INCLEAN May-June 2020 by INCLEAN powered by ISSA

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May / June 2020

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INCLEAN is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd on behalf of ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia

Editor’s letter

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Simon Grover PUBLISHER: Simon Cooper MANAGING EDITOR Claire Hibbit Email: chibbit@intermedia.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6140 NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Samantha Ewart Email: sewart@intermedia.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6106 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jacqui Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Natasha Jara GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Alyssa Coundouris Print Post Approved Publication No. PP: 255003/09765 AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION RATE 12 months (6 issues) - $66 (inc. GST) To subscribe call 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

INCLEAN is owned by ISSA ABN: 44 617 407 020 P: +61 2 9890 4951 A: Suite 1, Level 1, 52 O’Connell Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150 W: www.issa.com DISCLAIMER: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the Publisher). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisherís endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2020 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

e are all currently facing unprecedented times as the COVID-19 pandemic grips Australia. It has created enormous concern and uncertainty for all sectors, the commercial cleaning industry being no exception, with the full impacts on businesses and individuals still unknown. Many major industry events have also been cancelled or postponed including the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo. This event, which was scheduled to be held in August 2020 in Sydney, will now take place on 22-23 March 2021. In the interim, and ahead of our region’s cold and flu season, ISSA will host a virtual conference for Australia and New Zealand. This online conference will provide critical advice and insights from industry experts on how to protect occupant health during COVID-19. While we are all currently in unchartered territory, one constant remains which is the importance of proper and effective cleaning. This global pandemic has also reinforced the essential role of cleaners. Often the ‘invisible workforce’ cleaners have been vital in preventing and mitigating the spread of coronavirus. In this issue, we look at how COVID-19 is changing hand hygiene behaviour; Dr Greg Whiteley discusses why contaminated flooring is a more critical issue than some might think, while Dr Melissa Marot shares some tips for protecting mental health and wellbeing during times of stress. As the sector’s trade magazine, we are focused on keeping the industry connected and supporting our readers through this challenging time. If you have a positive news story to share please get in touch by emailing the team at info@incleanmag.com.au. Happy reading,

Claire Hibbit Managing Editor

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www.incleanmag.com.au 3

What’s on 2020 Budapest Cleaning Show 14-15 October 2020

The exhibition is hosted by the Hungarian Cleaning Technology Association www.budapestcleaningshow.hu/en

Forum Pulire 2020 13-14 October

The event will be held in PalazzoRegione Lombardia, a prestigious venue in central Milan. www.issapulirenetwork.com

Thank Your Cleaner Day 21 October 2020

A New Zealand-based social initiative to recognise cleaners. www.thankyourcleanerday.com

MOST CLICKED www.incleanmag.com.au

ISSA North America 26-29 October 2020

Chicago will play host to ISSA North America, the top event for professionals in the cleaning industry.

Total Facilities

Floor care in the age of coronavirus

Total Facilities is the nation’s only central marketplace for facilities professionals. www.totalfaciltiies.com.au

How floors may be an overlooked source of infection.

27-29 October

Interclean Amsterdam 3-6 November 2020

Interclean is the world’s leading platform for cleaning and hygiene professionals. www.intercleanshow.com

2021 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo

PM announces ban on travel, indoor events of 100 or more people

New laws to crack down on wage theft introduced in Victoria Employers who deliberately underpay or don’t pay their workers will face up to 10 years jail under new laws.

Cleaners warned by union of job to clean quarantine centre Union warns cleaners of job offer to clean quarantine station for Diamond Princess crew in Japan.

PM slams panic buying, announces tightened protocols for aged care facilities.

New research finds COVID-19 also spread by faecal-oral route Industry urged to focus more cleaning efforts in restrooms.

NSW Govt announces $2.3b stimulus package with extra funding for cleaning services Industry responds to allocation of $250m for public schools and state-owned buildings to employ additional cleaners.

23-24 MARCH 2021 SYDNEY

23-24 March 2021 The premier trade event for Australia’s cleaning and hygiene industry will take place at ICC Sydney. www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com

Safety in Action Conference 23-24 March 2021

The leading safety event will be co-located with the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo. www.safetyinaction.net.au 4 INCLEAN May / June 2020

ON THE COVER Cleanstar’s 2020 marketing campaign ‘20/20 Vision’ combines the company’s two flagship brands, Cleanstar and XPOWER for the first time. Cleanstar is a leading wholesale distributor of commercial and domestic vacuum cleaners, vac bags, filters, spare parts, accessories and general cleaning equipment. XPOWER is a major worldwide brand of restoration equipment including air-movers, dryers, air scrubbers and dehumidifiers.

IN THIS ISSUE MAY / JUNE 2020

ISSUE #3 VOLUME 33

Regulars

03 Editor’s letter 12 Industry 16 Cover story 40 Restoration 46 Opinion 56 Products

Features

24 All hands on deck 32 Flooring and superbugs 36 How distributors should prepare for the bounce back 40 Flying into restoration sites

Focus

20 Disinfection of high touch areas is critical at this time 22 Does your floor care program fit your floor challenges? 28 From floor to patient: How pathogens on hospital floors can affect healthcare 30 Hospital cleaning practices that prevent infections

50 www.incleanmag.com.au 5

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INDUSTRY NEWS

ISSA reschedules Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, launches virtual conference

ISSA has rescheduled the Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, originally set for 26-27 August 2020, to 23-24 March 2021 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. “Over the past several weeks, ISSA has closely monitored the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) because protecting the well-being of our members, exhibitors, attendees, speakers, and staff is our main priority,” the association said. “As the global spread of COVID-19 continues, we have made the decision to reschedule the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, originally set for 26-27 August 2020, to 23-24 March 2021 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.” The Safety In Action show, Australia’s leading workplace health and safety event, will continue to be co-locate with ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo next March as well. “We fully appreciate the level of planning and effort that goes into the show and thank our exhibitors and attendees for their patience and continued support during this dynamic time,” said ISSA Oceania manager Lauren Micallef. “We look forward to welcoming the cleaning industry to the rescheduled show in March 2021.” Virtual conference: Protecting occupant health during COVID-19 In response to COVID-19, ISSA and INCLEAN magazine will host a virtual conference, Protecting occupant health during COVID-19, for Australia and New Zealand and the surrounding region at the end of April 2020. “In these unique times of a global pandemic developing ahead of our region’s cold and flu season, cleaning executives are facing a time of challenge and opportunity. “Therefore, we felt it was important to not just reschedule the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo to a safer time, but also to move up the availability of critical advice and insights from experts in cleaning for public health protection.” More information and registration details will be available shortly. If you are interested in taking part in in this time-critical virtual conference, please complete the enquiry form on the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo website. For questions further information, please call Samantha Ewart at 1300 789 84; or email sewart@intermedia.com.au

12 INCLEAN May / June 2020

BSCAA launches online training course The Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) has launched a new online training course, Clinical Cleaning (Infectious Cleaning). This course has been modified from clinical cleaning procedures used in health care facilities. The course includes procedures for cleaning in infectious areas where there is a high risk of environmental surfaces contamination by an infective agent (harmful germs) which could be readily transmitted (spread) from person to person via coughing or sneezing and from contamination of surfaces, an infected carrier (person with illness) has touched, and contaminated with their infectious germs. This course provides information on cleaning standards that may be required during an outbreak such as the coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the BSCAA, where possible the language throughout this course has been modified to cater for cleaning and environmental services staff. The industry body states the course uses modified cleaning procedures from clinical settings and should not be interpreted as a recommended cleaning standard for any facility or building without seeking further specialist advice.

IICRC appoints president and CEO The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the non-profit certifying body for the cleaning, inspection and restoration industries, has appointed Michael Dakduk president and CEO. Dakduk was previously executive vice president and director of government relations at Career Education Colleges and Universities Michael Dakduk (CECU), a national organisation serving post-secondary career education schools, staff and students. Kevin Pearson, IICRC chairman, said after a thorough and comprehensive search, IICRC is pleased to find the best individual to lead the organisation. Dakduk said he is honoured to lead IICRC. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the board of directors to continue establishing the IICRC as the most trusted, independent name within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

TGA fast tracks amendments for approval of disinfectant claims Amendments have been approved by the Australian Government regulator to the TGA guidelines under Therapeutic Goods Order 104, 2019 to allow listed disinfectants to make validated claims to kill the COVID-19 virus on surfaces. The new arrangements were uploaded to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website on Monday, 23 March 2020. Dr Greg Whiteley, chairman for Whiteley Corporation, said the outcome was a great example of collaboration in a time of national and international crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic. “The TGA worked with the peak industry association, Accord Australasia, to negotiate a pragmatic approach that will assist in alleviating public health concerns over the risk of the spread of the virus via hospital and medical surfaces. “The TGA and Accord leadership are to be congratulated on the speedy outcome of this change process which will benefit all of the Australian medical community and the medical manufacturing sector. This new technical arrangement will allow improved certainty around disinfecting surfaces within healthcare settings,” Whiteley said. “We would like to note particular thanks to Adjunct Professor John Skerritt and the entire team inside the TGA, and also to Bronwyn Capanna, executive director of Accord Australasia and her team at Accord for achieving this outcome.” Whiteley said there are continuing negotiations on further improvements around other vital infection prevention technologies. “This collaborative process allows Australians to have increased levels of certainty around the health and hygiene standards within Australian hospitals and healthcare providers.”

