November 2017

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

NOVEMBER 2017

NEWS

SPECIAL REPORT

BUSINESS

Hand hygiene priorities - special product focus Starts page 21

European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards

High traffic washrooms

Job interview pointers

Page 4

Page 32

Page 45

CONTENTS

November 2017 | Vol.25, No.6

BUSINESS

SPECIAL REPORTS

45 The pitfalls of recruitment

21 Any shortcuts to clean hands?

Hartley Milner finding the right candidate for your company, and how to interview.

Is the recommended 20-60 seconds for hand washing really viable?

29 Wash away the winter bugs As winter approaches it’s even more important to uphold good hand hygiene.

32 Crisis point for poor toilets Washroom provision in stadium and other high-traffic washrooms is poor.

35 Small space, big capacity We find out about the ingenious ways trolley space can be maximised.

42 The truth about steam 03 News 14 European reports

A look at the benefits, applications and science of steam cleaning.

47 Effective and water-saving An evaluation of high pressure cleaning and a look at the alternatives.

51 Seasonal sweeping How much do environmental factors influence choice of sweeping machine?

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 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 veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2017

One minute to halftime

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NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam becomes Interclean Amsterdam

RAI Amsterdam - venue for Europe’s leading professional cleaning exhibition ISSA/ INTERCLEAN - and ISSA who co-hosted the event - have terminated their alliance according to a statement from the RAI. This means the name has been officially changed to Interclean Amsterdam with immediate effect.

Amsterdam RAI said the focus of Interclean Amsterdam, which next takes place from May 15-18 2018, will remain on fostering the environment for change and innovation within the professional cleaning industry.

It will continue to represent companies displaying a broad range of cleaning products that covers machines, equipment and detergents - as well as solutions for the healthcare, industrial, institutional, retail and hospitality industries.

“With the change to Interclean Amsterdam we will continue to fulfil our role as the promoters of innovation within the professional cleaning industry,” said

Rob den Hertog, director of Interclean. “We will keep our global focus, strengthen our strategy across the entire organisation, and go wherever the industry needs us to be.”

Immediate name change A statement from ISSA, however, has unambiguously rejected RAI Amsterdam’s contention that their longstanding alliance has ended.

Executive director John Barrett said: “ISSA wishes that any conjecture on its role in this matter be put to rest. The association’s leadership wishes to stress to its valued members, peers and stakeholders that the current allegations regarding the association’s partnership and global family of ISSA/ INTERCLEAN exhibitions have been carried out without its consent.

“ISSA does not support RAI’s unilateral departure from its obligations, nor its choice to communicate directly to members of the association with direction counter to its contractual obligations.”

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam, le premier salon européen de la propreté, a changé sa dénomination en Interclean Amsterdam car les organisateurs RAI et ISSA ont mis fin à leur alliance.

The 2017 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards were presented in Rome in November. Hosted by ECJ, these are the only pan-European awards for the industry. For news of the winners, see pages 4 & 5. The 2018 awards ceremony will be held in Berlin next September - keep up to date at the website: www.echawards.com

EVENTS January 18-20 2018

May 21-23 2019

Clean India Technology Week

Pulire

Mumbai, India www.ctwindia.com

Verona, Italy www.pulire-it.com

May 15-18 2018

September 24-27 2019

Interclean Amsterdam

CMS

Amsterdam, Netherlands www.intercleanshow.com

Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com

October 5-6 2018

November 18-21 2019

Budapest Cleaning Show

ISSA/Interclean North America

Budapest, Hungary budapestcleaningshow.hu/en/

Las Vegas, USA www.issa.com

October 10-11 2018

October 26-29 2020

Forum Pulire

ISSA/Interclean North America

Milan, Italy www.afidampservizi.com

Chicago, USA www.issa.com

October 29-November 1 2018

November 15-18 2021

ISSA North America

ISSA/Interclean North America

Dallas, USA www.issa.com

Las Vegas, USA www.issa.com

March 19-21 2019

The Cleaning Show London, UK cleaningshow.co.uk

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

Die ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam, die führende Messe der professionellen Reinigungsbranche Europas, hat ihren Name in Interclean Amsterdam geändert, nachdem die Organisatoren RAI und ISSA ihre Zusammenarbeit beendet haben.

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam, l’evento leader del settore del cleaning professionale europeo, ha cambiato il suo nome in Interclean Amsterdam in quanto gli organizzatori RAI e ISSA hanno concluso la loro alleanza.

