R+M/Suttner den easyfoam Injektor ST-164 für zwei Chemikalien entwickelt.

• La più nuova idropulitrice ad alta pressione della Annovi Reverberi è il modello VIP, un’unità compatta e portatile per uso frequente.

• Per il lavaggio delle auto, la R+M/Suttner ha sviluppato l’iniettore per schiuma/mousse a due prodotti chimici ST-164.

November 2015 | ECJ | 54

PRODUCTS: HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS

Sector specific IPC has designed two new sectorspecific high pressure cleaners. The PW-H50 caters for car washes, garages and auto body repairs while the PW-H100 is suited to industry, agriculture and transport.

Features of both include Delayed Total Stop (DTS) which protects the motor and pump, Micro Leakage Control (MLC) to prevent deterioration of the hydraulic system and Dry Running Protection system (DRC) which stops the machine if water is not feeding regularly.

Particular focus has been given to user safety - models

are equipped with the Intelligent Switch-Off System (IASF) that turns off the machine if not used for 20 minutes after start-up. www.ipcleaning.com

Mains-free

Kärcher has developed a new range of four hot-water, high pressure trailers for use in construction, industry and municipalities. Pressures vary from 50 to 500 bar and water flow rates are up to 1,700 litres per hour.

Large water and diesel tanks enable mains-free cleaning periods of up to 30 minutes and the built-in frost protection device makes these models suitable for winter use too.

A heat exchanger uses the temperature of the pump motor

to pre-heat the water, reducing fuel consumption by up to 14 per cent. And the eco!efficiency mode enables water temperature to be kept at 60°C. www.karcher.com

Cold water Hyper KA-HR is a new cold water vertical high pressure cleaner from Lavor PRO, suitable for use in various sectors including agriculture, construction, garages, car washes, etc.

This model is equipped with three steel pistons, brass axial pump head with built-in by-pass valve, suction and delivery S/S valves, detergent built-in tank for indirect suction and hose reel. www.lavorpro.com

• Le nettoyeur haute pression PWH28 d’IPC est une machine à eau chaude dotée d’un système avancé de régulation de la température.

• Kärcher a développé une gamme de quatre nettoyeurs haute pression à eau chaude, avec système antigivrage.

• Le Hyper KA-HR, un modèle vertical à eau froide, est le plus récent des nettoyeurs haute pression de Lavor PRO. • Beim Hochdruckreiniger PW-H28 von IPC handelt es sich um eine Heißwassermaschine mit Advanced Temperature Control (APC)-System.

• Kärcher hat eine Produktreihe mit vier anhängermontierten HeißwasserHochdruckreinigern mit integrierten Frostschutzgeräten entwickelt.

• Hyper KA-HR ist der neueste Hochdruckreiniger von Lavor PRO, bei dem es sich um ein vertikales Kaltwassermodell handelt.

• La idropulitrice ad alta pressione PW-H28 della IPC è una macchina ad acqua calda dotata del sistema di controllo della temperatura Advanced Temperature Control (APC).

• La Kärcher ha sviluppato una gamma di quattro carrelli idropulitrici ad acqua calda con incorporato un dispositivo per la protezione dal gelo .

• Hyper KA-HR è la più nuova idropulitrice ad alta pressione della Lavor PRO ed è un modello verticale ad acqua fredda.

November 2015 | ECJ | 55

NEW PRODUCT REVIEW

• Le distributeur Compact de papier hygiénique ActiveAire est un nouveau produit GP PRO ayant un effet de réduction des odeurs.

• Bona a lancé le système de soin de planchers d’athlétisme SuperCourt, proposé notamment pour les planchers de gymnase en bois.

• Delta-Q Technologies a introduit deux nouveaux chargeurs pour machines électriques de soin des planchers - l’IC900 et l’IC1200.

• La LooBlade est conçue pour remplacer la brosse traditionnelle de sanitaire - les poils y sont remplacés par une tête de nettoyage en silicone à huit lames.

• Tennant a développé le Gestionnaire de parc IRIS, un système intelligent fournissant, depuis ses machines de nettoyage, des données susceptibles de déclencher des interventions.

• Cromwell Polythene a étendu sa gamme de produits pour toilettes en y ajoutant un sac blanc en plastique pour l’élimination de déchets d’hygiène féminine et d’autres déchets sanitaires.

• Neu von GP PRO ist der Toilettenpapierspender Compact with ActiveAire, der laut eigenen Angaben Gerüche neutralisiert.

• Bona hat das Bodenpflegesystem SuperCourt Athletic vorgestellt, das speziell für Holzböden in beispielsweise Sporthallen geeignet ist.

• Delta-Q Technologies hat zwei neue Ladegeräte für elektrische Bodenpflegemaschinen vorgestellt: IC900 und IC1200.

• LooBlade wurde als Ersatz für die traditionelle Toilettenbürste konzipiert – die Borsten wurden durch einen Reinigungskopf mit acht Blättern aus Silikon ersetzt.

