Cleaning & Maintenance - May 2022

Management Systems

It is increasingly difficult for companies to remain competitive without access to the right technology. Many companies are still burdened with paper - and the systems they have are often completely disconnected. This feature looks at some modern alternatives to out-of-date management systems. The Manchester Cleaning Show 2022 Review

The Manchester Cleaning Show returned to the city at its new home, Manchester Central, on 6 and 7 April 2022. Photos and review inside.

INFORMING, INSPIRING AND CONNECTING THE INDUSTRY

After a successful return to London in November 2021, the Cleaning Show will be back in 2023, taking place from 14–16 March at ExCeL, London.

Organised by the British Cleaning Council and Quartz Business Media, the Cleaning Show has become the ultimate destination for the cleaning and hygiene sector to connect, learn and discover new products, services and suppliers.

ORGANISED BY:

Celebrating sustainability and technological progress

The Manchester Cleaning Show returned to the city on 6 and 7 April for its first face-to-face incarnation for over three years and was heralded a huge success by exhibitors and visitors alike. From the moment the doors opened on the first day attendance was strong and business was brisk, and the centrally-located conference theatre was packed for two days of outstanding presentations. Please see page 18 for more details and pictures from the event.

As well as the overwhelming positivity created by bringing the industry back together after the enforced break, the conference programme – together with the cobotics demonstrations provided by Killis – provided a real focus for a sector that remains very much at the forefront of ensuring public health and safety.

Sustainability and advances in technology were at the top of the agenda across both days of the conference. One highlight from day one was a presentation by Nina Wyers, marketing and brand director at the Floorbrite Group, entitled ‘Cleaning for climate change’. One attendee, Karim Samani, managing director of TechDisinfect, said: “The session has challenged me to think about how we can change our processes and the chemicals we use in our cleaning products, and to think more holistically about our impact on the environment and climate change.”

The focus on technology was led by Tibor Killi, managing director of Killis, who outlined how collaborative robotics can assist a workforce focused on providing the best cleaning standards across a variety of environments. This was further proven on the show floor where live product demonstrations concluded each day’s conference sessions.

Visitors left feeling fulfilled and empowered to improve their operations. Exhibitors left with positive leads and, in several

cases, new business discussions already concluded. Jamie Mead, director of Perfect Finish Cleaning Group, said: “This is my first time visiting and it has been a real eye opener –new machines, new technology, and software. Many of the companies here we have not spoken to before so it has been very helpful and saved a lot of time in sourcing new suppliers. We will definitely be putting in orders when we get home so it has been a productive day.”

For all the successful – and not so successful – virtual activities that were introduced across the international cleaning industry during the pandemic, the Manchester Cleaning Show reinforced the message learned at the London Cleaning Show last November: that people want to meet up face-toface to learn, network, try products, and do business. This is being reflected industry-by-industry across the world. When the Internet first reared its head and event organisers were concerned about the impact it might have on physical events I recall the RAI in Amsterdam introducing a campaign titled ‘The power of the human touch’. I was a little sceptical at the time but now I’m convinced they were right. Roll on 14-16 March 2023 when The Cleaning Show returns to London’s ExCel and the industry once again gathers to network and do business! www.cleaningshow.co.uk

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

Neil Nixon, Editor Cleaning & Maintenance Magazine

INDUSTRY NEWS

In the news this month… ABM gathers Momentum, Salisbury joins Atlas to form national total FM player, The Clean Space acquires Abelian, DOC Cleaning celebrates 50th birthday.

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.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE MANCHESTER CLEANING SHOW 2022 REVIEW.

The Manchester Cleaning Show returned to the city at its new home, Manchester Central, on 6 and 7 April 2022. Photos and review inside.

FEATURE: HEALTHCARE & HOSPITAL HYGIENE

Maintaining high levels of cleanliness and hygiene has long been a priority for healthcare facility managers to create a safe environment for patients and staff. This feature continues on from last month and looks at some of the latest products, technologies and trends.

NEW PRODUCTS

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

03 Editor’s Comment

A look at the cleaning sector this month.

13 BICSc Comment

Health and safety where reasonably practicable. Stan Atkins, CEO of BICSc, reports.

14 BCC Comment

Being a Living Wage Employer is more important and challenging than ever. Gary Fage, Master of the WCEC, reports.

15 Contractor’s blog Lee Andrews reports.

SPECIAL REPORT: IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF AIR QUALITY TOP OF THE CLASS?

Jim Forrest, senior design engineer at Dyson Environmental Care, explains what school leaders and facilities managers can do to better oversee air quality levels in the classroom.

FEATURE: MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

It is increasingly difficult for companies to remain competitive without access to the right technology. Many companies are still burdened with paperand the systems they have are often completely disconnected. This feature looks at some modern alternatives to out-of-date management systems.

ABM gathers Momentum

ABM has completed the acquisition of Momentum Support, headquartered in Dublin, in an all cash transaction. Momentum is a leading independent provider of facility services, primarily janitorial, across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Momentum generated annual revenue of approximately $70 million in 2021 and has a workforce of 2300.

Scott Salmirs, ABM’s president and CEO, said: “I am thrilled to welcome the Momentum team to the ABM family. Momentum is recognised

as a customer-centric, award-winning provider of janitorial and associated services, as evidenced by their strong, long-standing client relationships. Many of our clients have substantial operations in the Republic of Ireland

and Northern Ireland, making this transaction a great example of our ability and desire to grow with our core customers in attractive markets. With Momentum, we gain even greater capacity to deliver market-leading services and efficiencies in more locations to our existing client base. I am also excited that the wellrespected Momentum management team, along with their results driven culture, will be joining ABM to help us grow the business.”

WWW.ABM.COM

Salisbury joins Atlas to form national total FM player

ATLAS FM has acquired Salisbury Group. Atlas was founded 35 years ago as a cleaning company and Salisbury was founded in 2013 and has had a record two years of business, winning over £30 million of contracts that include four new agreements with leading British universities.

With the addition of Salisbury, Atlas will be a £160 million turnover company that employs 8500 people at over 6000 sites around the country. The rationale behind the agreement is to marry Atlas's cleaning and security services with Salisbury's FM and hard services expertise to create an end-to-end total FM offer.

The Salisbury brand and management team will remain in place, but both entities

will benefit from cross-selling capabilities at national scale. Atlas group MD, Chris Wisely, said: "We are delighted to have acquired Salisbury Group. This deal is a sign of our ambitious growth plans for the future, and we are pleased that the Salisbury management

The Clean Space acquires Abelian

THE Clean Space, whose clients include the NHS, Just Eat and The Old Vic, has acquired Abelian UK Ltd as part of the company’s growth plans. The combined organisation will significantly increase resources and capabilities for The Clean Space, allowing the business to compete more effectively and profitably in London and the south east.

Charlie Mowat, CEO of The Clean Space, said: “We’re delighted by this major acquisition. We chose Abelian because of the excellent synergy between the two companies, and because of the clear similarities in our customer base, both by locations and sectors. We’re excited to be able to offer Abelian’s existing customer base further services to bolster their cleaning

team and staff will become part of the Atlas family. By bringing in Salisbury's excellent facilities services and engineering maintenance capabilities, Atlas now offers the full suite of FM services to our clients."

Salisbury's group MD, Andrew Lunt, said: "This is a fantastic step for Salisbury and our talented people to become part of an established and fast-growing FM group. Atlas is a business that is owner-operated and focused on providing the best possible service for customers. This culture is completely aligned to our own and alongside the immediate commercial opportunities the deal brings, we can look forward to an exciting future together."

WWW.ATLASFM.COM

initiatives, such as our all natural, probiotic cleaning solutions.”

WWW.THECLEANSPACE.COM

TDB Supply Solutions joins Jangro network

JANGRO has welcomed TDB Supply Solutions, who officially joined its membership in March. Jangro currently has 47members in its network which are all strategically located across the country to provide a speedy, efficient and caring personal service tailored to clients’ needs.

Established in 2010, Dorset-based TDB Supply Solutions prides itself in researching, understanding and solving everyday problems, no matter how small, and providing excellent customer service. Its aim is to provide customers with good quality products from leading manufacturers at competitive prices.

Philip Pike, MD at TDB Supply Solutions, said: “We are thrilled to become a Jangro distributor - it’s an exciting development in our business and we look forward to the positive outcomes it will have for both our customers and the business.”

