Cleaning & Maintenance - November 2019

The Official Partner of the Cleaning Show

NOVEMBER 2019

PLUS: • Industry news • People • Contracts • Products

Hand Hygiene An overview of new techniques and products designed to improve hand hygiene on the back of research into WHO guidelines which suggests that other techniques may be quicker, easier and more effective. >>> page 20

Innovations in Software

Protecting Window Cleaners

Reports on advances in workforce management software and the increasing role of IoT technologies within the cleaning and FM sectors.

Paul Thrupp, BCC chairman, reports on a new study into the use of water-fed poles. >>> page 32

>>> page 28

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EDITOR’S LETTER C&M

Innovation Showcase to highlight pioneers in cleaning Just as this issue was going to press, the CSSA announced

CSSA’s CEO, John Findlater, said: “The 2018 Innovation

the return of its Innovation Showcase for 2020. The event –

Showcase was a big success, so we are delighted to be

launched in 2018 - celebrates the cleaning industry’s most

running it again. It is at the heart of our determination to foster

innovative products, services and initiatives, and judges them

innovation in the industry. The Showcase celebrates innovation

in a Dragon’s Den-style format ahead of a final public vote to

in the widest sense, whether it is a new method, idea, approach,

crown the overall champion.

or product. We’ll be judging the innovations in terms of their impact and in our experience even something small can have a

Businesses and organisations operating right across the

very big impact.”

cleaning industry are being invited to enter their products, services and initiatives. Entries will be judged by a panel of

I strongly advise all businesses operating in the UK cleaning

industry experts and representatives – including yours truly

market to put forward one or more entries – please visit:

– who will review the innovative nature of products, systems

www.cssa-uk.co.uk for further details. The Showcase provides

and services before interviewing the entrants. This process

an excellent opportunity to highlight particular benefits of a

will result in a list of finalists who will move forward to the

product or service, and the unique style of judging makes it a

Innovation Showcase itself which will take place on Thursday 19

very enjoyable process for all concerned. I look forward to being

March 2020 in central London. The final winner will be selected

part of the team that grills the candidates during the week of

by a ballot of the delegates attending the Innovation Showcase

20 January next year!

and announced on the day.

Wishing you a happy, clean, tidy and healthy month ahead.

Now to the nitty gritty - to be eligible for entry the product, service or initiative must have been launched later than 1 January 2018 – the date of the previous competition. Entries can be applicable to any area of the cleaning industry. The Dragon’s Den panel, which will also include representatives from the CSSA and CHSA – sponsor of the event, will take place during the week commencing 20 January 2020. The deadline

Neil Nixon, Editor

for entries is 20 December 2019 and entries are free.

Cleaning & Maintenance Magazine

@cleaningmag

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

Cleaning&Maintenance

NOVEMBER 2019 3

The ERA PRO is the first dry vacuum cleaner to take on the topic Industry 4.0. With the slogan “The new ERA of Cleaning”, the ERA PRO from SPRiNTUS sets new standards for the professional cleaning industry through first-time digitalisation of industrial vacuum cleaners.

Via the SPRiNTUS app, the intelligent, interactive touch display can be customised in a matter of a few seconds with any logo of the customer or property. In this way, new customers can be acquired, and the corporate design can be adapted and underscored. A multilingual language selection (EN, FR, DE, IT) can be made. In the event of a fault of the machine, solution suggestions are shown on the display. In combination with the integrated Bluetooth interface, important device data such as operating hours, daily run time, location data can be transferred into the cloud-based fleet management and connected to

commonly used ERP systems. Run times can be checked with the touch of a button, and property calculations can be adapted. In the display, additional data can be stored, e.g. property and dealer information as well as customer data. The user can order spare parts and accessories at any time and call up technical data and operating instructions.

The date and time are displayed by the RTC chip.

product video

Reizenwiesen 1 · 73642 Welzheim / Germany · Tel.: +49 / 7182 / 80 404-0 Fax: +49 / 7182 / 80 404-99 · kontakt@sprintus.eu · www.sprintus.eu

CONTENTS C&M

20 Feature: Hand Hygiene An overview of new techniques and products designed to improve hand hygiene on the back of research into WHO guidelines which suggests that other techniques may be quicker, easier and more effective.

NOVEMBER 2019

06 13 15 16 28 30 34

Industry News In the news this month… BICSc Annual Awards celebrate excellence in training and accreditation, Announcing the CSSA’s 2020 Innovation Showcase.

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

Contracts A report from Fairfield Care who, in June 2019, enlisted Robert Scott to complete a cleaning product audit and offer recommendations for a group of residential care homes that specialise in the care of dementia patients.

Christmas Waste: Grundon Waste Management’s Kirsti Santer says planning ahead and understanding what you can and can’t recycle will put you in Father Christmas’s good books, both at home and at work.

32 Special Report: Protecting the safety and health of window cleaners. Paul Thrupp, BCC chairman, reports on a new study into the use of water-fed poles.

Feature: Innovations in Software Reports on advances in workforce management software and the increasing role of IoT technologies within the cleaning and FM sectors.

Special Report: A modern career in cleaning. Paul Ashton, CEO at Birkin, reports.

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

03 Editor’s Comment Looking back at the past month in the cleaning sector.

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

14 BICSc Comment Measure twice, cut once

18 BCC Comment Operating within the ‘gig economy’.

Stephen Munton, director and founder of the Domestic Cleaning Alliance, reports.

19 A job worth doing – a contractor’s blog.

Lee Andrews reports.

NOVEMBER 2019 5

C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

BICSc Annual Awards celebrate excellence in training and accreditation

Announcing the CSSA’s 2020 Innovation Showcase THE Cleaning Support Services Association’s 2020 Innovation Showcase celebrates the cleaning industry’s most innovative products, services and initiatives. Taking place every two years, the Innovation Showcase is again backed by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), which is sponsoring the event.

Businesses and organisations operating throughout the cleaning industry are invited to enter their innovative products, services and initiatives. A ‘Dragon’s Den’ panel of industry experts and representatives will review and interview the entrants and select those to be exhibited at the Innovation Showcase itself, taking place on Thursday 19 March 2020. The final winner will be selected by a ballot of the delegates attending the Innovation Showcase and announced on the day.

THE British Institute of Cleaning Science

on year. What’s even more important than

(BICSc) announced its award winners on

the qualities of the finalists and winners

Thursday 26 September at Whittlebury Hall

are the examples they set for others. By

must have been launched since the 1 January

Hotel and Spa, Northamptonshire.

demonstrating the benefits and practicalities

2018 (ie, since the inaugural Innovation

To be eligible the product, service or initiative

of BICSc standards and training, these

Showcase) and may be applicable to any area of

in the morning, including a series of keynotes

organisations and individuals simply inspire

the cleaning industry. The deadline for entries is

and a look back through the decades of BICSc.

others to aim higher within their own

20 December 2019 and entries are free.

200 guests then entered the Brooklands Suite

companies, driving improvement throughout

for the awards ceremony which was hosted by

the industry.”

The showcase and exhibition commenced

representatives from the CSSA, CHSA and C&M Magazine, will take place in the week

journalist and writer, Louise Hulland.

This year’s chairman’s charity of choice was

The Dragon’s Den Panel, which will include

The 2019 BICSc Annual Awards Winners

commencing 20 January 2020.

once again Clarity & Co, a social enterprise which

• The Chairman’s Award - Bob Vincent FBICSc.

CSSA CEO, John Findlater, said: “The 2018

employs those with disabilities. The event raised

• The Eric Hill Medal - Lorraine Larman FBICSc.

Innovation Showcase was a big success, so we

over £1200 for this social enterprise.

• The Colin Hasson International Award -

are delighted to be running it again. It is at the

Amongst the award winners were Robinson Services, presented with the John Edwards Award. Robinson Services is a corporate

Dr. Talal Al Harigi, Facilities and Hospitality

heart of our determination to foster innovation

Management.

in the industry. The Showcase celebrates

• Commitment to BICSc Training within

innovation in the widest sense, whether it is a

member of BICSc and was chosen by the

Healthcare - The Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

new method, idea, approach, or product. We’ll

judges for ‘demonstrating extraordinary

Kings Lynn.

be judging the innovations in terms of their

commitment to improving cleaning standards from within its organisation’.

The Institute’s most prestigious accolade - ‘The Chairman’s Award’ - was presented to Bob Vincent for his outstanding contribution to the Institute and the cleaning industry.

The Colin Hasson International Award went to Dr. Talal Al Harigi of the Saudi-based organisation, Facilities and Hospitality Management. Michael Hirst of Huddersfield University collected the Outstanding Candidate of the Year Award.

• John Edwards Award (Outstanding Corporate Member) - Robinson Services.

• Excellence in Training and Assessment (UK) County Square Shopping Centre.

• Client Commitment to Training - One Housing with Chequers Contract Services.

• Assessor of the Year - Wendy Hargreaves, Vinci Facilities.

• Excellence in Training and Assessment (International) - Berkeley Services LLC. • Outstanding Candidate of the Year Michael Hirst, University of Huddersfield

impact and in our experience even something small can have a very big impact.”

Stephen Harrison, chairman of the CHSA, said: “The CSSA’s Innovation Showcase is a superb way to celebrate some of the best ideas being generated in the industry and so we are delighted to back this initiative again. Our members continually innovate, helping their customers to address some of the big issues facing the sector, including environmental challenges, as evidenced by the number of our members amongst those who participated in 2018. We are looking forward to seeing the entries and putting them through

A spokesperson for the judging panel said:

The 2020 BICSc Annual Awards, Showcase

“This year we received the largest number of

and Exhibition will take place at Whittlebury

their paces at the Dragon’s Den!”

entries to date. The commitment to BICSc

Hall on Thursday 24 September.

WWW.CSSA-UK.CO.UK

standards continues to overwhelm us year

WWW.BICS.ORG.UK

WWW.CHSA.CO.UK

6 NOVEMBER 2019

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C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

Support, dedication and future leaders recognised at WCEC Military Awards THE Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) hosted its annual Military Awards on 17 September. This year, the awards were held at Ironmongers Hall with over 150 guests in attendance.

Military environmental health technicians and cadets consistently demonstrate high levels of skill, knowledge and dedication whatever challenges they face. These awards pay special recognition to the work of environmental health technicians (EHTs) from the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), the RAF Environmental Health Cadre and the WCEC’s affiliated cadet units for their work at home and abroad.

