September 2014

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

SEPTEMBER 2014

CASE STUDY

SPECIAL REPORT

IT SOLUTIONS

Focus on mopping equipment Starts page 21

Hygiene in a 5-star kitchen

Matting - why we need it

Workforce scheduling

Page 47

Page 51

Page 32

CONTENTS

September 2014 | Vol.22, No.4

COVER STORY 6

SPECIAL REPORTS 21 Drive for versatility

Eureka

A range of new products

What are the most important trends currently in mopping equipment?

BUSINESS 65 Websites - do it yourself?

Hartley Milner examines the pros and cons of designing your own company website.

29 “Let’s make a difference” An interview with Chris Cracknell, chief executive of OCS Group.

32 Lean workforce scheduling How workforce scheduling software is helping service company Vebego.

37 The red carpet treatment What particular solutions do special carpets require when cleaning them?

47 Five-star hygiene Ann Laffeaty visits a top London restaurant to learn about the hygiene needs.

51 The purpose of matting

03 News

Why is matting so important, asks Ann Laffeaty.

55 Opportunities for all

13 European reports

Having a well-trained and skilled workforce is essential to the cleaning sector.

59 Washrooms get smart

71 Product review

How washroom dispensing systems are offering valuable data to managers.

67 Matters of trust Why background checking of cleaners is becoming increasingly important.

69 Total service package A visit to St George’s Hospital in London, where Mitie manages services.

Criterion Publishing Ltd PO Box 299, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1FP UK T +44 (0)1494 791222 F +44 (0)1494 792223 info@europeancleaningjournal.com www. europeancleaningjournal.com Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80

Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty Advertisement Director Chris Godman Advertisement Sales Carole Dawson Circulation Marie Payne

Italy, Spain & Switzerland Fabio Potesta Mediapoint & Communications Corte Lambruschini, Corso Buenos Aires, 8 V0 Piano, Interno 7 16129 Genova, Italy T +39 010 570 4948 F +39 010 553 0088 info@mediapointsrl.it www. mediapointsrl.it

European Cleaning Journal is published six times a year by Criterion Publishing Ltd. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in European Cleaning, Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents can accept no responsibility for the varacity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

Germany Reinhard Knittler Knittler Medien, Mittlerer Hubweg 5, D-72227 Egenhausen, Germany T +49 7453/9385 787 F +49 7453/9385 797 info@knittler.de www.knittler.de ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2014

NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

Hand hygiene can prevent smartphone contamination - study

A new study has concluded that touch screen smartphones can be used in clinical practice without being reservoirs for bacterial disease - with hand hygiene being key to contamination.

The study, which was called ‘Mobile phones in clinical practice: reducing the risk of bacterial contamination’, tested 50 phones from various members of a team in a surgical unit in Northern Ireland by swabbing for bacteria. The study included phones owned by members that filled multiple roles in the unit.

In addition to the phones, the researchers administered a questionnaire regarding phone usage while at work.

All 50 of the owners of the swabbed phones answered the questionnaire as well as an additional 100 workers in the unit.

Of the phones that were tested, 60 per cent showed bacterial growth on the agars used. Twenty of the phones produced no cultures.

Among the remaining phones, the study found coagulase negative staphylococcus, streptococcus viridans, micrococcus, corynebacterium and bacillus: none of which are traditionally associated with nosocomial infections.

These results were found

despite 88 per cent of workers saying that they used their phones in the workplace.

Previous studies have shown between five and 40 per cent contamination with nosocomial bacteria, so the researchers asked, what is different about this environment?

The researchers addressed the possibility that the sampling method was inadequate. They found their sampling method was capable of picking up pathogenic bacterial strains as well on handsets of landline phones.

To understand why nosocomial infection causing bacteria were not found on the phones, they performed a root cause analysis. Based on previous research that showed hand washing decreases contamination of mobile devices, the researchers looked into the hand hygiene in the surgical unit. They found a hand hygiene policy compliance rate of more than 97 per cent.

So the study suggests high quality hand hygiene could be an effective way to keep mobile devices from acting as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria. Although this seems obvious, the study shows that phones aren’t the problem.

The key appears to be good hand hygiene.

Une étude a montré que les smartphones à écran tactile peuvent être utilisés dans la pratique clinique sans constituer un réservoir de bactéries, pour autant que leurs utilisateurs se lavent les mains. 605

Register now for your free monthly email newsletter from ECJ. And don’t forget to bookmark the ECJ website and don’t miss our regular blogs - including Dr Ilham Kadri from Diversey Care, Rob den Hertog of Amsterdam RAI, Mike Sullivan of GOJO, EUnited’s Markus Asch and Unger’s Torsten Deutzmann www.europeancleaningjournal.com

EVENTS September 25-27

November 27-29

ISSA/Interclean Istanbul

Clean India

Istanbul, Turkey www.issainterclean.com

Ahmedabad www.cleanindiashow.com

September 28-30

January 29-31 2015

Cleaning in Tomorrow’s World

Cairo Clean Expo

Tampere, Finland www.cleaningcongress.fi

Cairo, Egypt www.ctf-eg.com

September 30-October 2

February 25-27 2015

Finnclean

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Latin America

Tampere, Finland www.finnclean.fi

Mexico City, Mexico www.issainterclean.com

October 8-9

March 10-12 2015

Clean Expo Stockholm

The Cleaning Show

Stockholm, Sweden www.cleanmassan.se

London, UK www.cleaningshow.co.uk

October 21-23

March 24-26 2015

Clean Middle East Pulire

Cleaning Expo 2015

Dubai, UAE www.cmepexpo.com

Birmingham, UK www.cleaningexpo.com

October 21-23

April 22-24 2015

CleanExpo Moscow

ISSA/INTERCLEAN CEE

Moscow, Russia www.cleanexpo.ru

Warsaw, Poland www.issainterclean.com

October 30-31

July 28-30 2015

EHEDG World Congress

CleantexPulire

Parma, Italy www.ehedg-congress.org

Johannesburg, South Africa www.cleantex.co.za

November 4-7

October 20-23 2015

ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam

Orlando, USA www.issainterclean.com

Amsterdam, Netherlands www.issainterclean.com

To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com

Laut einer Studie sind Smartphones mit Touchscreen für die klinische Praxis geeignet, ohne ein Herd für bakterielle Erkrankungen zu sein - dabei ist Handhygiene ein entscheidender Faktor.

Da uno studio emerge che gli smartphone touch screen posso essere utilizzati nelle strutture mediche senza che siano vivai di infezioni batteriche, ovviamente l’igiene delle mani è un fattore fondamentale.

September 2014 | ECJ | 3

NEWS IP Cleaning bought by private equity firm IP Cleaning, Italy-based group of professional cleaning solutions producers, has been wholly acquired by private equity fund Ambienta. Its investment of 50 million euros will finance an industrial revamp and reorganisation of the company.

IP Cleaning ranks number three in the European professional cleaning market, with six manufacturing plants in the north of Italy and around 1,000 employees. Around 90 per cent of its sales are outside Italy and its international network of distributors sell in over 100 countries worldwide.

“IP Cleaning is an example of Italian excellence, with a strong international reach, operating in a market with

growing economic fundamentals driven by innovations in energy efficiency and a reduction in the environmental impact of detergents,” said Mauro Roversi, partner and chief investment officer of Ambienta.

“We believe this transaction offers a number of value creation opportunities, both internally through the further integration of the company’s different businesses and externally through implementation of a more aggressive commercial strategy and external growth avenues,” added Francesco Lodrini, investment manager at Ambienta.

Following the acquisition, Federico De Angelis will

• La société italienne de produits de nettoyage IP Cleaning a été reprise intégralement par la société de capitalinvestissement Ambienta.

• Sealed Air, la société mère de Diversey Care, a repris la marque Virox Technologies Accel ainsi que ses activités de soins de santé aux Etats-Unis et au Canada.

September 2014 | ECJ | 4

Virox bought

be appointed as ceo and chairman. The business plan will be focused on increased investment in product development, further integration of existing business units, development of key accounts and consolidation of the geographical footprint.

“I believe IP Cleaning represents an industrial platform with a significant growth potential, and with a product range, production footprint and commercial organisation which are fit to compete in all segments of professional cleaning, globally,” commented De Angelis, “I look forward to working alongside Ambienta to drive the industrial growth of IP Cleaning”.

• Der italienische Reinigungsproduktehersteller IP Cleaning wurde vollständig durch den Private-Equity-Fond Ambienta erworben.

• Sealed Air, das Mutterunternehmen von Diversey Care, hat die Marke Virox Technologies Accel zusammen mit den zugehörigen Unternehmen im Gesundheitswesen in den USA und Kanada erworben.

Sealed Air, parent company of the Diversey Care business, has acquired the Virox Technologies Accel brand, along with its related healthcare businesses in the USA and Canada.

Diversey Care has had a longstanding exclusive, global relationship with Virox and the acquisition will enhance the marketing of Virox’s proprietary Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP) technology.

“We see a unique opportunity to leverage Virox’s patented technology and Professional and Technical Services (PTS) model around the world to deliver thought leadership in the cleaning and disinfecting arena,” said Ilham Kadri, president of the Diversey Care division.

• La produttrice italiana di prodotti per le pulizie IP Cleaning è stata interamente acquisita dall’operatore di private equity Ambienta.

• La Sealed Air, società madre della Diversey Care, ha acquisito la marca Virox Technologies Accel con tutte le sue attività sanitarie collegate negli Stati uniti d’America e in Canada.

NEWS Cleaning firms failing to protect cleaners’ rights, says UK study According to a study by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the UK, some employers in the professional cleaning industry are failing to meet their responsibilities to their staff in relation to pay, holiday or sick leave and dealing with concerns.

The study also says many cleaners feel that their employer, client firms and the public do not treat them with the dignity and respect everyone should expect.

While the EHRC found many examples of good practice in employment and working conditions, many cleaners spoke of being “invisible” - the “lowest of the low”, being spoken to rudely and treated badly compared to other employees.

“Significant numbers” of

cleaners said they received no support when they complained of being harassed or bullied, and some said they were punished with extra work or worse duties for raising concerns. Others said they were afraid to report problems for fear of losing their jobs, and a few workers said they were threatened with dismissal when they told their employer they were pregnant.

Problems with under-payment or non-payment of wages were also mentioned, and there were cases of workers being sacked for complaining about not being paid in full and on time.

Migrant workers’ lack of awareness of employment rights and poor language skills left them particularly vulnerable to mistreatment.

Un rapport de la Commission sur l’égalité et les droits de l’homme au Royaume-Uni affirme que certains employeurs de la propreté ne remplissent pas leurs obligations envers leurs personnels.

Some of the migrant workers interviewed had not been given an employment contract; others did not have their contracts adequately explained to them.

In some cases, the study says, workers were told by their employer they were not entitled to paid holiday or sick leave, although they were permanent workers with legal entitlements.

Some felt pressurised into going into work when they were ill and others were expected to arrange their own cover.

Some cleaners said they had nowhere to take a break as some clients did not provide for this and they were denied access to staff canteens, with some workers eating their meals in cleaning cupboards.

The Commission, which

Aus einem Bericht der Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in Großbritannien geht hervor, dass einige Arbeitgeber in der Reinigungsbranche nicht ihrer Verantwortung gegenüber ihren Mitarbeitern nachkommen.

promotes and enforces the laws that protect everyone’s right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, makes a number or recommendations.

These include encouraging clients to commission cleaning services at living wage rates, as a matter of good practice. The Commission is now setting up a taskforce, chaired by EHRC deputy chair Caroline Waters, to look at issues raised by the report, identify examples of good practice and ways of taking these forward.

She said: “Together I believe we will identify key actions to improve practices across the sector and ensure that everyone understands their role in ensuring workers are treated with dignity and respect.”

Nel Regno Unito, un rapporto della commissione dei diritti umani Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) afferma che alcuni datori di lavoro nel settore delle pulizie non si assumono le responsabilità verso i loro dipendenti.

September 2014 | ECJ | 5

NEWS British Cleaning Council to host November London conference The British Cleaning Council (BCC) will hold its annual conference on November 6 in London - the theme this year is Changing Perceptions in the Cleaning Industry.

Speakers include Ruby McGregor-Smith, ceo of Mitie, and former sales and marketing director for Easyjet Tony Anderson. Other sessions include tips on networking by business development coach Peter Spalton, and presentations on technology and using social media for business.

Lead sponsor is Kimberly-Clark Professional.

BCC chairman Doug

Cooke said: “This year’s BCC conference has been planned well in advance with the view to challenge the cleaning industry by our theme Changing Perceptions. An excellent range of thought provoking speakers are booked who will encourage audience participation. This will be our best conference by far, I and many industry leaders are really looking forward to it.”

The venue for the BCC conference is Dexter House, close to the Tower of London.

For full details and to book visit: http:// britishcleaningcouncil.org/ cleaningconference

•Le Conseil britannique de la propreté tiendra sa conférence annuelle le 6 novembre à Londres sous le thème de l’évolution des perceptions au sein du secteur du nettoyage.

• L’ISS a publié un livre blanc montant à quel point des employés engagés face à leur travail sont plus productifs, centrés sur le client, et fidèles.

Spotlight on engaged staff ISS has published a white paper spotlighting how engaged employees are more productive, more customer-focused and more loyal. The paper - entitled - ‘Employee engagement - the crucial role of the supervisor’ - also finds that companies with high levels of employee engagement are more profitable.

Author Donna Brown of ISS describes how employee engagement can play an especially important role in improving business outcomes.

In 2012, original research was carried out to the deepen understanding of the drivers of employee engagement from the perspective of frontline service employees. Employee

•Die Jahreskonferenz des British Cleaning Council mit dem Thema „Changing Perceptions in the Cleaning Industry“ (Sichtweisen in der Reinigungsindustrie im Wandel) findet am 6. November in London statt.

• ISS hat ein Weißbuch veröffentlicht, in dem hervorgehoben wird, dass einbezogene Mitarbeiter produktiver, kundenorientierter und loyaler sind.

engagement is important for most service organisations because the majority of their resources are human capital.

Research evidence suggests that employees’ experiences and conditions at work are closely linked to the levels of engagement they feel. Studies recommend that organisations should seek to understand the facilitating drivers specific to their context.

The white paper concludes the measures designed to develop interpersonal relationships between frontline service employees and their immediate managers and supervisors were the most important drivers for employees feeling engaged.

• La conferenza annuale del British Cleaning Council si terrà a Londra il 6 novembre e il tema sarà “Changing Perceptions in the Cleaning Industry” (cambiare la percezione nel settore del cleaning).

• La ISS ha pubblicato una carta bianca su come i dipendenti coinvolti professionalmente siano più produttivi, leali e focalizzati sui clienti.

NEWS ISS best at outsourcing - IAOP

Countdown to Istanbul show

For the second year running, facility services provider ISS has been ranked the world’s number one outsourcing provider by an independent industry jury for The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).

The jury assessed the participants on a number of parameters. ISS received highest possible scores in the areas of size and growth; customer references; organisational competencies; and management capabilities.

“What was very obvious in reviewing ISS’ application was that they have made a tremendous investment in the

The first ISSA/Interclean Istanbul exhibition takes place from September 25-27 in Turkey. This is the newest in the ISSA/Interclean series of shows, which are organised

by Amsterdam RAI in association with trade organisation ISSA. Turkish cleaning association TESHIAD is a co-organiser of the event.

areas that we evaluate, and they really hit it out of the ballpark in terms of demonstrating that they are the best in the world in all of the criteria,” said Michael Corbett, IAOP chairman.

Proud of colleagues Jeff Gravenhorst, group ceo at ISS, commented: “I am so proud of my colleagues throughout the world. It is their appreciation and understanding of how our services help our customers’ businesses, coupled with their strong engagement in delivering those quality services day after day, that make our customers happy and satisfied.” www.issworld.com

• Le premier salon ISSA/Interclean d’Istanbul aura lieu du 25 au 27 septembre.

• Le prestataire de services d’immeuble ISS a été classé numéro un mondial pour la sous-traitance de services par l’Association internationale des professionnels de l’externalisation (IAOP).

Seminar programme With over 150 exhibitors and 3,500 visitors expected to attend, ISSA/Istanbul will feature companies including Diversey Care, Hako, IPC Group, Kärcher, Nilfisk, Procter & Gamble, Rubbermaid, SCA,

• Die erste ISSA/Interclean Istanbul findet vom 25.27. September statt.

• ISS, der Anbieter für Facility Services, nimmt in der von der International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) veröffentlichten Liste der weltbesten Outsourcing-Dienstleister den ersten Platz ein.

Vectair, Vermop and Werner & Mertz.

The two-day accompanying seminar programme will cover issues such as certification, the importance of hygiene, the international marketplace and health and safety. Keynote speaker is Dr Ilham Kadri, president of Diversey Care, who will be discussing how to balance sustainability goals while maintaining effective hygiene.

Her session will be followed by an open forum.

Visit www.issainterclean.com/ istanbul for information • ECJ is the official media partner of ISSA/Interclean exhibitions.

• La prima esibizione ISSA/Interclean Istanbul si terrà dal 25 al 27 settembre.

• La fornitrice di servizi alle strutture ISS è stata listata dalla International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) al primo posto nella classifica mondiale come fornitrice di servizi in outsourcing.

NEWS EFCI Stockholm conference focuses on business services future The European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) held a conference in Stockholm, Sweden recently. The theme was how the renewed European parliament and commission will impact on business services.

Hosting the event was the Swedish sector association Almega, and Ulf Lindberg and Bengt Jödahl (currently also EFCI president) explained Sweden is a service-oriented society and it needs to attract more skilled personnel from other countries.

Jödahl went on to say that 75 per cent of Swedes work in the service sector. He talked about the rapid growth in the service sector in recent years, as companies provide more and more services to consumers.

Francisco Cabellero-Sanz from

DG Enterprise and Industry talked about how the nature of the service sector is changing – pointing out it is now not so much about transactions but increasingly based on relationships and solutions. “We are seeing a ‘servitisation’ of the economy, “ he said, “whereby even industrial firms are becoming service providers.”

Stephan Schwarz is managing director of GRG Facility Services in Berlin, Germany, and also a member of the European High Level Group (HLG) on business services. He believes growth can be propelled by business services. “Business services are going through change in traditional areas of industry,” he said. “Automation, for example, has led to loss of jobs. So we

La Fédération européenne du nettoyage industriel a tenu une conférence en Suède récemment pour discuter des répercussions possibles du renouvellement du parlement européen et de la Commission pour les services aux entreprises.

September 2014 | ECJ | 8

must see this redressed in nonindustrial areas.”

“The borders between services and what is traditionally known as ‘industry’ are coming down.

Industry is being redefined – even small companies can now serve on a global scale for example. Original concepts have now evaporated.”

Driver for innovation Schwarz continued: “Business services can be a driver for innovation and growth and this should be technology-driven – training and skills are also key.

“Innovation will be a key feature in public procurement too, which has focused too much on lowest price for too long. There must be social and environmental innovation too.”

Die European Federation of Cleaning Industries veranstaltete vor kurzem eine Konferenz in Schweden, bei der diskutiert wurde, wie sich das neue Europäische Parlament und die neue Europäische Kommission auf Unternehmensdienstleistungen auswirken werden.

Norman Rose of the UK, also representing the HLG, explained the group has a 2020 vision for business services - but business services do not feature in the Europe 2020 strategy. “We are a skilled area of business,” Rose said. “And we are more skills and people dependent than ever. It’s vital we have a European skills strategy that is also fulfilled at a national level.”

Rose also highlighted the importance of improving the image of the business services sector because currently it is not attractive as a career. “And the sector must provide a more definite career path, so upskilling of staff is crucial. Fragmentation is naturally a challenge due to the fact more and more multiservices are emerging.”

• La federazione European Federation of Cleaning Industries ha tenuto di recente una conferenza in Svezia per discutere sull’impatto che il Parlamento Europeo e la Commissione Europea rinnovati avranno sui servizi alle imprese.

NEWS Sweaty hands can reduce effects of antibacterial brass, says research Sweaty hands can reduce the effectiveness of bacteriafighting brass objects in hospitals and schools after just an hour of coming into contact with them, according to research by scientists at the UK’s University of Leicester.

While copper found in everyday brass items such as door handles and water taps has an antimicrobial effect on bacteria and is widely used to prevent the spread of disease, Dr John Bond from the university’s department of chemistry has discovered peoples’ sweat can - within an hour of contact with the brass - produce sufficient corrosion to adversely affect its use to kill a range of microorganisms.

These include those that might be encountered in a hospital and which can be easily transferred by touch or by a lack of hand hygiene.