WWW.JANGRO.NET

Some of The Clean Space’s combined central team at a recent full team meeting.

Leading with Less

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DOC Cleaning celebrates 50th birthday

IN the stunning surroundings of the Barry Rooms at The National Gallery, DOC Cleaning held a gala dinner for 110 guests, including company staff and clients, to celebrate 50 years of business, being one of the country’s few remaining family owned and operated cleaning contractors.

At the dinner, both Lee Andrews, CEO, and Danny Andrews, MD, praised their father Bob for setting up the company in 1972 with the help of his friend Dave O’Connor. The

National Gallery was the company’s first contract and has remained with DOC ever

since. The company now employs close to 1500 staff across the country.

Lee Andrews said: “Even though DOC has grown to such an extent, we have always retained the work ethic and philosophy of the original small company. We pride ourselves on being honest, friendly and approachable, whilst adopting a modern, professional and positive attitude to all of our activities.”

WWW.DOCCLEANING.CO.UK

Hydro Systems highlights IoT benefits

AS the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to transform a wide range of sectors and processes, it’s increasingly important that businesses harness the full benefits of connectivity. With this in mind, Hydro Systems has highlighted the benefits facilities can realise with an IoT-enabled chemical dispenser.

“Accessing data about your business is incredibly powerful,” said John Goetz, global product manager, Hydro Systems. “Pinpointing operational processes that are underperforming, supporting predictive maintenance and enhancing your commitment to sustainability are crucial to drive the efficiencies required to remain competitive.”

According to Hydro Systems, connected chemical dispensers offer numerous advantages, including:

• Enhancing sustainability efforts: it can be challenging to quantify environmental progress. Smart chemical dispensers help achieve this by providing useful sustainability data.

• Protecting the bottom line: a connected chemical dispenser provides washer status, alerts and key productivity metrics in real-time for laundry operations. The same goes for restaurants that can keep an eye on warewashing by proactively identifying inefficiencies to protect profits.

• Safeguarding compliance: data can highlight any breaches of compliance ranges, such as dishwashing temperatures that are critical for sanitation. This enables rapid implementation of changes to return a restaurant to required compliance zones.

• Reducing downtime: when equipment breaks down, it requires expensive repair or replacement, and also results in costly downtime. Regular data review can help highlight inconsistencies. These can alert to conditions negatively impacting equipment, which could potentially develop into a bigger problem in the future.

WWW.HYDROSYSTEMSCO.COM

80% of staff want a more sustainable workplace – study

EIGHT out of 10 office employees would like their workplace to be more environmentallyfriendly, according to an Essity survey. Around 60% believe their colleagues would also react positively to more eco-friendly practices by employers, and 46% believe the green initiatives taken by their bosses are often an afterthought.

Top workplace sustainability gripes among staff members include a lack of food waste bins, computers left turned on all day and night, no options for recycling used paper towels, and no provision for charging electric cars.

“Over the past 18 months there has been a definite shift in our general attitudes towards how to be environmentally friendly,” said

Essity sales manager, Lee Radki. “People seem to be taking the issue more seriously than ever before. Working from home has prompted people to give more thought to their own actions towards the future of the planet, and it seems many had assumed their employers would do the same. We spend so much time in the workplace that it's a perfect place to set an example.”

The Essity survey of 2000 office workers was held to mark the UK launch of Tork PaperCircle, the recycling service for paper towels. Tork PaperCircle enables businesses to reduce their environmental footprint by 40% by creating a closed loop system for used washroom hand towels. These are collected by Tork PaperCircle sustainability partners and taken to local recycling centres where they are turned into other tissue products.

WWW.TORK.CO.UK/PAPERCIRCLE

Hygiene partner announced for Platinum Jubilee Pageant

RECKITT, maker of Dettol, has been appointed as the official hygiene partner for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. The celebrations are to mark The Queen becoming the first British monarch to reach 70 years of service and will span several events across the jubilee holiday. Dettol Pro Solutions, Dettol’s business-to-business offering, will be supporting events across the weekend, bringing more than 10,000 bottles of hand sanitiser, over 100 hand sanitiser dispensers and a range of other disinfection products to celebration spaces across London.

Nick Sedgwick, regional director for Reckitt’s health business in the UK and Ireland, said: “It’s a true honour to be named as the official hygiene

partner for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant and to support with Dettol products and scientific expertise. Dettol is a unique British brand with a proud history and a mission of helping to protect people through its scientific efficacy and hygiene programmes. We’re looking forward to delivering a truly platinum standard of hygiene for all who attend.”

WWW.RECKITT.COM

Supporting the ‘Tree in a Million’ initiative

A team from Incentive QAS recently planted 30 tree saplings as part of the 'Tree in a Million' initiative. 'Tree in a Million' is a campaign run by Ethical Nation to help our planet, people and wildlife.

Incentive QAS is working in partnership with Ethical Nation Ltd, and by supporting the campaign is helping to support the reduction of carbon emissions

in the UK by contributing to reforestation, as well as boosting job opportunities, local economies, growth and prosperity, and the general health and wellbeing of the UK’s population.

Sales and marketing manager, Angela Collins, said: “It was a fantastic day working together as a team and helping to improve the local area for homeowners and businesses - and protect the surrounding ancient woodland. This brilliant initiative addresses multiple environmental issues and provides much needed local job opportunities. It also provides mental health and wellbeing benefits for all involved, and those who can enjoy the woodland in the future." WWW.INCENTIVE-FMGROUP.COM

Pinnacle Group announces sustainability pledge

A sustainability pledge has been announced by Pinnacle Group. The published Carbon Reduction Plan details how the business aims to minimise direct and indirect emissions across each of its services and property portfolio over the next decade.

In the plan, Pinnacle Group pledges to achieve net zero on direct emissions as a result of its own operations by 2025, and full emissions that account for waste disposal, purchased goods and services, as well as employee commuting by 2035.

While the business has already taken several steps to reduce its carbon footprint - including

investing in a fleet of electric vehicles and committing to a new sustainable procurement policy for its soft FM cleaning services - the

Outco signs Armed Forces Covenant

OUTCO, the outdoor compliance expert, has pledged its support for the armed forces and veterans by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The AFC is a pledge from Outco to honour the Armed Forces and support the Armed Forces community.

“Outco is delighted to pledge our support for the Armed Forces, veterans and reserves in signing the Armed Forces Covenant,” said Andrew Barry, the company’s CEO. “This pledge reaffirms our commitments to this partnership from now and into the future with advanced plans to grow our network of veterans and serving reservists who will provide expertise

and capability to our business. We are therefore absolutely committed to offering a working environment that has the best possible support to this talented community.”

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, Outco commits to uphold its key principles in its business dealings, namely: no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen; and in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

WWW.OUTCO.CO.UK

Support for mental well-being charity

THE Westgrove Group has announced a new partnership and founding patronship with the well-being and mental health charity, Mind Over Mountains. The company has pledged its support to the charity for 2022 and hopes to

help people in the wider community access the support they need through outdoor events and activities combined with professional support.

Founded by Alex Staniforth in 2018 with the belief that everyone deserves access to the tools they need to stay mentally and physically well, as a founding patron, Westgrove provides financial assistance to enable the charity to support people facing challenging life circumstances.

Claire Mckinley-Smith, MD, the Westgrove Group, said: “We’ve worked with Alex for many years in his role as mental health brand ambassador for Westgrove. He provided our colleagues with mental health and wellbeing support and it is a privilege to continue this relationship as a founding patron of his charity, Mind Over Mountains. Looking after

latest plan has developed a clear roadmap to net zero.

Peregrine Lloyd, group chief executive of Pinnacle Group, said: “Our Carbon Reduction Plan is the result of science backed data analysis and strategy building, so that we can best tackle the sustainability challenge across our facilities management services, homes, utilities, and community wellbeing work. We want to create lasting change, so formalising our approach in this new plan holds us accountable and allows for a more measurable journey to net zero against our goals.”

WWW.PINNACLEGROUP.CO.UK

our employee’s wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we’re pleased to be able to provide our colleagues across the UK with funded places and make Mind Over Mountains accessible to all.”

