November 2018

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

NOVEMBER 2018

SPECIAL REPORT

IN SAFE HANDS?

SHIFTING FOCUS

Business - are the machines really taking over our jobs?

Page 38

Waste management

Security vetting

High pressure cleaning

Page 49

Page 35

Page 29

CONTENTS

November 2018 | Vol.26, No.6

BUSINESS

SPECIAL REPORTS

38 The rise of the machines?

21 When push comes to shove

We may have less to fear from machines than we are led to believe, says Hartley Milner.

What is being done to make cleaning trolleys easier to handle?

25 A closer look at resistance Different types of resistance may impact disinfectants and sanitisers.

29 Under pressure A look at the key challenges facing the high pressure cleaning market.

33 High pressure opportunities Professional abrasive blasting presents business potential.

03 News

35 In safe hands?

Levels of security vetting must be improved across the cleaning sector.

12 European reports

40 Tackling infection rates Why hand hygiene is so vital in healthcare environments.

49 Recycling - part of the solution How recycling companies play a key role in the plastics pollution problem.

53 Six degrees of separation Do today’s sweepers need to be able to separate out various types of waste?

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

Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty

Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80

Circulation Marie Payne

Advertisement director Chris Godman

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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 veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2018

NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018 - winners announced in Berlin Europe’s cleaning and hygiene leaders came together earlier this month to celebrate the best in the industry at the annual European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards. The 2018 winners were revealed at a glittering awards dinner at the Hotel Palace in Berlin.

The awards, which recognise standards of excellence in the professional cleaning industry, are the only panEuropean awards for the sector. With over 100 entries this year, 36 leading service providers, manufacturers and distributors made the shortlist across 10 categories.

The winners were: • Best use of smart technological solutions: Principle Cleaning at Blue Fin • Commitment to training (Sponsored by Greenspeed): Derrycourt • Client/contractor partnerships (Sponsored by Igefa): CSU and CIRCL • Distributors: excellence in added value initiatives (Sponsored by Lucart Professional): Kenter • Sustainability: best practice (Sponsored by Werner and Mertz): Essity • Workforce: commitment to diversity: Ilunion Facility Services • Initiative in raising the profile of the cleaning sector (Sponsored by Ceris Burns International): British Institute of Cleaning Science • Technological innovation of the year: Essity • Leader of the year (Sponsored by Truvox International): Tony Berisha, Insider Facility Services • Rising star: Ben Swinbourne, Principle Cleaning Services Host for the evening and member of the judging panel Michelle Marshall, editor of ECJ said: “There is so much tremendous

work being done in the professional cleaning sector across Europe. The European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards exist to highlight and celebrate the service providers, manufacturers and distributors going above and beyond in the industry.

Hard work, dedication “We had extremely strong entries this year, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of the sector. Our 2018 winners represent some of the most forward-thinking, innovative businesses, who are really making a difference in our industry. Congratulations to our 2018 winners.”

The other judges were Lynn Webster, director of Lynn Webster Consultants (UK), Juan Diez de los Rios de San Juan, president of ASPEL (Spanish Contract Cleaning Association), and Frank Veneman, director of Association for Cleaning Research (VSR) (Netherlands).

The venue for the 2019 European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards was also announced. Next year’s event will take place in London, on October 17.

The awards, taking place for the third time, were launched

by ECJ and are organised by EMG. Sponsors and supporters included Lucart Professional, 3M, CleanMachines24. com, Kenter, rai Amsterdam, Vectair Systems, and Vermop.

The media partners were Tomorrow’s Cleaning in the UK, GSA in Italy, Services of France and Reinigungs Markt in Germany.

For further information contact awards@ europeancleaningjournal.com www.echawards.com • Read more about our winners in the next editions of ECJ.

Les gagnants de l’édition 2018 des Prix européens de propreté et d’hygiène - organisés par ECG - ont été annoncés récemment lors d’une cérémonie à Berlin.

EVENTS March 19-21 2019

September 25-26 2019

The Cleaning Show

CMS World Summit

London, UK cleaningshow.co.uk

Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com

April 10-12 2019

October 17 2019

Interclean Istanbul

European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards

Istanbul, Turkey www.intercleanshow.com

London, UK www.echawards.com

April 16-18 2019

November 12-14 2019

Europropre

Hygienalia Pulire Madrid

Paris, France www.europropre.com

Madrid, Spain www.hygienalia-pulire.com

April 17-18 2019

November 18-21 2019

Professional Cleaning Solutions

ISSA North America

Warsaw, Poland www.pigc.org.pl

Las Vegas, USA www.issa.com

May 21-23 2019

May 12-15 2020

Pulire

Interclean Amsterdam

Verona, Italy www.pulire-it.com

Amsterdam, Netherlands www.intercleanshow.com

September 24-27 2019

CMS Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com

To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com

Die Gewinner der European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018 – organisiert vom ECJ – wurden vor kurzem im Rahmen einer Preisverleihung in Berlin bekanntgegeben.

I vincitori del riconoscimento European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018, organizzato da ECJ, sono stati annunciati di recente durante una cerimonia a Berlino.

November 2018 | ECJ | 3

NEWS Singapore firms to pay cleaners an annual bonus from 2020

More than 40,000 Singaporean cleaners will benefit from a new law making it mandatory to pay them an annual bonus.

From January 2020, permanent residents working as cleaners could receive a payment of up

to four per cent of their wages each year. Businesses failing to comply with the requirement may be fined or risk losing their licence. But the legislation does not apply to Singapore’s 17,000 foreigners working as cleaners.

À Singapour, plus de 40 000 agents de nettoyage bénéficieront d’une nouvelle loi rendant obligatoire de leur verser un bonus annuel.

4 | November 2018 | ECJ

The annual bonus requirement forms part of a progressive new model for the industry.

Singapore is leading the way in terms of enhancing the image of cleaning, improving the cleaner’s lot and using innovation and technology to transform environmental services.

For example, the country’s government recently voted to expand the use of its Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System.

This uses air pressure to convey waste through sealed pipes from throw-points to a bin centre.

The PWCS replaces the need for cleaners to collect waste from individual housing blocks and take it to a bin centre. And since the entire system is enclosed, problems

Mehr als 40.000 Reinigungskräfte in Singapur werden von einem neuen Gesetz profitieren, das zur Zahlung eines jährlichen Bonus verpflichtet.

associated with odour and pests are reduced.

As recently reported in ECJ, grants are currently being offered to building owners to persuade them to use tools and technologies that mechanise the tasks of cleaning and waste management. Demand for environmental services is rising fast in Singapore and it is becoming increasingly difficult to source the required number of cleaning workers.

And in August it was reported that Singapore’s Nee Soon Town Council was to host an appreciation dinner for cleaners.

According to the authorities these essential workers “rarely receive the gratitude and recognition they deserve”.

Oltre 40.000 addetti alle pulizie di Singapore beneficeranno di una nuova legge che renderà obbligatorio il pagamento di un bonus annuale ai suddetti lavoratori.

NEWS Hospital privacy curtains ‘contaminated by MRSA’ Nearly 90 per cent of privacy curtains could be harbouring MRSA or other infectious bacteria according to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

Scientists at the University of Manitoba in Canada have called for hospital curtains to be regularly cleaned or replaced.

Researchers analysed 10 curtains at the Health Sciences Centre hospital in Winnipeg, all of which had been newly washed at the beginning of the three-week study. Eight were in patient-occupied areas while two were kept away from patients and health workers.

The scientists tracked contamination levels by

swabbing curtains in the areas where they were most commonly touched. After 14 days, seven of the eight curtains in patient rooms showed signs of MRSA and by the end of the three-week period all eight had been contaminated. The two curtains that had been kept away from patients remained comparatively germ-free.

“We know that privacy curtains pose a high risk of cross-contamination because they are frequently touched but infrequently changed,” said the study’s lead author Dr Kevin Shek. “The high rate of contamination we saw by the fourteenth day may represent an opportune time to intervene,

Près de 90 pour ceux des rideaux d’intimité des hôpitaux pourraient abriter le SARM et d’autres bactéries infectieuses, indique un article publié par L’American Journal of Infection Control.

either by cleaning or replacing the curtains.”

None of the patients staying in the test rooms were suffering from MRSA, which meant the bacteria were being transported around the hospital by health workers and visitors.

‘Keeping the patient’s environment clean is a critical component in preventing

Fast 90 Prozent aller Vorhänge zum Schutz der Privatsphäre könnten laut eines im American Journal of Infection Control veröffentlichten Forschungsberichts MRSA oder andere ansteckende Bakterien beherbergen.

healthcare-associated infections,’ said Dr Jane Haas, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. “Because privacy curtains could be a mode of disease transmission, maintaining a schedule of regular cleaning offers another potential way to protect patients from harm.”

Quasi il 90 per cento delle tende per la privacy potrebbero ospitare la MRSA o altri batteri infettivi come viene rivelato da una ricerca pubblicata su American Journal of Infection Control.

November 2018 | ECJ | 5

NEWS Divestment

Industry celebrates ‘Thank your Cleaner Day’ October 17 was ‘Thank Your Cleaner Day’ when people around the world were encouraged to show their appreciation to cleaning staff.

The event was established in New Zealand in October 2015 by Lillian Small, ceo of the nation’s Building Services Contractors Association. It is now sponsored by machine manufacturer Kärcher and recognised in 15 countries including the UK, Spain, Canada, the US and Australia.

The aim of the initiative is to “change the conversation” and raise the profile of cleaning according to Small. “Thank Your

Cleaner Day is one of those campaigns that is so simple but when you really dive into the depths of it, is quite powerful,” she said.

“A campaign such as this drives standards, enhances client engagement, brings value into the industry and has a positive impact on the community.”

Champion appreciation Thank Your Cleaner Day aims to champion universal appreciation for cleaners and the work they do. Organisers are asking participating companies to drive the campaign, communicating

• Le 17 octobre était la Journée du « Merci à votre Nettoyeur » au cours de laquelle des gens du monde entier ont été encouragés à exprimer leur appréciation à l’égard des travailleurs de la propreté.

• HydraMaster, entreprise de nettoyage de tapis et monteur d’équipements sur véhicule basée aux États-Unis, a été vendue par Nilfisk à Bluefin Global.

6 | November 2018 | ECJ

information to customers and encouraging them to implement activity at local level. Kärcher will then support these activities via its social media channels.

“As a leading global cleaning equipment and technology company, we recognise the opportunity to further enhance the awareness and recognition of those efforts in this industry,” says ceo of Kärcher North America Javier Gonzalez.

More information about the campaign can be found on The Thank Your Cleaner Day website at www. thankyourcleanerday.com

• Der 17. Oktober war der „Thank Your Cleaner Day“, an dem Menschen rund um die Welt aufgefordert waren, dem Reinigungspersonal ihre Anerkennung zu zeigen.

• HydraMaster, der in den USA ansässige Spezialist für Teppichreinigung und fahrzeugmontierte Maschinen, wurde von Nilfisk an Bluefin Global verkauft.

US-based carpet and restoration equipment specialist HydraMaster has been sold

by Nilfisk to Bluefin Global. Its owner Josh Howard becomes chief executive officer (ceo) of HydraMaster.

Howard commented on the acquisition: “The future vision is to continue the great legacy of HydraMaster while building and investing in the people and customers. A strategic plan for the future will be focused on how HydraMaster can evolve from good to great while leaving a lasting impact on the people and industry around them.”

• Il 17 ottobre è stato il “Thank your cleaner day” (Giornata degli addetti alla pulizia) durante il quale le persone in tutto il mondo sono state incoraggiate a mostrare la loro gratitudine nei confronti di chi pulisce per loro.

• La HydraMaster, specializzata in macchine per la pulizia delle moquette e attrezzature montate su automezzo con sede negli Stati Uniti, è stata ceduta dalla Nilfisk alla Bluefin Global.

NEWS Bacteria found on money

UK research that put money under the microscope to determine what is really lurking in our wallets has revealed some unpleasant results.

Dr Paul Matewele, professor of microbiology at London Metropolitan University, and his students took 36 samples from a random selection of all denominations of coins and notes. The microbiologists studied the bacteria in a controlled lab environment over a period of eight weeks.

Nineteen different bacteria were found across UK coins, polymer £5 and £10 notes and paper £20 and £50 notes, including two life threatening bacteria associated with antibiotic resistant superbugs Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium (VRE).

The life threatening airborne bacteria Listeria was also found.

Dr Matewele commented: “One of the most shocking discoveries was finding so many microorganisms thriving on metal, an element you wouldn’t normally expect to see germs surviving on. The bugs have adapted to their environment, resulting in coins becoming a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

“People who have compromised immune systems could be most at risk from handling dirty money - if you’re visiting people in hospital who might be vulnerable to infection, you could unknowingly transfer bacteria off your cash which is resistant to antibiotics.”

The study was carried out in cooperation with money.co.uk

Christeyns buys UK’s Clover Chemicals manufacturer Christeyns, which has its headquarters in the UK, has acquired Clover Chemicals.

“The acquisition of Clover Chemicals is a great addition to the Christeyns family,” commented Alain Bostoen, Christeyns ceo.

Christeyns is best known for its laundry and food & beverage divisions that manufacture detergents, disinfectants and equipment. Clover’s product range which includes floorcare, washroom and skincare products will complement Christeyns’ existing offering.

• Des chercheurs britanniques qui ont mis des billets de banque sous le microscope pour savoir ce qui pourrait se cacher dans un portefeuille ont publié des résultats à peine agréables.

• Mme Ilham Kadri quittera ses fonctions de directrice générale de Diversey avec effet au 31 décembre.

• La société de propreté britannique Julius Rutherfoord & Co. a publié un guide de gestion à l’intention des professionnels de la propreté et des multi-services.

• Christeyns, un fabricant britannique de produits chimiques, a repris la société Clover Chemicals.

8 | November 2018 | ECJ

Changes at the top for Diversey Dr Ilham Kadri has resigned from her position as Diversey’s chief executive officer with effect from December 31.

She has been appointed chief executive officer (ceo), chairman of the executive committee and member of the board of directors at Solvay - an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company.

With immediate effect Carlos Sagasta, Diversey’s chief financial officer and Gaetano Redaelli, global president for the professional division, will become joint deputy chief executive officers (ceo’s). In addition to their current roles, they will also be responsible for running the company on a dayto-day basis, until a successor

is identified.

“Since becoming a standalone company in September 2017, I’m proud that Diversey has emerged as a strong, profitable, sustainable company. Our efforts to transform and digitise the hygiene and cleaning market have resulted in double-digit bottom line growth since 2013 and a record double-digit topline growth this year,” said Kadri.

“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to lead this impressive team who has worked hard to help our company evolve and reach our potential. I’m confident they will continue to drive solid growth and value for our customers and partners.” www.diversey.com

Best practice guide launched

A guide to expert management within the cleaning and facilities management industry has been launched by the UK’s Julius Rutherfoord & Co. Entitled ‘Expert Management of People and Places,’ the guide emphasises the importance of researching and understanding client needs and nurturing staff talent.

Managers must be experts in a range of areas including business organisation, planning, budgeting, staffing supervision and communication, as well as how to measure performance,

• Im Rahmen einer britischen Studie, bei der Geld mikroskopisch untersucht wurde, um festzustellen, was in unseren Geldbörsen lauert, wurden einige unangenehme Ergebnisse zu Tage gefördert.

• Dr. Ilham Kadri wird am 31. Dezember von ihrer Position als Chief Executive Officer bei Diversey zurücktreten.

• Ein Leitfaden für fachmännisches Management in der Reinigungs- und Facility Management-Branche wurde vom britischen Unternehmen Julius Rutherfoord & Co vorgestellt.

• Der in Großbritannien ansässige Chemikalienproduzent Christeyns hat Clover Chemicals erworben.

and problem-solving.

Insight as to as to what expert management looks like includes: • Making management supervision a culture of habit • Ensuring workforce excellence through training and personal development • Use of technology to improve the management and transparency of service • Managing sites safely and securely, and protecting people and places.

To download the guide visit: www.juliusrutherfoord.co.uk/ management-supervision

• Nel Regno Unito, una ricerca che ha esaminato il denaro sotto il microscopio per stabilire cosa realmente si annida nei nostri portafogli, ha rivelato dei risultati sgradevoli.

• Dr Ilham Kadri sta per rassegnare le dimissioni e lasciare la posizione di direttore generale della Diversey con effetto dal 31 dicembre.

• L’azienza britannica Julius Rutherfoord & Co ha lanciato una guida per rendere esperti nella gestione gli operatori del settore del cleaning e gestione delle strutture.

• L’impresa produttrice di prodotti chimici con sede nel Regno Unito Christeyns ha acquisito la Clover Chemicals.

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NEWS Lucart joins CE100 network As part of its commitment to the circular economy Italian tissue group Lucart has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s CE100 network, a pre-competitive innovation programme established to enable organisations to develop new opportunities and realise their circular economy ambitions faster.

Launched in 2010, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Since its creation, the charity has emerged as a global thought leader, establishing the circular economy on the agenda of decision makers across business, government and academia.

The network focuses on collaboration, capacity building, networking and research and insights - bringing together companies to create further opportunities for cooperation and innovation.

“Quality, innovation and sustainability: these are the key words for building the future of tissue paper and of our group,”

explained Massimo Pasquini, chief executive officer (ceo) of Lucart. “This is why joining the community created by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation makes us proud of what we have achieved to date: it demonstrates our full commitment to a ‘circular’ paper economy, as we like to call it.

“We hope this cooperation will pave the way for new, challenging scenarios for the development of circular economy on a global level, covering a multitude of different sectors and projects. And we want to play an active role in this development”. www.ellenmacarthurfoundation. org/ce100 www.lucartgroup.com

To read ECJ on your mobile device, download the app

• L’association irlandaise du nettoyage professionnel (ICCA) a récemment tenu sa cérémonie de remise des prix 2018 à Dublin.

• Afin de réaliser ses ambitions en matière d’économie circulaire, le fabricant italien de papiers de soie Lucart a adhéré au réseau CE100 de la Fondation Ellen MacArthur.