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14 INCLEAN May / June 2020

Conquest leads the charge with battery powered range The advancement of battery powered cleaning machines has made it a viable proposition for organisations to embed battery electric equipment into their industrial cleaning equipment fleet, according to Conquest managing director, Michael Mathews. “Over the years, battery technology has increased to the point where it is now achievable to deliver a full shift clean on a single charge,” Mathews explains. “Street sweepers, power sweepers and power scrubbers with battery technologies are now all being used by leading companies all over the globe.” Mathews said some recent advances driving viability is the introduction of new battery materials which promote longer run times between charges and extend battery life. In turn, allowing the battery to be charged more times before replacement. “Typically, a well-maintained battery will last for 1500 cycles, and this generally equates to five years of operation and limits requirement for replacement.” Conquest has recently been working with European partners to develop its outdoor solutions range, which are 100 per cent electric and totally emission free. Conquest has expanded its range of electric floor cleaning equipment to include outdoor spaces, offering new solutions specifically suited to city councils, government organisations and businesses with an active focus on sustainability and the environment. Mathews said these machines can achieve everything their diesel counterparts can. “Battery-powered floor cleaning machines are not only less expensive to operate and maintain, but they also release zero harmful carbon emissions. Electric floor cleaning equipment is also significantly quieter to operate than alternative fuel sources, minimising noise disturbance and reducing the risk of operator hearing damage.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

New laws to crack down on wage theft introduced in Victoria Employers who deliberately underpay or don’t pay their workers will face up to 10 years jail under new laws introduced into state parliament in Victoria. The Wage Theft Bill 2020 will establish new criminal offences targeting employers who deliberately withhold wages and other employee entitlements. Employers who dishonestly withhold wages, superannuation or other employee entitlements, will face fines of up to $198,264 for individuals, $991,320 for companies and up to 10 years jail. Offences will also capture employers who dishonestly falsify employee entitlement records, such as payroll records, or who dishonestly fail to keep employment records. The new record keeping offences are aimed at employers who attempt to conceal wage theft by falsifying or failing to keep records. The legislation will establish the Wage Inspectorate of Victoria as a statutory authority with powers to investigate and prosecute wage theft offences. Employers who make honest mistakes or who exercise due diligence in paying wages and employee entitlements will not be guilty of wage theft offences under these laws. Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas said the new laws and inspectorate body will hold employers accountable. “The existing legal regime has failed to prevent the exploitation of Victorian workers by unscrupulous employers.These laws and

the new inspectorate body will hold employers accountable – workers should never be put in a situation where they need to make a complaint just to be paid properly.” The new laws have been welcomed by the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA). “These new laws ensure a level playing field for compliant employers and safeguards our valued employees from dishonest employers,” Kim Puxty, national president, said. “Genuine mistakes happen as businesses navigate through the complexity of the award system; it is important that employers seek the assistance they need to ensure they are compliant.”

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Polivac International to launch Generation II range Polivac International is preparing to launch its new Generation II machines, including a new range of scrubbers, polishers, and sanders that the company says are designed with “innovative technology to provide maximum productivity and efficiency”. “Polivac International believes in performing continuous R&D to manufacture and design the perfect machine to meet the requirements of our customers,” the company said. “These machines are extremely quiet, which minimises noise disturbances and enables quieter operations. The Generation II machines come with new motor and triple-planetary gearbox. “For more than 70 years, Polivac products have been manufactured keeping in mind four core concepts of safety, productivity, quality, and sustainability. “A cornerstone of our commitment to the environment is the Polivac Conservation Cycle protecting the environment through intelligent design. All our products are recyclable and economical to run.”

Cleanstar/XPOWER releases 2020 catalogue Cleanstar/XPOWER has released its 2020 collection of product and services catalogues. Cleanstar is a leading Australian brand of cleaning machinery, parts and accessories. XPOWER is a major worldwide brand of restoration equipment including air-movers, dryers, air scrubbers and dehumidifiers. The catalogue contains more than 300 pages o products, ranging from cleaning machinery (commercial and domestic), vacuum cleaners, restoration and drying equipment, scrubbers, washers and polishers, to spare parts, vacuum bags, filters and accessories for most cleaning machines. “With the most extensive and resourceful range of catalogues in the industry, Cleanstar offers eye-catching brochures and artwork of their range of cleaning machinery and detailed description of parts,” Lisa Michalson, director of Cleanstar, said. Cleanstar’s 2020 marketing campaign, 2020 Vision, is the first time the company has included both its flagship brands.

Interclean Amsterdam sets new dates RAI Amsterdam, the event organiser of Interclean Amsterdam, has announced the European trade event will be held on Tuesday 3 November – Friday 6 November 2020. “With many tradeshows rescheduled to the second-half of 2020, we are very pleased that RAI Amsterdam has been successful in obtaining the best possible dates for Interclean 2020,” said Rob den Hertog, director of Interclean. “Finding these dates was not only based on the availability of exhibition space, we also took into account the availability of

18 INCLEAN May / June 2020

hotel accommodation, which is a necessity for an international event like Interclean. “With the new dates we have ensured you will still be able to see all of the original major exhibitors. We strongly believe that bringing these major exhibitors and others together will allow us to profit from their presence as well as that of the visitors they bring with them. This belief is based on the many heartwarming positive reactions we have received since announcing the postponement.”

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From floor to patient:

How pathogens on hospital floors can affect healthcare Understanding the chain of infection is the first step toward improving cleaning practices.

n many hospitals, floor cleanliness is taken for granted. If there aren’t any obvious signs of dirt, dust or bodily fluids, they must be free from pathogens, right? Recent studies indicate this line of thinking may be too optimistic. In fact, research published in the American Journal of Infection Control suggested that floors in hospital patients’ rooms are frequently contaminated with diseasecausing pathogens. The research indicated that when hightouch items come into contact with the floor, they too become a source of infection. In the study, cultures were taken from the hands of people who had touched objects that once made contact with the floor. In almost every instance the cultures revealed potentially dangerous pathogens such as MRSA. Understanding the chain of infection is the first step toward improving cleaning practices.

DIRTY FLOORS AND HOSPITALACQUIRED INFECTIONS Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) move from person to person through innocuous pathogen reservoirs such as doorknobs, blood-pressure cuffs and floors. 28 INCLEAN May / June 2020

Anything that comes in contact with an infected patient - or items touched by patients - can become a reservoir. If carried pathogens come into contact with another patient’s eyes, mouth, IVs or skin breaks, they too may become infected.

Every year, Australian hospitals report approximately 165,000 HAIs. However, there is no formal regulation requiring hospitals to investigate the origin of infections. Researchers estimate that between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of HAIs go unreported. Traditional cleaning practices may not be sufficient to stop the spread of HAIs. Improper mopping techniques could cause pathogens to spread from patient rooms into common areas. Health care

stakeholders need to consider how custodial responsibilities impact patient health.

WET MOPPING: HELPFUL OR HARMFUL? Water used for mopping can quickly become dirty and contaminated with infectious pathogens. For instance, if a wet mop is used in a patient’s room and then carried into a common area to clean up a spill, the entire area could become a reservoir for germs. In addition, used mop heads can retain pathogens even after they are wringed out. If the mop heads are not allowed to dry properly, they could become a breeding ground for infections and spread disease to healthy people and patients alike. In a recent study of Canadian hospitals, researchers reported finding a “massive initial contamination on the mops” prior to use. After a disinfectant was applied to the mop heads, the number of pathogens was reduced, but not eliminated. In other words, even a chemically disinfected mop head could still be a source of infection. When the researchers laundered the mop heads, their results improved - the mop heads were no longer considered contaminated. There’s still a place for wet mopping in hospitals, but how it’s conducted may need to change. In addition to laundering mop heads and regularly cleaning and disinfecting buckets, health care facilities should consider using microfibre flat mops.

HEALTHCARE // SPONSORED

Compared to traditional mop heads, microfiber covers are easier to launder. Plus, they can be color-coded for use in specific areas of the hospital. Designating specific mop heads for use in patient rooms and in common areas can stop infections spreading beyond the hospital.

DEALING WITH OBVIOUS BIOHAZARDS Floors are an overlooked source of contamination because they may appear clean while still harbouring pathogens. But when the hazard is obvious - such in the case of spilled blood - immediate action is necessary. Bodily fluids can more readily transmit infectious pathogens than high-touch objects. As such, obvious biohazards should be removed, and the area disinfected as soon as possible. Specialised spill mops with highly absorbent mop heads trap liquid and turn it into a gel to prevent leaks. This allows for quick removal of contaminated liquids so that the area can be cleaned and thoroughly disinfected.

UNDERSTANDING FLOOR CLEANING BEST PRACTICES Using disposable or launderable microfibre flat mop heads can prevent the spread of HAIs. In addition to using the right equipment, custodians should also utilise best practices such as always moving from clean areas to dirty areas. For instance, a mop used in a patient’s room should be sent to the laundry immediately after use. If it’s used a second time in another patient’s room, it could spread germs. Likewise, custodians should be careful not to let used mop heads touch other objects or people. Custodians should disinfect their hands frequently to avoid becoming sick themselves. With the right practices and products, hospitals can reduce the risk of HAIs and improve patient health. To learn more about the latest innovations in commercial cleaning solutions, check out what Rubbermaid Commercial Products has to offer at www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.au ■

“

With the right practices and products, hospitals can reduce the risk of HAIs and improve patient health.

”

Sources www.mdedge.com/chestphysician/ article/136009/healthcareacquired-infections/hospitalfloors-are-overlooked www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S2468045117300433 https://alturasolutions.com/ hospitals-examine-the-problemscaused-by-wet-mopping-floors

www.incleanmag.com.au 29

Commercial cleaning agents mixed onsite should be prepared carefully in accordance with manufacturers’ directions. Certain types of cleaning chemicals require a rinsing step to be added to the process. This is common with agents with chlorine. After the cleaning process, the surface should be wiped any pooled liquid and allowed to dry completely. Cleaning solutions should be changed frequently to prevent cross-contamination. Cleaning rooms where there is a high risk of transmission, solutions should be changed between each room. When cleaning up bodily fluids, used solutions should be discarded immediately. Solutions should also be changed as soon as there is visible discoloration or debris in the container.

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ospital cleaning is the first contact against hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Hospital and janitorial staff should work together to maintain a clean environment, removing bacteria and other infectious agents present on all surfaces through effective cleaning and disinfection.

HOSPITAL CLEANING STANDARDS Three important factors work together to help ensure high cleaning standards in a hospital or other healthcare facility and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These are the agents, equipment and techniques used for cleaning.

