African Cleaning Review MarchApril '15 issue

PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE AND CLEANING

March/April 2015 | R43.50 (incl. VAT)

Interview with NCCA Gauteng Chairman Washroom hygiene Restaurant food safety Skills programmes for Government hospital cleaners

contents MARCH/APRIL 2015 VoL 16 No. 2

Washroom solutions Costa Lambrianos offers more than just hand drying systems. With the evolution of the hygiene market and the demands for more innovative dispensing systems and turnkey washroom solutions, we now offer a full range of hygiene product in many different ranges, which are customizable to our client’s needs and market demands. Read more about the Harmony range in this issue on page 10.

Interview

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Industry News

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Patrick Makhubela – Professionalism key in changing perceptions

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Betadine® donation in support of fight against Ebola Budget: Some relief for small business New corporate name for Nilfisk-Advance Hand hygiene monitoring specialist announces SA distribution agreement Global partnership for Kärcher and ISS Group Free “bulky waste” removal service Finance Minister pursues cut in UIF contributions Spreading the word about professional cleaning Upswing in global demand in cleaning chemicals

Features

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Laundry Review

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Educational

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Wall-mounted sprays in hospitals “not as effective as soap and water”

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Editorial

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220 skills programmes for government hospital cleaners

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People and Events

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New Products

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Western Cape NCCA golf day European cleaning businesses visit SA Prime Pumas outscrum the opposition

Problem with slippery floors?

New hand dryer technology for upmarket washrooms New green technology generates light from urine

Jul/Aug issue: • Contract cleaning • Hand hygiene • CleantexPulire 2015 exhibition preview and catalogue Sept/oct issue: • Hygiene in healthcare • Outdoor cleaning systems • CleantexPulire 2015 exhibition review Nov/Dec issue: • Hard floor care • Matting systems

10th Edition of CleantexPulire 28–30 July 2015 Gallagher Convention Centre Midrand, Johannesburg

online version of ACR

FM Review

Tips on how to prevent slippery floors Best selling author to speak at US floor safety convention

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in African Cleaning Review, e-squared publications and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright of all material published in African Cleaning Review remains with e-squared publications and its agents.

Diarise the dates

Interview

Nthatisi Vilakazi, Kimberly-Clark Professional* Bigger and more sparkling GSA 2015

All editorial contributions can be sent to the editor who reserves the right to publish editorial based on the strength of its content. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publishers.

May/June issue: • Catering and food hygiene • Chemicals (dispensing systems)

Washroom hygiene Improving the standard of washroom floor cleaning Hospitality Cleaning Food safety – Is your restaurant at risk?

Hot water soluble laundry bag prevents cross contamination Laundry managers achieve 100 percent pass rate SATSA Road Show

African Cleaning Review is aimed at end-users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, Pest Control and Facility Management Services industries.

It is published every other month by: e-squared publications.

Tel: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Fax: +27 (0) 86 672 4794 PO Box 1976, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za Editor/Publisher: Johann van Vuuren +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Features: Teresa Settas +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Advertising: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Administration and Accounts: Nandé Jacobs email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

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from the editor

interview

Professionalism key in changing perceptions Interview with Patrick Makhubela, NCCA Gauteng Chairman

Professionalism, rejuvenation and a new industry body – all bodes well for cleaning in 2015 It is indeed a great relief that the electricity load-shedding programme implemented

by Eskom at the beginning of the year has minimised drastically. It was certainly not the ideal way to start a new year as many businesses large and small were affected with productivity levels regularly interrupted due to a lack of electricity supply. However with the winter looming and the fact that Nersa approved another electricity rate increase, many companies and especially manufacturers have to come up with smart solutions and innovative ways of keeping energy consumption at reasonable levels – a big ask considering that the winter season will unavoidably see the dreaded return of load-shedding.

This issue features an interview with the Gauteng branch Chairman of the NCCA and it underlines the necessity of professionalism within the cleaning industry at a time when contractors have to do more for less return.

This year also sees the re-launch of the Golden Service Awards competition following a break during 2014. We interviewed Kimberly-Clark Professional* Trade Marketing Manager Nthatisi Vilakazi to find out exactly how they want to rejuvenate the competition that rewards service excellence in the professional cleaning sector.

It is also an exciting time for the South African Textile Services Association (SATSA) as the “voice” of the laundry and dry cleaning industry announces the dates of the long awaited Road Show in this issue. I trust you will enjoy the read.

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

In an exclusive interview with African Cleaning Review, National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) Gauteng branch Chairman Patrick Makhubela spoke frankly about the recent changes at the branch office and offers his views on the professional cleaning sector in South Africa.

Role of the NCCA in 2015

Changes in branch administration

Given the various administration difficulties experienced over the past two years, we are keen to implement several changes this year in order to streamline the NCCA Gauteng office activities. The first priority is to improve the way we communicate with our members and in this regard we will be launching a new and interactive website that will enable us to market the NCCA more effectively.

The revamped website will also become a progressively effective and valuable tool for disseminating information like changes in legislation to our members.

The other very important issue is compliance, which is a key aspect for our industry. We have been preaching compliance for the past few years and unfortunately we have not managed to achieve the results. However with effect from 1 April this year we will be implementing changes in the issuing of NCCA membership certificates.

The new annual certificate will not only confirm membership but will also verify compliance in terms of a complete audit to ensure all members are operating within the NCCA’s code of ethics and standards. In a nutshell, in going forward we as the executive, want to ensure that we continue to professionalise the Association in each and every aspect of operation.

Considering the problems encountered in the past with the secretariat not directly accountable to the Chairman, we had to implement certain changes in the administration of the office. The NCCA Gauteng branch has now entered into an agreement with an independent service provider who will be handling the Administration and bookkeeping, an outsourced and independent Administrator that will be accountable to the executive. The Gauteng branch also made a decision to refrain from making any staff appointments within the Association. As far as the office is concerned, it will in future operate as a virtual office for normal activities but will also be available for scheduled member workshops and meetings.

Members’ queries and concerns will be attended to on an appointment basis, as the office will not be manned during the course of the day; however telephone calls will be directed to Ms Sandy Deale, the independent administrator. I am confident that Ms Deale will settle into her new role with relative ease as she brings fresh skills to the position and a background that includes substantial knowledge and a full understanding of how Associations should operate. This will be key in our aim to improve communication to members during the year on a

interview continuous and effective basis. The communications problems should now be in the past.