Alex Staniforth said: "Looking after well-being in the workplace has been more paramount than ever through the last two years and our programmes offer a sustainable solution to support colleagues, beyond simply ticking boxes. I'm extremely grateful for Westgrove supporting my own adventure challenges and charity fundraising as a young ambassador since 2014, and I'm delighted to see this evolve into a new partnership with Mind Over Mountains that will have a positive impact on even more lives."

WWW.WESTGROVE.CO.UK

Seated: Commander Stephen Tatham(left) and Andrew Barry, CEO, Outco. Standing from left: Matthew Brown, CSMO; Mark Heath, sales director; Matthew Mann, marketing manager; Karen Tiller, head of HR; and Jason Petsch, executive director – all of Outco.

Cleanology appoints operations director to support growth plans

CLEANOLOGY has recruited South African-born Juliet Widdicombe to take on the role of operations director. She has joined Cleanology - based in Clapham - from Bellrock Property

and Facilities Management where she was service delivery manager.

Dominic Ponniah, CEO of Cleanology, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Juliet has joined the Cleanology family and we look forward to working with her as the company goes on its next growth journey this year and beyond.”

Widdicombe previously worked in the hotel industry in London before a return to South Africa where she spent more than a

Scientific appointment at biosciences leader

GENESIS Biosciences has made a key appointment at its Cardiff-based headquarters to support its research into the varying strains of bacteria used in its environmentallyresponsible products.

Franziska Nagel, originally from Hamburg, Germany, has been appointed as R&D scientist at the company’s UK laboratories and is already making strides in the lab progressing studies into the attributes and potential applications of specific Bacillus strains of bacteria on which

Genesis bases its eco-benign solutions. Nagel is an expert in bacteria research having previously worked at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology with an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Tromsø, Norway. She said: “A big part of my role initially has been to compile all the information on the metabolic profiles of our strains and actively maintain the bioinformatics pipeline moving forward. In doing so, we now have a full database of safety and efficacy

decade honing her skills in cleaning and FM management. She then relocated permanently to the UK. She said: “It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to be in a role which is able to influence the way the industry is recognised. Cleaning operatives play a pivotal role in the experiences of our everyday lives and I am excited to be back in the thrusts of this robust industry.”

WWW.CLEANOLOGY.COM

information on our Bacillus strain library. We understand a lot more about how our strains respond to different environmental factors and food sources, and we can prove that our strains are safe to humans, animals and the environment. I am excited to be working for Genesis. They are building on the great potential bacteria has to solve problems, which would otherwise be solved with harsh chemicals that are not sustainable.”

WWW.GENESISBIOSCIENCES.CO.UK

Great for carpets, great for the environment.

By using PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic containers for our Natural range of cleaning solutions we – and you – are doing our bit for the environment. PCR reuses recovered plastics such as singleuse items found discarded on our beaches and in our countryside.

5 litre PCR container available on selected products from March 2022

1 litre PCR container available on selected products from June 2022

effectiveness;

Our carefully formulated range of Natural cleaning solutions gives you the best cleaning results so you won’t be sacrificing effectiveness; in fact your customers will love you for your dedication to cleaner carpets and a cleaner planet.

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£500 million IFM Cumbria Consortium contract awarded

MITIE has been awarded a new IFM contract with the Cumbria Consortium, which includes Sellafield Ltd, worth up to £500 million. With an initial term of five years, and the option to extend for up to five more years, Mitie will provide all FM services across the sites, including engineering, cleaning, security, waste, grounds maintenance, catering, and projects. As part of the Cumbrian Consortium, as well as Sellafield Ltd the contract will also cover locations across Cumbria and Warrington.

Mitie first began its relationship with Sellafield Ltd, Europe’s largest nuclear site, in 2003 when it secured a cleaning contract for the facility. Mitie's relationship with Sellafield has evolved over nearly 20 years as the service requirement has expanded through competitive tender and award, to cover a full integrated FM offering across all of the Cumbria Consortium sites. Around 650 Mitie colleagues now work on the contract.

Mike White, head of infrastructure, Sellafield Ltd, said: “We’re pleased to continue our relationship with Mitie as part of the Cumbria

14forty introduces cleaning robot to support staff and achieve net zero goals

14FORTY has introduced a sophisticated cleaning robot into parent company Compass Group UK and Ireland’s Chertsey headquarters to help reach its sustainability goals and maximise productivity.

The company partnered up with Killis to deploy the robot - named Hanzel in honour of Compass Group’s Hanzel Gardener who sadly passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hanzel uses a scrubber-dryer system, which uses 70% less water and fewer chemicals than

traditional cleaning products. It will play a key role in helping Compass Group achieve its target to reach net zero by 2030.

The robot will also support the cleaning team at the company’s Chertsey base by cleaning open spaces such as corridors, and freeing up team members’ time to focus on touchpoint and cross infection hotspots. 14forty will also demonstrate and upsell the robot to clients, who may wish to utilise one in future cleaning contracts. WWW.14FORTY.CO.UK

Contract extension with Link Group

INCENTIVE QAS has been awarded a further three-year contract with Link Group after supporting the company through its UK expansion. Link Group, a global leader in financial administration solutions headquartered in Australia, completed its acquisition of London-based Capita Asset Services (CAS) in 2017. Included in the purchase were six locations and Incentive QAS was awarded the FM contract by the newly formed UK branch of Link Group.

Incentive QAS worked closely in partnership with Link Group during the initial three-year term. The UK-wide cleaning and FM contract was up for renewal in early 2022 and after a competitive tender process, was re-awarded to Incentive QAS. The new threeyear contract will see the company providing a total FM service across Link Group’s five sites (Huddersfield, Leeds, Ipswich, Exeter, and London) including daily cleaning services, waste management, washroom

Consortium. High quality, value-for-money facilities management services are crucial to the safe and secure delivery of operations across our sites. This was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic when Mitie colleagues responded magnificently. I’d like to thank them all for their hard work, professionalism and dedication during an incredibly testing time for all of us. We look forward to working with Mitie to deliver our purpose of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations.”

WWW.MITIE.COM

services, window cleaning, pest control, and full planned and reactive M&E services.

Mark Ringsell, divisional facilities manager at Link Group, said: “Incentive QAS has partnered closely with us as we further established our business in the UK. It has provided an excellent service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and we are pleased to award it a further three-year contract after a competitive tender process, where it offered a best value for money solution.”

WWW.INCENTIVE-QAS.COM

Integrated FM contract with BAE Systems awarded

MITIE has been awarded a new multi-million pound, five-year contract to provide a full integrated FM service to BAE Systems. The contract covers 26 BAE Systems sites across the UK and integrates multiple contracts for four of BAE Systems’ businesses under one umbrella.

The contract will see Mitie provide a suite of

FM services, including mechanical, electrical and building fabric maintenance, cleaning, reception, waste management, landscaping, mailroom, and energy management, as well as catering and pest control.

Mitie will also be bringing leading technology solutions to the contract. This includes the rollout of its Mozaic software which will give BAE

Systems full oversight of Mitie’s performance and management of the contract, 24/7.

Through its dedicated Plan Zero team, Mitie will be supporting BAE Systems’ sustainability and net zero ambitions by sharing its expertise on how it can help to reduce the environmental impact of the company’s estate.

WWW.MITIE.COM

Stan Atkins, Group CEO, BICSc, reports

Health and safety where reasonably practicable

It is often cited that the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 was the first piece of major health and safety legislation. This is incorrect as effectively it drew together various pieces of individual Legislation - eg, the Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act 1963 - then updated and combined them into one white paper. The phrase that has stuck in my mind from reading the white paper and the subsequent TUC Guide to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 was ‘where reasonably practicable’.

Health and safety guidance goes back a very long time - Deuteronomy Chapter 22, V8: “When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof.”

Falls on the tube escalators rise as users fear catching COVID-19 if they hold onto the handrails. This, as with many other risks, could be reduced if passengers carried out a simple risk assessment as one is supposed to do when crossing the road (remember the Green Cross Code Man?). Depending on the passenger’s agility, it is probably better to hold the handrail and use a hand sanitiser at the end of your escalator experience.