Dr Bond explained: “The antimicrobial effect of copper has been known for hundreds of years. It is thought to occur as a result of a charge exchange between copper and bacteria, which leads to a degradation of bacteria DNA. “We have discovered that the salt in sweat corrodes the metal, forming an oxide layer on its surface, which is the process of corrosion - and this corrosive layer is known to inhibit the effect of the copper. We have shown that it

is possible for sweat to produce an oxide layer on the metal within an hour of contact.”

He continued: “While it is well known sweat corrodes brass, this is the first study to analyse the temporal corrosion of copper alloys such as brass in the first few hours after contact between fingerprint sweat concentrations of salt and the metal.”

The research paper, entitled

‘Electrochemical behaviour of brass in chloride solution concentrations found in eccrine fingerprint sweat’, published in the journal Applied Surface Science was co-authored by Elaine Lieu.

Dr Bond added: “My short term advice is to keep the brass in public environments free from corrosion through regular and thorough cleaning.

In the longer term, using copper

alloys with corrosion inhibitors included in the alloy would be a good choice.

“While more research is needed in the study of sweat and brass corrosion, anywhere that needs to prevent the spread of bacteria, such as public buildings, schools and hospitals should be looking at using copper alloy on everyday items to help in avoiding the spread of disease.”

S’ils entrent en contact avec des mains moîtes, les objets en laiton hospitalier perdent leur efficacité de lutte antibactérienne en une heure à peine, indiquent de nouvelles recherhces.

Schweißhände können die Wirksamkeit von bakterienbekämpfenden Messingobjekten in Krankenhäusern schon eine Stunde, nachdem sie berührt wurden, verringern, geht aus einer neuen Studie hervor.

Le mani sudate possono ridurre l’efficacia degli oggetti in ottone antibatterico negli ospedali solo un’ ora dopo esserne venuti in contatto, a quanto emerge da una nuova ricerca.

September 2014 | ECJ | 11

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UPDATE: RUSSIA Adapting to a changing economy Oleg Popov of Cristanval Cleaning explains how economic changes have impacted on the sector.

Just a few years back, the cleaning market was not only experiencing steady growth but a boost in its profitability. In a period of well-being, companies strive to enlarge their business and grab a share of the market. For the sake of clinching an ‘image’ contract, the company can sacrifice its profit margin. Low-margin but significant facilities help the company to win other tenders.

While the market is growing, the company should try to pursue other opportunities.

Over the past year, the situation in the Russian cleaning market has changed drastically. The market continues to grow by 25-30 per cent per year through the commissioning of new facilities, but revenue has been declining. Due to changes in state migration legislation, businesses now have a new expense they have never faced before – a need to invest in their workforce.

All these expenditures now fall totally on cleaning companies clients, who are experiencing a decline in their markets, are not prepared to cover these additional costs in the price of the contract.

In previous years, thanks to the mass influx of migrants into the market and the absence of restrictions on their employment, it was possible to engage in low-budget projects. In August 2013 however, amendments were made to migration legislation. These, most importantly, had to do with the liability of non-Russian citizens having no registration and work permit; the new rules require one to go through many procedures and present and have processed a whole list of documents in order to work legally in Russia. Higher fines were also introduced for breaking these rules.

Russian cleaning companies immediately felt the shortage of CIS citizen workers. As a conseDans son message de Russie, Oleg Popov, de la société Cristanval, explique comment l’évolution économique du pays a frappé le secteur de la propreté.

quence, foreigners with a package of all the necessary documentation became worth as much as RF citizens. In truth, few Russians want to work in the cleaning business, since it is a low-prestige job. Nowadays, it is the personnel who choose their employer – not the other way round. In order to attract workers, cleaning companies now provide their workers with room, board, cover their travel and health care expenses, and grant them pay advances.

The payroll fund has grown. In theory this has to be reflected in the cost of contracts, as payroll is the main expense in any contract – 60-70 per cent. But clients are not prepared to increase their payment, since they are trying to economise through outsourcing.

Amid such uncertainty, it is risky to undertake low-margin projects, for at any time they can end up in the red and take the entire company down with them. So it is important to have a financial safety margin and a pool of reliable and viable clients.

Therefore, what is coming to the forefront is not the struggle for a share of the market but rather a fight to retain the company’s market position and protect its infrastructure.

Smaller companies are trying to take advantage of the situation in the market and compete with the leaders. They are doing this through dumping and are trying to win contracts in large facilities.

Apart from a sales strategy, in what other ways are cleaning companies expected to change?

In a period of downturn, a large business may react to challenges quite slowly. So it makes sense to let the various branches of the business engage in independent work. Smaller business teams are more mobile and have less trouble ‘realigning the ranks’. In this way the company is not losing its operational flexibility.

Der bei Cristanval tätige Oleg Popov berichtet aus Russland, dass wirtschaftliche Veränderungen im Land die Vertragsreinigungsbranche getroffen haben.

Dalla Russia, il corrispondente Oleg Popov della Cristanval spiega l’effetto che i cambiamenti economici della nazione hanno avuto sul settore degli appalti dei servizi di pulizie.

UPDATE: ITALY The future of services Italian reporter Anna Garbagna brings news of a law which should bring greater professionalism to the commercial cleaning sector.

“At last a law for the service sector which firmly contributes towards professionalisation of the cleaning sector and its companies, fighting the underground economy, relaunching employment and promoting efficient public expenditure”.

With these words, Lorenzo Mattioli, president of ANIP (the association within Confindustria which represents the sector of integrated services, cleaning and multi-services) commented on the proposal (AC 2475) which was presented in the presence of representatives of political parties, institutions and business during the annual meeting of FISE ANIP recently.

Despite the fact that the facilities management service sector, with 135 billion euros of potential estimated sales volume, employs over 2.5 million workers (of which 550,000 are in cleaning/multi-services alone), the attention of politicians and institutions concentrates even today almost exclusively on the manufacturing and building industries, not fully taking into consideration the substantial occupational and industrial potential of the sector.

Yet, as proven by the Authority of Vigilance on Public Contracts, against a significant downturn in other markets (for example the construction sector), the total value of the facilities management sector is in constant growth (10.4 per cent in 2012 alone) and has long since overtaken the works sector - and more growth is entirely possible.

“The law proposal being illustrated today,” said Lorenzo Mattioli, “embraces our project of framework legislation on facilities management which was developed during the last few months and was shared and Notre correspondante en Italie Anna Garbagna fait rapport sur une loi destinée à introduire un degré de professionalisme plus élevé dans le secteur des services d’immeuble.

September 2014 | ECJ | 14

welcomed by all political parties.

“The text that was presented defines for the first time some rules aimed to formalise the integrated services sector and identify the necessary actions to reduce the underground economy, promote specialisation of supply and demand and make the process of financing businesses more dynamic.”

However, different objectives are pursued by the law proposal presented by stakeholders belonging to different political groups. Among these objectives are: wanting to outline for the first time the content and the global profile of the businesses included in the facility management’s industrial concept; promoting the outsourcing of facilities management services, rationalisation procedures for calls for tenders simplifying administrative operations with the objective of making public expenditure more efficient; promoting the development of legal and constant employment, opposing illegal work; protecting companies in case of delayed payments, guaranteeing easier access to bank credit.

Furthermore, in line with new EU directives on public contracts, some necessary new measures for the sector’s development have been outlined to pursue the objectives of transparency and quality - in particular supporting the application of the criteria for winning a contract according to the more economically favourable offer.

Last but not least, better protection for workers with obligations on the part of the public sector customer to pay workers salaries and contributions due for the execution of the contract.

To sum up, this is an important step forward.

Die italienische Reporterin Anna Garbagna berichtet über ein neues Gesetz, mit dem ein höherer Grad an Professionalismus in der Gebäudetechnik-branche Einzug halten wird.

La corrispondente italiana Anna Garbagna ci parla di una legge che alzerà i livelli di professionalità nel settore dei servizi alle strutture.

UPDATE: DENMARK Cleaners’ ID cards debate A highly publicised case about nine Romanians cleaners who were kept in a garage without toilet and running water, is one of the reasons why Danish employers and Danish labour union 3F have made demands for the introduction of a compulsory ID card for all employees in the cleaning industry. ECJ correspondent Petra Sjouwerman reports.

In the so-called Garage Case earlier this year, two cleaning bosses were convicted to two and to two-and-a-half years in prison.

During the court case it emerged that a group of Romanians were forced to work under slave-like conditions for about 400 euros per month for a more than fulltime job. Between 2007 and 2013 they had done cleaning jobs at primary schools, kindergartens and in private companies.

Recently the Danish centre-left government has approved the introduction of a compulsory ID card for employees in the construction industry. They must carry their ID at all times. Why don’t we use this in the cleaning industry, asked several Danish employers from the industry.

Side by side with the Danish labour union 3F, Danish employers now demand the introduction of a compulsory ID card for the cleaning industry. According to them a compulsory ID card for all employees is the best weapon against social dumping.

In the meantime, neighbouring country Norway has put a lot of effort and prominence into the fight against social dumping.

About one year ago Norway introduced the compulsory ID card for the cleaning industry, much to the satisfaction of both employers and employees.

“It is an important remedy against social dumping and tax evasion,” stated Trond Erik Thorvaldsen earlier this year. Thorvaldsen is communications manager for the Norwegian union Norsk Arbeidsmandsforbund (NAF).

The Norwegian employers’ Le syndicat danois 3F a appelé à l’introduction d’une carte d’identité obligatoire pour tous les employés du secteur de la propreté, écrit Petra Sjouwerman.

association NHO Service shares this view. “The ID card is a must and a success, even though it takes a while to get it incorporated,” Petter Furulund, director of the association, added.

However, a number of Danish cleaning companies consider the ID card as ‘unnecessary bureaucracy’. Petter Furulund does not agree: “With this ID card it has become difficult for cleaning companies to evade tax. Therefore, we think that the bureaucracy is worth the time and money,” he declared.

No burden Denmark’s second largest cleaning company, Forende Service, endorses the initiative. “We have worked with our own ID card for these past two years and we have not experienced it as a administrative burden,” said quality and security manager Jens Nielsen.

Denmark’s largest trade union 3F is happy about the positive feedback from employers. “This is an important step in the right direction. The ID card is very high on our list,” says Tina Møller Madsen, 3F leader for the section Private, Hotel, Service and Restaurant.

Despite the strong political support for the ID card, not all parties support the idea. The biggest Danish political party Venstre (Liberal) is sceptical.

“Despite the experience of Norway, we still believe that it creates a high administrative cost, and it makes it more difficult to provide companies with the flexible labour force they need,” it says.

Die dänische Gewerkschaft 3F fordert die Einführung eines obligatorischen Dienstausweises für alle Mitarbeiter in der Reinigungsbranche, schreibt Petra Sjouwerman.

Il sindacato danese 3F richiede l’introduzione di un documento di identità obbligatorio per tutti i dipendenti del settore del cleaning, come ci informa Petra Sjouwerman.

September 2014 | ECJ | 15

UPDATE: FRANCE New president inspires confidence The French federation of cleaning (FEP) has a new president, reports Christian Bouzols.

Max Massa was elected as the new president of the Fédération des entreprises de propreté (FEP) at the closing session its 46th AGM recently.

This self-made boss is definitely not a beginner - far from it. He has spent no fewer than 51 years in the largest cleaning company in France. Having now ‘retired’ his wish is, despite this exceptionally long career, to put his experience and his ability to listen at the service of the 29,000 businesses and 469,000 employees of the cleaning sector.

One wonders whether fairies weren’t watching over his cradle when Max Massa was born, such being his professional success and a career that can only inspire admiration.

Indeed, who could have predicted what the future had in store for him as he returned France in 1962 after completing his national service in Algeria and as he entered for the first time, at the age of 22, the offices of the Onet company in the beautiful Provençal city of Avignon?

Nobody could have imagined that he would climb all the steps one by one to become the chairman of the company’s board of directors in 2004.

During that time Onet became an international group established in many countries, and Max Massa most certainly played his part in this expansion.

But the man with a southern accent has remained modest to this day and talks of “good luck” to explain his career path, avoiding all mention of his enormous capacity for work and his legendary sense of discipline, inherited from his father who was a policeman.

Max Massa is in fact the viceLa Fédération française des entreprises de propreté (FEP) a élu un nouveau président en la personne de Max Massa, qui fut longtemps à la tête de l’entreprise de propreté Onet.

September 2014 | ECJ | 16

president of the Association of the Friends of the national police force and holds the rank of colonel in the citizen’s reserve!

This means that behind the man’s good-heartedness there lies an authority that induces one to toe the line.

His election as head of the federation of cleaning companies is seen as natural for the sector. Company bosses have chosen him because of their profound admiration for his career and for his ability to engage. Many of those company chiefs come, as he does, from the ground.

Asked about their choice, all of them mention Max Massa’s humanism and his profound respect for people.

And when one questions the new president about what he liked most in his job, he invariably responds that “human relations” were he liked best.

It’s true that one needs to know how to handle human relations in a sector when men and women will never be replaced by machines.

The trust which he inspires is also based on a realistic and consultative programme that gives more power to the federation’s regional chambers and emphasises the need to train not only young people, but company directors as well. As far as he’s concerned the FEP of tomorrow has to strengthen the management of different cleaning-related activities.

He stresses that FEP should be extremely proud of its achievements in terms of integration, training and wage progression during these past few years, which all happened in a field where full-time working is still practiced by less than half of the workforce.

Der französische Reinigungsverband FEP hat einen neuen Vorsitzenden. Es handelt sich um Max Massa, längjähriger Vorsitzender des Reinigungsunternehmens Onet.

La federazione francese del cleaning FEP ha un nuovo presidente, Max Massa, che ha diretto per molti anni l’impresa di pulizie Onet.

UPDATE: GERMANY Washroom services in court Thomas Schulte-Marxloh reports from Germany on court cases brought against two companies responsible for cleaning motorway service station washrooms.

More than 10 years ago Autobahn (motorway) drivers hesitated to use the free toilets of German motorway service areas because of poor hygiene standards there.

These days they can enjoy the comfort of well maintained washrooms for an obligatory fee of 0.70 euro; 0.50 euro of the voucher is valid for use in the respective motorway restaurant.

Today most German motorway service areas, belong to Tank & Rast, a company which co-operates with local tenants who actually run the petrol stations and/or restaurants. In order to keep the washrooms tidy, the vast majority of these tenants work with Sanifair, a subsidiary of Tank & Rast, which operates the washrooms of these areas. Sani-fair hires subcontractors who provide the cleaning personnel.

This form of franchise system is the result of the privatisation in 1998 which was aimed at maintaining the existing infrastructure of restaurants and petrol stations along the Autobahn; maintaining the operational structure (medium sized tenant companies), preservation of multiple petrol suppliers while considering the legitimate interests of the mainly SME tenants and, last but not least, the avoidance of monopolies.

Today Sanifair not only serves Tank & Rast but also operates washrooms in department stores, malls and train stations. For any franchise company reliable partners are paramount. However, it seems that some franchisees of Sanifair played unfair and neither paid attention to existing laws nor to existing franchise agreements.

This June the department of public prosecution in Mainz initiated court proceedings Thomas Schulte-Marxloh rend compte d’une procédure intentée en Allemagne contre deux entreprises responsables du nettoyage des toilettes publiques de stations-services d’autoroute.

against two contract cleaning companies which cleaned Sanifair washrooms at 27 motorway service areas in Germany about six years ago. For one-anda-half years and in 48 cases, the prosecutor believes, the accused have worked with falsely self-employed cleaning men and women in order to avoid minimum wages and social insurance contributions. Estimated damage for the employees and social insurance: 1.4 million euros.

According to the prosecutor in Mainz most of the respective staff has been hired in eastern Europe and transported to Germany.

Another offender who used to operate up to 120 washrooms in Germany allegedly evaded six million euros of tax and social contributions, the prosecuting body of Stade suspects.

Many malls and department stores today rent out their washroom areas to tenants and kill two birds with one stone: they get rid of the ‘dirty work’ and also get money from the operating cleaning companies.

These companies earn nothing but the tips which the visitors of the washrooms leave on the notorious plate - however, some locations are extremely profitable. At one top location the tips per day can easily add up to 100 euros however the staff on site, because they are working as sub-sub-contractors, do not get a fair share.

All these cases prove how important it is to prosecute the exploitation of allegedly selfemployed workers, tax fraud and evasion of social insurance contributions – for the sake of fair trade, public welfare and the reputation of the entire business.

Thomas SchulteMarxloh berichtet aus Deutschland über Gerichtsverfahren gegen zwei Unternehmen, die für die Reinigung von Waschräumen in Autobahnraststätten verantwortlich waren.

Dalla Germania, il corrispondente Thomas Schulte-Marxloh ci aggiorna sulle azioni legali contro due imprese responsabili delle pulizie dei bagni delle stazioni di servizio delle autostrade.

UPDATE: UK Uncertainty and confusion?

The cleaning industry in the UK needs a clear voice and true leadership, says ECJ’s reporter.

The cleaning industry press deserves far more credit than it receives for one simple quality.

Despite often producing what is not earth shattering copy, especially if one is not involved in cleaning, it tells the truth.

Unlike the popular press it does not involve itself in rumour, unconfirmed reports and innuendo. It largely evaluates the value of an item on its knowledge, imparting value rather than the desire to increase or maintain readership and assessing the matter of ‘public interest’.

This leads to consideration of the ‘story’ value and we find that massive amounts of newsprint or as much as two thirds of a news bulletin are being devoted to inaccurate reports and rumours.

So we can stand smugly proud of the veracity of our press and the organisations which purport to lead the industry. Or can we?

Lately we have seen the growth of politics amongst organisations. After some years of beneficent rule by the British Cleaning Council (BCC) during which peace reigned, suddenly all is change and confusion.

Political Though the BCC did not achieve all the original founders hoped, nevertheless it helped to blend the various bodies representing particular sectors and tidied up the exhibition jungle where almost every month there would be a show - each claiming to require essential attendance.

BCC backed The Cleaning Show as offering all things to the industry and though it did not quite achieve this, it produced a strong show and raised money for various projects nominated

by BCC members for funding.

Lately however, connected to an extent by the economic Le correspondant d’ECJ au Royaume-Uni contemple les activités des organisations professionnelles de la propreté du pays.

September 2014 | ECJ | 18

situation, both partition and attendance have fallen away considerably. The decision to move the show to London has been taken and it will be interesting to see if this produces the effect the organisers and the industry need.

But a more significant change has taken place in the corporate structure. It would not be unfair to say the BCC’s influence has diminished a trifle. This is partly due to the growth of FM companies becoming the actual clients of the cleaning contractors and wielding considerable power over them, and other suppliers.

This has also been complicated by the arrival of a new kid on the block in the shape of the amalgamation of the initially Government-backed Asset Skills, the Facilities Management Association (FMA) and the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) - the Building Futures Group (BFG).

BFG has announced itself as “the only organisation collectively representing the housing, property, cleaning, parking and facilities management sectors in the UK”. Other cleaning industry bodies are said to feel they were slighted or ignored during its formation.

All of this shows that elaborate promises, uncertainty and confusion in governance are not what the cleaning industry needs or wants. To act decisively in establishing the importance of the industry there is a need for clear command and cooperation between various associations to present a united body representing the industry to the Government and the general public at large.

We currently do not have that and it is looking as if we may be drifting further from it.

Der britische ECJKorrespondent wirft einen Blick auf die Aktivitäten der Berufsverbände in der Branche.

Il corrispondente del Regno unito di ECJ prende in esame le attività delle organizzazioni di categoria del settore del cleaning.

UPDATE: NETHERLANDS Encouraging environment result Dutch correspondent Nico Lemmens of ISS Facility Services reports on a survey into workplace environment quality carried out by VSR. In the April edition of this journal the Vereniging Schoonmaak Research VSR (Association for Cleaning Research), an independent Dutch platform for all parties directly or indirectly involved in contract cleaning, was presented.

For the second time the association has made an assessment of the workplace environment quality in Dutch office buildings (the first time was in 2011/2012).

VSR wanted to assess the sanitary quality of workplace environments in office buildings spread all over the country. Between the end of 2013 and April 2014 measurements were taken in 40 office buildings, focussing mainly on indoor climate quality. The measurements contained a visual inspection (ventilation facilities, maintenance condition and clean desk policy), measurement of temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentrations and fine dust - both during a period of eight hours - and the assessment of microbiological quality.

The workplace sanitary quality was found to be below standard in 23 per cent of the workplaces in the sample. Almost a quarter showed poor results in one or more measured aspects.

One of the remarkable results is the improvement in clean desk policy implementation: in only 35 per cent of the sample clean desk policy was not in place, compared with 75 per cent found in 2012. The relevance of clean desk policy for sanitary quality is obvious: without clean desk policy, desks are spread with all kinds of objects, not only making it difficult to clean them, but also containing possible sources of micro-organism contamination.