Irish cleaning awards in Dublin

The Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA) presented its industry awards for excellence in Dublin recently.

There were over 250 cleaning professionals at the event, where chair Avril McCarthy acknowledged the vital role played in the industry by cleaning site operatives and site supervisors.

The independently judged awards recognised service excellence in the industry and celebrated the work being carried out behind the scenes in buildings ranging from retail and hospitality to healthcare and offices - by contract cleaning companies and in-house teams

• Die Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA) veranstaltete kürzlich die Preisverleihung 2018 in Dublin.

• Zur Erzielung seiner kreislaufwirtschaftlichen Bestrebungen ist der italienische Tissuehersteller Lucart dem CE100-Netzwerk der Ellen MacArther Foundation beigetreten.

across the country. The judge, Siobhan Prout, did site visits throughout the summer and noted that the standards in all sites was extremely high.

Awards were won by personnel from companies including Noonan, Grosvenor, Derrycourt, Momentum Support, Cagney Contract Cleaning, Ryans Cleaning, Moore Services, SSE and ECO-Group.

The association, established in 2000, creates a forum for the commercial contract cleaning sector to network, innovate and promote the industry at a national level.

For details visit: www. irishcontractcleaningassociation.ie

• L’associazione irlandese Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA) ha tenuto di recente a Dublino la sua cerimonia dei premi 2018.

• Al fine di raggiungere i suoi obiettivi di economia circolare, l’azienda italiana produttrice di prodotti in carta Lucart è entrata a far parte del network CE100 della fondazione Ellen MacArther Foundation.

November 2018 | ECJ | 11

UPDATE: NETHERLANDS Invest in the quality experience The fact your office is technically clean says nothing about how users experience the cleaning quality.

As a cleaning company, you can offer a service that goes beyond simply cleaning an office. You can increase the quality experience and add real value, writes John Griep of VSR. Being a cleaning association, we have focused for many years on measuring technical cleaning quality. Our name, Vereniging Schoonmaak Research (Association of Cleaning Research), is no coincidence. Our quality measurement system, VSR-KMS, determines whether the cleaning carried out meets what is agreed in a contract. How many fingermarks are there?

How much dust? VSR-KMS is an objective, independent, scientifically-based and replicable measurement system. It’s applied on a daily basis in the Dutch cleaning market.

Entirely different is the ‘quality experience’ angle of cleaning.

In which case it is not about whether something is technically clean, but whether the user experiences the area as clean.

This means in a train carriage the cleaning company may satisfy the terms of the contract; yet a train passenger may not feel it is clean. The transport company believes it has done a good job in managing the cleaning, yet the customer remains dissatisfied. Quality experience is therefore essential to customer satisfaction!

VSR once tried to create a system to measure the quality experience. This attempt failed, because – what only became clear during the process – you cannot influence variables such as a bad mood and bad weather.

Now, together with Dr Engineer Iris Bakker, we try again.

Bakker connects knowledge (and measurements) with feelings, in relation to building design and Aux Pays-Bas, John Griep, de l’organisation VSR, montre comment les prestataires de services de propreté, débordant des seules tâches de nettoyage, peuvent améliorer la qualité du vécu dans un immeuble.

12 | November 2018 | ECJ

maintenance. She is a scientist in this domain. Her presentation, during a general meeting, was a great success among our members. It motivated us to reinvest in research into the quality experience. And this has resulted in the course: ‘Quality experience indicators, a course for cleaning employees’.

What do cleaning staff learn?

It has been demonstrated that the physical environment affects the total performance of an organisation. Its influence lies in sensory information received by each user of the building via 12 senses. Cleaning staff are in and around a building every day and also experience the effect of these 12 senses. They experience the culture and how the environment is used. They see what goes on behind the scenes.

By knowing about such senses, the cleaner can contribute in a useful way to the overall quality experience in the workplace, beyond their regular cleaning.

In a course lasting less than a day, cleaning staff learn exactly what the senses reveal and how to apply such information. Using a simple tool, the quality experience indicator, the cleaner learns what to watch out for in order to improve the quality experience.

A win-win situation, because it helps to ‘derobotise’ cleaning work. The cleaner personally adds to the improvement of the overall quality experience and in this way helps to boost customer satisfaction scores.

This transforms cleaning from an expense into a service that adds value.

Aus den Niederlanden berichtet der bei VSR tätige John Griep, wie Dienstleister über einfache Reinigungsarbeiten hinausgehen können, um die Erlebnisqualität in Gebäuden zu verbessern.

Nei Paesi Bassi, John Griep della VSR prende in esame come i fornitori di servizi possono andare oltre le semplici pulizie per migliorare la qualità dell’esperienza negli edifici.

UPDATE: SWEDEN Dining, clubbing and cleaning Clubbing can lead to many things. Like starting a cleaning venture. From Malmö in Sweden ECJ correspondent Lotte Printz has this report.

Someone recently told me that when eating out with her family, she always checks the restaurant’s washroom before asking for the menu: “If I know what the lavatories look like, I can most certainly tell you what the restaurant’s kitchen looks like… and thus whether I want to have my meal there,” she added.

Generally speaking, the cleaning of many restaurant and nightclub washrooms leaves much to be desired, and this real-life scenario sparked the beginning of a new cleaning venture in Malmö, Sweden. When clubbing, two 20-year-old guys, Marcus Christensson and Simon Knez, had seen a disgusting lavatory too many and decided to take matters into their own hands.

On the spot Skitrent, in translation “Shitty Cleaning” (pardon my French!), is the name of their business, whose specialism is to clean “on the scene”, ie, while guests are using the facilities.

“Once in a while people queuing get irritated with us, I suppose, but we always talk to them and explain that all we want to do is to make sure the toilets they are about to use are clean. That’s appreciated. Besides, we do the job fast,” Marcus Christensson says talking to Cleannet, trade magazine for the Swedish cleaning industry.

The job they do is perhaps not quite as thorough as normal cleaning, but includes mopping the floor, wiping toilet seats clean with an all-purpose detergent, cleaning mirrors and emptying paper bins.

In the beginning, the two initiators did the cleaning themselves, but after six months in Fréquenter une boîte de nuit peut ouvrir toutes sortes de possibilités, comme celle de lancer une entreprise de propreté. Lotte Printz rend compte d’un tel cas à Malmö, en Suède.

business they have left most of the cleaning to two other people on hourly pay.

Simon Knez does not have much time for the business initiative as he is training full-time to become a nurse. Marcus Christensson studies commercial law part-time and works at check-in at the near-by airport, besides his affairs in Skitrent. He still does some cleaning himself occasionally, but mainly takes care of sales and marketing in Skitrent.

It isn’t an easy job, he admits, even using social media platforms, but the restaurant and nightclub owners are generally positive towards the whole idea when Marcus Christensson gets hold of them.

“They think it’s a cool and great idea, but they obviously ask about the price as well. We are a cheap option,” he says.

Paying the two employees proper wages, thus making them want to stay in the job, is important for the enterprise, however, and then the price paid must cover their workwear, detergents and equipment, but for now the two entrepreneurs do not cash in any pay themselves.

Ambition to expand While their idea still doesn’t pay in the literal sense of the word, it pays in experience and exercise.

“I always ride my bike when I go cleaning,” Marcus Christensson says. “That’s the most flexible transport solution, but also one of the reasons we would like our customers as close to each other as possible.”

Up till now their main focus has been on attracting customers in Lilla Torg, a square area in the city centre of Malmö filled with restaurants, bars and clubs, and the objective is to cover them all.

Der Besuch in einem Nachtclub kann zu vielem führen – wie beispielsweise der Gründung eines Reinigungsunternehmens. Lotte Printz berichtet aus Malmö in Schweden.

Frequentare un nightclub può portare a molte cose, per esempio a iniziare un’attività imprenditoriale, come riferisce la corrispondente Lotte Printz da Malmö in Svezia.

November 2018 | ECJ | 13

UPDATE: FRANCE

UPDATE: UK

Robots at railway stations

The power of ‘thank you’

Christian Bouzols reports for ECJ about cleaning robots now in use at SNCF railway stations.

UK correspondent Lynn Webster reports on the ‘Thank Your Cleaner Day’ last month.

Keeping its stations clean is a matter of great importance to the SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français). Some two tons of waste are picked up every day in a typical main railway station. The thousands of passengers who tread the platforms daily also leave marks that need to be cleaned.

The robots now deployed have been tested since 2016 at four major stations: Paris Gare du Nord, Paris Gare de Lyon, Aix-en-Provence and Bordeaux.

They are automated scrubber dryers developed by the Sud Service company and have been contracted for several years.

The cleaning operator just needs to press a button to make the machine work inside a specified area. A window cleaning robot has also been tested at the Valence-TGV railway station for dealing with high level windows and spider webs.

Another machine, a robotic dustbin named Baryl, developed technically by a start-up called Immersive Robotics, and designed by Areb designlab - a wholly owned SNCF subsidiary - has been tested in some stations. It performs random movements within a given area and responds to the calls of users who need to dispose of rubbish. When it’s full, it sends an SMS message requiring that it be emptied.

Equipped with a 3D camera, a laser remote detection device and several sensors, the machine was first tested at the Gare de Lyon in Paris in November 2016 before undergoing trials in other main railway stations across France. At the present time, it’s working at Aixen-Provence station.

However, making a robot move about on a railway platform is no easy matter. Passengers Au terme de plusieurs mois d’essais, des robots de nettoyage ont été déployés dans quatre grandes gares françaises.

Christian Bouzols fait rapport.

milling around the machine all represent obstacles to its movements. “It’s not like in a warehouse or storage facility because a railway station is full of people. In fact, we’ve had problems at the beginning because people were stopping our robots”, recalls Philippe Carles, chief buyer for station and office cleaning equipment at the SNCF. As a pioneer in robotics, the SNCF uses this technology partly to flaunt its openness to innovation. What about the economic impact? “We haven’t yet measured the productivity gains,” admits Philippe Carles.

“It’s more a matter of promoting a feeling for environmental cleanliness - a major issue for us - among the users.”

A feel for cleanliness Robots are just one of the pillars of the cleaning services of tomorrow. “For us, the use of robots is part of a global strategy for innovation, making use of connected objects and of data,” he adds.

Data plays an important role in this work because it can help to reconstitute the movement and flow of users during a typical day, and thus make it possible to adapt the working hours of cleaning services providers and establish the optimal hours for the operation of their machines.

At what times should they be deployed to platforms? At what times should dustbins be emptied? Connecting waste bins is a step forward in this area.

Equipped with a sensor indicating how full they are, they’ve been tested during 2017 at the Aix-en-Provence station as well as at the Gare du Nord and the Gare de Lyon in Paris. Their results being satisfactory, the bins are now in service.

Nach mehrmonatigen Tests werden jetzt Reinigungsroboter auf vier SNCF-Bahnhöfen in Frankreich eingesetzt.

Christian Bouzols berichtet.

14 | November 2018 | ECJ

In Francia, dopo molti mesi di test, i robot di pulizia sono stati impiegati in quattro stazioni ferroviarie SNCF, come riferisce il corrispondente Christian Bouzols.

Many of us recently acknowledged the importance of the cleaning teams in our lives with the ‘Thank your Cleaner Day’ in October. This was also recognised at the World Federation Building Services Congress (WFBSC) in Berlin last year. First launched some three years ago in New Zealand the campaign has gained recognition in 11 countries; demonstrating a clear message of support for the efforts and contribution of cleaning teams worldwide.

Many companies, both clients and service providers, national and local, joined for the first time in the UK. Much of the trade and social media was filled with great stories of individuals who were being recognised for carrying out their hard work diligently, conscientiously and with a smile. Some received flowers and gifts, others treats and even celebration parties.

We were encouraged to take a moment to consider what our surroundings at work, at home, or at play would be like without their dedication, commitment and consistent efforts. A great initiative, this was championed by Kärcher who gave the marketing focus and launchpad to get the campaign heard with added backing from the cleaning industry trade bodies Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) and the Business Services Association (BSA). The overall winner of a contest in the UK was Joan Henderson of AMFM in Glasgow who was awarded a five-star luxury break as her prize. Congratulations to them all!

So now the excitement has settled down once more what Une Journée de Merci au Nettoyeur a été instituée dans plusieurs pays, y compris le Royaume-Uni. Notre correspondant Lynn Webster examine l’impact positif qu’un « merci » peut exercer sur celui qui le dit et sur celui à qui il s’adresse.

are we all doing to really support and recognise this army of workers? Will they spend the next 364 days until next year’s special day without a smile, without appreciation; go unnoticed? Yes, is probably the sad answer. However, saying ‘thank you’ has so much more added value.

According to psychologists, the words ‘thank you‘ are not just good manners. They have positive benefits to both the giver and the recipient. As children, being taught to say “thank you” was simply the polite thing to do but research in social psychology suggests that saying “thank you” goes beyond good manners. It also forms the building blocks to maintain social relationships. Studies suggest being grateful can improve wellbeing and physical health, can strengthen social relationships, produce positive emotional states and help us to cope with the stressful times in our lives.

The impact on the person who is being thanked is far reaching. It acts as a direct motivator, makes people feel good.

So, turning the action around - when saying thank you to someone it’s a small moment of a pebble in the water but with deep ripples across the pond: a confirmation of a deep and wonderful truth, that we all depend on each other, that we are all joined.

Perhaps we start the culture change from within; acknowledge cleaning as a skill with worth and not just another cost centre to the bottom line. The challenge to change the stigma that goes with the label of being ‘only a cleaner’.

Der „Thank Your Cleaner Day“ wird in verschiedenen Ländern veranstaltet, und die britische ECJKorrespondentin Lynn Webster betrachtet die positive Wirkung, die „Danke!“ zu sagen, sowohl auf den Danksager als auch den Empfänger hat.

Mentre il “Thank Your Cleaner Day”, la giornata per ringraziare gli addetti alle pulizie, si tiene in numerose nazioni, la corrispondente britannica Lynn Webster esamina che impatto positivo può avere su chi ringrazia e su chi viene ringraziato.

UPDATE: GERMANY

UPDATE: ITALY

Car washing on a grand scale

Fourth Forum Pulire success

Alexandra Lachner reports from Mr Wash in Stuttgart, one of the largest car washes in the world.

Italy correspondent Anna Garbagna brings news from the recent Forum Pulire event in Milan.

“How much dirt do our customers actually bring in with them?”

This was the question Robert Kerbler asked himself in preparing for his interview with ECJ. “More or less clean cars drive into our black box-like facilities and drive out again, clean.”

Between the process of driving in and driving out again, the sludge traps of the Stuttgart car wash collect 126 cubic metres of dirt per year. The whole facility has its own small treatment plant, with various collection tanks in which dirt is deposited and from which it is finally removed in compressed form.

Some of the recycled water is returned to the washing process and can be used for cleaning wheel rims or the underside of the vehicles.

So far, so good. But how is the facility itself kept in good condition? “We have tried out various concepts in different locations, but it has always proved best to concentrate on continual cleaning,” says Kerbler. “If we just carried out thorough cleaning periodically, this would quickly create the impression that the facility was not in perfect condition. That won’t do for our customers.”

The cloths on the washing units, the lambskins and the cloths for interior cleaning are all washed on site in industrial washing machines. Where the vehicle interior cleaning is done, the floors are polished with electric floor polishers and the windows are regularly cleaned.

A unique process has been developed for the washing facility, using specially selected cleaning agents. “We use alternately acid and alkaline agents in order to remove every kind of dirt even from stainless steel

The fourth edition of Forum Pulire finished as a great success thanks to the presence of more than 500 delegates. A careful selection of topics, the competence and the professionalism of speakers allowed the interest of the participants to be kept alive until the very end.

Many areas of the professional cleaning sector, Italian and foreign, was present with 24 key speakers who took turns on stage during the course of the four sessions.

“The speakers we have invited to this edition,” explained Afidamp Servizi’s ceo Toni D’Andrea, “have traced the boundaries of knowledge and hope, provoking our interest regarding the challenges which we will face in the immediate future and the potential for development of the sector.”

After all, Forum Pulire is the cultural point of reference for the entire production chain: “a precious and necessary opportunity for inspiration in order to plan the offer of the future”, added D’Andrea, “this year’s edition involved Italian producers, distributors, companies and end users as well as foreign delegates. The partnership with ISSA showed its first results.”

Health and Prevention was the first of the four topics to be addressed thanks to the help of Walter Ricciardi, president of Istituto Superiore Di Sanità (National Health Institute), Gaetano Privitera, executive U.O. Igiene ed Epidemiologia Universitaria (Hygiene and Epidemiology) at Università di Pisa and Antonio Gaudioso, general secretary of CittadinanzAttiva, who illustrated data and practice on infections associated with the health service. The speeches emphasised the problem of

Alexandra Lachner, notre reporteuse en Allemagne, nous parle de l’une des plus grandes installations de lavage de voitures du monde.

Dénommée Mr Wash et située à Stuttgart, cette installation lave 450 000 véhicules par année.

surfaces”, says Kerbler. “For the sake of our employees we are also anxious to use non-abrasive agents”. Hose drums are installed on the shop floor from which employees can unroll hoses and attach telescopic sprays to them. The cleaning agents, which are dispensed via a dosing system, are then applied to the surfaces. Depending on the degree of soiling, washing is either carried out with a simple hose or in the case of base plates, for example, with a high pressure spray lance.

The right time for this work has to be found so as not to interfere with opening hours. “In car washes with two washing lines, as in Stuttgart, both lines are rarely operating continually at the same time, thus providing a break which can be used for cleaning purposes. On really busy days, or in facilities where there is only one washing line, cleaning has to be done either in the morning or in the evening”, Kerbler explains. This includes the time before and after closing time, in order not to interrupt the washing operation.

Another interesting fact is that, according to Kerbler, one aspect which stands out as particularly relevant to the quality standards of Mr Wash, in addition to the overall impression of the facility as a whole, is the condition of the customer toilets. “It’s true that Germany is a country where cleanliness is in general very highly rated and also where car washing is very popular,” he says with a smile. “We notice this particularly when we exchange ideas internationally: car washes in the USA, for example, are much smaller than ours and our colleagues there are very interested in the way we operate.”