“Apple trees in a village park face being cut down as councillors fear that fallen fruit could pose a trip hazard. Westwood Parish Council in Wiltshire plans to remove four

of the five old trees which line a footpath in Westwood Park, arguing walkers could trip over apples that have fallen from their branches. However, villagers criticised the decision as eco vandalism. A petition was launched, and it was argued that chopping down the trees will mean less CO2 is absorbed, wildlife habitat is destroyed and a source of pleasure for adults and children is reduced to four stumps. It was also argued that leaving behind four tree stumps is as much a trip hazard as fallen apples. The Clerk to the Parish Council is understood to have come to the decision to remove the trees after a lengthy discussion. A tree surgeon has reportedly been employed to carry out the work.” (Ref: Phoebe Southworth).

Here are the Hierarchy of Controls: Elimination: physical removal of the hazard. This is the most effective hazard control. For example, if employees must work high above the ground, the hazard can be eliminated by moving the piece they are working on to ground level to eliminate the need to work at height. Substitution: the second most effective hazard control involves replacing something that produces a hazard (similar to elimination) with something that does not produce a hazard. For example, replacing lead-based paint. Engineering controls: these controls do not eliminate

hazards but rather isolate people from hazards. Capital costs of engineered controls tend to be higher than less effective controls in the hierarchy, however they may reduce future costs. For example, a crew might build a work platform rather than purchase, replace and maintain fall arrest equipment.

Administrative controls: these controls are changes to the way people work. Examples of administrative controls include procedure change, employee training and installation of signs and warning labels.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): includes gloves, respirators, hard hats, safety glasses, highvisibility clothing, and safety footwear.

In my opinion, the way to tackle these issues is not to start at the top of the hierarchy of controls (elimination) but start at the bottom with personal protective equipment and work your way up the list, stopping at the point where it is a reasonably practicable solution which, in the case cited, is probably engineered controls or substitution.

In the case of falling apples, what would have happened if Sir Isaac Newton had pressed for a personal injury claim for an apple falling on his head?

For further information, please visit: www.bics.org.uk and the BICSc Virtual Training Suite at WWW.BBS-VIRTUAL-TRAINING.THINKIFIC.COM

OUR world has experienced such profound changes over the last two years that we are still reeling. As much as we want to escape from the pandemic, we just can’t. Moreso when it comes to business and the economic fallout of our enforced hibernation. The knock-on effects have impacted our professional and private lives, and it compels us to face the future with as much preparedness as possible.

Yet, we face tests at every turn. In the UK, we are really feeling the economic pinch of stalled supply chains, the Brexit employee drain, the energy crisis and, recently, the effects of war on our doorstep. In a climate where every penny really counts, being a Living Wage Employer becomes inexorably the correct thing to do and the right example to set.

At the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, commitment to supporting the cleaning industry is our priority and where we can, we take a proactive position. This is why we wanted to show solidarity with our members, who are already campaigning for fair pay for their workforces.

Never before has a Livery Company been named as a Living Wage Employer - the WCEC is the first. We have made it a mission to elevate the perception and standing of the cleaning industry in as many ways as possible, from

supporting education and scholarships, funding professional qualification study and foundation courses, and even introducing a Chartership scheme in 2021. There was yet another way in which we could support the wellbeing of our industry, so from February 2022 the WCEC became an accredited Living Wage Employer.

Given recent events, the WCEC really wanted to punctuate its solidarity with colleagues, whose exceptional commitment during the pandemic kept our communities and key industries safe. The cleaning industry didn’t have a break - it was in the fray working steadfastly to keep our built environment clean and hygienic including, most vitally, hospitals and other medical facilities.

Furthermore, the role of the cleaning industry is often undervalued - this has always been the case, long before coronavirus hit our shores. Cleaning has often been regarded as the unskilled option as far as career choices are concerned. However, conversely, we know that it requires training, dedication and ongoing professional development. These are all necessary when servicing clients with high expectations and myriad specialised cleaning and hygiene requirements.

As a cleaning industry business owner, I know how much the Living Wage demonstrates that

without fair pay, we cannot adequately support or resource our industry. Furthermore, there is an obligation to act fairly and honestly with employees - pay them what they deserve for their hard work. The cleaning industry can be very demanding.

If a business does not act fairly, the ensuing damage jeopardises everything that it holds of value: a skilled workforce, loyalty, stakeholder confidence, reputation, and brand integrity. If a large percentage of a sector behaves that way then overall its perception will be measured by the practices maintained within it.

That isn’t who we are in the cleaning industry. The very nature of our services implies care, attention to detail, safety, and protection. These are not skills upon which to ride roughshod, but a standard to fly as an exemplar component of UK industry.

So, I will always encourage companies in our industry to undertake Living Wage Employer status. The road ahead is going to be tough for a while. However, giving your employees the opportunity to earn according to the true cost of living shows how much you appreciate their service. After all, a company is only as good as its people.

WWW.WC-EC.COM

The WCEC is a member of the British Cleaning Council. The views of Council members are their own.

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Being a Living Wage Employer is more important and challenging than ever

Gary Fage, Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), explains how even in a challenging economic climate, being a Living Wage Employer should be a given to support our industry workers.

Keeping it in the family - is it a good idea?

LAST month, we celebrated our company’s 50th anniversary with a very enjoyable gala dinner for staff and clients in London. As you may know, DOC is very much a family firm and it started me thinking about family businesses and the fact that although DOC now employs third generation family members, there seems to be a dwindling number of medium-to-large cleaning companies that remain truly independent, family-run organisations.

One reason could be that families get tired of discussing cleaning every time they sit down for a special occasion - worryingly this really does happen in my house! But joking aside, more frequently heard explanations include the younger generation just not wanting to take over, the challenge of running a company being too much to handle, or the understandable temptation of simply selling out to a good offer.

The fact I am writing this probably gives you a clue as to my thoughts on the matter - I am a firm advocate of family-run organisations. What’s interesting, however, is that our industry is well-served by small, micro businesses who start out as family concerns, and it is therefore a fertile environment for family businesses to grow and prosper. Which begs the question, what are

the pros and cons of ‘keeping it in the family’ and why is family ownership rare amongst larger companies?

Positive associations that spring to mind with familyrun businesses include loyalty, dedication, passion, and a great sense of pride in what you do. I think you can add to this a feeling that decisions are made with long term stability in mind, rather than the short-termism which you could argue is prevalent in organisations where the executive team is beholden to shareholders who are divorced from the business and are primarily interested in this year’s dividend. On the opposite side of the coin, however, are some classic problems that go with familyrun businesses. These include lack of communication between family owners and senior management, decisions taken without consultation, failure to move away from ‘the way we’ve always done things’, and a sense that the family knows best.

So what are the necessary conditions for a familyowned business to grow successfully and profitably?

An obvious answer, you might think, is to offer minority shareholdings and I’m sure this is what some owners do. However, that in itself is no guarantee of expertise and the critical step is surely to co-opt onto the board or senior team a number of independently-minded

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executives who bring valuable professional insight into areas where the family might not be so strong – HR and finance are areas that spring to mind.

Once you’ve got the right mix of experience, it’s then up to the owners to make sure that the ‘independents’ are made to feel less like advisors and more like members of the family themselves and I think there are two elements to this. The first is to let them see that anyone in the company who really is family receives no better treatment than they do, in fact if anything that the actual family have to work harder to earn their position. The second is to look after them as if they really were family. In many ways this is a state of mind that needs to be developed, which may prove difficult for some family owners who, for whatever reason, are unable to show the same trust and respect for non-family members as for their own flesh and blood.

When all’s said and done, there are tangible benefits from a client point of view of working with a successful, wholly committed family business. For the business itself, it is simply a case of unlocking those benefits by creating the conditions in which everyone gives of their best, irrespective of their connection to the owners.

WWW.DOCCLEANING.COM

Lee Andrews, CEO of DOC Cleaning, reports.

The Manchester Cleaning Show 2022

Celebrating sustainability and technological progress

The Manchester Cleaning Show returned to the city on 6 and 7 April for its first face-to-face event in for over three years. With cleaning continuing to be an essential service, the Manchester Central Convention Complex was packed as visitors and exhibitors reconnected and sought out the latest product innovations.

Opening the show, Delia Cannings, deputy director of the British Cleaning Council, commented on the sector’s progress and stressed the importance of the industry’s commitment to support initiatives that push for a better future for all. She went on to outline how the Apprenticeship in General Cleaning - which is being driven and championed by the BCC - is at a pivotal point ahead of its expected September launch.