The value of clean I think we are starting to see more and more end users looking closely at exactly what they are receiving from a cleaning contractor. In other words the service level agreement between member companies and the end user is becoming more detailed.

Professional cleaning is turning out to be more and more expensive and indeed a serious cost consideration for most organisations. Therefore we find that companies are taking a much closer look at exactly what they are paying for. Also, the cleanliness of a facility is gaining more recognition in terms of how a company or facility owner wishes to portray their image.

End users are now taking a much closer look at who they want to appoint as a service provider, with close scrutiny of their credentials and (most importantly) their ability and capability to perform the task according to stringent service level agreements. In many cases nonperformance penalties have become par for the course. The expectations of end users are increasing continuously and closely monitored, yet in spite of that, cleaning costs are escalating and margins are being squeezed in many instances.

Contractors have to do more for less Unfortunately this is a current reality and the state of the South African economy: fuel price increases, toll levies and increasing wage costs compound the issue of having to work harder for less return.

However, in order to survive this economic environment it brings out

the creativity and innovation aspect among cleaning contractors who realise that during these pressing times innovative cleaning can clear the way to a profitable concern.

Selling the value of professional cleaning In my opinion we are not promoting the critical value of professional cleaning. The NCCA is not really marketing itself adequately to the end user. Part of our future drive at the Gauteng branch will be to aspire to be the voice of the industry. In other words, by informing and educating the end user about the Association, its members, activities, ethics, standards and, most importantly, a point of recourse will become imperative. After all, we are the largest employer body within our industry, yet our voice is not heard.

End users should be informed of the benefits of employing the services of NCCA members and we should make it our task to create a milieu where clients prefer to do business with NCCA members, because of the obvious and fundamental benefits rather than to base decisions on price. It is an unfortunate fact that all cleaning companies are tarred with the same brush and often elements such as staff training, innovation, specialised equipment and industry approved chemicals – fundamentals that differentiate professional cleaners – are overlooked. In reality it is a highly technical industry that regards cleaning as a science rather than just another soft service. It is our task as an Association to highlight the importance of service provided by our members as the cleaning professionals, as opposed to the alternative, the so-called mop and bucket brigade.

Patrick Makhubela Another very important matter that is well worth mentioning is our current efforts in registering a professional body for the cleaning industry with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). By establishing a professional body we will ensure that all the professional cleaning training providers are registered with SAQA, which means that training standards will be uniform in future. Cleaners will then have appropriate qualifications recognised by the SAQA, in line with proper unit standards. We hope to have the professional body operational by the end of this year and we as an industry are very excited about this prospect.

The advent of the professional body will give the professional cleaning industry additional bragging rights, change general perceptions and boost its status to that of an industry that is serious about cultivating and promoting professionalism.

Patrick Makhubela is the Gauteng branch Chairman of the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) and the CEO of Neledzi Cleaning Services. He can be contacted at: patrick@neledzi.com.

Reach your target market cost-effectively!

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The source of workplace hygiene solutions Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za

African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

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industry news BETADINE® donation in support of fight against Ebola

Raman Singh, Mundipharma’s President, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

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undipharma announced during February that it has partnered with Direct Relief to donate supplies of its BETADINE® range of antivirals to support the aid organisation’s efforts to contain the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. With the partnership, Mundipharma will provide more than two million antiviral hand washes to the

Ebola treatment centres of West Africa.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Ebola virus is frequently found in saliva with evidence stating that close face-to-face contact without adequate personal protective equipment (including eye protection) puts others at moderate risk of acquiring the disease.

Those at higher risk of infection include health workers, family members in close contact with infected people and mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased as part of burial ceremonies.

One of the possible reasons the virus has spread so rapidly in West Africa is due to the insufficient level of healthcare. The best way to reduce the possibility of contracting the disease is to practise proper hygiene.

Raman Singh, President of Mundipharma in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa, commented, “Mundipharma is committed to support the international aid efforts against Ebola. We hope

that our proactive approach will enable Direct Relief to continue to quickly and efficiently provide important preventative measures in limiting the outbreak of this serious and growing health issue. The donation of BETADINE® is wholly consistent with our mission and commitment to improving the health and quality of life of the human race everywhere, even in extreme circumstances such as these and emphasises our focus on caring for those most in need. BETADINE® has been used and trusted as an antiseptic for more than 50 years; multiple publications of BETADINE® and its general virucidal activity exist, which is why we believe the BETADINE® range can play an important role in the fight against the spread of Ebola.”

The supplies of BETADINE® Surgical Scrub and BETADINE® Scalp & Skin Cleanser donated by Mundipharma are medicated soaps containing povidone iodine, a well-known antiviral, to provide hand disinfection even in areas without access to clean running water.

Budget: Some relief for small business

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lthough there were no farreaching amendments to corporate tax in the National Budget Speech, the turnover tax regime for micro-businesses has been made more attractive.

The relief for small business is in line with the recommendation of the Davis

Tax Committee, which argued for a more generous incentive to improve small businesses’ participation in the economy and to incorporate these into the tax system. It affects businesses with turnover of less than R1 million a year. The small businesses elect to be subject to the small business tax

regime rather than normal income tax.

The small business tax is levied on gross turnover.

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene announced that qualifying businesses with annual turnover below R335 000 will pay no tax and the maximum rate is reduced from 6 percent to 3 percent.

New corporate name for Nilfisk-Advance

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ilfisk-Advance has changed its corporate name and brand to Nilfisk. The company will unveil a new corporate logo during April 2015, and will update its websites, marketing materials, back office, and legal conditions over the course of the year to reflect the new brand identity. The change will not impact

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

the company’s existing product brands or brand names.

“In changing our name, we are reducing complexity in our branding and simplifying our overall brand hierarchy to make it easier to understand for our customers and dealers across the world,” said Jonas Persson, President and CEO of the Nilfisk Group.

Nilfisk is a supplier of professional floor cleaning equipment with production, sales, and service subsidiaries in all major geographic regions.

For more information, visit: www.nilfisk.com.

industry news Image source: www.iotnewsnetwork.com

Hand hygiene monitoring specialist announces SA distribution agreement

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and hygiene monitoring specialist HyGreen announced a distribution agreement and partnership with RCA Medical, a subsidiary of Ascendis Health based in Johannesburg.