In the second measurement of 2013/2014 microbiological scores show a substantial improvement, probably associated with the Nico Lemmens, notre correspondant aux Pays-Bas, rend compte d’une étude sur la qualité de l’environnement de travail dans ce pays.

observed increase in clean desk policy implementation. Another explanation for this result could be the improvement in climate control systems: the percentage of malfunctioning systems decreased from 30 per cent in 2012 to 23 per cent in 2014.

The majority of buildings showed room temperature levels within the acceptable range of 20-24 Celsius. A matter of concern, however, are the relative humidity levels, found to be far below standard (40-50 per cent) in 88 per cent of the measured workplaces, a deterioration compared with the 73 per cent found in 2012.

Another remarkable result was the observed substantial improvement in the levels of CO2.

In more than 75 per cent the CO2 concentration was found to be below the 800 ppm standard. In only 2.5 per cent of the sample workplaces the situation was bad (more than 1,200 ppm).

Although CO2 concentrations of these levels do not represent any direct health risks, they can be seen as an indication of a lack of air ventilation. All in all the CO2 results showed a substantial improvement compared to the situation in 2012, when 50 per cent were found to be above CO2 target level en 20 per cent were found to be bad.

Encouraging are also the microbiological results: 75 per cent of the scores were acceptable (against 60 per cent in 2012).

Finally, positive measurement results were found for the levels of fine dust: 97 per cent acceptable, compared to 60 per cent in 2012. Whether these encouraging findings are the result of structural improvement in workplace management in the Netherlands, cannot be established on the basis of these findings.

Nico Lemmens, der NiederlandeKorrespondent des ECJ, berichtet über eine Studie zur Qualität des Arbeitsumfelds in den Niederlanden.

Il corrispondente olandese Nico Lemmens ci informa su uno studio sulla qualità degli ambienti di lavoro nei Paesi Bassi.

September 2014 | ECJ | 19

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MOPPING EQUIPMENT

Drive for versatility What are the most important trends currently in mopping equipment? How are manufacturers of mopping systems responding to user requirements for higher productivity, better hygiene standards and lower costs? TTS writes exclusively for ECJ.

The new age of mopping systems heralds a wealth of innovative solutions based on the on-demand principle - which means convenience, resources and time saving and utmost flexibility.

In the professional mopping equipment world one of the main trend is the ongoing gradual substitution of the traditional cleaning method based on buckets and wringers with modern pre-soaked mop techniques. This procedure can now be performed both in advance in dedicated rooms and on the spot, directly when needed by the operative.

This change is significantly improving the final hygiene result, as well as saving time and costs - because it eliminates downtime during operations. It also dramatically reduces the quantity of water required, which means less chemical agent distributed in the environment. At the same time new ergonomic tools are enabling cleaning staff to have better posture throughout cleaning tasks.

Going even further, instant on-the–spot impregnation systems achieve extreme simplification of working methods together with the highest hygienic standards. Operators simply soak the mops they need directly on the trolley, but only the required number of mop heads and always with the appropriate quantity of cleaning solution.

The new age of mopping systems heralds a wealth of innovative solutions based on the on-demand principle, which means convenience, resources and time saving, utmost flexibility and customised procedures.

Another main trend in the market which we are witnessing can be seen in the gradually increasing importance of research into materials and fabrics for floor and surface cleaning.

The new developments for microfibre – which has by now an undisputed predominant position - today are certainly focused on a deep differentiation of the possible solutions. The key role is played by research into new ultra-fabrics, specially studied according to the kind of operation, the level of dirt, the application and the surface being cleaned.

If on the one hand the range of cloths, mops and fabrics is widening more and

more and increasing the number of possible choices, on the other hand we are witnessing a gradual simplification of working devices. Today it is no longer convenient, ergonomic and effective for cleaning staff to work with many tools: the trend is to use few versatile, compact and multipurpose items.

For example the operator using only one reversible frame can clean floors as well as vertical surfaces; with the same frame – combined with different specific microfibres - he can sweep, wash, disinfect, scrub and dry any kind of surface. All this is combined with trolleys which become highly customisable multipurpose workstations, equipped with modular cleaning systems that can be modified according to the specific procedure and cleaning site.

Working autonomy We have always analysed the requests coming from the market and the new achievements of the cleaning world, converting them into new energy and life for our R&D department. First of all we have been for a long time planning on-demand systems to be applied on multipurpose trolleys or floor cleaning tools - devices that can immediately increase the working autonomy of cleaning staff, completely modular so as to fit their workstation, or other already present items, durable and long-lasting.

We try to focus our attention on the simplification of tools to reduce as much as possible the need for staff training and support in their everyday work.

In summary, our goal is to offer multifunctional integrated cleaning systems: buckets, mops, tools and trolleys which can be customised and – although easy to use – perform several operations at the same time, so as to reduce and lighten the minimal working kit, with no decrease in the quality of the final cleaning result and the possibility to perform different operations.

That’s not all: by now it is a well-known Continued page 22

September 2014 | ECJ | 21

MOPPING EQUIPMENT Drive for versatility (continued) idea that clean and neat environments with high standards of hygiene considerably improve the quality of life and the perceived well-being. All this must always be achieved with conscious and effective protection of the surrounding environment and the leading manufacturers transform this into a real commitment along the whole production chain. Most of them now organise production in the interest of the utmost sustainability: a commitment acknowledged with ISO 14001 certification. Since 2011 at TTS, for example, we have been independent in terms of energy thanks to a photo voltaic system which supplies the whole Italian production plant with clean energy.

And the market’s suppliers are turning our customers into active players of environment protection, because we offer them products which really reduce everyday water consumption and the consequent dispersion of chemicals in the environment. We are trying to ensure that a cleaner future is in our hands.

Mopping systems are now more than ever vitally important in modern cleaning operations, as they reduce costs, time and working effort.

It’s true that many cleaning machine manufacturers are now launching small machines which they say can replace mopping in some applications. In our opinion, the small machines recently introduced as an alternative to mopping systems can properly perform only some of the usual operations which cleaning staff have to accomplish when they are about to sanitize a hospital ward, an office, a school environment.

We do not see them as a real alternative to mopping systems as they are designed and planned today. A machine cannot reach the most hidden corners of a room, as well as walls, mirrors, windows, top shelves and various working surfaces. This device must be in any case implemented with other equipment, so raising problems of space and the high number of tools to be bought, carried to the working site, cleaned, maintained.

This is really far from our idea of a workstation: a multipurpose, complete and customisable trolley, perfect for all cleaning operations in different contexts. These small machines certainly have some benefits but we think they lack the overall view which makes integrated mopping systems for professional cleaning real multitasking devices.

Mopping systems are now more than ever vitally important in modern cleaning operations, as they reduce costs, time and working efforts and at the same time offer great functional versatility and – a much more important target and the main goal of our job – higher and higher standards of hygiene, even in very delicate environments such as hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Quelles sont les principales tendances de l’équipement de balayage humide sur le marché européen ? Face à l’évolution de la demande des clients sur ce secteur, comment les fabricants répondentils aux exigences de productivité, d’hygiène et de coûts ?

September 2014 | ECJ | 22

Was sind gegenwärtig die wichtigsten Trends im europäischen Markt für Moppgeräte? Wie reagieren die Hersteller auf die sich ändernde Nachfrage der Käufer von Moppsystemen nach erhöhter Produktivität, höheren Hygienestandards und niedrigeren Reinigungskosten?

Quali sono le tendenze di punta nel mercato delle attrezzature mop in Europa al momento? Al variare delle richieste dei clienti che acquistano i sistemi mop, come rispondono i produttori alle necessità di ottenere produttività più evelata, standard di igiene più alti e costi di pulizia più bassi?

PRODUCTS: MOPPING EQUIPMENT

• Vileda affirme que son système de balayage humide UltraSpeed Pro constitue la solution seauessorage la plus inventive du marché.

• Equodose est le nouveau dispositif de dosage mécanique de balais-éponges signé Filmop.

Three kits

• Laut Vileda ist das Moppsystem UltraSpeed Pro die innovativste Eimer-und-PresseFlachmopplösung.

• Bei Equodose handelt es sich um ein neues mechanisches Moppdosiergerät von Filmop.

system - chassis, bucket(s) and press. Starter contains the system plus mop frame and mop pad while Ready-to-Go comprises the starter kit plus a telescopic mop handle.

Wringing is said to average 12 seconds per press cycle with efficient pressing releasing up to 50 per cent more water. There is no hand contact with mops or cleaning solution for the operator and no bending is needed for wringing. www.vileda-professional.com

are 100 per cent recyclable.

The system is said to be particularly suitable for healthcare facilities, as well as the hospitality sector. www.filmop.com

Dosing device • La Vileda afferma che il suo sistema mop UltraSpeed Pro è la soluzione mop “secchio e strizzatura” più ingegnosa.

• Equodose è un nuovo dispositivo meccanico per i sistemi mop per il dosaggio di prodotti chimici prodotto dalla Filmop.

September 2014 | ECJ | 24

The latest mopping development from Vileda Professional is the UltraSpeed Pro bucketand-press flat mopping system - the successor to the UltraSpeed system.

Because flexibility was one of the top priorities in developing this new system, the UltraSpeed Pro comes in three kits, to cater for a wide range of applications.

System contains the mopping

Equodose is the new mechanical dosing device from Filmop, designed to moisten only those mops that are required on site using the correct dose for each specific cleaning application.

Said to reduce environmental impact, Equodose saves water and energy while also reducing the amount of detergent required, according to Filmop. All plastic components of the unit

Keep up-to-date with latest industry news on the ECJ website - visit www.european cleaningjournal.com

PRODUCTS: MOPPING EQUIPMENT

Two sides According to Symto, its Hybrid series of mops can offer significant cost savings thanks to its patented belt system which enables double sided usage.

This, the company says, can reduce the amount of mops used by half and because Hybrid can be used on different holder systems there is no longer any need for different mop heads.

One side of the mop is microfibre for regular floors, while the other has bristles for use on security tiles. And in the other

version one side has microfibre for pre-cleaning while the other is made of PU-coated microfibre for drying. www.symto.de

Pre-impregnate

Shower dispenser. This is said to eliminate the need for operators to carry out manual tasks such as wringing out cloths or refilling water buckets. Up to 20 flat mops can be treated at a time.

The trolley can be loaded with three containers with 60 microfibre flat mops.

The Tecno-Shower dispenser is made of polypropylene copolymer and it is treated with Microban antibacterial protection. www.vdm.it

Mop holder

VDM’s DMX-pre/Compact line of multipurpose trolleys has been designed to allow different types of mop impregnation to be carried out.

Impregnation can take place directly on the trolley using the company’s patented Techno-

New from Ermop is the Gecko mop holder which the company says has a durable and flexible structure. Manufactured in a chemical-resistant plastic, the entire unit is moulded at once, making it less likely that germs and dirt will accumulate.

For colour-coding there are four versions - red, blue, green and yellow. A number of spare parts are also available. www.ermop.com

• Symto affirme que son nouveau balai-éponge Hybrid donne des économies car son système breveté à courroie autorise un usage sur les deux faces.

• Les chariots DMX-pre/Compact de VDM servent à imprégner des têtes de balayage humide plates immédiatement avant l’usage.

• Ermop présente le support de tête de balai-éponge Gecko, de construction durable et souple.

• Laut Symto können Benutzer des neue Mopps Hybrid Kosten einsparen, da sein patentiertes Gurtsystem eine doppelseitige Nutzung ermöglicht.

• Mit dem Reinigungswagen DMXpre/Compact von VDM können Flachmopps vor der Nutzung mit einer Reinigungslösung imprägniert werden.

• Neu von Ermop ist der widerstandsfähige und flexible Mopphalter Gecko.

• La Symto afferma che il suo nuovo mop Hybrid è in grado di far risparmiare in quanto il suo sistema di cinghia brevettato permette che il mop venga usato da entrambi i lati.

• I carrelli DMX-pre/Compact della VDM vengono utilizzati per impregnare i mop a flange con soluzioni detergenti immediatamente prima dell’uso.

• La novità della Ermop è Gecko Mop Holder, che vanta una struttura flessibile e durevole.

September 2014 | ECJ | 25

PRODUCTS: MOPPING EQUIPMENT

• Hygienteknik a mis au point le cadre réglable de balayage humide Activa Flexi Move.

• TRI+ est la nouvelle gamme TTS de têtes de balayage humide à double face en microfibre.

• Les MicroMops SmartColor peuvent réduire la présence de bactéries de 96 pour cent, affirme Unger.

• Hygienteknik hat den anpassbaren Mopprahmen Activa Flexi Move entwickelt.

• TRI+ ist die neue Produktreihe mit doppelseitigen Mikrofasermopps von TTS. • Mit SmartColor MicroMops können Bakterien um bis zu 96 Prozent reduziert werden, teilt Unger mit.

• La Hygienteknik ha sviluppato la struttura mop regolabile Activa Flexi Move.

• TRI+ is è la nuova linea di mop in microfibra a doppio lato prodotti dalla TTS. • I mop SmartColor MicroMops sono in grado di ridurre i batteri fino al 96 per cento, come afferma la Unger.

September 2014 | ECJ | 26

No bending Hygienteknik says its new Activa Flexi Move adjustable mop frame reaches further than other models, making it easy for operators to clean under low furniture without having to bend.

Available in several sizes, the frame is said to be simple to reset and adjust, with no other accessories required.

The company also offers a dry/ damp and wet mop pad made of bamboo fibre, called Activa Bamboo. Bamboo has natural antibacterial properties, says Hygienteknik, which helps the mop to stay fresh and odourfree. There is a microfibre fringe to remove loose dirt and the

mop comes in several sizes both as a pocket mop and with velcro back. www.hygienteknik.se

Wet and dry

drying. The TRI+ system is also designed to be used on vertical surfaces - in the bathrooms of hotel washrooms, for instance. www.ttsystem.com

Reduce bacteria

TTS has introduced a new range of double-sided mops that can be mixed and matched to allow cleaners to combine two applications in one pass.

The company’s TRI+ system of mops can be configured for washing and drying or washing and dusting. They can also be used on safety floors or on regular floors depending on the operator’s needs.

A waterproof film between the two sides of the mop enables the cleaner to use one side for wet cleaning and the other for

Unger says its SmartColor MicroMops reduce bacteria by up to 96 per cent and reach into the grout lines between tiles. These microfibre mops are colour-coded, and depending on how much water needs to be applied to the floor or how much dirt has to be picked up, there are three fibre lengths for wet, medium wet and damp cleaning.

The mops are attached to the SmartMop Holder with a clamp, so they can be rinsed in the double bucket with vertical press without touching.

The SmartColor SmartMop System is a complete solution with different mops, mop holder, handles, bucket and press. www.ungerglobal.com

PRODUCTS: MOPPING EQUIPMENT

Antibacterial

New from Vivelle is the dry disposable antibacterial dust mop Ultimop. This, the company says, can reduce bacteria levels by over 99.99 per cent. And bacteria such as MRSA and E.coli cannot survive once picked up in the mop fibres.

The antibacterial action lasts throughout the life of the mop, which makes it suitable for use in hygiene-critical areas the company says. It can also be safely disposed of in landfill. www.vivelledynamop.com

Small loop Perfex says the small loop microfibre construction of its TruCLEAN Microfibre Mop offers high performance in the removal of liquids, soil, residue and other contaminants. Designed for mop-to-dry performance on wet surfaces, it can be repeatedly laundered and autoclaved.

In the TruCLEAN Anti-Microbial Mop an added antimicrobial agent is permanently bonded to the microfibres. This, says Perfex, can eliminate up to 99

per cent of bacteria present on the cloth after cleaning. It can be repeatedly laundered or autoclaved without losing the antimicrobial properties. www.perfexonline.com

Wrings mops Sprimsol has developed the automatic Fregomatic wringer, a compact machine that wrings out mops, cloths, towels and other cleaning tools at the touch of a button.

The Fregomatic, which works on a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 700 wringing cycles, is said to offer a robust design and long life span and can be adapted to work in conjunction with most trolleys, buckets and mop holders.

It is claimed to speed up cleaning tasks and avoid injuries and pain among workers. www.sprimsol.com

The next edition of ECJ is October and will feature special reports on sustainability cleaning and air freshening systems

• La gamme de balais-éponges Vivelle s’est enrichie de l’Ultimop antibactérienne.

• Perfex propose le balai-éponge à microfibre TruClean, qui est également disponible en version antibactérienne.

• L’essoreuse automatique de balais-éponges Fregomatic proposée par Sprimsol a été améliorée pour réduire l’effort de l’opérateur.

• Neu in der Produktreihe Vivelle ist der antibakterielle Ultimop.

• Perfex bietet den Mikrofasermopp TruClean, der auch in einer antibakteriellen Ausführung erhältlich ist.

• Der automatische Moppwringer Fregomatic von Sprimsol wurde verbessert, um die durch den Bediener aufzubringende Kraftanstrengung zu verringern.

• Il nuovo prodotto nella gamma Vivelle è il mop antibatterico Ultimop.

• La Perfex propone il mop in microfibra TruClean disponibile anche in versione antibatterica.

• Lo strizzatoio automatico per mop Fregomatic prodotto dalla Sprimsol è stato perfezionato per ridurre la fatica all’operatore.

September 2014 | ECJ | 27

INTERVIEW Chris Cracknell has been with OCS Group since 1977 and was appointed to the board in 1985 after holding various posts in the UK and overseas. He is now chief executive of a company operating across five continents, managing over 90,000 staff. Sales exceeded one billion euros in the year to March 2013.

Having had such a successful career with one of the sector’s most highly rated companies, Cracknell has also become well known as a thought leader and he has been a speaker at events including the 2014 congress of the World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) in New York earlier this year. He is clearly passionate about the vital role the cleaning industry and its dedicated staff play in society and strongly believes there must be a more cohesive strategy in order to promote that message to the world.

“If we look at our industry, it is extremely fragmented, there is no ‘joinedup’ thinking,” he says. “The services we provide are considered to be menial and insignificant and in general people pay no attention to how cleaning is achieved.

But within our sector we recognise that how we work sets the tone for how each client and their building is judged. Planes, hospitals, all public buildings – would we visit them if they were not clean?

“There is such contradiction in how important our services are compared to how lowly they can be considered.”

Cracknell explains that among clients there is often the view cleaning can be cut back in difficult economic times. “However this approach eventually presents such a negative image as buildings become more and more neglected.”

Rise to the challenge He feels that up to now the industry has simply not risen to the challenge and promoted itself to the world in the right manner. “We must come together to present ourselves properly,” he continues.

“For example, amongst ourselves at industry events we always talk about the vital job we do in hospitals – the links between cleaning and infection control, etc. We have been doing this job for a very long time and we do it well. But we certainly have not done a good job of taking that message ‘out there’ to talk about it in a wider context.

“We have so many staff at grass roots level looking after their clients extremely well and going the extra mile every day.

Those people are usually the lowest paid in the building – for some reason they may not have had the best of educational opportunities perhaps. However they are responsible for enhancing the reputation of their clients, maintaining asset value and making a valuable contribution.”

According to Cracknell, the problem

“Let’s make a difference” lies in the fact there is so much industry fragmentation that we only discuss these issues amongst ourselves – sector trade organisations, trade press and within individual companies. “In my view industry representation needs to consolidate, with greater coordination nationally, Europewide and on a global level.”

He points to parallel industries such as construction, which has been highly successful in elevating its image. “In our industry we have also not done a great job of engaging with government in comparison with other sectors,” he explains. “We absolutely must build upon the foundation we have.

“What are our standards, what do we stand for? We must differentiate ourselves from the more disreputable employers and create a code of ethics.

We only demean ourselves by regularly reverting back to our ‘Mrs Mop’ image, and unfortunately that image is sticking – and along with it the view that the services we are providing are not valuable.”

Who can take the lead in such an ambitious and far-reaching initiative?

Cracknell replies: “Medium and large sized companies must belong to trade associations and those associations should have the resources available to promote more effectively how we contribute to society.

“Our industry is an extremely important employer of large numbers of people everywhere in the world. We present people with real opportunities to start a career, we offer them skills that are

Chris Cracknell is chief executive of OCS Group, one of the UK’s leading total facilities management companies, which has operations across five continents. He speaks exclusively to ECJ editor Michelle Marshall about why he believes the cleaning industry must work together more effectively in spreading a more positive message about its vital role. both valuable to them and to the client organisation they are working for.”

Although positive developments have been happening in the industry over recent years, Cracknell feels change is not happening rapidly enough. “I fear we are all so focused on the day job that we’re not looking at the top end of the market, the wider picture. What’s required is a positive PR campaign from the industry as a whole – local, regional and global.”

The industry’s trade associations do come under widespread criticism for being ineffectual and insular, criticism which Cracknell feels is often valid. “Associations are failing to make a real difference and that is because their funds are so limited.

There are far too many associations too – maybe there should be fewer of them.