This year, the Master of the WCEC, Barrie Torbett, addressed the attendees and his speech focused on the long-standing relationship with the Royal Army Medical Corp. He specifically highlighted the RAMC’s outstanding achievements whether in service in the UK or overseas. He also commended the Cadet Corp for its outstanding achievements in

situations and post-conflict care. He expressed his

training and discipline.

appreciation of the connections with all the Livery

The Master ended by encouraging the WCEC

Companies, and praised the work of the cadet

to cultivate a close and solid relationship

corps, training officers and young people who

with the cadet corps and environmental staff,

benefit, in particular the support of the WCEC.

especially when they leave the services. He

The trophies, medals and purses awarded on

• Post Graduate Medical Officer General Practice Prize: Captain Adrian Hucks.

• RAF Environmental Health Technician Prize: Sergeant Dean Crook.

Best Sea Cadet Prize: Marine Cadet Corporal Ryan Aldred. Cadet Aldred was also presented

said that the cleaning industry is actively

the day include:

with a cheque for £2500, representing funds

looking for the leaders of tomorrow, and

• Junior NCO Award: Acting Sergeant

raised by WCEC members to help pay for his

that the military’s environmental staff have outstanding experience.

The special guest at the event was Brigadier Tim Hodgetts CBE QHS OStJ. Highly regarded in the NHS and RAMC, Brigadier Hodgetts’ speech focused on the importance of the RAMC in conflict

James Hodges.

• Senior NCO Award: Sergeant Steven Redding (currently serving in New Zealand).

• Reserves EHT Award: Captain Steven Gorniak.

overseas exchange to Borneo for jungle training.

• Best Army Cadet Prize: Cadet Staff Sergeant Chantae Bambury.

• Best Air Cadet Prize: Cadet Flight Sergeant Diliana Porteros.

WWW.WC-EC.COM

Northwood acquires the Sidcot Group NORTHWOOD Paper, Tissue and Hygiene

most suitable company able to acquire the

Enate, Spain, brings the important benefit of

has acquired the trade and assets of the

activities and with the resources needed

security of supply to Northwood’s vertically

whole Sidcot Group, comprising the recycled

to conclude the purchase of all the trade

integrated business model. The converting

tissue mill at Chesterfield and the converting

and assets of the Sidcot Group in a short

lines in Oldham complement the converting

operations of Matryx, Techcel and Negociar.

timeframe. We look forward to being able

plants in Telford, Penygroes, Bromsgrove,

This brings additional valued recycled tissue

to offer our new colleagues in Oldham and

Ilkeston, Lancaster, Birmingham, and Madrid.

production and converting capacity to the

Chesterfield a bright and secure future as

All personnel based in Oldham will transfer

Northwood production platform.

we further develop our vision of making

over to Northwood Hygiene Group and the

Northwood the supplier of choice to the

Chesterfield personnel and business will start

paper hygiene sector.”

operating as Northwood Tissue (Chesterfield)

Paul Fecher, Northwood’s chairman, said: “I have known Nigel Samuel for over 20 years, and I am pleased we’ve been

The integration of Chesterfield with the

Ltd. Naturally all day to day contacts will

able to assist with his desired exit from the

recycled tissue mills in Disley and Lancaster,

remain unchanged.

trade. Northwood was identified as the

as well as the recently acquired paper mill in

WWW.NORTHWOOD.CO.UK

8 NOVEMBER 2019

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

C&M

From Green to Pink in aid of charity A company with green credentials has changed

sending a photo of him modelling a becoming

paid the £1 to enter, as well as awarding a Duvet

its colour for the month of October, with a special

pink frock. ‘It looked great against his hairy beard’,

Day to staff who took part, giving them an extra

emphasis last Friday as staff at Bio Productions

remarked a colleague.”

day’s annual holiday.

arrived for work clad from tip to toe in pink to

his year the event has even greater

“I am immensely proud of everyone for

momentum as Breast Cancer * Bio-Prod-

embracing the occasion,” says Angela. “As well

Nettie_142.jpgNow joined forces with Breast

as having a really enjoyable day, we’ve helped to

workers at the Victoria Road firm threw themselves

Cancer Care to make it the biggest and best Wear

raise much-needed funds for a really worthwhile

behind the cause and raised more than £100 from

Pink Day so far. Every Breast Cancer Awareness

cause and one close to the hearts of many here at

their efforts.

Month, wear it pink brings together thousands

Bio-Productions as it is worldwide.”

mark breast cancer awareness.

From the production team to the board room,

Even those working away from the headquarters weren’t going to miss out: “Nettie from the sales team was in Florida but

of people on one day, all with the same aim - to wear pink, raise money and help make life-saving

Tel: 01444 244000

breast cancer research happen.

Email: sales@bio-productions.com

still clad herself in pink and sent over images to

* Bio-Dogs_142.jpgStaff at the busy cleaning

prove it, as did colleague Lyn who is on the road

chemicals manufacturer indulged in a variety of

but sporting her pink bra,” explains managing

delicious home-made cakes, all in the name of

director Angela Gill. “And our company pets weren’t

charity. “Sara Gibb created mouth-watering cup

going to be outdone either, with springer spaniel

cakes and cookies, with colleague Becky in the

Miah and Delphi the pug joining in above the

accounts department making a moreishchocolate

strapline ‘remember to get your puppies checked’.

gateaux,” adds Angela.

“Even employees on a day-off didn’t want to miss the fun, with maintenance manager Harry

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For more information contact Bio Productions

WWW.BIO-PRODUCTIONS.COM

Finance director Avonia Bridge judged the entries and awarded certificates to all who had

NOVEMBER 2019 9

C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

Floorbrite Group hits £20 million growth target one year early MANCHESTER-based cleaning and facilities

despite the challenging environment and

service provider the Floorbrite Group has

continued uncertainty. It’s fantastic to see

achieved its target of £20 million turnover one

our growth target achieved one year in

year early after securing several significant

advance, which is very much testament to

new contracts.

the hard work and commitment of our team.

Whilst it’s a huge team effort, the sales team

Founded in Sale, Cheshire, in 1972, the Floorbrite Group is today headed up by second

is the cornerstone of our success - we pride

generation Wyers - managing directors Nik and

ourselves on supporting each other, and

Alex. The company has diversified over the

benefit from a high retention rate as a result.

years from cleaning into a full suite of facilities

With an experienced, consistent team we’re

management provisions, including waste

able to build strong, lasting relationships

management, security and pest control, with

with our clients, evidenced in the continued

more than 1500 staff across the UK.

Nik Wyers

growth of the business. We also continue to diversify, which has proven a successful growth

Turnover has increased by 30% in the past two years, and the firm forecasts further growth

City, plus TalkTalk and CBRE - together valued

strategy. New areas of focus include enhanced

of just under 20% for the next 12 months.

at more than £1 million - along with Adidas’s

environmental initiatives and CSR, and we

London headquarters.

look forward to developing those new services

Its new contracts include Drax, the largest power station in the UK, a large window cleaning contract in the north west, Media

Nik Wyers said: “We’ve seen an exceptional period of growth during the last 12 months,

further in the coming months.”

WWW.FLOORBRITE.CO.UK

Beach litter declining – report

CROMWELL Polythene annually participates in beach cleaning and litter surveying activity on behalf of the Great British Beach Clean, and to mark Recycle Week at the end of September.

A team of 10 volunteers from the company, which supplies products for the capture and containment of recyclables, took to its local beach at Filey on the North Yorkshire coast on

survey along the same beach radius).

• 69 rubber items including bits of balloon and pieces of dog balls.

• 24 paper/cardboard items including cigarette packets, tissues, labels, and a receipt.

• 12 wood items including cork, lolly sticks and chip forks.

• 48 metal items including metal bottle caps,

James Lee, managing director of Cromwell Polythene, said: “We were pleased to see that the scale of littering has reduced compared to previous years’ analyses. It’s very encouraging that people are showing concern for the environment and the impacts that our actions have. We all want to see the recovery, reuse and recycling of every type of packaging and it

14 September. The aim of the annual litter pick

an aluminium can, foil wrappers, a knife, and

is vital that we work together to find solutions

is to champion sustainability and community

fishing wire.

to protect our environment, combat climate

recycling best practice.

In total, 346 items were collected using sustainable litter clearance hand tools from

• 12 pieces of cloth (nylon, wool, cotton and

change, keep products in use for as long as

canvas) including string, fishing netting, a

possible, and prevent leakage of valuable

sock, a glove, and the remains of a tent!

resources from the circular economy.”

The data collected at the Great British Beach

Helping Hand Environmental. The litter, which

• 12 glass items.

had an approximate weight of 16kg, came

• 1 piece of pottery.

Clean events is shared with the International

from two beach sections of 500 metres each.

• 3 pieces of food waste.

Coastal Clean-up (ICC), contributing to a

These included the following levels and types

• 11 sanitary items including wet wipes.

worldwide report on litter levels. MCS also

of rubbish:

• 29 cigarette stubs (which contain tiny particles

analyses the data and uses the results to raise

• 125 plastic/polythene items including bottles, caps, straws and pieces of plastic bag (compared to 229 pieces during last year’s 10 NOVEMBER 2019

of plastic).

Levels of litter were recorded across the same predefined items as last year’s survey.

awareness of pollution and tackle it at source in the UK. WWW.CROMWELLPOLYTHENE.CO.UK WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

INDUSTRY NEWS

C&M

Call for ‘Recycled Plastic Rating’ finds its voice CLEANING operators are being asked to support

enabling consumers to take back control of what

and allow them to vote with their pockets when

a new era in how products are packaged to give

plastic actually gets recycled.

it comes to purchasing behaviour.

immediate visibility of virgin plastic content in what people are buying.

There is confusion amongst operators and

The entrepreneur behind the RPR, Mark

consumers with over 28 different marks on

Jankovich, said: “There is more micro plastic in

what is and what is not recyclable. There is also

the ocean than stars believed to be in the galaxy!

their parents and businesses united on Friday 20

a breakdown in trust about what happens to

Eight million tons of plastic, a dump truck a

September, alongside Greta Thunberg’s ‘London

waste segregated at home for recycling.

minute, ends up in our oceans each year, and has

In a landmark move, ‘Generation Z’ children,

The move to launch the new RPR follows

Global Climate Strike’, to lobby industry and

a material impact on climate change through

consumers alongside the government to get

research that reveals that 79% of people support

waste processes and new production of single

behind the ‘Recycled Plastic Rating’ - a campaign

clearer labelling of plastic packaging to help

life plastic. We’ve got to stop this. Having a rating

which sees the launch of a new trust mark

them determine its impact on the environment

which shows the amount of recycled plastic content in the packaging we buy will instantly give caterers, retailers and consumers the power to vote with their wallets and chose packaging that is fundamentally diverting plastic from landfill. The RPR will enable everyone to see, at a glance, the exact plastic credentials of products they are purchasing”.