CLEANING CHEMICALS OR AGENTS Selecting the right cleaning agents is the first step to any hospital cleaning protocol. In some cases, water used with a specialised type of cleaning material may prove successful at creating a satisfactorily clean surface. In other cases, a neutral detergent may be used with surfactants for deep cleaning. Finally, for environments that require a higher level of decontamination, a chemical disinfectant may be required. Disinfectants should not be used as standalone cleaning agents. They should be ingredients in combination with cleaning agents that also contain detergents or employed as a two-step process that includes cleaning first and disinfecting second. 30 INCLEAN May / June 2020

Cleaning equipment used in a hospital environment should be appropriate for use in a healthcare facility and designed for minimised contamination. Items like feather dusters and brooms are not appropriate, as they generate and disperse dust. Vacuums must be fitted with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters which are changed regularly. Spray bottles or aerosol chemicals in a hospital environment should be avoided; a squeeze bottle may be used to dispense detergents or disinfectants. Cleaning cloths and buckets containing cleaning solutions are the prime types of equipment used by staff to effectively clean a hospital environment. The type of cleaning cloth used may vary between different rooms and types of surfaces to be cleaned. Disposable cleaning cloths may be required for “wet” areas or rooms with the highest risk of transmission. While not the first choice from a green outlook, the trade-off may sometimes be necessary to reach a higher standard of decontamination. Reusable cleaning cloths require staff training in a cleaning system that ensures that clean cloths are used for each patient area. Failure to do so could compromise the effectiveness of the cleaning process. Microfibre cleaning cloths and mop heads utilize technology based on electrostatic attraction. Tiny charged fibres allow dirt particles to cling to the cloth. This technology makes it easier to effectively clean areas that are hard to reach, and the microfibre cloth material is strong and able to withstand repeated laundering. All equipment used for hospital cleaning should be properly maintained, inspected regularly and changed by staff when required. Buckets and containers should be checked for cracks before use, cleaned, disinfected, and allowed to dry between each use, and stored upside down. All reusable cloths and mopheads should be changed and laundered once soiled or after an area or room is cleaned. They should also be changed immediately if used on an isolation room or to clean body fluid spills (cloths contaminated in this fashion must be enclosed in an approved plastic bag for transport to the laundry.)

HEALTHCARE // SPONSORED CLEANING TECHNIQUES All cleaning services staff should be thoroughly trained on each type of cleaning agent, equipment, and technique used in the facility. The requirement for cleaning standards adherence must be outlined. Incorrect techniques can lead to the transmission and spread of infectious diseases. To avoid risks, the use of agents, equipment, and technique must be correctly implemented. Proper chemical solution mixing is not sufficient to sanitise if incorrect cleaning techniques are used. The flow of cleaning is vital to maintain the cleanest environment possible. Cleaning should always progress from relatively clean areas to dirty ones. Low touch areas, surfaces, or elements should be cleaned first, and high touch ones (such as patient beds, the hand basin, and light switches or control knobs) last. The directional flow of cleaning should be from top to bottom and floors should be cleaned from the furthest part of the

room to the door. Efforts should be made not to spread microorganisms via the cleaning process. Dusting to be completed with damp cloths to minimise dust-dispersion. Dipping a contaminated cloth into a bucket that contains the clean solution and/or cloths can contaminate clean ones, and cause microorganisms to be spread to subsequent surfaces.

Proper cleaning techniques should include training the clockwise system, changing cloths and solution as needed. Cloths can be folded and flipped so eight quadrants can be used, providing a clean surface for multiple uses. More cloths may be required to clean high touch surfaces, or in areas with high transmission risk. On completion of cleaning, each surface, element, and area should be checked to ensure standards have been upheld. Elements showing signs of breakage that could compromise use or cleaning should be reported so they can be maintained or replaced. Following these hospital cleaning practices can help to prevent infection and uphold the strict regulatory standards to which healthcare facilities are subject. To learn more about the latest innovations in commercial cleaning solutions, check out what Rubbermaid Commercial Products has to offer at www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.au ■

www.incleanmag.com.au 31

FLOORCARE

Flooring and

superbugs

By Dr Greg Whiteley

Contaminated flooring is more critical than some might think.

32 INCLEAN May / June 2020

he problem with floors is gravity. You walk on floors, and everything that falls to the earth also lands on the floor and is walked upon. Then the dirt and soils are stuck to the bottom of your shoes, and as you walk, you are tracking that dirty stuff everywhere. When looking at cleaning in most buildings, removing dirt from the floor is just a part of the challenges of a janitors’ life. But in hospitals, the problems can become much more complex and dangerous. Before we open that little can of worms, let’s review some of the latest news on the so-called “superbugs.” And by “superbug” we mean the multidrug-resistant microbes that don’t respond to antibiotics. These superbugs are also referred to as antimicrobial- resistant (AMR) superbugs, and they are deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, has released an

updated report (2019) on AMR/ Superbugs. The CDC advised that the number of superbugs has increased from 18 (in 2013) to 21 (in 2019). The highest level of concern at the top section of the list has expanded from three to five superbugs. People with infections from these bad bugs often end up in a hospital and many of those people die.

HEALTHCARE SETTINGS In hospital or health care facility cleaning, we must clean in such a way to combat the normal soiling that falls off every one of us, every day. For example, each day, every day, everyone sheds around 50 million skin cells. That soil load is in addition to the normal dirt that gets tracked into a hospital. Cleaning away all this human debris is a constant challenge for any cleaning process. However, when a patient has contracted a superbug it will be present on the person’s skin cells, which is very concerning.

FLOORCARE

“

In hospital or health care facility cleaning, we must clean in such a way to combat the normal soiling that falls off every one of us, every day.

”

This is because the skin cells fall off and the superbugs with them, where they can circulate throughout the hospital. From a hospital bed where a sick person is resting, bugs from that person may be spread, ending up to 13 yards from the bed, in just one day! Now for many years, it was thought that if the bad bugs (superbugs) are on the floor – with all the other many, many other bugs and dirt – then what’s the big worry? It’s not as if the patient gets lifted out of the bed and rolled around on the floor for a bit of fun.

COLONISATION ISSUES The concern is that the superbugs on the floor can end up in a bed with another patient, where they can transfer onto that patient’s skin and spread. This is commonly referred to as patient “colonisation.” Terrifyingly, when a patient is colonised with a superbug, it is a silent and ominous event, and no one rings a warning bell. It just happens

silently, and many people who get colonised are completely unaware of the problem. Being colonised with a superbug poses an elevated risk of infection, but infection doesn’t always happen, and there is a very low risk of death from skin colonisation in of itself. But colonised patients shed the superbugs just as much as an infected patient with the same superbug. And because the colonisation is silent, the shedding of skin cells with superbugs included is a silent risk inside the hospital. However, it gets truly horrific for any patient, if the superbug moves from the patients’ skin into a wound, a catheter, a cannula, or a respiratory device. That is when the bug has moved from colonisation, into an infection state. With many of the superbugs, the risk of death arising from a superbug infection can often be as high as 50 per cent mortality risk (from within 90 days from onset of infection). How do the bugs jump from the floor and onto the patient? www.incleanmag.com.au 33

FLOORCARE

“

The concern is that the superbugs on the floor can end up in a bed with another patient, where they can transfer onto that patient’s skin and spread. This is commonly referred to as patient ‘colonisation’.

”

A recent study from the team led by Dr. Curtis J. Donskey (Case Western Reserve University) observed two critical issues. First is that 41 per cent of occupied hospital rooms had an item that touched the floor at some point. These items were then returned to the patient level without any cleaning or disinfecting action. The items included articles of clothing, the TV remote, the call buzzer, and other commonly used items. The other significant finding from the study was the frequency of C. diff spores, MRSA, and VRE contaminating the hospital floors. Dr. Donskey was able to show that superbugs on the floor, could grab onto the dropped items, and then be lifted up to the bed level to make contact with the patient. The bad bugs get a free ride from the floor up to the patient level, where a new victim awaits. But wait, there’s more… Two other studies have shown the danger of non-slip bed socks which are handed out to patients within hospitals. A study in England showed that from 54 pairs of non-slip bed socks collected from patients in a hospital, there were 46 pairs (85 per cent) that had gathered up at least one superbug. A separate study from Australia demonstrated that in just five minutes of walking around on a hospital floor, non-slip socks were very efficient at picking up the superbugs from the floor and then transferring them onto hospital sheets. Please note that the socks collected the superbugs from the floors, and then the socks and the bugs hopped back into bed with the patient. Could it be that they all lived happily ever after? Unfortunately, no, because those bad

bugs, the superbugs, simply found someone else on which they could live. And once they are on the skin, these same superbugs have an extraordinary capacity to move around on the skin, and into places that are normally moist, and covered, such as the underarms, genitals, and groin. A recent medical commentary has noted: “Rectal colonization with ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae [these bad bugs are in the top five of the CDC superbugs lists] is associated with increased risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia, bacteraemia, and urinary tract infection with the same organism.” [Stewart et al, Microbiol Aust 2019]. So the superbugs can move to the bottom, to the top, and back again. Therefore, it’s extremely important to keep the superbugs far away from the patients. And it turns out that the floor is a critical concern and must be maintained, clean and free from superbugs. If the superbugs are allowed to get onto the patient at bed level, and then onto the patient skin, there is a heightened risk of infection which can put a patient’s life in jeopardy.

IMPORTANCE OF CLEANING Cleaning suddenly comes into focus as a critical, lifesaving intervention. But there is one proviso, which is, that the cleaning process (materials and method together) must be proven to be effective. This is a difficult challenge in hospital cleaning. Another study by Dr Donskey’s group, published in 2013, demonstrated that improperly used wipes could easily spread C. diff spores from place to place on the wipe itself. The misused wipe becomes the mechanism of transfer for a life-threatening superbug. We could go into another bunch of published studies of events where the cleaning process simply moved the bugs from place to another and never removed or killed the superbugs, but we have run out of space for this article. The only logical conclusion is that we need better quality control of cleaning. This quality control challenge affects both the materials used (equipment and chemicals) and the methods used to achieve the cleaning process. This is a quality challenge, and while production rates-based methods will assist with cost control, they are useless when it comes to quality control. Cleaning in healthcare is, without a doubt, the most important cleaning challenge facing our sector. So, make sure those floors get properly cleaned. Patients’ lives depend on it! This article first appeared in ISSA Today and has been republished with permission. ■

34 INCLEAN May / June 2020

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DISTRIBUTION

How distributors should prepare for the bounce back

Businesses are dealing with a stark reality in the wake of COVID-19. But with an eventual economic bounce-back all but certain, what can distributors be doing now to strengthen their positions and be at the front of the line when it occurs?

36 INCLEAN May / June 2020

DISTRIBUTION

ustralian jansan distributors – in fact, jansan distributors around the world – are dealing with a stark reality that few, if any, thought possible just a few months ago. As of November 2019, most distributors had big plans for 2020, and many were confident 2020 would prove to be a very lucrative year. But now, with COVID-19, some distributors are concerned about their future. Although in some areas of the world, the entire jansan industry is bustling, taking steps to keep people healthy, in other parts of the world, business has slowed, in some cases, almost to a stop. This new reality set in at different times around the globe. In the United States, for example, it was probably March 11. That’s when the National Basketball Association announced it would suspend the season due to the virus. That was an unexpected eye-opener for most Americans. In Australia, many point to February 25, 2020. That was the day Australian Health Minister, Greg Hunt, said the country was taking a variety of steps to protect human health as a result of COVID-19, including shutting down schools and other facilities throughout the country. These closures have had negative ramifications for the distributors that serviced these educational facilities. How long these and other buildings will be closed, we do not know. A good sign is that both China and South Korea appear to be reopening their doors and getting back on their feet after a shutdown of only about two or three months. Whether that will be the case in Australia, North American, and around the world, time will tell. Because most distributors are in the same waitand-see mode, what certainties can we rely on to help get us through this challenging period? The following are some of the most likely: • The pandemic is not over. It will likely impact different parts of the world throughout 2020. • Uncertainty is now a certainty. The virus could burn itself out in just a few months or fade during warmer weather and have a winter resurgence. • Supply chains will be impacted. Shortages of all types of products, including some cleaning solutions and equipment, will continue throughout the year. • The economy will bounce back. We just do not know when. Countries around the globe are investing in their economies to get them running again. Distributors and other companies can expect to rebound, hopefully, by the end of this year.

