JULY 2020
THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE CLEANING SHOW
IN THIS ISSUE: COVID-19 Update
C&M provides a round-up of the cleaning industry’s evolving role in meeting the challenge posed by COVID-19.
Chemicals/Chemical-Free & Dosing
Steam, bio-cleaning, stabilised aqueous ozone, as well as targeted chemicals come under the spotlight as the country prepares to come out of coronavirus lockdown.
Laundry Systems
A look at the importance of effective laundry in dealing with serious threats to public health caused by outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PLUS: • Industry news • People • Contracts • Products
COVID-19 Update C&M provides a round-up of the cleaning industry’s evolving role in meeting the challenge posed by COVID-19. >>> page 18
Chemicals/ChemicalFree & Dosing Steam, bio-cleaning, stabilised aqueous ozone, as well as targeted chemicals come under the spotlight as the country prepares to come out of coronavirus lockdown. >>> page 24
Laundry Systems A look at the importance of effective laundry in dealing with serious threats to public health caused by outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. >>> page 28
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EDITOR’S LETTER C&M
A culture of cleanliness
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had an immense impact on the restaurant sector. A recent report forecasts losses of between 51 and 77% of expected revenue this year, but there is a glimmer of hope following the government’s announcements concerning the partial reopening of premises from 4 July. I spoke with Peter Teska, global infection prevention application expert at Diversey, to get a better understanding of the challenge ahead, and of the critical need for restauranteurs to embrace a culture of cleanliness. Peter said: “Restaurants need to be prepared for a new standard of cleanliness…It requires businesses to overhaul cleaning procedures, conduct thorough training and implement new employee-centric policies. Many restaurants will need to rethink their approach to cleaning as the pandemic continues to bring cleanliness to the forefront of everyone’s minds. There are several considerations that owners and managers must take when establishing new cleaning procedures, including frequency, thoroughness, accountability, as well as teaching core values and processes.” Peter points to training as a key element in safely reopening restaurants. “Training topics should include infection prevention, food safety and personal hygiene,” he continued. “When employees understand the ‘why’ behind hand hygiene, social distancing measures and proper cleaning, it minimises the risk of lapses in cleanliness.”
As restaurants plan to reopen we all hope that their long-term survival will be assured. All foodies out there can’t wait to get back to their favourite eating houses, but consumer confidence as well as excellent cuisine must be high on the menu. In closing, Peter Teska said: “It’s important for restaurant owners to understand where to invest their funds now to support their long-term survival. Taking the time to reassess the corporate culture and educate employees about the role of cleanliness is an important first step ahead of reopening. Training ensures that all employees understand the expectations around cleaning and know how to execute the processes and procedures correctly. This not only supports the well-being of workers but also the health and safety of diners.” Please don’t forget to visit www.cleaningmag.com for daily news updates and to also view ‘on demand’ our recent webinars - and find out details of forthcoming online events from C&M. Wishing you a happy, clean, tidy and healthy month ahead.
Neil Nixon, Editor Cleaning & Maintenance Magazine
@cleaningmag
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
Cleaning&Maintenance
JULY 2020 5
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CONTENTS C&M
22 Face to Face: Neil Nixon speaks with Ricky Smith, head of sales at ICE.
JULY 2020
08 13 14 18 24 32
Industry News. In the news this month… Facilities worldwide commit to GBAC STAR accreditation programme, CHSA calls on CMA to investigate unscrupulous traders, Cleanology issues uniforms made from plastic bottles, Government joins WHO and CDC in confirming safe use of hand dryers during pandemic. People. Personnel news and new appointments from across the cleaning and FM sectors. Contracts. We take a look at all the latest contracts awarded across the industry.
28
Special Report: COVID-19 Update. C&M provides a round-up of the cleaning industry’s evolving role in meeting the challenge posed by COVID-19.
Feature: Laundry Systems. A look at the importance of effective laundry in dealing with serious threats to public health caused by outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feature: Chemicals/Chemical-Free & Dosing. Steam, bio-cleaning, stabilised aqueous ozone, as well as targeted chemicals come under the spotlight as the country prepares to come out of coronavirus lockdown. New Products. An overview of some of the new products available on the market this month.
05 Editor’s Comment
15 BICSc Comment
Looking back at the past month in the cleaning sector.
Now wash your hands.
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
16 BCC Comment Profiteering or entrepreneurialism? Darren Marston, British Cleaning Council (BCC) representative on the BCC (Exhibitions) board, reports.
17 A job worth doing – a contractor’s blog. Lee Andrews reports.
JULY 2020 7
C&M INDUSTRY NEWS
Facilities worldwide commit to GBAC STAR accreditation programme ORGANISATIONS from more than 30 countries in America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia have committed to accredit their facilities to
Cleanology issues uniforms made from plastic bottles
GBAC STAR in the programme’s first weeks. This accreditation establishes requirements to assist facilities with work practices, protocols, procedures, and systems to control risks associated with infectious agents, such as SARSCoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The programme was launched by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. “We’re absolutely thrilled with the
The industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, GBAC
international response that the GBAC STAR
STAR helps organisations establish protocols
programme has received,” said GBAC executive
and procedures, offers expert-led training and
director, Patricia Olinger. “With more and more
assesses a facility’s preparedness for bio-risk
organisations committing to follow the GBAC
situations. The programme ensures facilities
STAR framework, we can create a world that
use best practices to limit future outbreaks,
values cleanliness and implements it to the
empowers cleaning staff to do their jobs safety
highest degree.”
and effectively and gives customers greater
GBAC STAR is designed for any size facility including schools, offices, hotels, convention
peace of mind. “Now is the time for businesses of every size
centres, airports, assisted care facilities,
to be transparent about the measures they’re
stadiums, and other public venues - to
taking to protect customers and employees,
establish a comprehensive system of cleaning,
including proper cleaning and disinfection,” said
disinfection, and infectious disease prevention.
ISSA executive director, John Barrett. “GBAC
Tourism bureaus and cities also are
STAR programme participants demonstrate
starting to join the programme to get multiple
their commitment to going the extra mile by
businesses in their community GBAC STAR
implementing prevention and response best
accredited to provide stronger assurance to
practices that support health and safety.”
CLEANOLOGY is saving 7000 plastic bottles
residents and visitors.
WWW.GBAC.ORG
a year from landfill by kitting out staff in uniforms made from recycled plastic. CEO
CHSA calls on CMA to investigate unscrupulous traders
Dominic Ponniah said: “We are extremely proud to be the first to introduce recycled uniforms within our industry. This is just the latest drive to make Cleanology a truly sustainable business. We already operate an
THE Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association
wipes, gloves, masks, aprons, and sacks. With
electric fleet, and tackle portion control with
(CHSA) has written to the Competition
very high prices, they are ripping off buyers of
our chemical-free sachets. Buying recycled, in
and Markets Authority (CMA) requesting
these products. It also appears online trading
the form of recycled uniforms, helps to close
it investigate possible profiteering by
platforms may be giving these organisations
the loop even further.”
unscrupulous organisations capitalising on
preferential listings. If this proves to be the
the exceptional demand for cleaning and
case, it needs to be stopped. In contrast, our
a full trial in 2019. Manufactured from a blend
hygiene products. The CHSA has requested the
members are trading ethically, working hard to
of plastic bottles and organic cotton, they are
investigation particularly examine the delisting
meet demand with reasonably priced product
100% sustainable, ‘fair wear’ garments. Over
of reputable companies by online trading
compliant with industry standards.”
the next year, Cleanology will supply operatives
platforms, in favour of organisations charging
Every member of the CHSA has signed its
The uniforms have been rolled out following
with 2000 branded polo shirts and 1000
rigorous code of practice, which requires
branded sweatshirts. Each shirt is made from
members to be ‘well established in the
around two bottles, while the sweatshirts use
said: “It seems very clear unscrupulous
cleaning and hygiene industry and to
around three bottles. This will save 7000 bottles
organisations are profiteering on the
maintain a high standard in the conduct of
from landfill and reduce the need for energy
extraordinary demands for cleaning products
its business’.
and resources to manufacture new clothing.
like hard surface sanitisers, hand sanitisers,
WWW.CHSA.CO.UK
WWW.CLEANOLOGY.COM
exceptionally high prices. Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA,
8 JULY 2020
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C&M INDUSTRY NEWS
Government joins WHO and CDC in confirming safe use of hand dryers during pandemic THE UK government has joined global
information now states that, to help everyone
health experts, including the World Health
keep good hygiene throughout the working
Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease
day, businesses should provide hand drying
Control and Prevention (CDC), in approving the
facilities in the form of either paper towels or
use of hand dryers throughout the COVID-19
electrical dryers. The guidelines previously
pandemic. This follows a campaign from the
only cited paper towels but, following an
hand drying industry requesting government to
appeal from numerous industry organisations,
update its official guidelines.
including Airdri, for the use of hand dryers to be considered, the latest version now follows the
The government’s ‘Working safely during Coronavirus’ guidance was released in early May
same advice as the WHO and CDC.
to ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. The
WWW.AIRDRI.COM
FM leaders turn to cobotics to drive innovation in the wake of COVID-19 – report 81% of FM leaders see cobotics as a potential
organisations say they are facing increasing
heighten efforts to drive innovation within
solution to cleaning challenges over the next
pressure from clients to demonstrate innovation.
the FM industry, not just in terms of new
FM leaders believe that the introduction of
technologies, but also in regard to new
five years and 73% believe that cobotics has the potential to transform the cleaning industry.
cobots into their operations can deliver the
business and commercial models. This is where
New research from SoftBank Robotics EMEA
technological and operational transformation
cobotics can play a major role in driving overall
highlights the potential benefits of introducing
they need. 93% report that cobots will increase
performance within cleaning operations and
cobots into commercial cleaning operations.
the quality and consistency of service delivery
delivering commercial efficiencies. By taking
Cobots are collaborative robots which work
within commercial cleaning, 77% state that
a cobotic approach, FM organsiations can
alongside cleaning teams and undertake
cobots can drive productivity, and 76% predict
re-invent their resourcing and commercial
repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as
that cobotics will lead to healthier workspaces
models going forward, to take advantage of the
vacuuming, freeing up staff to focus on other
for all employees. Importantly, given the
relative strengths of both people and machines.
tasks such as the deep cleaning and sanitisation
disruptive impact that the COVID-19 pandemic
And importantly, given the current situation,
of hard surfaces which is critical in the fight
has had on commercial cleaning operations,
they can embed agility and resilience into their
against COVID-19.