Jankovich is the driving force behind the campaign alongside his eco-cleaning product company - Delphis Eco - which has pioneered the use of 100% recycled HDPE plastic packaging from single use plastic in 2017 across

Mark Jankovich

all its products.

WWW.DELPHISECO.COM

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NOVEMBER 2019 11

C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

Mirius wins business excellence award COVENTRY-based Mirius has won the award for export sales at this year’s Coventry Business Excellence Awards. Recognised for its disruptive approach to industry marketing, product development and its continued growth in export sales, the judges were impressed with Mirius’s corporate strategy and most recently it’s rebrand from Coventry Chemicals to Mirius - Global Hygiene Solutions.

Chris Richmond, head of marketing at Mirius, said: “Winning at the Coventry Business Excellence Awards is testament to the team’s continued hard work and dedication. With more than 55 years’ manufacturing experience, we’re hugely proud of our Coventry roots and consider it a real honour to be recognised by our peers.”

Over the past 12 months, Mirius has Mirius believes that 2019 is on track to be

redesigned much of its product offering, moved

and this has been born out in our near 20%

into new markets and categories and further

sales increase in the last year. The momentum

another highly successful year for the business

expanded its product offerings.

of the group’s business improvement

with further improvements in profitability and

programme has gathered pace through 2018,

sustained growth across its three business

industry disruption and continued innovation

exemplified by the rebranding of the group’s

divisions - retail, professional and healthcare.

play a driving role in our commercial success

corporate identity.”

WWW.MIRIUS.COM

Richmond continued: “We believe that

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To find out more about SmartTask email: smarttask@skillweb.co.uk visit: www.smarttask.co.uk/cleaning tel: +44(0)1494 444044 12 NOVEMBER 2019

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PEOPLE

C&M

Ramon Hygiene appoints new MD RAMON Hygiene Products has appointed

The role of company accountant has been

Gordon Peters as its new managing director,

assigned to David Parkin who joined Ramon in

replacing Simon Baldock who is stepping down

March of this year.

Over the past three years Ramon Hygiene

after 36 years with the company.

Gordon Peters has been with Ramon for 13

has undergone significant investment

years as finance director and has been working

to ensure it continues to meet customer

closely with Simon Baldock over the last six

demand and industry expectations - from the

months to ensure a smooth transition into his

implementation of a new ERP computer system,

new role. Peters brings a wealth of experience

to the construction of brand new 21,000sq ft

and, according to a company statement, is the

building and the introduction of a new

ideal choice to lead the business forward and

warehouse management system. All represent

efficiency and improve quality procedures in

develop new opportunities for the company as

a multi-million pound investment from the

line with its BRC accreditation.

a whole.

company to provide greater operational

WWW.RAMONHYGIENE.CO.UK

ABM UK names new MD ABM UK has announced that Nick Tanti has been

UK’s customers. Previously a divisional director at

appointed managing director of the company’s

the firm for over 10 years, Tanti has built a successful

journey as an HVAC electrically-biased

hard services arm, ABM Technical Solutions.

relationship with ABM UK’s varied customer base,

apprentice, I have seen the different roles that

which includes British Land, Hammerson, BNP

are key to success in our business. It’s important

Paribas, and the Museum of London.

to demonstrate to the next generation of

ABM Technical Solutions works with customers across the UK, providing a range of technical services including but not limited to energy,

“Nick has been an asset to the ABM family for

Nick Tanti said: “Having started my career

engineers that you can succeed to the highest

electrical and HVAC solutions as well as the

over a decade and having begun his career as

levels of leadership in our industry. I feel a real

projects team which oversees electric vehicle

an apprentice in 1987, he brings vast experience

affinity with everyone who works as part of

charge point installation. This part of the business

in the hard services industry,” said Scott

the ABM team. There have been many turning

also has invaluable involvement with ABM UK’s

Giacobbe, chief revenue officer at ABM. “Nick’s

points in recent years to create the ABM UK we

apprenticeship and J.E.E.P schemes, both working

story of working his way into leadership roles is

see today. This journey is one that each and

to close the engineering skills gap in the UK.

one that communicates the values of the ABM

every one of my colleagues has contributed

Group well. He will be responsible for driving

to and I am honoured to lead ABM Technical

business operations to the group’s 2020 vision,

growth by leveraging our breadth of services

Solutions at such an exciting time.”

delivering industry solutions and insights to ABM

throughout the UK.”

WWW.ABM.CO.UK

In his new role, Nick Tanti will continue to align

Manchester Fort ‘recycling champion’ WORKING together to develop innovative and

and improves the experience for our customers

sustainable waste and recycling processes across

and tenants. My team on-site has been crucially

the 325,000sq/ft Manchester Fort Shopping

important in ensuring the success of the sorting

Centre site, B&M Waste Services and the facilities

of waste on-site, and B&M Waste has ensured our

team have awarded Manchester Fort employee

recycling levels have increased and production of

Keith Johnson ‘recycling champion’ for his

single use items has started to decrease across the

pivotal role in aiding the implementation of a

site. Well done to Keith for all his hard work and

the facilities team to reduce single use plastics

successful recycling strategy.

becoming the first of many recycling champions

produced. Our next project for food waste

at Manchester Fort. We look forward to our next

minimisation will include on-site training of

as well as promoting the reduction across

project with B&M Waste in which we are looking to

tenants which will highlight the impact reducing

the site of single use plastic where possible.

reduce food waste produced on-site.”

food waste will have on the environment. Food

Food waste recycling has been a key element,

Steve Dale, key account manager from B&M

waste will be separated from other waste and sent

waste are all separated and sorted on-site with

Waste, said: “I am always happy to support Derek

directly to anaerobic digestion to generate power.

Johnson’s help. He is responsible for loading the

and the team with ongoing improvements to

As a carbon neutral company we always focus

baler and compactor on-site as well as moving

minimise waste production on-site and ensure

on sustainable waste management solutions for

waste around site on a carbon zero electric truck.

as much as possible of the waste produced

our customers. I’d like to congratulate Keith and

Cardboard, wood, metal, food, glass, and general

is recycled. The waste minimisation ideas are

entire Manchester Fort team for the significant

fantastic working with B&M Waste which has helped

ongoing, and the focus at the moment is to

improvements they’ve helped to achieve.”

develop a recycling process which suits our needs

work with the tenants and customers as well as

WWW.BAGNALLANDMORRIS.COM

Derek Askew, centre manager, said: “It’s been

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NOVEMBER 2019 13

C&M BICSc

Measure twice, cut once ‘Not a lot of people know this’ but I am not a great fan of DIY – in fact I refer to it as DYI (do yourself an injury).

It is a classic example of people attempting a task possibly without any training and overreaching their capabilities… let alone overreaching on a step ladder! My father was a tradesman and could turn his hand to most DIY jobs. His phrase was ‘measure twice, cut once’ which in effect means ‘get it right first time’.

Recently I had a short spell in hospital, although not as a result of a DIY misadventure. I am not uncomfortable when I go to hospital but I tend to focus on anything but the forthcoming operation/ surgical procedure. My recent visit to Daisy Ward filled me with foreboding, so I concentrated on the helpful information and statistics which were being displayed on the screen in the reception area. For example, 95% of all patients found their treatment to be good or exceptional. I am not sure what happened to the other 5%!

I also read with interest the uniform policy. Dark blue uniform signifies the nurse in charge, grey uniform for occupational health and light blue uniform for the cleaner! Two slides further, there was staff allocation: one housekeeper am, one housekeeper pm. When I enquired of hospital staff

did this mean there were four cleaning operatives employed within the facility nobody knew!

Now to the point of this column which is get it right first time. When the process is set and gives no flexibility for lateral thinking from the cleaning operative, the type of scenario which is about to unfold is inevitable. After waking up at 7.30am the day after my operation - not pushing up daisies but being on Daisy Ward - I got my first glimpse of the cleaner/housekeeper not wearing a light blue uniform, because in fact they were a contractor. I was the only patient (customer) in the four bedded bay and, in fact, the whole ward at that time. But the process had to be followed so every accessible piece of floor space was dust control mopped. Then random spot mopping occurred, after which I AM RELIABLY INFORMED THE SPANKEY was deployed. Unfortunately, the cleaning operative/ cleaner/housekeeper had for some unknown reason made a modification to the spankey and had tied their blue microfibre cloth to the end, thus allowing them to flick dust further and faster than needed.

I do not blame the cleaning operative for any of this because the deployment of labour, the

process and methodology are all management/ supervision issues. It is easier to do what you always do when you have been taught by rote.

The best example I can give of this was when I first joined the cleaning industry in the mid-70s. I worked with a colleague whose first job was a Saturday boy at Harrods in the knitwear department. Martin followed his training to the letter, by rote in fact. One day, an impressive-looking gentleman walked in and he greeted him with a slight bow of the head. ‘Good morning sir, how may I assist you?’

The gentleman concerned was interested in V-neck Cashmere sweaters (great commission opportunity thought Martin) and went on to purchase three of said sweaters. ‘Would you like them gift wrapped sir?’ ‘No, that will not be necessary as they are for myself,’ he replied.

‘Would you like them delivered?’ ‘Yes please,’ came the reply. ‘Could I have a name please sir?’ ‘King Constantine of Greece,’ he replied.

‘Could I have an address please sir?’ ‘The Ritz, Piccadilly, W1,’ he replied. So, Martin then said to him: ‘Can I have the room number please sir?’ King Constantine replied: ‘I think you will find there is only one King Constantine of Greece.’

This is probably the biggest issue of learning by rote as there is no room for free thinking!

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CONTRACTS C&M

Delivering value to care homes IN June 2019, Fairfield Care enlisted Robert Scott to complete a cleaning product audit and offer recommendations for a group of residential care homes that specialise in the care of dementia patients. The group, which manages three care homes across the south east of England, wanted to modernise its cleaning regime and consolidate its extensive list of cleaning equipment and products to make efficiencies for staff and improve surroundings for residents.