“At least we do have inter-country representation now, which we did not Continued page 30

September 2014 | ECJ | 29

INTERVIEW “Let’s make a difference” (continued) innovations and developments, however the industry has not always been effective in embracing and implementing them.”

have before, but the trade associations will not change the widely-held perceptions about them if they are not proactive. It’s essential we have a unified voice.”

In Cracknell’s opinion it’s only mass representation at this level that will lead governments to take notice of the industry and listen to its views and concerns. “We provide essential services and employ massive numbers of people – our voice should be heard,” he says.

Cracknell is also of the view there should be better links between manufacturers and service companies. “We share the need for innovation and it is our joint responsibility to bring that innovation – whether it be daytime cleaning or robotics – to the forefront as an industry, rather than in the fragmented way we often act.”

He is very much aligned with the goals of the leading solutions manufacturers.

“Some of them are presenting world class

Having said all that, Cracknell is encouraged by the progress that has been made. “In general the amount of money staff are earning in the cleaning sector has increased, there is more full-time employment and better training – which has improved productivity for sure.”

We are now also beginning to see better opportunities for a real career path, Cracknell says, “Some of the environments now being cleaned by our employees are now more complex and challenging than ever before and that requires more specialist training. Much of the work we do suffers from a perception problem,” he acknowledges, “the idea that what we do is simple, and anyone can do it.”

Notre rédactrice en chef Michelle Marshall s’entretient avec Chris Cracknell, directeur général du prestataire international de services d’immeuble OCS Group. M. Cracknell estime que les digieants de son secteur devraient se réunir pour établir un programme commun sur la mise en œuvre de normes et l’amélioration des perceptions entourant la branche.

ECJ-Redakteurin Michelle Marshall führt ein exklusives Gespräch mit Chris Cracknell, Hauptgeschäftsführer der OCS Group, einem internationalen Anbieter von Facility Management . Cracknell vertritt die Meinung, dass die Branche zusammenkommen und ein gemeinsames Programm zur Umsetzung von Standards und Verbesserung der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung erarbeiten muss.

September 2014 | ECJ | 30

Better opportunities

It’s in the emerging economies that the cleaning sector is playing a truly pivotal role, Cracknell explains. It’s these areas, he says, where a cleaning job can truly make a difference by helping people take the first steps out of poverty. “In our experience staff in emerging countries are very engaged – there is a real positivity about being employed, undergoing training, wearing a uniform, etc.”

Chris Cracknell is not only responsible for heading one of the best-known businesses in the cleaning sector, he is passionate about the importance of the work being done by the millions of staff worldwide and how that should be recognised for its value. “We are an incredibly exciting industry with so much potential. I would really like to see us harness that and promote the message about the value we contribute to society,” he concludes.

La redattrice di ECJ Michelle Marshall intervista in esclusiva Chris Cracknell, amministratore delegato del gruppo internazionale fornitore di servizi OCS Group.

Cracknell crede che l’industria debba unire le forze e stabilire un programma comune per applicare gli standard e migliorare la percezione.

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CASE STUDY

Lean workforce scheduling ECJ editor Michelle Marshall reports from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, where facilities services contractor Vebego has invested in a workforce scheduling system from Ortec.

All cleaning staff are now managed via computer rather than the previous paper-based system, which as resulted in significant all-round savings says Vebego’s personnel advisor.

Vebego Airport Services at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, comprises six different organisations and encompasses a range of services – including security, trolley logistics, airport information desks and cleaning. In total over 570 employees are on the roster across all those services.

Monique Bakker, personnel advisor at Vebego Airport Services explained how the task was carried out before the conversion to a computer-based system. “All workforce scheduling was done on paper, and there were 150 members of cleaning staff to manage at that time – now there are 220 cleaners on the site.

“Under the paper-based system we were subject to human error of course, so mistakes were made. The greatest challenge was miscalculations with payroll, for example, because administration staff were retyping information into Excel documents. This information was sent by fax by team leaders around the airport twice a day.

We have many different shift patterns during the day, with up to 50 staff per shift. So you can see how it would be open to error.”

Train project leaders When Bakker joined Vebego the Ortec system was on trial at the airport and one of her first key tasks was to implement the new workforce scheduling system for the cleaning company and train the project leaders in using it. “The first thing I did was input previous paperwork into the system to check the outcome against what had gone before,” explains Bakker, “then changed any elements that needed changing.

“We then ran a two-day course for the team leaders and taught them how it worked, how to plan schedules, allocate holidays etc. For two months we ran two systems hand-in-hand – so planning was carried out in Ortec and on paper.”

Bakker then checked the outcomes for payroll in both traditional and Ortec systems, to ensure all details were the same. There were certain complexities

September 2014 | ECJ | 32

and adaptations to be made when implementing Ortec due to the different collective agreements in place – in fact there are seven at Vebego . “So some time had to be spent in configuring the system to allow for all those permutations,” she continues. “And in the testing period too various new challenges arose – one concerning national holidays for example.”

Planning schedule How did staff react to this enormous change to how they planned their schedule? “The supervisors were very enthusiastic right from the start because they could see how much time they could save,” Bakker replies. “The new system also enables them to plan so much further ahead, so currently they are scheduling for November and December in terms of Christmas holidays etc, rather than having to do new worksheets every day and not being able to work so far in advance.”

The most significant difference in working methods has been administrative of course, because the whole operation has converted from inputting into computer from paper sheets, to planning everything directly on the computer.

Bakker says: “This gives us a much better overview at grounds roots level of the level of tasks being carried out, the schedule and the staff resource required. And if a supervisor were to leave the company, there is no longer any scheduling problem because everything is stored on the computer, whereas much of the information and knowledge was previously stored in their memories alone.”

Another feature - which is only being used by the information desk staff at the moment - is the Employee Self-Service (ESS) module, which allows operatives to change shifts online with colleagues for example, and to book holidays. This allows them to have much more control over their own schedule and the employees really do enjoy using it says Bakker.

And there are many additional functions that could be added as implementation Continued page 34

CASE STUDY moves forward. Bakker explains: “I’d like to use it for budgetary control, for example, and the workplace planning facility enables deployment and allocation of staff.”

With this module it is possible to store information on the qualification of staff to work in certain areas, and their skills level.

“This means we could define the locations to be cleaned and the skills we need there, and Ortec would plan the roster and allocate the right people to each location.”

Ortec’s account manager Paul Alsemgeest explains the company’s standardised systems are adapted to specific needs, such as those at Vebego.

“We have been developing optimisation solutions since 1981, specialising in workforce and logistics. Our products are based on specific industries – healthcare, transport and logistics for example, in route planning and truck loading -

forecasting in oil and gas industries and professional public services. This is where workforce scheduling and service planning comes in.”

Vebego Airport Services a réalisé des économies de rendement à l’aéroport de Schiphol à Amsterdam en optimisant son déploiement de personnel à l’aide d’un logiciel proposé par la société Ortec. ECJ se rend sur ce site pour savoir comment le système fonctionne en pratique.

Vebego Airport Services am Flughafen Schiphol in Amsterdam hat mithilfe einer Software von Ortec, mit der der Personaleinsatz optimiert wurde, Produktivitätseinsparungen erzielt. Das ECJ besucht den Standort, um das System in der Praxis zu erleben.

Upgrades vital He emphasises that regular maintenance and upgrades are vital, “because there are always new features to be added and amendments to be made – the software very much evolves to suit the user”.

After a system has been implemented the customer works according to a contract with Ortec and pays a combination of license and maintenance fee on a monthly basis in order to best manage payments. The timescale for implementation is a grey area because it depends very much on the site and the client. “The average is between six and nine months,” Alsemgeest says.

For Monique Bakker having an automated workforce scheduling system has brought significant benefits. “One of the best things is the overview of our scheduling – who has to be where and when. Here at Schiphol our locations are fairly close together but at sites where people are more spread out computerised scheduling can provide that valuable overview of planning a cleaner’s day – particularly if they are working at more than one site for example.

“And when someone calls in sick, for example, it’s much easier to have that overview in order to react and plan quickly.”

What about cost effectiveness? Bakker replies: “Our greatest savings have been made in the payroll department because the administration staff no longer had to input details from paper. The reduction in errors has also been an important benefit.”

La Vebego Airport Services all’aeroporto Schiphol di Amsterdam ha ottenuto dei risparmi in fatto di efficienza ottimizzando la mobilitazione del personale utilizzando il software della Ortec. ECJ visita il sito per scoprire come il sistema funzioni nella pratica.

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𰁥𰁖𰁘𰁫𰁖𰁘𰀣𰁘𰁤𰁢

CARPET CARE

The red carpet treatment Some carpets are special – either because they are particularly old, particularly valuable or because they are made from unusual or hard-to-clean fabrics. So does this mean they require special treatment when being cleaned?

Ann Laffeaty finds out.

Carpets can vary dramatically. Traditional fibres such as wool have been joined by an increasing number of synthetic materials as well as ‘natural’ floorings such as sisal and coir. This means that carpet cleaners need to know exactly what they are dealing with when beginning a job.

But how do they cope with more unusual fabrics, or with other ‘special case’ carpets – ones that are highly valuable, antique or excessively worn, for example?

Joe Walsh, operations director of contract cleaner Grosvenor Services, says natural carpets such as sisal, sea grass and coir can be very problematical to clean. “They can present all sorts of problems such as shrinking, colour loss and fading,” he said.

“Antique carpets also require particular care and attention and we always pre-test them first. And loose strands can be a problem with old carpets, and extra care needs to be taken if using any cylindrical or rotary brush-type equipment.”

He says a fine fabric detergent is required when wet-cleaning delicate or antique carpets. “This should be designed for the effective extraction cleaning of delicate fibres,” he adds.

“We also provide a dry carpet cleaning service that involves micro sponges which are brushed into the fibres with a counter-rotating brush machine. This attracts the soiling which is then removed with an industrial upright vacuum cleaner.

This uses no moisture and eliminates the possibility of colour runs, shrinkage and any damage to delicate fibres.”

Prochem sales manager Phil Jones

agrees that carpets made from sisal, seagrass and jute require specialist cleaning. “These carpets require dry or low moisture cleaning since water could cause the natural lignin dyes to become evident, or even cause shrinkage,” he said.

According to Jones, antique carpets are another special case. “Delicate carpets and rugs made from fibres such as silk, rayon or bamboo should be cleaned using a dry method,” he said. “However, the cost of dry cleaning is more expensive than other methods, in terms of time and product.”

He says the operator needs to identify the level of soiling and any stained areas before deciding on a cleaning method.

“The age of the product would also have to be considered, if, for example, cotton fringes of rugs are worn or brittle.”

According to Bio-Productions managing director Mike James, both low-cost and expensive carpets can be potentially difficult to clean. “Some cheaper carpets have very unstable dyes, and colour-bleed from these can be a nightmare,” he said.

“Expensive rugs, too, require specialist treatment. And berber-style carpets with a ‘slub’ in them can be difficult to clean.”

Highly specialised A slub is a section of yarn that has been deliberately left thicker than the rest of the pile to create an irregular effect, explains James. “These slubs will take the form of, say, brown flecks in an oatmealcoloured carpet,” he said. “Brown dyes tend to bleed very readily so when the carpet is cleaned, this bleeding effect will leave behind an orange-coloured stain from the slub.”

According to James, rug cleaning is another highly specialised task. “Some silk and afghan rugs have a fine, highly patterned pile with a lustre to it,” he said.

“These need to be cleaned with solvents very carefully by hand. It is actually closer to restoration work than cleaning.”

While training is important, says James, a carpet cleaner can successfully clean almost all types of carpet provided he or she has good cleaning equipment and

good cleaning agents.

“The equipment should be designed to minimise the risk of damage,” he said.

“If the cleaning action is too aggressive it may ‘scrub’ the carpet and damage the fibres. Similarly an extraction system that is too weak will be unable to recover most of the water and cleaning solution that has been ‘injected’ into the carpet.”

Truvox International marketing and product manager Natalie Dowse says carpets that are heavily soiled or have not been cleaned for years often require special treatment. However, they can still be brought back to life.

“Systems that use polymeric carpet cleaning solutions are particularly effective in these circumstances,” she claims. “The solution is applied by a three-brush scrubbing machine and will release sticky soil from carpet fibres while also trapping the soil as it dries. Once the carpet is dry, vacuuming completes the process by removing the dried, encapsulated dirt.”

According to Pacvac marketing manager Vicki Fosselius, wool carpets can be among the most difficult to clean. “Fabric type and stain – plus the cost and condition of the carpet - play a major role in the cleaning challenge,” she said. “The fabric determines the kind of cleaning methods that can be applied - for example, wool carpets must be approached carefully to avoid damage, whereas solution-dyed nylon can be cleaned more aggressively.

“And cost can make a difference since some of the cheaper carpet products may not have been treated with the best grade stain-resistant materials and are therefore more susceptible to stains.”

Contract cleaning company Julius Rutherfoord has had to tackle various ‘special’ carpets over the years. “For example, one of our clients is the creator of a children’s social network site and most of the flooring in its headquarters is AstroTurf carpeting,” said the Continued page 38

September 2014 | ECJ | 37

CARPET CARE The red carpet treatment (continued) company’s general operations manager Andres Balanta. “Synthetic grass can be vacuumed, broom cleaned or spray buffed using the bonnet buffing system.

But with this type of carpeting, contaminants from airborne particles will build up over time and deep cleaning needs to be carried out at least once a year. This will lift and open up the carpet pile and remove any contamination.”

Balanta continued: “For delicate carpets we use a dry pre-treatment compound together with a treatment agitator machine and an upright vacuum. The powder consists of thousands of microsponges which contain a safe solvent to remove greasy soiling. It also contains a neutral shampoo and an anti-resoilant plus antibacterial properties to eradicate dust mites. As the powder is brushed through the carpet it absorbs soil and leaves the carpet clean. When vacuumed Certaines moquettes nécessitent un traitement spécial parce qu’elles sont très anciennes, de haute qualité, ou en tissu inhabituel, ce qui rend leur nettoyage difficile.

Nous examinons les procédés de nettoyage requis pour ces moquettes “spéciales” et cherchons à établir en quoi ces procédés diffèrent de ceux appliqués aux moquettes ordinaires.

September 2014 | ECJ | 38

away, the carpet is ready for use.”

He says carpets in schools can be a special case – purely because of the high levels of chewing gum often retained within them. “A few years ago we were awarded a contract to deep clean the carpets of a school - and you could not see the carpet for the chewing gum,” he said. “The school had not thought it was possible to remove it. We used a steam machine and chewing gum solvent remover, followed by wet extraction machine to give it the final finish.”

He agrees with the general consensus that the age and condition of a carpet add to the cleaning challenge. “If a carpet is very worn it may be more cost-effective to replace in the long term since cleaning will not be able to rectify extensive damage.”

According to ceo of the UK’s National Carpet Cleaners’ Association Paul Pearce, broad-loom carpets woven from natural Manche Teppiche erfordern eine Sonderbehandlung, entweder weil sie besonders alt, von hoher Qualität oder aus ungewöhnlichen Fasern hergestellt sind, die eine Reinigung schwierig machen. Wir untersuchen die für „spezielle“ Teppiche erforderlichen Reinigungsverfahren und finden heraus, wie sie sich von herkömmlichen Teppichreinigungsverfahren unterscheiden.

wool, viscose or bamboo also require special treatment. “Cellulose fibres are being increasingly used in carpets but they can be hard to tackle because they just don’t clean,” he said. “You can’t use water on them because it distorts them, and you can’t use certain chemicals on them either because these may discolour the carpet.”

He says over-wetting and the prolonged drying of carpets can be a problem when cleaning organic fibres such as wool. “Here you may create a mould problem,” he said.

However, he says that it is only badlymaintained carpets that present a real challenge. “Most carpets can be cleaned properly using the right equipment and provided operators have the right understanding of how to do it. If a carpet is not vacuumed regularly – and if the facility manager fails to have it spot-cleaned – the carpet will cause cleaning problems, whatever it happens to be made of.”

Alcune moquette richiedono dei trattamenti speciali in quanto o sono particolarmente vecchie, oppure sono di alta qualità o prodotte in materiali non comuni che le rendono difficili da pulire. Prendiamo qui in esame i procedimenti di pulizia necessari per le moquette ‘speciali’ e scopriamo di quanto differiscono dai metodi tradizionali di pulizia.

PRODUCTS: CARPET CARE

No more stains Chemspec Europe says DyeGONE can remove even the most stubborn dye stains from carpets and upholstery - red wine, blackcurrant juice, tea, coffee, gravy, etc.

This two-part product is supplied with a trigger that mixes just the right proportions of the two bottles together at the point of application. This means the solution is always fresh and full strength, and there is no wastage of any unused mixture and the container. Refill bottles are available for re-use of the trigger.

DyeGONE does not extract the dye from the textile but modifies

it chemically, over time, making it colourless. Once the desired result has been achieved the process is stopped simply by rinsing with cold water. www.chemspec-europe.com

Comfortable

tion is guaranteed because the vacuum is not interrupted during cleaning thanks to the floor tool maintaining the optimal extraction angle because of the movable bar attached to the suction opening. This, the company says, reduces drying time by up to 30 per cent so carpets can quickly be walked on again. www.karcher.com

Lightweight

Ergonomics was a top priority for Kärcher in the development of its Puzzi 10/1 and Puzzi 10/2 Adv spray extraction cleaners. The new floor tool design enables the user to always work in an upright position while practical storage options for the upholstery tool and power cable offer ease of use and spacesaving storage.

A consistent level of suc-

The newest model from backpack vacuum cleaner specialist Pacvac is the Superpro 700 Battery.

This model is claimed to be more lightweight than other battery backpacks while also offering performance in terms of ergonomics and speed. Each Superpro Battery 700 system is supplied with two batteries which together provide up to one hour of cleaning.

Pacvac offers a range of backpack vacuums including a low-noise model; and an airline vacuum. www.pacvac.com

• Le produit DyeGone, affirme Chemspec Europe, est capable d’éliminer des taches résistant à la plupart des autres traitements de moquettes et garnissages.

• L’ergonomie a occupé une place prioritaire dans la conception des extracteurs-pulvérisateurs Puzzi de Kärcher.

• Pacvac est un fabricant spécialisé d’aspirateurs à dos.

• Laut Chemspec Europe entfernt DyeGone Flecken, die den meisten anderen Teppich- und Polstermöbelbehandlungen widerstehen.

• Ergonomie war beim Entwurf des Sprühextraktionsgeräts Kärcher Puzzi ein wesentlicher Aspekt.

• Pacvac ist auf die Produktion von Rucksacksaugern spezialisiert.

• DyeGone, afferma la Chemspec Europe, è in grado di rimuovere macchie resistenti alla maggioranza degli altri trattamenti per la cura di moquette e tessuti per arredamento.

• L’ergonomia è stata la priorità principale nella progettazione delle macchine a estrazione spray Kärcher Puzzi.

• La Pacvac è specializzata nella produzione di aspirapolveri dorsali.

September 2014 | ECJ | 41

PRODUCTS: CARPET CARE

Carbon clearing Prochem’s A217 Ultrapac Renovate has been specially designed to deal with carbon filtration marks, fire residues, soot, tobacco residues and rubber transfers. The company says many products do not contain the necessary ingredients to break down these deposits.

sweeper Sweepmaster 650.

Despite being compact in size at 68.5 cm wide it boasts performance of up to 3,525 square metres an hour.

The drive enables fatigue-free operation even if the machine is used for long periods of time, says Hako, and there is a choice of quiet industrial petrol engine or a maintenance-free battery drive. The E version of the machine is equipped with an on-board charging system and integrated charging cable, so

Remove gum

batteries can be recharged at any time and at any plug socket.

For cleaning larger areas the optional carpet kit allows the Sweepmaster B650 to clean short pile carpets too. www.hako.com

The Gumwand chewing gum removal machine can be used on carpets - it employs a steam process to destroy the gum, turning it into a foam and then powder, which can be vacuumed.

Powered by LPG, Gumwand completes the process in a few seconds, which the manufacturer says makes it the fastest chewing gum removal machine available. www.gumwand.com

The solvent free formulation ‘pulls-out’ soils by neutralising their electrical charge (hold) to a surface, while also neutralising the odour.

In carpet cleaning A217 Ultrapac Renovate can be used as a pre-spray, particularly on polypropylene fibres. It can also be used with scrubber dryers or rotary machines or as a multisurface cleaner after a fire. www.prochem-uk.com

Dust-free For cleaning of smaller and medium-sized carpeted areas Hako developed the vacuum • L’Ultrapac Renovate A217 de Prochem est capable d’éliminer les traces de carbone, résidus de feu, suies, et cendres de mégot hors de moquettes.

• La balayeuse et aspiratrice Sweepmaster 650 de Hako peut traiter 3525 mètres carrés à l’heure.

