Post-pandemic – time to review products and processes

Despite spikes in the number of COVID cases, the country is largely operating ‘post-pandemic’ and, with very few exceptions, life is returning to pre-pandemic normality. The cleaning sector played a huge role in getting the country to where it is today – a safe and hygienic place in which to travel, work and socialise –but some of the strategies and products used to cope with the emergency situation are now coming under review.

In his article on Page 18 - Time to refresh disinfection strategy - Adrian Gee-Turner, director of L’Eau Ltd, observes that the pandemic forced cleaning businesses to expand their range of services to fulfil a vital role. He says that many cleaning companies already offered disinfection, and when the pandemic hit the industry ramped up its services in response to overwhelming demand. Now that the pandemic has subsided, however, he asks whether this is a good time to step back and review our disinfection procedures. Are we using the right disinfectants? Are they being applied correctly? And do we really need all those plastic bottles? These decisions will need to be made by our industry as the Government struggles to manage the bigger issues during yet another change in leader. Adrian says: “We cannot wait for the government to change the way we operate - we owe it to our work colleagues, our customers, our children, and our planet to stop using hazardous chemicals and choose a clean, safe and effective alternative. The cleaning industry includes professional, dedicated, hard-working staff that perform a vital role in society. We are the people that understand the implications of cleaning and disinfection chemical choices, so we are the ones who will lead the way, showing others the best way forward - we simply must take this opportunity to ensure that our disinfection procedures and materials are as effective as possible.”

In other related news, BioHygiene has welcomed the expiration of a special derogation, put in place at the start of the pandemic, to help increase the availability of hand sanitiser. The derogation, put forward by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), issued critical situation permits that enabled alcohol-based hand gels to forego the normal Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) requirements for product authorisation – allowing more hand sanitiser to reach end-users.

Carolyn Jones, technical director at BioHygiene, observes:

“Though perhaps necessary in the early days of the pandemic, the HSE has now gathered information from across the industry on the current availability of hand sanitisers and the figures show that the current demand can be met by products supplied under normal BPR requirements. Despite the derogation being in the best interest of end-users and the general public, the majority of products that entered the market through this derogation were alcohol-based hand gels. As many individuals have experienced, prolonged use of alcohol-based products can lead to dry and cracked skin.”

At the heart of both of these stories is concern for the environment, as well as concern for users and the public at large. As we are sweltering our way through a record-breaking heatwave we are reminded that we need to be mindful of the impact of every product and process we use. And it’s not just disinfectants and hand sanitisers. PPE, face masks, disposable workwear – all these things have an impact and the use of each hugely increased during the pandemic. Let’s make sure we challenge the ‘new normal’ and don’t allow the pandemic to remain a trigger for inappropriate and polluting practices and products.

I wish you a clean, tidy and healthy month ahead.

Neil Nixon, Editor Cleaning & Maintenance Magazine

Industry News

In the news this month… Beyond Cleaning – DOC’s sustainability strategy – launched, BICSc Awards – finalists revealed, Making an impact at Mid Sussex Science Week, Special derogation for alcoholbased hand sanitisers set to expire, Sodexo among the first to achieve SBTi validation on net-zero target.

PEOPLE

Personnel news and new appointments from across the cleaning and FM sectors.

SPECIAL REPORT: TIME TO REFRESH DISINFECTION STRATEGY

The pandemic forced cleaning businesses to expand their range of services to fulfil a vital role in the fight against COVID-19, but is now a good time to step back and review disinfection procedures? Are we using the right disinfectants? Are they being applied correctly? And do we really need all those plastic bottles? Adrian Gee-Turner, director, L’Eau Ltd, reports.

SPECIAL REPORT: WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY – PROTECTING

OUR PLANET

Sam Greaves, MD and fourth generation owner of The Cleenol Group, a manufacturer and supplier of commercial and industrial cleaning and hygiene products, reports.

NEW PRODUCTS

An overview of some of the new products available on the market this month.

03 Editor’s Comment

A look at the cleaning sector this month.

13 BICSc Comment

The logic of logistics. Stan Atkins, CEO of BICSc, reports.

14 BCC Comment

Reflecting on 40 years in the cleaning industry. Peter Gurney, a founding member of the ABCD, reports.

15 Contractor’s blog Lee Andrews reports.

FEATURE: MANUAL CLEANING SYSTEMS

In an industry where technology and automation are increasingly driving the agenda, it is important to remember that the quality of the outcome remains key - and sometimes this means adopting a manual cleaning system. This feature looks at some of the systems available, and the advantages they can provide.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE UK GRAFFITI CRISISMORE MUST BE DONE, AND QUICKLY

There have been several reports over during the past year on the rise of anti-social graffiti in the UK and the long-term problems associated with it. These can often have damaging effects on local communities and cities as visitors and residents are blighted by the offensive paint. Dave Rudge, operations manager at REACT Specialist Cleaning, reports.