Kelly Brierley, key account manager at Robert Scott, visited all three care homes to carry out an in-depth cleaning audit to provide product recommendations and demonstrations. Robert Scott also delivered training on implementing the new cleaning system to ensure the janitorial staff would get the best results from the products once installed. Brierley said: “Due to the needs of residents and staff within, we wanted to introduce a system that centred around microfibre. Microfibre is by far the most effective material for immediate cleaning of healthcare environments. Microfibre mops and cloths are designed to clean surfaces without the need for chemicals, which means that cleaners can improve sustainability and dramatically reduce costs while eliminating the need for certain chemicals and excessive amounts of water. A damp microfibre mop pad dries in approximately two minutes, whereas a traditional cotton mop could take upwards of

Moving on to the middle, Brierley focused

used throughout the homes. Kelly Brierley

10 minutes. From the offset, it was important

on all reachable surfaces such as tabletops

continued: “Since implementing the new

to reduce the amount of water that was being

and counters. For these areas, Duop Reach was

three-product regime, the homes have

used in the current cleaning regime to benefit

introduced due to its versatility and extendable

benefitted from cutting costs on equipment,

the residents in each home. People with

handle which features an ergonomic ball

a reduction in chemicals and water usage and

dementia often mistake wet, freshly cleaned

and socket joint, making cleaning easy and

happy staff who now have a set of ergonomic

surfaces for pools of water, which can be quite

strain-free for the user. It also reduces repetitive

tools at their disposal. The group also reaps

confusing for them. Additionally, a reduction in

injuries caused by bending, kneeling, wrist

the rewards from an easier ordering system,

excess water, particularly on floors, will lessen

flexing, twisting, and stretching.

eliminating the need to physically shop for

the risk of slip and trip hazards.”

Finally, Brierley looked at the bottom of a

products as they were doing previously.

space including floors, skirting boards and

Fairfield Care and Robert Scott can now

uses a tried and tested top-middle-bottom

any low-down areas, such as under beds and

generate an order form which means products

analysis that ensures all areas are taken into

furniture in a resident’s room and in communal

will automatically be replaced before running

consideration when carrying out an audit.

areas. It was here that the biggest difference was

out, reducing admin time for busy staff.”

Starting at the top, Kelly Brierley focused on

seen when Robert Scott’s Pro-mist Mop System

high-reach areas, including windows, door

was installed. The tool features a removable

manager at Fairfield Care, added: “We knew we

panels and tops of wardrobes. Here, the Flexi

bottle and spray trigger and delivers a fine mist

could count on Robert Scott for an intelligent

Cleaning Tool, a handheld tool which bends

of solution directly to the cleaning surface,

solution to an age-old problem that many

into shape to clean hard to reach areas, was

removing the need for buckets or constant

businesses have. With no stone left unturned,

recommended. The microfibre sleeve attracts

wringing of traditional cotton mop heads.

Kelly not only considered the practical cleaning

Upon entering a space, Robert Scott

Theresa O’Neill, business development

The new system means that Robert

needs of the residential homes, but she gave

or damp for tougher cleaning tasks, while the

Scott has consolidated a cleaning trolley

thought to the needs of the cleaning staff and

bendable tool eliminates the need for steps or

full of products, tools and chemicals down

residents, finding a solution that fits all.”

ladders, making it a safer solution.

to just three core products that could be

WWW.ROBERT-SCOTT.CO.UK

and holds dust and can be used dry for dusting

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NOVEMBER 2019 15

C&M SPONSORED FEATURE

From Ho Ho Ho to No No No - top tips for managing Christmas waste With the festive season just around the corner, it won’t be long before Christmas cards start arriving, office decorations go up and the party season begins. Grundon Waste Management’s Kirsti Santer says planning ahead and understanding what you can and can’t recycle will put you in Father Christmas’s good books both at home and at work.

Over the Christmas period, our homes and businesses routinely create 25% more waste than usual. The online shopping frenzy that begins in earnest with November’s Black Friday deals is guaranteed to deliver an avalanche of cardboard packaging, while Christmas festivities promise a veritable feast of food, plastic and glass waste.

By planning ahead and considering the need for additional collections and/or cancelling collections when company shutdowns take place, facilities managers and cleaning companies have an important role to play in making sure waste management and recycling runs as smoothly as possible.

The flex factor Our advice is to talk to your customers, discuss any requirements for changes to collection days or times and give 16 NOVEMBER 2019

your waste management company as much notice as possible. A good waste management supplier will be flexible and able to make any necessary changes, for example, providing extra collections or supplying additional compactors or balers to cope with increased amounts of cardboard, and laying on extra food waste collections.

Remember that cardboard alone is a high value recyclable item and, properly managed, it can earn the Christmas gift of a rebate on waste management costs. From a purely practical point of view, ensure your teams break down the cardboard boxes first in order to save space.

cutting back. If you have a role in festive food planning, then don’t over-order and let food go to waste. If possible, either ensure any leftover food is given to colleagues or guests to take home, or at the very least ensure it is segregated into separate food waste containers ready for collection and sending to anaerobic digestion facilities.

And if your facilities management team has a part to play in organising an in-house event, then why not make a retro move and opt for china plates, cutlery and glasses that can go in the dishwasher, as opposed to disposable plastic plates and cutlery that can’t easily be recycled.

Party planning Whether eating in or going out for Christmas parties, the same messages apply - food waste rises dramatically as no-one wants to be seen as a Scrooge by

It’s a wrap One of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to recycling at Christmas is to place their used wrapping paper WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

SPONSORED FEATURE C&M

into their recycling bin. Wrapping paper which is glossy, laminated or contains glitter or foils cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your general waste bin. This is because the paper mills that recycle the paper fibres and turn them into new paper products find it virtually impossible to separate the metallic and plastic elements of this wrapping paper, with these materials acting as contaminants.

Our advice is to reuse wrapping paper where possible, but if you’re purchasing paper this year opt for brown paper or use alternatives, such as reusable tote shopping bags or fabric wraps.

Discard the card As well as wrapping paper, most Christmas cards also hit the ‘too difficult to recycle’ pile as they often feature glitter, foil and other sparkly decorations. They must go into a general waste bin and, if they are novelty cards with small lithium-ion batteries that play suitably corny tunes, then these are classed as hazardous waste and must be removed before disposal.

All batteries must be disposed of separately and safely, and the easiest option in a business environment is to invest in a Grundon Haz-Box which can fit neatly into a cupboard or under a desk. It provides the perfect

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way to dispose of small quantities of hazardous wastes that should not be placed into other waste streams.

Tips for trees and decorations Many homes and businesses will have a proud Christmas tree and whether you prefer real or fake, take time to consider the recycling implications.

Real trees can be recycled and turned into chippings for parks.

Some local authorities have special collections or organise drop-off points and local charities will often collect in return for a donation.

Otherwise the trees can be taken to your household waste recycling centre. Please check with your local authority for more information.

Fake trees can certainly last longer

but when their time has come, then they need to go into general waste and don’t forget that fairy lights are actually Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), another reason why a Haz-Box can come in handy.

Tinsel and baubles cannot usually be recycled either, so they must go into general waste.

Look forward to a greener 2020 By following the tips and advice above, we hope you, your customers and your families can move towards a greener 2020. If you would like more information and advice on waste management, please contact: info@grundon.com 01753 686 777 www.grundon.com

NOVEMBER 2019 17

C&M BCC COLUMN

Operating within the ‘gig economy’ Stephen Munton, director and founder of the Domestic Cleaning Alliance, reports.

OVER the last decade, the term ‘gig

14 million people work in the UK gig economy. McKinsey says solutions

economy’ has become part of our

need to be found to the problem

everyday language, and the

sector. However, whilst demand for cleaning services remains high, it can be difficult for the providers of cleaning services to cope with the

process itself an established

of benefits, income security

peaks and troughs. For instance, in December

part of UK life. Broadly

and training, but even so its

many people want their homes deep cleaned

speaking, the gig economy

survey found the majority

before Christmas, but in the chaotic days which

is a working environment

of independent workers in

follow the celebrations, some clients may need

allowing people to benefit

all countries participated by

to cancel their regular appointments.

Holiday homes and serviced accommodation

choice and were attracted by the

from flexible hours, with control

flexibility and autonomy.

over how much time they work as

This is certainly borne out by what

they juggle other priorities in their lives.

can also make it difficult to allocate cleaning operatives to jobs, as it can often be short-

many of our members have told us - often their

notice work within specific timeframes. Where

paid for the ‘gigs’ they do, instead of receiving

cleaning operatives are mums with small children,

self-employed workers are used, it can make

a regular wage. Typical jobs include couriers,

looking for local work fitting around school

the process easier to administer, since the

ride-hailing cab drivers, and video producers.

hours, and without too much commitment.

work can be irregular and the number of hours

Whilst the name may be new, the process

The potential benefits with the gig economy

offered each week variable.

Workers are usually self-employed and get

The self-employed model fits perfectly well

isn’t. The UK domestic cleaning industry has

are clear - employers only pay when the work is

long been staffed by people who have registered

available and have reduced responsibilities, while

with the gig economy, though the legal battles

as self-employed. Frequently, the work has

workers should be able to choose when to work.

have caused concern amongst our industry

been offered by cleaning ‘agencies’ which exist

Employers, however, have far less control than

sector since there no black and white guidelines

to match clients with cleaning operatives and

they would if they employed staff on a payroll

as to what makes someone a potential employee

then leave both parties to make their own

and, because workers are classed as independent

or genuinely self-employed. Currently, it would

arrangements as to when the cleaning is carried

contractors, it means they may have no

take a court to decide, and only then on a case-

out - although in recent times it seems more and

protection against unfair dismissal, and no right to

by-case basis.

more fully-managed cleaning companies are

redundancy payments or sickness pay.

These aspects have proved contentious, and

using self-employed workers too.

The government has promised to bring in new legislation to classify workers in the

there have been several court cases against

new economy, but this could be years away.

themselves, or has a combination of their own

employers such as Pimlico Plumbing and Uber,

In the meantime, we advise our members to

clients as well as taking work from one or

which found that the companies had to grant

read the guidelines on Gov.uk and decide for

more companies or agencies - there are

sick and holiday pay to their casual workers.

themselves how best to engage their workers.