November 2017 | ECJ | 3

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS ECJ European award winners announced at Rome gala dinner The winners of the prestigious European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2017 were announced at a gala dinner at the Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel in Rome in November.

The awards recognise standards of excellence in the professional cleaning sector Europe-wide. The winners were: University of Wolverhampton and SmartTask: Best use of technology by contractors in their cleaning programmes, sponsored by Diversey Care.

Julius Rutherfoord & Co: Commitment to and investment in training, sponsored

by Greenspeed.

FBD and Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists: Excellence in client/ contractor partnerships.

WE Italia SRL: Distributors - excellence in added value initiatives, sponsored by Lucart.

Markas best practice for sustainability, the Montichiari Hospital project: Sustainability - best practice in implementing principles throughout the business, sponsored by Werner & Mertz.

Maximum Impact, Breedweer Facilitaire Diensten: Workforce - excellence in employee relationships, diversity & inclusion, rewards programmes, etc.

Celebrate good work LIFE (Labour Intensive Facility Event) - ANIP Road Show: Best initiative raising the profile and perception of the professional cleaning sector - locally or on a wider level.

BeSense, CSU: Groundbreaking technological innovation of the year, sponsored by Interclean Amsterdam.

Jan-Hein Hemke, Facilicom UK: Inspirational leader of the year, sponsored by Truvox International.

Avril McCarthy, Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists: Greatest individual contribution to driving up standards of excellence within a cleaning operation.

Adolf Kruse: the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored

by Ceris Burns International.

Compère for the evening, and member of the judging panel Michelle Marshall, editor of European Cleaning Journal, said: “The European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate the tremendous work being carried out by service providers, manufacturers and distributors across Europe.”

Joining Michelle on the judging panel were: Johannes Bungart,

director, BIV; Juan Diez de los Rioz de San Juan, president, ASPEL; and Lynn Webster, director, Lynn Webster Consultants.

Berlin 2018 The venue for the 2018 European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards was also announced at

November 2017 | ECJ | 4

the dinner. Next year’s event will take place in Berlin.

The awards, now in their second year, were launched

by ECJ and are organised by EMG. Diversey Care is the event partner and Lucart is the silver sponsor for the 2017 awards. www.echawards.com

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

Les Prix européens de propreté et d’hygiène 2017 fondés par ECJ - ont été présentés dernièrement au cours d’un dîner de gala à Rome. Tous les gagnants y ont été annoncés.

Im Rahmen eines Galadiners in Rom wurden alle Gewinner der European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2017 bekannt gegeben und die Auszeichnungen überreicht.

I riconoscimenti 2017 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards sono stati presentati durante una serata di gala tenutasi di recente a Roma nella quale sono stati annunciati tutti i vincitori.

November 2017 | ECJ | 5

NEWS Diversey to acquire UK Zenith Hygiene Group in growth plan Global private investment firm Bain Capital Private Equity has announced that it has - through its investment in Diversey reached agreement on the terms of a recommended final cash offer for Zenith Hygiene Group plc, a UK manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene chemicals and related products.

Zenith serves customers in the healthcare, food service, hospitality, leisure and facilities management, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage processing industries. The company employs more than 500 people and generated net sales of €75 million in the fiscal year ending February 2017.

Bain Capital completed the acquisition of Diversey from Sealed Air in September 2017. The acquisition will be funded with cash from Diversey’s balance sheet and completion is expected during quarter one of 2018.

“We are committed to growing Diversey’s geographic reach and the addition of Zenith Hygiene would be a first valuable step towards creating a world-class provider of cleaning and hygiene solutions,” said Michel Plantevin, a managing director of Bain Capital Private Equity.

“We are excited to join Diversey and be part of a group benefiting from Bain Capital’s integrated

Diversey est parvenue à un accord sur les dispositions financières de la reprise de Zenith Hygiene Group, un fabricant britannique de produits chimiques de nettoyage et d’hygiène et de produits connexes.

November 2017 | ECJ | 6

global platform and bold growth plans for Diversey,” said Ringo Francis, ceo of Zenith Hygiene Group. “During the past 20 years, we have successfully grown the business by developing a comprehensive product offering in the UK and Ireland. We believe that all customers will benefit from the combination of both companies’ innovations and application expertise.”

“I am excited by the opportunity to build Diversey’s local scale in the UK and Ireland with the acquisition of Zenith Hygiene” said Dr Ilham Kadri, president and ceo of Diversey.

“This combination, with the backing of Bain Capital, would create significant scale and help us serve a broader base of customers in key markets around the world.”