“ With an eventual bounce-back all but certain, what should jansan distributors be doing now to strengthen their positions and be at the front of the line when it occurs? Here are four crucial steps all distributors should take.

BE PROACTIVE Just a few months ago, some distributors were planning on hiring more people because 2020 looked so bright. Now distributors need to make what may be difficult but proactive decisions to scale back expenses. Create a new budget based on different revenue expectations, such as reductions of 20 percent, 30 percent, or even 50 percent. Determine if hiring plans should be placed on hold. Identify which current positions can be eliminated if necessary, at least for the next several months. Are salary reductions needed? How about reduced workdays? Decide now and take the necessary steps to make it through the rest of the year. Waiting to do this can prove costly.

Flexibility is the name of the game right now. Distributors must expect the unexpected and realise anything could happen.

”

ANALYSE CASH FLOW Distributors must prepare for the possibility of some problematic months ahead and having positive cash flow can be crucial. Accordingly, contact suppliers and ask about renegotiating the terms of your agreement, delaying payment on supplies or equipment to adjust for cash flow, if necessary. Contact landlords as well to inquire about their flexibility. Do this now. Usually, if such issues are addressed before an emergency occurs and a plan has been put into place, calmer heads will make more well-thought-out decisions. On the other side of the spectrum, tighten accounts receivables. If you have not already, offer clients discounts if invoices are paid within 10 days and enforce interest charges if invoices are not paid in 30 days.

PLAN FOR THE WHAT-IFS As the economy begins to bounce back, we may be looking at an entirely different business landscape and marketplace. You need to anticipate “what-ifs” and make a plan to deal with them. Consider the following what-if potentialities: • Your company may need more staff. Will you be able to hire back former workers or hire new workers to fill new positions? • One or more of your current suppliers may not make it through the downturn. Do you have alternative suppliers with similar products should this happen? www.incleanmag.com.au 37

DISTRIBUTION

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As you prepare for businesses to re-emerge, use this time to look at how different departments within your company are operating.

”

• A competitor goes under or decides to liquidate. How can you take advantage of this situation? Purchase their current inventory? Begin servicing their former clients? Will you have the funds or a bank line of credit available to do so? • Customers begin calling for specific products and ask they be delivered as quickly as possible. What will you do if your suppliers do not have these available, or there are delays? • Your suppliers experience delays in international shipping. Do you have domestic suppliers waiting in the wings? • There is a sudden weakening of demand for specific products or a category of products. Can orders for those products be canceled? If they have already been delivered, can those products be returned to help protect cash flow? • One of your largest customers unexpectedly goes into bankruptcy. Do you have a diversified customer base or enough savings to carry you until you can recruit new clients?

MAKE A STRATEGIC PLAN When times are good, many distributors find they are so busy keeping up with product demand they have no time to take a close look at how their businesses are operating. As you prepare for businesses to re-emerge, use this time to look at how different departments within your company are operating. Does each department have the appropriate number of staff? Will your sales force need to make changes in the way it works with clients? For example, should you incorporate an online dashboard 38 INCLEAN May / June 2020

system that would help customers select the most effective products? Expect consultative selling strategies to become increasingly important as the bounce-back begins. Who are your best customers? Consider not only who generates the most revenue but also such factors as time allocation, gross margins, and customer payment patterns. For instance, a large customer may purchase the most supplies. Yet, on closer examination, the product discounts you have been offering them may not be justified based on the amount they are spending. Or possibly they require more attention than other customers, or simply take too long to pay. Typically, distributors find the 80/20 rule plays a significant role in profits. Eighty per cent of your revenue comes from twenty per cent of your customers. It may be time to eliminate those customers that are simply not profitable or worth the time and effort. Flexibility is the name of the game right now. Distributors must expect the unexpected and realise anything could happen. We know the economy will bounce back, and hopefully that happens sooner rather than later. In the meantime, preparation is key. The stronger your company is to move forward, the higher the gains when the bounce-back occurs. Michael Wilson is vice president of marketing and packaging for AFFLINK, a global leader in supply chain optimisation, packaging, and developers of ELEVATE, providing clients with process and procurement solutions. www.AFFLINK.com ■

RESTORATION

Flying into restoration sites Learn what drones have to offer your restoration company with an inside look at this rising industry technology.

40 INCLEAN May / June 2020

e are all familiar with drones. The small ones are fun to fly around your house and spy on neighbours. The large ones are used in warfare, surveying enemy territory and taking out bad guys. But in there is a middle ground that holds a wealth of benefits for restoration companies that work on large sites, especially commercial buildings. We aren’t talking about the little quadcopters you can buy for $100, but rather “commercial” drones that are larger and smarter – and will cost a good bit more, obviously. The term “commercial” here comes from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who defines any drone that is used for financial benefit as a commercial drone. You’ll also see terms like unmanned aerial vehicle, which is the drone itself, and unmanned aerial system (UAS), which is a more all-inclusive term for everything involved in flying a drone, including the pilot and ground station.

These types of drones collect data in hardto-reach places faster than a technician could, while keeping them safe. They can also carry sensors (like thermal imaging, 3D mapping, and measurement) that provide data needed for beginning, maintaining, and documenting a project. While these devices aren’t for every restoration company, they do provide significant benefits to certain kinds of companies. And they are becoming increasingly popular in the industry.

SAFE, FAST DATA COLLECTION One of the most obvious but important benefits of drone use on restoration job sites is the added safety it provides to the technicians on the ground surveying damage. Protecting your workers is obviously key in any job, but especially in fields like res-toration where dangerous situations are more prevalent. Randy Rapp, associate professor of construction management at Purdue University,

RESTORATION

considers the extra protection for workers one of the biggest advantages of drones. “They can go places more quickly than people might using a ladder or something of that sort. To get to higher levels in, say a gymnasium or warehouse, with a drone, if you’re operating using the right sensor, you need not climb anything,” Rapp says. “It can be up there very quickly. It’ll have people seeing at higher levels and in places where an elevating device would not allow people to readily go right in.” With this added safety also comes another major benefit: speed. By removing the physical requirements from surveying damage onsite, restorers can gather information more quickly so job planning can begin. “Using drones can speed up processes while still getting accurate and precise data,” says DroneDeploy founder Jono Millin. He reports his company, in partnership with Dronetec, mapped 300 buildings in 10 days after Hurricane Irma, which would have taken months without drone technology. Millin explains, “Drone mapping makes it easy to collaborate and minimises insurance risk. Each map is geotagged and has a clear record of the date, time, and location so that an insurer is confident that they are paying the right claim.” Rapp adds the sensors on some drones speed data collection even more and often gather information of higher quality than might otherwise be achieved, which aids a restorer’s planning, allowing the entire job to begin more quickly and accurately.

DOCUMENTATION AND SENSING The added speed and accuracy of data collection offers an obvious benefit to restorers since restorer-insurance relations remain one of the most discussed issues in the industry. With requirements for documentation growing increasingly stringent, the restoration industry seems always to be searching for ways to ease the burdens. “The key benefit here is the ability for fast, accurate documentation of damage, which then leads to quicker cycle times to have claims settled…With the right software, these systems/technologies could also provide roof measurements and other data analysis to assist in the review of data (i.e automated damage detection using artificial intelligence),” Kevin Wunder, vice president of marketing and product for Loveland Innovations, says. “We are seeing more and more insurance carriers both using drones themselves and accepting drone data as part of the claims settlement process.” According to Wunder, insurance carriers’ teams are using data from drones to settle claims, while restoration contractors are submitting data captured with their drones to homeowners’ adjusters. He says, “In both scenarios, the inspectors are looking to drones to provide high-resolution data that can lead to accurate and fair claims settlements. And they’re looking for it to occur in a rapid and safe manner.” Important to data collection in restoration scenarios is the sensors drones carry. There are

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www.incleanmag.com.au 41

RESTORATION drones are best used. Instances where there needs to be a visual examination and documentation of damage done in a rapid way is a prime scenario for drone use. For those considering buying a commercial drone, it’s important to consider the scale of company operations. How much would you use it? Are you doing the right types of jobs for it? Even if you might benefit from drone use, subcontracting drone inspections might be more cost effective. Rapp explains, “If you’ve primarily got your restorers taking care of a home after toilets overflow, you hardly need a drone. However, if you’re going into a gymnasium or a warehouse, to be able to fly a drone around both outside and inside might be very helpful. You can put it over the building, and with a thermal-type detector, you can potentially see where there are differences in temperature, which might be indicative of water damage.” several sensors being added to drones to provide the data needed for advancing a restoration job, and there is really something for every situation. Rapp says, “There are a lot of different sensors. What you add depends on what you’re looking for. It might be ultraviolet or infrared. You can have one for low-light situations. There’s LIDAR, laser, and even AM radio waves.” Here are a few that are being used with success in the industry:

LIDAR Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) provides a collection of impressive tools including 3D mapping and measurement. It does this by sending out light pulses and measuring using the time it takes for the light to return. “It’s able to plot in great detail the surfaces of things inside a room, let’s say. And that is helpful in a number of ways,” says Rapp. “For example, once a week, at a given time, they might send out the drone, and it can see the amount of work that has been done in the past week. They can tell one week versus the next week and show the difference that’s been made.”

Infrared and thermal The ability to fly drones carrying thermal imaging sensors into largescale restoration sites and see areas with potential moisture is beneficial for obvious reasons. As Millin puts it, “This is one of the most expensive issues to detect 42 INCLEAN May / June 2020

and is a huge value driver for commercial building insurance.” While these sensors are not widespread yet, they are becoming popular. However, it’s important to remember use of thermal imaging with drones still requires the same training knowhow needed with a handheld device. “Unless someone is leveraging a thermal camera, most drone inspections are done in the visual spectrum. Thermal inspections are growing but remain a smaller percentage of inspections performed with drones,” Wunder notes. “This is mostly due to the skill and expertise involved and the expense of an appropriate setup for aerial thermal inspections.”