Sometimes the worker sources work for

Our own research indicates that since the end

several possibilities.

The Domestic Cleaning Alliance is a member of

So, how big is the gig economy? The 2016

of World War II there has been an apparent lack

the British Cleaning Council. The views of council

McKinsey Global Institute report says that some

of people coming into the UK domestic cleaning

members are their own.

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

18 NOVEMBER 2019

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A JOB WORTH DOING - A CONTRACTOR’S BLOG C&M

How do you spread best practice in commercial cleaning?

Lee Andrews, CEO of DOC Cleaning, reports.

I was recently invited to contribute to a

whole string of generic accreditations,

publication called The Parliamentary

such as ISO9001, 14001 and 45001,

Review on the subject of best practice

Safecontractor and so on. A quick

in commercial cleaning. It gave me the

look at the footer of an established

opportunity to talk about the work we

contractor’s letterhead or website is

are doing at DOC, but it also made me

testament to the lengths they go to

stop and think. How do we actually

reassure clients of their reliability.

spread best practice in our industry?

The fact is cleaning is

Biological Stain & Odour Eradicator

for life’s little accidents

As anyone who reads my column knows, I feel strongly that we need a single standard that covers

a highly fragmented

both front line training

industry, where it is easy for a new

and the management

company to compete

of cleaning companies

Micro Clean

with much larger

as a whole. It has been

Biological Stain & Odour Eradicator

existing outfits without

tried with CIMS (Cleaning Industry Management

risking too much in financial terms. There’s

Standard) from ISSA. CIMS is

nothing wrong with that, as any

promoted as a cleaning-specific, whole

industry needs challenger companies

company management accreditation

coming in and shaking things up with

that saves contractors having to bend

a fresh approach. However, ease of

generic accreditations to our industry’s

market entry also means companies

requirements. It’s not clear why it hasn’t

can launch themselves into the

taken off in the UK, as it is an auditable

market without fully understanding

standard with similar costs to ISO9001.

the challenges of cleaning and, if this

Perhaps our own associations could

leads to service problems, it can easily

develop something similar?

reinforce scepticism on the client side

Either way, a hands-on industry

about the ability of our industry to

accreditation that can become an

regulate itself properly.

auditable symbol of quality, recognised

Which brings me to my point.

both within the industry and by clients

I’ve always been concerned that,

is something I believe our industry

as hard as our UK trade bodies and

needs. If it means ‘educating’ the

professional associations work given

client community to understand its

their limited resources, without their

value, then that is a challenge which

own management accreditation it is

can be met by enlisting the help of

difficult for them to permeate best

the wider FM family, with a concerted

practice as well or as forcefully as

public relations campaign targeted at

they might do. BICSc, of course, offers

explaining the benefits of appointing a

comprehensive training for front-line

contractor with the standard. But what

operatives, albeit at a cost. Both BICSc

an incentive for contractors to sign up

and the CSSA promote a general code

to it, if it could be shown that client

of conduct to which members must

organisations genuinely valued it, or

adhere. However, membership of

better still required it.

our professional associations does

Anything that spreads good practice

not in any auditable sense confer

and helps raise the bar in our industry

competent status on members or

has got to be good for the industry

enforce adherence to standards. Which

as a whole. As is often the case in our

means that to boost credibility with

industry, however, it’s not as simple as

potential clients, contractors must

it sounds.

additionally acquire and adapt a

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NOVEMBER 2019 19

C&M

HAND HYGIENE

Hand hygiene - outside the hospital We all know that hand hygiene is crucial in the healthcare sector. But how important is it in other environments such as the office, restaurant kitchen and takeaway, asks Essity’s Jeremy Bennett?

HAND hygiene is often described as the single most important element in preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections in hospitals. According to NICE, around 300,000 NHS patients a year in England alone acquire a healthcare-associated infection at a cost to the NHS of more than £1 billion annually.

As a result, healthcare staff are frequently the target of campaigns aimed at persuading them to improve their hand hygiene practices.

These include surveillance systems, badges that light up when hand-washing has taken place, posters, stickers, and training courses highlighting the importance of hand washing.

Good hand hygiene is crucial in healthcare where vulnerable patients are already immunocompromised and where staff are constantly checking patients’ wounds before going on to tend to others. But how important is it in other environments? For example, when we buy a sandwich from a corner café or a loaf from the

rating, the same is not true of England, and

companies have mooted the high-five or fist-

bakery, how do we know how clean the vendor’s

Scotland has its own scheme. So an English

bump as alternative forms of greeting, and in fact

hands are? And should we ask? Similarly when

business with a poor hygiene rating could well

research has shown that a handshake transfers

dining in a restaurant, how can we be sure that

continue to operate under the radar.

significantly more bacteria on to the recipient’s

the beautifully-crafted dish on the table in front

The wearing of gloves is not compulsory for

hands than either of these methods of greeting

of us has been hand-finished by a chef who

food handlers - and in any case not everyone

due to the difference in the surface area with

operates within good hygiene protocols?

is convinced of the hygiene benefits they offer.

which the hand comes into contact. However,

Evidence suggests that people who prepare

senior executives might find it inappropriate to

we also need to pay close attention to hand

and serve food while wearing gloves tend

give fist-bumps or high-fives to their customers

hygiene. For example in offices and exhibition

to wash their hands less often than others -

and colleagues. And in any case, these salutes

centres, people are constantly meeting co-

and this could be a real issue if those gloves

are not ideal since they lead to the transfer of a

workers and customers who traditionally greet

happen to become punctured and the food

certain amount of bacteria themselves.

each other with a handshake. But how clean

worker’s germs are able to escape through

Office washrooms should therefore provide

will that co-worker’s hands be?

any small holes to permeate the foodstuffs.

plenty of user-friendly hand washing facilities in

There is also no clear recommendation on

the form of foam or liquid soap and disposable

the food service industry and all businesses

how frequently gloves should be changed. So

hand towels. The Tork PeakServe Continuous

receive a hygiene rating from the Food

a food service worker could be wearing the

Hand Towel is becoming increasingly popular

Standards Agency. This applies to every outlet

same gloves to perform several tasks including

in workplace washrooms which are typically

from top-class restaurants to takeaways, cafes

handling raw meat, making sandwiches and

serviced only once a day. The dispenser serves

and smaller bakeries where home-made

giving customers their change.

more than 1000 guests between refills which

There are other environments in which

Hand hygiene is particularly important in

sandwiches are offered as a sideline. Inspectors

In office environments it is becoming

means a continuous supply of towels will be assured throughout the working day.

consider the overall cleanliness of the facilities

increasingly common to ‘hot-desk’ and also to

and assess how hygienically the food is

have lunch at one’s temporary workstation. So

handled, prepared, cooked, and re-heated.

anyone suffering from a cold or other illness

Tork Alcohol Foam Hand Sanitiser is becoming

However, this is rather a vague remit and one

might be transferring their germs on to a

increasingly common in office settings to allow

that relies heavily on trust, since the inspector

shared desk where another worker might pick

people to discreetly sanitise their hands when

will have to assume that standards will continue

them up and ingest them with their lunchtime

they feel the need. The Tork Hygiene Stand

to be maintained after their visit.

sandwich or wrap.

works well in an office or conference centre

In any case, while it is compulsory in Wales and Northern Ireland to display one’s hygiene 20 NOVEMBER 2019

Hand-shaking is still widely carried out between colleagues in the workplace. Some

The provision of alcohol gels such as the

since the free-standing unit accommodates a Continued on Page 22.

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C&M

HAND HYGIENE

Keeping hands clean…and green Mark Jankovich, CEO at Delphis Eco, discusses the use of eco-friendly hand hygiene products, born ‘out of an urgent need to reconsider the consumable products we’ve all come to depend on’.

ONE of the key challenges for operators

to market several years ahead of competitors.

is ensuring effective supply of hand wash

Additionally, the labels for all its bottles are

products for the washroom and ensuring

printed with vegetable ink and boxes are made

they are clearly displayed, easily accessible

from 100% recycled cardboard (even the liner

and kept topped up and clean, with effective

is recycled).

Here at Delphis Eco we offer a full collection

hand dryers situated in close proximity to

of hand hygiene products including anti-

the sink.

bacterial hand soap, hand soap and hand

The stats are widely known - most people only wash their hands for six seconds and

sanitiser foam. For ease of use, we also offer

around 33% of people don’t use soap

operators refill bottles for many of our products,

when washing their hands. Up to 80% of

and a foaming trigger head.

The extensive range is phosphate free and

communicable diseases are transferred by

contains no or very little VOCs, which are some of

touch. Perhaps what is less well known is that

the most damaging contents historically found

damp hands are 1000x more likely to spread bacteria than dry hands.

are made from all natural products (ie, non-

in hand hygiene chemicals. All the company’s

toxic green cleaning chemicals) and are made

products are plant based, ecological and readily

things in the prevention and control of many

here in Britain. Not only are they sustainable

biodegradable, yet proved in tests to remain 98%

illnesses. Good hand hygiene will reduce the

in their use (no caustic abrasives) but the

more effective than their competitors.

risk of illnesses like flu, food poisoning and

sustainability piece has moved a step further

healthcare associated infections being passed

on with technological advancement playing

be ‘clean AND green’. And, let’s dispel the myth

from person to person.

a major role. All Delphis Eco products are

that green products aren’t able to provide heavy

packaged using 100% HDPE recycled plastic,

duty solutions - they can!

which is believed to be a ‘UK first’ and brought

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Hand hygiene is one of the most important

Delphis Eco’s hand hygiene products are not only effective, affordable and sustainable - they

We always say to our customers that you can

Continued from Page 20. bottle of Tork sanitiser as well as a box of Tork Facial Tissues. It therefore provides staff and visitors with easy access to hygiene facilities in a prominently-placed display which can be positioned in reception areas, meeting rooms and other shared office spaces.