82% of FM leaders state that cobotics can
operations, by ensuring they have access to
support more agile working in the sector.
scalable cobotic resource should cleaning staff
The research exposes the urgent need for innovation within commercial cleaning. 90%
Stefano Bensi, GM at SoftBank Robotics
be unable to work due to sickness or the need
of FM leaders cite innovation as a top business
EMEA, said: “The disruption that we’ve seen
to self-isolate.”
priority and 70% of those in supply-side
in the market over recent months will only
WWW.SOFTBANKROBOTICS.COM
Axis launches COVID-19 ‘back-to-work’ campaign AS lockdown measures ease and businesses
company is working closely with clients and
start to return to work, Axis Cleaning and
their landlords: “A one-size-fits-all approach
Support Services has launched a ‘back-to-work’
certainly does not apply, rather we are
campaign to support its customers in safely
delivering bespoke cleaning services to suit
returning to work premises.
individual workspaces and client’s schedules.
Central to the campaign is the COVID-19
The initial clean is just the first step in what will
deep cleaning service, a thorough cleaning
be a revised or enhanced cleaning schedule.
process designed to help Axis clients give
Not only their safety, but also ensuring their
their employees and customers robust
working environment is safe. We are therefore
reassurance that every measure has been
continuously refining our operational methods
taken to remove any potential traces of the
to give the best, safe, service that we can for the
virus from their premises.
benefit of all, including our own back of house
Simon Giles, chief operating officer of Axis Cleaning and Support Services, says the 10 JULY 2020
support colleagues.” WWW.AXIS-CSS.CO.UK WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
INDUSTRY NEWS
C&M
Cleaning team lends hand to Manchester food charity NORTH West based Under
designed to transport food
Pressure Cleaning is supporting
products. These vehicles are
Greater Manchester charity
what people’s food is being
The Bread and Butter Thing
transported in, so we want to
(TBBT) by volunteering its expert
help them and the charity by
cleaning services to fully clean,
making sure they are properly
wash and disinfect the charity’s
cleaned and disinfected,
fleet of seven food refrigeration
especially when there is a global
vehicles which are used to
health crisis taking place.”
deliver food parcels to people on low income. Under Pressure Cleaning
TBBT operations manager, Rachel Reid-Fernandez, said: “What a fantastic job the guys
managing partner, Peter
have done. We must ensure our
Heseltine, said: “The impact
vans are clean and safe and they
of the COVID-19 crisis has hit
have achieved this for us. It is
everyone hard, so just imagine
brilliant that they have given up
how difficult it is now for those
their own time and energy to
people who needed the help
help us. We hope that we can
of The Bread and Butter Thing
continue to work with Under
before the pandemic. The
Pressure as the results are just
charity delivers food to families
what we need to transport our
who are struggling to afford
food safely to our members.”
everyday basics through a fleet
WWW.UNDER-PRESSURE-
of refrigerated sprinter vans
CLEANING.COM
Cromwell donates plastic film to community fundraiser for NHS gowns CROMWELL Polythene’s
thousands of items of protective
manufacturing and recycling
gear for carers and NHS workers.
division, Cromwell Plastics
So far the group has supplied
Recycling, has donated 500kg
Southampton General Hospital
of blue polythene film to a
with 8000 protective gowns, with
fundraising partnership of
over 25,000 more in the pipeline.
volunteers and marine businesses
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James Lee, managing director
making personal protective
of Cromwell Polythene, said:
TO BECOME AN EXHIBITOR OR SPONSOR, CONTACT
equipment for the NHS.
“We are proud to support this
Stuart Dacre
The film, manufactured at the
worthy cause. These businesses
Alfreton based manufacturing and
and individuals have volunteered
recycling plant, Cromwell Plastics
their time and support to supply
Recycling Ltd, will be made into
some of the heroes on the
approximately 5000 disposable
frontline, including hospitals
plastic gowns for Southampton
and care homes with vital PPE
General Hospital.
equipment. We’d like to thank
A network of businesses and
our team at Cromwell Plastics
individuals based in Lymington,
Recycling who have helped
Hampshire have been pooling
give this wonderful, partnership
skills and resources during the
project further momentum.”
coronavirus crisis to create
WWW.CROMWELLPOLYTHENE.CO.UK
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Michelle Andrews
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TO ATTEND FREE OF CHARGE, REGISTER FOR JOINING INSTRUCTIONS AT
WWW.FUTUREHYGIENEPRODUCTS.COM Media Partner
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JULY 2020 11
C&M INDUSTRY NEWS
Ecolab disposes of Holchem to Kersia ARROWPOINT Advisory has advised Ecolab, a
approximately £47 million of revenue in 2019
carve out transaction for listed companies since
global leader in water, hygiene and infection
out of its two UK manufacturing facilities, the
the start of 2018 in the industrials sector alone.
prevention solutions and services, on the
larger in Bury, Greater Manchester and a second
The transaction also marks the second CMA
disposal of Holchem, a UK-based supplier of
in Liphook, Hampshire, both of which supply
related process that Arrowpoint has advised on
hygiene and cleaning products and services, to
mainly the UK and Irish markets. Following
in the last 12 months.
Kersia, an international biosecurity and food
the acquisition, the combined Holchem and
safety company backed by French private equity
Kersia Group will generate over €300 million
Holchem, said: “It was a pleasure to work with
firm, Ardian.
in revenue, with 1500 employees and 18
Graham, Tom and the rest of the Arrowpoint
worldwide manufacturing plants.
team - their commercial and technical
Holchem is a UK supplier of detergents, disinfection and biosecurity solutions. The
Ecolab had acquired Holchem in December
Stuart Middleton, managing director of
knowledge was invaluable. They were friendly,
company generates its revenue mainly in the
2018 was subject to clearance by the UK
hugely supportive and a committed partner in
food and beverage sectors and is also active in
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), with
getting the team at Holchem through what was
the food service, retail and institutional sectors,
the CMA ultimately ruling against the acquisition.
at times a difficult and complex process.”
as well as dairy farming. Holchem achieved
This transaction is Arrowpoint Advisory’s fifth
WWW.ARROWPOINTADVISORY.COM
770 mile challenge for phs staff STAFF from phs Group are on a mission
engineer, who completed a 100-mile solo
to raise hundreds of pounds for a mental
running challenge in May, fundraising for the
health charity. While they may be based at
Mindstep Foundation.
different locations across the company, seven
Kelly Greenaway, senior brand and
members of the phs team signed up to take
marketing communications manager at phs
part in June One Ten - an initiative to run
Group, said: “John’s achievement in running
110 miles each across the month of June.
100 miles in one month was incredible
Between them, they will clock up in excess of
and inspired all of us to set our own trial.
770 miles and raise more than £600 for the
Everyone is being mentally challenged at the
Mental Health Foundation, a national mental
moment with the COVID-19 crisis and, with
health charity using research, evidence-based
people feeling isolated and lonely, it’s more
information and community programmes to
important than ever to raise awareness and
help prevent mental health problems.
talk freely about mental health. Jogging and
Taking part are Kelly Greenaway, 36,
other keep fit activities can really be helpful
and Kate Lewis, 26, from Caerphilly, Andy
and beneficial, keeping active to balance
Kelly, 58, from Devon, Jay Stewart, 35,
the amount of time spent at a desk working
from Cheshire, Rachael Haydon, 25, from
from home. Feeling healthy can really boost
financial strain at the moment and we wanted
Exeter, Naomi Childe, 40, from Cambridge,
how you feel, give you more purpose, self-
to contribute towards raising vital funds to
and John Davies, 29, from Cambridgeshire.
awareness and promote a happier mind.
ensure they can continue their efforts.”
The challenge was inspired by John, a phs
We also know that charities are feeling the
WWW.PHS.CO.UK
Addmaster claims third Queen’s Award A company that champions the use of its
supplies hundreds of clients, including Dulux,
insertion for authentication and tracing),
Biomaster antimicrobial technology to protect
Dyson and Marks and Spencer.
Scentmaster (fragrance and deodorising
products from bacteria and viruses has
Paul Morris, Addmaster’s founder and CEO,
technology) and Masterpiece for creating
completed a hat-trick of Queen’s Award for
said: “We are extremely honoured to have
bespoke additives. Our Biomaster reusable
Enterprise wins.
had our Biomaster antimicrobial technology
‘bag for life’ and the antimicrobial reusable
recognised with another Queens Award for
coffee cups are just two examples out of
enhancing additives for the plastic, paper,
Enterprise. This prestigious accolade recognises
hundreds of antimicrobial products we have
textile, paints, and coatings industries, has
our commitment to developing innovative
developed. They all demonstrate the important
secured its first win in the Innovation category
solutions that are ahead of the curve and meet
role our technology plays in giving the public
after using its technology to improve hygiene
real life needs in healthcare, retail and industry.
additional hygienic protection when reusing
and preserve the environment by encouraging
Our most established technology is Biomaster
plastics and textiles.”
safer use of reusable products. The company
and this has been joined by Verimaster (additive
WWW.ADDMASTER.CO.UK
Addmaster UK, a developer of performance-
12 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
PEOPLE
C&M
New CEO for ISS UK and Ireland PURVIN Patel has been appointed
within ISS - the UK and Ireland
as the new CEO of ISS UK and
- successfully through its
Ireland (UK&I) with immediate
transformation, while focusing
effect. Matthew Brabin will step
on our growth agenda and key
down from his role as CEO.
accounts. Matthew has led our UK&I
Patel joined ISS as CEO of
business through significant change
ISS India in 2014 and has since
during his 11 years with ISS. Under
then successfully led strategic
his leadership, ISS UK&I has taken
transformation through the
significant steps towards becoming
implementation of the ISS Way
a purpose led, customer-oriented
strategy. The growth rate within key
organisation. I would like to thank
accounts in ISS India has steadily
Matt for his contribution to ISS.”
increased during his period as
Purvin Patel said: “I am humbled
the CEO and has witnessed high
and excited to embark on this new
people engagement and improved
journey. These are unprecedented
financial performance. Patel has
times we live in as we face challenges
more than 25 years of operational
of a different kind, not just in the
leadership experience in companies
UK market but the world over. But
such as Walmart and Kingfisher
we are also seeing opportunities
Group and has previously spent
and I am simply amazed by the
eight years working for a private
commitment and dedication of our
equity portfolio company in the
colleagues in response to this crisis. I
food service and food logistics
am confident that we can capitalise
industry based out of India.
on these opportunities. My first task
Jacob Götzsche, CEO-Europe
will be to navigate and lead the
at ISS, said: “Being a performance
business through this crisis, so that
driven leader with an excellent
we can continue to create fantastic
customer focus, we are confident
workplaces for our customers that
that Purvin will pick up the torch
inspire and engage.”