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Diversey hat eine Übereinkunft über die Bedingungen für ein empfohlenes endgültiges Barangebot für Zenith Hygiene Group plc erreicht, einem britischen Hersteller von Reinigungs- und Hygienechemikalien und verwandten Produkten.

La Diversey ha raggiunto un accordo in termini di offerta finale in contanti consigliata per la Zenith Hygiene Group plc, una ditta britannica produttrice di prodotti chimici per la pulizia e l’igiene e prodotti connessi.

NEWS New textile keeps hospital door handles germ-free Scientists have developed a selfdisinfecting textile that is said to reduce bacteria levels by more than 90 per cent.

And they are using it to make antibacterial door pads for hospitals to be used in place of traditional aluminium door plates.

Developed at the University of Leeds in the UK, Surfaceskins antibacterial door pads are made from a blend of three non-woven textiles. They work by dispensing a small quantity of alcohol gel on to the pad while the door is being pushed. This disinfects the surface ready for the next user.

Aid to hand washing Surfaceskins antibacterial door pads are said to supplement healthcare hand washing and provide an extra line of defence.

Each pad lasts for seven days or for 1,000 uses.

The product is the result of a collaboration between industrial designers, the Nonwovens Innovation and Research

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Available for iOS or Android

Institute plus a Leeds University spin-out company. Door handles that use the Surfaceskins technology are also available.

Hospital doors are recognised to be a weak link in hygiene due to the number of times they are touched, according to Surfaceskins’ developers. They claim the branded door pads will have the added benefit of increasing people’s hand hygiene awareness.

Other critical areas Study results published in the Journal of Hospital Infection revealed that over a period of seven days, Surfaceskins door pads were more effective than standard door plates at reducing levels of S.aureus, E.coli and E. faecalis - three bacteria commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections.

Besides hospitals, Surfaceskins are also being targeted at other areas where meticulous hand hygiene is required such as the catering and hospitality sectors. surfaceskins.com

Dussmann named top family enterprise in Berlin German facilities management services group Dussmann has been named the number one family-run company in Berlin.

In a study carried out by the foundation of family enterprises (Stiftung Familienunternehmen) into the importance of family enterprises for the German economy the company took first place for the number of employees and third place for annual turnover.

10-year comparison More than 80 per cent of the companies registered in Berlin are family enterprises and for Germany as a whole the figure is 91 per cent. Stiftung Familienunternehmen carried

• Des scientifiques ont développé un textile autodésinfectant qui ferait tomber le nombre de bactéries de plus de 90 pour cent.

• Le groupe allemand de facility management Dussmann a été nommé entreprise familiale n° 1 à Berlin.

November 2017 | ECJ | 8

out a comparison of these enterprises with DAX-listed companies for a period of over 10 years.

“The Dussmann Group has a unique position” comments Stefan Heidbreder, managing director of the foundation.

“Dussmann Service is one of the few family-managed companies in the real estate and residential services and it has enjoyed long-term success.

From our perspective it is a national treasure.”

The Dussmann Group also achieves a high ranking at national level. For employment, it takes 11th place nationwide and for turnover, 93rd in the list of

• Wissenschaftler haben ein selbst desinfizierendes Gewebe entwickelt, dass, so heißt es, Bakterien um mehr als 90 Prozent verringert.

• Der deutsche Dienstleister für Gebäudemanagement Dussmann Group wurde als familiengeführter Arbeitgeber Nummer Eins in Berlin ausgezeichnet.

the 500 most significant family enterprises in Germany.

Corporate culture “The foundation of family enterprises awards recognise the economic importance of the Dussmann Group and our corporate culture. It makes me very proud and I would like to thank all members of staff. Every individual has made a contribution to this achievement,” said Catherine von Fürstenberg-Dussmann, chairperson of the board of trustees.

Founded in 1963, the Dussmann Group employes 63,500 people in 16 countries. www.dussmann.com

• Gli scienziati hanno sviluppato una stoffa autodisinfettante che si suppone possa ridurre i livelli dei batteri di oltre il 90 per cento.

• Il gruppo di servizi alle strutture tedesco Dussmann è stato nominato il numero uno fra le imprese a gestione familiare di Berlino.

NEWS New business offers recruitment and training for cleaning sector CERATA (The Cleaning Executive Recruitment and Training Agency), a new business offering recruitment, talent retention and training services for the professional cleaning sector, has been launched in the UK. The company has been founded

by Keith Baker, formerly director of EMEA services for trade association ISSA and owner of the distribution company Baker Hygiene & Healthcare Supplies.