With sustainability high on the agenda of this year’s conference programme, the first day of the show saw Nina Wyers, marketing and brand director of the Floorbrite Group, leading a session on ‘Cleaning for climate change’ where she offered insights on how businesses can extend their commitments to green cleaning solutions across the whole supply chain. Also reiterating the need to ‘act now’ to stop climate change, James Lee, council member for the CHSA, explained the association’s five-pillar

initiative that helps companies migrate towards environmentally sustainable business through the standards on product and packaging quality, ethics and corporate environmental impact.

The rise of the cobots

Tibor Killi, MD of Killis, the Manchester show’s official innovation partner, spoke in the conference about how collaborative robotics can ease a human-intensive workforce whilst freeing up valuable time and making cleaner, healthier spaces. This was proven on the show floor where live product demonstrations concluded each day, with the Killis range of LionsBot cobotic machines put through their paces to show the full capabilities of this technology.

Conference attendees also saw Stephen Lynch, sales director of Cleanology, speaking on the rise in robotics and the demand for new technology to deliver a modern cleaning service. He showed visitors how technology-led solutions can ease workplace management and assured cleaning professionals on the positive impact technology can have in the workplace in the post-COVID era.

Elsewhere on the show floor and during both days of the conference, visitors saw

how the show’s official hygiene partner - Dettol Pro Solutions - has developed protocols and trusted products that could be used across an event to ensure maximum hygiene. Leading the company’s first session, Stuart Bainbridge, global R&D director, and Dr Lisa Ackerley, director of medical and scientific engagement, hygiene at Reckitt, shared survey results which showed that the public is now more aware of germs post pandemic, and businesses are putting more measures in place to protect working environments.

Speaking about the event’s successful return, Paul Sweeney, the Manchester show’s new event director, said: “Day 3 of my new role was the opening day of the show, so what a fantastic opportunity for me to spend two days talking to people within the sector. Seeing the cleaning industry gather with such enthusiasm was very rewarding. Every exhibitor I spoke with was really pleased with the high-quality discussions they’d had over the two days of the show. It was evident that the opportunities the show brings to businesses is phenomenal, and it’s very clear to see how much the show is valued. I’m really looking forward to being part of the cleaning sector going forward.”

The British Cleaning Council’s Delia Cannings delivers the opening keynote at this year’s Manchester Cleaning Show.

“The Cleaning Show is always the best show in the calendar, and the only one that we exhibit at. You always get to see the right people and it is the place for us to build our brand awareness and to showcase new product releases. The Manchester Show is brilliant as we see a different customer base to those that come to see us in London. Last year’s show in London was excellent for business, and it is now great to be back in Manchester too after three years away.”

Christian Berenger, head of workforce management, Ezitracker.

“The footfall at the show has been great, mainly from new end-users and distributors from across the north and Scotland. It has been as good and busy as the London show which has surprised us and people have definitely come to do business. We will most certainly be returning to Manchester.”

Edward Blackledge, managing director, Victor Floorcare.

“This is our first time exhibiting at Manchester as we normally just do London and it has been surprisingly good. We have had some strong contacts with key FM decision makers and distributors, and really good quality leads from companies in both the north and south of the country. It has been very positive and we are glad we came.”

Nick Winstone, managing director, Biovate.

“Although I have attended as a visitor before, this is our first time exhibiting at The Manchester Cleaning Show…The response in Manchester has been fantastic. Not only have we seen our existing customers, but we have also met lots of different companies, across multiple sectors, end users, distributors, and wholesalers. It was definitely the right decision to exhibit at the show.”

Asanka Silva, head of UK and European sales, GV Health Ltd.

“As a northern based business, the Manchester event is a fantastic one for us as it enables us to meet both our regional and national customers closer to home. We have come away with some great leads and are looking forward to progressing them after the show.”

Daniel Cushion, robotics manager, Killis.

“We had some excellent companies come through, from all over the country, ones with multiple sites and long term partnership potential. We’ve got a lot of following up to do after the show so definitely worth coming.”

Samuel Hill, UK sales manager, Motorscrubber.

“We have been very busy on the stand and have been impressed by the breadth of the businesses visiting the show - end-users, distributors, FM managers, even a fragrance house. It has given us a great platform to share our research and scientific data on targeted hygiene and customers have been very engaged with the topic - not just because of COVID but because they are looking for solutions to a wide range of other hygiene challenges.”

Ruxandra

“It’s great to see the cleaning industry come back together again and coming so soon after the London show it has enabled our members to cement the connections made in November. The conference platform at the show is also invaluable to our members, giving them a route map on issues such as sustainability and also helping them navigate and avoid the rising number of unscrupulous suppliers who have set up during the pandemic.”

David Garcia, vice president, CHSA.

Ionescu, marketing manager, Reckitt – Dettol Pro Solutions.

“We love coming to the Manchester Show - it is smaller than London but people tend to come for a reason and to buy. The quality of leads are excellent and we are on track to hit our pre-show target. For us, the show is not just about finding new customers, it is as much about networking with our existing ones too and being able to show them in person our new technology. We purposefully bring a much bigger team to this show as we are all located across the UK as we don’t have an office, so it gives us the chance to catch up in person and to meet all our customers face-to-face which is invaluable.”

James Stringer, managing director, Clean Link Software.

“This is our first time exhibiting at The Manchester Cleaning Show and it was definitely worth it. The quality of the leads were good and all of our prebooked appointments came too, some who wouldn’t have gone to London. We will definitely be back.”

Andrew Snowball, business development, Big Change.

“We’ve had a very busy show and it has been great for our brand awareness. However, one of the most surprising benefits has been that a lot of new suppliers have come to see us. It is great to get new ideas and meeting face-to-face enables you to talk through products and innovations in a way that getting a cold email through when in the office can never match.”

Nina Wyers, marketing manager, The Floorbrite Group.

“It has been great to be back and to see customers face-to-face again. The quality of the visitors has been good, and we have had a good number of really solid conversations.”

Andy Plant, pre-sales consultant, Team Software.

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Is your knowledge of air quality top of the class?

As term time moves on and holidays come into focus, many children breathe a big sigh of relief. But is it time to take a step back and consider just how clean the air they’re breathing actually is?

Understanding the impact of air pollution behind closed doors [Cross Head]

When we talk about air pollution, many of us will conjure up images of being outside. You may picture a big factory billowing smoke onto the street, or remember holding your nose while walking along a busy road to avoid the smell of traffic fumes. Perhaps less on our radar, however, is the types of air pollution we can be exposed to indoors.

According to the findings from a UK study, indoor air pollution can be up to five times worse than outdoor air pollution and, at its peak, can reach up to 560 times higher [1][2] With another survey showing that many countries can spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, it is clear that we need to start shifting the focus to more carefully

considering the air being circulated behind closed doors [3]

Not only can indoor environments potentially trap outdoor pollution and viruses, many day-to-day activities carried out inside can create pollution in their own right. Typical types of pollution found indoors include PM10, PM2.5, VOCs, and NO2. While we have some control over our activities at home, and can proactively make better decisions to improve air quality, public indoor areas like workplaces, schools and leisure spaces often take this choice out of our hands. As a result, we are reliant on those in charge of running the space or building to put suitable solutions in place to protect our wellbeing.

Putting classrooms top of the agenda

Since the classroom is an area where most children spend over a quarter of their day, five days a week, managing its air quality should therefore be top of the agenda for school leaders and caretakers.

Air pollution in the classroom can come from a range of sources. One potential source is volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can come from building materials, cleaning products and certain types of paint. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can also be higher in a classroom setting due to there being lots of children in one enclosed space, highlighting the importance of good air ventilation. In this respect the government is already taking some positive steps forward - its recent rollout of CO2 monitors, for example, will allow staff to quickly identify where air quality needs to be improved.

As we come to the start of another term, it’s important to look at what changes can be made for the months ahead, to help support the wellbeing of children in education settings. Facilities managers and school leaders are key in implementing new technologies and strategies to improve indoor air quality, and this should remain top of mind. So, what can be done to help tackle indoor and outdoor pollution in schools and help everyone to breathe cleaner air?

Taking it to the next level

While the obvious solution to indoor air pollution is opening windows and doors to achieve better ventilation, this may not always keep outside pollutants out of the classroom. Only ventilating a room by opening the windows can affect the temperature inside, causing discomfort and possibly distraction to students. What’s more, with pollen season and exam timing often overlapping, students can be left struggling with allergy symptoms at a crucial time.