Hand santiser gel may be offered in food outlets, too, but this should never be a substitute for thorough hand washing and drying. Plentiful sinks should therefore be made available and mild soaps and soft towels should

spotlight should be focused most strongly

drying a comfortable and painless experience

on the healthcare industry where thorough

for staff. Tork Extra Mild Foam Soap and Tork

washing and drying is crucial. However, anyone

Extra Mild Liquid Soap work well here because

who works closely with the public or who serves

they help to protect frequently-washed hands

food should pay close attention to their hand

from chapping and soreness. Tork Extra Mild

hygiene and abide by a strict regime. Posters,

Liquid Soap is also available in a mini dispenser

training schemes and strategically-placed signs

for smaller premises such as cafes and bakeries.

that remind staff to wash their hands before

An extra soft towel such as the Tork Xpress

22 NOVEMBER 2019

It is understandable that the hand hygiene

be supplied to make frequent washing and

returning to work are all helpful, but washroom

Extra Soft Multifold Hand Towel will provide

hygiene companies can play their part too by

a gentle hand-dry and minimise the risk of

providing user-friendly products that prevent

chapping and soreness. This is also available in

hand hygiene from becoming a chore.

a mini version for smaller premises.

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C&M

HAND HYGIENE

New approaches to hand hygiene Research into WHO guidelines suggests other techniques may be quicker, easier and more effective.

THE importance of hand hygiene has been

when followed correctly. However, following

after touching patients; and after touching

understood and accepted for a long time. The

all six steps correctly in the real world can

patient surroundings.

majority of infections - around 80% according

sometimes be difficult. Researchers wanted to

to studies - are passed by hand to hand contact

test if alternative, simpler techniques could be

between 20 and 40% of healthcare associated

or by touching a contaminated surface. This is

just as effective.

infections arise when a healthcare worker

But despite progress, studies suggest

passes pathogens from one patient to the

why hand hygiene and surface disinfection are

One study compared the WHO’s current

critical to infection prevention in hospitals, care

six-step hand rub method with a three-step

next. The latest thinking is for a more targeted

homes and other settings.

method that involved covering the entire

approach that encompasses hand hygiene and

One would imagine that hand hygiene

hand with alcohol rub and then focusing on

surface disinfection.

would be the easiest of everyday activities to

the fingertips and thumbs. The results were

get right. We all learn at an early age to wash

significant and, to many, surprising. The three-

disinfected daily, as before, but additional

our hands before eating and after going to the

step method was more effective at reducing

attention is paid to frequent touch and high-risk

toilet. But studies have shown that relatively

the levels of bacteria on the subjects’ hands.

surfaces. In practice, this has been distilled into

large numbers of people forget - or refuse - to

A separate study focused on the fingertips

five critical points: before placing food/drink

do this. Even in settings such as hospitals,

because these are generally accepted to be

on over-bed tables; after procedures involving

where poor hand hygiene can have serious

the most contaminated part of the hand - this

faeces or respiratory secretions within the

consequences, studies suggest that processes

intuitively makes sense because it is quite

patient bed-space; before/after any aseptic

can be improved, compliance rates increased

possible to touch and hold all manner of

practice; after patient bathing (within bed-

and infection rates reduced.

surfaces and objects with the fingers alone.

space); after any object used by/on a patient

Trials of a fingertip-first method of hand

touches the floor.

Despite established and robust infection

All areas in care settings are cleaned and

prevention procedures, studies show that

hygiene demonstrated a greater reduction in

For its part, the cleaning and hygiene

infection rates in hospitals run at around

the number of bacteria than the existing six-

industry continues to develop innovations

10% of all patients. While this is far lower

step methodology.

that help to make processes simpler, safer

than in the past, many facilities have found

Alongside new and improved hand hygiene

and more sustainable while improving

it difficult to reduce the rate further. This

techniques like these, attention has turned to

performance and infection rates. Diversey

is why current thinking is towards more

when health workers should clean their hands.

offers a wide range of hand hygiene and

effective hand hygiene processes and

The World Health Organisation’s ‘Five Moments

surface disinfection products for healthcare

focusing on critical tasks.

of Hand Hygiene’ initiative has helped reduce

and other settings. As a leading supplier with

The recommended procedure for using hand

infection rates in healthcare settings. These

years of experience, the company can advise

rubs, for example, proscribes six separate steps.

recommend healthcare workers wash their

on the right combination of products for every

This is a tried and tested technique that is

hands before touching patients; before clean/

setting and situation.

known to be effective at reducing infection rates

aseptic procedures; after body fluid exposure;

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24 NOVEMBER 2019

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

HAND HYGIENE

Does money make the germs go round?

C&M

Lemon Floor Gel

Lemon scented hard surface cleaner

When you consider the multitude of germs that can be present on our coins and notes, we may be in danger of getting more than we bargained for when making purchases or sales.

Chris Wakefield, vice president, European marketing and product development at GOJO Industries – Europe, reports.

OVER the past few years, the

infections can spread so quickly and

rise in technology and the

easily at the point of purchase.

your smartphone has prompted

A helping hand to prevent infection

a decline in paying for goods with

One of the simplest ways to prevent

physical money. However, despite

the transmission of germs is to practice

this, there were still 13.1 billion

good hand hygiene. Many studies

cash payments made in the UK

published over the last 20 years have

in 2017 [1]. That’s a lot of coins

proved that it can break the chain of

and notes in circulation that are

infection, helping to prevent the spread

being passed between customers

of germs and boost health, well-being

and vendors, as well as between

and productivity.

contactless, credit card or even

friends and family.

Have you ever stopped to think

At GOJO, we believe in making hand hygiene second nature

about the multitude of germs that

to everyone. This requires a

are present on our money? While

combination approach, from

catering businesses generally

providing access to effective

ensure that cash is not held by the

and easy to use dispensers

same hand, or hands, that prepare

and technologically advanced

food, the rest of us are probably

formulations, to influencing hygienic

not so careful - with potentially

behaviour through eye-catching

detrimental impacts to our health.

notices and posters.

A recent study undertaken by London Metropolitan University [2]

put cash under the microscope

As well as ensuring there are hand washing and sanitising facilities in washrooms, businesses

to find out just how dirty money

should also consider installing

is. The results were shocking - the

hand sanitiser dispensers at the

research discovered 19 different

point of purchase. We’ve become

types of bacteria, two life-threatening

used to seeing hand sanitising

superbugs including MRSA on coins

products in healthcare settings, and

and notes, as well as listeria on 20p,

in high traffic areas such as airport

50p and £1 coins.

washrooms. So, given the potential

When you also consider that up

sense that they should become a

by touching the same object after

more commonplace sight at point

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impacts on our health, it makes

to 14 people can be contaminated another [3], it is easy to see how

Lemon Scented Hard Surface Cleaner Fast removal of daily grease & grime.

convenience of paying by

Continued on Page 27.

NOVEMBER 2019 25

C&M

HAND HYGIENE

Touch-free technology could transform our washrooms Jamie Woodhall, technical and innovations manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene, reports.

WHETHER it’s walking into a room and the

each visitor to wash and dry their hands before

lights come on automatically or a personal

returning to their workstation. People rarely

assistant on our mobile phone making calls and

wash their hands for long enough (20-30

appointments for us, hands-free technology

seconds is recommended) and do not always

is everywhere, and is helping us through our

dry their hands properly, which is important

lives without us necessarily realising it. The

as damp hands spread up to 1000 times more

convenience-led benefits of this technology

bacteria than dry hands.

Automatic taps and dryers, as well as

stretch from enabling us to add food to our shopping list without needing to find a pen and

no-touch soap, paper towel and sanitiser

paper, walk through doors without having to

dispensers, mean the user does not have to

push or pull a handle, or even have the toilet

make direct contact with the unit in order to

flush automatically as we leave the cubicle.

operate them. Using technology like this will not only help to modernise your washroom,

Perhaps one of the most significant benefits

it should greatly reduce the risk of cross

that many will fail to realise is that hands-free technology is also helping to improve our

Jamie Woodhall

hygiene by limiting the amount of shared

contamination and therefore the spread of illness throughout the office.

touch points we encounter. When you consider

particularly vulnerable to harbouring and

that approximately 80% of all infections and

spreading pathogens as they are passed from

It’s a sanitary issue

most bacteria are transmissible by touch, this

person to person through indirect contact

The impact of touch-free technology in the

technology could go a long way in preventing

with shared items such as door handles,

washroom doesn’t end with soap dispensers

the spread of illnesses, especially when a typical

printers, keyboards, computer mice, or

and hand dryers. According to our research,

office worker’s hands encounter 10 million

kitchen items.

54% of women in the UK have experienced a

bacteria per day.

A little extra care in hand hygiene will go a

situation where the washroom did not have

long way in helping to reduce this risk. In its

a personal female hygiene unit. Even if your

Removing the washroom worry

simplest form, hand washing is a three-step

washroom lacks space, every female user

Did you know that one in four office workers

process: wash, dry and sanitise. Equipping

should have access to a sanitary bin within

admit to not washing their hands after visiting

washrooms with enough sinks, soap dispensers

each cubicle to ensure a discreet and hygienic

the washroom? This means offices could be

and hand drying options will help to encourage

washroom experience.

To reduce the risk of bacteria and germs being spread, or the potential blockages caused by women flushing menstrual hygiene products down the toilet, why not consider a no-touch sanitary bin within your washroom cubicles?

This will greatly improve surface hygiene and reduce the transfer of bacteria during the disposal of used sanitary items.

Final thoughts Upholding a fresh and clean washroom environment is vital. But there is also a responsibility in ensuring the services within a washroom - from soap dispensers to sanitary bins - are functional, contemporary and effective. Opting for no-touch options when choosing these products is a great way to guarantee a hassle-free, hygienic washroom experience for everyone.

WWW.INITIAL.CO.UK 26 NOVEMBER 2019

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

HAND HYGIENE

C&M

Versatile solutions

Hygienic Hand Rub for the ultimate in germ-

This doesn’t have to involve large disruption

killing effectiveness. It provides dependable

of sale areas too. This not only protects

or cost. There are solutions on the market,

performance, is simple to use and has a

customers’ and workers’ well-being, but

such as the Purell ES Everywhere System,

small footprint, making it ideal for any point

also has business benefits. After all, with

which are designed to bridge the gap

of sale environment.

a healthier workforce, businesses will lose

between dispensers and bottles. This

fewer days to sickness, and will benefit from

innovative system combines premium

people are to adapt their behaviour, they need

increased productivity.

aesthetics with the trusted Purell Advanced

to be educated on the reasons why this practice

Continued from Page 25.

Along with effective hand hygiene systems, if

at the point of sale is so important. Good skin health and hygiene companies will be able to help with information campaigns.