Each year, millions of patients around the world are affected by healthcareassociated infections as organisms are transmitted from patient to patient through the unwashed hands of healthcare workers. To help combat these infections, the HyGreen system actively reminds healthcare workers if they forget to wash before patient contact and wirelessly records all hand hygiene events in the hospital.

RCA has access to 396 public hospitals and 256 private hospitals in Africa and will be a major influence in the hand hygiene market.

“HyGreen will easily fit into the hospital protocols of RCA’s customers due to its passive role in hand hygiene

compliance,” says HyGreen President, Ron Youngblood.

“Healthcare facilities will be excited to work with a real time behavioural modification system that directly affects the bottom line in cost reduction.

“With hospitals facing new challenges in Africa and worldwide, HyGreen is able to fill a major role in front line infection prevention for both patients and healthcare workers,” added Youngblood.

The HyGreen system was designed to reflect guidelines from leading industry experts, including the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint Commission.

For more information visit: www.hygreen.com.

Global partnership for Kärcher and ISS Group Kärcher’s Markus Asch (left) and Henrik Langebaek, CFO Europe, Group Senior Vice President, ISS (right), seal the agreement with a handshake.

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lobal facilities services provider ISS A/S of Denmark has signed a global partnership agreement with Alfred Kärcher GmbH. Under the agreement, which will run for an initial five years, Kärcher will supply cleaning equipment to ISS Group companies worldwide.

In the context of ISS’s new global supplier strategy, Kärcher was selected against several rivals and, along with one other vendor, is now an exclusive supplier to ISS. “We selected Kärcher based on its comprehensive product portfolio and tremendous innovative strength,” reports Peter Schack, Global Head of Procurement at ISS A/S. “This cooperation will enable our company to set uniformly high standards for the cleaning equipment used worldwide, thereby offering our customers the guarantee of an excellent cleaning result.”

Markus Asch, Deputy Chairman of the Kärcher Management Board, sees the contract as an endorsement of Kärcher’s strategic alignment. He says: “We are grateful for the great confidence that ISS has placed in us and our products.

Focusing on our customers and their cleaning needs is central to our corporate strategy. This cooperation agreement with ISS shows that we are on the right path with this approach.”

ISS was founded in Copenhagen in 1901 and has grown to become one of the world’s leading facilities services companies with revenues in 2013 amounting to 10.52 billion euros. “The secret to our success lies in how we tailor our solutions to client needs, how we manage risk, and how our engaged team of more than 520 000 staff members add the power of the human touch to everything we do,” it states.

African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

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industry news Free “bulky waste” removal service

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he City of Joburg’s waste management company Pikitup launched a new bulky waste service whereby bulky household waste will be removed once a month at no cost to consumers. According to Pikitup the main aim of the service is to divert recyclable waste away from its landfill sites thereby extending its lifespan.

The service commenced from March 2015 and waste including old mattresses, old furniture and appliances will be diverted from landfill sites. Johannesburg residents are urged to contact the nearest Pikitup depot in order to log a call to arrange for free monthly bulk waste removal.

Finance Minister pursues cut in UIF contributions

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ccording to a recent statement from the Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Finance is seeking public comment on a proposal for a temporary reduction in employers’ and employees’ contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) that will keep benefits unchanged.

In the National Budget Speech, Minister Nhlanhla Nene proposed lowering the remuneration threshold against which the contributions are

calculated from the current monthly amount of R14 872 to R1 000.

“Given the challenging economic environment that has led to downward revisions in economic growth, a reduction in unemployment insurance contributions will provide significant support to households and employers,” the Ministry of Finance said.

Nene seeks to implement the reduction on 1 April 2015, to be

Spreading the word about professional cleaning

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United Cleaning, the Association of European cleaning machine manufacturers, has launched a new campaign named European Cleaning Days (ECD). The initiative aims to highlight the importance and the benefits of professional cleaning in areas such as offices, hospitals, airports, train stations, etc.

Starting in May, the ECD will also have the support of the European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) and the International Association for Soaps Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE). The plan is to join with existing cleaning events and organise new ones to educate the public about the importance of professional cleaning for public health, comfort and wellbeing.

Events will be held in a number of countries including Germany, Belgium, France and Italy and will aim to engage people of various age groups and

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

professions. Activities will range from exhibitions, workshops, visits to schools with lectures, to cleaning in action on public streets and squares.

The campaign focuses on four key areas: • Detergents for cleaning and disinfection.

• Floor and high pressure cleaning: Buildings, business premises, and production sites.

• Municipal equipment: Mobile machines used in municipalities and other public areas.

• Cleaning contractors.

The first ECD will take place on 19 May 2015 in Verona, Italy, which coincides with the start of the Pulire Italian cleaning exhibition.

EUnited Cleaning is seeking other partners to join. For more information visit: www.cleaningdays.eu.

reconsidered for the next fiscal year shortly before 1 April 2016. If it comes into effect, both employers and employees will be required to pay a maximum of R10 each per month, down from the current maximum of R148.72.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the proposal will provide the economy with a much-needed boost and put about R15 bn back into the pockets of workers and employers.

industry news Upswing in global demand for cleaning chemicals

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he global demand for industrial and institutional chemicals is forecast to grow 4.3 percent per year to more than US$50 billion by 2018, according to a new study.

The study ‘’World Industrial & Institutional Cleaning Chemicals�, from industry market research firm The Freedonia Group, attributes the increase to growing demand for disinfectants and sanitisers in healthcare facilities worldwide. This stems from a rise in the number of hospital stays and concerns about healthcare associated infections (HAIs).

The report also forecast that the rising global trade in packaged food and beverage products will promote overall gains through 2018 as manufacturers adopt more stringent production protocols to prevent foodborne-illness outbreaks and product recalls due to bacterial contamination.

Across the industry, changes in the product mix are expected as firms focus increasingly on sustainability and operational efficiency.

For more information visit: www.freedoniagroup.com/industrystudy.

African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

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feature washroom hygiene

Refillable bulk soap: Is it worth it?

By Dave Shumaker

Have you ever washed your hands with soap from a refillable bulk soap dispenser? If you have, you may have left the washroom with more germs on your hands than when you entered.

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ut how do you know if you are washing your hands with refillable bulk soap? In this article Dave will share with you how to determine if the washroom facility has refillable bulk soap, the risk it causes to your social wellbeing and the solution that more and more facilities are moving towards to solve this problem.

A bulk dispenser is one where the soap is poured into the top of the dispenser, into an open reservoir.