Die deutsche Reporterin Alexandra Lachner berichtet über eine der größten Autowaschanlagen der Welt, die sich in Stuttgart befindet. Mr. Wash reinigt 450.000 Fahrzeuge im Jahr.

16 | November 2018 | ECJ

La corrispondente tedesca Alexandra Lachner ci parla di una delle più grandi strutture di lavaggio di auto al mondo che ha sede a Stoccarda. La Mr Wash pulisce 450.000 veicoli all’anno.

Plus de 500 délégués se sont réunis pour deux jours au Forum Pulire, tenu récemment à Milan, rapporte notre correspondante Anna Garbagna.

drug-resistant bacteria which are one of the causes of hospital infections (one patient in three is affected). Cleaning plays a key role in the prevention of infections and must be a core business service for hospitals; cleaning practice must be carefully planned and based on specific protocol for the correct use of products in order to achieve the desired results as established by the Carta di Bergamo, a document of consensus for efficient and safe sanitisation in hospital environments.

Giovanni Dalò presented Project Safety, as requested by the ONBSI, whose purpose was to promote a wider sectorial spread of culture and awareness on the topic of safety in the workplace, introducing elements of gathering performance data.

The topic of Ethics and Environment was then discussed with professor Giulio Sapelli who described ethics as ‘a shared value which allows different people to agree to act together in order to build future responsibilities for the common good.

The second day started under the banner of Beauty with Philippe Daverio, Kean Etro, Nicola Pozzani, Roberto Vecchioni and Mauro Felicori.

Finally, on to Innovation and Technology, and the topics of relationships between humans and robots and nanotechnology was discussed with Collin Anderson, who illustrated several of their applications in the professional cleaning field.

To conclude, Angelo Migliarini mentioned that in a sector in which the operators represent the main asset, innovation is creating new skills able to re-qualify workers.

Two days rich in knowledge where we all learned something.

Mehr als 500 Delegierte nahmen vor kurzem an der zweitägigen Forum Pulire Konferenz in Mailand teil, berichtet ECJ-Korrespondentin Anna Garbagna.

Oltre 500 delegati hanno partecipato alla conferenza di due giorni Forum Pulire che si è tenuta di recente a Milano, come riferisce la corripondente di ECJ Anna Garbagna.

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TROLLEYS

When push comes to shove Pushing a heavy trolley can be a tough task for a cleaner. So what can be done to make trolleys easier to handle? Ann Laffeaty poses this question to manufacturers.

A cleaning trolley needs to be versatile, convenient and flexible. It also needs to be able to house all the necessary equipment for the environment in which it is to be used. For example, a hotel trolley is essentially a rolling storage facility and should be able cope with linen collection and delivery while also offering compartments for amenity items and essential cleaning products.

Office trolleys must provide space for recycling and paper waste along with cleaning tools for both hard floors and carpeted areas. And a hospital trolley should be able to accommodate waste segregation facilities plus a sufficient quantity of flat mops, cloths and gloves to allow new ones to be used in each room.

But a mobile work station is only viable if it is true to its name. And all the equipment in the world would suddenly become useless if the trolley it was on became too unwieldy to push. So when push comes to shove, how do manufacturers get around this problem?

Ease of movement is influenced by a number of factors according to Vileda’s floorcare business development director Steve Barber.

“The trolley’s circumference, its overall weight, the height of the push bars and the design of the castors all have a bearing on how easy it will be to push,” he said.

User-friendliness was the company’s key consideration when designing the Origo 2 trolley range, says Barber. “Since operators need to be able to use a trolley for many hours in the day we had to

ensure that the user’s interactions with it would be as simple as possible,” he said.

“For example, the Origo 2 has multi-height push bars and rails to allow all trays and storage boxes to be placed at the optimal height for the user. We have also built in stop functions to ensure that these shelves and trays do not slide out unintentionally, while the easy-roll castors work well on a wide range of floor surfaces.”

These castors were tested on numerous floor types before the range was launched to ensure that there was minimal risk of hairs or other particles entering the castor mechanism and blocking their movement, he adds. Other user-friendly features include lockable push-button lids, fingergrips on doors, tablet storage and carrygrips on all buckets and boxes.

Ergonomy priority “We have also included easy-to-operate satellite trolleys for bucket and pressmopping systems and for pre-prepared mops and collected waste,” said Barber.

“Designing a user-friendly, ergonomic unit is the top priority in our industry - but to do this successfully the trolley must be modular and easy to adapt to all cleaning environments. It is also important to ensure that it stands out in terms of how it looks. And all trolleys should be ‘future proof’ and capable of being adapted for digital solutions such as tablets.”

User-friendliness is a must for any trolley agrees IPC’s communications manager Gabriella Bianco. “Users today are asking for functional trolleys that are designed to satisfy all cleaning needs while also improving efficiency and speeding up the operator’s work,” she said. “Everyone is looking for trolleys that perform well as practical tools and that also help to maximise productivity by ensuring all the necessary equipment is close to hand.”

End-users also demand trolleys that are both compact and ergonomic, she said.

“A compact, lightweight trolley is much easier to manoeuvre in smaller spaces, while an ergonomic trolley allows the

operator to work in total safety and with a comfortable posture,” she said. IPC trolleys have an adjustable handle which is said to make the unit easy to push whatever the operator’s height.

Lightweight accessories According to Bianco, a combination of castor wheels and lightweight materials will help to make a trolley easy to push.

“All tools and accessories should be close to hand and should also be lightweight,” she adds.

Factors such as manoeuvrability and ease of use are particularly important in offices and hotels, she says. “Office trolleys need to be compact and be equipped with rubber-braked wheels and ergonomic handles,” says Bianco. “These will enable them to move around easily through all office rooms and hallways.

“And a hotel trolley should be provided with extra large wheels to enable it go up and down stairs with maximum stability.”

The company’s IPC Brix Climber has large wheels to enable it to travel up and down stairs and between mezzanines without the need for a lift while the IPC Compact Office is described as a spacesaving solution.

According to Bianco, today’s end-users are seeking trolley systems that can be operated comfortably while also providing ample storage space. Designed to make trolleys easier to push are the company’s off-road rubber-braked wheels which can be used on uneven surfaces and in noisesensitive environments such as hotels, hospitals and nursing homes.

Besides ease of use she says ergonomics, efficiency and aesthetics should all be borne in mind when designing a trolley.

“These will play a decisive role in trolley choice, as will sustainable features such as the use of recycled plastics,” she said.

“And factors such as modularity and a competitive price are also important.”

Greenspeed’s marketing manager Floor Loos agrees with other manufacturers that every trolley should be compact and Continued page 22

November 2018 | ECJ | 21

TROLLEYS When push comes to shove (continued) easy to manoeuvre. “The cleaner must have the feeling that it’s a joy to clean with the trolley,” she said.

Greenspeed’s C-Shuttle trolleys are made from lightweight recycled plastic which is said to make them easy to control. “There are no elements that hang outside the trolley which means that nothing can fall off,” said Loos. “The C-Shuttle also has protective corner bumpers on the handle and around the wheels plus rubber whisper wheels which provide for a quiet, easy movement.”

Sustainable and modular Ergonomic features on Greenspeed’s trolleys include a stable handle plus a tablet-holder which can be set to display instructions.

While ease of use is a high priority, customers are also concerned about trolley design, sustainability and modularity, she says. C-Shuttle trolleys are said to be fully customisable and available in a luxury black edition which can feature bespoke printed panels.

A functional, easy-to-use trolley can make a major difference to a cleaner’s working conditions according to Filmop’s marketing manager Tanja Lovison. “Firstly it reduces effort and thus occupational issues, cutting down on absenteeism and related costs,” she said. “An easy-touse trolley will also ease the cleaning process, improving the operator’s well-being and productivity.”

Filmop’s trolleys are made from lightweight materials and come with differentsized wheels to suit a variety of environments. “We can also add a fifth central wheel in cases where the trolley needs to carry a particularly heavy load,” she said.

Also designed to facilitate cleaning is a push-grip that may be adjusted with one click to suit the user’s height and provide the right working posture. “There is also a foot-operated cover-opening and wideopening doors to reduce the need for the operator to bend when emptying waste and offloading dirty mops,” said Lovison.

A modular design can also help to make a trolley easier to push, she adds.

“Manoeuvrability is important in any environment and it has always been our

Faire avancer un lourd chariot de nettoyage peut solliciter toutes les forces d’un opérateur ou d’une opératrice. Que peut-on faire pour les rendre plus légers, ergonomiques et faciles à pousser ? Nous interrogeons des fabricants sur l’emploi de matériaux plus légers, sur les éléments satellitaires et les poignées ergonomiques qui pourraient faciliter le travail des nettoyeurs.

22 | November 2018 | ECJ

priority when developing new trolleys, particularly those that need to be used in narrow areas.”

Filmop’s Alpha Split trolley can be customised with up to eight different compartments for easy waste collection. The waste element of the trolley can become independent of the main unit by means of the Link-Up system which results in the operator having easier access to small spaces. Also from Filmop is OneFred, a double bucket wet mopping trolley which a side push-grip for easily handling.

Equipping operators with user-friendly trolleys can result in significant benefits according to TTS export sales manager Alessandro Costantini.

“Firstly, such trolleys reduce fatigue along with the risk of accidents and injuries,” he said. “They also improve the well-being and satisfaction of the operator which increases productivity. And an ergonomic trolley will improve the quality of the work carried out, reducing occupational disruption and increasing efficiency which in turn leads to a reduction in personnel costs.”

TTS trolleys are made from lightweight materials to make them easy to use and to avoid back strain on the part of the operator. The ergonomic handle and stabilised base are said to make them easy and safe to push while a range of wheel options are available depending on the application.

Das Schieben eines Reinigungswagens kann für das Reinigungspersonal zu einer schweren Aufgabe werden. Wie lassen sie sich möglichst leicht, ergonomisch und einfach zu schieben gestalten?

Wir fragen Hersteller nach leichteren Materialien, Satellitenabschnitten und ergonomischen Griffen, mit denen das Leben des Reinigungspersonals leichter gemacht werden soll.

“Our range also includes a line of motorised trolleys designed to facilitate work and reduce effort,” said Costantini. “They require no operator thrust and are easy to move, allowing heavy loads to be transported on different surfaces and up and down slopes.”

Motorised TTS motorised trolleys have the same manoeuvrability as manual models and can be operated on any surface and at gradients of up to 12 degrees. They are driven by an integrated console that is designed to allow the operator to move the unit forward and backwards in safety.

The company’s latest motorised trolley is claimed to be capable of transporting up to 150 kg without incurring any strain on the part of the operator.

“We believe trolleys need to be adapted to their environment rather than the other way around,” said Costantini. “This means it is essential to come up with solutions that guarantee efficiency even in narrow spaces, on different flooring surfaces and in environments where there are ramps, climbs and gradients.

“The challenge for the future will be to continue to assess the everchanging needs of the industry and to develop professional solutions that meet those needs.”

Spingere un carrello pesante può essere un compito arduo per un addetto alle pulizie. Quindi, cosa si può fare per rendere i carrelli il più leggeri possibile, ergonomici e facili da spingere? Chiediamo ai produttori informazioni sui materiali più leggeri, le parti satellite e i manici ergonomici progettati per rendere la vita più facile all’addetto alle pulizie.

PRODUCTS: TROLLEYS Single key According to Wetrok its KeyCar cleaning trolley meets the highest safety requirements for sensitive areas. For example it can be locked with a single key to protect unauthorised individuals from contact with cleaning chemicals - particularly useful in the healthcare sector, busy public buildings or classrooms.

Customers can choose from one of 20 designs or have their logo custom printed on the trolley. Available in sizes small, medium and large, there are configured models in each size or the customer can personalise the functionality. Accessories include

a wheeled box for dirty cloths, a dispensing system or a holder for dust wipes. www.wetrok.com

Save space

Multi Magic Among the TTS trolley ranges is Magic, a line of multipurpose models boasting modularity, ergonomics and durability. All versions can be customised according to the application and are designed to be easy to use, light and comfortable to push.

They are also certified PSV Plastic Second Life - as they are made from high percentages of recycled polypropylene.

Magic trolleys can be used with the TriPress, a wringer that complements the Trilogy mopping system comprised of a double-sided frame and doublesided microfibre mops. This, says TTS, halves the frequency of wringing compared to traditional systems. www.ttsystem.com

Scot Young Research’s (SYR) Spacesaver trolley has been designed with space and versatility as a priority. With a folded-down footprint of 51 x 57 cm it is ideal for limited storage spaces.

Designed to be light and manoeuvrable, there are a number of style options, and all are compatible with a selection of addon equipment. Bins and buckets can be wheeled alongside, rather than lifted on and off; the outrigger tray creates additional storage and the apron provides pockets for other essentials. www.syrclean.com

• Le chariot de nettoyage KeyCar de Wetrok se verrouille au moyen d’un clé unique pour interdire le contact avec ses produits chimiques à des personnes non autorisées.

• Dans la gamme de chariots de nettoyage TTS figurent les chariots Magic, qui se signalent par leur modularité et leur ergonomie.

• Les chariots de nettoyage Spacesaver, de Scot Young Research, visent l’encombrement minimal et la polyvalence maximale.

• Der Reinigungswagen KeyCar von Wetrok kann mit einem einzigen Schlüssel verriegelt werden, um Unbefugte vor dem Kontakt mit Chemikalien zu schützen.

• Im Sortiment der Reinigungswagen von TTS befindet sich Magic, bei dem es sich um Mehrzweckmodelle handelt, die Modularität und Ergonomie bieten.

• Die Reinigungswagen Spacesaver von Scot Young Research wurden unter Berücksichtigung von Platz und Vielseitigkeit entwickelt.

• Il carrello KeyCar della Wetrok può essere chiuso con una chiave unica per proteggere le persone non autorizzate dal contatto con i prodotti chimici.

• Fra la gamma di carrelli della TTS c’è Magic, modelli multifunzionali che vantano modularità ed ergonomia.

• I carrelli Spacesaver della Scot Young Research sono stati progettati tenendo in considerazione spazio e versatilità.

November 2018 | ECJ | 23

HALLE 4.2 STAND 113

PRODUCTS: TROLLEYS

New Equipe INNOVATION

NOMINIERT 2017

Vermop has relaunched its Equipe cleaning trolley with a number of updated features.

This model is designed to work in healthcare and office applications over 1,000 square metres.

In versions with all-over panelling Equipe meets the strict hygiene standards required in healthcare, and the trolley itself is easy to clean.

And thanks to its modular concept it can also be configured to suit the varied requirements of office cleaning. The new coupling function makes it quick and easy to detach the disposal unit from the basic trolley. Equipe can also be fitted with a foldaway disposal module. www.vermop.com

Wetrok KeyCar Safety with a Personalised Look Do you want a cleaning cart that is safe as well as visually pleasing?

Then the lockable Wetrok KeyCar is the answer.

Safety for Passers-By The entire cleaning cart can be locked with a single key. All chemical cleaning products are kept out of reach of unauthorised persons.

Your Own Personal Design Your logo, a picture, a personalised message – the exterior design is completely up to you. You can choose one of 20 themes or you can opt for a unique and individual look for your KeyCar. www.wetrok.com

How your KeyCar could look:

• La conception du chariot de nettoyage Equipe, de Vermop, a été remaniée et se prête tout particulièrement aux exigences des hôpitaux et des bureaux.

• Le nouveau chariot de nettoyage Origo 2 de la société Vileda est muni d’une tablette permettant à l’utilisateur de voir des messages et d’y répondre.

• AlphaSplit est un chariot de nettoyage proposé par Filmop qui peut être personnalisé de manière à comprendre un maximum de 8 sections à déchets.

• Der Reinigungswagen Equipe von Vermop wurde überarbeitet und eignet sich besonders für Anwendungen im Gesundheitswesen und im Büro.

•Der neue Reinigungswagen Origo 2 von Vileda ist mit einem integrierten Tablet ausgestattet, damit Benutzer eingehende Mitteilungen sehen und darauf reagieren können. .

• AlphaSplit ist der Reinigungswagen von Filmop, der angepasst werden kann, sodass er bis zu acht Abfallbereiche aufweist.

• Il carrello Equipe della Vermop è stato riprogettato ed è particolarmente adatto per gli usi in ambienti sanitari e negli uffici.

• Il nuovo carrello Origo 2 della Vileda è dotato di un tablet integrato che permette all’operatore di vedere e rispondere ai messaggi.

• AlphaSplit è il carrello prodotto dalla Filmop che può essere personalizzato per alloggiare fino a otto contenitori per rifiuti.

Smart device

Vileda Professional’s Origo 2 trolley is built for optimum hygiene, efficiency and safety as well as allowing for integration of tablets and digitally aided cleaning devices.

Features include push button opening lids, storage for multiple tools, separable satellite trolleys and an in-lid tablet/pad storage solution allowing users to see and respond to push messages.

And for particularly large sites, Origo 2 can be equipped with an optional motor. origo2.vileda-professional.com

Easy waste AlphaSplit is a customisable trolley from Filmop offering up to eight different compartments for waste collection. The 90-litre bag holder equipped with a lower pull-out drawer enables the operator to have one waste collection unit with a specific compartment for each kind of rubbish. The upper bag holder and the lower drawer have been designed with removable dividers for maximum customisation.

Also designed to occupy minimum space, AlphaSplit can also be fitted with Equodose, a mechanical dosing device to soak mops on demand, directly on site. And thanks to Link-Up, the fixing system designed by Filmop, it is possible to separate the bag holder compartment from the rest of the trolley with a simple click. www.filmop.com

SANITISERS & DISINFECTANTS

A closer look at resistance ECJ examines how understanding how different types of resistance may impact the effectiveness of sanitisers and disinfectants - with the help of Dale Grinstead, PhD, senior food safety technology fellow at Diversey.