Although there isn’t a universal solution to improving air purity indoors, there are several things school leaders can do to get a handle on pollution levels and help minimise their potential impact in the classroom. Here are our top three tips at Dyson for Business: Educate and build awareness: the first step to solving any problem is education.

Jim Forrest, senior design engineer at Dyson Environmental Care, explains what school leaders and facilities managers can do to better oversee air quality levels in the classroom.

Those working in schools need to help build awareness by talking more openly about indoor air pollution. For example, many staff may not be aware that potential outdoor pollutants and pollen can come in through open windows and affect the comfort of students. It is also important to encourage

staff at all levels to play a role in monitoring air quality levels indoors and open up the dialogue about ways of increasing adequate ventilation wherever possible. Review existing equipment: many schools could be using HVAC systems, which can contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These

gases can have a detrimental impact on the ozone layer and contribute to the climate crisis. On top of this, HVAC systems often do not filter pollutants out of the air effectively. Now could be the time to review your current equipment and check if it needs an upgrade. Consider purchasing new equipment: finally, implementing purifiers around schools can help to create a more comfortable educational environment. The Dyson HEPA Cool Formaldehyde, for example, helps to capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns from the air through its 360° HEPA H13 filter. Thanks to the powerful circulation it generates, over 290 litres of air is projected throughout the room per second. This means that particles like VOCs are removed from the air, helping those in the classroom to breathe better.

References

[1] European Respiratory Journal, October 2012 [LAST ACCESSED: 23.11.21].

[2] RCP Working Party Report, 2016 [LAST ACCESSED: 23.11.21].

[3] EPA, The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality [LAST ACCESSED: 08.11.21].

WWW.DYSON.CO.UK

Effective Simple Software that Gives Meaning to your Cleaning

TAL Clean is an affordable, easy to implement digitalised solution in order to meet the challenges facing contract cleaning services providers. Through the use of QR codes we are able to make cleaning visible, measurable and auditable to all stakeholders. Ensuring your clients satisfaction and confidence in using your companies services.

How management technology is helping cleaning businesses to grow

Why is technology important in the cleaning sector?

It is increasingly difficult for companies to remain competitive without access to the right technology. Many cleaning and maintenance companies are still burdened with paper - and the systems they have, such as accounts, vehicle tracking and job booking, are often completely disconnected. It’s all very inefficient and hinders any improvements in productivity and customer service.

How can a new system help a business?

By eliminating paperwork all the way from booking to job completion, productivity in the office is transformed. The workload to manage the existing operations is typically halved, freeing up time to focus on customer care and growth of the business. In the field, better job scheduling and more dynamic resource allocation, plus full digital reporting via mobile devices, means teams are able to do more jobs each day, with productivity often up by 20 or even 30%. In addition, there are big benefits to financial controls and operational management as systems provide 24/7 real-time visibility of everything going on. Furthermore, live ETA alerts and digital reports from site - backed

by tracking data and on-site photographssignificantly boost customer service.

What about companies that want to grow?

Obviously, all the gains in productivity, management and customer service free up resources and help with business retention, allowing more work to be taken on. However, there are specific characteristics that a system needs to support business expansion. Traditionally, systems have been pretty inflexible so creating new job cards and reports, for example, was a time consuming and costly exercise. At BigChange we set out to design a system with unrestricted adaptability and in particular a mobile app that could be easily

customised. This allows workflows, job cards and reports to be configured to meet virtually any conceivable type of job.

How does this help cleaning companies?

Cleaning companies often see opportunities for business by offering closely related services such as gutter and drain clearing, small building repair works, waste services, and other facilities-related work. These additional services might have quite specific requirements in areas such as safety, certifications and compliance. So, having a system that can be extended and quickly adapted makes it easy to add and manage new services. Needs also change, and clients and prospective clients might demand new reports - so again, adaptability is key.

How else can a system help with growth?

Traditionally only the largest companies could afford the investment in advanced IT systems, making it difficult for smaller players to compete. At BigChange we have built a platform that puts all companies on a level playing field. Whether large or small, the system offers the same capability enabling the delivery of quality and consistent services. This is particularly important when pitching for new business where clients require contractors to adhere to stringent procedures in areas such as health and safety, quality, compliance, and certification. BigChange can be configured easily to meet these needs and crucially provides all the evidence of ‘job done’ that the client needs. As a result, many BigChange users say the platform has been vital to winning more business.

How else can BigChange help growth?

The cloud really has changed everything. One of our customers recently wanted to open a new office near London. They moved in, plugged in their PCs and logged onto the BigChange platform. That was it - the

Neil Nixon puts the questions to Ian Burgess, chief customer officer at BigChange

office was up and running in a few hours. No computer networks to worry about, no software to install. Of course, this was also crucial when COVID hit as everyone could log on at home and continue working. This level of accessibility also provides huge benefits for management as they can gain 24/7 visibility of operations, even from their smartphones. By ensuring a business isn’t constrained by outdated IT systems, BigChange offers a high degree of future proofing. In addition, if a company expands by acquisition, a cloud solution means newly acquired companies can start using the platform straight away so there can be a seamless transition once everyone has been weaned off the ‘legacy’ system.

What about businesses that rely on contractors?

BigChange supports a number of businesses that have expanded from being just a local

provider to a regional or national business and they often do this by contracting. Crucially, with BigChange, any contractor can immediately access the BigChange mobile app. It is exactly the same app

connected to the same central system. This means the service is completely seamlesseverything coming back from the field is as if it is from one of their own operatives.

WWW.BIGCHANGE.COM

Spending less on digital: how better software can save the NHS millions

The UK government has demanded that NHS England finds ways to reduce core NHS spending - to around £330 million compared to the sum agreed in the 2021 spending review, and after other adjustments such as increased employer pensions costs, according to the Health Service Journal.

This comes as a consequence of needing to find funding to deal with the government’s ‘Living with COVID’ plans and the cost of the public health policy around test and trace, says Julian Kelly, NHSE chief financial officer.

Kelly went on to say that achieving this cut would likely involve ‘slowing down’ some transformation programmes and ambitions from the NHS long-term plan, including ‘how fast we go on the technology change, on some of the innovation stuff we have spoken about… and the prevention programme’.

Dan Teare, healthcare sector director for mpro5, believes there is a simple solution the NHS should be implementing to save money without reducing quality of care: “Digital

transformation is a vital undertaking for any organisation in the modern world, and it will get easier and cheaper as the journey goes on, as well as improving efficiency and reduce overall costs. However, it often takes some initial investment to get that process started. Yet, that is not always the case. NHS Trusts use a wide variety of software, which ends up costing millions to adopt and deploy. By consolidating their digital needs into a single, adaptive and effective piece of software, standardised throughout the relevant parts of the health service, rather

than spending more money on multiple expensive and inefficient digital tools all doing different things, the NHS can both save money and digitally transform.”

Whilst digitalisation is a key objective for the NHS, and new digital technologies are helping Trusts to work smarter than ever, the implementation of such software can be strained, especially when trying to find software for individual needs and also cut down on expenses.

Dan Teare continued: “Few would disagree with a vision of digitalisation driven by cutting costs, improving service levels and streamlining the day-to-day processes of NHS workers. Yet too many NHS Trusts and NHS organisations misunderstand the fundamentals of digitalisation and, as a result, continue to get software and software procurement wrong. It is important that NHS Trusts find smarter ways to save on tech without cutting corners in terms of quality of care. Utilising a singular yet configurable platform instead of procuring a multitude of single-instance software

Continued on Page 27. P

Smarter Services supports employees and customers with management solutions

Smarter Services maintains commercial spaces, properties and estates.

The company provides a tailored programme, whether for offices, housing, retail, or industrial premises, supported by a dedicated account manager, on-site supervisors and full records of work carried out. The company uses the latest SmartTask workforce management technology to provide visibility of who is on-site and when, as well as to carry out regular audits, helping the company to provide a competitive, quality commercial cleaning service.

SmartTask - improving working processes and customer service

Smarter Services uses SmartTask workforce management software to manage proof of attendance, holiday and absence for its 260+ cleaning personnel working on-site. The company’s head office employees use the system to design shifts and rotas, working closely with the managers to match availability of employees against client requirements. The latest rotas are sent to staff mobile phones to keep them updated. Electronic capturing of hours worked and services provided means that time spent on

producing invoices has reduced by two days per month.