to lead one of our key countries
WWW.UK.ISSWORLD.COM
GMS appoints new operations director
OUR POWERFUL
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Managed
Wyatt brings a wealth of facilities
Services (GMS) has announced that
and sector-related knowledge from
Lee Wyatt has joined the GMS team
large, complex organisations. He
as operations director. Established
said: “I am delighted to be joining at
in 2018, GMS is an integral part of
a hugely exciting time for GMS. We
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS
have a lot to deliver going forward
Foundation Trust, providing essential
and I look forward to supporting
facilities and estates management
excellent facilities and estates service
services and ensuring a high-quality
management at one of the largest
environment for the benefit of
NHS Trusts in the country.”
staff, visitors and patients. The
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Keith Hamer, managing
appointment to the post comes
director of GMS, said: “We are
at an important time for GMS at it
very pleased to welcome Lee
sets to launch its new three-year
as our new operations director.
business plan, establishing GMS as a
Establishing the right leadership
sustainable business fit for the future.
in GMS is fundamental in assisting
Having most recently worked for
our development and growth and
Cardiff and Vale University Health
CERTIFIED TO ■ EN13697 ■ EN1276 ■ EN13727
brings us closer to our vision of
Board and held previous senior FM
together, exceptional every day.”
roles at BAE Systems and Corus,
WWW.GLOSHOSPITALS.NHS.UK/GMS
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JULY 2020 13
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C&M
CONTRACTS
NSS wins sole supply agreement with global FM group NATIONWIDE Specialist Services (NSS) has
consistently striving to provide a best-in-
been awarded a long-term, sole supply,
class and reliable service. We understand the
multi-service contract by ISS. As a strategic
importance of a clean, well-maintained and
partner for almost 10 years, NSS now delivers
fully operational building, and the impact
all aspects of mansafe testing for building
any interruption to this can have on our
maintenance, window and technical cleaning
customers’ own customers or employees.
across the UK for ISS. The five-year framework
We’re delighted to be partnering with an
agreement was renewed following an in-depth
industry-leader like ISS.”
negotiation process, significantly expanding
Derren Chamberlain, procurement director,
on the existing relationship between the two
UK and Ireland at ISS, added: “We were looking
companies. The value of the new contract is in
for a truly specialist partner with a genuine
excess of £35 million.
focus on safety and commitment to quality. NSS’s track record for delivering responsive
NSS is made up of four divisions: cleaning, maintenance, testing, and hire. The business
customers across the commercial property,
and effective service combined with its ‘at-
operates from bases in Slough, Dartford,
retail, healthcare, and public sector markets.
height’ expertise made the opportunity to work
Manchester, Leeds, and Falkirk to provide complete and responsive coverage to
NSS group commercial director, Eugene Boyle, said: “As a business, we’re
together a compelling one.” WWW.NSSGROUP.COM
High and mighty - new tanks installed at Christeyns HQ BRADFORD based Christeyns UK has
Using Chem Resist’s advanced spiral-winding
successfully completed the installation of new
manufacturing methods, the four replacement
holding tanks with the help of chemical storage
tanks were each made to a height of around
specialist Chem Resist. The project to replace
nine meters, providing Christeyns with over
four chemical storage tanks and add one new
60% increased capacity totalling almost 240,000
100,000 litre water tank was put in motion in
litres across the four tanks. The tank design
late summer last year. To support customer
was also improved with the inclusion of an
and market growth, the new tanks needed to
Christeyns worked with Chem Resist, a
integrated bund and comprehensive steelwork,
provide increased storage capacity, but with
specialist manufacturer of thermoplastic process
thus providing protection and safety for the
limited space at the Bradford site, the new tanks
plant and chemical storage tanks, which came
environment and workers.
had to sit within the same footprint.
up with the ideal solution - building tall.
WWW.CHRISTEYNS.COM
Merco streamlines operational processes MERCO, the Salford-based contract cleaning
timesheets, payroll and contract compliance
Neil Fagleman, operations manager at Merco.
company, has used SmartTask to consolidate
- freeing up 22.5 hours of administration time
“SmartTask has enabled us to take a coherent
its time and attendance requirements across
each month.
approach that provides complete visibility of
more than 100 customer sites in North-
“We have previously tried a number of time
working times and contract delivery, while
West England and North Wales. As a result,
and attendance solutions at different sites,
making it easy for our cleaning operatives to
the employee scheduling and workforce
but none have proved particularly effective
book on and off of their shifts.”
management software has helped to streamline
and this has also meant we have had no
and automate operational processes - including
consistent system across our operation,” said
Merco was using a mix of systems including manual card and fingerprint clocking machines, which required someone to physically visit sites to retrieve data. Having explored the potential for developing a time and attendance system in-house, the company decided to adopt a proven cloud-based solution that could be tailored to its precise needs. Following a review of the marketplace, Merco selected SmartTask based on its ability to meet all time and attendance requirements, while possessing a host of other functionality that could be considered in the future. WWW.SMARTTASK.CO.UK
14 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
BICSc
C&M
Now wash your hands THIS was a phrase always used by my
through proper handwashing after using the
mother when I went to the bathroom or
lavatory. The majority of deaths due to
was available. The consequences of lockdown meant the generosity of neighbours and their willingness to open their
before I sat down at the dinner table.
diarrhoea occurred in young children. It
front door was put to the test. It is no surprise, therefore,
In 2018 I wrote an article regarding a
has been documented that we touch
amid growing pressure, Michigan’s Governor and Detroit
brief history of hand hygiene during
our face with our hands every three to
City officials announced plans to stop shut-offs and
an influenza epidemic! I thought now
four minutes, therefore removing
‘temporarily’ reconnect welfare services for all residents
was an appropriate time to revisit this
germs from our hands with soap and
as part of a plan to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. It is
due to the importance given to hand
water is fundamental hygiene. During
almost inconceivable for us to imagine how you can live
washing during the current pandemic.
the course of the project, two factors
hygienically without running water and sewage removal.
In my 2018 article, I mentioned the religious connotations
emerged - the cost of transporting soap to outlying areas,
of handwashing, and referenced the ancient Greeks who
and the unit cost of a bar of soap. In India, for example,
‘Flushed: How the plumber saved civilization’ (ISBN 978-
used to wash their hands before they ate a meal.
Unilever sold bars of soap in 400 grams - for people living
0-7434-7409-2). Can you imagine having to rely on bottled
literally hand to mouth the unit price was too expensive.
water, the generosity of neighbours and a commode for
access to soap and water – as well as a hygienic means
Unilever reduced the standard size to 100 grams which
your family’s personal hygiene - not a thought that I cherish.
of drying your hands. Most of us know the acronym that
allowed people on a limited income to purchase hand
Amongst many of the invisible workforce, the teams that
goes with assume - it can make an ‘Ass of U and Me’. So,
soap more readily.
supply us with our utilities should not be forgotten.
Washing your hands, however, assumes that you have
I started to question my own paradigm with somewhat surprising results.
OK, that’s India as an example, but at the beginning
One of the books I have in my cleaning library is entitled
It should also be noted that the slogan ‘Stay at home,
of this pandemic - in March 2020 - over 12 million homes
save lives, protect the NHS’ is partly derived from another
in America had their water supply disconnected for
slogan from Professor Didier Pittet: ‘Clean hands save lives’.
available to all of the population. However, where it was
non-payment of bills. In Detroit alone, approximately
Another one of the books from my cleaning library.
available, it was often used for bathing and hand washing
20,000 homes were without running water. That is America
of clothes. In 2010, a project commenced between major
in 2020. Add to this that these usually are the poorest
pandemic, so to look at it in isolation does humanity a
soap manufactures, including Unilever, and the London
families, the effects of lockdown were a double blow.
disservice at the very least. Don’t even start me on drying
School of Tropical Medicine. At this time it was estimated
Prior to lockdown children went to school and adults
your hands properly - that’s for another day.
that around one million lives per annum could be saved
went to work where toilet facilities and handwashing
WWW.BICS.ORG.UK
Basic hand soap in some countries was not readily
As I have motioned before, COVID-19 created a
Your perfect partners in hygiene Where hygiene is essential our cleaning solutions give you the right tools for the job. From cleaning chemicals tested to EN14476 such as Microsan® and Clensan®, through to machines designed to give you efficient and powerful performance such as Fivestar and Steempro Powermax. Get in touch to discover more about our professional cleaning solutions.
Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
020 8974 1515
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
sales@prochem.co.uk
www.prochem.co.uk JULY 2020 15
C&M BCC COLUMN
Profiteering or entrepreneurialism? Darren Marston, British Cleaning Council (BCC) representative on the BCC (Exhibitions) board, reports. AS the enormity of the Coronavirus crisis began
Personally, I have seen and been involved in some excellent initiatives where
to unfold earlier this year, we saw
infection control when proper cleaning processes remain crucial. BCC member, the Cleaning and Hygiene
businesses, some otherwise
some instances of distressed and
disassociated from the cleaning
panicked behaviour among the
Suppliers Association (CHSA), has been working
public though, on the whole,
sector, look to engage with
to highlight the issue. It has urged the public
people have been calmly
their clients who in turn are in
to buy products from CHSA members and
displaying fortitude during
distress and offer a relevant
has written to the Competition and Markets
the lockdown. We have also
service or product. One such
Authority to call for an investigation.
seen some business practices
example being a ship repair contractor where its niche
which might well be more akin
market sector had been decimated,
to those of the Wild West and can
yet the specialist knowledge of the
only be described as profiteering.
CHSA members sign the association’s rigorous code of practice, which requires them to be ‘well established’ in the cleaning and hygiene industry and to maintain a high
environment and challenges remained important.
standard in the conduct of their business. The
help and guidance, products and services
By providing sound information and credible
CHSA also runs accreditation schemes for
such as personal protective equipment (PPE),
content together with quality products and
distributors and manufacturers of soft tissue,
hand sanitiser, fogging, and spraying. All this is
training, my company ICE was able to facilitate
plastic refuse sacks and industrial cotton mops.
marketed using powerful and alarming language
a sound and professional proposition which
So, if consumers see the CHSA logo and CHSA
such as ‘Coronavirus’, ‘COVID-19’ and ‘pandemic’
allowed the business to continue to trade and
accreditation scheme stamp on cleaning and
and is often only available ‘whilst stocks last’.
provide a valuable resource to its customers.
hygiene products, they should be reassured.