Intrinsic resistance is generally a very stable trait and is closely linked to the basic structure of various microorganisms. In general, the intrinsic resistance of microorganism to biocides is, from most resistant to least resistant: spores > mycobacteria > non-enveloped viruses > gram negative bacteria > gram positive bacteria > enveloped viruses.

Phenotypically acquired resistance Resistance is the ability of a microorganism to exhibit reduced sensitivity to an antimicrobial treatment that would be effective against other organisms.

There are several kinds of resistance, including intrinsic resistance, phenotypically acquired resistance and genetically acquired resistance.

Intrinsic resistance Intrinsic resistance is the ability of an organism to be insensitive to an antimicrobial condition due to the nature of the microorganism. For instance, some microorganisms can form bacterial spores that enable them to survive conditions like extreme temperatures and drying, as well as exposure to many disinfectants and sanitisers. In particular, non-oxidising antimicrobials such as phenolics, alcohol, and quaternary ammonium chloride (QAC) are unable to penetrate a spore coat. And with oxidising biocides, it generally takes far higher levels and exposure times to inactivate a spore compared to a normal microorganism. For example, it may take 5,000 parts per million (ppm) and several minutes or more to inactivate a spore compared to only 50 ppm of chlorine and 30 seconds.

Another form of intrinsic resistance is displayed by mycobacteria, which have a cell wall that is very hydrophobic and contains a lot of natural wax. This can prevent many biocides, especially non-oxidising biocides, from penetrating the cell wall. This barrier can be overcome but it requires a higher level of biocide, longer exposure time or the use of other ingredients.

The ability of microorganisms to become insensitive to an antimicrobial treatment as a result of how and where the organism grows is considered phenotypically acquired resistance. An example is biofilms, complex communities of microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, moulds, protozoa, and viruses. Biofilms attach to surfaces and secrete a material that strengthens and protects the biofilm.

Organisms in a biofilm are far more resistant to antimicrobial agents than organisms that are freely in suspension.

This increased resistance occurs because antimicrobial agents can’t physically reach the microorganisms through the secreted material or they are inactivated by the material.

Organisms that are on a soiled surface or even in solution with a heavy soil load are also often very resistant to biocides. As with biofilms this is a result of the biocide being inactivated by the soil or physically prevented from reaching the organism.

Unlike intrinsic resistance, phenotypically acquired resistance is not a stable trait of microorganisms. If the organisms in a biofilm are suspended in solution so that they are no longer protected by the secreted material, the organisms are as sensitive to a biocide as an organism that was not in the biofilm. Or, if the soil is removed, the organisms will become sensitive to biocides. This is one reason why it is important to clean a surface before sanitisers are used.

Acquired genotypic resistance Genetically acquired resistance is insen-

sitivity to a biocide that a microorganism gains either via a mutation or through a transfer of resistance genes from one organism to another. A mutation is a change in an organism’s DNA, and on rare occasions, can make a microorganism resistant to biocides. Exposure to antimicrobials at sub-lethal levels over time can encourage this kind of mutation. Thus, it is critical that all sanitisers and disinfectants are used at the recommended concentrations and in the recommended way. It is also important that biocides drain properly.

Pooling or standing solutions of antimicrobials that get diluted to below lethal levels increase the chance that a mutant resistant to that biocide can develop.

Organisms can also acquire a genetic resistance to a biocide via acquisition of a resistance gene from another microorganism. There are different modes of transfer, but the end result is that an organism that was previously sensitive to a biocide can suddenly acquire the genes that cause it to be resistant to the biocide or even multiple antimicrobial agents.

Often this kind of resistance is not stable. A mutation or resistance gene may only offer a survival advantage as long as the biocide is present. For instance, a mutation in a binding site that makes it less likely that a QAC can bind to a microorganism may also interfere with the binding of nutrients that are important for the cell to survive. So, while the QAC is present, the mutation acts as a survival advantage but once the QAC is removed, the mutant is still not able to absorb nutrients easily and may disappear from a population once the biocide is gone.

The impact of resistance Many people get concerned about genetically acquired resistance to sanitisers, yet this is one of the least relevant forms. The confusion may be a result of the legitimate concern over genetically acquired resistance to antibiotics. However, antibiotics and the biocides that are used Continued page 26

November 2018 | ECJ | 25

SANITISERS & DISINFECTANTS A closer look at resistance (continued) in sanitisers and disinfectants are different compounds used in different ways. Antibiotics often have a single binding site on a target microorganism and a single site at which they are active. They are also used at levels that are very close to the lowest possible level at which the antimicrobial is effective, referred to as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). That means that a mutation in a single binding site or active site in a microorganism can make that organism nearly immune to an antibiotic, particularly if the antibiotic is used at levels that are near its MIC. However, biocides have many ways that they can kill microorganisms. In some cases, there may be hundreds or even thousands of binding sites or places in a bacterial cell where the biocide is active.

Even if a cell mutates so that a site on its surface no longer binds a biocide, it may

have a very limited effect on the effectiveness of the biocide. Another factor to consider is use levels. A sanitiser or disinfectant is often used at many times the MIC for that antimicrobial. For example, the MIC for a typical QAC against many organisms is 0.5-2 ppm. An organism that acquires resistance to a QAC may be able to tolerate 2-5 times that much QAC to survive 1-10 ppm. However, QAC is used at 200-800 ppm in many applications, so this level of resistance really has little or no effect.

Intrinsic resistance is also not a particularly relevant resistance as long as due care is taken when selecting sanitisers and disinfectants. Because this characteristic is stable and is inherent to the nature of target microorganisms, the effectiveness of an antimicrobial can be tested against the microorganism and

ECJ examine les différents types de résistance qui pourraient compromettre l’efficacité de désinfectants.

La résistance concerne l’aptitude d’un microorganisme à montrer une sensibilité réduite face à un traitement antimicrobien pourtant efficace contre d’autre organismes. Il existe plusieurs types de résistance. 907

Das ECJ untersucht, wie sich verschiedene Arten von Resistenz möglicherweise auf die Wirksamkeit von Handreinigern und Desinfektionsmitteln auswirken.

Resistenz ist die Fähigkeit eines Mikroorganismus, weniger empfindlich auf eine antimikrobielle Behandlung zu reagieren, die gegen andere Organismen wirkungsvoll wäre – und davon gibt es verschiedene Arten.

26 | November 2018 | ECJ

the antimicrobial’s label will indicate which microorganisms the treatment is effective against.

Often the most serious form of resistance is phenotypically acquired resistance, or organisms growing in biofilms or those protected by soil. The most important step for controlling these kinds of organisms is good cleaning practices. Yet when there is a microbial problem, many people change sanitisers on the assumption that organisms have acquired a genetic resistance or use the sanitisers at higher than recommend concentrations. Unfortunately, because most sanitisers and many disinfectants are poor cleaners and because the chemicals are often prevented from physically contacting microorganisms in biofilms or soil, such responses are ineffective. The correct response to this kind of resistance is to clean better.

ECJ prende in esame come le diverse tipologie di resistenza possono avere un impatto sull’efficacia dei sanitizzanti e dei disinfettanti. La resistenza è l’abilità di un microrganismo di mostrare la sensibilità ridotta nei confronti di un trattamento antimicrobico che sarebbe efficace contro altri organismi, e ne esistono numerosi tipi.

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS

Under pressure Growing concerns about the need to save water plus a heightened focus on operator safety are just two of the challenges confronting today’s high-pressure cleaning market. Ann Laffeaty finds out about the key pressures facing the industry – and asks what companies are doing to overcome them.

Like everything else, the cleaning industry is shifting focus in line with changing priorities. Factors such as productivity and cost in use are always going to be key considerations for any business. However, growing concerns about topics such as safety and sustainability have led to manufacturers striving to limit their use of water while also reducing noise levels and safety risks where they can.

So, how is this affecting the high pressure cleaning industry? Are manufacturers being placed under increasing pressure to make their systems quieter, safer and greener while also reducing the amount of water they use?

In fact water at high flow rates is an essential feature of many cleaning applications – and customers understand this, says DiBO’s managing director Arno Van den Borne.

“This is particularly the case with tasks such as sewer cleaning, pig house cleaning and so on,” he said.

However, he adds that sustainability is becoming increasingly important to DiBO’s customers. “The industry is under constant pressure to reduce energy consumption and noise, while vibration levels also need to be addressed for health and safety reasons,” he said.

DiBO’s IBH-S hot water high pressure cleaner is said to offer fewer vibrations and less noise than other machines due

to its radial high pressure pump with three ceramic plungers plus stainless steel valves. It is also equipped with the company’s in-house Dual Power Heating System which is said to bring sustainability benefits.

According to Van den Borne the company is also under growing pressure from its competitors. “We need to keep innovating and searching for new techniques – particularly in the context of energy consumption,” he said.

Like den Borne, Nilfisk’s portfolio management director Andrew Caddick says few of his company’s customers have a problem with the large quantities of water that are typically used in high pressure cleaning systems. “In fact the trend for some applications in agriculture is to move towards pressure washers that have a higher theoretical water consumption,” he said. “This is because end users realise that a higher flow significantly reduces cleaning time which means the real consumption of water, electricity and labour costs are drastically reduced.”

Manual alternatives to high pressure cleaning systems often involve even higher water consumption, he adds. “They often require a greater reliance on detergents, too, and even then they may not produce the desired results,” says Caddick.

As far as safety is concerned he believes health and safety bodies globally are becoming increasingly alert to the downsides of using high pressure cleaners and are aware of the need to warn users of the risks – and even to push for legislation.

“High pressure cleaners produce vibrations that are transmitted from the pump to the user via the hose and spray gun,” said Caddick. “Health and safety bodies have realised that over time this can cause damage to the hand and wrist, and legislation has been introduced recommending maximum levels of vibration in use.”

All Nilfisk products used with standard equipment fall below these limits, says Caddick. “We work constantly to investigate new ways of reducing these effects

in the same way that we reduce noise levels and emissions,” he said.

R+M Suttner’s head of sales Dirk Niesen believes the high pressure industry to be rising to meet today’s sustainability challenges. “Good cleaning results can be achieved at the same high pressures but using lower quantities of water - and this is one of the current trends in the sector,” he said. “However, one must bear in mind that in many fields such as agriculture, pipe cleaning and the food industry, the pulse energy of water is essential in order to loosen the dirt.”

The quantity of water used can be predetermined by means of control valves, he says. “One needs to strike a constant balance between using as little water as possible and as much as is necessary,” said Niesen.

Reduce vibration Like Caddick he feels that there is a growing focus on the need to reduce vibration levels for health and safety reasons. “Such challenges can be met in a cost effective way with the aid of suitable accessories and spray guns that have an ergonomic design,” he said.

And he adds that another pressure on the industry is the need to minimise downtime. “This is particularly the case in industrial applications and in the service sector, where efficient operations and the effective use of tools are vitally important,” he said. “This is why a quick and smooth change of accessories is vital.”

R+M Suttner’s ST-247 high pressure hose and lance coupling system is said to provide for a quick and easy change without the risk of jamming.

High pressure cleaning saves a great deal of water compared with the use of a garden hose argues Kärcher’s head of product management for high pressure cleaners Volker Steigauf.

“In any case, a minimum quantity of water is often required in order to be able to carry out the cleaning task as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” he said. “And to Continued page 30

November 2018 | ECJ | 29

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS Under pressure (continued) improve operator safety we have launched the EASY!Force trigger gun.”

This gun is said to dramatically reduce operator strain. “The operator has no need to tighten the hand and finger muscles, and this prevents any muscle tension or cramps,” he said.

However, he adds that the industry is coming under increasing pressure to reduce the quantity of exhaust gases produced by petrol and diesel-operated machines. “This issue will certainly have greater significance in the future,” he said.

“From 2020, all Kärcher machines will comply with the new EU Stage V exhaust emissions standard.

Reliance on water “We are also constantly improving the effectiveness of hot water machines with burners while in the cold water high pressure sector we are working on alternative energy sources, with the first machines being launched in 2019.”

Kärcher claims the pumps in its new mid-class cold water high pressure cleaners offer improved flow ratios and a reduced loss of pressure. “As a result we can achieve up to 15 per cent better cleaning performance with the same energy consumption,” said Steigauf.

The heavy reliance on water involved with high pressure cleaning is causing some of today’s customers to question the sustainability of the method, according to IPC’s communications manager Gabriella Bianco.

“They are becoming more sustainabilityfocused in general and are looking at the impact of their daily activities on the environment,” she said. “But at the same time, customers recognise that some cleaning tasks can only be performed by using high pressure washers. And contrary to what one might imagine, high pressure cleaning is an eco-friendly system.”

She argues high pressure cleaning reduces or eliminates the need for chemicals while the industry is also working towards modifying equipment to ensure a more efficient use of water. “This is a challenge for manufacturers, but high pressure cleaners that maximise water use will become a Le marché des nettoyeurs haute pression fait face aujourd’hui à des pressions de tous les côtés. Leur forte consommation en eau suscite des interrogations quant à leur durabilité, et leur vibrations intenses soulèvent des préoccupations en matière de prévention. De plus, les questions de coût et la concurrence des autres méthodes de nettoyage ne font qu’accroître ces pressions. Un regard sur les défis de cette industrie et sur les répliques qu’elle propose.

30 | November 2018 | ECJ

potential solution in Middle Eastern countries and other areas in the future where water is considered a precious natural asset,” she said.

IPC offers a range of systems that are designed to improve operator safety and enhance sustainability. “For example, our Delayed Total Stop system immediately stops the machine 30 seconds after the trigger gun has been closed,” said Bianco.

“And our PW-H50 and PW-H100 models are equipped with an accurate Electronic Temperature Stabiliser Control which ensures a constant water temperature to prevent high thermal variations.”

Idrobase customers also question the sustainability of using large quantities of water in high pressure cleaning systems.

“There is a growing awareness of the need to save precious commodities such as water,” said group commercial manager Pamela Callegaro. “We therefore focus on designing efficient operating systems that ensure maximum results and allow us to save as much water as possible.”

Safety problems such as vibrations may be reduced by using the appropriate accessories, she says. “We pay particular attention to the well-being of the user by developing lightweight systems that allow the lance, gun and nozzle to be connected and released with ease,” she said. The company’s patented PIUMA lightweight foam lance is aimed at the car wash market and offers three levels of foam regulation to meet different washing demands.

Facilities management company AM Services also considers the need to conserve water to be an important issue for customers. “Some clients actively seek alternatives or put control measures in place before choosing high pressure washing,” said general manager Paul Nelson.

“A small number of companies have even installed water recycling facilities to counteract high water use.”

AM Services delivers a “tool box talk” on water conservation to technicians to help them take a more sustainable approach to high pressure jetting.

“Many companies look to reduce the amount of time that a jet wash is in use and may also consider alternative cleaning Der Markt für Hochdruckreinigung sieht sich von allen Seiten unter Druck gesetzt. Der Verbrauch großer Mengen Wassers stellt die Nachhaltigkeit in Frage und aufgrund der damit verbundenen Vibrationsniveaus kommt es zu Sicherheitsbedenken. Und Themen wie Kosten und Wettbewerb von anderen Reinigungsmethoden verstärken den Druck nur. Wir werfen einen Blick auf die Herausforderungen, mit denen sich die Branche konfrontiert sieht, und wie sie sich weiterentwickelt, um ihnen gerecht zu werden.

methods such as foam or dry ice,” said Nelson. “However, these carry a higher price tag and budgets don’t always allow it.”

Nelson agrees with other companies that operator safety can be a challenge in the high pressure industry. “Vibration levels must be monitored and staff rotation should be put in place for longer-term operation,” he said. “Meanwhile, keeping abreast of innovation and investing in fitfor-purpose tools such as whirlaways and lances that have anti-vibration arms is essential.”

The industry is also under pressure from competition – both from rival high pressure water companies and from alternative cleaning methods, says Nelson.

“There are plenty of rival systems out there such as shot blasting, soda blasting, sand blasting and ice blasting,” he said. “However, it is difficult to control substances such as shot, sand or soda which is a major consideration for customers in the food sector and other sensitive industries.

Ice blast competition “This makes ice blasting the main rival to high pressure washing systems. But this method is considerably more expensive and doesn’t work that well when there is a particularly stubborn build-up of mess. So high pressure water cleaning is often by far the best option.”

So, how will manufacturers respond to the pressures on the industry going forward? “The challenge for the future is for manufacturers to act responsibly and identify best practice with the lowest footprint for each application – and then educate the users,” says Nilfisk’s Andrew Caddick.

IPC’s Gabriella Bianco claims R&D teams are investing heavily in pioneering electronic and high-tech systems. “These can improve the performance of the machines at competitive prices and with low maintenance costs,” she said. “The way is now clear tor the automation of high pressure cleaning machines along with more intuitive control panels and easier-to-use settings.”

Il settore delle idropulitrici ad alta pressione riceve pressione da tutti i fronti. L’uso di grandi quantità di acqua porta a interrogativi sulla sostenibilità mentre i livelli di vibrazione segnalano criticità in maniera di sicurezza e problematiche tipo costi e concorrenza da parte degli altri metodi di pulizia non fanno altro che aumentare la pressione. Facciamo una panoramica sulle sfide che il settore deve affrontare e come lo stesso si stia evolvendo per fronteggiarle.

PRODUCTS: HIGH PRESSURE rm-suttner.com

Cold water The latest generation of medium sized cold water high pressure cleaners from Kärcher are said to be particularly robust - they come in two versions.

smartphone, computer or tablet.

Standard features include digital display and joystick operation on the rear of the machine; optimum weight distribution; and choice of skid or fitted unit. www.dibo.com

Made in Germany 50 years of full experience

Saves labour

The mobile unit features an extendible handle and lightweight wheels which make it easy to transport. There is accessories storage and a hose reel can be fitted. The stationary version meanwhile is suitable for applications in automotive, for example, and is designed for wall fastening.