• La Gumwand, une machine de nettoyage de rejets chewing-gum, convient pour des moquettes.

• Der A217 Ultrapac Renovate von Prochem kann Spuren von Aktivkohlefiltern, Verbrennungsrückstände, Ruß und Tabak von Teppichen entfernen.

• Die Saugkehrmaschine Sweepmaster 650 von Hako kann bis zu 3.525 Quadratmeter pro Stunde reinigen.

• Gumwand, das Gerät zum Entfernen von Kaugummi, ist auch für den Einsatz auf Teppichen geeignet.

• A217 Ultrapac Renovate della Prochem è in grado di rimuovere dalle moquette residui di fumo, cenere, fuliggine e tabacco.

• La spazzatrice aspirante Sweepmaster 650 prodotta dalla Hako è in grado di pulire fino a 3.525 metri quadrati all’ora.

• La macchina per la rimozione di gomma da masticare Gumwand è adatta per essere utilizzata sulle moquette.

September 2014 | ECJ | 43

PRODUCTS: CARPET CARE

• Pour le nettoyage de moquettes, tissus et garnissages, Numatic a développé la machine CleanTec Hi-Lo 15.

• Columbus affirme que son système de nettoyage de moquettes Thermopad ne nécessite aucun temps de séchage.

• Host propose un extracteur à sec de moquettes permettant leur réutilisation immédiate.

• Zur Reinigung von Teppichen, Textilwaren und Polstermöbeln hat Numatic die CleanTec Hi-Lo 15 entwickelt.

• Columbus teilt mit, dass das Teppichreinigungssystem Thermopad keine Trockenzeit erfordert.

• Host bietet ein Teppichreinigungssystem mit Trockenextraktion, mit dem Teppiche sofort wieder genutzt werden können.

• La Numatic ha prodotto la macchina CleanTec Hi-Lo 15 per la pulizia di moquette, stoffe e tessuti per arredamento.

• La Columbus afferma che il suo sistema Thermopad per il lavaggio delle moquette non richiede tempi di asciugatura.

• La Host propone un sistema a estrazione a secco per le moquette che permette di poterle utilizzare immediatamente.

September 2014 | ECJ | 44

Minimum effort The CleanTec Hi-Lo 15 has been designed by Numatic to offer quick and effective carpet care with the minimum of preparation and effort.

Within the single design the company has incorporated its TwinFlo carpet vacuum extraction system together with the deep clean PowerFlo’ pump injection unit to offer a choice of two performance standards.

The Hi-Lo system allows the operator to select the Hi pressure (four bar) performance for heavily soiled areas and the Lo pressure (two bar) standard for lesser soiled areas. This, says Numatic, reduces carpet wetting in areas where less cleaning penetration is needed.

Two separate emptying systems are available: full removal of the dirty water tank or an integrated dump hose. www.numatic.co.uk

No residue

cleaning method: the water is turned into steam by the hot air.

This means the carpet can be used immediately. www.columbus-clean.com

All-in-one

By using its Thermopad system, carpet cleaning is as simple as daily spray buffing according to Columbus. Rooms and high traffic areas can be cleaned as regularly as necessary.

A single disk machine combined with a heater and heat conducting aluminium pad holder with cotton pads work to create a hot dampness on the floor. The temperature triggers the cleaning agent into action and the dirt is brought out to the surface of the fabric - it is then absorbed by the cotton pad.

Because only a small amount of water is used, this is a damp

The Host carpet cleaning process is designed to get carpet clean and back in use immediately. The cleaning material is a non abrasive organic product moistened with water containing solvent and detergent.

Freestyle or Liberator machinery is used first to vacuum and pile-lift the carpet, the most important first process to remove dry soil - 80-90 per cent of soil in a carpet is dry.

Host Sponges are then applied and the integral brushing action by the machines allows the cleaner to break up and trap any remaining sticky soil. Finally, the vacuum removes the Host Sponges with their trapped soil. www.hostvonschrader.co.uk

𰀦𰁏𰁒𰀀𰁁𰀀𰀣𰁌𰁅𰁁𰁎𰁅𰁒𰀀𰀷𰁏𰁒𰁌𰁄𰀌𰀀 𰀷𰁅𰀀𰁎𰁅𰁅𰁄𰀀𰁁𰀀𰀳𰁐𰁁𰁒𰁋𰀀 𰀢𰁊𰁓𰀏𰀁𰀸𰁂𰁕𰁆𰁓𰀏𰀁𰀴𰁂𰁍𰁕𰀏𰀁𰀦𰁍𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁓𰁊𰁄𰁊𰁕𰁚𰀏𰀁 𰀥𰁆𰀁𰀯𰁐𰁓𰁂𰀁𰀯𰀦𰀹𰀵𰀍𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁏𰁆𰁘𰀁𰁃𰁖𰁔𰁊𰁏𰁆𰁔𰁔𰀁𰁖𰁏𰁊𰁕𰀁 𰁐𰁇𰀁𰀪𰁏𰁅𰁖𰁔𰁕𰁓𰁊𰁆𰀁𰀥𰁆𰀁𰀯𰁐𰁓𰁂𰀍𰀁𰁄𰁓𰁆𰁂𰁕𰁆𰁔𰀁𰁊𰁏𰁏𰁐𰁗𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁗𰁆𰀁 𰁔𰁚𰁔𰁕𰁆𰁎𰁔𰀁𰁕𰁐𰀁𰁊𰁎𰁑𰁓𰁐𰁗𰁆𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁘𰁆𰁍𰁍𰀎𰁃𰁆𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁 𰁐𰁇𰀁𰁑𰁆𰁐𰁑𰁍𰁆𰀍𰀁𰁓𰁆𰁔𰁑𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁆𰁏𰁗𰁊𰁓𰁐𰁏𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰀏 𰀤𰁐𰁎𰁑𰁂𰁄𰁕𰀁𰁕𰁆𰁄𰁉𰁏𰁐𰁍𰁐𰁈𰁊𰁄𰁂𰁍𰀁𰁅𰁆𰁗𰁊𰁄𰁆𰁔𰀁𰁇𰁐𰁓𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁 𰁑𰁓𰁐𰁅𰁖𰁄𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁𰁔𰁐𰁍𰁖𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰁔𰀁𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁔𰁊𰁕𰁆𰀁𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁 𰁐𰁏𰀎𰁅𰁆𰁎𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁𰁕𰁐𰀁𰁄𰁍𰁆𰁂𰁏𰀍𰀁𰁔𰁂𰁏𰁊𰁕𰁊𰁛𰁆𰀁𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁 𰁅𰁆𰁐𰁅𰁐𰁓𰁊𰁛𰁆𰀁𰁔𰁖𰁓𰁇𰁂𰁄𰁆𰁔𰀁𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁𰁆𰁏𰁗𰁊𰁓𰁐𰁏𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰁔𰀏 𰀥𰁆𰀁𰀯𰁐𰁓𰁂𰀁𰀯𰁆𰁙𰁕𰀁𰁔𰁚𰁔𰁕𰁆𰁎𰁔𰀁𰁄𰁂𰁏𰀁𰁃𰁆𰀁𰁖𰁔𰁆𰁅𰀁𰁊𰁏𰀁 𰁎𰁂𰁏𰁚𰀁𰁂𰁓𰁆𰁂𰁔𰀛𰀁𰁔𰁂𰁏𰁊𰁕𰁊𰁛𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁𰁊𰁏𰁅𰁖𰁔𰁕𰁓𰁊𰁂𰁍𰀁 𰁔𰁖𰁓𰁇𰁂𰁄𰁆𰁔𰀍𰀁𰁆𰁏𰁕𰁆𰁓𰁕𰁂𰁊𰁏𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰀁𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁𰁆𰁅𰁖𰁄𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁 𰁆𰁏𰁗𰁊𰁓𰁐𰁏𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰁔𰀍𰀁𰁉𰁚𰁈𰁊𰁆𰁏𰁆𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁𰁏𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁄𰁓𰁊𰁕𰁊𰁄𰁂𰁍𰀁 𰁄𰁂𰁓𰁆𰀁𰁆𰁒𰁖𰁊𰁑𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰀁𰁊𰁏𰀁𰁎𰁆𰁅𰁊𰁄𰁂𰁍𰀁𰁔𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁐𰁓𰀍𰀁𰀁𰀁 𰁘𰁂𰁕𰁆𰁓𰀁𰁕𰁓𰁆𰁂𰁕𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰀁𰁊𰁏𰀁𰁊𰁎𰁑𰁐𰁗𰁆𰁓𰁊𰁔𰁉𰁆𰁅𰀁𰁂𰁓𰁆𰁂𰁔𰀍𰀁𰀁 𰁔𰁂𰁏𰁊𰁕𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁊𰁏𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁇𰁐𰁐𰁅𰀁𰁔𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁐𰁓𰀏

𰀥𰁆𰀁𰀯𰁐𰁓𰁂𰀁𰀯𰀦𰀹𰀵𰀁𰁊𰁔𰀁𰁑𰁓𰁆𰁔𰁆𰁏𰁕𰀁𰁊𰁏𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁄𰁍𰁆𰁂𰁏𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁 𰁔𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁐𰁓𰀁𰁘𰁊𰁕𰁉𰀁𰀨𰁊𰁔𰁆𰁍𰁍𰁆𰂥𰀍𰀁𰁂𰁏𰀁𰁆𰁍𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁓𰁐𰁄𰁉𰁆𰁎𰁊𰁄𰁂𰁍𰀁𰀁 𰁔𰁚𰁔𰁕𰁆𰁎𰀁𰁇𰁐𰁓𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁑𰁓𰁐𰁅𰁖𰁄𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁𰀴𰁐𰁍𰁆𰁗𰁂𰂥𰀍𰀁 𰁂𰀁𰁔𰁂𰁏𰁊𰁕𰁊𰁛𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁔𰁐𰁍𰁖𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁄𰁐𰁏𰁕𰁂𰁊𰁏𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁔𰁐𰁅𰁊𰁖𰁎𰀁 𰁉𰁚𰁑𰁐𰁄𰁉𰁍𰁐𰁓𰁊𰁕𰁆𰀁𰁂𰁕𰀁𰁅𰁊𰁇𰁇𰁆𰁓𰁆𰁏𰁕𰀁𰁄𰁐𰁏𰁄𰁆𰁏𰁕𰁓𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰁔𰀏 𰀥𰁆𰀁𰀯𰁐𰁓𰁂𰀁𰀯𰀦𰀹𰀵𰀍𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁂𰁏𰁌𰁔𰀁𰁕𰁐𰀁𰁊𰁕𰁔𰀁𰁄𰁐𰁐𰁑𰁆𰁓𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁 𰁘𰁊𰁕𰁉𰀁𰁊𰁏𰁕𰁆𰁓𰁏𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰁂𰁍𰀁𰁑𰁂𰁓𰁕𰁏𰁆𰁓𰁔𰀍𰀁𰁊𰁔𰀁𰁆𰁙𰁑𰁂𰁏𰁅𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁊𰁕𰁔𰀁 𰁓𰁂𰁏𰁈𰁆𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁𰁑𰁓𰁐𰁅𰁖𰁄𰁕𰁔𰀁𰁘𰁊𰁕𰁉𰀁𰁐𰁛𰁐𰁏𰁆𰀁𰁕𰁆𰁄𰁉𰁏𰁐𰁍𰁐𰁈𰁊𰁆𰁔𰀁 𰁇𰁐𰁓𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁔𰁂𰁏𰁊𰁕𰁊𰁛𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁𰁅𰁆𰁐𰁅𰁐𰁓𰁊𰁛𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁 𰁆𰁏𰁗𰁊𰁓𰁐𰁏𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰁔𰀏𰀁 𰀵𰁉𰁆𰁔𰁆𰀁𰁏𰁆𰁘𰀁𰁑𰁓𰁐𰁅𰁖𰁄𰁕𰁔𰀍𰀁𰁕𰁐𰁈𰁆𰁕𰁉𰁆𰁓𰀁𰁘𰁊𰁕𰁉𰀁 𰀨𰁊𰁔𰁆𰁍𰁍𰁆𰂥𰀍𰀁𰁂𰁓𰁆𰀁𰁈𰁐𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁕𰁐𰀁𰁄𰁓𰁆𰁂𰁕𰁆𰀁𰁂𰀁𰁏𰁆𰁘𰀁 𰁔𰁆𰁍𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰀁𰁐𰁇𰀁𰁊𰁏𰁏𰁐𰁗𰁂𰁕𰁊𰁗𰁆𰀁𰁔𰁐𰁍𰁖𰁕𰁊𰁐𰁏𰁔𰀁𰁇𰁐𰁓𰀁𰁕𰁉𰁆𰀁 𰁉𰁚𰁈𰁊𰁆𰁏𰁆𰀛𰀁𰁆𰁇𰁇𰁆𰁄𰁕𰁊𰁗𰁆𰀍𰀁𰁇𰁓𰁆𰁆𰀁𰁇𰁓𰁐𰁎𰀁𰁓𰁆𰁔𰁊𰁅𰁖𰁂𰁍𰁔𰀍𰀁 𰁆𰁏𰁗𰁊𰁓𰁐𰁏𰁎𰁆𰁏𰁕𰁂𰁍𰁍𰁚𰀁𰁇𰁓𰁊𰁆𰁏𰁅𰁍𰁚𰀏

𰀥𰁆𰀁𰀯𰁐𰁓𰁂𰀁𰀯𰀦𰀹𰀵𰀁

𰁍𰁐𰁐𰁌𰁊𰁏𰁈𰀁𰁇𰁐𰁓𰀁𰁅𰁊𰁔𰁕𰁓𰁊𰁃𰁖𰁕𰁐𰁓𰁔𰀏𰀁 𰀤𰁐𰁏𰁕𰁂𰁄𰁕𰀛𰀁𰁊𰁏𰁇𰁐𰀡𰁅𰁆𰁏𰁐𰁓𰁂𰁏𰁆𰁙𰁕𰀏𰁄𰁐𰁎𰀁𰀎𰀁𰁕𰁆𰁍𰀁𰀌𰀔𰀚𰀁𰀑𰀓𰀁𰀓𰀒𰀓𰀚𰀓𰀙𰀔𰀑

𰀷𰁊𰁔𰁊𰁕𰀁𰀶𰁔𰀁𰁂𰁕

𰀪𰁔𰁕𰁂𰁏𰁃𰁖𰁍 𰀴𰁕𰁂𰁏𰁅𰀁𰀤𰀒𰀚

𰁘𰁘𰁘𰀏𰁅𰁆𰁏𰁐𰁓𰁂𰁏𰁆𰁙𰁕𰀏𰁄𰁐𰁎

CASE STUDY

Five-star hygiene How do the kitchen staff of an exclusive restaurant keep their hands, surfaces and equipment clean and hygienic throughout the entire service shift? Ann Laffeaty talks to Brett Graham, head chef at The Ledbury – a Michelinstarred London restaurant with a five-star hygiene rating – to discover how it is done.

Hygiene is of paramount importance in any professional kitchen where food is being prepared for public consumption.

Food poisoning needs to be avoided at all costs. Besides being the cause of much human misery, an outbreak of a foodrelated illness could also ruin the reputation of an establishment - and ultimately, its business as well. Diners who become ill after eating at a particular restaurant will quickly spread the word, and the news is likely to go viral in no time in these days of social networking.

The importance of maintaining good standards of hygiene has come increasingly under the spotlight in the UK following the introduction of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme four years ago. This was set up by the nation’s Food Standards Agency in a bid to reduce the estimated one million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. Inspectors carry out ad hoc visits to restaurants, cafes and takeaways and after making a thorough assessment of the kitchens, they award the establishment a food hygiene rating of between zero and five stars.

While it is not currently compulsory for restaurants in England or Northern Ireland to display their ratings, it is a legal requirement in Wales to do so. And in any event, the results of inspections in all

three regions are uploaded onto the Food Standards Agency’s website. Potential diners can then look up the ratings of any restaurant before booking while members of the public – and the media - can also obtain lists of restaurants in each hygiene rating category.

As a result there has been much media interest in those restaurants that have received a hygiene rating of zero stars.

And the higher the restaurant’s profile, the more media interest there is. The fact that a Birmingham restaurant run by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White recently received a zero hygiene rating quickly became an internet sensation.

So it can be argued the higher profile the restaurant, the more important it is to maintain high standards of hygiene since media interest is heightened when an ‘exclusive’ restaurant fails the hygiene test.

So other top restaurants need to work hard to avoid having their poor hygiene ratings emblazoned all over the web.

One of London’s leading restaurants is The Ledbury in Notting Hill. This establishment holds two Michelin stars and has been named the tenth best restaurant in the world in the latest San Pellegrino list of the world’s top 50 restaurants.

The kitchen at The Ledbury is run by head chef Brett Graham who began his career at a fish restaurant in Australia, aged 15. He then moved to Sydney where his career went from strength to strength.

Graham has won several awards including the Josephine Pignolet Award run by the Sydney Morning Herald. This earned him a trip to the UK where he secured a job at Michelin-starred The Square restaurant in London’s Mayfair, and in 2002 he was named Young Chef of the Year.

The Ledbury - sister restaurant of The Square - opened in 2005 and Graham was installed as head chef in charge of a young and energetic team. Besides the many accolades the restaurant has received for both its food and service, The Ledbury is also an example of a hygiene success story. The establishment received a

five-star rating at its last Food Standards Agency inspection in November 2012.

Achieving such a high score is not easy for any restaurant since FSA inspectors make their assessment on a number of complex factors. These include: how hygienically the food is handled, how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored. Inspectors will also look at what the management is doing to maintain high hygiene standards in future.

So how does a top chef combine creativity and flair with rigid hygiene standards and tight discipline? “We try to be as organised as possible during the morning prep,” said Graham. “We also stop work about four times a day for a full cleandown. This involves sanitising all our work surfaces and equipment, and we also scrub the floor and clean the drains then.”

Full clean-down He says all surfaces are scrubbed with detergent during each clean-down. “We allow a detergent contact time of 30 seconds before rinsing and drying the surfaces,” he said. “During the day we are also constantly wiping down surfaces between clean-downs using a sanitiser. And at the end of the evening’s shift and first thing in the morning we use an antibacterial product on the units.”

Graham and his team of between 12 and 15 staff begin work at 8am and will generally carry on through until around 12.30 at night, with only an hour off in the afternoons. The 70-cover restaurant is open seven days a week.

According to Graham there are strict rules about personal hygiene at The Ledbury. “Caps are compulsory for long hair and we also supply staff with aprons and jackets,” he said. “We find that this is the best way of making sure that all members of staff have clean uniforms. Wedding rings are the only rings allowed and we have a rule that nobody under any circumstances is allowed to leave the premises wearing either their kitchen clothes or shoes.”

Continued page 49

September 2014 | ECJ | 47

CASE STUDY All staff undertake a training course about the restaurant’s sickness policy, and are asked to sign a document to ensure they understand it. This policy requires that any chef who falls ill will not return to work until 48 hours after all symptoms have ceased.

“I have just finished my Level Four hygiene course which has really helped to expand my hygiene knowledge,” said Graham.

“Others here hold similar qualifications.”

He says that he and his team use only disposable paper products when wiping down benches and food surfaces in order to reduce any risk of cross-contamination. “I do use a wet muslin cloth when preparing fish, however, because muslin is slightly abrasive,” he adds. “This means it keeps the fish boards nice and clean. I always rinse the muslin between fillets and then dispose of it afterwards.”

Graham also has strict rules about hand washing procedures in his kitchen. “Hand washing is massively important,” he said.

“There are three hand washing stations in the kitchen and we use a great deal of paper roll. We wash our hands and then dry them when we enter the kitchen and we use an alcohol hand gel between tasks. In the changing rooms we use a hand dryer instead of paper towels.”

Gloves essential He says his kitchen staff also wear gloves when preparing food.

“Gloves are essential and we are constantly changing them between jobs,” said Graham. “Some people seem to think you don’t need to replace gloves, but we use lots.”

He says he and his team are very proud of their five-star hygiene rating. “It is a challenge to maintain such high levels of hygiene because we turn over product so quickly and our kitchen is very small,” he said. “The guys are very professional here, but service is the most demanding time. We are constantly changing spoon water and are also frequently sweeping and mopping up during peak times.”

The Ledbury uses Food Alert - a safety consultancy - to help to maintain its high hygiene rating. Food Alert advises a number of UK restaurants and chains on hygiene, health and safety. “They are a wonderful company,” said Graham. “They help with our paperwork and make suggestions to help us improve our food safety manual.”

Producing Michelin-starred dishes while also maintaining high levels of hygiene in a professional kitchen – particularly one that measures only five metres by eight and populated by a staff in double figures – is a remarkable achievement, particularly for a chef who is still only 35. But according to Graham the hygiene standards at the Ledbury keep on improving over the years.