Unanswered need Baker says CERATA will fulfil an unanswered but pressing need in the professional cleaning sector on an international level.

Its mission is to recruit the best

possible candidates, train them to develop and increase their skills and value, leading to higher staff retention levels.

In this new venture Baker is joined by other industry names including Lynn Webster of LWC and Chris Klopper of Mulberry Marketing Communications.

Retaining staff ìOur pre-launch research has established that manufacturers, distributors and building service contractors in the cleaning and associated industries all face the same challenge in correctly recruiting and then retaining sales, marketing, customer service and executive level colleagues,î

Une entreprise dÈnommÈe CERATA (Cleaning Executive Recruitement and Training Agency) a ÈtÈ lancÈe au Royaume-Uni pour offrir des services de recrutement, rÈtention de talent et formation au secteur du nettoyage industriel.

ï Keith Baker

explained Keith Baker. ìBy identifying better candidates from the outset, linked to providing training once they are in position, we are revolutionising the traditional recruitment agency model. We are turning what is an unnecessary and painful shortterm cost for our clients when it comes to recruitment into longterm profit.î In addition to the recruitment of executives CERATA offers a programme of sales and executive training workshops.

The next edition of ECJ is February/March 2018 - register at the website for your copy

CERATA (The Cleaning Executive Recruitment and Training Agency), ein neues Unternehmen, das Rekrutierungs-, Mitarbeiterbindungs- und Ausbildungsdienste f¸r die professionelle Reinigungsbranche bietet, wurde in Groflbritannien gegr¸ndet.

CERATA (The Cleaning Executive Recruitment and Training Agency), una nuova attivit‡ che offre assunzione di personale, conservazione dei talenti e servizi di training per il settore del cleaning professionale, Ë stata lanciata nel Regno Unito.

November 2017 | ECJ | 9

NEWS New London cleaning company founded on ethical principles A new church-backed cleaning company in London is aiming to win business from established businesses by promoting ethical principles.

Clean for Good pays its staff the London Living Wage and is committed to providing paid leave, guaranteed working hours and training.”We have no zero-hours contracts although we offer flexible hours for employees who want to combine work with study or family responsibilities,” business manager Catherine Pearson told The Guardian newspaper.

Sustainable business “We offer staff paid holiday and sick leave, an opt-in pension and health and safety training. We use ethical products, keep our carbon footprint to a minimum and offer our clients transparency.”

Clean for Good is aiming for a turnover of at least €671,000 in the next two years. “Then we would be a sustainable business, covering our overheads and

making a profit,” she said. Profits might be used to pay bonuses to staff, she added.

As well as taking a share of the market, Clean for Good hopes to challenge established companies to change their practices. “Often contracts are sub-contracted, sometimes more than once, and

Corporate HQ

Deutsche Telekom is now ISS’ largest contract

Global cleaning and hygiene solutions provider Diversey is to locate its corporate headquarters in York County, South Carolina in the US. The development is projected to bring $6.1 million in investment and create around 400 jobs.

“I am extremely proud of building Diversey’s new global headquarters in York County, which will become the new home for our employees and their families,” said president and ceo Ilham Kadri. “Our new state-of-the-art campus will create a thriving environment for our employees and attract new talent.”

Global facility services provider ISS has signed a contract with Deutsche Telekom to provide integrated facility services at 9,000 sites across Germany until 2029. It will become the largest contract within the ISS Group amounting to around four per cent of revenue.

Services will include property services, including a significant technical services component; cleaning services; support services; facility management, as well as capital project support.

ISS will implement concepts such as FMS@ISS, a facility management system providing transparent data on facilities and

• Une nouvelle entreprise de propreté appuyée par les églises a vu le jour à Londres sous le nom de Clean for Good (Nettoyer pour le Bien) et vise à reprendre des affaires à des entreprises établies en promouvant des principes éthiques.

• Le prestataire mondial de multiservices ISS a annoncé avoir signé un contrat de dix ans et demi, le plus gros de son histoire, avec Deutsche Telekom.

• Aux États-Unis, Diversey a réinstallé son siège dans le comté de York, en Caroline du Sud.

November 2017 | ECJ | 10

it’s unclear to clients how much the cleaner actually gets for their work,” Pearson added.

The company was established by a City of London church, St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, which wanted to find a way of helping low-paid workers within its wealthy parish. It has eight

workflows, and Touchpoints@ ISS, a user-centric framework created to ensure value to end users on their daily workplace journey.

ISS Group ceo Jeff Gravenhorst said: “This is the single biggest contract in ISS’ history and we are very proud of the trust Deutsche Telekom shows us with this contract.