Although technology is advancing and more of us are moving towards using contactless payment methods, it’s still hard to imagine cash going away anytime soon. Practicing good hand hygiene and supporting others to do the same to help prevent the spread of infection is key.

Taking action at point of sale locations could make a huge difference to our health.

WWW.GOJO.COM [1] www.money.co.uk/guides/revealed-the-lifethreatening-bacteria-on-your-cash.htm [2] www.money.co.uk/guides/revealed-the-lifethreatening-bacteria-on-your-cash.htm [3] Barker J, Vipond IB, Bloomfield SF. J Hosp Infect 2004, 58:42-49

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MCS2020_A4_Print.indd 2

NOVEMBER 2019 27 28/10/2019 10:28

C&M

INNOVATIONS IN SOFTWARE

Workforce management: how to make the most out of your greatest but costliest asset Rick Stoor, MD of Templa, reports.

IN both FM and contract cleaning, the UK’s

The scheduling of work, absence cover and

wage budgets and variances, with workflow

most labour-intensive industry, there is no more

holidays is planned using drag and drop

automating exception approval.

crucial task than the efficient and cost-effective

functionality. Timesheets for all sites affected

• Award interpretation: for our Australian and

management of your front-line operatives. Why?

going forward are updated automatically to

European clients we embed legislative or

Because in today’s ultra-competitive market,

reflect changes.

union-agreed rules, such as overtime terms,

delivering the specification to your clients’

• Time and attendance: shift details keyed into

which are automatically incorporated into pay rates when triggered.

requirements means squeezing every last

TemplaCMS integrate seamlessly with the

ounce of productivity from your labour force.

T&A system at your client premises - which

That means having the right people in the right

could be landline, RFID card, mobile app,

timesheets available to both payroll and

place at the right time and ensuring that staff

or biometric. Non-attendance alerts allow

operations staff, full continuity is built in to

on all contracts complete their rostered shifts in

prompt response to absence and help manage

the system when dealing with operatives’

full and are paid correctly.

lone worker safety. Operations managers see

pay. There is no need to re-key hours from

in real time who is checked in. Short hours

paper timesheets to payroll software, wasting

can be deducted automatically, whilst excess

time and risking data errors. With time and

hours and payments can be avoided.

attendance verifying actual worked hours,

Welcome to the world of workforce management It sounds easy, but as anyone in cleaning/

• Real-time online timesheets: operations

• Payroll administration: with real-time

your commitment to delivering the contract

FM knows, there are several operational and

managers can maintain centralised timesheets

is transparent which promotes improved

administrative hurdles that must be overcome

24/7, with real-time updating of new, varied

client relations. With actual versus budget

to ensure that cleaners work their contracted

or terminated contracts, as well as new

wage costs visible in real-time, any variance is

hours, wages budgets are not overspent, clients

starters and leavers or changes to their terms.

are satisfied, and profit margins remain intact.

Real-time financial control helps you manage

known before the payroll is released.

• Budgets, analytics and dashboards: you

Yes, you can plug in an app here and an app there, but they won’t be connected and they may well cause yet more data duplication in your business.

How does TemplaCMS workforce management work?

Workforce management can be summed up as using a combination of contract management software and tightly integrated mobile apps to manage your staff-related processes. Using the TemplaCMS workforce management system, the diagram shows how you control this vital element of your company’s day-to-day operation.

• Onboarding: new starter details are captured and authorised to an electronic form on our mobile app, along with RTW paperwork and photos, before being synchronised with head office, authorised by HR and saved to the database, creating employee records and contract assignments.

• Roster management: once loaded to the system, staff rosters are viewed and managed by operations managers on line.

28 NOVEMBER 2019

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

INNOVATIONS IN SOFTWARE

C&M

and signatures are fully integrated. No one-off work can be carried out without labour being allocated and the client invoice being created, ensuring that you never fail to invoice clients for work done over and above the routine contract. Customers view invoices and much more via a secure portal.

Why TemplaCMS? To fully embrace digital technology and the benefits it brings, you will manage all these processes with our single, integrated contract management system that uses a central database of contract data to drive each business process. This integrates dynamically with payroll and manage payroll performance against

holiday and change of details. You can also

accounts. There’s no duplication of data

budget and send up-to-date summary

send messages either to individuals or the

entry and no exporting of data between

data on attendance, RTW compliance and

whole company, allowing you to engage

unconnected systems to make it all work.

financial performance to a dashboard seen

promptly with staff on important issues.

With TemplaCMS, workforce management

• Work bills, customer billing and portal:

by your managers every time they log in to TemplaCMS.

is effectively a subset of the wider software

periodic and one-off work assignments

system you use to control your business.

undertaken internally are communicated to

This is what reduces the time you spend

operatives use their smartphones, at a time

your mobile workforce via the mobile app.

on administration, controls your overhead,

convenient to themselves, to view payslips,

Whether work is assigned to site-based staff

protects your margin, and gives you full

holiday and absence data, along with personal

or special works teams on the road, full work

visibility of how the business is performing.

details held on the system. They can request

instructions, wages capture, photographs,

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• Employee portal: your remote working

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NOVEMBER 2019 29

C&M

SPECIAL REPORT

A modern career in cleaning Paul Ashton, CEO at Birkin, reports.

‘When I grow up, I want to work in cleaning.’

floor cleaning machines or online training

How many people grew up saying that?

solutions or employee engagement apps, it is

for every level to provide structured paths

When we reflect on the importance of

an incredibly exciting time.

for everyone and encourage internal

cleaning as a critical daily function of

Here at Birkin we understand that,

• Training and development: bespoke plans

promotion.

business, education and healthcare, why is

regardless of how advanced the technology

this the case?

becomes, the human interface remains

company, our investment in our employees

the critical factor. We therefore place

combined with continued growth creates

excitement, security and, for the ambitious,

great emphasis on training each and every

opportunity for an exciting career in all

an amazing career path. Whether you want

person in all roles to provide them with the

aspects of our business.

a rewarding flexible part-time job to provide

knowledge and support to succeed.

The cleaning industry offers opportunity,

a stable income or work in a head office finance, legal, marketing, or IT, there’s a role

How does Birkin attract and retain talent?

for you.

• Engaged management team: genuinely

function such as operations, sales, HR,

As technology increasingly integrates into commercial cleaning, whether you are front line or back of house, it is changing faster than ever before. The relentless demand

positive, enthusiastic and helpful people who take great pride in supporting our sitebased teams.

• Birkin Star Employee reward scheme

for management information software

we proactively catch our teams going

solutions to provide paperless auditing and

above and beyond so we can recognise

tracking of hours, implementation of robotic

great work.

30 NOVEMBER 2019

• Career progression: as an ambitious

What are the benefits of working in our industry?

• Job security: long term, critical function of any building in every sector for the foreseeable future.

• Increasing use of technology is generating new roles such as ‘business analysts’ and ‘digital marketing executives’ that simply didn’t exist historically.

• Accelerated progression opportunities: if you work hard, show commitment and the

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

SPECIAL REPORT

role is there, there are endless opportunities

real insight for our customers, supply chain

to develop - cleaner > supervisor > contract

and employees.

manager > area manager > regional director > board level director.

• 80% of cleaning shifts are completed before

C&M

Birkin welcomes the implementation of robotic cleaning in the right environment.

Where we have introduced robotics, we’ve

premises open or after they close, meaning the

directly engaged with our site-based teams

ability to work around family commitments

to provide powerful support and maximise

with overtime is readily available.

productivity. For example, robotic floor cleaning has created additional time for

How do we communicate the many aspects of our industry to the younger generation?

the team to complete alternative tasks to improve standards in all aspects.

Birkin shares its day to day achievements

Paul Ashton

and aspects of the company via the powers

Birkin success stories

of social media, a realistic and honest insight

Most companies state that they have a

teams of staff in demanding environments

into working at Birkin.

fantastic team, so industry award and

proved to be a recipe for success. Terry is a

recognition is one way of proving your

great example of a Birkin star who lives and

Embracing technology to drive the cleaning industry forwards

credentials. Birkin is committed to the

breathes our values on a daily basis.

The Birkin App Suite is our bespoke

that you don’t have to be from within the

members of its operational team confirmed

collection of technology platforms that

industry to succeed. Work ethic is key, and

finalists in the BICSc Annual Awards

have allowed our business to be at the

Birkin has successfully found the retail and

‘manager of the year’ category and two more

forefront of the cleaning industry.

hospitality sectors to be great places to

in the European Cleaning Awards 2019 being

Effective systems that make life easier

recruit from.

held in Central London.

require significant investment and

Birkin is extremely proud to have

cleaning industry and acknowledges

Award winner Terry Havens joined Birkin

If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.

commitment but two years on the results

in January 2016 with a background in retail

Birkin believes that the cleaning industry is

speak for themselves. The speed of data

management where his customer service

an awesome place to do just that!

collection, analysis and reporting provide

mindset and experience of leading diverse

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NOVEMBER 2019 31

C&M

SPECIAL REPORT

Protecting the safety and health of window cleaners Paul Thrupp, BCC chairman, reports on a new study into the use of water-fed poles THE British Cleaning Council (BCC) has

course few could argue that the use of water-fed

welcomed the publication of ground-breaking

or other telescopic poles meant that in a lot

advice for window cleaners on how to reduce

of cases we could genuinely avoid working at

the risk of injury when using telescopic water-

height, as the pole systems were mainly used

fed poles. The leaflet, entitled ‘Window cleaning

with both feet safely on the ground. Soon the

poles: how to do it and look after your body’, is

use of ladders for window cleaning had reduced

the result of a revolutionary research initiative

substantially and the use of water-fed poles

and could greatly improve the safety and

became prevalent all around the UK. Many of us in the industry realised,

wellbeing of workers who use water-fed poles

however, that whilst we were addressing the

when cleaning high windows.

Earlier this year, the BCC awarded BCC

work at height issues, our risk assessments

member the Federation of Window Cleaners

showed that we had now introduced some

(FWC) a £2000 grant to allow it to take part in

manual handling challenges and, of course,

an industry-wide partnership also involving

we all introduced control measures and

the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Principle

operating procedures to ensure that that our

Cleaning, Specialist Window Cleaning Ltd, and

window cleaners operated to a safe system

NJC. The partners worked with ergonomic

of work. Most of our control measures were

specialist dorsaVi to produce a guide explaining

based on experience and advice, and this new project provided the opportunity to really

best practice techniques when using waterfed poles in order to decrease the risk of

cleaner overreached. Whilst a ladder used

analyse the effect of using such equipment

musculoskeletal disorders.

correctly was very safe, the human factor could

on the body.