“We had to invest in extra equipment such as a sous vide water oven and scales to enable us to keep cooked and raw foods separately,” said Graham. “But getting that five-star hygiene score is worth it since our customers’ safety is my number one priority.”

Que font les personnels de cuisine d’un restaurant prestigieux pour assurer la propreté et l’hygiène de leurs mains, de leurs surfaces de travail et de leurs équipements tout au long d’un poste de travail? Ann Laffeaty s’entretient avec Brett Graham, premier chef du restaurant londonien The Ledbury, cinq étoiles au Guide Michelin, pour savoir comment ils y parviennent.

Wie schafft es das Küchenpersonal eines exklusiven Restaurants die Hände, Oberflächen und Geräte während der gesamten Serviceschicht sauber und hygienisch zu halten? Ann Laffeaty erfährt mehr darüber bei einem Gespräch mit Brett Graham, Chefkoch im The Ledbury – einem mit einem MichelinStern ausgezeichneten Londoner Restaurant, das außerdem eine 5-Sterne-Bewertung für Hygiene hat.

Come fa il personale della cucina di un ristorante esclusivo a tenere le mani, le superfici e le attrezzature pulite e igieniche durante l’interno turno di servizio?

Ann Laffeaty intervista Brett Graham, capocuoco di The Ledbury – un ristorante con stella Michelin di Londra con 5 stelle di rating per l’igiene – per scoprire come ciò avvenga.

September 2014 | ECJ | 49

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MATTING

The purpose of matting Few of us notice the matting system when entering a public building, but underfoot there is likely to be a smart solution that may be fulfilling several functions at once. Ann Laffeaty asks matting manufacturers what they consider to be the main purpose of a mat.

When arriving home on a wet or snowy day, it is second nature for most of us to wipe our feet on the doormat. But we are much less likely to do so when entering a retail store, an office block or any other public building. Here the mats tend to be designed to wipe our feet for us – whether by physically scraping away the dirt or by absorbing any moisture on our shoes, or both.

But professional mats often have other functions as well rather than simply to clean our shoes. Some are designed to improve safety, enhance comfort or create an impressive image as well as reducing cleaning bills by keeping the floor clean.

However according to 3M European business development manager Richard Jones, the main function of a mat depends entirely on who you ask. “For some people safety is the most important factor; for some it is image and others will consider cleanliness to be at the top of the list,” he said. “Different people will place particular importance on different functions.”

For example, he says a hospital will be most concerned about the safety of a matting system whereas image is likely to be a higher priority in the corporate headquarters of a prestigious firm.

“There is also a growing understanding of the role of mats in preventing slips and falls,” he said. “In the US in particular there is a heavy litigation culture and it is important to prevent falls among staff, visitors and customers. If water is tracked into a building and there is no mat in place, the floor will quickly become sodden. And where there is water underfoot, people will fall over.”

He says most mats have an anti-slip backing made from PVC or rubber. “You don’t want a mat to be like a banana skin: it shouldn’t move around underfoot.”

An important function of some mats, says Jones, is to make life easier for staff in environments where operatives have to stand for long periods at a time such as on a factory production line, in a shop or behind a bar.

“These coil-type anti-fatigue mats are springy to the touch and will reduce the stress and fatigue experienced by people when standing,” he said. “It is all about worker comfort. If you are running a production line and you are constantly having people going off sick with bad backs and problems associated with poor posture, providing an anti-fatigue mat is a low investment that enables you to look after your employees.”

Another function of some mats is to reduce the quantity of contaminants in a building, says Jones. “Our anticontaminant mats are like giant Post-it note pads that have up to 60 layers, all of which are tacky to the touch,” he said.

“This removes any contamination from the shoes and at the end of the day, you can simply peel off the top layer of the mat and there are another 59 layers underneath. These mats are an ideal solution in hospitals, clinical areas and clean rooms and we have also sold them into nuclear facilities.”

Brand image Scraper mats can be used in hot or cold climates to capture sand, dust and snow before it can be tracked into a building, he says. And mats can also promote a company’s brand or business through the use of logos or slogans, says Jones. “Logo mats can be placed in the entrance way or even outside a building in countries where the weather is generally fine,” he said.

“They are basically a form of advertising.”

Despite the many functions of a mat, Jones adds, a matting system is often an afterthought in a new-build or refurbished building. “At the eleventh hour just before the grand opening we will often be asked to supply a matting system,” he said. “It could be embarrassing for a company to have no mat in place – particularly if there is a recessed well with no mat installed since this could be a tripping hazard.

Having no mat could also ruin the overall image of the premises - particularly if the company has spent a fortune on opulent Continued page 52

September 2014 | ECJ |51

MATTING The purpose of matting (continued)

“Matting should provide a safe walking surface and stop water and dirt at the door, as well as holding the water and dirt inside and preventing it from being tracked into the building.”

can now provide an ideal first impression for visitors.”

Besides offering dust control matting for professional and commercial use, Superior Manufacturing also offers Notrax-branded industrial matting systems. “This line includes ergonomic anti-fatigue matting, anti-slip safety matting and specialised lines of electrostatic discharge matting,” said Dirckx. “We also offer fire-retardant welding matting and oil-resistant matting.

These systems are aimed at specific industrial and engineering environments such as factories, assembly lines, logistics and distribution centres plus food production and processing environments.”

She says the most tangible value of a matting system lies in the fact it can help to reduce cleaning costs. “By trapping the majority of the dirt in one specific area you can reduce the overall cleaning burden in the rest of the building,” she said. “The indoor air quality due to reduced allergens and fine dirt in the air is also measurable.

floors and a grand entrance hall.”

Marketing manager of Superior Manufacturing Giselle Dirckx says the main purpose of a matting system is to clean and dry the shoes and to stop dirt and grime at the entrance of a building.

“The need to prevent people from trudging in dirt, mud and grime from the streets is just as applicable in a dry and dusty environment as it is in a wet and rainy climate or in snowy and icy conditions,” she says.

However, she adds that matting systems have evolved into building ‘accessories’ that also offer stylish, functional and safety benefits. “A typical entrance matting system will have three zones,” she said. “The function of Zone 1 will be to scrape away any major dirt while Zone 2 will combine a scraping and drying function. This will remove any secondary dirt from the shoes along with any water that has been walked into the building.

And Zone 3 will dry the shoes to prevent any slippage on interior floors.”

She says a key function of entrance matting is to preserve interior flooring.

“Dirt can act like razors on interior carpet fibres, but mats are made from much stronger materials and can withstand this abuse,” said Dirckx. “In fact mats have become multifunctional. They are no longer simply a standard welcome mat at the door: with the many stylish entrance matting systems available in different colours, materials, designs, and combinations the entrance of a building

“The intangible value of entrance matting is harder to quantify. The environmental impact can be estimated in terms of fewer cleaning chemicals used and fewer resources used for cleaning, along with a long-term reduction in waste from the renewal of interior flooring due to premature wearing. And the safety impact can be estimated by looking at slip and fall prevention and the number of accident claims that would result from those falls.”

However she agrees with Jones that matting systems are often overlooked when a building is designed. “The signal for purchasing an entrance mat will often be the first rain shower to leave major tracks throughout the building, particularly if it also causes customers to slip on wet interior floors,” she said. “At this point an effective solution will be required immediately and the options for integrated matting systems are more limited.”

If a building has no integrated recess frames, she explains, the installation of a matting system will become difficult. “A proper walk-off area where the shoes come into contact with the mat at least six times is recommended, but a lack of space is often a problem,” she said.

Quand nous entrons dans un immeuble public, nous n’accordons guère d’attention au paillasson d’entrée, cependant nous pourrions piétiner un système très intelligent, susceptible d’assurer plusieurs fonctions.

Nous examinons ici les paillassons antifatigue, les paillassons de sécurité, les paillassons de raclage de semelles, et les paillassons de nettoiement léger de chaussures.

Nur wenige bemerken beim Betreten eines öffentlichen Gebäudes das Mattensystem, aber unter den Füßen befindet sich ein smartes System, das möglicherweise mehrere Funktionen gleichzeitig erfüllt. Wir betrachten Anti-Ermüdungsmatten, Sicherheitsmatten, Schmutzabstreifer und Sauberlaufmatten, die einfach unansehnlichen Schmutz von unseren Schuhen entfernen.

September 2014 | ECJ | 52

Often overlooked

Country manager at Mountville Mats Pieterjan Defoort says a mat should perform a number of functions. “It should provide a safe walking surface and stop water and dirt at the door, as well as holding the water and dirt inside and preventing it from being tracked into the building,” he said. “It should also enhance the overall appearance of the building.”

Mountville offers a range of mats including standard dust-control products, logo mats and scraper mats as well as industrial anti-slip matting, anti-fatigue mat, and electrostatic dissipative mats.

“Mats can prevent accidents and lengthen the lifetime of the flooring and carpet,” said Defoort. “If you compare the cost of a mat with the average cost of a slip and fall accident or replacing a floor, the value mats can bring becomes clear.”

As an example of a mat that carries out more than one function he cites the company’s Waterhog Tiles. “These are carpeted tiles with a bi-level surface which scrapes the dirt away from shoes and stores it beneath the surface of the mat,” he said. “They can absorb up to four litres of water per square metre which means they are particularly suitable for high traffic applications and wet environments.”

He says the importance placed on a matting system tends to vary from country to country. “In some countries matting is a high priority whereas in others it is often overlooked and not perceived as important. In these countries, people may not purchase an entrance system or will choose one that is insufficient. It is important to opt for the right system for your building and most matting specialists will offer mat surveys to help people pick the right one for their facility.”

He says it is the job of manufacturers to continuously educate people on the benefits of having an effective matting system. “We must continue to offer training to sales representatives, and help our customers in evaluating facilities.”

So to return to our original question, what is the purpose of a mat? “It is essentially designed to keep out dirt,” said 3M’s Richard Jones. “But whether the purpose is to improve image, increase safety or reduce cleaning bills doesn’t matter - the end result is the same.”

Solo pochi di noi notano il sistema di zerbini entrando in un edificio pubblico, ma sotto i nostri piedi c’è un sistema intelligente in grado di svolgere diverse funzioni contemporanemente. Prendiamo in esame i tappeti antifatica, gli zerbini di sicurezza, gli zerbini per rimuovere lo sporco e quelli progettati semplicemente per rimuovere dalle scarpe lo sporco antiestetico.

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TRAINING

Opportunities for all Sarah Bentley, chief executive officer of Asset Skills Training in the UK, explains the importance of education and training within the sector, the role highly skilled cleaners play in the workforce, the hazards and repercussions of poor standards of cleaning in the workplace and the exciting career paths open to all.

There is no greater asset in a busy, thriving and fast moving business environment than the daily provision of a clean, safe and organised workplace. Poor standards of cleaning could pose a direct health risk. In addition to the financial risk through the loss of customers, the damage to the company’s image could be substantial and long lasting.

With global pandemics on the increase, scientific research has demonstrated that cleaning staff play a powerful part in infection protection. Consumers and governments worldwide are slowly becoming aware that the health of any city or population can depend on clean residential, commercial and public environments. The cleaning industry is therefore at the forefront of this, which means professionals working in this sector will be required to meet higher standards in the future. Employers need to think about how to empower these professionals working on the frontline.

Cleaning staff now need exceptional training, tools and products to do their jobs effectively.

“Slips, trips and falls are the largest cause of accidents in all sectors... the main

causes of accidents that result in more than three days’ absence from work,” according to the European Agency for Safety & Health at Work. Many of these slips are due to leaks and spillages, unsafe wet cleaning methods and not drying floors after washing. The repercussions can be significant in terms of cost to business. Alarmingly, in the UK, the second highest amount of workplace injuries are from slips, trips and falls (STF).

In 2013, there were more than 1,200 slips, trips and falls reported to the health and safety authority. A quarter of those incidents led to the injured person missing over a month from work - just how many of these incidents were avoidable?

Employing low skilled workers at minimum cost can result in significant outlay and expenditure for your business in the long run in terms of sick pay and, in severe cases, legal battles. Cleaning is a technical skill and professional training is crucial to performing daily duties safely, whilst maintaining standards and promoting sustainability and best practice within the workplace. Currently, cleaning is neither fully automated nor outsourced; for example, in the Far East, domestically recruited people are your business and, as such, they believe investment in them is key.

Benefits of training The benefits of training programmes for the cleaning industry are manifold.

We believe that the right kind of training boosts morale and helps staff to feel more motivated about work in general.

When skills are encouraged and improved, confidence grows and, with confidence, performance is improved.

Training is also an excellent way to keep pace with changes in legislation, your business and the industry. Familiarity with new developments and techniques, plus compliance with procedures and regulations, are now essential to remaining competitive. Training is the most stimulating way to meet and master these new challenges and to stay on top

of the game.

Training shares good habits among staff and encourages higher performance.

An employee who has attended training courses can set the standards for their colleagues when they return.

Focused training can pay for itself many times over by boosting efficiency and maintaining higher standards of cleanliness. Regardless of where staff members are working, appropriate training ensures consistency in results throughout the workforce.

Training impacts positively on employee health and morale, to say nothing of the impact on a company’s solid reputation and the bottom line.

Job opportunities Cleaners form an essential workforce and there are some excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business or, indeed, for the part-time workforce. There are plenty of opportunities for people of any age, with rewarding careers in management and/or supervisory roles. Cleaning offers young people a route into a job that teaches them new skills and into career paths that they may not have considered whilst at school. And the sector covers a host of careers, from infection control at hospitals and forensic cleaning of crime scenes to specialist cleaning of tourist landmarks.

Finally, with cleaning at a respected and European professional level, the gateway for career opportunities in other EU countries brings its own incentive, not just to the individual but also to European operations and multinationals.

Doug Cooke, chief executive at Principle Cleaning in the UK, believes fervently in investment in his staff and explains the importance of training.

He said: “Our employees embrace company values and we believe in treating everyone justly and fairly. Performance based recognition, extensive training and opportunities for advancement all result in Continued page 56

September 2014 | ECJ | 55

TRAINING Opportunities for all (continued) greater productivity and service longevity.

Our clients benefit.”

Angelica Martinez works for Principle Cleaning and supervises 22 staff and 250,000 square feet of the Lloyd’s of London building. She took a management diploma in cleaning and feels strongly that it progressed her career and helped her to win awards.

She said: “The course taught me how to react in everyday situations you encounter whilst at work. How to think, then act, and be confident you are doing your job properly and maintaining best practice at work. It opened my eyes to health and safety issues and profits, something I hadn’t thought of before - how to work more efficiently and produce less waste.

“It is my belief that every supervisor should take this course. It teaches them how to follow best practice

Martinez added: “Since taking the course, I have been given more responsibility at work and more opportunities have opened up for me. I have been promoted to daytime manager and now manage 22 staff. In addition to self-improvement, there has been a noticeable increase in morale and motivation amongst the team I work with. I want them to be happy in their jobs and create a positive environment.

An efficient and cohesive workplace is all about building the morale and productivity of your employees. In this way, complaints, disruptions and legal issues may be

ECJ se penche sur la place importante de l’éducation et de la formation dans le secteur de la propreté, sur le rôle de nettoyeurs hautement qualifiés au sein de la force de travail, sur les risques et conséquences de piètres normes de nettoyage sur le lieu de travail, et sur les belles perspectives de carrière qui s’offrent à tous.

Das ECJ untersucht, wie wichtig Aus- und Fortbildung innerhalb der Branche sind, welche Rolle hochqualifiziertes Reinigungspersonal in der Belegschaft spielt, welche Risiken und Auswirkungen mangelnde Standards bei der Reinigung am Arbeitsplatz haben können und welche interessanten Karrieremöglichkeiten allen offenstehen.

September 2014 | ECJ | 56

guidelines for creating a productive workplace environment and look after the most important people at work their operatives.”

More responsibility

minimised and resolved, so everyone can get on with their work.

“After I had completed the course, I entered the Golden Service Awards 2013 and won the Site Supervisor of the Year award. I was both honoured and excited to be recognised by top industry professionals. I am extremely proud to be the recipient of this prize - it is great recognition!”

She concluded: “I strongly feel every manager should have the opportunity to take the course. The course content covers everything from health and safety, HR and profits to working efficiently and time management - it opened my eyes on how to become a better manager. The course has made me more aware of my working environment and my colleagues and has resulted in me being more proactive.” enquiries@assetskillstraining.org ECJ valuta l’importanza dell’istruzione e del training nel settore del cleaning, il ruolo che gli addetti alle pulizie altamente qualificati hanno nell’ambito della forza lavoro, i pericoli e le ripercussioni di standard di pulizia troppo bassi nei luoghi di lavoro e le possibilità di carriera molto interessanti aperte a tutti.

INTEGRATED HYGIENE SOLUTIONS

ellipse The integrated and modular range from Kennedy Hygiene

www.kennedy-hygiene.com www.linkedin.com/company/kennedy-hygiene www.youtube.com/kennedyhygiene

WASHROOM DISPENSING

Washrooms get smart A number of washroom dispenser manufacturers are developing ‘intelligent’ dispensing systems that provide real-time data for service providers. But what is the value of these systems, and are they here to stay? ECJ talks to the companies offering these stateof-the-art systems.

There was a time when a washroom dispenser was simply a box on the wall whose main function was to house the hand towels, toilet paper or soap inside.

The chief advantage of these units was to protect the products from contamination before use. Some away-from-home washroom managers did not even bother to install them.

But as the industry has become increasingly sophisticated, today’s dispensers have become – well indispensable. They offer benefits including portion control and sometimes a hygienic touch-free operation as well.

Others have been designed to enhance the image of the washroom and create a smart, co-ordinated impression.

But in recent years, certain washroom dispenser manufacturers have decided to go one step further. They began to ask themselves: how would it be if the dispensers actually ‘knew’ when they were empty in order to make refilling a more seamless and efficient operation?

And what if dispensers could also predict the likely amount of washroom traffic expected in any given facility so refill levels could be kept topped up?

One of the companies offering such a system is Tork manufacturer SCA. The company launched its Tork EasyCube at this year’s ISSA/Interclean. The system comprises a range of dispensers equipped with integral sensors.

“These sensors measure refill status, product consumption and washroom

traffic data,” said business development manager Edwout Terpstra. “The information is then combined with a web application for managers and cleaning staff. Together they create a management system that provides monitoring information on the usage and status of any given washroom facility.”

Tork EasyCube is aimed at anyone managing a facility who also takes responsibility for its overall budget and costs. “The value of Tork EasyCube is it offers a solution to facility managers who are struggling with the increasingly difficult balance between cost-control and an increased demand for enhanced washroom performance,” added Terpstra.

During the product development stage, says Terpstra, the company carried out extensive tests and customer trials along with additional research. “What we try to achieve with Tork EasyCube is to give a facility service manager the tools to switch from cleaning-when-scheduled to cleaning-when-needed.

Fewer complaints “It also leads to a significant reduction in the number of customer complaints or reports on the status of the washroom facility, since Tork EasyCube highlights potential issues in advance.”

He says the benefits of the system will differ from location to location since they depend on factors such as the number of washrooms in a facility; the number of users; how many cleaners are on site and the cleaners’ ability to respond to demand or to change their behaviour. But so far, says Terpstra, customer response has been positive.

CWS International claims to have been one of the first washroom hygiene companies to move into the intelligent dispensing systems market. The CWS Washroom Information Service (WIS) introduced in 2013 comprises a range of towel dispensers with built-in radio modules. These allow cleaning staff to be notified by text or email when a dispenser is empty or when supplies are running low.

“This means that when a towel roll has been used up, staff can have access to this information without having to physically check the dispenser,” said Silke Zügel, product management team leader for CWS International.

The system collects data such as dispenser identification and location along with filling-level status information and maintenance requirements.

“This information can be sent to predefined recipients at pre-defined time intervals,” said Zügel. “The radio module in the dispenser sends all data to CWS using the mobile phone network every 15 minutes. The information is then processed in a database and converted into real-time information such as ‘dispenser almost empty’ or ‘dispenser empty’. These alerts are then forwarded to on-site staff.

“This approach makes long-term analysis possible in order to improve planning and facilitate logistics along with the procurement and storage of consumables.”

The system is aimed in particular at the facilities managers of large public and commercial buildings such as airports and trade fair organisations. It is also targeted at interior architects and building planners.

Initial customer feedback has been positive, Zügel says. “It has highlighted the more efficient use of staff and time made possible by the WIS data analysis,” she said. “The ability to trigger direct reactions on the part of on-site staff through active notifications has already made the system an everyday tool for facility managers.”

Hagleitner’s Xibu washroom dispenser range also offers intelligent functions. The company’s SenseManagement system for taps, foam soap, hand towel, toilet paper and sanitiser dispensers all have an integrated radio frequency system that counts every towel or shot of soap, sanitiser or water.