Orthomosaic These can be used to create maps of an area by sewing together many images. Orthomosaic maps are detailed with the ability to zoom and examine, things. They can be used interactively to leave notes on important po

DRAWBACKS OF DRONE USE For the most part, adding a drone to your restoration toolbox has few drawbacks – since they’re relatively affordable, require little training, and offer a host of benefits – if you’re the right target market.

Not for everyone Commercial drones, simply put, are not for every company or situation. It is important to understand where and in what cases

Financial investment While drones are not outrageously expensive, especially compared to some of the equipment required in restoration work, they also are not especially cheap. On the low end, a commercial-quality drone with elements needed in restoration work could go as low as $US1000, and on the high end, prices reach up to $US10,000 (or more, depending on additions). And different sensors can be added, increasing the cost. “They’re not extremely cheap to get one that provides that kind of information that restores would expect and would make them worth having in the first place—we’d be looking at probably a few thousand dollars at least to have the kind of sensors needed, the capability, enough battery life to be able to fly for 20 minutes at least before bringing it back,” Rapp says. Some drones come prepackaged with thermal imaging or other sensors needed in this industry, while in other cases, buyers purchase these separately. According to Rapp, a six-bladed drone in his department (which came packaged with thermal imaging) that was purchased two years ago, cost upwards of $US6000. Rapp adds, “That has come down a bit in price, but you’re going to spend near that kind of money to get a drone that you would find useful, maybe with an extra battery, sensors, etc.”

GROWTH IN RESTORATION Drones are everywhere in recreational, government, and commercial use. More

RESTORATION and more companies in a multitude of industries are finding uses for drones that revolutionise work. And the time is now for restoration companies who perform large-scale jobs to add drones to their arsenal. “There are many industries and companies using drones in everyday operations, so one could argue it’s already becoming commonplace. We’re currently seeing prolific drone use by restoration NGOs,” Millin says. “We’re rapidly reaching the point in most of the world where you’re more likely to see a drone involved…than not.” Much of the insurance industry has implemented drones into their inspection process with success. Wunder reports national and regional insurance carriers are using drones, and his company alone has major insurance company names using its drones in inspections. “I think [drones in restoration] is growing to become more commonplace today, but we’re not at a place where it is the norm. There is still a great amount of adoption required for it to become the norm, but within the next 2-3 years I believe you’ll see drones being used more often than not,” Wunder says. As advancements are made to drones and sensors, we can expect to see them in the air on larger restoration sites. A few specific improvements the experts see contributing to their popularity in restoration are:

Improved batteries Battery life can be a problem on these mediumsized drones, and a 20-minute battery life is currently superior. As technology improves,

extended battery life is expected. Rapp says, “Being able to raise a drone up and leave it up for a long time without bringing it back to have a battery recharged or exchanged is very important.”

Improved sensors The sensors that exist relevant to the restoration industry are highly beneficial to the work, but they can be heavy and often expensive. With the advancement of technology, those burdens should lighten.

Automation As with most things in our world these days, drone technology is moving toward more automated functions. Wunder reports in the near future, “Using drones will be so simple that they will be in the hands of nearly anyone performing [inspections]. Robust automated capabilities exist today, and they are only getting better. As constituent technologies improve, like improved onboard sensors and more precise location tracking, you’ll see drone flight become more and more simple.” As more and more restoration companies use drones in their work, we will be able to better see their value and other ways to use them on a job site. And as their use in the industry grows, we will, no doubt, begin to see more advancements in sensors that relate directly to restoration work, increasing their value even more.

“

The key benefit is the ability for fast, accurate documentation of damage, which then leads to quicker cycle times to have claims settled.

”

Amanda Hosey is the managing editor of Cleanfax. This article first appeared in Cleanfax and has been republished with permission. ■

www.incleanmag.com.au 43

RESTORATION

Resilience through COVID-19

I By Dr Melissa Marot

44 INCLEAN May / June 2020

t’s been a tough 2020 in Australia. In the last issue we looked at stress and trauma during disaster recovery, with a view to the unfolding bushfire season and subsequent floods, and now a global pandemic has plunged the world into uncertainty. Constant news can feel relentless with clear and present effects on our lives and those around us. Australia has considered this a health emergency and has taken steps in line with this emergency response. As disaster response professionals, the industry is well placed to support the community through these uncertain times. However, our world has changed substantially in the space of a few weeks, from the way our society and businesses operate, and concerns about the pandemic and its effect on our families and those around us – this can take its toll on business owners and their staff. It can affect us in many ways; physically, emotionally, socially, and psychologically. What are the steps we can take to protect mental health and wellbeing? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a document on mental health and dealing with stress during the outbreak, its recommendations include: • Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that could cause you to feel anxious or distressed • Seek information that helps you to take practical steps to prepare your plans, personal

and business, and protect yourself and those around you There are practical steps for responding effectively to COVID-19: Acknowledge what’s happening for you: Physically, emotionally, psychologically. What’s going on in your inner world, your thoughts and feelings. Seek support from a professional, psychologists are now providing services online in response to the COVID-19 need. Contact your local GP, they are also providing online appointments, they can refer you to a psychologist.

Focus on what’s in your control: When we are faced with a crisis of any sort, fear and anxiety is a natural response to danger and uncertainty. The COVID-19 scenario is this on a macro-level. We can get lost in worrying about the future and the unknown, what’s happening in society and how the virus might affect our loved ones. It’s natural to worry about these things, however, the more we focus on what’s not in our control, the more stressed and anxious we might feel. The most useful thing we can do in any type of crisis is to focus on what’s in your control. We are unable to control what’s happening on the macro-level, we may not be able to control thoughts and feelings that emerge, however, we can control what we can do. The aim is to take control of our behaviour.

RESTORATION

“

Take committed action based on your core values: What are the simple things that you can do to look after your business, your staff, your family and those around you? Throughout the day, check in with yourself and ask, “What can I do right now, however small it might be”, and then do it.

As disaster response professionals, the industry is well placed to support the community through these uncertain times.

Reflect on your core values: What do you stand for in the face of challenge? There are many things in this situation that are beyond our control, there may be many obstacles, with previous goals, hopes and dreams put on hold. There are no simple solutions, however, we can connect into what’s important for us to face the challenge.

”

Identify resources that you can access, for help, assistance, support and advice: Reach out to your social networks. Stay connected to a reliable and trustworthy source of information for updates on the crisis and guidelines for responding to it – both on the business and personal levels. WHO, World Economic Forum and government websites are such sources. In summary, the well-worn saying “this too shall pass” comes to mind. In the meantime, there are practical steps we can take to respond effectively and work through these uncertain times. ■

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OPINION

The second stimulus package: What you need to know Amanda Kenafake weighs in on the government’s latest round of stimulus measures.

he Federal Government recently released a second, far reaching $66.1 billion stimulus package that boosts income support payments, introduces targeted changes to the superannuation rules, provides cash flow support of up to $100,000 for small business employers, and relaxes corporate insolvency laws. The Prime Minister has warned there are no ‘quick solutions’ and business should prepare for six months of disruption. There is a lot of information out there which is making it difficult for Australians to determine what is available to them in terms of stimulus. As advisors, we are aiming to be able to filter some of this and personalise it based on everyone’s circumstances. Here’s what you need to know:

IN SUMMARY Business

• Tax-free payments up to $100,000 for small business and not-for-profit employers: An increase in the previously announced initial tax-free payments for employers to a maximum of $50,000. In addition to this, a second round of payments will be made up to a maximum of $50,000, accessible from July 2020. • Solvency safety net: Temporary six-month increase to the threshold at which creditors 46 INCLEAN May / June 2020

can issue a statutory demand on a company from $2,000 to $20,000, and an increase in the time companies have to respond from 21 days to six months. Directors also are provided with temporary relief from personal liability for trading while insolvent for 6 months. • Access to working capital: Introduction of a coronavirus SME guarantee scheme protecting financial institutions by guaranteeing 50 per cent of new loans to SMEs. • Sole traders and self-employed eligible for Jobseeker payment: The eligibility criteria to access income support relaxed for the selfemployed and sole traders. • Temporary relief from some Corporations Act requirements • Increasing the instant asset write-off: Increasing the instant asset write-off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanding access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million) until 30 June 2020 (released in the initial stimulus package) • Supporting apprentices and trainees: Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020 (released in the initial stimulus package)

OPINION – Eligibility for access to income support eased to include sole traders and the self-employed, and to those caring for someone infected or in isolation. – Waiting periods and assets tests temporarily waived. • Bankruptcy safety net – temporary 6 month increase to the threshold for the minimum amount of debt required for a creditor to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against a debtor from $5,000 to $20,000. The Government has flagged that additional stimulus packages will be required.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

Individuals • Early release of superannuation: Individuals in financial distress able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20, and a further $10,000 in 2020-21. The withdrawals will be tax-free and will not affect Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments. • Temporary reduction in minimum superannuation draw down rates: Superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account-based pensions and similar products reduced by 50 per cent in 2019-20 and 2020-21. • Deeming rates reduced: From 1 May, superannuation deeming rates reduced further to a lower rate of 0.25 per cent and upper rate of 2.25 per cent. • Supplements increased, access extended and eased: For 6 months from 27 April 2020: – A temporary coronavirus supplement of $550 will be paid to existing income support recipients (people will receive their normal payment plus $550 each fortnight for 6 months). – A second one-off stimulus payment of $750 will be paid automatically from 13 June 2020 to certain income support recipients (in addition to the payment made from 31 March 2020).

Tax-free payments up to $100,000 for employers • From: 28 April 2020 • Eligibility: Small and medium business entity employers and not-for-profit entities, with an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million. The Government has increased the previously announced measures to provide cash flow support to business. Now, eligible businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million will initially be able to access tax-free cash flow support, with the minimum amount being increased to $10,000 and the maximum amount increased to $50,000 (previously $2,000 to $25,000). However, additional support will be provided in the July – October 2020 period so that eligible entities will receive total minimum support of $20,000 and up to $100,000. For a business to qualify for this support it must have been established prior to 12 March 2020. The rules are more flexible for charities because the government recognises that new charities might be established in response to the pandemic. The cash flow support measures will be provided in the form of a credit in the activity statement system. The support will be provided in two phases. • The first phase ensures that eligible employers receive a credit equal to 100% of the PAYG amounts withheld from salary and wages paid to employees during the relevant period, up to the maximum amount of $50,000. • The second phase ensures that eligible employers receive another series of credits, equal to the credits that were received under the first phase. For example, if a business received $40,000 of credits in the first phase it will receive a further $40,000 of credits in the second phase. These additional credits will be spread over two or four activity statement periods, depending on whether the employer lodges on a quarterly or monthly basis. If a business pays salary and wages to employees but is not required to withhold any tax then a minimum payment of $10,000 will be made in the first phase and a further payment of $10,000 will be made in the second phase.