Our inboxes are bombarded by entities offering
My personal view is that the businesses that
Conversely, there have been numerous
Much of this spam comes from new entities which have been set up to capitalise on the
examples of the fast buck brigade, starting up
have stayed true to their principles and leveraged
public’s demand for cleaning and hygiene
virtually overnight and making inappropriate
their expertise and knowledge base have survived
products and services to help them stay healthy
and inaccurate claims about how their product
and will ultimately prosper. For a company like
and well. Largely selling online, these products
or service will kill the virus and redeem us all.
ICE, for example, which has been marketing itself
often carry an exceptionally high mark-up and
Examples of profiteering which have concerned
as a leader in the equipment solution business
there is no guarantee they meet the correct
us include:
for decades, to suddenly be offering a chemical or
standards or indeed are fit for purpose.
• Facemasks that purport to be UK-made but
hand sanitiser would lack credibility. We are already seeing that these overnight
have labelling in Mandarin Chinese.
The honest and legitimate companies which
• Facemasks that only cost around 2p to make
make up the member organisations of the BCC would frown upon these kind of sharp practices. We
being offered at vastly over-inflated prices.
are concerned that the public could be put at risk or
• Inappropriate fogging and misting services
left out of pocket by the actions of these profiteers.
offered as a silver bullet solution to all
experts, making wild claims, are falling by the wayside. You cannot buy experience and credentials. WWW.BRITISHCLEANINGCOUNCIL.ORG
The Professional Independent Registered Trade Association for
Window Cleaning Membership offers numerous quality benefits IOSH Accredited Safety Training Safety Accredited Member (SAM) Procurement Scheme Secure online store at: https://www.windowcleaning.org.uk/ Federation of Window Cleaners Tel: 0161 432 8754 - Email: info@f-w-c.co.uk – Web: www.f-w-c.co.uk
16 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
A JOB WORTH DOING - A CONTRACTOR’S BLOG C&M
Returning staff to work in private sector buildings Lee Andrews, CEO of DOC Cleaning, reports. BY encouraging people back to work,
no revenue is being received. Overall,
enforcing the wearing of face covers on
it has provided a focus for both clients
public transport and issuing details of
and service providers to get staff back
how the furlough scheme will gradually
to work, with 31 October being the clear
end, last month HMG left private sector
target for resuming work at full capacity.
companies and organisations under no
Of course, the gradual return brings
illusion about the need for the country
challenges as well. Persuading multi-
to start firing on all cylinders again.
site cleaning staff to come back to work
However, just as schools have resisted a mass return to normal operation, the response of the private sector, in particular the
at only one of their work sites is difficult, as there is the frustration of paying travelling-to-work and welfare costs when only part of the working day has been restored.
office sector, has also
Then there’s the wider
been variable. For
issue of staff genuinely
cleaning contractors operating mainly in
being concerned about
the public sector,
returning to their job, especially where it
the Government has
involves public transport.
provided security by
To counter the challenges,
instructing publicly funded bodies to, for now at least, carry
I know that many contractors have
on paying contractors. For those with
been busy ramping up measures and
mainly private sector clients, uncertainty
precautions to protect employees’ health
still rules, with each client weighing
and encourage a sense of confidence in
up the when and how of reintroducing
returning to work. Additional training and
employees safely to the workplace and
education has been devised that will be
the extent to which working from home
delivered as staff resume duties, including
can become the norm.
videos, toolbox talks, COVID-19 specific
What’s clear, from a contractor’s point of view, is that the reopening of
RAMS, etc.
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●
On the client side, liaison is essential
client offices is proving a far trickier
to ensure that sites are safe and that
process to manage than their closure
control measures are in place. These
in mid-March, which was comparatively
could potentially include staggered
abrupt. The good news, however, is
start/finish times for our staff to enable
that the announcement of the tapered
social distancing and avoid using
furlough has made it easier to work with
public transport in rush hours; different
clients in matching up our resources to
points of entry and exit on site - clients
their phased re-opening.
are already talking about this for
On the positive side, part-furloughing
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their own staff; a ‘one way’ system of
has meant that operatives working
workflow around the workplace, with
across more than one site can resume
a temporary focus on zonal cleaning
work at the locations which open
rather than flow cleaning where staff
again, whilst remaining on furlough at
move through a building together;
those that remain closed. And for staff
and, of course, prohibiting the shared
working exclusively at a single site, it
use of equipment.
has created flexibility if the client only
As I said last month, ideally clients
wants a partial service to be provided
will respect contract terms and allow
initially. Meanwhile, the staggered
all our staff to return by the end of
levels of contributions towards the cost
October on existing hours and shift
of furloughed staff means contractors
patterns. Consultation can then follow
have the ability to ‘drip feed’ staff
to re-specify the service provision going
back to work over a longer period
forward, providing time and resource
Bio Productions Ltd
without incurring an initial higher-level
to adapt as required once everyone is
contribution for those still at home,
back to working normally.
T: (+44)1444 244000 | E: sales@bio-productions.com W: www.bio-productions.com
which would be difficult to finance if
WWW.DOCCLEANING.COM JULY 2020 17
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM bio productions (sta kill)_half page vert.indd 1
25/03/2020 13:46
C&M
SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19
COVID-19: Cleaning sector on the frontline Neil Nixon reports. As the country begins to return to some
I will, consequently, be using the
I have always appreciated the critical
version of normality, and following on
pages of C&M to look at certain aspects
and outstanding role cleaning
from the features in the May and June
of post-COVID-19 cleaning in detail and,
operatives play in keeping the public
issues of C&M looking at the essential role
as with this month’s column, to seek
safe – once the dust has settled I hope
the cleaning sector is playing in tackling
advice on best practice from recognised
there will be a wider and greater
the COVID-19 pandemic, I have started to
industry experts.
appreciation of cleaning operatives
migrate much of the content surrounding
As mentioned many times previously
and cleaning businesses. I congratulate
new products and services online to allow
– and during the popular series of
everyone involved for the outstanding
for more immediate dissemination of the
webinars I have been hosting on the
work they have done, and continue to
news. Please take a look at
topic of Coronavirus - my association
do, to get the country safely back to
www.cleaningmag.com – content is
with the cleaning sector spans over two
work, to the shops, to restaurants, to
changing on a daily basis.
decades in one capacity or another.
pubs… to normality.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE GO HAND IN HAND Regardless of how the current concerns continue to unfold, COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of hand and surface hygiene within facilities. Chris Wakefield, vice president, European marketing and product development, GOJO Industries-Europe Ltd, says that this must not be forgotten after the pandemic has eased and that businesses must take measures to continue influencing healthy behaviour. In light of the current coronavirus crisis, high
and increased the frequency of their surface
and continue to influence healthy behaviour. By
standards of surface and hand hygiene have
and hand hygiene regimens, so that cleanliness
putting effective measures in place, companies
proven to be essential in effective facilities
standards are upheld at all times.
can reap multiple rewards. After all, better
management. While many offices, leisure and
At the same time, the public awareness of
health equates to less absenteeism, increased productivity and, ultimately, more profit.
educational facilities had to close to halt the
the connection between health and hygiene,
spread of the virus, for those that continue to
particularly when it comes to having clean
operate, the highest level of hygiene needs to
hands, has never been greater. Once the
an enhanced reputation. Certainly, at first,
be maintained. Hospitals, supermarkets, and
pandemic has eased, businesses must work hard
customers and visitors will demand clean and
other essential organisations have tightened
to ensure that complacency doesn’t creep in,
hygienic facilities, and will make a judgement
Additionally, businesses will benefit from
about the company if high standards are not achieved. In a social media driven society, where negative comments can quickly tarnish an organisation’s image, it has never been more important to take hygiene seriously. Sanitising surfaces to lower the risk of infection Hands are responsible for transmitting up to 80% of infections and research has shown that 14 people can be infected by touching the same object. Furthermore, germs can survive for a surprisingly long time on surfaces. Preliminary investigations suggest that coronaviruses, including COVID-19, may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days [1]. 18 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19
It therefore makes perfect sense for FM managers to pay attention to sanitising surfaces, especially busy touch-points, such
C&M
likely to perform hand hygiene to best practice
transferring germs from one area to another, via
standards in confined and crowded conditions.
their hands. By taking these proactive infection control
Touch-free technology can also help
as door handles, handrails or lift buttons.
improve compliance, reducing the likelihood
measures, businesses can continue to influence
This helps prevent infections from travelling
of unclean or leaky taps and dispensers, and
healthy behaviour, which will not only help to
from one area, or building, to another. Opt for
in turn lessening the number of people that
protect their staff, visitors and customers, but
sanitising sprays or wipes that are fast acting,
may have otherwise abandoned handwashing.
will benefit the bottom line too.
bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal, and
These dispensers are more hygienic too, since
WWW.GOJO.COM
which can be used in complete confidence.
hands do not need to physically touch them to access the product. Given that the exact dose
[1] www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-
Influencing healthy hand hygiene practice
is released each time, they also help to reduce
coronaviruses.
The first step to encouraging hygienic behaviour
mess and waste.
[2] Building Service Contractor Survey, Cleaning and Maintenance Management, 2014.
is to ensure the washroom offers end-users
Efficacy is also key. When you consider
a positive and welcoming experience. Did
that 60-70% of women and 50-60% of men
you know, that despite being such a small
report having sensitive skin to some degree ,
proportion of a building’s total footprint
formulations must be kind to skin, pleasant
(typically less than 5%), facilities management
to use and be effective at removing dirt and
companies receive four times more complaints
bacteria. Posters and notices also work well to
about the restroom than any other area within
prompt hygienic behaviour, reminding users of
a facility? [2]
best practice.
[3] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ [3]
Facilities managers should therefore seek
As well as in washrooms, hand hygiene
to provide the best visitor experience possible
facilities should be easily accessible in other
within their budget. Firstly, ensure that the
parts of a building. For example, installing
layout of the space is user-friendly and allows
sanitising stations at the main entrance and
people to move around easily so that they
exits, and other high traffic zones, such as
can reach dispensers without having to
busy reception areas, can help stop people
squeeze past others. People are much less
introducing infections to a building, or
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WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
JULY 2020 19
C&M
SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19
Returning to work post-Coronavirus Phil Jones (trainer) and Adam Jankowski (consultant trainer) present a ‘Prochem Europe guide for cleaners’. Never in living memory has the cleaner been
So, what’s happened? Initial demand for
include power cables, mould/mildew, heavy
so highly valued and appreciated. We are no
fogging systems has slowly subsided as, with no
objects/furniture, and chemicals to name by
longer the ‘silent service’, working out of sight.
conclusive proof of infection or contamination,
a few.