Because the reservoir is open, bacteria can contaminate the soap, which leads to a bacterial biofilm on the inside of the dispenser.

A biofilm is a group of bacteria that coats a surface and is difficult to wash off or kill. Because the biofilm is formed on the inside of the dispenser it leads to bacterial contamination of new soap added to the dispenser.

Three recently published studies reveal there are potential issues with washing your hands with soap from a refillable bulk soap dispenser. The studies suggest that public refillable bulk soap dispensers are rarely cleaned, even leading to exposure to fecal bacteria.

Because the reservoir is open, bacteria can contaminate the soap, which leads to a bacterial biofilm on the inside of the dispenser.

The numbers are also ugly: • 2 5 percent of public refillable bulk soap dispensers are contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria.

• Refillable bulk dispensers can leave hands with 25 times more bacteria after washing than before.

Biofilms in refillable bulk soap dispensers cause recontamination even after

the dispensers are cleaned with bleach.

There is an alternative.

Many schools, restaurants and office buildings are moving to soap dispensing with sanitary sealed systems. The sanitary sealed systems are sealed at the manufacturer and snapped into place inside the dispenser, eliminating contamination risks and

keeping the dispensing system clean. The difference between a sealed system and a bulk dispenser is that in sealed systems the new clean soap is never opened and refilled. The sanitary sealed system helps prevent contamination by germs in the air or from the fingers of the person doing the refilling, and the container is recyclable.

If you work at a school, office building or facility that uses bulk soap, download the research information and talk to your facility management department about replacing the refillable bulk soap dispensers with sanitary sealed systems. It is too important for your health and those who work around you!

Dave Shumaker is a Microbiology Scientist at GOJO Industries. GOJO Industries, Inc., the inventors of PURELL® Instant Hand Sanitizer that distribute PURELL hand sanitizer in consumer and away-from-home markets throughout the world. In addition, GOJO manufactures and distributes a full line of products under the GOJO® and PROVON® brand names. GOJO has a 64-year history of leadership in improving wellbeing through hand hygiene and healthy skin.

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feature washroom hygiene

Improving the standard of washroom floor cleaning Washrooms require particularly careful cleaning to maintain hygiene, health, comfort and the right image.

Because of the often warm and damp nature of these areas, bacteria can grow quickly and easily, and cleaning must therefore address visible and non-visible dirt. As a result, aggressive cleaning agents, which can damage surface materials, are often used. In this article Kärcher describes effective and safe cleaning of fine stone tiles using a floor scrubber dryer with microfibre roller pads.

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oday fine stone tile is the preferred building material in toilets, changing and shower areas because of its micro-porous structure, which gives it outstanding slip resistance. In addition, it is especially acid and alkali-resistant and is available in almost any colour and surface structure (sanded, polished, matt, structured or natural). However, as a result of its porous nature, fine stone has the capacity to retain dirt, which proves difficult to remove.

For this reason, fine stone tile floors in washroom areas often have a polymer coating to reduce soiling. Not only does the coating reduce the floor’s slip resistance, but it also does not last long in heavy traffic areas. The cleaning method described below is suitable for coated or uncoated floors. If the coating is removed, the following steps can also be taken, but with the use of a highly active stripping agent (pH 13) rather than the detergents mentioned.

Cleaning fine stone floor tiles with microfibre rollers Step 1: A highly alkaline special cleaner (such as Kärcher’s RM 776) should be applied unmixed and thinly with a spray bottle, section by section, and left to soak for around five minutes.

Step 2: The surface should be scrubbed thoroughly with a scrubber dryer featuring roller cleaning head technology. The majority of Kärcher scrubber dryers feature interchangeable cleaning heads, allowing easy switching between discs and rollers for different floor types, without the need for separate cleaning machines.

Kärcher’s roller scrubbers also have microfibre rollers that can get right into the micro-porous surface of fine stone tiles to provide an impressive deep clean. Unlike microfibre disc pads, microfibre rollers features a self-clean function due to the high rotation speed, preventing clogging and increasing productivity. Therefore, there is no need to change the microfibre rollers during cleaning.

The scrubbing task should be carried out using a deep floor cleaner like Kärcher’s RM 752 (alkaline) or RM 751 (acid), following the dosage guidelines on the container and depending on the scale of dirt on the floor. A deeper clean can be achieved by scrubbing the floor with the vacuum turned off. This gives the detergent greater contact time with the floor, and more water to scrub with.

Once the floor has been scrubbed, turn the vacuum back on to remove all the cleaning solution from the floor surface.

Step 3: Following the deep cleaning process, the surface should be cleaned again with clean water (with the vacuum turned on) in order to wash off and absorb any cleaning agent residue. Now tiles and joints appear in their original form. In cases where a coating has been removed the natural slip resistance of the tiles returns. The only difference is a basic floor cleaner is used (alkaline RM 752, acidic RM 751) as an alternative to a stripping agent – with the corresponding dosage and according to the degree of contamination. It is essential to take care when emptying the scrubber dryer tank to ensure no detergent is spilt or splashed.

Kärcher floorcare machines feature easy emptying systems (separate, easy to carry tanks on smaller models and drain hoses on larger machines), and several models feature a built-in tank rinsing system, to ensure the dirty water tank is clean and free of bacteria after every use. Because of the “self-cleaning” nature of microfibre rollers, and the rinsing of the floor in step 3, the rollers need not be maintained after every clean.

For more information visit: www.karcher.co.za.

African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

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advertorial costa lambrianos

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

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laundry review

Hot water soluble laundry bag prevents cross contamination

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t is said to be the strongest, safest and most cost-effective hot water soluble laundry bag designed specifically for use in the medical industry and it is now available through industrial packaging and construction sheeting expert DamaxKahn & Kahn Plastics.

The hot water soluble laundry bag enhances infection control by eliminating the risk of cross contamination from handling soiled linen and clothing, while also reducing biohazard disposal costs and the need for protective equipment and clothing for staff.

According to DamaxKahn & Kahn MD David Tromp, laboratory tests confirm that the bag is impermeable to bacteria and viruses, thereby protecting healthcare workers from infectious bodily fluids and bloodborne pathogens. “In the medical environment, health and safety are of utmost importance, and it is vital to eliminate risks to staff and patients with this product,” he says.