“This is an excellent example of an outcome-based partnership, where we will work closely with our customer to ensure a reliable, transparent and highquality service setup.”

Jacob Götzsche, regional ceo of Central Europe added: “This

• Ein in London ansässiges Reinigungsunternehmen mit kirchlicher Unterstützung mit dem Namen Clean for Good beabsichtigt, durch die Bewerbung mit ethischen Prinzipien etablierten Unternehmen Aufträge abzunehmen.

• Das globale Gebäudetechnikunternehmen ISS hat einen zehneinhalbjährigen Vertrag mit Deutsche Telekom bekannt gegeben, der größte in der Unternehmensgeschichte.

• In den USA verlegt Diversey die Konzernzentrale nach York County in South Carolina.

clients so far, including a charity, a PR agency and some churches.

St-Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, the Church Mission Society and the Centre for Theology and Community own 75 per cent of the company’s shares; the remainder are owned by individual investors.

is a real game-changer for ISS Germany, more than doubling the country revenue.”

The contract will start July 2019 but given the size of Deutsche Telekom’s portfolio, ISS will incur significant transition and migration costs starting Q4 2017. www.issworld.com

Special report on hand hygiene, starts page 21

• A Londra, la Clean for Good, una nuova impresa di pulizia appoggiata da una Chiesa, ha come obiettivo quello di ottenere del lavoro da attività già avviate promuovendo dei principi etici.

• La ISS, fornitrice mondiale di servizi alle strutture ha annunciato un contratto di dieci anni e mezzo con la Deutsche Telekom, il più grande nella sua storia.

• Negli Stati Uniti d’America, la Diversey sta per trasferire le sue sedi aziendali nella Contea di York nella Carolina del Sud.

NEWS Cordant Group becomes UK’s largest social enterprise Leading UK recruitment and services business Cordant Group, which includes Cordant Cleaning, has announced its new status as a social enterprise.

Framed around a five-year plan, the group will reinvest the majority of its profits in due course into social programmes across education, employment, and healthcare, pledging to touch and improve thousands of lives, one community at a time.

The business has annual revenues of €947 million and employs 125,000 people in schools, hospitals, care homes, security and specialist roles such as engineering. Guy Pakenham is managing director of Cordant Cleaning, which turns over €73 million and employs 3,500 staff nationwide. He told ECJ: “Cordant is a family-owned business and the family decided that what they wanted to do is become a social enterprise.

They want to take the excess profits out of the business and use them for the good of society rather than the shareholders.”

The company will focus on helping particular projects he added. “For most of us it’s business as usual as we are still working hard to make profits – it’s what we now do with those profits that’s now changing.”

Already Cordant has capped all annual shareholder dividends at approximately €282,000 per shareholder family per annum, which in today’s terms equates to €3.4 million. All executive salaries have been capped at 20 times that of the lowest paid worker, and the company has agreed to be independently audited, using recognised Social Impact measurements.

Profits will be reinvested into key initiatives including: • A teacher programme being developed by international education expert Richard Gerver to examine the link between the classroom and life/ work preparation • IT platforms offered at zero cost for the healthcare sector, enabling hospital trusts to offer shifts directly to doctors and

nurses, saving the NHS millions of euros • Partnerships with key clients focusing on upskilling and training for the temporary workforce to drive productivity but deliver deeper satisfaction

• The creation of a profit share scheme for staff • Ongoing investment in technology to better connect pupils to apprenticeships, workers to jobs, and patients to doctors and carers.

China open air toilet goes viral

ICE makes UK acquisitions

Images of people visiting openair washrooms in China are being shared widely on the internet.

The toilets - which have no roofs or ceilings - are situated at a run-down amusement park in Chongqing, a city in southwest China. Web images show members of the public using the washroom while holding umbrellas to protect their modesty from would-be voyeurs in the surrounding hillside.

The washroom block is part of the city’s Meixin Foreigners’ Street theme park and originally built as a World’s Biggest Public Bathroom tourist attraction.

The 1,000 toilets are spread out over a wide area and are

In the UK, cleaning equipment and services provider ICE has acquired 100 per cent of the Reintec and TecServ rental businesses.

Reintec is one of the UK’s leading equipment rental companies, offering flexible hire and repair of professional cleaning equipment. TecServ delivers expert maintenance services which support the Reintec product offering.