Everybody acknowledges the challenges that
then (subject to a risk assessment) a site’s
the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the door
carpets and hard floors may only require a deep
Identify anyone who could come into
of every home and workspace the world over
(extraction) clean using Prochem products
contact with the work area, be it a contractor,
and how tirelessly we have worked to keep it
such as D500 Microsan and B125 Clensan.
members of the company in a commercial
from spreading.
The market has started to move forward with
property or of a family in a household
But the fact is a strategic return to a ‘normal’ (whether we define it as ‘new’ or ‘old’) is fast
growing demand for these solutions. D500 Microsan is a multi-surface biocidal
2. Identify who may be harmed and how.
environment. 3. Identify the level of risk. For example, is the level of risk high, medium or low?
approaching. But firstly, we have to make
cleaner for use on all washable hard surfaces,
premises clean and secure and to restore much-
carpets, fabrics, and floors and has been tested
needed confidence in the building user that
to EN14476 standard as well as being proven
measures necessary to reduce the level of
going back through the door is safe. That’s why
effective against many bacteria and viruses
risk to ‘as low as is reasonably practicable’
businesses, schools, healthcare environments,
including the Coronavirus family.
and record what you have done (in writing).
and more are turning to the cleaning industry
B125 Clensan is a multi-surface biocidal
4. Record your findings. Put in place the control
5. Review the risk assessment as often as
for guidance as to how to take those first steps
sanitiser that may be used on all carpets, fabrics
is necessary.
back to work.
and hard surfaces and has also been tested to
Also, a risk assessment is not just a form
Our industry is about to be one of the most
EN14476 standards. It is also effective against a
filling exercise. This is a task which must be
appreciated and highly visible in the country.
range of enveloped viruses as well as Norovirus.
carried out by law to ensure that accidents at
This is not going to be a straight-forward
So how can we decide if we should go back
work do not happen or that the persons doing
transition. From biohazard remediation (or, as
to work and under what conditions? Firstly,
the work or any persons affected by the work do
it’s mistakenly but more commonly known -
we should operate within the most up-to-date
not suffer any short term or long term exposure
infection control) to a deep clean, planning and
government guidelines ensuring that we can
and harm.
negotiating with the customer prior to the job
maintain social distancing until the current
commencing is going to be required.
Coronavirus SARS2 pandemic is deemed to be
with biohazards, you will require appropriate
Pre-cleaning of offices, floors, carpets,
over. If we cannot maintain social distancing
levels of training including health and safety
and toilets are top of the building manager’s
in our work, then we need to ‘stay at home’
training, and training in the correct use of PPE
agenda right now. As they make their own
unless you are a key worker and safe working
including how to select the correct respirator
risk assessments as to the levels of cleaning
practices are put in place by the employer.
for a task, the process of being fit-tested for a
required, they will look to cleaning contractors
Secondly, we should carry out a risk
If you are undertaking work specifically to deal
respirator, and donning and doffing your PPE to
for advice. However, the building manager
assessment. To remind you, a risk assessment
avoid cross-contamination and infecting yourself
should also be responsible for checking the
is a legal duty under Section 3 of The
and others. You should also learn how PPE is the
credentials and certification of the cleaning
Management of Health and Safety at Work
last line of defence in the hierarchy of controls
company to ensure they are trained and
Regulations 1999. No business is exempt from
and what you must be doing in addition to PPE
capable of managing the clean, be it infection
this regulation regardless of whether you are a
to reduce the risk of exposure.
control or a deep clean. They will also be
self-employed sole trader, sub-contractor or a
checking into the credentials of the contractor
business with employees. There are exemptions
and you do not understand the hierarchy of
before asking them to quote. Everybody will
for how the risk assessment may be carried out
controls and you have not had some of the
be under scrutiny. Likewise, the domestic/
depending on the number of persons employed
basic training described above, you should do
residential property sector will see an increase
by a business, but you would be ill-advised not
the training and avoid performing any form of
in demand for deep cleans as families are
to have a written risk assessment when carrying
biohazard work altogether until you have done so.
gradually allowed to regroup under one roof.
out high risk decontamination work like bodily
Examples of risk assessments can be found
Prochem is an established provider of specialist cleaning solutions and technologies.
If you do not already carry out risk assessments
fluid clean-ups, mould, water damage, and
on the Health and Safety Executive website:
other biohazard jobs.
www.hse.gov.uk. If you are already competent, then your risk assessment will tell you whether
Unsurprisingly, we have been inundated with questions on infection control cleaning, fogging
The five stages of a risk assessment
you should be undertaking the work being
and sanitising from building owners and
1. Identify the hazards. Currently, one of them is
offered (assuming that you have passed the
managers as well as from our customer base of
obviously COVID-19 and its possible spread
client’s criteria for selecting you). Once you
cleaning operatives.
if not addressed correctly, but this could also
have decided that the work falls within your
20 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19
C&M
competencies, consider the following to decide
which achieves 99.97% filtration of particles to
before departing. This will give them the
if the risks are sufficiently low:
0.3 microns.
confidence that you carry out this safety
• Ask if the customer or anyone in the property
If you are planning on deep cleaning, then
procedure after every job and it was done
has shown any visible symptoms over the past
pre-treat the carpet, fabric or floor with a suitable
before you entered their house or office.
few weeks.
diluted sanitiser, such as Prochems’ D500
•B e seen to disinfect your wheels and any touch
• Even if a property is empty, ask if any user is
Microsan or B125 Clensan, from a sprayer and
points on your machine and wipe them dry.
returning to check postal and courier deliveries
then after allowing for the suitable dwell time for
• After cleaning your wheels, consider covering
- in which case, adjust your risk assessment.
the product to break down the bacteria or virus,
them with cling-film as you enter or exit
wipe, mop or extract away. After the suitable dwell
the property.
cleaning is taking place. If declined, decide
time, carry out deep cleaning with a suitable pre-
• Wipe down your power cables and hoses as
whether the job is safe to do through your
spray and detergent rinse. Once that is completed,
they would have been touching part of the
own risk assessment.
re-apply the sanitiser, leave to dwell and wipe,
indoor property.
mop or extract if required. It is important to always
• Disinfect your hose and wand by sucking a
extraction machine in the building. They are
read the instructions on the solution labels - and
diluted (warm water) solution of a sanitiser (eg,
designed to create a vacuum at one end which
no more so than in these situations.
D500 Microsan) up your wand, through your
• Ask users to vacate the property while
• Consider where you actually place your
also creates an exhaust port at the other, so
The idea of this layered, structured clean is to
hose and into your waste tank. Finally, to cover yourself, it might be
potentially contaminated air is being blown
firstly protect the technician with a preliminary
out of the machine and recontaminating the
sanitation, then to carry out the clean, and then
advisable to check with your insurance
environment. If possible, place outside with
finally re-sanitise ready for the hand-over to the
company to ensure that you are correctly
the exhaust pointing towards a previously
customer. If you think about it, it is the same
insured to carry out cleaning in this
identified neutral area.
as hand washing - break down the lipid, greasy
period. You may require extra cover if you
coating of the virus, wash away and then hand
are planning on getting into biohazard
sanitise with a gel.
remediation cleaning.
Remember not to hide what you do
- because more than ever, you are needed
Consider HEPA standard filtration for your
Be visibly seen by the client to sanitise your
and valued.
vacuum cleaner - HEPA is a filtration standard
equipment following cleaning their property
WWW.PROCHEM.CO.UK
Normally, pre-vacuuming is a vital part of the carpet cleaning job, but consider firstly whether
Be seen to do everything for your customer
disturbing soil and dust may potentially result in its being inhaled by a cleaning operative.
100% recycled material
Sustainable
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
CHSA compliant
JULY 2020 21
C&M
FACE TO FACE
Face to Face Neil Nixon speaks with Ricky Smith, head of sales, ICE. How has ICE coped during the COVID-19
been working from home as key points of
standards are met. This will enable them to
lockdown? How has it continued to support
contact and support for all our customers.
provide a guarantee to their customers that
its customers during this difficult time?
Additionally, we have seen the demand for
their facilities are safe to visit. Daytime and
Like many businesses, as the situation started
our Smartcall video calling facility increase
visible cleaning will offer confidence that
to intensify throughout March it was clear that
dramatically over the past few months.
important tasks are not only being conducted
our sales pipeline and business plan for 2020
Customers are certainly seeing the value of
but carried out regularly.
was going to be materially affected by the
using this technology to fix simple equipment
COVID-19 pandemic. ICE has always operated a
issues or for completing refresher training, and
guidance and trusted equipment, along with the
very agile and flexible business model - it’s one
we believe that this is an area that will continue
flexibility to innovate and adapt to the changing
of our strongest USPs - so we immediately set
to grow in the future.
needs and requirements of the industry. We also
ICE’s role in this is to provide the support,
have a crucial role in educating the industry on
out developing a range of equipment to support offering sanitisation and infection control to aid
As the country begins to make its way back
the use of autonomous cleaning ‘Co-Bots’ to
customers in the fight against the virus.
to work, what is ICE’s role in ensuring that
work alongside cleaning teams to give further
cleaning teams can provide a clean and
prominence and legitimisation of ‘clean’.
We called this ‘A Clean Start’ - an offer with a variety of both hand-held and ride-on sanitising
sanitised environment?
products to help combat the virus, but also
I believe, based on recent events, that the
How has the Co-Botics range been received?
to measure ‘clean’ in ways such ATP testing.
profile of cleaning will change dramatically in
What is the rationale behind this new line
Our teams have worked tirelessly to bring this
the future - sanitising, infection control and
of equipment?
to life in a very short space of time and have
measurement will be key areas that we will
Our ICE Co-Botics line is the industry’s first
supported many NHS contracts and facilities
all need clarity and comfort around to ensure
comprehensive range of autonomous cleaning
as well as our long-standing FM and contract
clean and safe environments.
machines. We believe these innovations will
cleaning customers.