“

There is a lot of information out there which is making it difficult for Australians to determine what is available to them in terms of stimulus. As advisors, we are aiming to be able to filter some of this and personalise it based on everyone’s circumstances.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 47

OPINION

“

A safety net has been put in place to protect businesses in temporary financial distress as a result of the pandemic by lessening the threat of actions that could unnecessarily push them into insolvency and force the winding up of the business.

”

The credits are automatically calculated by the ATO and employers will need to lodge an activity statement to trigger the entitlement. If the credit puts the business in a refund position the excess amount will be refunded by the ATO within 14 days. Businesses that lodge activity statements on a quarterly basis will be eligible to receive credits in the first phase for the quarters ending March 2020 and June 2020. Credits in the second phase will be available for the quarters ending June 2020 and September 2020. The minimum $10,000 payment will be applied to the first lodgement. Business that lodge on a monthly basis will be eligible for the credits in the first phase for the March 2020, April 2020, May 2020 and June 2020 lodgements. Credits in the second phase will be available for the June 2020, July 2020, August 2020 and September lodgements. The minimum $10,000 payment will be applied to the first lodgement. Eligibility for the measure will be based on prior year turnover. We will have to wait for the legislation for the finer details. Not-for-profit employers, including charities, with an aggregated turnover under $50 million will also be able to access the cash flow support.

SOLVENCY SAFETY NET A safety net has been put in place to protect businesses in temporary financial distress as a result of the pandemic by lessening the threat of actions that could unnecessarily push them into insolvency and force the winding up of the business. These include: • A temporary 6 month increase to the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company from $2,000 to $20,000. • The time a company has to respond to statutory demands will increase from 21 days to 6 months. • For six months, directors will be provided with temporary relief from personal liability for trading while insolvent. • See also bankruptcy safety net below It will be more important than ever for business to stay on top of their debtors. Debts incurred will still be payable by the business. Only those debts incurred in the ordinary course of the business will be subject to the safety net measures.

ACCESS TO WORKING CAPITAL FOR SMES – SUPPORTING LENDERS The government has announced a coronavirus SME guarantee scheme that will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans to SMEs up to $20 billion. These loans are new short-term unsecured loans to SMEs. SMEs with a turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible to receive these loans. The government will provide eligible lenders with a guarantee for loans with the following terms: 48 INCLEAN May / June 2020

• Maximum total size of loans of $250,000 per borrower. • The loans will be up to three years, with an initial six-month repayment holiday. • The loans will be in the form of unsecured finance, meaning that borrowers will not have to provide an asset as security for the loan. Loans will be subject to lenders’ credit assessment processes with the expectation that lenders will look through the cycle to sensibly consider the uncertainty of the current economic conditions. This latest measure builds on the previous initiatives to ensure small business can access capital, including: • An exemption to the responsible lending obligations to enable financial institutions to provide new credit, credit limit increases, and credit variations and restructures, • $15bn to the Australian Office of Financial Management to invest in wholesale funding markets used by small banks and non-banks to enable these lenders to support SMEs, and • Australian Banking Association members will defer loan repayments for 6 months for small businesses (affected small businesses will need to apply for relief).

SOLE TRADERS AND SELF-EMPLOYED ELIGIBLE FOR JOBSEEKER PAYMENT The eligibility criteria to access income support payments will be relaxed to enable the selfemployed and sole traders whose income has been reduced, to access support.

TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM CORPORATIONS ACT REQUIREMENTS The Treasurer has been given a temporary instrument-making power to amend the Corporations Act to provide relief or modifications to specific compliance obligations. ASIC has announced measures for those companies with a 31 December financial year that need to hold their AGMs by 31 May 2020, providing a two month no action period and enabling hybrid virtual AGMs.

SUPPORTING APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES The Government is supporting small business to retain their apprentices and trainees. Eligible employers will be able apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer that employs that apprentice. The subsidy will be paid up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter). Amanda Kenafake is CEO of Power Tynan. ■

OPINION

What the coronavirus can teach us about training By Lyn Whelan

s an industry, it’s easy to think that we’re not directly affected by extraordinary events like the recent bushfires, floods and now the coronavirus outbreak. What might surprise you is that since the coronavirus outbreak we’ve seen a big spike in inquiries from BSCAA members seeking advice on how to handle infectious disease control. The fact that some of our employees are on the front line when it comes to defending us from threats such as coronavirus is pause thought – particularly in relation to how our current training and skill development practices equip our staff, not only for these extreme events, but for the variety of challenges they face in their day-to-day working lives and careers.

IF WE FAIL OUR STAFF, WE FAIL OUR BUSINESSES As employers in the industry, I think you’ll agree that our biggest asset is our staff. Supporting award wages and conditions is hugely important. But so too is enabling our staff to develop their careers. To do this requires advanced training programs, mentorship and industry leadership. Here’s the problem. Training and skills development in the industry has often been a hotchpotch of federal and state government programs and funding arrangements, where certifications are based on outdated provisions, and that fail to meet market needs. There’s never been a consistent approach to training. This results in both employers and employees never fully invested in it. This only adds to the transient nature of staff in our industry. At the BSCAA, we believe it doesn’t have to be this way.

TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY Firstly, it’s about recognising that staff need the skills to handle more complex roles. Cleaning staff can be involved in anything from mining to health care, education to aged care, data centres to food service, law enforcement, tourism and more. Each industry with its own nuisances and legislative requirements. We

need specific training programs to meet these requirements. Secondly, we need to consider the diversity of staff in our industry and rethink the role of in-class training. You would be hard pushed to find an industry with a greater gender, race and faith mix – not to mention educational backgrounds. It’s the failure of the traditional training methods that leads to the perception that cleaning is an unskilled and future-less career. Instead, we believe education can be delivered more economically and effectively using technology and online learning. This can be supported by on-site, in-job training. The benefit of online training is that it can be delivered in multiple languages and completed in one’s own time and without the added pressures of the classroom environment. The success of the BSCAA’s online induction training courses is a great example of how this can work in practice. Bringing it back the recent extraordinary events, such as the bushfires, floods and the coronavirus outbreak, it only highlights the need for education and training programs to be tailored to meet these types of challenges.

A BOOST FOR STAFF, EMPLOYERS AND THE INDUSTRY For our staff the benefits of improved training and skill development are easy to see. The capacity to gain valuable skills, ensure long-term employment and better wages mean that cleaning can be seen as a career with a future rather than a transient unskilled job. For us as employers, the benefits are many. By helping improve the skills of our employees we not only increase their value to us as long-term staff members, but we also help build the value of our businesses by providing a better more effective service to our clients. As an industry, the benefits of a more engaged and effective workforce, better service to our clients, and an improved perception of cleaning as a career path, can only be positives. Let’s get our heads together and see how we can make it happen. If you have any ideas about improving the industry’s training programs, or if you would like more information about how you can improve the training and skill development in your business, contact us at national@bscaa.com. Lyn Whelan is BSCAA national board director and WA cleaning council president. ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 49

OPINION

State of the industry Accord’s Jennifer Semple shares findings from the organisation’s inaugural state of the industry economic report.

s cleaning industry insiders, you know how important our industry is. And this is something that more people are appreciating in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hygiene products are essential for good health. Cleaning and disinfecting products designed specifically for commercial, public and institutional applications play a vital role in keeping these areas clean and comfortable. And, in certain applications such as hospitals and food service, hygiene becomes even more vital to protect human health, ultimately saving lives and decreasing the burden on Australia’s health system. But what has been less well-known―until now―is the economic contribution of the hygiene industry, and the broader personal care sector, to the Australian economy.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION Accord commissioned EY to prepare the first-ever state of the industry economics report for the Australian hygiene, personal care and specialty products industry. 50 INCLEAN May / June 2020

This top-down economic report looks at the entire value of the industry across all market segments represented by Accord. It quantifies the key economic indicators for the industry, highlighting the economic importance of the entire hygiene, personal care and specialty products industry to Australia. Here are some of the top-line results, based on 2018 economic data: • Total turnover: $26.3bn (we are the 17th largest industry sector in Australia!) • Industry value-add: $5.6bn (upstream and downstream value added by our industry to the Australian economy― an indicator of how our sector drives economic activity) • Jobs: 68,117 • Wages: $3.4bn • Export value: $1.3bn The report identified a number of other significant observations regarding our industry, including: • Diversity in production, with businesses operating across all aspects of the supply chain from production through to the retail of final goods

OPINION • Varied client base, with industry products consumed by a wide range of end-users and spanning a wide range of product types from basic consumer necessities to janitorial cleaning supplies to personal care/hygiene products • Resilience to changes in economic conditions (likely arising from the above two characteristics) • The higher growth in our industry’s valueadd than the Australian GDP over the past five years, meaning that our industry added proportionately more value than some other industries in the economy.

SANITISERS/DISINFECTANTS CASE STUDY The report also profiled two important case studies, one of which is the Product investigation into sanitisers and disinfectant cleaning products. This study was selected in light of the many industries that are required by law to maintain a hygienic environment, requiring sanitisers and disinfectant cleaning products as an integral input. In isolation, the turnover of the sanitisers and disinfectant cleaning products industry was $1.9bn, and its value-add was $0.6bn in 2018. It directly employed 3,145 people in over 400 businesses. However, when considering the sanitisers and disinfectant cleaning products in the context of the industries that it facilitates-agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing, healthcare, janitorial services, education, food services, water treatment, and

food and beverage wholesaling and retailing― its true impact is really appreciated. These industries collectively had a turnover on $714.9bn and employed 3.9 million people in 2018.