“The fact that every dispenser and tap is equipped with this function means Continued page 60

September 2014 | ECJ | 59

WASHROOM DISPENSING Washrooms get smart (continued) that the status of all dispensers and taps can be seen at all times and from anywhere in the world via a tablet, a PC or a smartphone,” said product manager Dr Georg Steiner. “The dispensers and taps send information about refill status, usage patterns and consumption to a web-based central site.”

The system is aimed at facility managers, restaurant owners, hotel owners and managers of other large buildings, said Steiner. “The system saves money because cleaning staff can be deployed more efficiently,” he says. “You always know where a dispenser needs to be refilled and you can therefore deploy your cleaning staff accordingly.

“Moreover, the collected data informs you how many people use the washroom per month and this facilities forecasts and product ordering according to demand. As a knock-on effect, storage planning also Certains fabricants de distributeurs pour toilettes ont mis au point des systèmes “intelligents” faisant appel aux dernières techniques de l’informatique et donnant des informations en temps réel aux prestataires de services. Nous nous interrogeons sur la valeur réelle de ces systèmes pour des opérations journalières.

September 2014 | ECJ | 60

becomes easier and just-in-time deliveries are achievable since the system allows predictive planning.”

The system is extremely new on the market, but according to Steiner the first pilot projects have been well received.

“Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are using the information to analyse and improve compliance with hand disinfection regulations,” he said. “Meanwhile, hotels, public institutions, sports stadium and airports are using the system to draw up schedules for their cleaning staff.”

So do manufacturers believe intelligent management systems to be the way forward? “More and more aspects of our working environment are being integrated into digital platforms,” said SCA’s Edwout Terpstra. “The logic is if one knows what is going on in certain areas of the working environment – such as frequency of use, traffic levels etc - one can act accordingly Mehrere Hersteller von Waschraumspendern beschäftigen sich mit der Entwicklung „intelligenter“ Spendersysteme, die Dienstleistern mithilfe der neuesten Informationstechnologie Echtzeitdaten bieten. Wir fragen nach dem wahren Wert solcher Systeme im täglichen Betrieb.

to optimise the user experience while reducing risks and costs.”

Silke Zügel says CWS will continue to improve and develop its system. “We are confident WIS has opened up new possibilities for higher levels of hygiene in the washroom,” she said. “Information systems will win over the market in the medium run, just as sensors have done within the washroom equipment sector.

They will improve washroom planning and service levels, and provide the possibility to collect and analyse relevant data.”

And Hagleitner’s Dr George Steiner adds intelligent washroom dispensing systems offer real value to customers.

“This is absolutely the trend in the market,” he said. “Greater transparency while simplifying the use and maintenance of washroom dispensers is the way forward.

Not only does it make the daily workload simpler, it also saves time and money.”

Numerosi produttori di dispenser per sale da toilette stanno sviluppando sistemi di dispenser ‘intelligenti’ che utilizzano la più recente tecnologia informatica per fornire ai fornitori di servizi i dati in tempo reale.

Chiediamo quale sia il vero valore di questi sistemi per il lavoro di tutti i giorni.

PRODUCTS: WASHROOM DISPENSING

Sustainable Sapor says its formulations are based on the use of solid bar soap and through the use of its dispenser mechanics the soap is ground into flakes to offer each individual dose. According to Sapor, solid bar soap is consistent whether it is extremely hot or cold, while liquid soap is not always so stable.

The company’s organic soaps are made from vegetable oils from sustainable sources, and other organic raw material. One bar of soap is the equivalent of one litre of liquid soap and offers up to 400 hand washes.

Sustainability is the cornerstone of Sapor’s new Greenline washroom concept, which applies to soap, paper and toilet tissue dispensers. Greenline dispensing products are free of mineral oil and consist of a bio composite made of bio plastics with renewable resources. And the corresponding dry soap is free of scents, dyes, surfactants, GM

technology and preservatives. www.sapor.de

Programmable

The system provides a continuous dose of concentrated, fragranced fluid, ensuring odours are eliminated and pipes are cleared, whilst simultaneously fragrancing the air.

A five-year warranty is standard and Sanair can be programmed for service intervals, using a 30 or 60 day cycle. www.unicorn-hygienics.com

Functional From Unicorn Hygienics comes a range of products designed for washroom service companies, including vending machines, sanitisers, air freshening systems, sanitiser refills and aerosols, and sanitary bins.

The Sanair sanitising system consists of an automatic, fully programmable dispenser, used in conjunction with the company’s range of refills.

These eliminate odours in the washroom, while cleaning and sterilising urinals and toilets.

A new series of multifunctional hand soap dispensers has been developed by DoctorClean, the ASR5-6 and 5-6X. These new units, it says, are more functional, practical and flexible than previously.

The modular units come with manual or no-touch function and the flexible nozzle design means they can be used with liquid, spray or foam soaps. A number of different colours are available, and dosage can be adjusted according to requirements. www.doctorclean.com.cn

• La gamme Greenline de Sapor réunit des produits pour toilettes à impact environnemental réduit.

• Le système de contrôle d’odeur Sanair, de la société Unicorn Hygienics, se compose d’un distributeur programmable et de fagrances diverses.

• DoctorClean a lancé de nouvelles versions de ses distributeurs d’hygiène des mains, ASR5-6 et 5-6X.

• Die Produktreihe Greenline von Sapor umfasst Waschraumprodukte, die laut eigenen Angaben nur geringe Auswirkungen auf die Ökologie haben.

• Das Geruchskontrollsystem Sanair von Unicorn Hygienics besteht aus einem programmierbaren Spender und verschiedenen Duftstoffen.

• DoctorClean hat neue Ausführungen der Handhygienespender ASR5-6 und 5-6X vorgestellt.

• La gamma Greenline della Sapor consiste in prodotti per sale da toilette che hanno un basso impatto ambientale.

• Il sistema per l’eliminazione dei cattivi odori Sanair prodotto dalla Unicorn Hygienics consiste in un dispenser programmabile e numerose fragranze.

• La DoctorClean ha lanciato delle nuove versioni dei suoi dispenser per l’igiene delle mani ASR5-6 e 5-6X.

September 2014 | ECJ | 61

PRODUCTS: WASHROOM DISPENSING

• Les distributeurs Hagleitner à système senseManagement produisent des données sur l’état de chaque appareil.

• La gamme de distributeur Sanitex MVP de Vectair Systems s’utilise avec les savons mousses, liquides et à pulvériser.

• Le distributeur de mousse compact Clean Your Seat de la société Hyprom contient un nettoyant de siège de sanitaire.

• SCA, le fabricant des produits Tork, propose différents distributeurs, dont les gammes Elevation et Aluminium.

• Le distributeur de savon MultiFlex de Brightwell est proposé en modèles manuels et électroniques.

• La Wash Station triple-fonction de Dudley combine la distribution d’eau et de savon, le séchage des mains, et un évier.

• Hagleitner-Spender, die mit dem senseManagement-System ausgestattet sind, bieten Daten zum Status der jeweiligen Einheit.

• Die Spenderreihe Sanitex MVP von Vectair Systems ist für Schaum-, Flüssig- und Sprühseifen geeignet.

• Der Clean Your Seat FoamSpender von Hyprom ist kompakt und enthält einen Toilettensitzreiniger.

• Tork-Hersteller SCA liefert verschiedene Spender, darunter die Produktreihen Elevation und Aluminium.

• Der Seifenspender MultiFlex von Brightwell ist in manuellen und elektronischen Modellen erhältlich.

• Die 3-in-1-Wash Station von Dudley kombiniert Seifen- und Wasserspender mit einer Handtrockner- und Spülbeckeneinheit.

Intelligent The centrally-installed Hagleitner SenseManagement system uses collected data to provide digital real-time information about the status of the company’s Xibu dispensers. This allows a facility to monitor product consumption and visitor frequency, says Hagleitner.

Hagleitner SenseManagement also allows a company to plan its dispenser refill frequency while efficiently deploying its service staff. Products can then be ordered according to consumption, and this helps to facilitate fast and convenient stock-keeping according to Hagleitner.

Hagleitner SenseManagement is claimed to allow a facility to analyse information such as hand disinfection usage patterns which means it can be used to devise digital cleaning and disinfection plans. These can be created individually and adapted to the needs of the customer according to location - for example, if the dispenser is situated in a hotel room or a hygiene-critical environment such as a hospital ward. www.hagleitner.com

is EN1276 compliant and the antibacterial soap EN 1040 compliant.

The cover of the manual dispenser incorporates Biomaster, a silver ion-based antimicrobial technology which lasts for the lifetime of the product and has been proven to reduce bacterial growth by 99.99 per cent.

A range of colour options are available including a white dispenser with a white, translucent or bright chrome insert. www.vectairsystems.com

brushed aluminium units are designed to impress. A black finish is also available.

For public sector facilities and institutions there are functional units designed to reduce consumption and time spent refilling along with cost in use.

Options include Tork SmartOne, available in both a full-size and mini version; and the Tork Singlefold Hand Towel Dispenser. www.tork.co.uk

Clean seat Hyprom says the dispenser for its Clean Your Seat foam toilet seat cleaner is compact enough for the smallest of toilet cubicles while being simple and reliable in operation.

The foam kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria and has bactericidal, fungicide and virucide properties says Hyprom. And it’s economical, with a 400 ml refill dispensing around 1,000 doses.

The Clean Your Seat dispenser comes in Timeless White, Precious Silver or Exclusive Black, and a no-touch version is available too. www.hyprom.com

The MultiFlex soap dispenser from Brightwell is available in automatic (electronic) or manual versions and there is the option to customise its cover design according to branding.

For optimum hygiene pumps and bottles are disposed of together in order to avoid cross-contamination risks. And all pumps are interchangeable in the dispenser housing for maximum versatility. Units can be locked to particular products with the option of exclusive pin positions. www.brightwell.co.uk

Every washroom

All in one

Multifunctional • I dispenser della Hagleitner dotati del sistema senseManagement forniscono dati sullo stato di ogni unità.

• La gamma di dispenser Sanitex MVP della Vectair Systems può essere utilizzata con saponi in schiuma, liquidi e spray.

• Il dispenser di schiuma Clean Your Seat Foam della Hyprom è compatto e contiene detergente per le sedute wc.

• La SCA, produttrice di prodotti Tork, fornisce numerosi dispenser e fra questi le gamme Elevation e Aluminium.

• Il dispenser di sapone MultiFlex prodotto dalla Brightwell è disponibile nei modelli manuali ed elettronico.

• L’unità 3 in 1 Wash Station della Dudley abbina gli erogatori di acqua e sapone con un asciugamani ad aria e un lavandino.

September 2014 | ECJ | 62

The Sanitex MVP system from Vectair Systems combines dispensers with hand soap and surface cleaners. The range consists of robust manual and automatic dispensers that are designed to be simple to operate and service, together with advanced foam, liquid and spray cartridges, plus the surface care solution.

The soaps contain natural conditioners and moisturisers, the instant hand gel is compliant with EN standards EN1040 and EN 12054, the surface cleaner

Tork manufacturer SCA supplies dispensers for a wide range of washrooms whether the chief aim is to impress, to optimise hygiene or to provide clean and functional facilities.

Elevation dispensers come in a white finish for hygiene-critical washrooms. Options include the Tork Matic Soft Hand Towel Roll dispenser which gives out towels one at a time and the Tork Foam Soap Dispenser which has been purposedesigned to be easy to use.

Both dispensers are available in a touch-free version with Intuition sensor.

For luxury washrooms there is the Tork Aluminium range - the

Two models

The 3 in 1 Wash Station from Dudley Industries Station combines soap and water feeds with a hand dryer and a sink unit. It automatically dispenses a measure of soap, followed by water, allowing the user to wash and rinse their hands - then after a short period the hand dryer automatically starts.

Manufactured in durable stainless steel, the wash station unit recesses into a cavity in the wall. There is the option for an integrated heater that uses cold water feed or a preheated water supply, and cycle times for the dispensing of soap, water and dryer are adjustable. www.dudleyindustries.com

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BUSINESS: WEBSITES

Websites - do it yourself?

Website development used to be the domain of gods and geeks. They worked their magic using a strange coded language that was incomprehensible to the rest of us and made us pay through the nose for their expertise. Now their mystic is greatly diminished with the arrival of cheap DIY websites, but what are the pros and cons of doing it yourself?

Hartley Milner reports.

Your company website is your shop window to the world. So how you display your goods or services is crucial if you are to entice in potential customers browsing the marketplace.

You may have noticed that traffic to your website has tailed off recently and it is beginning to look a little tired compared to the flashy, all singing, all dancing sites of your rivals. Perhaps your business has expanded and you have increased your product line or are offering extra services.

So do you go for a refresh, a revamp or grasp the nettle and opt for a complete replacement? Whichever route you take, it will have an impact on your bottom line if you outsource the job to a professional website developer. This is not a concerning issue for large corporations with well-financed e-commerce budgets or IT departments, but it can be for SMEs operating to tight profit margins in highly competitive markets.

In recent years, cash-strapped small businesses have been thinking the unthinkable in terms of established convention – and looking at building their own websites. In a survey of 500 small businesses by UK-based online market

research agency YouGov, 39 per cent said they had created their own websites and 58 per cent were willing to use a DIY website or blog to promote their business.

But is self-build really a viable option?

Well, yes, but with reservations, according to Trisha Silvera of the European Website Builder Exchange Forum. “On the face of it, designing and constructing a website yourself is quite feasible, providing it is intended to serve a purpose that does not require either a high degree of sophistication or a huge amount of functionality. Great advances have been made in bringing website development into the mainstream, but it is not there yet and there is still much to be done.

Cheaper option “DIY is certainly usually a much cheaper option than employing an experienced website creator, but you have to ask what could be the long-term cost if you get it wrong. Unless you are an expert at designing and building professional looking web pages, you could end up with a site that looks homemade and does not stand up to comparisons with those of your competitors. You may then find yourself having to get in professional help anyway, just to put it all right.

“The issue of money is, of course, an important consideration, but the fee you pay a professional does not just cover their services – it covers the amount of freedom it gives you to do other things. If you are running a small business, you will probably have more on your plate than you feel you can deal with as it is, and having to build your own website will take up

even more of your precious time. So there can be another cost in terms of time and also stress.

“It’s not only a case of having a site that looks good either; it must be functional and easy to use as well. Any difficulties and potential customers are likely to give up and go elsewhere. You need to ask yourself if you can honestly achieve this level of competence yourself. If the answer is no, you would be advised to seek the help of a professional.”

You also need to be aware that while many of these sites require low start-up costs you will be charged monthly fees that can be pricey, depending on the degree of functionality and complexity of the site. You will also be using the same template as thousands – even millions – of other websites on the internet.

If you are concerned about building a brand name, DIY is not the way to go.

The biggest drawback is lack of flexibility and limitations on the capabilities of the website. Remember, you are working with a set template, so if you do not like the way something works, looks, or you need to add a special feature, you will be unable to make adjustments.

Another drawback of template websites is that they are not all search-engine optimised and, therefore, are likely to not come up in search results. What good is a website if it cannot be found? Increasingly, though, the self-build sector is offering this essential facility as an extra service.

But Silvera acknowledged the advantages of self-build. “You alone know exactly how you want your website to look, and it can be difficult trying to communicate that to another person,” she said. “It’s also easier to try out different combinations of items and different page layouts if you are designing it yourself. You do need to see through the hype and be aware of what you are about to take on.

“If you really don’t have the money to pay for a professional website provider, and you need to use what little knowledge you have to create your own site, you could then take a look at the possibility of using a website builder. If you think of a designer as building the whole house, and your own efforts as building it brick by brick, then a website builder provides pre-fabricated wall sections for you to slot together. It’s a convenient halfway house, and it can give you the tools necessary to Continued page 66

September 2014 | ECJ | 65

BUSINESS: WEBSITES Websites - do it yourself? (continued) build a competent website.”

Advances in web technology have greatly simplified website construction and given birth to a whole new industry, offering either low-cost website development services or the tools to selfbuild a professional-looking site cheaply or even for free. There is no programming, so you don’t need to worry about knowing HTML. “If you can send an e-mail, then you can build a website,” is the popular pitch.

There is a myriad of purveyors of DIY website programs promising they can get you up and running in minutes. Most offer templates that are pre-populated with images and content for your industry and all you need do is replace a few images and customise the copy.

Website builders provide all the facilities you will need, including design tools, content-managing systems and, increasingly, search-engine optimisation implements. Most provide users with an Le développement d’un site Web a jusqu’ici été perçu comme une activité dont les arcanes étaient réservés aux professionnels et hors de portée du plus grand nombre. Aujourd’hui, la mystique de cette activité s’est estompée quelque peu suite à l’arrivée sur le marchés de produits permettant de s’y adonner soi-même.

Hartley Milner s’interroge sur le pour et le contre de l’autoconstruction d’un site Web.

September 2014 | ECJ | 66

easy-to-use online interface, although some are still available as downloadable software packages. Typically, users begin their site construction by choosing from pre-designed website templates.

When comparing website builders, you need to have a goal in mind. If you wish to create a sleek, professional online store customised to your brand, then you should go for e-commerce-tailored website builders. Novices looking for a simple, attractive blog or basic site should seek out a website builder with an easy-to-use interface and welldesigned templates.

Also, check out the variety of templates on offer to ensure you get the most stylish and professional looking site. Graphics options and even video placement can be helpful features on a website builder.

Those who are expecting high volumes of traffic to their blog should certainly ensure that their website builder provides Lange Zeit wurde die Website-Entwicklung als eine geheimnisvolle, magische „Kunst“ mit seltsamer, kodierter Sprache betrachtet, die für die meisten von uns unverständlich war. Inzwischen hat sich der geheimnisvolle Nimbus durch die Ankunft preiswerter Do-it-yourself-Optionen jedoch etwas gelüftet. Welches Für und Wider ist jedoch beim Do it yourself zu beachten, fragt Hartley Milner.

the best possible hosting package.

If you are tech-savvy, you will be able to make use of features such as URL redirect services, MIME types and FTP managers and file managers. These give you complete control of the internal structure of your website, web-pages and content.

All DIY packages include easy-to-follow tutorials and full technical support around the clock.

“The advice I would give to any small company considering building its own template website is don’t go rushing blindly into it, ensure you know all the pros and cons and, be aware – you could save money initially but be storing up costly trouble for the future,” cautioned Silvera. “From the consumer’s point of view, probably the best thing to come out of the emergence of self-build is that the competition is forcing down the cost of web development and making it more affordable for everyone.”

Lo sviluppo dei siti web è sempre stato percepito come un’arte misteriosa e magica, con uno strano linguaggio in codice che era incomprensibile per la maggior parte di noi. Adesso, però, questo fascino è stato in qualche modo diminuito dall’arrivo di opzioni economiche “fai da te”. Ma quali sono i pro e i contro di fare tutto da soli, chiede Hartley Milner.

WORKFORCE

Matters of trust Background checking of cleaners is increasingly becoming standardised practice within the industry with companies seeking to ensure that their cleaners have been ‘vetted’ prior to starting work. But why are such checks deemed necessary?

Eamon Jubbawy of Onfido, an employment screening firm offering a data driven platform for employers, writes for ECJ.

Imagine you are a homeowner looking for a cleaner: it is vital to know the person who enters your house can be trusted.

Cleaning positions frequently involve a high degree of trust – a homeowner does not want to have to keep a watchful eye over a cleaner’s every move but instead be reassured that the cleaner can be left to perform the job without supervision. Very often cleaners will be given their own set of keys, potentially allowing unrestricted access to a person’s home and so clearly there is a strong need for trust.

Checks available Background checking, therefore, acts as a way of screening potential cleaners in order to reveal facts that may lead you to question whether a particular cleaner can be trusted. But what sorts of check can a cleaning company carry out to help inform this decision? One obvious way of vetting cleaners is to collect references.

Written confirmation that a cleaner has been previously allowed unrestricted access to homes or offices and that

no issues were encountered is positive evidence that a cleaner can be trusted. It is vitally important, however, to ensure that references are validated and not simply taken at face value. At Onfido we have found that roughly nine per cent of applicants have provided false employers or fabricated nonexistent jobs. References should therefore be approached with caution and steps should be taken to ensure they are accurate.

Moreover, references may not be available in all circumstances and, in any case, more and more cleaning companies are finding they prefer to run additional checks as part of the vetting process. Checking criminal records is one option, and is legally required in some circumstances in certain countries – for example, if a cleaner will be working in a school or at a care home. Another added complication is that in particular countries, there are different levels of criminal record check available: for example the UK has a basic, standard and enhanced check.

As a rule of thumb, unless the cleaner will be working somewhere in contact with children or vulnerable adults, then cleaning companies will generally only be permitted to carry out a basic criminal record check. This will show any unspent convictions within the past five years.