Each individual bag size is 660 mm x 840 mm and 100 bags are included in a box. First, laundry is placed into the bag and sealed. The bag is anti-static, non-

Hot water soluble laundry bag enhances infection control by eliminating the risk of cross contamination.

toxic, odour retentive, gas and solvent resistant and able to resist moisture from damp contents for hours without rupturing.

This protects handlers from exposure to contaminated material during transferring, washing and drying. During the first wash cycle, the bag’s pink tie, made of cold water soluble plastic, dissolves to allow water and detergent to enter the bag. As the wash progresses and the water is heated to 60 °C, the laundry bag is also reduced to a biodegradable solution, with no residue and no risk to machinery.

Laundry managers achieve 100 percent pass rate

Pictured above left are the 10 Bidvest Laundry Group managers who attended “Introduction to Laundry Technology: Part 1 – ‘Washing Technology’”, a three-day workshop held at the Bidvest Laundry Group’s head office in Spartan, Johannesburg. Rochelle Moonsamy, representing Combined Cleaners, also joined the group and Julia Scafidas (pictured second row, row left) conducted the training. The group passed the written examination and can now proceed to the next step: “Part 2 – ‘Finishing Technology’”.

Above right: During March, over 50 delegates participated in the ‘Textiles for launderers’ one-day workshop to get a better understanding of many of the textile-related issues confronting both user and launderer.

SATSA Road Show The South African Textile Services Association (SATSA) announced that it is now ready to proceed with the roll out of the industry association in other provinces. SATSA is planning a road show to inform companies operating within the laundry and dry cleaning sector of the benefits of establishing a national “industry voice” that will represent the best interests of the industry.

Meetings will be held at the Services SETA’s offices in the respective cities on the following dates: Johannesburg – 12 May | Cape Town – 13 May | Durban – 14 May Launderers and dry cleaners are urged to attend these very important and informative meetings.

For more information contact: Ian Harris at ian@laundryandtextiles.com.

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educational

Wall-mounted sprays in hospitals “not as effective as soap and water” Hard-pushed hospitals and health centres are spending thousands every week on gel sprays in a bid to avoid visitors transmitting infections, when simple soap and water is cheaper and far more effective. That is the opinion of a UK-based national contract cleaning company that finds that more than half of visitors to hospitals, health centres and doctors’ surgeries ignore the dispensers and enter the premises with unwashed hands.

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ccording to ContractCleaning. co.uk hospitals would be better served if visitors were obliged to wash their hands with soap and water on their way in, rather than just a cursory spray and rub from a dispenser.

“These gel dispensers came as a result of managers deciding that something visible needed to be done in the wake of scandals over hospital cleanliness and virus outbreaks,” says ContractCleaning.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall. “But the fact remains that they exist only as a reassurance to visitors that they are visiting a (presumably) spotless establishment. We know from bitter experience that this is probably not the case.”

According to figures from a survey conducted on behalf of the company, fewer than one-in-three hospital visitors sanitise their hands as they enter a hospital or a health centre, and half of those only do so because they feel “guilt tripped” into it. ContractCleaning. co.uk also found that health staff were negligent when it came to cleaning their hands, with a quarter saying they did not bother or forgot on a regular basis.

One anonymous staff member told ContractCleaning.co.uk: “I’m only clerical staff, and I’m never in contact with patients. What harm can I do?”

The biggest sinners, however, are patients and staff who pop out for a quick smoke outside the hospital premises.

Eight out of 10 admitted that they did not wash their hands after smoking, despite

the poisons contained in cigarettes. However, the company believes that even if all staff and visitors used gel dispensers, they would never be as effective as soap and water, an opinion backed up by the US government’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC)*. * According to the CDC most gel sanitisers do not kill certain types of germs, with some bacteria showing signs of becoming resistant to alcoholbased gels. * They may not even work at all when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. * The best way to thoroughly clean hands is to use soap and hot water, the government agency says.

“This is not just the opinion of a few government pen-pushers, either,” says Mark Hall, “This comes from peerreviewed research over several years by scientists all over the world. The conclusion is that British health trusts are wasting money on these dispensers that are just not effective enough.”

ContractCleaning.co.uk says that if the NHS is serious about tackling the spread of infection in its hospitals, it should consider mandatory hand washing before entering areas where visitors come into contact with patients and staff. Non-touch hand basins, nontouch soap dispensers and non-touch “blade” dryers should be installed to make the concept entirely possible in hospital entrance vestibules, he says.

Gone are the days of greasy taps and bins overflowing with paper towels.

“It’s basic hygiene, and there are both cash savings to be made, and savings in terms of health to be reaped.

The technology – both ancient and modern – is there. Hospitals should be trying it,” argues Hall.

For more information visit www.contractcleaning.co.uk.

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interview

Bigger and more sparkling GSA 2015 Interview with Nthatisi Vilakazi, Kimberly-Clark Professional* With the 10th anniversary of the prestigious annual Golden Service Awards celebrated this year, African Cleaning Review spoke to Kimberly-Clark

Nthatisi Vilakazi

Why should cleaning companies enter this year?

Over the years the Golden Service Awards (GSA) has been a prestigious event for Kimberly-Clark Professional* and we are confident that the professional cleaning industry has embraced the competition as a recognised platform to reward service excellence. Therefore, and most importantly, because this year will also see the 10th edition of the competition, cleaning companies should come forward and enter their respective sites in order to show their continued commitment to providing higher service standards. The GSA competition will also serve as an opportunity to build company awareness and improve client loyalty, resulting in continued business at their respective sites. By entering the GSA competition it serves another purpose, that of providing cleaning staff with a sense of achievement and recognition for a job that is too often taken for granted.

Professional* Trade Marketing Manager Nthatisi Vilakazi regarding the changes in format and posed a few pertinent questions regarding the 2015 competition line up.

Professional*, nor is it our intention, to judge companies based on their affiliation with a specific Association or not. It is also a national competition; we are opening it to all the provinces, but we will obviously look carefully at what we refer to as “outlying areas�. In other words, if it is an area that will be too costly to [travel] to for judging purposes then we will consult with the cleaning company. We have not finalised the number of entries per cleaning company, but we are looking at about 24 sites per cleaning company for 2015.

Categories and awards The categories will remain as before with six categories (in terms of the different industries). We will still have the Skills Development Award and Cleaning Company of the Year Award, but with

one major change to the latter. The Cleaning Company of the Year Award will now be awarded to the overall winners in the respective categories of micro, small, medium and large. A new award that recognises the cleaner on site is set to create new excitement amongst cleaners who are physically performing cleaning tasks and I think this recognition is long overdue.