The EASY!Force gun is fitted to the mobile machine, featuring an ergonomic trigger that can be pushed into the handle with the ball of the thumb. This makes practically all static holding unnecessary after triggering: the recoil of the water jet presses the trigger into the hand. www.karcher.com

Compact, solid One of the latest additions to DiBO’s high pressure trailer line is the ultra-compact JMB-S hot water machine which is fitted with the latest environmentally conscious technologies. There is the option of cleaning with cold or hot water.

The machine is also available as a ‘+’ version, which is fitted with the new DiBO track & trace system, electronic level monitoring for the fuel and water tank, electronic gas control with automatic idling and a Real-Time Monitoring System (RTMS) with which the owner can see the exact status of the machine on a

According to Lavor Pro its Maine 1409 XP cold water high pressure cleaner ensures optimum hygiene while saving labour.

Ergonomics was a priority in the design, and this means easy transport, practical handle and on-board accessory storage.

Other features include suction and delivery S/S valves, detergent built-in tank for indirect suction, 2800 W motor power, 140-180 bar pressure, delivery rate of 540 litres per hour and Total Stop System. www.lavorpro.com

Pipe and sewer cleaning: • Les nettoyeurs haute pression à l’eau froide et de taille moyenne les plus récents de Kärcher se distinguent par leur mobilité et leur polyvalence.

• DiBo a introduit le JMB-S, un appareil de nettoyage haute pression ultra compact.

• La gamme Lavorwash de nettoyeurs haute pression a été enrichie du modèle à eau froide Maine 1409 XP.

• Die neuesten KaltwasserHochdruckreiniger mittlerer Größe von Kärcher sind äußerst beweglich und für viele Anwendungen geeignet.

• Neu im Angebot von DiBO ist der äußerst kompakte, anhängermontierte Hochdruckreiniger JMB-S. • Die neueste Ergänzung im Sortiment mit Hochdruckreinigern von Lavorwash ist das Kalkwassermodell Maine 1409 XP.

• Le più recenti idropulitrici ad alta pressione e acqua fredda di media dimensione della Kärcher sono estremamente mobili e adatte a numerosi tipi di lavoro.

• La novità della Dibo è la nuova idropulitrice ad alta pressione ultra compatta montata su carrello a rimorchio JMB-S. • Il modello più nuovo aggiunto alla gamma di idropulitrici ad alta pressione della Lavorwash è la macchina ad acqua fredda Maine 1409 XP.

Now even more effective!

Our philosophy is comprehensive and our maxim the „perfect setup“: We always take the interplay of machine, accessories, and the user into account.

Therefore, we do not confine ourselves to the production of high-quality and high-duty nozzles and control valves but always include the corresponding hose line in our systems.

You can rely on us. We are aware of your requirements – after all, it is precisely in these that we perceive the key to our success.

Your requirements are our strengths!

November 2018 | ECJ | 31

PRODUCTS: HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING High foaming For the application of foam cleaner in hard-to-access areas, especially at height, R+M/Suttner has developed a long-cast foam nozzle. When used with a high pressure cleaner and a suitable injector this can reach more than 10 metres.

So foam can be used for cleaning of roofs, façades or internal walls of container ships - for example - avoiding the need for expensive scaffolding.

Air volume can be set directly at the nozzle and enables tailoring of foam result and reach. rm-suttner.com

No vacuum Thanks to the easily exchangeable air injector nozzles and a maximum operating pressure of 350 bars, the foam nozzles adapt to any high pressure equipment. Maximum foam volume depends on the nozzle size and water quantity of the machine.

The new surface cleaner AQUA from Mosmatic is compact and mobile, cleaning with hot water up to 120 degrees. No vacuum system is required - dirty water and debris is recovered and expelled using Venturi.

Integrated recovery means no

Cleanliness made in Belgium

standing water left on cleaned surfaces, and the machine can be used for applications indoors and outdoors. www.mosmatic.com

Monitors energy IPC Group has implemented MSC technology in some of its high pressure cleaners - this is a system that reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs through self-diagnostics.

Among the functions is Intelligent Proportional Switch Off (IPSF) which shuts down the machine after a period of inactivity - as does the Flood Prevention System (FPS). Micro Leakage Control (MLC) stops it in case of dangerous leakage in the hydraulic circuit while Dry Running Protection (DRP) turns it off if it runs out of water. And NCC, lance Nozzle Clogged Control, stops the cleaner if the nozzle is obstructed. www.ipcworldwide.com • Pour appliquer de la mousse dans des zones difficiles d’accès, R+M/ Suttner propose une buse pouvant atteindre plus de 10 mètres.

• Le nettoyeur de surface AQUA est le nettoyeur haute pression le plus récent de la société Mosmatic. Cet appareil travaille à l’eau froide.

• Les nettoyeurs haute pression proposés par IPC Group font appel à l’informatique pour réduire la consommation d’énergie et assurer le diagnostic de problèmes éventuels.

PROFESSIONAL - INDUSTRIAL - TRAILER-MOUNTED

• R+M/Suttner bietet eine Düse mit einer Reichweite von über 10 Metern, um Schaum in schwer zugänglichen Bereichen auftragen zu können.

• Surface Cleaner AQUA ist der neueste Hochdruckreiniger von Mosmatic, der mit Heißwasser reinigt.

• Die IPC Group integriert MSCTechnologie in ihre Hochdruckreiniger, um den Energieverbrauch zu verringern und um die Selbstdiagnose von Problemen zu ermöglichen.

A wide range of powerful and innovative cleaning machines.

• Per l’applicazione di schiuma nelle aree difficili da raggiungere, la R+M/ Suttner propone una bocchetta che riesce a raggiungere più di 10 metri.

• Surface Cleaner AQUA è la più nuova idropulitrice ad alta pressione della Mosmatic che pulisce con acqua calda.

• La IPC Group include la tecnologia MSC nelle sue idropulitrici ad alta pressione per ridurre il consumo energetico e i problemi di autodiagnostica.

HIGH PRESSURE cleaners

DiBO NV Hoge Mauw 250, B-2370 Arendonk (BE) T +32 (0)14 67 22 51 F +32 (0)14 67 25 10

32 | November 2018 | ECJ

www.dibo.com

sales@dibo.com

ABRASIVE BLASTING

High pressure opportunities High pressure cleaners can be used for many cleaning tasks - among them is professional abrasive blasting. This brings with it new business opportunities, writes RM Suttner for ECJ.

The high pressure cleaning device is the universal platform for a wide variety of cleaning tasks. In order to open up new fields of application of the device and to recoup the investment in a high pressure cleaner as quickly as possible, a maximum utilization by the device should be aimed for. This succeeds in particular, if new services can be offered with the device in a simple way. One such service is professional abrasive blasting.

Abrasive blasting is known as a number of other different names such as wet blasting, media blasting, vapour blasting, slurry blasting and dustless blasting.

These are all terms used to describe this form of surface preparation which is different to sandblasting.

Wet abrasive blasting works by abrasive added into a high pressure water jet with high velocity. This drastically increases the mass and impact energy, while reducing the amount of dust that regular sandblasting would produce.

Remove stubborn material Wet abrasive blasting works on the same principal. By adjusting the ‘false airintake’ at the suction pipe the amount of abrasive material and water in the mixture allows the operator to remove stubborn surface material or carefully remove surface material from delicate surfaces.

Main advantages of wet blasting are that it’s a much faster process. You can easily paint strip a vehicle in under two hours depending on the surface material.

Water encapsulates the abrasive mate-

rial and dirt, which minimises the amount of dust produced. You can use any kind of abrasive material for the best possible surface finish as long it is not sticking to itself at the multi-phase flow process in the suction pipe and hose.

Water prevents friction and unlike sandblasting, the wet blasting method will not warp metal through the production of heat from friction, however the pressure from the blast nozzle could warp metal that does not have sufficient support structures in place which is why care is need in blasting certain surface types. By use of rust inhibitor in both the blasting procedure and the wash down at the end which decontaminates metal leaving a clean, chloride free paint ready surface for approximately 72 hours. Priming the surface area as soon as possible after the blasting process to further prevent flash rusting is highly recommended. The rust inhibitor might be injected by a high pressure stainless steel injector right at the outlet of the pressure washer.

Sandblasting and wet abrasive blasting are different because wet blasting uses water where as sandblasting doesn’t. Wet blasting requires water which is added to the blasting process.

Wet abrasive blasting, also known as dustless blasting, uses three elements being water, air and abrasive to remove contaminants from surface substrates.

The type of finish you require on the substrate determines the type of blasting media that will need to be used for your specific project.

Wet abrasive blasting also significantly lowers dust emissions due to the element of water being added to the process. By suppressing the ambient dust we are able to cause minimal disruption to those around us.

Abrasive media is encapsulated in water which immediately falls to the ground.

In fact wet blasting eliminates up to 92 per cent of the dust that is caused by the sandblasting process.

Sandblasting or dry blasting does not

use water which significantly increases the amount of dust particles that remain suspended in the air. It is also more dangerous than the wet blasting process and usually requires a special license due to the small particles that are produced from the process. Dry blasting or sand blasting also produces a lot more friction on metal surfaces which can cause stretching and warping of metal surfaces.

Even though wet blasting is a better form of blasting, sandblasting does have its place in certain industries. Metal surfaces such as oil tankers require sandblasting, however wet blasting can be used on any type of surface substrate and by adding certain additives it is possible to control things such as flash rusting.

What Is dustless blasting?

Dustless blasting is wet abrasive blasting. They are exactly the same thing.

However when we talk about dustless blaster you need to understand that there is no such thing as ‘dustless blasting‘ or dust free blasting.

There is research that has shown that the most effective vapour blasting system suppresses no more than 92 per cent of dust produced by dry blasting.

Dustless blasting is a term used to cleverly trick the customer into thinking that this process is dust free however any wet blasting process does leave some sort of a mess. Even though the wet blasting process may not create plumes of dust it leaves a mess on the ground because the water that encapsulates the abrasive media.

This wet blasting process causes the dust that would initially be suspended in the air if using the sandblasting process to fall to the ground. By laying out groundsheets we can easily clean up most of the mess that is left behind.

Gardens can be hosed down as the abrasive media used is completely eco friendly, however it’s the surface substrate profile that is the concern as that Continued page 34

November 2018 | ECJ | 33

ABRASIVE BLASTING High pressure opportunities (continued) can contaminate waterways and land.

The accident prevention regulations of the Employer’s Liability Insurance Association regarding “the use of high pressure cleaner” (BGV D15) and “tasks with liquid jets” (BGV 26) prescribe that adequate eye and face protection have to be worn in case of an operating pressure of 25 bar and more.

Varied granules Modern machines provide perfect abrasion and cleaning results in combination with the most varied sandblasting granules. Thanks to their stainless steel bodies, modern sandblasters feature utmost pressure resistance up to a continuous operating pressure of 500 bar.

Usually three symmetrical high pressure nozzles in the blasting head provide for a flow of the blasting agent without any deflections. This is how wear of the ceramic Le nettoyeur haute pression est une machine universelle capable d’accomplir de nombreuses tâches de nettoyage.

Afin d’inaugurer de nouvelles voies d’application et proposer de nouveaux services, le grenaillage abrasif professionnel pourrait constituer une option.

34 | November 2018 | ECJ

diffuser nozzle is reduced to a minimum and pulse energy of the blasting agent is used optimally.

Sandblasters are suitable for dust-free blasting of the following solids with a grain size ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 mm: • Mineral blasting agent (sand) removal of rust from metals or of old coatings and paintings. Cleaning and grinding of concrete surfaces. Varnish removal • Sodium carbonate (water-soluble) cleaning of sensitive surfaces such as aluminium, glass, plastics, stainless steel • Slag (fine) for cleaning of sandstone or brick as well as removal of graffiti from dark surfaces • Slag (coarse) removal of rust from metals or of old coatings and paintings. cleaning and grinding of concrete surfaces • Glass beads for cleaning of copper and bronze as well as polishing of stainless steel Der Hochdruckreiniger ist eine Mehrzweckmaschine, die für viele Reinigungsaufgaben eingesetzt werden kann.

Um neue Anwendungsgebiete zu eröffnen und um neue Dienstleistungen anzubieten, könnte das professionelle abrasive Strahlen eine Möglichkeit sein.

• Glass powder for cleaning of stainless steel and natural stone or for removal of graffiti from light surfaces.

Long hose Supplied double suction pipes can be set continuously and thus enable perfect metering of the amount of blasting agent and thanks to the different nozzle sizes, the blasting head can be adjusted to the performance of the device and to the sensitiveness of the surface structure.

The blasting agent hose could be extended to 10 metres without suffering any considerable performance loss. In this case, the height difference to overcome should not exceed two metres.

The backflow of water into the blasting agent hose is prevented efficiently by the geometry inside the blasting head. Bonding of the blasting agent in the blasting head is thus almost excluded.

L’idropulitrice è una macchina universale in grado di svolgere molte attività di pulizia. Allo scopo di aprire nuovi campi di applicazione e offrire nuovi servizi, la sabbiatura professionale potrebbe essere un’opzione.

SECURITY VETTING

In safe hands?

Knowing that your facilities are secure when outsourcing contracts is paramount. Secure commercial cleaning expert Julius Rutherfoord & Co wants to see levels of security vetting improved across the professional cleaning industry, says operations director Caroline Hutchins Security is an issue that every business, large and small, must take seriously to protect people and reputation and we know how important it is to our clients’ business. Figures indicate organisations are making significant investment in security. Massive cyberattacks and data breaches are driving companies worldwide to increase security spending to $96 billion in 2018—up eight per cent over 2017, according to a research forecast by Gartner.

Facilities managers play an essential role in ensuring the security of a building and must be confident that external contractors, such as their cleaning supplier, put security vetting first. While the best cleaning contractors are championing progressive attitudes to safety, general levels of security vetting need to be improved across the industry.

The contractor’s staff, systems and technology should all be focused on ensuring an organisation is in safe hands.

As well as the risk of theft or damage to property that can result from poor security vetting, there are other serious concerns around issues such as terrorism, cybercrime and the personal safety of people in the building.

Legality of the workforce All staff, whether recruited directly or inherited through the Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) process, must have the legal right to work in your country and pose no threat to your business.

The UK Home Office for example, esti-

mates as many as 900,000 people work illegally in Britain, many in the capital.

There have even been cases of employers knowingly taking on illegal workers and seeking to exploit them. This is despite facing penalties of up to €5,600 for each illegal worker employed and even tougher penalties under the UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act. Estates and facilities managers should check how thorough the cleaning provider’s recruitment procedures are, and what background identity checks are made.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks will only go so far, and are useless if the ID in question is fake. No-one should be able to work within a business without first providing photographic ID with a machine-readable zone (MRZ) so its validity can be checked.

Our use of passport scanning stands us out from the crowd and helps us to identify illegal workers applying to work with us. During the initial security vetting of staff we inherit through the TUPE process, we frequently find that up to 40 per cent of the previous contractors’ staff have fraudulent or out of date documentation.

Technology enables fake passports or ID documents to be identified in seconds which means that clients can be guaranteed a 100 per cent legal workforce.

The British Standard BS 7858:2012 is the recognised benchmark for performing candidate and employee screening within the UK and clients should be asking if their cleaning company are vetting to this level. Depending on the locations that you require your cleaner to access, facilities managers should also seek to establish whether cleaning operatives have been checked against the Children’s Barred List.

Site security Once employed, the checks and balances should not stop. Biometric time and attendance systems, whereby a person’s identification can be verified through unique physical attributes, such as their fingerprint or iris, offers the most advanced and reliable means of ensur-

ing only the right personnel enter your premises. This also means facilities managers know that a professional service is delivered to specification, cost-effectively and securely.

If this all sounds a bit ‘Big Brother’, it is worth remembering security vetting also helps to keep cleaning operatives themselves safe. Everyone has the right to work in secure environments, and anyone employing cleaning operatives has a duty of care to ensure they can work safely without the risk of harm. Understanding security and safety are a two-way priority is essential to gain the highest level of service from your contract staff.

Training Thorough training should be provided in health and safety, security procedures, cleaning skills and the needs of a particular site and client. Solid processes and procedures embedded in training will mean staff know what to do in every conceivable situation. Training should be carried out on-site on an ongoing basis to ensure operatives are up to date on everything from latest legislation to new procedures and equipment. Operatives should also be empowered to spot and report potential hazards – the client may not be aware there is an issue and will welcome proactivity in helping to reduce accidents.

Risks associated with manual handling, working at height and other challenges must be carefully assessed and mitigated through appropriate training before cleaning begins. At the same time, compliance issues associated with the use and safe storage of cleaning agents, equipment and other machinery, should be fully accounted for.

Systems and processes Effective management ensures an unobtrusive, quality, efficient, transparent service that does not compromise building security. As an example, we introduced an iPad-based contract management app Continued page 36

November 2018 | ECJ | 35

SECURITY VETTING In safe hands? (continued) which is used for every aspect of managing our sites from quality audits and onsite training to HR queries and health and safety audits.

While on-site with clients, technology enables area managers and quality auditors to use tablets to record a vast array of data about cleaning performance. With this information, the contractor’s head office can check whether they are accurately meeting the requirements set out in the cleaning specification, ensure relevant compliances and instantly create a site audit for clients. Operatives can even provide a date and time stamped photo capture of the area to be cleaned before and after the work has been completed, giving clients total peace of mind.

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems enable all communication between clients and contractors to be

logged and accessed quickly, which can help alleviate security concerns. Summaries can be held of conversations, emails, meetings, consumables used on site and details of any sub-contractors involved.

This helps the contractor understand clients’ needs more deeply and faster, which in turn builds a stronger and transparent working relationship.

The best contractors will use vehicle fleets that are tracked by GPS linked into a fleet software system. This ensures the contractor knows exactly where vehicles and staff are in real time. This also helps promote responsible driving practices which create a safer environment for everyone.

In addition, if there’s an emergency that requires additional backup support at your site, then it is possible for your cleaning contractor to check online to see where all

La sûreté est un thème que toutes les entreprises, grandes et petites, doivent prendre au sérieux, et ce surtout si elles ont a exécuter des travaux en soustraitance. Les taux de vérification à l’embauche doivent être resserrés considérablement à travers le secteur de la propreté, affirme Julius Rutherfoord & Co, un spécialiste de la propreté commerciale.