Mark Bresnihan, ICE ceo said: “This is the second acquisition for ICE in the last 12 months and represents a very exciting strategic opportunity for us going forward. Reintec share our values, beliefs and aspirations;

divided into banks of eight, each featuring a different theme or colour. The outlandish entrance to the block has been built to resemble the Egyptian Sphinx.

Whether the toilets were originally meant to be operational or not is unclear, but recent online posts have shown them being used.

These are not the only bizarre washrooms to be found in Chongqing. A total of 23 toilets designed by the Environmental Art Department of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute are being erected as part of a cultural project.

These washrooms resemble everything from animals and computers to transformers.

• Au Royaume-Uni, le groupe Cordant, qui comprend la société Cordant Cleaning, a annoncé son nouveau statut d’entreprise sociale.

• Au Royaume-Uni, le prestataire d’équipements et de services de nettoyage ICE a repris les sociétés de location Reintec et TecServ.

• Des images de files d’attente devant des toilettes à l’air libre en Chine font actuellement l’objet d’une diffusion étendue sur Internet.

November 2017 | ECJ | 12

• Die Cordant Group in Großbritannien, zu der auch Cordant Cleaning gehört, hat ihren neuen Status als Sozialunternehmen bekannt gegeben.

• In Großbritannien hat der Anbieter von Reinigungsgeräten und -diensten ICE 100 Prozent der Vermietungsfirmen Reintec und TecServ erworben.

• Bilder von Menschen in China, die Waschräume im Freien benutzen, werden in großer Zahl im Internet verbreitet.

they too want to transform the market and they see the same opportunities as we do to make that happen.”

Reintec managing director Paul Lewis, who will take the role of chief commercial officer at ICE added: “ICE is an extremely progressive business with a high degree of agility in both strategic development and investment, underpinned by a philosophy of building long term, strategic relationships and partnerships with like-minded organisations.”

Reintec, TecServ and CES (acquired in December 2016) will now all be integrated into the ICE Group, and will all operate under four new ICE brands.

• Nel Regno Unito, il gruppo Cordant Group, che include la Cordant Cleaning, ha annunciato il suo nuovo stato di Impresa Sociale.

• Nel Regno Unito, la ICE, azienda fornitrice di attrezzature e servizi per il settore del cleaning, ha acquisito il 100 per cento delle attività di noleggio Reintec e TecServ.

• Immagini di persone che utilizzano sale da toilette all’aperto in Cina sono al momento largamente diffuse in internet.

It’s time to re-imagine hand hygiene.

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UPDATE: DENMARK

UPDATE: ITALY

Managing cleaning by coincidence

Hospital disinfectant of the future?

ECJ correspondent Lotte Printz talks to the founders of CleanManager about their rise in the sector.

Italian correspondent Anna Garbagna reports on a new formula developed in Rome which could become a future hospital disinfectant.

Frantz Furrer is synchronising the time with his partner.

Whispering. Then wipes dry the bottom of the window frame with a cloth while the judges are checking the work of the latest contestant in the Danish championships in window cleaning.

A couple of hours earlier Furrer was offering an insight into the latest applications and how to use CleanManager – a cleaning managing system developed by himself and his business partner Jakob Witte Larsen.

Being the head sponsor of the 2017 Danish Clean Expo, there are many tasks to juggle. But it wasn’t exactly in the nature of things that the now 30-yearold Frantz Furrer was to climb the career ladder in the cleaning industry.

“What we dreamt of, me and Jakob, when we were studying data and robot technology was to become self-employed, having our own business and make a difference somehow,” says Frantz Furrer and admits that he had not thought of a cleaning job to fuel that dream.

“My mum encouraged me to get a part-time cleaning job while studying as she had herself when she was a student.

I thought why not. The pay is reasonable, and it will probably take my mind off my studies.”

That choice is rather unusual these days in Denmark where students usually prefer supplementing student grants and assisting their living expenses by working within their student area, where cleaning is often considered a low-status job and where many cleaners in the industry are not ethnic Danes.

While his first part-time cleaning job was awful, confirming some of the bias towards the business: offering lousy conditions for the employees, his Un emploi de propreté peut ne pas correspondre à vos rêves, mais qui sait où il peut vous mener ? écrit Lotte Printz, notre correspondante au Danemark

second cleaning job became somewhat an eye-opener.

“I was cleaning and then advanced to middle management. Conditions here were fine, but the job showed me a lot could be done to ease the management processes, making it more efficient – eventually helping everybody involved,” Furrer says.

So, while still studying he and Jakob Witte Larsen used their academic and technical skills and combined them with Frantz’s newly acquired knowledge of the “shortcomings” of the cleaning trade to develop CleanManager that manages everything from the actual planning of a cleaning job, quality controls and statistics and combines it with pay and financial systems.