The leaflet advises cleaning operatives on how to set up their workspaces, clean windows

not be overlooked.

Water-fed poles were introduced and these

Prevention is better than cure and this revolutionary initiative has produced, for the

and pack up afterwards. It includes detailed

at first were slow to take off as most window

first time, evidence-based advice to protect the

information on how to position the body when

cleaning professionals would rather get their

safety and health of colleagues using long-

using long or telescopic poles, recommending

hands to the glass and clean with either an

reach equipment. I urge colleagues to read this

using two main techniques - the ‘whole body’

applicator and squeegee or even an old-

very helpful leaflet and think seriously about

and the ‘walk in and away from the wall’ moves.

fashioned leather and scrim, which since the

adopting the practices it recommends.

There has long been concern in the industry

year 2000 or so has now been complemented

This is a great example of the kind of project

that colleagues using this kind of equipment

by the use of microfibre cloths. The introduction

that the BCC supports - schemes that benefit

incorrectly could be exposed to injury which,

of the Work at Height Regulations, however,

the cleaning sector.

in turn, could develop into debilitating long-

meant that we all had a duty to ‘avoid work

term problems.

at height’ where practically possible, and of

Historically, the common way to access lower

DorsaVi uses its unique ViSafe wearable body sensors and software to help identify, prioritise and control injury risk by measuring

level external glass for cleaning was with the

movement profiles and muscle activity in real

use of ladders which were used extensively

work environments. Data generated allowed

throughout the industry and across the UK. It

partners to better understand the impact of

was normal for double and treble extension

using long water-fed poles on the user’s back,

ladders to be used to access the outside of third

shoulders and neck. The study allowed the

or even fourth floor windows.

partnership to identify, validate and establish

The use of ladders presented many health

best practice techniques to minimise the risk

and safety challenges. Most ladders used at

of musculoskeletal disorders. Evidence-based

that time were wooden and these were very

guidance is also being produced for optimal

heavy, and whilst the weight improved stability,

equipment training, including content and data

of course it also introduced manual handling

to integrate into in-house training courses.

issues. But above all the greatest risk was a fall

Customers/users will soon be able to

from height when using ladders which could

download the leaflet in PDF from:

happen if the ladder slipped, or if the window

WWW.F-W-C.CO.UK

32 NOVEMBER 2019

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Products & Services Directory

to advertise call 01737 855086 C and M product services.pdf 1 28/03/2019 13:33:39

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

SOFTWARE / TECHNOLOGY

FULLY INTEGRATED SOFTWARE

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FOR CLEANING/FM CONTRACTORS

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Business Software for Janitorial Distributors

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CMY

| +44 (0)1732 832888 | businessteam@templa.com | www.templacms.co.uk

FEMININE HYGIENE

FEMININE HYGIENE BINS

Brimaid Ltd, Valley Mills Valley Road, Bradford BD1 4RU Tel: 01274 728837 Fax: 01274 734351 www.brimaid.co.uk

GUM REMOVAL

GUM & GRAFFITI REMOVAL

 SELF CONTAINED  MOBILE  VAN OR TRAILER Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment

01403 273 444

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PRODUCT NEWS

COMBINING speed with operator comfort and sweeping performance, Kärcher’s latest addition to the municipal range features a spacious two person cab, all-wheel steering

Kärcher closes the gap in sweeper portfolio

system for easy manoeuvrability and large waste container to keep users on the road for longer. These features are complemented by the environmentally-friendly lowemission EURO Stage 6 or Stage V engines.

The development of the new MC 250 sweeper closes a gap in the Kärcher portfolio, with machines now available in all classes between 0.5 to 6 cubic metres.

For this new sweeper, fine dust and sand particles pose no more of a problem than coarse dirt. The MC 250 delivers good cleaning results as a result of its optimised

air-flow. The sweeper’s individually controlled brush system means dirt in different areas can be easily reached, while the use of the weed brush delivers a more precise cleaning result. A water recirculation system and a separate tank for the dirtied water are also integrated. Everyday machine maintenance is made simple with all service components easy to reach via access points, with the engine also directly accessible thanks to the fold-out water tank.

The MC 250 features many comfort upgrades including: LED lighting in the cab, a USB charging facility as well as a spacious storage area for the driver and passenger. The central display and ergonomic operating panel have been selected after rigorous testing and the hydro-pneumatic suspension on both axles, plus single-wheel suspension on the front axle, means any bumps or uneven ground are comfortably driven over.

WWW.KARCHER.CO.UK

WITH the UK currently suffering a record plague of moths, it would be easy to blame these winged warriors for the random holes that mysteriously appear in our clothes. However, white goods manufacturer Miele says it is often the choice of washing machine to blame.

We’ve probably all experienced it. Buy a new top and next thing you know a little round hole appears in it. The first thought people have is that their house has a moth infestation, and the holes are a result of the moths’ larva feasting on the material. But in many cases, it’s actually their washing machine having a nibble.

Miele reveals the moth myth

Clare Long, business account manager at the Professional division of Miele, explained: “In most washing machine brands, the spin cycle forces small parts of the clothing through the drainage holes on the inner drum, where they catch on the outer drum, creating holes. Also, when washing machine drums are manufactured, sharp edges are often left on them due to low quality control. When clothes, bed linen and towels are washed and reach the side of the drum, items get snagged, again creating holes. The truth is that if your washing machine is made by a brand that doesn’t do enough to avoid snagging, the machine is just as likely to be the culprit. And given that moth larva only feeds on cashmere, silk and wool, holes in clothing made by any other material, such as cotton, is more likely to be a result of the washing machine drum.”

People can avoid clothes getting snagged by washing machine drums if they choose a brand that takes precautions against clothing damage in the machine’s design. For example, Miele has a patented honeycomb drum, which means that items getting washed are pushed away from the sides drum, reducing contact with the holes. Not only that, the drums are double checked for metal snags in the factory by rubbing a silk stocking on the inside - so even when clothes do touch the edge of the drum, there’s no chance of snagging.

WWW.MIELE.CO.UK

34 NOVEMBER 2019

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PRODUCT NEWS

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CLEANING teams continue to face pressure to deliver excellent results while introducing innovations, adding value, improving productivity, and promoting sustainability without adding

Complete cleaning solutions

to costs. That can be a difficult set of criteria to achieve but Diversey offers support with its ability to provide a complete set of products, tools, machines, and services for every aspect of a customer’s cleaning operation from a single source.

The company works with customers to devise, configure and implement fully-integrated solutions that are fine-tuned to business and operational requirements and deliver enhanced

performance and value. The concept of a total solution from a single vendor is not new but it does require that suppliers adapt to business and regulatory pressures and take advantage of new technologies.

Recent innovations from Diversey include: the latest-generation Taski swingobot 2000 robotic

EDITOR

Neil Nixon neilnixon@quartzltd.com 07957 713316 SALES DIRECTOR

Vanessa Van Santen-Smith Vanessavss@quartzltd.com 01737 855041 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Taski floorcare machines and water alone; the IntelliCare hand care system with unique wall-

Michelle Andrews michelleandrews@quartzltd.com 01737 855086

mounted dispenser; Moonbeam3 UV-C disinfection for healthcare settings; and the Taski aero tub

PRODUCTION MANAGER

floor cleaning machine; Twister by Diversey diamond-impregnated floorcare pads for use with

Carol Baird carolbaird@quartzltd.com 01923 437619

and backpack vacuum cleaners. Diversey has also added new Internet of Clean services such as IntelliLinen for laundries and IntelliDish for

MANAGING DIRECTOR

mechanical warewashing to build on its already

Steve Diprose

extensive capabilities in this growing area. Cloud-

CEO

connected services like these are increasingly

Paul Michael

being used to introduce new levels of insight,

PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS & CIRCULATION ENQUIRIES

management and control to deliver improved

Elizabeth Barford subscriptions@quartzltd.com 01737 855028

performance and reduced costs.

WWW.DIVERSEY.COM

NELSON’S new Café Plus dishwasher is designed for the demanding requirements of busy cafés and delis. Calibrated to provide the optimum results across cups, mugs, plates, glasses, and cutlery, Café Plus has seven programmes and can wash up to 60 baskets per hour. Also, it protects delicate items with a soft-start option which gently builds in pressure and prevents chipping, cracking or even breaking.

Warewasher for cafÉs and delis

Thermo-acoustic insulation to the door and wash chamber not only prevents heat from escaping but contributes to the almost silent running of the machine so it’s suitable for front of house siting.

Café Plus features a shallow wash tank that uses the minimum quantities of water and energy necessary to ensure a perfect wash. In fact, the machine draws just 2.5 litres of rinse water per cycle which is then used in the subsequent wash.

Using less water means that filtration becomes more critical and Café Plus is fitted with a 3-part filtration system that maintains water quality by trapping the smallest food particles and dumping them with the

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Quartz Business Media Quartz House 20 Clarendon Road Redhill, Surrey RH1 1QX 01737 855086 www.cleaningmag.com Annual Subscriptions 12 copies per year (10 print & 12 digital) UK: 1 yr £125; 2 yrs: £224 Rest of the world: 1 yr: £174; 2 yrs: £310

coolest, dirtiest wash water at the end of each cycle. A lower volume of water means that less chemicals are required and the peristaltic pump dosing system for detergent and rinse-aid releases the optimum amount per wash cycle.

WWW.NELSONWASH.CO.UK

ISSN: 1473 723X © Quartz Business Media, 2019 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the copyright owner.

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Cardiff, UK

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NOVEMBER 2019 35

Simplification and recognisability are the two keywords at the root of this rebranding.

A font with simple lines was used together with a yellow element – a lightning bolt – symbolising strength and speed, two qualities that reflect Lavorwash’s current objective: to become stronger and more innovative in the world of domestic and professional cleaning.

The launch of this rebranding represents a further milestone in our growth and business development.

Cal Crutchlow Lavor major sponsor - LCR Honda Team

Lavor GB, Unit 18, Park Court, Sullivans Way, St.Helens WA9 5GZ Tel: 01744 738 079 Email: sales@lavorpro.co.uk Website: www.lavorpro.co.uk

Discover the full range at www.lavorpro.co.uk