Die Sicherheit ist ein Problem, das jedes große oder kleine Unternehmen ernst nehmen muss, und wissen, dass die Einrichtungen bei der Fremdvergabe von Verträgen sicher sind, ist von höchster Wichtigkeit. Die Stufen der Sicherheitsüberprüfung sollten die gesamte professionelle Reinigungsbranche übergreifend erheblich verbessert werden, teilt der Experte für die sichere gewerbliche Reinigung, Julius Rutherfoord & Co, mit.

36 | November 2018 | ECJ

vehicles are and deploy the vehicle closest to the site.

Up to the challenge When organisations outsource cleaning and FM services, they need to be secure in the knowledge that they will be supported with exceptional service. Facilities managers should opt for contractors that can demonstrate the most up-to-date, innovative approach to protecting the personal safety of people within the building.

To highlight the security challenges facing businesses, and the importance of systems and procedures to protect facilities being cleaned, Julius Rutherfoord & Co has produced two videos about staff vetting procedures and security on client sites which are available to view at http://www. juliusrutherfoord.co.uk/julius-rutherfoordnews/videos La vigilanza è una questione che qualsiasi attività, piccola o grande, deve prendere in seria considerazione; sapere che le proprie strutture sono sicure quando si tratta di servizi in appalto è di fondamentale importanza.

I livelli di verifiche sulla sicurezza in tutto il settore del cleaning professionale dovrebbero essere alzati considerevolmente, come afferma la Julius Rutherfoord & Co, esperta in materia di pulizie commerciali sicure.

BUSINESS: ROBOTS

The rise of the machines?

Robots will put us all out of a job as the march towards automation in our workplaces continues apace, we were told. Scary stuff. But now we are beginning to hear that we may have less to fear from machines than the doomsayers would have us believe, writes Hartley Milner.

We all love watching Charlie Chaplain’s cane-swinging tramp shuffling from one calamitous encounter to the next. In the Chaplain classic Modern Times, we see him as a factory worker on a fast-moving assembly line and coming to grief with hilarious results.

The iconic little misfit’s struggle coming to terms with his place in an increasingly mechanised world during the Great Depression of the 1930s is eerily prescient, foreseeing many concerns we have about the human cost of automation in our troubled world today.

And the economic and social impact could be far-reaching and extremely disruptive, according to a new report by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The OECD has warned its members that the failure to prepare workers for an automation revolution will leave 66 million people at risk of being replaced by machines in coming years.

38 | November 2018 | ECJ

The study finds that 14 per cent of all jobs across the 32 countries studied are highly automatable, while a further 32 per cent are likely to experience significant changes to the way they are carried out.

Automation is most likely to affect jobs in manufacturing and agriculture, although a number of service sectors, such as postal and courier services, land transport and food services are also highly vulnerable.

Low-skilled people and youth are among those most at risk, with the jobs most likely to go being in low-skill sectors such as food preparation, cleaning and labouring. The report points to evidence that automation may also be putting downward pressure on wages and working hours.

Some countries are far more vulnerable than others to the rise of the machine, the report observes. Significant differences exist across countries… 33 per cent of all jobs in Slovakia are highly automatable, while this is only the case with six per cent in Norway. More generally, jobs in Anglo-Saxon, Nordic countries and the Netherlands are less automatable than those in eastern and southern European countries, Germany, Chile and Japan.

Britain is identified as one of the countries that would be less affected by automation, but even so one in 10 jobs would be at risk and one in four could experience

significant change.

Education will be vital in reducing the impacts of automation, the report continues. Workers in fully automatable jobs are currently more than three times less likely to have participated in on-thejob training, over a 12-month period, than workers in non-automatable jobs.

Those most at risk are also less likely to participate in formal education or distance learning. The report flags up the need to help young people obtain work experience while studying, and highlights the importance of retraining and social protection for those at risk of seeing their job restructured or significantly downsized.

Rising employment Having said all that, the thinktank finds reasons why the future may not be jobless and employment may continue to rise: “While the prospect that every second job in the OECD may be impacted by automation is daunting, it is only a technical possibility. The actual implementation of full or partial job automation will depend on a range of other factors such as technology penetration and adoption, the cost of human labour relative to the new technologies and the social preferences for automating certain tasks. Take-up of new technologies lags behind the technical feasibility and some innovations are never

BUSINESS: ROBOTS widely implemented. For example, even if care services for the elderly could be automated, people may continue to attach a value to those tasks being performed by humans.

“Moreover, even if technology makes certain jobs redundant, it also creates new ones. Historical examples include the introduction of automatic telling machines (ATMs), which performed routine tasks handled by human bank tellers but freed up their time for more productive tasks such as non-routine marketing and individualised customer services, ultimately leading to an increase in employment numbers. Similarly, jobs are likely to be created for the development, implementation, maintenance and use of new technology.”

A still more upbeat assessment is contained in a survey of company executives representing 15 million workers in 20 different countries carried out by the World Economic Forum. The WEF suggests that as many as 133 million jobs could be created globally with the help of rapid technological advances in workplaces over the next decade, compared with 75 million jobs that could be displaced.

The report points out that new technologies have the capacity to both disrupt and create new ways of working, similar to previous periods of economic history such as the Industrial Revolution when the advent of steam power and then electricity helped spur the creation of new jobs and the development of the middle class.

Total task-hours By 2022, for tasks such as information and data processing, machines will for the first time surpass humans in working the number of task-hours required, the WEF predicts. Even in functions like reasoning and decision-making, the most human of functions at present, machines will take over 28 per cent of total task-hours, compared to 19 per cent today. However, the majority of companies believe that this automation will be offset by growth in new roles.

“If managed wisely, these transformations could lead to a new age of good work, good jobs and improved quality of life for all, but if managed Les robots nous coûteront bientôt nos emplois à mesure que l’automatisation envahira notre lieu de travail. Du moins, c’est ce qu’on nous a dit. Plutôt effrayant ! Mais désormais, il semble que nous ayons moins de raisons de redouter l’advenue des machines robotiques que ne l’affirment les pessimistes, explique Hartley Milner. 904

poorly they pose the risk of widening skills gaps, greater inequality and broader polarization,” Klaus Schwab, chairman of the WEF, writes in the report.

However, Schwab also stresses that employment gains from technology were not a foregone conclusion and would require greater investment in training and education to help workers adapt. There are urgent challenges for reskilling workers and safety nets are required to protect those most at risk. “This is a call to action to governments, businesses, educators and individuals alike to take advantage of a rapidly closing window to create a new future of good work for all,” he adds.

Workers confident In Britain, a two-year commission has been launched by trade unions and the Fabian Society to identify urgent actions that government, employers and trade unions need to take in support of workers as technology impacts on jobs over the next decade. Alongside this, the commission published the findings of an in-depth online survey of 1,000 workers’ views and expectations about technological change.

The study finds that 73 per cent of workers are confident they would be able to change and update their skills if their job is affected. After learning about how technological changes will impact the workplace, 53 per cent said they are optimistic about their future working life and job prospects. However, a significant minority remain anxious about the impact of automation over the next 10 years, with 37 per cent – the equivalent of 10 million people – fearing their job will change for the worse and 23 per cent (representing six million people) having concerns that their current job may no longer be needed.

MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs the commission, said: “It’s vital that action is taken now to make sure technology creates new better jobs and that all workers benefit from new technology.

We have to make sure that automation and the digital revolution don’t widen inequality and that everyone gets the help and support they need to get on… we need to ensure that automation is an opportunity and not a threat for British workers.”

Mit fortschreitender Automatisierung am Arbeitsplatz werden Roboter uns alle arbeitslos machen, wurde uns gesagt. Das macht Angst. Doch jetzt hört man vereinzelt, dass wir vielleicht doch nicht so viel von Maschinen zu fürchten haben, wie die Schwarzmaler uns glauben machen wollten, schreibt Hartley Milner

What jobs are at risk?

Research by Oxford University finds that 47 per cent of jobs are at risk of being taken over by robots over the next 20 years. Jobs in transportation, logistics, as well as office and administrative support, are all highly vulnerable, according to the study of 700 occupations.

More surprisingly, occupations within the service industry are also in jeopardy, despite rapid growth of the sector. Here are the jobs the study suggests are most, and least, at risk from automation.

These are the 10 jobs most at risk and the likelihood of the job becoming automated.

• Insurance underwriters, 98.9 per cent • Loan officers, 98.36 per cent • Credit analysts, 97.85 per cent • Real estate brokers, 97.29 per cent • Compensation and benefits managers, 95.57 per cent • Postal service clerks, 95.41 per cent • Nuclear power reactor operators, 94.68 per cent • Budget analysts, 93.78 per cent • Accountants and auditor, 93.51 per cent • Geological and petroleum technicians, 91.28 per cent.

And these are the 10 jobs least at risk and the likelihood of that job becoming automated.

• First-line supervisors of mechanics installers and repairers, 0.30 per cent • Emergency management directors, 0.30 per cent • Audiologists, 0.33 per cent • Occupational therapists, 0.35 per cent • Orthotists and prosthetists, 0.35 per cent • Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 0.36 per cent • First-line supervisors of fire-fighting and prevention workers, 0.36 per cent • Dietitians and nutritionists, 0.39 per cent • Sales engineers, 0.41 per cent • Physicians and surgeons, 0.42 per cent.

“Our findings imply that as technology races ahead, low-skilled workers will move to tasks that are not susceptible to computerisation, ie, tasks that require creative and social intelligence,” the Oxford paper states. “For workers to win the race, however, they will have to acquire creative and social skills.”

Ci viene detto che i robot faranno perdere il lavoro a tutti noi mentre la marcia verso l’automazione nei nostri luoghi di lavoro continua rapidamente. Notizia spaventosa. Ma ora iniziamo a sentire che potremmo avere meno da temere dalle macchine di quello che i pessimisti menagrami ci vorrebbero far credere, come ci riferisce Hartley Milner.

November 2018 | ECJ | 39

HAND HYGIENE

Tackling infection rates For anyone working in healthcare environments, hand hygiene must be a priority - 80 per cent of infections are transmitted by the hands after all. Brian Waligora, ceo at Surfaceskins, offers advice on boosting hygiene.

For anyone working to provide cleaning services within a healthcare environment, it goes without saying hand hygiene should be top of mind.

The truth is up to 80 per cent of infections are transmitted by hands; as soon as you touch a door, you risk becoming contaminated from the people who have used the door recently. Breaking this cycle is pivotal in terms of developing an infection control strategy, as washing your hands only provides you with a certain amount of protection if you then touch a contaminated door. This being said, starting with good hand washing practice is a great first step.

It’s vital to ensure there are plenty of gel dispensers in and outside toilet areas and in places where food is served or prepared

40 | November 2018 | ECJ

such as canteens and kitchens. Patients and staff should be reminded to use gel dispensers at key times, such as before and after meals, and after sharing handheld items. It’s also important to make sure these dispensers are situated at the entrance to your healthcare facility so that visitors clean their hands before entering – you don’t want germs from the outside world to ruin all your hygiene efforts. Touchless dispensers are an even more effective option as they help reduce the chances of people inadvertently spreading germs when they dispense the hand sanitiser.

Available soap It goes without saying that good quality soap needs to be available at all sinks and it’s pivotal you facilitate an easy way to dry hands, such as disposable towels or a hand dryer. Communal towels simply aren’t hygienic and could deter some people from even washing their hands.

Another powerful tool is to put up clear and bold posters around your healthcare facility constantly reminding patients, staff and visitors of the dangers of poor hand hygiene.

Research shows only one in three people clean their hands after they sneeze or cough into them. By providing cleaning staff with tissues, and having them placed

within easy access in the healthcare facility, there’s more chance people will use these to catch germs instead of their hands.

Holding workshops or seminars for your cleaning staff on the benefits of optimising hand hygiene will work wonders as the reality is, shaming people into compliance is a powerful tool. No one will want to admit to being in the group of people (according to some studies, 95 per cent) who don’t wash their hands after going to the toilet. Then you can sit back and watch compliance improve as people do all they can to avoid falling into the wrong group.

Adding to this, it’s worth providing staff with annual training courses to ensure they’re staying on the pulse of current trends and best practices. New staff should also be required to take part in intensive training to learn your healthcare facility’s hand hygiene protocol inside out, before they start their role.

Monitoring Measuring compliance is a powerful incentive for staff as they will understand the link to improved hand hygiene, so inform your cleaning staff members that you’re monitoring soap consumption and/or gel usage. Indeed, according Continued page 42

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HAND HYGIENE Tackling infection rates (continued) to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monitoring hand hygiene compliance is of crucial importance to help give you feedback regarding defective practices and even provide data for any outbreaks. Some innovative electronic systems exist which provide the automatic monitoring of hand hygiene compliance and collect data very effectively.

Better awareness Boosting awareness of hand hygiene, promoting hand washing and the use of hand gels in a healthcare environment are all powerful factors in improving compliance. But it could be time to look at introducing other more high tech measures to compliment these practices.

Disruptive and game-changing prodQuiconque travaille dans le secteur de la santé sait que l’hygiène des mains relève d’une priorité. Jusqu’à 80 pour cent des infections sont transmises par les mains et il est vital de déployer des équipements appropriés pour le lavage des mains, et aussi de proposer une formation régulière aux membres du personnel et aux visiteurs. Le suivi de la performance joue également un rôle crucial pour le recueil de données.

42 | November 2018 | ECJ

ucts are being manufactured that could provide a key weapon in the battle against the spread of infection; whether it’s flu or other healthcare microbes such as MRSA. There are special push pad products available, which replace aluminium door plates - these secrete a tiny amount of antibacterial gel when touched to go through the door. The anti-bacterial gel kills any bacteria that may have been deposited on the door and kills them in seconds, ensuring the user touches a disinfected surface not a contaminated one. Door handle covers containing the same gel also provide an effective self-disinfecting solution for door pull handles.

It’s important to note that even the most advanced technology is by no means a replacement for hand washing. Rather,

the latest tech can help provide an extra line of defence by helping hands remain clean after being washed thoroughly with soap, or using hand gel.

So by boosting hand washing practices and introducing technical hygiene-focused measures to your healthcare facility, you’ll be going a long way towards boosting overall hand hygiene and cutting infection rates dramatically.

Für alle, die im Gesundheitswesen tätig sind, sollte es selbstverständlich sein, dass die Handhygiene hoch auf der Liste der Prioritäten steht. Bis zu 80 Prozent aller Infektionen werden über die Hände übertragen, und es ist unverzichtbar, dass angemessene Einrichtungen zum Händewaschen vorhanden sind und dass Mitarbeiter und Besucher an regelmäßigen Schulungen teilnehmen.

Die Überwachung der Einhaltung ist ebenfalls äußerst wichtig, um aussagekräftige Daten zu erhalten

Per chiunque lavori nell’ambito di un ambiente sanitario,è superfluo dire che l’igiene delle mani dovrebbe essere in cima alla lista di priorità. Fino all’80 per cento delle infezioni vengono trasmesse dalle mani ed è di vitale importanza che vengano rese disponibili delle adeguate strutture per il loro lavaggio e che il personale e i visitatori ricevano un training regolare. La verifica delle conformità è altrettanto di vitale importanza nel fornire i dati.

Next edition of ECJ February/March 2019.

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PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

• Fooom a lancé un distributeur de savon activé par capteur et doté de fonctions programmables.

• Les nettoie-main à mousse Power Foams de la société Deb sont destinés à des environnements industriels.

• Le désinfectant des mains SURE Instant proposé par Diversey contient des ingrédients végétaux.

• Neu von Fooom ist ein sensoraktivierter Seifenspender mit programmierbaren Funktionen.

• Bei Power Foams von Deb handelt es sich um Handreiniger für industrielle Umgebungen.

• Das Händedesinfektionsmittel SURE Instant von Diversey wird aus Inhaltsstoffen auf Pflanzenbasis hergestellt.

• Il nuovo prodotto della Fooom è un dispenser di sapone attivato per mezzo di un sensore dotato di funzioni programmabili.

• Power Foams della Deb sono detergenti per mani in schiuma adatti agli ambienti industriali.

• Il sanitizzante per le mani SURE Instant Hand Sanitiser della Diversey è formulato utilizzando ingredienti a base vegetale.

44 | November 2018 | ECJ

Sensor activates

Powerful foam

Plant base

New from Fooom is a wall mounted 1,000 ml sensor activated dispenser featuring programmable sensor height distance and three dose volumes to avoid overuse of soap.

Battery life is claimed to be extra long thanks to the energy saving system and the unit can be used for foam, liquid or gel.

The dispenser also has BioProtect lifetime guaranteed antimicrobial treatment for optimum hygiene. Different pump types and refill options are available - hand soap, hand disinfectant, sanitiser and other skin care products. Customised solutions are also available, as are private label refills. www.fooom.eu

After carrying out extensive research and testing within industrial environments Deb has created a new range of high performance foam hand cleaners which it claims deliver a powerful clean while also caring for the skin.

Power Foams can be used in applications from warehousing and logistics to heavy manufacturing. And Deb says they leave hands feeling conditioned and cared for, no matter how stubborn the dirt.

Estesol FX has been formulated for lighter industrial environments where a solution has previously been compromised.

Suitable for food manufacturing sites, for example, it also comes perfume-free and dye-free.

For more heavy duty cleaning Solopol GFX has extra grit and is suitable for applications where workers’ hands are exposed to oils, grease and lubricants. www.debgroup.com

SURE Instant Hand Sanitiser from Diversey is a plant-based formula that is registered in accordance with the biocidal products directive (BPD) rather than the cosmetics directive.

The alcohol free foam disinfectant is effective against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses, and is one of the range of products dispensed through the Intellicare hand care dispenser. This is available as a hybrid version that allows for both no-touch and manual activation. www.diversey.com

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

Mobile apps GOJO Industries Europe has created two mobile apps designed to help reduce maintenance time spent on dispensers and improve hand hygiene performance.