It’s highly likely that there will be a greater
help shape the way cleaning operations and
Our customer service and operations teams
demand for ‘proof of clean’ as businesses will
functions are carried out in the future, but in a
have continued to work tirelessly throughout the
need to prove to both employees and visitors
collaborative and cohesive way.
lockdown period. Our field-based teams have
that their facilities are hygienic and safe.
continued to attend sites to deal with equipment
They will be looking for guidance around the
integrate into cleaning team operations, picking
issues, and our customer service teams have
activities that should be carried out to ensure
up the manual and repetitive tasks, which will
22 JULY 2020
The equipment has been designed to
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
FACE TO FACE
C&M
then allow operators to focus on hygiene and sanitising activities to promote cleaner and safer environments. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about embracing technology to deliver higher cleaning standards, infection control and ‘proof of clean’. Co-Botics is a very natural and progressive way of how we can help support and deliver these measures and improve wellbeing for hygienic environments - to ‘co-exist’, to ‘collaborate’, and to work ‘cohesively’ within the workplace to drive standards, efficiency and sterility. The system is as close to human activity as anything available. It is extremely intelligent and can be fully operated, controlled and managed by the teams on site, and the features ensure that the following key requirements are met: • Safety and efficiency - safe, consistent, and easy to map and control. • Consistency - it will clean any area without the need for technical intervention. • Environmentally friendly - water recycling capabilities and a run time of up to 5 hours. • Proof of clean - fully integrated telemetry and cloud-based reporting on a clean by
customers and have carried out a number of
their new Co-Botics equipment meets many of
clean basis.
demonstrations. Many customers share our
the growing applications where autonomous
vision and see the value of introducing Co-
equipment would benefit both the economic
Botics into their cleaning operations.
and hygiene requirements escalated by this
Co-Botics can be simply and easily incorporated into existing or new cleaning operations in almost any kind of environment
Yvonne Taylor, head of cleaning for UK,
pandemic. I particularly like the term Co-Botics
- commercial, transport, warehousing,
Ireland and Middle East at OCS, said: “Having
and the philosophy that this technology will
manufacturing, or distribution, healthcare,
been part of ICE’s development of robotics
collaborate with human resource to deliver the
retail, hotels, hospitality, and many more.
in the UK we know they have the credentials
levels of sanitation the world now demands,
Over the last few weeks, we have been
and infrastructure to take this technology to
whilst complementing appropriate distancing.”
the wider market. In my opinion, it looks like
WWW.ICE-CLEAN.COM
sharing the details and rationale with our key
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
JULY 2020 23
C&M
CHEMICALS/CHEMICAL-FREE & DOSING
Get home safely Thomas Stuecken, chairman of OspreyDeepclean, reports. AS COVID-19 spread across the globe, the public
of cross-contamination. One study by the US
transport sector and its staff were on the front
Center for Disease Control and Prevention has
line along with the NHS and first responders.
shown that over two-thirds of soap buckets and
Radical changes to standard cleaning practices
93% of sampled cleaning towels in US hospitals
were needed to protect employees and the
harboured bacteria. While public transport carries people who
essential workers travelling to their jobs and operators are still working through revamping
are hopefully in better health than those in
these procedures to meet the challenge that the
hospitals, this statistic shows the uphill battle
virus poses to environmental safety.
the industry must fight to keep passengers and
99.99% of known bacteria and viruses, leaving
employees safe.
surfaces decontaminated, safe, and touch dry
Leaders of airlines, bus companies and transit
within 10 minutes.
operators have been scrambling to find the right hygiene tools to step up cleaning efforts and
Cleaners deserve the safest working
reduce the spread of the virus. While operators
environments you can provide
How dry steam vapour cleaning works
are going beyond the government and public
Hong Kong has deployed self-driving disinfectant
Dry steam vapour cleaning tackles bacteria
health guidelines to create safe environments,
robots to clean public areas, but the UK public
and viruses on three fronts with thermal and
there’s confusion across sectors over best
transport industry doesn’t share this luxury. Our
chemical disinfection and decontamination by
practice. Let’s investigate how you can establish
cleaners strap on PPE, arm themselves with
the mechanical action of surface penetration
first-class procedures that ensure and reassure
cleaning materials and head straight into the
and extraction to eliminate contaminants.
drivers, passengers and cleaners that you are
danger zone. Transport operators and cleaning
providing the safest possible environment.
companies owe their cleaners the duty of care
outer layer that seeps into common porous
enjoyed by most workers, despite being thrust on to
materials that have non-smooth, textured or
Encourage passengers to practice
the frontline. The simplest, most efficient and cost-
rough surfaces. Manual disinfection struggles to
good hygiene
effective way to achieve this is through disinfectant
remove buried dangerous organisms, but a mix
Operators can take every precaution, but
fogging and deep steam vapour cleaning.
of super-heated dry steam and disinfectant can
The SARS CoV-2 virus is blanketed by a fatty
penetrate these surfaces to extract and destroy
passengers must shoulder some of the burden. People jump on and off public transport,
Choose the right technology for the job
touching poles, doors and sets, and drivers and
Disinfectant fogging and dry steam vapour
cleaners can’t run around disinfecting these
cleaning deliver the most efficient, safe and
vehicle, they detach the fogging applicator to
surfaces on a continuous basis.
comprehensive deep clean for public transport.
then concentrate the dry-steam vapour onto
bacteria and viruses. Once cleaners complete the fogging of the
Visual communication like signage placed
Some organisations like Delta, the third biggest
common touch-points like chairs, rails and
strategically at stops and around the vehicle
airline in North America, have started to rely on
doors. Super-heated steam eradicates residue
can encourage the public to use good hygiene
fogging and dry steam vapour (DSV) to deep
called biofilm, which is commonly known as
practices like washing and sanitising hands.
clean aircraft to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
dirt, grime, dust and similar organisms that
Some countries are even broadcasting public
Scientific studies, focusing on the efficacy and
harbour potentially lethal bacteria and viruses.
education reminders to inform passengers of their
removal of all microbiological decontamination,
You get the added benefit of combining staged
responsibilities. This tool could help to ensure that
demonstrated that DSV performed equal to or
manual cleaning that depends on employees to
UK passengers are aware of changes to public
better than disinfection practices. When you add
deliver comprehensive results into one efficient
health advice and government guidelines.
the success of eradicating bacteria and viruses
and effective activity.
from areas cleaners might miss or not reach, You risk cross-contamination without
along with the speed of completion, you have
Our technology will deliver the ‘gold
approved cleaning materials
the most effective and time-efficient method on
standard’
Ensuring cleaners are equipped with approved
the market.
OspreyDeepclean is a market leading expert
materials is essential to avoiding the pitfalls
and is dedicated to providing technology that
How disinfectant fogging works
delivers the gold standard of environmental
Let’s use a bus that’s just pulled into the
technology. Our contribution and innovations
depot, ready for a deep clean, as an example.
to healthcare environmental safety have earned
Before cleaners enter the bus, they can attach
recognition by the Department of Health
a fogging applicator to the DSV machine that
and NHS Supply Chain. We have engineered
sprays a dry steam mist made up of water and
our products to handle the rigours of public
a non-toxic disinfectant. The water acts as a
transport cleaning and we want to help you
carrier for the disinfectant during the fogging
tackle the spread of COVID-19.
process. Super-heated steam eradicates
WWW.OSPREYDC.COM
24 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
CHEMICALS/CHEMICAL-FREE & DOSING
C&M
Bio-cleaning solution for London landmark SOMERSET House is London’s working arts centre built on historic foundations around one of the most beautiful courtyards in Europe. Situated at the very heart of the capital, Somerset House is home to the UK’s largest and most exciting creative community and is overflowing with new ideas, young businesses and fresh perspectives. Supporting a sustainability strategy As part of its long-term sustainability strategy, Somerset House Trust has made positive steps towards greater green credentials, from improving the building’s energy efficiency
aim to reduce plastic waste and chemical
facilities in London and together we’re looking
with insulation, to fitting LED lighting and
consumption during cleaning processes. Greg
at how we can work towards achieving net zero
smart controls.
Van Duin, senior facilities and operations
carbon emissions targets. There is a climate
manager at Somerset House Trust, explained:
emergency, and we need to be responsible with
House Trust’s management team turned
“Sustainability is high on the agenda for
our daily operations to ensure we’re making
its attention to its internal operations and
Somerset House. We’re part of several focus
changes where we can. When approaching
investigated several new systems with the
groups with those operating large cultural
In partnership with Incentive FM, Somerset
Continued on Page 27.
AUTONOMOUS CLEANING THROUGH INNOVATION
CO-BOTICS
The new autonomous cleaning range from ICE
Brand new from ICE - a complete range of robotic cleaning equipment for any environment! From small robotic vacuums, to scrubber dryers and sweepers of different sizes, we have an autonomous machine to work alongside your cleaning team!
INTEGRATED TELEMETRY WATER RECYCLING CAPABILITIES LONG RUN TIMES & SELF-DOCK CHARGING UNRIVALLED NAVIGATION SYSTEM
www.ice-clean.com WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
0800 389 3869
enquiries@ice-clean.com JULY 2020 25
C&M
CHEMICALS/CHEMICAL-FREE & DOSING
SAO builds on 100 years of science THE COVID-19 pandemic has seen a shift
Aqueous ozone has been used as a highly
other than a toilet pan cleaner were used. We
back towards heavy chemical use as people
effective cleaner and sanitiser for over 100
purchased the Lotus Pro system following
desperately try to keep themselves, their
years. Tersano has found a way to stabilise the
the trial period and have continued to use
customers, employees, and patients safe.
aqueous ozone, making it a powerful cleaner
SAO in all areas of cleaning…Our cleaning
Tersano, however, is a chemical-free option that
for longer. It is 100% natural, using just water,
stores now provide the much needed storage
is effective against COVID-19 and other viruses.
oxygen and electricity to create a powerful
space for electrical equipment, not for endless
According to Killis, Tersano is changing the
cleaning solution. It is safe and harmless to
containers of cleaning chemicals that line
way the world cleans using stabilised aqueous
people but can kill 99.999% of harmful bacteria
the floors. In the 12 months of usage, we
ozone (SAO) - a solution more effective than
without the use of toxic chemicals.
have made a substantial financial reduction
bleach yet free from chemicals. Killis claims that
Tersano manufactures two options - the
in cleaning costs without compromising our
SAO is the simplest, safest, most sustainable
Lotus Pro System which is suited to larger
standard of cleaning.”
way to clean and sanitise.
commercial requirements and the iClean
WWW.KILLIS.CO.UK
Mini, designed for smaller businesses and domestic use. Organisations benefiting from Tersano already include worldwide hotel chains, restaurants, leisure facilities, schools, care homes, and police stations. Rotherham Council introduced the Lotus Pro in April 2018 on a three month trial basis, and a spokesperson said: “During the trial, all other cleaning chemicals were removed from our cleaning stores to ensure no other products,
26 JULY 2020
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
CHEMICALS/CHEMICAL-FREE & DOSING
C&M
Making every drop count Steve Teasdale, co-founder and vice-president of scientific affairs at InnuScience, reports. COMPANIES
reduce its environmental footprint.