The system can now be used on smart phones that we all carry anyhow, and the two business partners have further developed their system using customer feedback.

Being businessmen, the founders of CleanManager acknowledge that being head sponsor of the Danish Clean Expo pays. However, if they start counting the hours they spend on the event, which is usually a year and a half in the making, it doesn’t really add up in the end.

So they don’t.

“Basically, we just want to help. Our customers and the business in a broader sense. We hope the fair can help create some common ground, a social event for people in rather lonely jobs and a general boost for the business that will also help improve its image. Shedding light on the fact that cleaning takes more than a cloth and a broom. Cleaning requires knowledge – knowledge we can also share here,” concludes Furrer.

Ein Reinigungsjob ist vielleicht keine offensichtliche Traumkarriere, aber man weiß nie, wohin es führen kann, schreibt unsere dänische Korrespondentin Lotte Printz

November 2017 | ECJ | 14

Un lavoro nel settore delle pulizie può non essere una ovvia carriera da sogno ma non si può mai sapere dove può portare, come scrive la corrispondente danese Lotte Printz.

Breaking news for the scenario of the cleaning of large communities - especially those connected with healthcare.

Research carried out by Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, in cooperation with National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, found solutions to achieve new possibilities to defeat antibiotic resistance in hospitals by using a totally innovative formula.

The discovery lead to a new formulation, which can be obtained in gel or liquid form, based on graphene, a material made of carbon which is found in common pencil graphite.

Graphene has the tensile strength of diamond and the flexibility of plastic. Furthermore, and this is the great discovery, apparently graphene can destroy bacteria and killer fungi in hospitals, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans to name but a few.

“Graphene could become a hospital disinfectant, we are close to this target” declared Professor Massimiliano Papi from the research group of Università Cattolica in Rome.

The benefit is double, given that graphene is an environmentally friendly molecule as well as a substance which can be obtained at low cost. Furthermore, as well as being a disinfectant graphene could be used to coat medical and surgical instruments and thus contribute to reducing infections, especially after a surgical operation when these type of contagions easily occur. All this would also lead to a reduction in the use of antibiotics and therefore antibiotic resistance. The team that worked on this project examined in particular the effect Dans son reportage d’Italie, Anna Garbagna rend compte d’une nouvelle formule développée à Rome qui pourrait devenir le désinfectant hospitalier de l’avenir.

of graphene on three bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, causes of opportunistic infections (ie, typical of organisms associated with compromised immune systems) and nosocomial (ie, occurred during hospitalisation or after the patient’s discharge when the condition was not clinically evident at the time of admission to hospital nor in incubation), and Escherichia coli, which can cause severe food poisoning.

Graphene has triple mechanisms of action: it can cut the bacteria’s walls like a blade thus killing them; it can trap bacteria like a blanket isolating them from the external world thus suffocating them; and last but not least, it can alter their metabolism to prevent multiplication. It is exactlythis triple action which makes it superior to other contemporary antibacterial agents which the killer germs can easily create resistance to.

“It is about a strongly interdisciplinary study, where the basic competences on physics of complex systems are vital for a concrete application, which is near to practical use,” commented Professor Conti, director of the Institute of Complex Systems at CNR in Rome. “Results like these put the science of complexity at the cornerstone of modern research” .

“Graphene could become a hospital disinfectant - we are close to this target,” concluded Professor Papi.

This is definitely a great step forward in the search for best hygiene as well as for cost control in the field of communities and hospitals cleaning.

Ann Garbagna berichtet aus Italien über eine neue Formel, die in Rome entwickelt wurde, und die das zukünftige Desinfektionsmittel für Krankenhäuser sein könnte.

La corrispondente italiana Anna Garbagna ci informa che a Roma è stata sviluppata una nuova formulazione che potrebbe diventare il disinfettante del futuro per gli ospedali.

UPDATE: GERMANY

UPDATE: FRANCE The long fight against illiteracy

CMS 2017: international, digital

The French federation of cleaning companies (FEP) is actively involved in national initiatives tackling illiteracy, writes ECJ correspondent Christian Bouzols in his latest report.

German correspondent Alexandra Lachner reports from the recent WFBSC Congress and CMS in Berlin.

The French federation of cleaning companies (FEP) recently took part in the annual days of action against illiteracy organised by the National campaign against illiteracy.

The cleaning sector has been engaged in this struggle for almost 20 years and by participating in this event has reasserted its commitment towards improving the level of knowledge of basic French, particularly written French, among its ranks.