The GOJO SMARTLINK Service Alerts System is a preventative maintenance system that continuously monitors hand hygiene dispensers and provides predictive analytics that lead to productivity improvements.

The secure software web portal allows users to customise alerts and alarms that include data on dispenser usage, estimated refill replacement dates, alarm status and history.

Meanwhile, the GOJO SMARTLINK Observation System provides feedback, delivers reports immediately for both hand hygiene and PPE compliance and saves time. It helps to improve the efficiency of completing hand hygiene audits, delivering targeted reporting. www.gojo.com

Accessible Essity, which produces Tork hand hygiene systems, offers a range of solutions designed to make hand hygiene facilities easier to use, more accessible and available to all.

For example, the Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel dispenser houses 250 per cent more towels than other hand towel units while also enabling the washroom visitor to take a towel in just three seconds. This means the user will have easy access to a hand towel and the supply will not run out.

Tork Foam Soap dispensers are

easy to use since they require a particularly low push force.

This means even small children and the frail always have easy access to soap.

And Tork EasyCube facility software uses sensors placed inside washrooms and dispensers to ensure units remain full. www.tork.co.uk

Cradle to Cradle WEPA’s Satino Black hand soaps, foam soaps and alcohol gel are Cradle to Cradle certified which it says guarantees 100 per cent safety for people and the environment. They come in SparQ and Qlash fragrances. www.satinoblack.com

• GOJO a créé deux applications mobiles pour réduire les temps d’entretien consacrés aux distributeurs et pour améliorer l’hygiène des mains.

• Tork propose des systèmes conçus pour faciliter l’utilisation, l’accessibilité et la disponibilité d’appareils pour l’hygiène des mains.

• Les savons pour les mains et gels à l’alcool Satino Black ont reçu la certification Cradle to Cradle.

• GOJO hat zwei mobile Apps erstellt, mit denen die Wartungszeit bei Spendern verringert und die Handhygiene verbessert werden kann.

• Tork bietet Systeme, die konzipiert wurden, um für alle Benutzer Handhygieneeinrichtungen benutzerfreundlicher zu machen und die Zugänglichkeit und die Verfügbarkeit zu verbessern.

• Handseifen und Alkohol-Gel von Satino Black sind Cradle-to-Cradlezertifiziert.

• La GOJO ha creato due app mobili per aiutare a ridurre il tempo di manutenzione utilizzato per i dispenser e migliorare l’igiene delle mani.

• La Tork propone sistemi progettati per rendere le strutture per l’igiene delle mani più facili da usare, più accessibili e a disposizione di tutti.

• I saponi per le mani e gel a base di alcool Satino Black sono certificati Cradle to Cradle.

November 2018 | ECJ | 45

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

Hospital drying A multisite study supported by funding from the European Tissue Symposium (ETS) has been carried out in hospital washrooms in France, Italy and the UK to compare different hand drying methods and their propensity to minimise or raise the spread of bacteria and viruses.

It says higher levels of antibioticresistant bacteria - including MRSA, ESBL-producing enterobacteria and enterococci – were

levels of bacterial contamination were found in toilets using paper towels than in those using jet air dryers and total bacterial recovery from JAD outer surfaces was also significantly greater. europeantissue.com detected in toilets equipped with jet air dryers than in those with paper towels.

Two toilets in each of the three hospitals were compared over a 12 week period with cultures taken from air, surrounding surfaces and dust. Generally lower

Instant sanitiser Northwood brand North Shore has developed a new alcohol free instant hand sanitiser said to kill 99.9 per cent of germs within 30 seconds.

This joins the other soaps in the company’s range - foam, lotion foam and anti-bacterial foam - and is easy to load into the dispenser, which features anti-drop technology.

The high capacity units feature a large push bar to instigate a manual pump action dispenser with generous shot size to encourage single-pump use. www.northwood.co.uk

Healthy skin Skin care products specialist Americol has developed a clean hands/healthy skin programme with different modules for all situations and environments.

The company says all products for skin protection, cleaning and skin care are composed with the most modern and durable ingredients, and synthetic granules have been replaced by natural ones. Packaging is tailored to optimum dosages.

The focus of the programme is good skin hygiene, reducing the risk of infections and preventing skin irritation. www.americol.nl • Le choix de méthode de séchage des mains dans les toilettes d’hôpitaux doit être décidé par les responsables de la maîtrise des infections, affirme ETS, l’association du papier de soie.

• Un nouveau désinfectant des mains à effet immédiat a été lancé par North Shore.

• Americol a développé un programme de propreté et de santé des mains comprenant des produits de protection, de lavage et de soin de la peau.

• Welche Methode zum Händetrocknen in Krankenhauswaschräumen ausgewählt wird, sollte von Teams zur Eindämmung von Infektionen entschieden werden, teilt der TissueVerband ETS mit.

• Ein neues InstantHändedesinfektionsmittel wurde von North Shore vorgestellt.

• Americol hat ein Programm für saubere Hände und gesunde Haut entwickelt, das Produkte zum Schutz, zur Reinigung und zur Pflege der Haut umfasst.

• La scelta dei metodi di asciugatura delle mani negli ospedali dovrebbere essere una decisione da parte dei team di controllo delle infezioni, come afferma l’associazione dei prodotti in carta ETS. • La North Shore ha lanciato un nuovo disinfettante immediato per le mani.

• La Americol ha sviluppato un programma di mani pulite e pelle sana che include prodotti per la protezione, la pulizia e la cura della pelle.

46 | November 2018 | ECJ

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE Don’t touch Savona Ellipse Auto is a notouch soap dispenser from Kennedy Hygiene based on infra-red proximity technology.

Boasting fast dose delivery, the unit has an energy efficient electronic module which means it takes two individual

prevention needs. It features a robust plastic housing, compatibility with the Euro bottle standard and integration with the new disposable hygiene pump (DHP).

Other features include a stainless steel hygiene lever, easychange bottle and pump mechanism,

a safety-click drip tray and an easy-to-clean, high gloss finish.

Having Euro bottle standard compatibility optimises supply reliability and freedom of product selection. www.ophardt.com

Wall or mobile The new wet wipe dispenser from Addgards can be wall mounted or mobile. For wall mounting there is a simple-touse bracket for easy installation.

The unit is available in a range of colours and finishes and is suitable for use in kitchens, reception areas, offices, gym, retail and mobile food vendors.

It holds rolls of up to 500 antibacterial biodegradable wipes. www.addgards.com

D-Cell batteries to service up to 85 bottles of foam soap or 96 bottles of liquid soap.

Available for liquid or foam soap, Savona Ellipse Auto is and compatible with various cartridge sizes and direct-fill bottles. The foam version provides a large volume of foam in a single dose. www.kennedy-hygiene.com

Built to last Ophardt says its new manually operated hand soap and disinfectant dispenser RX 5 M is built to meet modern infection • Le distributeur de savon pour les mains Savona Ellipse Auto, fabriqué par Kennedy Hygiene, utilise un détecteur de proximité à rayons infrarouge.

• Ophardt a lancé le RX 5M, un distributeur de savon et de désinfectant pour les mains répondant aux exigences modernes de la prévention des infections.

• Le distributeur de lingettes humides de la société Addgards peut être mobile ou à montage mural.

• Der berührungslose Handseifenspender Savona Ellipse Auto von Kennedy Hygiene arbeitet mittels infraroter Näherungstechnik.

• Neu von Ophardt ist der Handseifenund Desinfektionsmittelspender RX 5M, der konzipiert wurde, um modernen Ansprüchen an die Infektionsverhütung gerecht zu werden.

• Der Mini Wet Wipe Dispenser von Addgards kann an der Wand befestigt oder frei beweglich aufgestellt werden.

• Il nuovo dispenser di sapone per le mani no-touch Savona Ellipse Auto prodotto dalla Kennedy Hygiene funziona con la tecnologia dei sensori a raggi infrarossi.

• Il nuovo prodotto della Ophardt è il dispenser per sapone per le mani e disinfettante RX 5M, progettato per fronteggiare le moderne esigenze di prevenzione delle infezioni.

• Il dispenser di salviettine umidificate Mini Wet Wipe Dispenser della Addgards può essere mobile oppure montato a parete.

November 2018 | ECJ | 47

– Rewarding Industry Excellence –

SAVE THE DATE 17th OCTOBER 2019 THE CHURCH HOUSE WESTMINSTER, LONDON

WWW.ECHAWARDS.COM

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Recycling part of the solution Total Recycling Services, one of the UK’s leading waste management providers, believes in the important role recycling companies play in the worldwide plastics pollution problem.

ECJ spoke to operations director Andy Dobson about the effects plastics are having on the environment right across Europe and what the waste management industry is doing in the fight against pollution.

Nobody wants our seas and oceans polluted with plastics. From the giant ocean garbage patches down to the tiny particles penetrating the food chain – each news article brings home the message that there is a serious global issue that requires immediate action.

For recycling companies, each recyclable item floating in the sea is a missed opportunity and this is a problem that has been ignored for too long. The increased awareness of plastics in the environment has to be a positive. Consumers are identifying with the global issue of plastic pollution and demanding change.

Governments and campaigners are talking about incentives, initiatives, taxes and penalties to reduce non-recyclable waste and increase recycling rates.

But there is no doubt huge change is required in the way individuals think about and use plastics in our day to day lives - and the recycling industry is part of that solution.

We have been reiterating for some time to our customers that quality of recyclables is a key issue. For some clean, well segregated grades there is generally a route and a market. For some other grades - less well sorted or lower grade there are fewer options, or the rebates are much lower or nonexistent.

Rebates on plastics Rebates on plastics are a great incentive to businesses - and when these disappear it inevitably causes the producer to question the efforts undertaken to recycle.

The recycling industry is used to responding to changes in legislation and to being pulled by ever changing market demands. Customers seeking recycling providers are looking for consistent rebates and guaranteed routes which can be difficult.

China has traditionally been the ‘easy option’ for many materials and the impact of China’s National Sword program has sent a ripple around the globe. Switching to disposal as opposed to recovery clearly isn’t the option, so the world has been

looking to new, alternative and emerging markets for genuine options.

Transport links, container availability and, of course, capacity all play a huge role in the ease of trading and the sustainability of some of these options hasn’t been fully explored yet.

If, in the longer term, it leads to better awareness, quality and ultimately investment in the source countries, then in the longer term it may lead to more countries developing more sustainable systems at home.

Landfill figures Some figures on plastic waste indicate that up to 25 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated by Europeans each year, which is a colossal amount. Some estimates indicate that less than 30 per cent is collected for recycling.

Figures from 2014 also indicate countries such as Austria, Germany, Belgium and some others are landfilling virtually no municipal waste – whereas others including Latvia, Croatia and Greece still landfill more than three quarters of such waste.

Investment in infrastructure, sensible taxation and incentives and support for the recycling industry is key to creating a more unified approach.

We share the planet and all must take responsibility - not only on our impact where we live but with our neighbours. We need a harmonised approach.

Earlier in the year, the European Commission announced a European strategy for plastics aimed at improving design, increasing recycling rates and improving quality, with the overall aim being more sustainable consumption of plastics with a move towards a circular economy.

The EU circular economy package looks at the whole picture from design through to production and use, all with a view to reducing the overall impact of such materials.

All of that is great, but in September the Basel Convention discussed classifyContinued page 50

November 2018 | ECJ | 49

WASTE MANAGEMENT Recycling part of the solution (continued) legislation stood in the way of genuine recycling options. So much has changed over the last 10 to 15 years.

Opportunities are arising all the time and the recycling industry is challenging traditional views on what is waste and bringing about changes through ‘end of waste’ criteria and the demand for quality protocols.

New equipment

ing some plastic wastes as a hazardous material. Assuming the existing complex controls on exporting such materials apply, this could create a ridiculously complex market situation that surely wouldn’t benefit the environment.

Logically each country should have the infrastructure to manage its own waste but how long would this take?

As a child I had no awareness of waste or recycling. It just went away. Children

ECJ examine l’impact des matières plastiques sur notre milieu et le rôle qui incombe aux entreprises de recyclage dans ce domaine. À leurs yeux, tout objet recyclable flottant dans l’océan représente une opportunité manquée, ainsi qu’un problème d’envergure mondiale appelant à des mesures immédiates.

50 | November 2018 | ECJ

these days are much more aware and that is promising. Their attitudes don’t need changing if we get this right now and perhaps we are just a generation away from really turning the corner.

We can be the generation that lays the foundations.

My knowledge came through training as an Environment Agency officer and subsequently onwards into the industry. As a trainee officer I was astonished at how

Das ECJ betrachtet, welche Auswirkungen Plastik auf unsere Umwelt hat und welche Rolle RecyclingUnternehmen spielen können. Für sie ist jeder recycelbarer Gegenstand, der im Meer treibt, eine verpasste Gelegenheit, und dieses ernste weltweite Problem bedarf sofortiger Maßnahmen.

Month on month we are seeing innovation in the sector, with new equipment designed to facilitate improved recycling rates appearing regularly. People will invest and develop further and a more stable market and regularised policies will give confidence to do this.

The issue of plastics is not just an end of pipe problem and it isn’t about minimising what we use and making sure those items are segregated and arrive at effective recycling facilities.

Recycled packaging and products must be attractive to the retailer and consumer.

If a consumer has the choice of the same product in recycled or new packaging from the manufacturer - will they select the recycled option? They are certainly more likely to if there is a financial incentive for selecting the recycled option over the one made of new materials.

ECJ esamina gli effetti che la plastica sta avendo sull’ambiente e il ruolo che le imprese di riciclo possono avere. Per loro, ogni oggetto riciclabile che fluttua nell’oceano è un’opportunità persa e questo serio problema globale necessita di azione immediata.

PRODUCTS: WASTE MANAGEMENT

Circular option

such as paper, plastic, organic waste, cups and residual waste are collected separately at a central location. www.vepabins.nl

more for the side Enviropods. www.leafieldrecycle.com

Nappy disposal

Even bigger Waste bin specialist Vepa Bins says that with the introduction of its Bon Ton waste separation module, the next step towards a circular economy is being taken.

The BonTon represents optimal reuse of raw materials. By separating waste at the source with these units, the user not only contributes to responsible waste recycling, but also uses a product made of fully recycled material. The modular separation unit is made of 100 per cent recycled polypropylene from construction and demolition waste as well as bulky waste.

It can be clicked together easily to form a complete waste separation unit, so products

Leafield Environmental has increased the capacity of its EnviroHub by an extra 20 litres.

The hub comprises two new 43-litre Enviropods, attached to a 100-litre Envirobin 100 with a capability to handle up to four different waste streams.

Suitable for internal use, the Envirobin Hub is available with variety of lid apertures, all WRAP compliant colour coded, to improve the accuracy of ‘segregation at source’ and so increase the value of the segregated waste materials. A4 signage kits are also offered to further assist the user in selecting the correct waste stream.

There are 10 lid options for the Envirobin 100 alone and four

With its Medibin nappy disposal unit Unicorn Hygienics claims washroom operators can upgrade the appearance of the changing area while improving sanitary conditions for parent and baby.

Bad odours are locked inside and bin contents remain hidden from view. And because they are produced using polyurethane, says Unicorn, this unit is more durable than other models and has a larger volume at 50 and 70 litres. unicorn-hygienics.com

• Parmi les solutions de séparation de déchets de Vepa Bins figure le Bon Ton, fabriqué en matière plastique recyclée.

• La contenance de l’appareil de séparation de déchets Envirohub a été portée à 20 litres.

• Grâce à son unité Medibin pour le recueil de couches, Unicorn Hygienics enferme les mauvaises odeurs et cache son contenu.

• Unter den Lösungen zur Abfalltrennung von Vepa Bins befindet sich Bon Ton, die aus recyceltem Plastik hergestellt wird.

• Das Fassungsvermögen der Envirohub Abfalltrennstation wurde um 20 Liter erhöht.

• Der Windeleimer Unicorn Hygienics Medibin sorgt dafür, dass unangenehme Gerüche im Innern bleiben und der Abfalleimerinhalt nicht sichtbar ist.

• Fra le soluzioni di separazione dei rifiuti della Vepa Bins c’è Bon Ton, prodotto in plastica riciclata.

• La capacità della stazione per la separazione dei rifiuti Envirohub è stata aumentata di 20 litri.

• Con l’unità di smaltimento di pannolini Unicorn Hygienics Medibin, i cattivi odori rimangono confinati all’interno e il contenuto del portarifiuti rimane nascosto alla vista.

November 2018 | ECJ | 51

PRODUCTS: WASTE MANAGEMENT

• ECOBAT Logistics est une entreprise d’envergure européenne qui propose des services de collecte et de recyclage de batteries usagées.

• Les presses à balles HSM réduisent le volume des matériaux d’un taux allant jusqu’à 95 pour cent.

• Morclean affirme que sa Custom XL est la machine de nettoyage de poubelles la plus sûre de sa gamme.

• ECOBAT Logistics ist ein europaweit agierendes Unternehmen für Sammlung und Entsorgung von Altbatterien.

• HSM Ballenpressen verringern das Volumen von Materialien um bis zu 95 Prozent.

• Laut Angaben von Morclean handelt es sich bei Custom XL um die sicherste MülltonnenWaschmaschine im Sortiment.

• ECOBAT Logistics è un’impresa a livello europeo che propone raccolta e riciclo delle batterie esauste.

• Le presse per compattare HSM riducono il volume dei materiali fino al 95 per cento.

• La Morclean afferma che la sua Custom XL è la macchina più sicura per il lavaggio delle pattumiere della sua gamma.

52 | November 2018 | ECJ

Battery pick-up UK battery collection and recycling company G&P Batteries is changing its name to ECOBAT Logistics, bringing together Europe-wide services already offered by ECOBAT companies trading under different names.

Under the OneCallCollection service, any battery can be collected from anywhere in Europe.

It features a web portal that directs customers to the most appropriate point of contact for the compliant collection and safe storage and handling of their waste batteries - whether they are the smallest button cells or giant industrial batteries.