This approach is further developed as an
like InnuScience
InnuScience is committed to preventing over-
integral part of our principle of ‘targeted
spend much
consumption by:
disinfection’. In order to achieve the right
time looking to
• Developing formulations at the appropriate
balance between cleaning and disinfecting
optimise the formulations of
performance level for the cleaning task. • Training and educating cleaning staff about
effectively for human safety, and the protection of the environment from dramatic
their products
the environmental and health impacts of their
overuse of a product, our approach is to
to achieve the
cleaning activities.
support the use of disinfectants where it
best balance between cost/ concentration/
• Simplifying training through a compact but complete range of products. •P roviding accurate and easily accessible
makes sense to use them, and rely on effective and rigorous cleaning with an appropriate detergent everywhere else.
dilution systems that help ensure the
In times such as these, this principle
In the case of InnuScience and the
reliable control of product dilution with the
becomes increasingly important. We need
biotechnological route we take, this also
aim to reduce waste and ensure optimal
to keep people safe, and we have seen the
becomes an integral part of our approach to the
product performance.
benefits that the lockdown has brought to
performance.
question of sustainability in the broadest sense.
• Creating maintenance programmes where one
the environment in a matter of months - at
product can be used at different dilutions to
least in terms of air quality. Unfortunately, an
The ‘right dose’ approach
accomplish tasks of a different nature and of
ill-considered approach to mass disinfection
The ‘right dose’ refers to the minimum
varying difficulties.
risks damaging the environment. Take the
quantity and strength of a product required
Whether you are using an eco-friendly cleaning
bleaching of the beaches in Spain that
to accomplish a given cleaning task. For
product or not, respecting the concept of
damaged all the flora and fauna and killed
example, it would be abusive to use a heavy-
the ‘right dose’ minimises the environmental
the migratory birds who were nesting as a
duty degreaser at high concentration to wash
footprint of your cleaning activities. It also
prime example. Never has the approach of
a mirror or a banister. The ‘right dose’ is not a
contributes to the pre-cycling approach
the ‘right dose’ been more apt, especially
profit-generating concept for the manufacturer,
where you avoid using something that does
when combined with the principle of the
but it is an approach that ensures that the right
not need to be used - this has a more positive
right product!
amount and concentration of product is used to
environmental impact than recycling.
WWW.INNUSCIENCE.COM
Continued from Page 25.
effective cleaning solution through a process
allowed us to streamline operations to create
our cleaning regime, we were looking for
called electrochemical activation that kills up to
an impressive degree of efficiency.”
a solution that wouldn’t interfere with the
99.999% of bacteria and is certified as a general
Susan Ryan, head of cleaning at Incentive
building. We have a lot of different surfaces,
disinfectant. It’s also non-toxic, non-hazardous
FM, said: “The system is being used right across
materials, furniture and antiques, and it was
and non-allergenic, so it is safe for staff to use
Somerset House as part of the daytime cleaning
important to reduce the build-up of chemicals
on a daily basis in the majority of areas.
regime including washrooms, offices, gallery spaces – even to spot clean stains on carpets.
that can cause damage long-term. Reducing
Following a trial period, the UK’s first Toucan
our chemical consumption was key not only
Eco Flow unit was installed in Somerset House
We complete the core clean of office and studio
from a sustainability point of view, but also
in September 2019. The larger Flow system
areas in the evening with Toucan Eco, and the
to improve the wellbeing of janitorial staff
creates a continuous supply of concentrated
areas open to public in the mornings, with spot
by reducing contact with chemical cleaning
solution which is stored in a 10-litre holding
checks throughout the day. Spray bottles of the
agents. Cost-effectiveness was another factor
tank, and then diluted while being dispensed
solution are used with microfibre cloths, as well
to consider – being able to eradicate our need
into spray bottles or buckets, producing an
as a flat mop system which allows us to pre-
for consumables would allow us to make
unlimited supply on tap.
soak mop pads with the Toucan Eco solution.
savings that could be invested into other areas of maintenance.”
“The benefits of the larger Flow unit were
Before installing Toucan, we were ordering
obvious for Somerset House,” continued Greg
anywhere up to 150 bottles of cleaning agents
Van Duin. “The fact that it creates unlimited
per month, and these single-use bottles were
Green cleaning with Toucan Eco Flow
amounts of sanitiser is a simpler and more
disposed of after use. We keep a small stock of
Through Incentive FM, Somerset House Trust’s
effective process for our housekeepers. We
descaling agent, but Toucan Eco has allowed
management team was introduced to Robert
operate with a 40-strong janitorial team,
us to drastically reduce the volume of cleaning
Scott’s Toucan Eco bio-cleaning system. The
so minimising risk by reducing the number
chemicals we use, and with that we’ve made
system requires only tap water, salt and a
of products we use and ensuring there’s a
huge savings on our plastic waste.”
low voltage electrical current to produce an
constant supply of cleaning solution has
WWW.TOUCANECO.CO.UK
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
JULY 2020 27
C&M
LAUNDRY SYSTEMS
As one of the UK’s top 100 and largest family run cleaning and facilities service providers, the next generation of Floorbrite are ensuring that we still treat our customers with the same care and attention as when we first began in 1972. We provide commercial cleaning and facilities services across the UK. Providing daily, industrial and window cleaning services to all sectors of industry. Washroom, hygiene and consumable supplies, waste management, pest control, plants and grounds maintenance, security, building maintenance and MEWP hire ensure we deliver a complete solution to our clients.
Laundry basics are fundamental to heightened levels of cleanliness Neil Nixon caught up with Hydro Systems Europe to understand the importance of effective laundry in dealing with serious threats to public health caused by outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. THE COVID-19 pandemic has
requiring cleaning and sanitisation
cleanliness across all areas
in every wash cycle, understanding
of facilities, including laundry
correct laundry management is
operations. Contaminated and
crucial. Laundry programmes
improperly laundered textiles can
should re-emphasise proper
potentially spread disease. While
techniques and approach,
laundering doesn’t completely
including:
remove micro-organisms, the
•W ash formula: Bleach (sodium
combination of temperature, time,
hypochlorite) is often added
chemical, and mechanical action
to the wash process to sanitise
significantly reduces numbers to
and bleach linen. Combined
safe levels by killing or inactivating
with high wash temperatures,
harmful pathogens. Using the right
bleach can quickly kill or
chemical dispenser is also crucial.
inactivate pathogens. However,
Moving forward, both on-
0161 972 3000 info@floorbrite.co.uk www.floorbrite.co.uk
With huge volumes of laundry
heightened expectations of
many laundries use bleaching
premise and commercial laundry
agents with hydrogen peroxide
programmes need to reaffirm
instead of chlorinated bleach.
their commitment to standard
Although hydrogen peroxide is
procedures. These ensure
safe on coloured fabrics, when
laundry is properly sanitised and
used at the same levels of
handled in a way that protects
sodium hypochlorite, it doesn’t
staff, visitors and patients in all
offer antimicrobial benefits.
healthcare environments.
Additionally, without proper dilution rates, detergent
Deep cleaning your workplace in response to the global coronavirus pandemic is essential for the wellbeing of your team. The Floorbrite Group proudly offers 4 levels of deep cleaning for your offices or workplace Visit us online at: www.floorbrite.co.uk/coronavirus/
A persistent threat
may not effectively remove
Infections caused by soiled linens
micro-organisms.
are most commonly viral, such as
shifts can kill certain micro-
and norovirus, but have also
organisms, such as fungi. With
been linked to fungal or bacterial
a pH-sensitive pathogen, it’s
growth. Coronavirus can live for
important to adjust laundry pH
hours, or even days, on a variety of
levels accordingly. For example,
surfaces, including textiles.
soaring rapidly to a pH of five or
28 JULY 2020 floorbrite_half page vert.indd 1
•p H levels: Employing rapid pH
smallpox, hepatitis, coronavirus,
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM 29/06/2020 15:38
LAUNDRY SYSTEMS
C&M
below has proven effective. • Wash temperature: Higher wash temperatures can kill and remove more micro-organisms. Although moderate temperatures can inactivate most viruses, more resistant viruses, like hepatitis B, may require higher wash temperatures. Studies show some microorganisms survive temperatures as high as 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit) for periods less than 25 minutes. Therefore, ensure washers reach the desired temperature for the appropriate amount of time. • Wash mechanics: Viruses adhere less effectively to linen than bacteria. Consequently, they’re removed more easily by the washer’s mechanical action, which does as much to remove them as the temperature
comprehensive laundry programme that
and chemicals do to inactivate them. Bear
fulfils required standards [1]. Train employees
in mind that older washers may not be as
on handling, sorting and using equipment
a comprehensive laundry programme. When
operationally effective.
properly, ensuring they refrain from bringing
combined with use of the correct chemical
contaminants near the processing area. An
dispensers, laundries can achieve cleaner
generally high, which helps drop bacterial
employer’s responsibilities extend to providing
results and enhance safety for staff, patients
counts by 95%. Therefore, it’s important to
the necessary personal protective equipment
and guests.
ensure equipment reaches the necessary
(PPE) to do the job safely. Clean laundry
WWW.HYDROSYSTEMSEUROPE.COM
temperature to inactivate germs.
should be properly transported and stored
• Dryer temperature: Drying temperatures are
• Handling procedures: Handling laundry contaminated with bodily fluids requires a
rewashed according to facility procedures. Focus on improving these areas to create
to avoid contamination. Anything improperly
[1] www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/blood-borne-
sorted or handled post-washing needs to be
viruses/laundry-treatments.htm
The disinfection debate David Benson, business development director at Christeyns UK, discusses the current laundry industry status on thermal and chemical disinfection and the differences between Europe and the UK. THE treatment of soiled linen is a process that
although with COVID-19 all hospitality
prove disinfection and is easy to monitor and
has evolved over time - more in depth scientific
premises such as hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks
control and to validate every load to meet
knowledge and continued innovation in
etc, will also need to ensure that linen is
the Department of Health and Social Security
chemical application has moved laundering on
hygienically treated and free from any possible
(DHSS) standard. Neither does it leave behind
from the initial soap, soda and water treatments.
contamination. This will mean an enhanced
any chemical residue in the machine.
As a global company, the Christeyns group
set of measures for all launderers.
supplies chemicals in Europe and the UK as well
In general, the nature of the soiling
It is not, however, always the best solution as some spores are temperature resistant and
as around the world. Not all countries have the
determines the way in which items are sorted
the process does not disinfect the press and
same laundry processes in place when it comes
and processed and current UK categorisation
rinse zones and with modern heat recovery and
to handling dirty and contaminated linen.
recommends sorting into used linen - soiled
warm water rinsing, it can lead to biofilm build
There are strict guidelines from the HSE in
and foul - infected linen and heat labile linen.
up in the press. There are also costs to consider
the UK, and from the European Commission
It’s also important to note that ‘cleaning’ and
in terms of the energy required in the wash
for Europe, on how linen should be treated
‘disinfection’ are very different processes.
process to reach the high temperatures.
to eradicate soiling and prevent cross-
Cleaning removes germs but disinfection will
contamination. This, of course, has never been
kill germs completely.