Judging timeline Entries for this year’s competition will be accepted from 1 May and the closing date for entries is 30 June 2015. The judging process will commence during the second week of July until the end of August. We are planning to have the awards function during the third week of October. The date will be finalised soon and communicated in due course.

Entering criteria The competition is open to all professional cleaning companies irrespective of size, number of cleaners employed or membership (or not) of any of the industry Associations. The only proviso will be that the cleaning company must provide proof of having been contracted to the site entered for a minimum of one year. It is important to understand that the competition is representative of the broader cleaning industry. I therefore believe that it is not in the best interest of Kimberly-Clark

The 2013 Golden Service Awards evening.

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interview ... cleaning companies should come forward and enter their respective sites in order to show their continued

220 skills programmes for government hospital cleaners

commitment to providing higher service standards.

Judges I can confirm that there will be a brand new panel consisting of five judges, who will visit the sites around the country. I am confident that the judges are reputable with no association to the industry. A newly appointed auditing firm will audit the results of the judging process.

Site inspections Cleaning companies will be made aware of when GSA inspections will take place. Failing to do this will end up in a logistical nightmare as appointments have to be confirmed with the relevant contacts, the supervisor will have to be on site, access will have to be arranged, etc. It is simply not viable to arrive at a site unannounced. The cleaning company plays a central part in smoothing the inspection and interview process and without their involvement the process will be seriously flawed.

Awards function The format will change for 2015, à la the Oscars ceremony, where the audience will be seated in an auditorium for the awards. Dinner in the form of a buffet will be served in another room where celebrations can be shared amongst entrants.

The awards function will be held on a Friday evening.

Service excellence Many companies know that they offer an excellent cleaning service, therefore now is the time to benchmark the company by entering GSA 2015 and reap the rewards.

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The Nilfisk-Advance Honeydew branch and Siyaya Skills Institute (an accredited training provider with the Services SETA) recently announced that they have secured 220 skills programmes through the Services SETA. These will be split among nine government hospitals, including Charlotte Maxeke, Pholosong, Steve Biko, Chris Hani Baragwanath, Mamelodi, Jubilee, Sebokeng, Zola Jabulani and the Helen Joseph.

T

he 220 cleaners will achieve 45 credits towards a Cleaning Level 1 qualification. The training programme commenced in February 2015 and will run over a period of three months. The value of the training is estimated at approximately R2 million.

Siyaya Skills Institute will provide the training. The company offers professional skills development in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) principles and objectives.

The project was launched to participating hospitals on 13 January this year at the Nilfisk-Advance Honeydew offices, attended by hospital managers, quality control and infection control managers, as well as cleaning department supervisors.

Maneo Scott, Infection Prevention and Control Manager from the Quality Assurance Directorate at the Gauteng Department of Health (DOH) said, “The Department of Health will benefit immensely from the project. Individuals receiving the training will have a sense of worth after completing the training, resulting in a positive attitude towards cleaning processes. Healthcare facilities will now have motivated cleaners with an enhanced sense of accountability and responsibility. Cleaning expenses will be reduced, as cleaners will have a

better understanding of chemical usage and time management. Ultimately the government will have cleaner healthcare facilities and a reduced rate of hospital acquired infections. After all, a clean environment is also a safe environment.”

Latani Mapukata, Deputy Director, HRD and Skills Development Facilitator with the DOH said, “The Government Healthcare Cleaners learnership offers an opportunity for healthcare employees to acquire new skills in their functional area of cleaning. Apart from the acquisition of skills, the learnership programme consists of unit standards, which will result in a partial or full qualification in the long term. The significance of this is that our employees can participate with an end goal in mind: that of career mobility. Employers tend to focus on developing professional skills, while essential occupations such as cleaning are often overlooked. We are delighted at this breakthrough in cleaning services, which will ensure our employees receive a structured learning programme.

“There is a direct benefit to the employer as well, as the six priorities of the National Core Standards for Health include cleanliness in hospitals and infection prevention and control.

editorial

Left: Delegates at the launch. Right: Pictured at Nilfisk-Advance from left to right: Gavin Herold, General Manager Nilfisk-Advance (Pty) Ltd, Wendy McDermott, Marketing Manager, Nilfisk-Advance (Pty) Ltd, Maneo Scott from the Department of Health and Arthur Bath, Director, Siyaya Skills Institute.

The learnership programme responds directly to these priorities to ensure that healthcare meet the required standards. We are grateful to NilfiskAdvance and Siyaya Skills Institute for their innovative methods that contribute to skills development and the ultimate upliftment of our communities.”

“Personnel costs account for up to 80 percent of the overall cleaning costs. This means that the quality of hygiene and cleaning varies based primarily on the attitude and behaviour of cleaning staff. Only through constant in-service training of cleaning personnel in aspects such as hygiene

consciousness and hygiene discipline can appropriate standards of hygiene be maintained consistently,” added Nilfisk-Advance Marketing Manager Wendy McDermott.

For more information contact Wendy at: wendy.mcdermott@nilfisk.com

facilities management review

Tips on how to prevent slippery floors

B

ecause slip and fall accidents are of great concern today, cleaning professionals must take added measures to ensure that the floors they maintain are safe and slip resistant. However, it is sometimes difficult to figure out exactly why a floor may be slippery. Because of this, Powr-Flite addresses some of these issues, including why floors may be slippery right after refinishing, along with possible solutions.

“The most common reason a floor may be slippery is that it simply has not been cleaned properly or as frequently as needed,” says Mike Englund, a professional cleaning trainer and product manager for Powr-Flite. “Many slip and fall hazards are eliminated just by properly cleaning the floor and using the

right tools, chemicals and equipment.”

Some of the other causes of slippery floors and their solutions include: • Incorrect or inferior chemicals are used: The floor finish should always indicate that it is “slip resistant.”

Furthermore, use superior quality products. It may cost more, but are often well worth the investment.

• Too many or too few coats of finish are applied: Both situations can result in a slippery floor. Apply three or four coats and then test the floor for slip resistance.

• An oily or over-treated dust mop: Rinse or machine scrub the floor, then dust the mop using non-oil dust mop treatments. Always apply dust mop treatments per label instructions.