ECOBAT offers a closed recycling loop for lead acid batteries and also has expertise in the

safe storage, transportation and disposal of lithium batteries. www.onecallcollection.com

Wide opening HSM baling presses reduce the volume of materials by up to 95 per cent and, with unmixed bales, produce a secondary raw material which is reintegrated into the recycling circuit. The bales have considerable market value when they are above a certain weight.

The newest model in the range is the HSM V-Press 860 plus B with sliding door and hand-wheel door lock. Thanks to the wide feed opening of 1500 mm, it produces large, highly compressed bales of cardboard or foil which can be marketed without further pressing. www.hsm.eu

Cleans bins Bin washing machine specialist Morclean says its Custom XL is

the safest model in its Bin Wash range. That’s because it has a new platform which allows the operator to clean bins roadside, without being directly on the road.

This raised position also allows the operator to reach all the nooks and crannies of the bin for a more thorough clean.

With the capacity to lift three 240-litre domestic bins and one 1,100-litre commercial bin, Morclean Custom XL is self-contained and fitted with a hot water system, meaning the machine generates its own hot water. And it can be used for mobile plant washing, building cleans, drain cleaning etc. www.morclean.com

SWEEPERS

Six degrees of separation Dust, stones, rubble, leaves, paper cups, broken glass, takeaway cartons – these are just a few of the items that a sweeper has to pick up. So, what are the challenges involved in removing such a vast array of debris, asks Ann Laffeaty? And do sweepers need to be able to separate out all those different types of rubbish?

Most cleaning machines have a fairly specific job to do. A vacuum cleaner’s task is to vacuum up dust and fluff from the floor, for example. The job of a high pressure cleaner is to remove dirt and grime from walls and other surfaces using the power of water. And scrubber dryers have to deep-clean a floor and then leave it sufficiently dry for immediate use.

But a sweeper’s job is to collect up everything that happens to be in its path, then pick it up and remove it. And this could be anything. In an indoor environment such as a warehouse or factory the debris could include glass splinters, metal shavings, hazardous dust, paper waste, empty packets and coffee cups.

In an outside space such as a municipal park, road or a car park the sweeper may have to remove broken glass, cigarette ends, stones, dust, pine needles and autumn leaves. So, how does one machine cope with such a vast array of debris? And how far do these items need to be separated out before being disposed of?

Most sweepers will separate out large items of debris from the fine dust, according to Kärcher’s product manager sweepers Marian Anton.

“The strong suction blower within the machine separates out the dust via a filter,” he said. “This then binds the dust so

that it cannot be released back into the environment.” The company’s Archer sweepers incorporate dust class M filters that offer a separation degree of 99.9 per cent.

While other items of rubbish are not generally separated out by the machine, a “picker” can be attached for manual use, he says. “This allows the operative to pick out large items of debris while cleaning,” says Anton.

Kärcher’s Homebase system allows the sweeper to incorporate various accessories for separating out rubbish and containing it. These include extra brooms, an additional container and a litter-picker which comes with a rubbish bag and a bin positioned on the machine.

Wet leaves present a particular sweeping challenge, says Anton. “The difficulty here lies in the large volumes of leaves involved, particularly during the autumn,” he adds. Kärcher’s leaf collection kit may be added to the company’s KM 105/100 R machine. This holds 300 litres and provides sufficient space for a large volume of leaves, though there is no separate hopper.

Fine dust hazardous Fine dust needs to be separated from other debris since it can be hazardous to health when inhaled, and in high concentrations may also cause explosions. Kärcher’s sweepers are said to offer powerful filter systems and efficient de-dusting mechanisms for filtering or separating out fine dust from other rubbish.

When asked about the most challenging tasks for a typical sweeper, Anton asserts that this largely depends on the type of floor surface and debris involved along with the specific demand on the sweeper and its rollers.

“A standard roller brush will work well in most cases, but users may change the roller when dealing with a very specific type of debris,” he said. “If for example the surface is very smooth or a carpeted floor needs to be cleaned, a soft roller is recommended while a hard roller may be

required when removing stubborn dirt from rough floors.”

New from Kärcher is the KM 85/50 R battery-powered ride-on sweeper which has a rotational speed that may be adjusted during operation to suit the type and amount of dirt involved. The collected dirt is then divided evenly between two 25litre catch pans to facilitate the removal and transport of the debris when emptying. The machine can also be equipped with an additional side brush.

Lindhaus offers a machine for indoor use that collects the swept-up rubbish in a four-litre microfibre bag, says the company’s president Michele Massaro. “The rubbish enters the bag right after being swept up to avoid the risk of clogging,” he said. “Meanwhile, the suction controls the dust while the five-stage HEPA filter puts this machine in a different class to other mini-sweepers, which tend to be equipped with one brush and offer no suction and no filtration.”

The Lindhaus LS38 L-ion and LS38 Electric works by means of two counter rotating brush rollers which feature a low power consumption plus a high efficiency single vacuum motor, says Massaro.

The model is said to be capable or sweeping up fine dust and stones as well as paper clips and long objects such as pens and pencils.

Separating out the different categories of swept-up rubbish is an ongoing challenge according to IPC’s communications manager Gabriella Bianco. “However, today’s manufacturers are developing the most pioneering of machines that can pick up all types of debris whether it is broken glass, bulky items, small stones, leaves and scraps of paper from hard surfaces where water can’t be used,” she said.

IPC sweepers contain only one containment hopper at either the front or rear of the machine and all debris is removed by means of one main brush.

“Some sweepers are equipped with filter systems for dust control and are Continued page 54

November 2018 | ECJ | 53

SWEEPERS Six degrees of separation (continued) more efficient for picking up fine dust than vacuum sweepers,” she says. “Here the debris is collected by the brooms and then brushed up to the vacuum suction.” IPC’s 1280 ride-on sweeper has a polyester pleated filter which is said to offer good dust microfiltration results while its main brush has a V shape for the efficient sweeping of larger debris.

Collecting many different kinds of debris in one pass can be a challenge according to Tennant’s EMEA product manager Stefan Sehmke. “Each type of industry has its own distinct issues,” he said. “For example, cement factories will have to deal with fine dust as well as larger types of debris whereas logistics centres need to cope with items such as shrink wrap and wood chips. And outdoor sweepers need to be able to perform well on both dry and wet surfaces.”

Technical solutions Tennant machines do not separate out the debris while sweeping, he says. “However, most of our sweepers have optional vacuum wands that can collect specific items of debris such as shrink-wrap in a separate hopper,” says Sehmke. “And we offer various types of sweeping brush that can be mounted under most machines.”

For example, the company’s Window Brush is designed for sweeping up bulky items and paper scraps in environments such as printing and packaging plants. And the patented Sand Wedge Brush has gaps between the bristles to enable it to perform a digging action. This is said to make it effective at removing large quantities of sand, dust, flour and other fine powders in bakeries, foundries and cement plants.

The need to manage dust is a particular issue for sweepers, says Sehmke. “Extremely fine dust creates health and safety challenges in many working environments,” he said. “Controlling fine dust is a complex task that requires good technical solutions and effective practices.” Tennant has recently added HEPA filtration capabilities to its S20 sweeper to collect and contain smaller particles.

Head of marketing for Columbus Valérie Comandré agrees that fine dust is the most challenging substance to pick up.

“This is always tricky because it is difficult to remove dust without creating more Est-il facile pour des balayeurs de séparer différents types de détritus en nettoyant un périmètre ? Par exemple, est-il difficile de séparer des poussières fines et bouts de papiers par rapport à des cailloux, pierres et feuilles ? Et quels sont les types de détritus les plus pénibles à enlever ?

54 | November 2018 | ECJ

dust,” she said. “And it is particularly important to remove dust in environments such as the food industry and in public places such as supermarkets, shopping malls and offices.”

She says a scrubber dryer is often used in particularly dusty areas. “However, you need to sweep first if there are also items such as steel shavings, wood splinters and other large debris to be removed,” she said.

Columbus’ sweepers are designed for use in factories, industrial units and other indoor areas and offer three levels of filtration to cope with dusty environments.

“There is also a flap for picking up larger debris, but I don’t know of any indoor sweepers that can separate out rubbish into separate containers,” said Comandré.

“This is because indoor sweepers need to be very compact and there is no space for introducing a splitting system.”

So, do manufacturers consider there to be a need for separating out the different types of debris collected by a sweeper?

IPC’s Gabriella Bianco says not. “From our point of view it is more important to develop specific sweepers that are suitable for a particular application,” she said. “For example, in environments where heavy, dense debris exists such as in driveways

and outdoor porches a walk-behind broom sweeper works well, whereas a vacuum sweeper is recommended for picking up bulky debris.”

Tennant’s Stefan Sehmke also feels that separation is not usually necessary. “We haven’t heard of such a requirement, but we are aware of a growing concern about the sweeping up of fine dust,” he said.

Kärcher’s Marian Anton concurs.

“Except for dust, we do not consider it necessary to separate out the individual components of natural debris,” he said.

“However, it may make sense to collect plastic and synthetic materials first using the litter picker and to dispose of these separately.”

However, Columbus’ Valérie Comandré believes that separating out the rubbish may be the way forward. “We may not be able to make a compact machine that can do this, but it could be a possibility for larger sweepers operating in logistics areas where there is plenty of space,” she said.

“A sweeper that is capable of separating out recyclable items from the rubbish would benefit the environment. It would be good to have something like this in future.”

Wie problematisch ist es für Kehrmaschinen, bei der Reinigung eines Bereichs verschiedene Arten von Schmutz und Abfällen zu trennen? Ist es schwierig, um beispielsweise feinen Staub und Altpapier von Steinen und Blättern zu trennen? Und welche Abfallarten sind für eine Kehrmaschine am schwierigsten aufzukehren?

Quali sono le difficoltà per le spazzatrici nel separare i diversi tipi di rifiuti durante la pulizia di una area? E’ difficile separare polvere sottile e cartacce da pietre, sassi e foglie per esempio? E quali sono i tipi di rifiuti più difficili che una spazzatrice deve raccogliere?

PRODUCTS: SWEEPERS

Tough on leaves

Kärcher has developed a leaf collecting kit with up to 300 litres capacity for use on its sweepers. It can be mounted at the rear of the machine without tools in five minutes, the company says.

Using the overthrow principle the leaves are transferred to the collection bag, which only needs to be attached. Its size allows for long periods of uninterrupted use and the operator can see when the bag needs to be emptied thanks to the overload indicator.

Kärcher has also developed spray nozzles for binding dirt in

outside areas, mounted on the machine above the side brush.

The water is applied in a fan shape in front of the brush.

Finally, for interior low dust working, a precisely fitting PVC coated linen fabric cover is now available. This encloses the machine between the floor and the chassis. www.karcher.com

Fast and gentle The Zaugg Steambeast, described as a roadworthy vehicle with a front-mounted cleaning head that contains a rotating brush, uses a thermo-mechanical technique developed by Zaugg Ag Eggiwill.

The quiet unit turns fresh water into low pressure steam in the boilers. This is then applied to the surface by means of a cleaning head. The dirt is gently broken down and mechanically removed from the surface by the rotating brush and a squeegee

is then activated to remove the remaining condensed water.

Only a small amount of water is required to cover an extremely large floor and the technique enables a wide range of environments to be cleaned economically and efficiently.

The process is gentle enough to clean a range of surfaces without damaging them. The technique can be used for removing all types of dirt including chewing gum and is suitable for use in a range of sectors.

The surface may be pre-treated if necessary. And a mobile high pressure cleaner or a small analogue appliance can be connected to the unit for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. www.zaugg.swiss

• Kärcher a mis au point quelques nouveaux accessoires pour ses balayeuses autoportées.

• La Steambeast proposée par Zaugg est une machine de nettoyage de voirie fonctionnant à la vapeur basse pression.

• Kärcher hat einige neue Zubehörteile für seine AufsitzKehrmaschinen entwickelt.

• Das ZAUGG-Steambeast ist ein straßentaugliches Bodenreinigungsfahrzeug, das mit heißem Niederdruckdampf arbeitet.

• La Kärcher ha sviluppato dei nuovi accessori per le sue spazzatrici con operatore a bordo.

• Steambeast della Zaugg è una macchina per il lavaggio delle strade che utilizza vapore caldo a bassa pressione.

November 2018 | ECJ | 55

PRODUCTS: SWEEPERS

• La nouvelle HP6000 est plus grande machine de la gamme Comac de balayeuses de rue.

• La balayeuse autoportée et de taille moyenne S20 de Tennant est destinée à des applications de service sévère.

• Le Citymaster 2200 de a société Hako est une balayeuse de rues dotée d’un ensemble de balayage à deux ou trois balais.

• RCM a lancé une nouvelle version de sa balayeuse autoportée Boxer, désormais proposée avec une motorisation diesel, double carburant ou électrique.

• Johnston Sweepers a introduit une balayeuse a motorisation électrique et émission zéro qui se veut la première machine de ce type au monde.

• Pour le balayage intérieur et extérieur, Nilfisk a lancé une nouvelle balayeuse accompagnée, proposée en deux versions, la SW200 et la SW250.

• Die neue HP6000 ist das größte Modell im Angebot an Straßenkehrmaschinen von Comac.

• Die kompakte, mittelgroße AufsitzKehrmaschine S20 von Tennant wurde für Anwendungen mit hoher Beanspruchung entwickelt.

• Beim Citymaster 2200 von Hako handelt es sich um eine Straßenkehrmaschine, die mit einem 2- oder 3-BesenKehrsystem ausgerüstet ist.

• RCM hat eine neue Version der Aufsitz-Kehrmaschine Boxer vorgestellt, die in Diesel-, Dual Fuel- und Elektroausführungen erhältlich ist.

• Laut eigenen Angaben von Johnston Sweepers hat das Unternehmen die erste elektrisch betriebene, fahrzeugmontierte Kehrmaschine mit null Emissionen vorgestellt.

• Für das Kehren in Innenräumen und Außenbereichen hat Nilfisk eine neue handgeführte Kehrmaschine vorgestellt, die in den Modellen SW200 und SW250 erhältich ist.

• Il nuovo modello HP6000 è la macchina più grande della gamma di spazzatrici stradali della Comac.

• La spazzatrice con operatore a bordo compatta e di medie dimensioni S20 della Tennant è progettata per gli utilizzi pesanti.

• Citymaster 2200 della Hako è una spazzatrice stradale disponibile con una unità di pulizia a due o tre spazzole.

• La RCM ha lanciato una nuova versione della sua spazzatrice con operatore a bordo Boxer, disponibile in versione diesel, a doppia alimentazione ed elettrica.

• La Johnston Sweepers ha introdotto quello che vanta di essere la prima spazzatrice montata su automezzo ad alimentazione elettrica a emissioni zero.

• Per spazzare spazi all’aperto o in interni, la Nilfisk ha lanciato una nuova spazzatrice con operatore al seguito e disponibile nei modelli SW200 e SW250.

56 | November 2018 | ECJ

No water Measuring six cubic metres, the new HP6000 is the largest model in Comac street sweeping range. It features the company’s Twin Action system which combines the performance of two machines in one: it sweeps and collects waste while vacuuming dust and light dirt.

Bulky waste, such as bottles, twigs and cans, are then crushed and broken down by a rotating shaft equipped with hammers, preventing the vacuum duct from becoming clogged and ensuring an optimal hopper filling operation.

The Twin Action system’s vacuum action significantly reduces water consumption since, thanks to the powerful vacuum and the hammer system, water is only used in spray form to control the dust on the external area of the side brushes when necessary.

Optional extras include a third brush, suction hose and high pressure wand. The spacious cab is positioned on anti-vibration supports and can be customised with a climate control system, a radio and camera. www.comac.it

Mid-sized

According to Tennant, its compact mid-sized ride-on sweeper S20 is a heavy duty machine that manoeuvres as well as a compact model.

The SweepMax dust control system improves air quality and enables longer sweeping times,

while the ‘all levers forward’ control makes for reduced operator training time and simple machine operation.

HEPA filtration has recently been added to this model for the control of extremely fine dust. www.tennant.eu

The new model is also built in more durable, high quality materials. Boxer’s working width goes from 900 to 1600 mm and has a 315-litre waste container. www.rcm.it

Electric power

Public areas For street sweeping in public areas Hako’s two-cubic-metres Citymaster 2200 is equipped with a two- or three-broom sweeping unit and a large hopper capacity to enable longer operation times.

The quick-change system makes for fast and easy detachment of the sweeping tool and rapid retooling of the machine to carry out wet cleaning or winter service tasks.

Working width is up to 2.6 metres and top speed is 62 km per hour, which means the Citymaster 2200 can be driven on express roads and motorways. www.hako.com

New version RCM has updated its large rideon sweeper Boxer, with a more spacious driving position, seats with armrests and a more intuitive control panel.

Ergonomics has been a priority in making the changes, as operators often have to drive it for long work shifts.

Johnston Sweepers has introduced what it says is the first electrically powered zero emissions truck-mounted sweeper.

The Johnston VE651, known as evie (Electric Vehicle/Intelligent Electronics), has been developed as a proof of concept vehicle, to assess the feasibility of such a machine. evie is a full-size truck sweeper mounted on a specially modified 16 tonne chassis, and driven by a 350 kW electric motor, powered by a 200 kWh lithium ion phosphate battery pack. All automotive functions are electrically powered, as well as the fan, brushes and Supawash system, requiring no additional power input.

The result - says Johnston - is a zero emissions, low noise, low maintenance full size sweeper with a six-tonne payload, similar to a diesel twin-engine machine, and designed to be capable of a full sweeping shift and recharged overnight. www.johnstonsweepers.com

Six times faster Nilfisk says its newest walkbehind sweeper, available in model SW200 and SW250, picks up dust, dirt, sand, nails, bolts etc up to six times faster than a manual broom.

Because it is compact and light this model can be used where space is limited or in congested areas. The brooms are rotated by the gear system as the machine is pushed forward by the user, making the sound level low. There is no motor and no maintenance cost. www.nilfisk.com

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