Director of operations, Michael Poppa, said: “Using SmartTask has really changed the way that we record staff working hours, jobs completed and processing of salaries. Everything is now in one place and accessible. Accurate records benefit our employees and our clients, with streamlined processes for attendance, job records and invoices that help us provide the best possible customer service both on and off site.”

Using SmartForms supports paperless processes

The company uses the SmartTask SmartForms creator to generate custom electronic forms for key management processes, including on-boarding, audit and quality management, near misses and accident reporting, as well as to flag site access issues.

“We have been working to reduce our paperwork across the board and SmartTask has helped us to achieve this,” continued Poppa. “We used to have a seven-page employee contract – now, thanks to

SmartForms, our onboarding process is completely electronic. We also use SmartForms for quality audits - everything is streamlined with all the supporting information easily accessible. Using SmartTask in this way has empowered our managers and has been invaluable to support our industry accreditations.”

Reports enable optimum business planning

Smarter Services uses the reports function within SmartTask to support future operations planning. Shifts and rotas can be costed to meet forecasts on a weekly or monthly basis, ensuring that absences and changes in demand can be met within the required profit margins.

Michael Poppa concluded: “SmartTask is a key management tool for our business. It streamlines our business processes and provides us with the information that we need to manage our commercial cleaning services efficiently and profitably. It helps us to better manage our staff, deliver quality client services and plan for the future.”

Q Continued from Page 25.

platforms is a more efficient way to cut down on procurement costs.”

In October 2021, the government promised the NHS £2.1 billion in IT upgrades and digital health technology so hospitals and other care organisations are as connected and efficient as possible. Investing to this extent highlights the importance the NHS places on digital transformation initiatives, but also the drawbacks when it comes to actively implementing efficient strategies in this regard.

Teare said: “It must be accessible and useable by all staff who need it - with as little specialist training as possible. Clinicians or operations teams cannot be expected to be data scientists or IT professionals as they have a very important job to do, with little time to search through data points or look for who stored what where. Additionally, more configurable platforms provide future-proofing in that they can evolve as needs change. There is no point cutting costs now if NHS Trusts will only need to replace all their technology a couple of

years down the line - they would only be paying for a layer of duct tape rather than fixing the fault itself. Ultimately, shifting the perspective to a singular yet simple platform service means better patient care, better customer service and overall an easier life for workers across the NHS - for

doctors, nurses and facility management teams. Relying on the software to fill any gaps enables workers to spend more time helping people and saving lives.”

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Championing safer patient care for WHHD

Good hand hygiene prevents up to 50% of healthcare-acquired infections, according to the World Health Organisation - and research carried out by Essity reveals that eight out of 10 healthcare professionals would like to improve their hand hygiene compliance.

Essity’s Tork brand is calling on all healthcare organisations around the globe to establish an ‘institutional safety climate’ as it prepares to recognise this year’s World Hand Hygiene Day. The aim of the move would be to encourage hand hygiene role models and build safer patient environments.

“Proper hand hygiene saves lives,” said Essity Professional Hygiene’s marketing director healthcare, Thomas Bergin. “It’s the collective responsibility of everyone within healthcare worldwide to maintain high standards and fostering a culture of institutional safety within healthcare organisations keeps hand hygiene top of mind.”

In order to support healthcare professionals and enable safer healthcare environments, Essity has developed Tork Clean Hands Training in collaboration with behavioural scientists and world-

leading hand hygiene experts. Tork Clean Hands Training invites users into a digital world where they can interact and train using WHO’s own ‘My five moments of hand hygiene’ in a realistic environment. Accessed almost 15,000 times since the end of 2019, Tork Clean Hands Training empowers healthcare professionals to achieve the highest possible safety standards. Also from Tork are a range of

soaps, hand towels and hand sanitisers along with a useful dispenser placement guide based on WHO’s ‘My five moments of hand hygiene’.

“Research shows that hand hygiene dispensers have a significant impact on compliance rates, and the key to success is making sure they are correctly placed,” continued Bergin. WWW.TORK.CO.UK

Does your healthcare washroom deliver?

Hand hygiene has never been more important - especially in healthcare and hospital settings where patients are more prone to picking up infections. Paul Mulready, marketing manager at Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd, looks at how washrooms play their part.

Astudy conducted at Leeds General Infirmary last year investigated whether viruses carried beyond washroom surfaces to the hospital’s public and clinical spaces. It found that hand washing and drying with paper towels resulted in lower rates of virus contamination compared to air dryers. The levels of contamination of surfaces after hand drying with air dryers was, on average, 10 times higher than with paper towels.

Hands up

We all know how important washing our hands is but drying them after washing is

equally essential as damp hands can spread 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands [1] It’s imperative, therefore, that washrooms in hospital and healthcare settings must be well equipped to keep staff, patients and visitors safe.

The Raphael proprietary washroom system from Northwood continues to help healthcare and hospital washrooms to deliver optimum hygiene credentials, whilst achieving performance and sustainability.

Helping to support good hand hygiene in the highest traffic washrooms, Raphael combines a number of hygiene-promoting features and offers users a choice of four

hand towel dispensers. The dispensers provide contactless dispensing to minimise bacteria and the sheets are dispensed at a consistent length to facilitate effective hand drying and reduce waste. All Raphael hand drying systems dispense one at a time flat sheets to prevent overuse and, because the user only touches the paper they are using, they help to reduce the spread of germs. Made from a single-piece shell, the dispensers are easy to wipe clean and all towels are fully enclosed for added hygiene.

The roll towel dispensers hold up to 250 sheets each, providing around 500 dries, Continued on Page 30. P

Carpet care in healthcare facilities

The XP range of upright vacuum cleaners from Sebo are suited for use in healthcare environments. They feature independently proven filtration, hygienic dirt disposal using sealable bags and are exceptionally quiet and light to use.

Clearly, a vacuum cleaner’s number one task is to clean. The XP range harnesses the power of an on-board computer to measure performance on the floor and continuously adjust the floor head to the optimum cleaning height, completely automatically. The integrated wand and hose mean that cleaning above the floor and reaching into awkward places is easy. The computer can also advise when the bag needs changing, or when there is a blockage, and the multiple access points and cassette style brush roller make the XP easy to maintain.

Of course, once dirt is picked up, it is essential in hospital and healthcare scenarios that it is retained in the vacuum cleaner and not released back into the air. The Health and Safety Executive recommends that we never assume that any dust is safe and that all uncontrolled dusts are potentially hazardous. Virtually all the dust and dirt which is picked up by an XP vacuum cleaner is safely trapped in the high filtration bag, which

Q Continued from Page 28. with some offering stub-roll transfer to ensure zero waste, and the folded towel dispenser has a 1000-sheet capacity. The dispensers are designed not to free roll to help reduce over usage and minimise rubbish in the washroom.

In addition to the hand drying dispensers, the high-capacity Raphael collection also includes a soap dispenser and two toilet tissue dispensers, which incorporate BioKleen technology to inhibit the growth and spread of bacteria.

Well-equipped washrooms are vital and we’re proud to support the healthcare sector with solutions that optimise hygiene, reduce consumption and minimise waste.

WWW.NORTHWOOD.CO.UK

[1] Smith and Lokhorst, 2009.

can be sealed and hygienically disposed of. The filtration of the XP has been independently tested by the DMT Test Institute in Germany to filter 99.97% of particles of 0.3 micron. Above this particle size, the filtration level is very close to 100%.

Healthcare facilities generally operate 24/7 so it is not always possible to clean when no one is around. Although there are regulations limiting the sound power level that a vacuum cleaner can reach, the quality of that sound can still be unpleasant, even where the vacuum cleaner meets the regulations. Sebo sound engineers have successfully muted the harsh frequencies to which the human ear is sensitive. The consequence is that the sound from the XP virtually disappears, making it suitable in many cases for daytime cleaning. Indeed, in any situation where low noise levels are important, the XP range is ideal.

Last but not least, Sebo believes that vacuum cleaners should be built to last and should be easily repairable. Its vacuum cleaners are built to be durable and reliable and to have a long service life using few replacement parts. Component parts are identified with the material they are made from, so that they can be recycled more easily when their service life is over.