• S oiled tools: Especially when refinishing a floor, tools such as mops and buckets should be cleaned thoroughly. Often, cleaning professionals use brand-new mops for floor refinishing, which is a very good idea. Coat the bucket with a fresh liner to make sure it is also clean. “In some cases, a slippery floor may need to be stripped and refinished,” adds Englund, “but before going through all that trouble, machine scrub first. Often this will remove any soiling or film on the floor that may be causing a slippery surface.”

For more information visit: www.powr-flite.com

Best selling author to speak at US floor safety convention

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onsumer advocate, lawyer, and bestselling author Ralph Nader will be the keynote speaker at the National Floor Safety Institute’s (NFSI) Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Symposium at the Emory University campus, Atlanta in the US on 28 April.

The National Floor Safety Institute, with its head office based in Southlake, Texas, was founded in 1997 to aid in the prevention of slips, trips, and falls through research, education, and standards development. NFSI’s 15-member board represents product manufacturers, insurance underwriters, trade associations, the medical and legal professions, and independent consultants.

Nader, who has been an outspoken advocate for consumer safety for more than 50 years, will reflect on his work and how our society should be

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

addressing the growing slip and fall crisis.

“Accidental falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits in America and the leading cause of accidental death for the elderly,” Nader said. “We as a society largely ignore this issue.”

Nader will cap off a full-day event featuring eight distinguished speakers from the legal, governmental, insurance, medical, architectural, academic and manufacturing industries. Speakers will include Ed Foulke, former assistant secretary of labour for OSHA; Shari Falkenburg, assistant vice president of CNA Risk Control, and David Watterson, vice president of Mountville Mills, the world’s leading supplier of commercial floor mats.

NFSI founder and president, and

convention MC, Russell Kendzior said, “Emory University’s sponsorship, and Mr Nader’s five decades of success in calling public attention to safety issues, make this event a must see for advocates, safety professionals, and anyone interested in good news about improving public safety.”

Dr Mark Fagiano, assistant professor at Emory’s School of Philosophy, said, “The media often portrays slips, trips, and falls as either being the fault of the victim or an act of fraud. While this is true of certain contextualised situations, the actual causes of these incidents paint a more complex picture, which this convention will highlight.”

Emory’s School of Philosophy is a co-sponsor of the convention. Tickets are available through the NFSI’s website at: www.nfsi.org.

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feature hospitality cleaning

Food safety – Is your restaurant at risk?

In a recent blog post Katie Das, global marketing manager with Diversey Consulting, analysed how new innovations can help us eat better, and looked at the scientific solutions that can help avoid risks and food scandals. The post offers important insights into the risk factors contributing to foodborne illnesses, and ways in which these risks can be mitigated.

Y

ou cannot change a customer’s first impression of your restaurant. From the moment patrons walk through the front door, they are looking for a clean, visuallypleasing environment. Diners’ expectations have never been higher, and the overall dining experience is what keeps them returning. As an operator, your commitment to creating a superior dining experience is reflected in the gleaming surfaces of both the dining and kitchen areas.

It is important to place the highest priority on food safety to protect customers, employees and the reputation of your business. Individual incidents of foodborne illness may be somewhat commonplace in today’s world, but widespread outbreaks can make front page news and result in a negative backlash, causing sales to plummet.

Despite significant advances in modern technology and efforts to provide safe food, foodborne illness remains a real public health concern in both developing and developed nations throughout the world. In the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) 2014 report ‘Trends and Sources of Zoonoses, Zoonotic Agents and Food-borne Outbreaks in 2012’, it was revealed that in 27 EU member states Campylobacteriosis was the most commonly reported zoonosis, with 214 268 confirmed human cases in 2012 alone.

Improper cleaning and sanitation

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

of food service equipment, surfaces and utensils are huge factors in contamination of the food production process. Microorganisms or allergens are frequently transferred directly onto food or surfaces during the food preparation, serving and storage cycle.

Poor hand washing, failure to clean and sanitise a cutting board between uses, or using the same preparation table with raw and cooked foods are all examples of how easy it is to move bacteria around the kitchen and create dangerous food safety risks.

Cleaning in food service environments is essential Restaurant owners and managers can ensure their facility is in top shape by following these simple rules: 1. Choose the right products and tools Effective cleaning and sanitation within the food service environment will reduce the chance of crosscontamination of “safe food” during processing, preparation, storage and service because soil, bacteria and other microorganisms are physically removed. However, it is important that restaurants use products and tools that will deliver superior cleaning results.

These include chlorine- and quat-based sanitisers, degreasers and other surface cleaners.

To ensure the proper concentration of chemicals and to achieve the best cleaning results, restaurants should

install space-saving dispensing systems that provide dilution control. These also eliminate overuse of chemicals and unnecessary waste because employees do not have to estimate dilutions.

Employees must also be mindful of the temperature at which chemical sanitisers work best and the contact time that is required to kill harmful microorganisms. Shorter contact time can help improve productivity and compliance with cleaning and sanitisation but operators should ensure the product is effective at removing bacteria and safe.

2. Create and follow a schedule for cleaning food contact surfaces Once the correct products and tools have been selected, restaurant managers should create an easy-tofollow process that details cleaning and sanitation responsibilities. Since crosscontamination is the most common and critical sanitation failure leading to foodborne illnesses, it is important that food contact surfaces are thoroughly maintained on a regular basis. These surfaces include any equipment surface or utensil that food may touch during the food production process or via potential “incidental” channels such as food draining, dripping or splashing onto the food preparation areas. For instance, the interior of a microwave oven is considered a food contact surface because food stuck to the sides or ceiling of the oven could drip onto subsequent foods being warmed.

Employees must also be mindful of the temperature at which chemical sanitisers work best and the contact time that is required to kill harmful microorganisms.

3. Reinforce practices with training Instances of foodborne illness are usually the result of non-compliance with proper procedure therefore it is critical that every member of a food service team knows what constitutes a food contact surface. Additionally, employees should understand the importance of using the proper processes and products to both clean and sanitise.

Online training is an effective tool to standardise education within a facility and across multiple restaurant locations. It also allows managers to keep track of employees’ test results and identify areas for improvement on an individual basis. Employees should undergo training when they are first hired and then periodically throughout the year, as risks and responsibilities change over time.

Every restaurant operator wants a spotless record when it comes to instances of foodborne illness. Keeping kitchen and dining environments clean not only increases safety but encourages customers to return. Choosing the right products and tools, developing proper procedures and implementing effective training protocols for staff are key elements to any successful food service operation.