These checks can be a useful vetting tool because they will reveal, for example, whether a cleaner has a string of past convictions for theft, which could raise some doubts as to whether they can be trusted to be unsupervised.

Criminal record checks often take several weeks to be returned and so in circumstances where they are not legally required, they are increasingly being viewed as a lengthy and costly form of vetting. Perhaps for this reason, there is an alternative form of background checking that is becoming increasingly popular within the cleaning sector. Many companies have started carrying out a combination of identity and financial checks on their cleaners. An identity check

will ensure the cleaner is the person they say they are and makes sure they are not using any counterfeit documents – if a person is attempting to use a false identity, it is clear evidence of dishonesty and it seems quite likely that person has something else to hide and therefore cannot be trusted. This identity checking is then combined with a form of financial checking to investigate whether a cleaner has a past history of matters such as insolvency or bankruptcies Why are these matters deemed significant? The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the world’s largest chartered HR and development body, conducted a study on staff fraud and dishonesty – an analysis of past cases revealed a link between those suffering from financial difficulty or debts and those who committed acts of fraud.

Illegal workers Due to the level of trust bestowed upon cleaners, occasions for opportunistic thieving may be plentiful and so there is certainly a risk that the temptation to steal could prove to be significant for an individual who is in financial desperation.

Recognition of this risk should not, however, be taken too far - it is certainly not the case that every person in financial difficulty is more likely to steal. These checks are nonetheless useful because they will flag matters to be discussed with a potential recruit and, additionally, asking cleaners to disclose matters such as bankruptcies gives an opportunity to demonstrate honesty. These checks, therefore, allow a company to advertise all their cleaners have been ‘vetted’ and can be trusted and so it is not surprising they are becoming increasing popular within the cleaning sector.

European governments have jointly worked on proposals to reduce the number of illegal migrant workers in the last few years in an attempt to stem the growth of a shadow economy for illegal migrants; as a result, they are proposing Continued page 68

September 2014 | ECJ | 67

WORKFORCE Matters of trust (continued) to get tougher on employers who exploit illegal labour. The OECD carried out a study on the most common industries where illegal migrant workers are employed in six OECD countries – France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the USA. The study concluded that certain parts of the services sector, such as catering and in particular sanitation and cleaning, are increasingly shunned by nationals, with the gaps being filled by illegal immigrants from all over the world. In the vast majority of cases, employers are unknowingly hiring these workers, so some of the major European governments have recently focused on attempting to educate firms about the extent of the problem and the potential dangers. The UK Home Office consultation document entitled ‘Strengthening and Simplifying the Civil L’enquête de sécurité préalable des nettoyeurs se pratique de plus en plus dans le secteur de la propreté où de nombreuses entreprises entendent s’assurer que leurs nettoyeurs ont été « contrôlés » avant de les déployer. Mais pourquoi juge-t-on ces contrôles nécessaires et quel est le meilleur moyen de les appliquer ?

September 2014 | ECJ | 68

Penalty Scheme to Prevent Illegal Working’ set out the basic steps the UK government intends to take over the coming months.

Germany’s interior minister has also called for tougher penalties on employers hiring illegal migrants.

Continuous obligation Why is this important for cleaning firms to know? Most large European nations are looking to increase the fines for hiring illegal immigrants. Currently the UK Border Agency will fine a company 25,000 euros for every illegal migrant worker being employed; 72 million in fines were handed out to the end of 2012, and over half of the companies who received fines ended up shutting down or declaring bankruptcy as a result. Stricter still, the employer can be jailed for up to two years and receive Hintergrundprüfungen des Reinigungspersonals werden in zunehmendem Maße ein Teil der standardmäßigen Praxis in der Branche. Die Unternehmen versuchen dadurch sicherzustellen, dass ihre Mitarbeiter vor Arbeitsbeginn „überprüft“ wurden. Aber warum werden solche Prüfung für notwendig erachtet, und wie werden sie am besten ausgeführt?

an unlimited fine if they were to knowingly employ an illegal worker.

This obligation on the employer is continuous, meaning that as a cleaning company, it is not enough to simply carry out right to work checks when your cleaners first begin their work with you.

The immigration status of an individual can change, and often the employee will fail to notify their employer. Whilst there have been efforts to simplify right to work checks for compliant, legitimate employers, there is still no clear word on the best method to carry out these checks. Visual inspection of relevant documentation is usually sufficient for cleaners but for a more thorough check with a full audit trail, electronic checks are recommended. www.onfido.com La verifica dei trascorsi personali degli addetti alle pulizie sta diventando sempre di più una pratica standardizzata nel settore del cleaning e le imprese cercano di assicurare che i loro lavoratori siano stati ‘sottoposti a controlli’ prima di iniziare il lavoro. Ma perchè questi accertamenti sono ritenuti necessari e qual è il modo migliore per effettuarli?

CASE STUDY

Total service package St George’s Hospital in South London is one of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals with over 1,000 beds. It treats over 800,000 patients a year and employs more than 8,000 staff on a 92,000 square metre site.

Supplying the catering and cleaning services is one of the UK’s leading facilities service providers, Mitie. ECJ editor Michelle Marshall visited the site to find out how the operation works.

Founded in 1733 and located in South West London, St George’s Hospital is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK. With over 1,000 beds and 8,000 staff, it treats in excess of 800,000 patients per year. One of the UK’s largest outsourcing specialists, Mitie, has the contract to supply catering and cleaning services over a seven-year term. The contract started in 2009 and will finish in 2016.

The services provided by Mitie at St George’s are: patient catering including hostess service and ward issues; retail catering and coffee shop services; cleaning service, including deep cleans and rapid response; helpdesk; and provision of stock for client domestic/clinical disposables.

When the contract started an investment of 1.88 million euros was made in new catering facilities, with a 378,000 euros contribution from Mitie.

The company provides all patient catering at the site and procures all foods – the dedicated patient catering hostesses serve over 3,000 meals and more than 5,000 drinks every day.

Mitie also operates two in-house branded Ingredients restaurants and three coffee shops providing visitor and hospitality catering.

Responsible for ensuring all aspects of the contract run smoothly every day is operations director Moira Hedley, who heads up a team of 700 Mitie staff on the site. There are 42 wards in the hospital and cleaners are available roundthe-clock. In fact many of the services provided by Mitie on this site are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hedley explains why the contract works so well for Mitie and for St George’s. “We are fortunate in that we have a very strong relationship with our client, it’s a true partnership. Of course there have been challenges during the time we have been at the site but we have always worked through problems together.”

Key to the contract’s success also lies in the fact Mitie is keen to bring innovation wherever it can, in both the cleaning

and catering aspects. For example the company introduced microfibre mopping for more effective infection control, and in catering one of its initiatives has been the introduction of sugar-free drinks. In the Ingredients restaurant, which is visited by up to 400 people every day, there has been a healthy eating initiative run by retail catering manager Megan Hamade.

Responsible for buying all products, whether for cleaning or catering, is procurement manager Doug Gilchrist.

Mitie has a preferred supplier list and the stipulations around this are particularly rigorous when it comes to food, as the company has to prove its provenance.

As one of the UK’s largest FM companies Mitie enjoys significant buying power with major distributors of food and cleaning supplies because of the sheer volumes involved – an important benefit for the cost-conscious National Health Service (NHS).

Ultimate control John Greenhalgh, patient catering manager, explains that St George’s operates a cook-and-freeze system of serving food – whereby all meals are prepared off-site, frozen and reheated on the wards. “This is the best system because we have ultimate control,” he says. “It is also nutritionally preferable, reduces waste and offers the best flexibility when we have different ward demands, etc. Not only that, cooking frozen food is safer, more cost effective and easier for us to manage.”

Greenhalgh goes on to explain how the massive catering operation in such a large hospital works in practice. “Food is delivered to a central point, temperature checked and put into the freezer immediately. We operate using a linear workflow. To minimise handling, every ward puts in a specific order, which makes it easy and manageable for staff. Each meal is then picked and packed according to what the wards require.”

Every stage of the operation is designed Continued page 70

September 2014 | ECJ |69

CASE STUDY Total service package (continued) to be as sustainable and environmentally responsible as possible, according to the NHS and Mitie’s standards.

Suppliers, for example, have sophisticated tracking systems fitted to vehicles carrying goods in order to minimise food miles. Mitie also requires environmental statistics from its suppliers on a regular basis, in order to maintain complete control of the entire process.

Hygiene at all stages of food preparation is of course vital, and as well as ensuring all meals are temperature controlled and HACCP compliant when they arrive, Mitie’s managers regularly visit the sites where food is prepared in order to ensure the same high hygiene standards are met.

When food arrives on the wards it’s the responsibility of the Mitie hostesses to prepare and distribute it; the hostesses have been trained in the key aspects of nutritional awareness while also having customer service skills. “This means of Cleaning Science (BICSc) training centre on the site. Catering staff have a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Level 1 or Level 2 Food Safety Certificate. Glenn Scott, training and compliance manager, is responsible for ensuring all operatives have the skills and education necessary to maintain standards.

Moira Hedley’s main client contact at the site is Jenni Doman, general manager, estates and facilities for St George’s NHS Hospital Trust.

they can bring problems and concerns regarding individual patients’ nutrition to the attention of the nursing staff,” explains John Greenhalgh.

“We also have a very supportive group of matrons and dietitians so together we are always looking at new ways of improving how we work – because we all understand the vital link between clinical care and nutrition.”

The cleaning team, which works round the clock at the hospital, is headed up by hotel, services manager Miguel Avelino.

There are 320 cleaners in total, working a series of different shifts. Training is carried out through the accredited British Institute

She explains: “Together with Mitie we invested heavily in the teams and equipment as part of the cleaning and catering contract – aspects that really differentiate the services on offer.

“Mitie also introduced very effective training solutions, and that assists us in meeting standards – we now have governance and competence in training which we did not have before.”

Doman adds that the introduction of more supervisors on each ward has also been instrumental in improving standards. “And I am now very confident of our monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms,” she says.

“There is also tremendous camaraderie

between the different teams on the wards, with effective communication and everyone working together to maintain high standards, with Mitie staff living and working to the Trust’s as well as Mitie’s own value standards.

Indeed Mitie managers have been included in the Trust Value awards for providing outstanding service over the past two years.”

It’s clear that Doman is also particularly impressed with the way in which Mitie innovates the services it provides rather than merely carrying out tasks as laid down in the specification. “And data is continually produced which is actually being used to make improvements, rather than being data for data’s sake.”

The efforts of both the hospital and Mitie teams are paying off in terms of results too. Patients are invited to rate various aspects of the service through the hospital website and cleanliness earns four out of five stars, with staff co-operation also receiving four stars.

Mitie have also achieved 5 point rating from Wandsworth Council’s Environmental Health department, which is the highest score that can be awarded to a catering premise by the local Environmental Health Officers.

Le St George’s Hospital de Londres est, avec ses plus de milles lits, l’un des plus grands hôpitaux universitaires de Grande-Bretagne. Il est desservi en une large gamme de services de restauration et de nettoyage par la société Mitie. Michelle Marshall, rédactrice en chef d’ECJ, s’est rendue sur les lieux pour en savoir plus.

Das St. George’s Hospital in London ist mit über 1.000 Betten eine der größten Unikliniken Großbritanniens.

Mitie führt dort eine breite Palette an Catering- und Reinigungsdiensten aus, und ECJ-Redakteurin Michelle Marshall besucht die Klinik, um mehr zu erfahren.

L’ospedale St George di Londra è una della cliniche universitarie più grandi del regno Unito, con più di 1000 posti letto. La Mitie fornisce una vasta gamma di servizi di pulizia e di ristorazione e la redattrice di ECJ Michelle Marshall visita la struttura per scoprirne di più.

“Together with Mitie we invested heavily in the teams and equipment as part of the cleaning and catering contract – aspects that really differentiate the services on offer.”

Investment in teams

September 2014 | ECJ | 70

NEW PRODUCT REVIEW

Disposable bin Binny disposable sanitary bins, says their manufacturer, are growing in popularity in offices, shops, schools and healthcare applications. This is because Binny avoids the need for sanitary waste collection - cleaners can simply dispose of the bin and its contents into black bag bin waste.

The bins incorporate Biomaster antibacterial protection and are a brand name of Roftek. The company says some of its customers have reduced their sanitary bin spend by over 60 per cent through

using the disposable option. www.binnybin.com

Small platform

Faraone says its new Elevah 40 aerial platform is a feasible alternative to ladders, as it is designed for small maintenance tasks. The compact selfpropelled machine weighs less than 150 kg because it is made entirely of aluminium.

The footprint of the Elevah 40 is 75 cm x 90 cm and it is driven as a scooter, with three wheels.

Capacity is one person. Because of its compact size it can be defined as an electrical ladder.

A patented accessory makes it possible to load the platform automatically into a van. www.faraone.com

• Binny Bin est une gamme de poubelles sanitaires à usage dans des bureaux, magasins, écoles et autres établissements.

• ELEVAH40 est la nouvelle plateforme aérienne, compacte et automotrice de la société Faraone.

• De nombreux tampons à plancher Wecoline, proposés par Americo, sont désormais produits à partir du nouveau matériau de base Americo Full Cycle dont la biodégradation a été accélérée.

All green

• Bei Binny Bin handelt es sich um eine Produktreihe mit EinwegHygienebehältern für Büros, Geschäfte, Schulen usw.

• ELEVAH40 ist die neue kompakte Hubarbeitsbühne mit Selbstantrieb von Faraone.

• Viele Wecoline by Americo Bodenpads werden jetzt mit dem neuen Basismaterial Americo Full Cycle hergestellt, das noch schneller biologisch abbaubar ist.

Much of the Wecoline by Americo floor pad range will be produced using the new Americo Full Cycle base material over the coming months.

The company says this move takes the environmental credibility of the range to another level. The pads were already made from 100 per cent recycled fibres and water-based resins. Now, thanks to the addition of the Full Cycle formula, the pads will start biodegrading in a fraction of the time needed for regular pads. www.wecoline.com

• Binny Bin è una gamma di portarifiuti sanitari monouso per uffici, negozi, scuole ecc.

• ELEVAH40 è la nuova piattaforma aerea compatta ad auto-propulsione prodotta dalla Faraone.

• Molti dischi per pavimenti Wecoline della Americo sono ora prodotti utilizzando il nuovo materiale di base Americo Full Cycle che inizia a biodegradarsi ancora più velocemente.

September 2014 | ECJ | 71

NEW PRODUCT REVIEW

• Le Hygiene Display de la société Optiqo offre une alternative à la liste de pointage dans la gestion de toilettes publiques et d’hôpitaux car il conserve un enregistrement numérique des inspections effectuées.

• Le dernier-né de la gamme de tampons de nettoyage des sols Fibratesco contient des ions d’argent, réalisés selon la technologie Biomaster, pour inhiber la croissance de bactéries.

• Les lingettes désinfectantes Steri-99.9 proposées par Detectamet sont conditionnées dans un récipient cylindique qui, avec son couvercle et son embout distributeur, est visible pour la appareils à rayons-X et de détection de métaux.

• Le nLite HydroPower RO XXL est un nouveau système à remorque, signé Unger, livrant de l’eau pure aux laveurs de vitres.

• Ecover, un spécialiste des produits de nettoyage écologique, a fabriqué sa première bouteille à partir de matières plastiques rejetées dans l’océan.

• Das Optiqo Hygiene Display stellt eine Alternative zu Prüflisten in Waschräumen und Krankenhäusern dar, denn die vorgenommenen Prüfungen werden digital protokolliert.

• Die neuesten Bodenpads von Fibratesco werden unter Verwendung der Silberionentechnologie von Biomaster hergestellt, um das Bakterienwachstum zu hemmen.

• Die Desinfektionswischtücher Steri-99.9 von Detectamet sind in einem Spender mit Deckel und Spenderkappe verpackt, die mit Metalldetektoren und Röntgengeräten erfasst werden können.

• Bei nLite HydroPower RO XXL handelt es sich um ein neues Anhängersystem von Unger, das Fensterreinigern Reinwasser zur Verfügung stellt.

• Ecover, der Spezialist für umweltverträgliche Reinigungsprodukte, hat mit der Produktion von Flaschen begonnen, die zum Teil aus Plastikmüll aus den Weltmeeren hergestellt sind.

• Optiqo Hygiene Display è un sistema alternativo alle liste di controllo nei bagni pubblici e negli ospedali ed esegue una registrazione digitale delle ispezioni che vengono eseguite.

• I nuovi dischi per pavimenti della Fibratesco sono dotati della tecnologia a ioni di argento della Biomaster, per inibire la crescita di batteri.

• Le salviette disinfettanti Steri-99.9 prodotte dalla Detectamet sono confezionate utilizzando un contenitore, coperchio e tappo dispenser che possono essere rivelati con il metal detector e con i raggi X. • nLite HydroPower RO XXL è un nuovo sistema di carrello a rimorchio prodotto dalla Unger che fornisce acqua pura per gli addetti al lavaggio delle finestre.

• La Ecover, specializzata in prodotti di pulizia ecologici, ha creato il suo primo flacone prodotto con rifiuti in plastica ripescati dall’oceano.

September 2014 | ECJ | 72

Digital display

Detectable wipe

Optiqo Sweden says its new Hygiene Display simplifies and replaces checklists in washrooms, healthcare applications and nursing environments.

The display differs from manual paperwork in that the

completed inspection is directly registered on the display. The information is then stored digitally, helping to minimise administrative work thanks to the fact paperwork is virtually eliminated.

Because it confirms that someone has been present at the actual time registered, Optiqo Hygiene Display cannot be tampered with in terms of manual registration.

The display shows the most recent maintenance check with time and date plus the three registrations before. It saves up to 1,200 registrations. Batterydriven using standard AA batteries, each display can have 200 individual users. www.optiqo.com

New from Detectamet are Steri-99.9 Disinfectant Wipes which are packaged using a tub, a lid and a dispenser cap which are metal and X-ray detectable.

If they get mislaid and broken up into finished products then the detection systems at the end of the packing line will identify and reject the products before they get to the retailer.

The new blue wipes are available in two sizes. There are small probe wipes and the larger disinfection and sanitising wipes for general multi-surface sterilisation.

Steri-99.9 Disinfectant Surface & Probe Wipes incorporate a specifically formulated disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in seconds and they are supplied in re-sealable tubs and in refill packs containing 200 individual wipes.

The wipes have been stipulated for use in the food industry so they are non-perfumed and do not use alcohol in the formulation.

Detectamet has also designed some Detectable Wipe Stations that can hold one or two tubs of wipes and can be mounted on a handy wall. www.detectamet.com

Silver pads

Water solution

New from floor pad specialist Fibratesco is the Range 6 Silver line - these contain silver ion technology from Biomaster to inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99 per cent compared to normal pads.

While keeping the floor pads hygienic, the silver ions also prevent the formation of unpleasant odours. The pads can be used to treat areas where hygiene is a top priority, including airports, hospitals, schools, gyms, hotels and shopping malls.

Biomaster technology has been tested to prove its efficacy against over 50 common organisms and remains effective for the intended lifetime of the product. www.fibratesco.com www.biomastertechnology.com

The new nLite HydroPower RO XXL from Unger is a complete solution for professional window cleaners, delivering 100 per cent pure water in any location.

The trailer system houses a three-stage purification process, consisting of a carbon pre-filter, reverse osmosis (RO) membrane and the latest Unger innovation,

the nLite HydroPower DI Filter.

This completes the purification process, exceeding standard DI filter efficiency through patented design features, including the company’s Quick Change Resin Bags.

With two 100 metre hose reels and two 12 volt pumps (150 psi), the nLite HydroPower RO XXL can be operated by one or two people, giving pure water output of up to 250 litres per hour per person. The chassis is lightweight for easy towing and tank capacity is 750 litres.

A digital controller monitors water flow, pressure and battery power and there is an automatic shut-off feature. The high capacity 12-volt gel battery offers all day operation. And flow rates can be adjusted at any time to suit different applications, which saves on water consumption. www.ungerglobal.com

Ocean plastic Ecover, which specialises in ecological cleaning solutions, has launched its first ever bottle made from waste plastic fished out of the ocean. The Ecover Ocean Bottle, which holds Ecover’s washingup liquid, is made entirely from recycled plastic, with 10 per cent of it coming from the sea.

The bottle represents an exciting joint initiative between Ecover and some leading innovators in the marine conservation and packaging worlds. Using existing fishing boats equipped with clever new technology, Waste Free Oceans’ ‘catch of the day’ project enables European fishermen to earn money by collecting between two and eight tonnes of waste plastic per catch for cleaning and recycling.

As part of a trial project, this waste was sent to Closed Loop Recycling’s plant where it was processed and turned into plastic, which was used by Logoplaste to make the new bottles.

The development of this bottle follows Ecover’s 2013 pledge that it would use new types of recycled plastic in its packaging www.ecover.com

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