WWW.SEBO.CO.UK

The demand for infection prevention flexibility

Healthcare housekeeping and infection prevention teams have increased the frequency of hand hygiene and surface disinfection since the start of the pandemic. These are both key to breaking the chain of infection but, with cleaning done more often and more diligently, teams do not want their tasks to become a time-consuming burden. How can those responsible for infection prevention optimise their performance and processes?

The main requirement has understandably been for products that are effective against SARS-CoV-2. NHS and government guidelines require disinfectants to contain chlorine as the active ingredient for specific applications, and demand for this type of product has been high. These products are widely used and effective, but there are situations where alternatives can offer advantages.

While official guidelines have limited the opportunity for products containing alternative active ingredients, there are nevertheless many healthcare applications where they are permitted. Indeed, many European countries already rely far less on chlorine within healthcare. Products in Diversey’s Oxivir range, for example, contain Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide as the active ingredient. They are fully virucidal in as little as 30 seconds and meet a wide range of infection prevention standards, including EN14476 which covers SARSCov-2 and other viruses. In addition to being fast-acting, these products can generally

be used on a wider range of surfaces and with fewer precautions than chlorine-based products. This is why many hospitals have adopted them as cleaner-disinfectants to combine these two critical steps of infection prevention into a single, simpler process.

Many healthcare facilities augmented their surface disinfection capabilities during the pandemic with ready-to-use products. These are convenient, easy to introduce, and readily available. But costs can mount up in the long run and especially when they are used frequently. Facilities with established cleaning procedures are often better served by ultra-concentrated products used in conjunction with dosing or dilution equipment. Cleaning solutions are prepared accurately and consistently on-site by adding water to a reusable spray bottle, a bucket or floorcare machine. Costs are much lower than using ready-to-use products. However, these systems must be used correctly to achieve maximum benefit and avoid any potential risks associated with the build-up of residues and biofilms.

Alongside the increased use of liquid disinfectants, hospitals have introduced adjunct technologies to complement and enhance existing processes. A number of sites have deployed Diversey’s Moonbeam3 disinfection technology devices. These emit UV-C which can destroy viruses and other pathogens that might have been missed during normal disinfection and they can also treat hard-to-reach surfaces. In this way, UV-C provides an additional layer of protection that can reduce

infections and reassure patients and staff that everything possible is being done to create a safer environment.

Another technology gaining popularity is the cleaning monitoring and audit application. Systems such as Diversey’s VeriClean enable consistent checking that routine and critical tasks have been completed. This helps to maximise performance and reduce infection rates, especially on frequent and critical touch points. The data and reports available can help organisations improve compliance and CQC audit scores.

Hand hygiene is also critical. Making sure suitable products are always available helps increase the frequency and compliance levels that reduce infection rates. Where possible, ready-to-use hand hygiene products supplied in single-use portable bottles should be replaced with wall or postmounted professional dispensing systems such as Diversey’s IntelliCare. These help maintain product availability and reduce cost-in-use by utilising consistent dosing of highly concentrated products to avoid overdosing and wastage.

Infection prevention is a critical task in healthcare. Diversey’s total solution approach draws on decades of experience to help facilities with the resources to address emerging needs, support for evidence-based cleaning and disinfection practices, and products which enhance patient safety, improve staff productivity and lower overall costs. WWW.DIVERSEY.COM

Training is the key to efficient cleaning

The increased demand to see cleaning in action has led many businesses to purchase new cleaning equipment or increase their head count in cleaning teams. However, the introduction of new equipment and staff paired with the added challenge of ensuring efficient deep cleaning practices makes it incredibly important that proper training is rolled out to boost productivity.

Effective training ensures that staff members are equipped with up-todate knowledge on different cleaning products and machines to promote a more efficient clean. Utilising resources offered by manufacturers, such as the Kärcher Academy, is the perfect solution to arm cleaning teams with the latest techniques to ensure any machine is used to its full potential.

The Kärcher Academy is a marketleading training facility that hosts cleaning

teams from across the UK both in person at the Banbury facility and virtually. Kärcher’s highly skilled team offers cleaners handson training as part of a continual learning process so that they always remain on top of industry best practice. From adapting to increased demands brought on by the pandemic to understanding new industry guidelines, the Academy is well placed to help customers through every stage of their careers.

With rapid technological developments to cleaning machines in mind, ensuring that staff are trained on how to leverage these enhancements is crucial to ensure they can properly tackle the latest surfaces and materials. Understanding when to use each product and on which surface helps to avoid surface damage and ensure effective, efficient cleaning. To support this, the Kärcher Academy

explores both the theoretical and practical elements of cleaning, so cleaners are empowered to clean surfaces without damage. This training is done in small groups so that each participant receives tailored attention to their specific questions and needs.

Practical training is key for ensuring that staff know when to apply different cleaning methods and at which time. Whilst it is ideal to train the entire workforce in this manner, current demands from facilities users to see cleaning in action makes this challenging. To support, Kärcher has devised a series of products featuring the Kärcher Intelligent Key (KIK) System. This enables management staff to set up the machines correctly for cleaning their specific facility. Managers can then lock the machine settings to ensure the same high level of clean regardless of the user. This works as an effective solution until the remaining staff can be trained on the full use of the machines.

Failure to maintain training can lead to longer cleaning times that do not meet standards, hampering the ability of the workforce to deliver a quality clean. In this day and age, practical training should be compulsory for all companies to master new challenges or technological advancements, ensuring that every worker can deliver the most effective, efficient and hygienic methods every time.

WWW.KARCHER.CO.UK

Joel Kenny, academy manager at Kärcher Academy, outlines the importance of training to maximise cleaning performance.

KIMBERLY-Clark

RightCycle dispenser and hand towel recycling innovation launched

Professional has launched the RightCycle Programme for the recycling of old dispensers and used hand towels, supporting UK businesses in their drive to meet zero waste to landfill goals.

Since its launch over 10 years ago, the RightCycle has diverted over 1500 tonnes of previously hard-to-recycle non-hazardous PPE from landfill and incineration. This latest extension of the RightCycle Programme gives businesses the opportunity to transform the way they dispose of old dispensers and used hand towels for a more sustainable washroom.

WWW.KCPROFESSIONAL.CO.UK

POWER tools manufacturer

Makita UK has expanded its XGT 40VMax range with the launch of two new battery powered L-Class vacuum cleaners.

Cordless power for cleaning tasks

Thanks to Makita’s unique XGT 40VMax cordless technology, the VC001GL (8-litre) and VC003GL (15-litre) offer cleaning professionals and facilities managers a selection of powerful cleaning solutions.

With XGT 40VMax technology at their core, the VC001GL and VC003GL vacuum cleaners deliver impressive output. The improved cooling efficiency of their design and inclusion of Makita’s brushless motor mean the VC001GL and VC003GL deliver the increased power and battery run times needed for professional use. What’s more, both machines can house two XGT 40VMax batteries. This means that when the first battery runs out of charge, the second one automatically kicks in to keep the machines running for longer.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

Latest design extends trigger spray solutions

BERRY M&H has extended its range of trigger spray bottles with the launch of a new 750ml version. The latest addition is in response to increasing demand for trigger products, in particular for cleaners and disinfectants, and further widens the choice available to customers, with different sizes and styles together with varied neck finishes that enable them to tailor a solution to their precise requirements.

The range is available in HDPE and PET, both of which can incorporate post-consumer recycled material (PCR) at either 35% or 100% content, subject to customer compatibility testing to ensure product integrity. The design of the new 750ml standard trigger ensures safe and comfortable handling for consumers. It features a large decoration area and can be colour matched for individual branding requirements and to maximise on-shelf appeal. A smaller 500ml sister version provides the ideal complement to create a family range.

WWW.MHPLASTICS.COM

EDITOR

Neil Nixon neilnixon@quartzltd.com 07957 713316

SALES DIRECTOR

Paul Sweeney paulsweeney@quartzltd.com 01737 855041

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Michelle Andrews michelleandrews@quartzltd.com 01737 855086

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Carol Baird carolbaird@quartzltd.com 01923 437619

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Tony Crinion

CEO

Steve Diprose

CO-CHAIRMAN

Paul Michael

DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES

Elizabeth Barford elizabethbarford@quartzltd.com 01737 855028

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