Diversey Consulting is a consulting group of Diversey specialising in solutions for food safety, risk management, operational efficiency and brand protection. The company’s aim is to provide clients with effective food safety solutions tailored to unique needs globally.

For more information about Diversey Consulting, visit www.diversey.com/consulting

people and events Western Cape NCCA golf day

Best sponsored hole: Bidvest Prestige Cleaning

The NCCA Western Cape branch golf day took place during February at the Rondebosch Golf Club, Cape Town. The event theme “What do you want to tell us about your company?” produced an opportunity for companies to come up with some creative initiatives.

The morning started out with light rain falling consistently, however by the time the marshal called the first

four-ball, the rain stopped and a light breeze dried the course.

Competition for the best sponsored hole is always fierce and this year was no different, but eventually it was down to three very worthy contenders: • Bidvest Prestige Cleaning – The recreation of a complete hotel room suite with double bed, curtains, carpets, lounge chairs, chandeliers and an entire reception area.

European cleaning businessmen visit SA During February two prominent European cleaning product business owners visited Johannesburg and Cape Town as guests of Clive Damonze, National Chairman of the NCCA. The delegation included Michel de Bruin, the Vice Chairman of the ISSA European Council and CEO of Greenspeed BV, a producer of microfibre cleaning products, and Luc Bresseleers CEO of BOMA, a cleaning product and equipment distributor based in Belgium.

Pictured during an informal dinner are from left: Michel and Resi de Bruin, Clive Damonze, Luc and Hilde Bresseleers.

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

• P rime Cleaning Suppliers – Bedoiun tent with great music, superb food and their usual friendly welcoming vibe.

• Columbus Cleaning Solutions – Excellent display of the famed R44 Rotary and new look Columbus vacuum cleaners, and the best snacks on the day.

After some deliberation and a silent survey, Bidvest Prestige Cleaning was awarded the sought-after prize of the best sponsored hole.

The winning four-ball was awarded to ACS Cleaning Solutions – Johan Fleischer, Danie Kruger, Hardy Engelbrecht and Karel Minnie.

“Overall we all had a fantastic time, filled with good camaraderie, catching up with old friends and just enjoying the wonderful company of people that are part of our industry.

All of this can’t happen without the very generous sponsorship from the many companies that donated fantastic prizes and made a big effort to ensure this was such a special day,” commented NCCA Western Cape branch Chairman George Johnson.

people and events Prime Pumas outscrum the opposition

The world’s largest rugby tens tournament, the Takealot.com Cape Town Tens, took place during February at Hamilton’s Rugby Club in Green Point.

Prime Cleaning Suppliers took part in the biggest sporting and social event of the year by entering and sponsoring the “Prime Pumas” rugby team, consisting of a group of individuals representing the agility of pumas with a mix of youth and experience.

During the two-day sporting challenge 150 teams went head-to-head in approximately 800 games while fans were treated to an opportunity to watch international rugga legends alongside some of South Africa’s very own icons, including former Springbok captains John Smit and Bob Skinstad, as well as other former Springboks Butch James, Percy Montgomery and Rob Fleck as they scrummed up for this adrenalinepumping tournament.

Prime Cleaning Suppliers aimed to make an impact in their first tens tournament... and they did when the Prime Pumas walked away as the 2015 winners of the Castle Light Cup.

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new products Problem with slippery floors?

Increasing floor safety in high risk areas such as entrance ways, service corridors and washrooms can significantly reduce the occurrence and cost of slip and trip accidents.

3M Australia offers a solution in a new Safety-Walk™ Anti-slip Peelable Coating that is a water-based floor coating for vinyl, ceramic and terrazzo that requires minimal floor preparation and simply peels away to reveal a clean floor and grout lines ready for recoat.

The anti-slip coating is designed using a blended polymer dispersion with organic polymer particles. The patented combination of translucent beads and polymer dispersion provides added slip protection. This creates a floor coating that improves the wet slip resistance of interior commercial building floors.

It dries to a virtually unnoticeable finish

allowing floor aesthetics, features and colours to come through. The polymer dispersions are purposely blended to impart durability, chemical resistance, film clarity and peelability with ease when the product needs to be removed. The win-win solution

New hand dryer technology for upmarket washrooms In response to market needs the leading distributor of hand dryer technology for more than 20 years, Costa Lambrianos (Pty) Ltd, has recently introduced the new CLX Jet air hand dryer. The stylish looks and efficient drying ability, along with the reliability of the unit (in line with the standard CLX workhorse), make it the ideal choice for upmarket environments that require a different and aesthetically pleasing approach to hand drying. The hand dryer is fitted with a brushless DC motor that generates air speed of 110 m/s and air volume of 210 m3/h. It features a filter bag to clean the air, and is available in ivory and satin finishes.

For more information contact: sales@c-l.co.za.

for commercial cleaners and facility managers was declared the winner of the 2014 Ausclean Expo Janitorial Innovation Award.

For more information visit: www.3m.com/au/ safety-walkpeelablecoating.

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new products New green technology generates light from urine British scientists unveiled a toilet that unlocks energy stored in urine to generate electricity, which they hope could be used to light remote places such as refugee camps. Students and staff at the University of the West of England in Bristol are being encouraged to use the prototype urinal, which has been developed with aid agency Oxfam and is currently located on campus.

If the unit provides a reliable source of power, the researchers hope it can be installed in refugee camps to provide a constant supply of electricity and light. “This technology is a huge step forward. Living in a refugee camp is hard enough without the added threat of being assaulted in dark places at night. The potential of this invention is huge,” explained Andy Bastable, Head of Water and Sanitation at Oxfam.

Each unit could eventually cost around 827 euros to build and install,

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African Cleaning Review March/April 2015

providing an “everlasting” source of power, according to research team leader Ioannis Ieropoulos. The units contain bacteria that break down the chemicals in urine, in the process releasing energy in the form of electricity, which is stored on a capacitor within a fuel cell.

“The microbial fuel cells (MFC) work by employing live microbes that feed on urine for their own growth and maintenance,” explains Ieropoulos. “The

MFC is, in effect, a system that taps a portion of that biochemical energy.”

“This technology is about as green as it gets, as we do not need to utilise fossil fuels and we are effectively using a waste product that will be in plentiful supply,” commented Bastable.

The “Urine-tricity” project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Source: NDTV

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