ATTENTION POLICYMAKERS! Accord executive director Bronwyn Capanna has highlighted the importance of this report in demonstrating our industry’s contribution and potential within the national economy for generating jobs and investment. “With this new data revealing our industry is a quiet but steady driver of significant economic value, it is hoped Australia’s governments will look for policies to better harness our sector’s growth potential. “Australian manufacturers across the sector require access to the latest ingredients and formulation technologies available globally so they can stay competitive and build their own innovative products. “To facilitate this outcome, local Australian regulation must be properly balanced and ideally should not throw up unjustified barriers or variants from global practice. Local regulation can be strong, effective and risk-proportionate but also better aligned to the other advanced markets we trade with.” Accord is the national industry association for manufacturers and suppliers of all types of cleaning, hygiene, disinfectant and specialised products for use in commercial, institutional and industrial applications. www.accord.asn.au ■

www.incleanmag.com.au 51

OPINION

How clean are your hand hygiene products?

E By Deepali Ghadge

“

Our current situation has brought hand hygiene and its links to human health front of mind. However, individuals and organisations must choose products that are a better choice for human health, the environment and our community.

”

52 INCLEAN May / June 2020

ven before this recent disturbing outbreak of COVID-19, the world’s medical experts have always promoted hand hygiene as a must for good health. We have been taught from a young age that washing our hands can prevent the transmission of germs. We use liquid handwash, soaps and sanitisers before cooking and eating, after using the restrooms or when we have been in contact with someone who is ill. A study from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health concluded that applying proper hand hygiene reduced 31 per cent of gastrointestinal and 21 per cent of respiratory illnesses. However, the soaps, handwash liquids and sanitisers used to combat germs can be full of harmful chemicals which could be carcinogenic, cause genetic mutations or affect the reproductive system. These effects can occur with long-term use of products made with these harmful substances. Every soap and soap product manufactured using the saponification process needs to be registered with the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) in Australia, which makes sure prohibited and restricted chemicals rules are followed. But is this enough to be sure your product is healthy for people and the planet? For example, phosphorus is not listed as a prohibited or restricted chemical. If the phosphorus in a soap product enters waterways without proper treatment, then it can combine with nitrogen and support the growth of algae on the water’s surface.

This decreases oxygen levels, contaminating the water and endangering aquatic life. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on the other hand, like terpenes, can also be mixed into products for fragrance. VOCs can trigger health issues such as asthma, allergies and headaches. Thankfully it is possible to confidently choose a hand hygiene product which not only does what it says it will do but also has proven to be better for the environment, human health and social impacts such as workers’ rights. This is where an eco-labelled product comes to the rescue! Ecolabels build trust, protect against greenwash, and stand up for superior sustainability performance through independent, third-party certification. At GECA, we certify handwash, soaps and hand sanitisers under our Personal Care Products standard. To become certified against this standard, products must prove that they have no hazardous substances, no phosphorus compounds and limited VOCs. Any palm oil must come from a sustainably managed plantation and good waste management practices must be in place. On top of this, all organic ingredients must be readily biodegradable. Workers must also be receiving fair pay, equal opportunity, and a safe working environment. Our current situation has brought hand hygiene and its links to human health front of mind. However, individuals and organisations must choose products that are a better choice for human health, the environment and our community. Deepali Ghadge is standards and technical officer at Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA). ■

*Petr

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1. Whichever comes first 5 year/200,000km warranty on all new Partner Van vehicles. Subject to terms, conditions and exclusions. Visit peugeot.com. au/aftersales-services/warranty. 2. 5 year roadside assist on all new Partner Van vehicles. Visit peugeot.com.au/aftersales-services/roadside-assist. 3. PEUGEOT Assured Service Price Promise Program applies to all new PEUGEOT vehicles and is available at participating PEUGEOT dealers. See peugeot. com.au for more information.

OPINION

Selecting the right business IT strategy, not just the next system Mark Fermor outlines fours principles that should underpin your systems strategy.

he cleaning industry has its fair share of challenges. As if managing a large workforce is not hard enough, cleaning companies have also been laboured with a complex set of information system requirements, just to make life fun. To limit the mention of further complexities, this article will stay COVID-19 free. I’ve worked within the cleaning sector since 2009 and have seen the explosion of new technologies available in the market. During this time, I’ve realised some business owners make technology purchasing decisions not based on a strategic plan, but more on emotionally driven short-term wins. There are two common themes which can be summed up in these familiar sentences: • “This new app will help us win more contracts.” • “The competition is using it so we have to catch up.” There are more, but these two emotionally driven thoughts dominate the selection motivators for many companies today. This article aims to introduce principles that should underpin all your systems strategy.

START WITH A FULLY INTEGRATED END IN MIND

To ensure your business does not end up with a commingled mess of systems, you should have a clearly defined strategy in place from day one, whereby the end goal is an integrated platform. Your business broadly has three core areas: payroll, finance and operations. 54 INCLEAN May / June 2020

Define what functions these areas require and design the end solution before you buy any system. Consider that your business shares common records between these areas and eliminate the need for duplication. The end-goal should be an integrated system (or systems) that clearly define where the “master” of record lives. Let’s use a simple example by examining your most common record – the site. It’s shared across payroll, finance and operations. In your finance system this might take the shape of a project, job or gl extension. This is required so you can run financial reports and know your site profitability. In payroll, your site might take the form of a job/cost centre, so staff hours can be separated out for reporting purposes. Operations would then need a quality audit system, which also contains sites, to allow the reporting of performance. Furthermore, you may have taken the leap to a time & attendance system that again requires sites for staff to clock into. If there is no strategy in place to deal with the management of this common record, your business will be spending administrative time maintaining it in at least four places. Having a fully integrated solution is the foundation of administrative savings in any business.

DON’T LET DEPARTMENTS BUY SYSTEMS IN ISOLATION

It might seem an obvious statement, but it’s so regularly ignored. In my experience more than 50 per cent of system selections are isolated to a single department.

OPINION We would be dealing with the payroll department during a sales process, only to realise the finance team have no idea they are considering a change in systems. In some cases, departments even deliberately hide their intentions until they have procured a new solution. This creates more problems than it solves. Yes, it may have a positive impact on the payroll department as some of their pains are resolved by the new system, but it creates additional problems they have not considered. Each system should be selected in conjunction with all affected departments of the business. Integration points must be defined so each affected department can understand the impact it will have on their commonly shared records. The best way to achieve this is to appoint a person who has the “integrated end” in mind, and make sure they manage all system projects.

PRETTY AIN’T A PRIORITY, BENEFITS ARE WHAT YOU NEED

Don’t be fooled by fancy graphs, maps and images. Judge a system against a clearly defined set of requirements and the benefit each will bring to the business. “Looks good” is not a

benefit, being easy to learn because it’s userfriendly is as it saves cost. The business should list a set of requirements that an integrated solution must deliver. Then before they are finalised, judge each by asking the question: “What benefit will the business gain if this requirement is met?” If the answer is hard to come by, remove it from the list as it’s not needed.

ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY

Getting to your end-goal is not going to happen overnight. The investment in internal staff time alone makes it impractical to try and rush things. Once your list of requirements is set, plan for change through a number of phases. Set phase priorities based on the benefits they deliver to the business, or the elimination of risk. If your payroll system is about to fall over, it’s probably the place to start. Projects can last anywhere between three and 24 months depending on the complexity of the end-goal. I’ve seen many companies try and rush this process, which leads to poor results.

“

Don’t be fooled by fancy graphs, maps and images. Judge a system against a clearly defined set of requirements and the benefit each will bring to the business.

”

Mark Fermor is director of Facility ERP. ■

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SEBO Service Kit SEBO vacuum cleaners are supplied with a high performing S-Class filtration system. The S-Class filtration system consists of an UltraBag TM – including a green cap, a micro hygiene filter and a motor exhaust filter. All three of these articles are designed to protect the operator, the vacuum cleaner and deliver maximum performance. SEBO has specially designed a service kit which can be stored neatly on housekeeping trolleys to reduce equipment downtime due to lack of replacement bags or poor equipment maintenance. All SEBO Vacuum Cleaner Service Kits contains one-pack multilayer UltraTM filter bags, one micro-hygiene filter, one motor exhaust filter and sealing strip (to suit XP1/2).

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U.S. Battery Deep Cycle Batteries The U.S. Battery range of 6-volt, 8-volt & 12-volt deep cycle batteries are 100 per cent manufactured in the USA. Built with Xtreme Capacity 2™ (XC2) Diamond Plate technology, these batteries can be deeply discharged and provide faster regular recharge. This makes them the best choice for powering any floor cleaner or access equipment. Maintaining peak capacity for longer periods between charges means greater reliability and lower annual operating costs. U.S. Battery Deep-Cycle batteries deliver greater watt-hours per litre and per kilogram compared to any other flooded lead acid battery on the market. Exclusively available from R&J Batteries stores and distributors across Australia.

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Robust orbital floor cleaner The GTC-18 orbital floor cleaner is a single disc machine that utilises both orbital and rotational movements to significantly enhance cleaning results. Compared

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56 INCLEAN May / June 2020

PRODUCTS

More cleaning, less work The NEW SEBO AUTOMATIC XP30 offers easy and effective floor care automatically: A computer control system monitors performance and adjusts the brush height to the optimum floor setting, ensuring the best performance on all floors. Featuring SEBO’s anti-allergy, S-ClassFiltration, the AUTOMATIC XP30 is ideal for use in environments where high indoor air quality is paramount. The extra wide 44cm working width vacuums large corridors and public areas in one pass and stores neatly on housekeeping trolleys. The SEBO AUTOMATIC XP30 can work when completely flat. With its low-profile design, it makes it easy to clean under furniture. Low handle weight and electric brush roller assures easy vacuuming. Integrated hose with telescopic tube is conveniently located for hard to reach areas plus on-board accessories for above the floor cleaning. Maintenance of the machine is quick and easy with minimal downtime with access to the brush roller, hose and filters within seconds.