• Tennant hat IRIS Fleet Manager entwickelt, ein intelligentes System, das verfolgbare Daten von seinen Reinigungsmaschinen liefert.

• Cromwell Polythene hat seine Reihe mit Waschraumprodukten mit der Vorstellung eines weißen Plastikbeutels zur Entsorgung von Damenhygiene- und anderem Hygieneabfall erweitert.

• La novità della GP PRO è il dispenser di carta igienica Compact con ActiveAire che neutralizza gli odori.

• La Bona ha lanciato il suo sistema per la cura dei pavimenti SuperCourt Athletic adatto per essere usato su pavimenti sportivi in legno, per esempio nelle palestre.

• La Delta-Q Technologies ha introdotto due nuovi caricabatterie per le macchine elettriche per la cura dei pavimenti , IC900 e IC1200.

• LooBlade è un prodotto progettato per rimpiazzare il tradizionale scopino per wc, le setole sono state sostituite con una testa di pulizia in silicone a otto lamelle.

• La Tennant ha sviluppato IRIS Fleet Manager, un sistema intelligente che fornisce dati operativi dalle sue macchine per le pulizie.

• La Cromwell Polythene ha ampliato la sua gamma di prodotti per sale da toilette con il lancio di sacchetti bianchi in plastica per l’eliminazione di rifiuti di igiene femminile e altri rifiuti sanitari.

November 2015 | ECJ | 56

No odours US-based washroom systems specialist Georgia-Pacific Professional has recently rebranded and is now known as GP PRO. In line with that the company has launched its Compact with ActiveAire Tissue Dispenser for toilet tissue. This, it claims, is a unique product in that it uses motion sensing technology to neutralise odours at source, inside the cubicle.

The scent is activated when the user enters the cubicle, and a wave of the hand can provide an extra burst. A gentle fan blows air across the fragrance refills to provide sustained release for 30 days, and there are six fragrance options.

And by placing the product in the cubicle rather than mounting it high on a wall, changing refills and batteries is much simpler says GP PRO. www.gppro.com

Sports floors Hardwood floor care and maintenance specialist Bona has developed a new line of products for use on sports floors - the Bona SuperCourt Athletic Floor Care System.

Bona SuperCourt waterborne finishes and cleaners are water-based, VOC compliant and third-party GREENGUARD Gold Certified for indoor air quality.

All oil-modified finishes are VOC Compliant and MFMA approved.

The SuperCourt Athletic system comprises Bona SuperCourt HD offering a tough urethane finish; Bone SuperCourt ONE one-component finish; Bona SuperCourt Poly oilmodified polyurethane high build gloss finish; Bona SuperSport Paint, fast drying water-based game line paint; Bona SuperCourt Cleaner Concentrate nontoxic floor cleaner for hardwood floors and Bona SuperSport mops and microfibre pads. www.bona.com

Charger solution

Intelligence New from Tennant is the IRIS Fleet Manager, a management system that provides data from cleaning machines to enable op-

Delta-Q Technologies has introduced two new IC Series battery chargers for use in electric floor care machines. The new IC900 and IC1200 industrial battery chargers are designed for high reliability in challenging conditions, says the company.

IC Series units provide the flexibility to charge either lead acid (wet/flooded, sealed AGM or gel) or lithium-ion batteries. The three models in the range provide 650, 900 and 1200 watts of DC output power respectively, and all are available in 24-, 36and 48-volt models. www.delta-q.com

Toilet blade

LooBlade is a brand new product designed to replace the traditional toilet brush, and a crowd funding campaign has been launched to fund it.

The design of LooBlade is centred on the invention of a patent-pending technology called SwipeClean, which replaces the classic brush bristles with an eight-blade silicone cleaning head that maintains a continuous contact with the surface to ‘swipe’ it clean.

LooBlade, says inventor Garry Steward, does not get clogged up like the bristles of a brush and has hydrophobic properties that mean it sheds water and dries quickly. It reaches under the rim with ease, and contains an antimicrobial additive that helps kill 99.9 per cent of germs, both during and after cleaning.

A ‘hollow-point’ head feature also helps act as a plunger to clear blockages and the holder design allows for free airflow to ensure no residual water collects. www.looblade.com

erators to take greater control of their fleets and measure results more effectively.

This, the company says, will enable managers to tackle some of the biggest challenges such as reducing costs, improving cleaning efficiency and enhancing machine and employee productivity.

The patented IRIS technology connects users with anytimeanywhere access to critical alerts, usage data and machine location information. Using a desktop, laptop or tablet to access information, the dashboard is accessible through the My Tennant portal. www.tennantco.com

Next edition of ECJ February/March 2016

Sanitary waste

Cromwell Polythene has extended its washroom range with the introduction of a white LDPE sanitary bag for the disposal of feminine hygiene and other sanitary waste. Measuring 159 mm wide when open and 240 mm in length, the bags fit most dispensing units.

Supplied block headed in 50’s, the bags are packed 20 heads per carton of 1,000. They offer an alternative to the company’s Sansafe antimicrobial and scented liners which incorporate bactericides and fungicides. www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk

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