There is continued pressure on laundries to reduce operational costs which can be passed on to the customer and this is now even more of
more important with the current pandemic
In the UK current recommended treatment
causing laundries, healthcare facilities and
to ensure cleaning and disinfection is a thermal
an issue with all concerned parties scrutinising
associated bodies to relook at the measures
one, using a moist heat for a precise amount
expenses from every angle. Possibly one way to
and guidelines in place.
of time to kill bacteria - a minimum 650C ten
do this would be by using chemicals rather than
minutes wash cycle or 710C for not less than
high temperatures to wash soiled and
Contaminated linen comes generally from hospitals, care homes and similar facilities, WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
three minutes. It is the simplest method to
Continued on Page 32. JULY 2020 29
C&M
LAUNDRY SYSTEMS
Minimising the spread of viruses through effective laundry processes In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark Dennis, managing director of MAG Laundry Equipment, discusses the best practice for killing viruses through the laundry process and general servicing recommendations that should be considered by the commercial laundry sector. that to kill a virus, washing machines need to hold a temperature of 90°C for 10 minutes. Although washing at cool temperatures is eco-friendly, low temperatures are not effective for killing germs and bacteria, which in light of a health crisis such as the current coronavirus epidemic, needs to be reconsidered and closely managed. That said, MAG Laundry Equipment’s range of washing machines are up to 60% more energy efficient than others on the market and can be re-programmed at any time to ensure
on a daily basis. Deep cleans are essential
WITH regards to general good practice, there
they adhere to Government recommendations.
to minimise the spread of any bacteria and
are lots of easy to implement processes that
As advice changes, we ensure customers are
viruses, with COVID-19 being no exception.
can be put in place to ensure the spread of
provided with the information they need to
MAG Laundry Equipment offers deep cleans
viruses is kept at bay. The best way to minimise
re-programme machines themselves, or we can
to customers, which involves disinfecting all
contamination is through expert-approved
visit them under precautionary measures to
areas of the laundry machine including the
cleaners such as detergents and bleach,
offer this service.
doors, seals, washing drum, panels, and touch
ensuring viruses that live on surfaces such as
Secondly, our recommendation would be
screens. All disinfectant products are certified to
door handles and handrails are eliminated.
to tumble dry at a higher heat for 30 minutes.
European standards and meet the requirements
Information has been shared across numerous
applied to food, industrial, domestic, and
loading the washing machine should also
commercial laundry rooms to tumble dry
institutional areas. Regular deep cleans are
be avoided. Simply bypassing this can help
at higher temperatures to reduce the risk of
important, not only for hygiene purposes, but to
to protect those that use the setting or work
the virus spreading. Kelly Reynolds, a germ
ensure the machines remain in a good working
in the laundry room as it minimises the
researcher at the University of Arizona, advises
order and continue to function to capacity.
possibility of dispersing potential viruses that
that high heat drying for at least 20 minutes
Bacteria tends to lurk in the detergent drawer,
are present on clothing through the air. It is
is the most effective way to kill viruses.
rubber seals and washing drum. These areas
also important not to separate laundry on
These measures should now be taken on as
should be regularly cleaned with hot cloths
the floor, but rather sort it immediately into
standard to ensure the best possible chance
and appropriate sanitising and disinfectant
designated trollies of clean and dirty items.
of eliminating contamination through the
solutions, along with cleaning areas such as the
This also saves a job when it comes to sorting
laundry process.
dryer lint filter on a daily basis.
Shaking dirty laundry to separate it before
In summary, although commercial laundry
colours, as specific trollies are helpful for Deep cleans
equipment and products used within the
Not only is it important to consider how laundry
laundry process are designed to eliminate
room is something we would recommend too.
is being stored, washed and with what, it’s
viruses, I could never have predicted that
Items such as safety gloves, glasses, aprons,
critical that commercial laundry services stay
the industry would find itself responding to
and slip-resistant footwear are helpful for
on top of cleaning the equipment they use
a pandemic such as the current coronavirus
managing the washing of different loads Wearing protective clothing in the laundry
protecting the health and safety of everyone
crisis. The challenge is felt by everyone across
using the setting.
the globe, as we all need to do our bit to alter our behaviour to ensure we are protecting
Minimising contamination
the people this virus could harm the most.
There are several measures that can be taken
Throughout all of this, I am committed to
to minimise the spread of viruses through the
sharing any industry advice I can, to ensure the
laundry process, and we have been working
best possible standards are being upheld with
closely with our customers and the industry to
regards to minimising virus spread through the
share this important information. Firstly, turn up
laundry process.
the temperature! Research in Germany suggests
WWW.MAGLAUNDRYEQUIPMENT.CO.UK
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LAUNDRY SYSTEMS/PRODUCT NEWS
effects of using increased chemicals.
Continued from Page 29.
not necessarily require steam. Due to the lower
potentially dangerous linen - not a method
temperatures, there is less textile damage,
that is currently used in the UK. This method
giving linen a longer lifespan. The increased
Christeyns has developed a variety of processes
is already accepted in Europe, based on the
use of chemicals provides improved sporicidal
that fit either of these standards but the RKI
Robert Kock Institute (RKI) wash process
effectiveness and the modern Peracetic Acid
accreditation is currently not recognised in the
listings, with temperatures from 40°C upwards.
(PAA) products are excellent disinfectants -
UK. Used in healthcare and hospitality in Europe,
It allows the launderer to choose the best
passing UK standards EN1276, 1650, 13704 and
now could be the time to adopt some of these
process for them - a combination of time,
14476. It does, however, involve increased cost
European methods.
temperature, water, and chemical settings.
in the testing and validation of the process and
As a specialist laundry chemical manufacturer,
There is certainly cause for debate. Peracetic
Less energy usage means it is a more
can be difficult to validate under the current
Acid, recommended by the World Health
environmentally friendly option and it does
guidelines. There are also the environmental
Organisation (WHO) to inactivate the SARSCoV-2 virus, is a recognised bleaching agent in the final wash process in the UK. The washing at lower temperatures with a shorter wash time would allow for more loads to be handled in a more cost-effective manner. We would be happy to see this issue further discussed with the intention of finding solutions that best fit our customers - one solution does not necessarily fit all. There has never been a better time to look to alternative methods to evaluate how we can all work together to aid as swift a recovery as possible from the current pandemic, whilst preparing for any similar, future scenarios. WWW.CHRISTEYNS.COM
JANGRO has launched two new guides to help businesses prepare
for the return to work, as the country eases out of lockdown. New The first is about how to control the risk of COVID-19 via deep resources help cleaning, whilst the second focusses on the importance of businesses safely hand hygiene, with tips and advice to achieve compliance. Joanne Gilliard, CEO at Jangro, said: “Cleaning and hygiene return have always played an important role in society, but as the to work world battles against COVID-19 they have taken on added significance. Our two new guides aim to help businesses, in clear
and easy to understand language, implement effective infection prevention measures. With these in place, they can rest assured that their workspaces are as clean, hygienic and healthy as possible, thus preventing the spread of germs, and protecting staff, their families, and the wider community.” Jangro’s new guides - ‘Deep cleaning - controlling the risk’ and ‘Importance of hand hygiene’ - can be downloaded from: WWW.JANGRO.NET/CORONAVIRUS
32 JULY 2020
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PRODUCT NEWS
C&M
UV curing innovator Integration Technology Ltd has introduced a
Virus sanitiser added to portable-UV range
high-power portable handheld UVC rapid sanitiser to its newly-launched PortableUV range. Designed to
EDITOR
inactivate biomolecules and micro-organisms including the elimination of Coronavirus, the ultra-compact, lightweight SubZeroRS-170 is for use on all surfaces
in applications posing a high risk of public cross contamination. Target applications include ambulances and blue light services, buses, aircraft and cruise ship cabins, train carriages, and other public transport, and hospitals, schools, offices, and hotel rooms. WWW.UVINTEGRATION.COM
Neil Nixon neilnixon@quartzltd.com 07957 713316 SALES DIRECTOR
Stuart Dacre stuartdacre@quartzltd.com 01737 855041 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
BRITANNIA Washing Systems has launched a portable hand-held aerosol, the Britannia, manufactured in Britain, which can be used to both sanitise hands as well as clean and protect surfaces. The smallest version of the aerosol, which will come in various sizes, can be carried in a purse or a pocket. The product is particularly aimed at the transport sector for use by transport employees and consumers alike, to
Portable aerosol sanitiser for hands and surfaces
Michelle Andrews michelleandrews@quartzltd.com 01737 855086 PRODUCTION MANAGER
Carol Baird carolbaird@quartzltd.com 01923 437619 MANAGING DIRECTOR
Tony Crinion CEO
not only to protect themselves but also to protect the
Steve Diprose
immediate surfaces around them.
CO-CHAIRMAN
Chairman of Britannia Washing Systems, Harvey Alexander, said: “Whist making the wearing of masks compulsory when travelling on public transport is welcome news in the continuing battle against coronavirus, it doesn’t take into account the potential risk of transmitting the disease through coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. Settings where there is a high turnover of people touching multiple surfaces such as buses, trains cars and coaches are particularly
Paul Michael PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS & CIRCULATION ENQUIRIES
Elizabeth Barford subscriptions@quartzltd.com 01737 855028
vulnerable. Having just one easy-to-use portable aerosol product, rather than a mix of gels and wipes, will help operators and drivers, and indeed travellers, to combat the spread of infectious diseases while ensuring vehicles are kept clean and safe.” WWW.SBW-WASH.COM
ELECTROLUX Professional has unveiled its latest
myPRO XL launched
laundry solution for small business with high laundry load demands up to 12kg, the myPRO XL range of washers and dryers. Specifically designed for small businesses that require
greater laundry capacity, such as holiday and caravan parks,
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as well as public sector organisations such as local authorities and housing associations, the myPRO XL range offers a combination of small footprint and commercial quality. The most notable feature of the myPRO XL is the 12kg drum, which has been designed for a larger loading capacity to increase overall washroom productivity. The washers are equipped with a default 35-minute cold water programme, and are able to complete a full load in just 73 minutes, using as little as 1.01kW per cycle. The myPRO XL washer also includes dedicated disinfection programmes which can be set to different temperatures (up to 68°C) and times, to enable operators to meet any necessary hygiene standards. WWW.ELECTROLUXPROFESSIONAL.COM
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JULY 2020 33
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