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PRODUCTS

KURANDA KURANDA is the latest in environmentally preferable cleaning chemistry, formulated to provide excellent performance as a disinfectant cleaner for hard surfaces with minimum impact on the environment. Naturally, it contains biodegradable ingredients, is phosphate-free, uses renewable plant-derived surfactants, and conforms with all statutory environmental requirements. KURANDA is a fresh, pleasant-scented commercial grade disinfectant with a powerful cleaning action that leaves surfaces disinfected, clean and perfumed with a lingering floral fragrance. It will: ` Attack and break down dirt and grease ` Kill germs and destroy odours ` Create a long-lasting pleasant fragrance

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Speedy Clean Wipes Speedy Clean Wipes are an excellent ready-to-use hospital grade, neutral detergent wipes. Speedy Clean Wipes are designed for use in healthcare facilities including hospitals, general practices, aged care and dental facilities. Keeping surfaces clean is critical in maintaining infection control in healthcare settings. Speedy Clean assists in removing organic soils from contaminated surfaces. Speedy Clean Wipes is pleasantly perfumed and available as a ready to use solution or convenient single use wipe. ` Fast drying leaving surfaces streak free ` Suitable for pre-cleaning soiled surfaces before disinfection ` Registered as a Class 1 Medical Device ARTG No 12559 ` Also available in 500ml solution

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 www.whiteley.com.au

58 INCLEAN May / June 2020

PRODUCTS

Conquest EcoVac 240 Vacuum Introducing the 100 per cent battery operated, street vacuum cleaner, the Conquest EcoVac 240, producing zero harmful emissions and with whisper quiet operation. The lightweight carbon wand suction hose collects debris, allowing operators to recover waste from hard to reach places including from garden beds, guttering and along pathways. Waste is collected into the 240L wheelie bin for easy emptying ensuring operators do not encounter contaminated waste. Simple to operate with self-propelled electronic drive and solid tyres.

Conquest Equipment 1800 826 789 www.conquestequipment.com.au

www.incleanmag.com.au 59

PRODUCTS

Scrubmaster B260 R Equipped with either a cylindrical brush unit or a 2- or 3-disc- brush unit with excellent power distribution, this scrubber-drier provides a particularly high cleaning performance of up to 8,600 m2/h. The Scrubmaster B260 R is perfectly suited for cleaning large areas in warehouses, logistics halls and the automotive industry – thanks to the large 260-litre tank allowing long operating times. The machine provides constantly good cleaning results even on inclines of up to 15 per cent. The easy-to-use front coupling enables modular extension, for example docking of a pre-sweep/vacuum unit collecting loose dirt prior to wet cleaning the floor, or a high-pressure cleaner for cleaning soiled walls and corners, or a waste container for manually collecting coarse dirt. Providing increased comfort, the new Scrubmaster B260 R has been AGR-certified for its ergonomically designed overall machine concept (www.agr-ev.de).

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HYGEN Disposable Microfibre Rubbermaid Commercial Product’s HYGEN Disposable Microfibre provides the highest level of hygiene which is vital for preventing infections. Proven to remove 99.9 per cent of microbes from surfaces, microfibre eliminates food sources for live pathogens. This stops the chain contamination and infection in any facility as pathogens fail to sustain themselves. With HYGEN Disposable Microfibre’s width being less than 1/20th of a human hair with zig-zag scrubbers and streak-free technology, RCP has developed a market-leading product that is sure to ease the battle against healthcare-associated infections.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products 1300 639 355 www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.au 60 INCLEAN May / June 2020

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Canister and Wet-Dry Vacuums from Tennant Tennant’s Canister vacuums come as V-CAN-12 and V-CAN-16, both with 3-stage filtration and HEPA (optional on V-CAN-12) provided to clean floors while maintaining good air quality. Also hosting

` Quiet performance engineered so floors can be cleaned without disrupting work nearby ` Construction with up to 55 per cent (V-CAN-12 AND V-CAN-16) recycled plastic, designed to promote sustainable cleaning programs The Wet Dry Machines come in three options: V-WD27, V-WD-62 and V-WD-72. All three are equipped with SANIFILTER. The antibacterial treatment of the filters with silver ions (Ag+ ions) destroys bacteria’s membrane cell, fungus, viruses, micro parasites and inhibits their proliferation.

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FOR YOUR REQUIREMENTS CONTACT:

dispensers@durolla.com or visit www.durolla.com

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Innovative hygiene from PEERLESS JAL PEERLESS JAL now offers unique, hygiene technology with Integral 2GO, a highly intelligent housekeeping system that is so simple, intuitive and safe to handle that operational error is virtually impossible. Designed and developed by Hagleitner International, an Austrian company at the forefront of innovation in the cleaning and hygiene industries, Integral 2GO is the most precise dosing system in its class. Importantly, it employs RFID technology to ensure that only the correct cleaning cartridge can be inserted, eliminating any potentially dangerous product mix-ups or chemical cross contamination. Now that’s smart! The intuitive touchscreen display makes operation simple, and just one 2.6 litre cartridge can provide up to 1,300 litres of ready-to-use solution. Now that’s efficient! Finally, Integral 2GO is environmentally responsible. It uses up to 80 per cent less water than standard housekeeping systems and has been awarded both the Eu and Austrian Eco labels for environmental excellence. Now that’s green! The Integral 2GO housekeeping system is now available from Peerless JAL.

Peerless JAL 1800 800 248 www.peerlessjal.com.au

Dermalux Everyday Hand & Body Wash Dermalux for Everyday Use is an ultra-mild soap for hand and body washing. It is specifically designed to retain skin integrity, leaving the skin feeling soft and refreshed. Dermalux for Everyday Use is a pH balanced, ultra-mild soap with added moisturisers that helps to prevent your skin from drying out. Dermalux for Everyday Use is mild enough to be used throughout the day and is ideal for people who wash their hands frequently. It is an ultra-mild soap with the delicate fragrance of peaches and apricots. Dermalux for Everyday Use is available in 500ml, 1L and 5L pack sizes.

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 www.whiteley.com.au

IICRC standards basic subscription IICRC standards at your fingertips. Instant online access to current IICRC standards and reference guides. ` 24/7 access from any device ` Search and sort specifically for the information on the spot ` Make notes online and save for reference ` Download individual sections to easily include in your reports

IICRC Publications.iicrc.org

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Steam cleaner in stealth mode Australian Pump’s updated 3,000 psi Stealth Steam Cleaner offers real power for sanitising amenities and removal of graffiti. ` Super low noise level of 75 dBA in the washing phase ` Temperatures to 150°C ` Silenced Kohler diesel engine ` Large 5.5KVA on-board generator

Australian Pump Industries 02 8865 3500 www.aussiepumps.com.au 1415 CCS Adiatek Inclean QP Ad Final FA.pdf

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How can you improve hand hygiene compliance? May 5 is World Hand Hygiene day, an initiative from the World Health Organisation (WHO) aimed at improving health and wellbeing for everyone. This year’s call to action is “Nurses and Midwives, clean care is in your hands!”. Good hand hygiene is critical to minimise the risk of infection, empower nurses and midwives in providing clean care. There are five steps you can take to improve hand hygiene compliance ` Ensure sanitising dispensers or bottles are conveniently located. ` Increase monitoring and surveillance. ` Choose products staff like using. ` Use signage i.e. 5 moments of hand hygiene poster ` Encourage your team to provide feedback to each other. For more information on hand hygiene or to access Whiteley Corporation’s training and support materials contact marketing@whiteley.com.au. Watch Whiteley Corporation’s hand hygiene video: https://youtu.be/hwfz_5uSDrk or https://bit.ly/2GS77an Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 www.whiteley.com.au

SPOT WIZ SPOT WIZ is a biodegradable, versatile, effective general-purpose carpet spotter with citrus-based ingredients. Pre-packed in ready to use spray packs, Spot Wiz is ideal for immediate use on spots and spills from carpet and fabric upholstery.

Agar Cleaning Systems (03) 9480 3000 https://agar.com.au

Terminator Plus Introducing the new Australian designed and built Terminator Plus carpet extractor machine. A fully featured powerful and compact carpet extractor, it is ideal for small and large spaces. ` The machine is equipped with 800 PSI pump and features a powerful working pressure of maximum 600 PSI, factory set to 500 PSI ` Fiberglass body with aluminium frame for ultra-strong and light weight machine ` Comes with a 5m solution hose, 5m vacuum hose and a 12” 2-jet stainless steel wand. (Optional 7.5m and 10m hoses are available) ` Brute power in compact sized body providing all the power and performance of larger carpet extractors with a compact body size for maximum manoeuvrability ` Vacuum system: 2 X 1100-watt 2 stage suspension mounted bypass vacuum motors ` Solution tank 50L and recovery tank 20L

Polivac International Contact nearest distributor www.polivac.com.au

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Autonomous outdoor vacuum The eco-friendly, battery-operated Ariamatic 240 Super is an autonomous driven outdoor vacuum. Equipped with the “Follow Me” automatic driving system, it will promptly follow, leaving the operator the sole task of directing the vacuum hose to the waste. The system detects obstacles, ensuring the safety of people and things in the surrounding environment. Free onsite demonstration available.

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 www.sweepclean.com.au

CHECK OUT OUR NEW

20/20 VISION CATALOGUES

PRODUCT CATALOGUE

2020 Edition 1

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Eco-Shield T.B.C Toilet Bowl Cleaner Eco-Shield T.B.C Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a uniquely formulated toilet bowl cleaner. It easily removes several different soils and stains from toilet bowls, urinals and sinks both ceramic and stainless steel. Eco-Shield T.B.C penetrates and removes hard water stains, rust and scale and prevents algae growth. Its four-in-one action cleans, disinfects, deodorises and protects. It leaves a longlasting fresh sweet floral scent and a non-stick surface with a noticeable high shine to enhance the look of the substrate. This feature reduces the need for constant maintenance due to contaminants such as soiling and uric acid scale not adhering to the surface. The non-stick effect is not permanent, but surfaces treated require cleaning less often, thus reducing labour and chemical costs.

Krystalshield & Shield Chemicals 1300 519 074 www.krystalshield.com.au

Self-cleaning outdoor vacuum Part of the TSM range of eco-friendly cleaners, the Aria 240 Super is a battery-operated outdoor vacuum that doesn’t produce carbon emissions. It has a time saving on-board automatic filter cleaning system that allows the operator to keep working without stopping frequently to clean the filter. Operator’s efforts are reduced by electric traction that is easily controlled by the front lever. It also features a mechanical support for the hose to eliminate curves and prevent obstructions.

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 www.sweepclean.com.au

XPOWER/Cleanstar range of dehumidifiers for the restoration industry A dehumidifier is designed to remove the moisture from the air and maximise water extraction while combining highest efficiency in performance and portability. XPOWER/Cleanstar VD models are their standard and traditional range of dehumidifiers, with moisture removal at 80-degree relative humidity at 30 degrees Celsius. XPOWER/Cleanstar’s LGR (Low Grain Refrigerant) XD Dehumidifier offers higher moisture extraction at a greater operating range of 0.60 degrees to 40.6 degrees Celsius. XPOWER/Cleanstar’s Desiccant Dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air and can work efficiently at much lower temperatures than most dehumidifiers at an operating range -27 degrees to 40 degrees Celsius.

XPOWER/Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 www.cleanstar.com.au www.xpoweraustralia.com.au

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