The reality is generally quite worrying: seven per cent of the French population aged between 16 and 65, representing some 2.5 million people, don’t possess basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic.

In this context, the cleaning sector is currently applying policies which it developed back in 1999 to train its workers in the proper understanding of technical cleaning guides, and has established a certification for this in 2012.

The president of the Federation of cleaning companies, Max Massa, is realistic about this: “Our sector was the first to initiate training programmes in specific reading skills. It has to be understood that more than half of our workers enter into cleaning without any educational certificate, and that’s why we’re particularly concerned by the problem.”

The cleaning sector currently dedicates a tenth of its professional training funds to the fight against illiteracy. This amounted to €3.5 million in 2016. In this way, the sector is building the means to fulfill its ambitions and to abide by its longstanding La Fédération française des entreprises de propreté (FEP) est activement engagée dans des initiatives nationales de lutte contre l’analphabétisme, rapporte notre correspondant Christian Bouzol.

literacy commitment.

In less than five years, it has delivered some 2,000 certificates of key competencies pertaining to the cleaning trades. Centred on developing general and basic skills used in the cleaning trades, this training is currently recognised by the entire cleaning sector, and has been recorded in an official schedule of certifications.

Greater appreciation Once they have obtained certificates for key cleaning competencies, cleaning worker can continue their training by getting one of the eight professional qualification certificates that have been instituted by the sector.

Beyond the immediate advantage of securing their own jobs, obtaining these certificates has many immediate advantages for cleaners, in particular the ability to read instruction manuals, administrative correspondence and other personal documents, a greater professional independence and, above all, increased self-confidence.

From the employer’s point of view, this increased professional level means more productivity on a daily basis because the relationship between workforce and management is improved and it becomes possible to entrust cleaners with the responsibility of taking on work at new sites.

The next edition of ECJ is Feb/March 2018. Keep up to date with news at the website

Der französische Verband für Reinigungsunternehmen (FEP) ist aktiv an landesweiten Initiativen zur Bekämpfung des Analphabetismus beteiligt, schreibt ECJ-Korrespondent Christian Bouzols.

La federazione francese delle imprese di pulizia (FEP) è attivamente coinvolta nelle iniziative nazionali che affrontano l’analfabetismo, come riferisce il corrispondente francese di ECJ Christian Bouzols.

At CMS there were 429 exhibitors from 24 countries. Dr Christian Göke, chairman of Messe Berlin, commented: “The quality of the exhibitors, the increased number of international trade visitors and the variety of innovations presented set the standard for this year’s trade fair offering.”

This impression was shared by Ulrich Engenhardt and Marc van Ingelgem from Kärcher. “The fair benefited greatly from being held at the same time as the WFBSC Congress,” said Engenhardt.

“Well-attended international conferences can produce an enormous leap forward in quality – and can shift Germany’s focus to globally relevant themes.”

For many the key theme was the digital transformation of cleaning processes and robotics.

For Kärcher this trend brings with it the potential for a significant increase in efficiency throughout the whole sector. van Ingelgem explains: “At this very time of acute manpower shortage and increasing competition, such innovations can in fact widen the cleaning contractor’s sphere of activity.” A certain hesitation was understandable, since given the customary small margins, the investment in automated solutions must be carefully considered. Efficiency is spiralling more and more rapidly. It is therefore vital to seize this opportunity to develop appropriate concepts.

There is much discussion as to whether human workers will be replaced by robots. Engenhardt commented: “This is already possible today for straightforward cleaning of large areas, where workers can be employed on other tasks and, as now, must keep the machines ready for operation. With more complex environments there is still in our view a long way to go towards Berlin a récemment accueilli le Congrès WFBSC 2017. Notre correspondante en Allemagne, Alexandra Lachner, s’y est entretenue avec des industriels sur les dernières tendances et évolutions.

achieving complete automation, if indeed it will ever be achieved.

Our ceo Markus Asch uses the term Cobot – ie, collaborative robot – for the foreseeable future we shall need a form of cooperation which combines the precision of robots with the human talent for improvisation.”

On the subject of digitalisation and robotics, increasing importance is now being given to mobile solutions and associated battery technology. “We have seen a giant leap forward in recent years – and thanks to the high performance and durability of lithium-ion batteries I would venture to predict that in five years’ time we shall have virtually no more vacuum cleaners with cables,” says van Ingelgem. “Accidents caused by slipping and falling cost considerably more than investment in cordless machines. This also makes work easier, faster and more flexible.”

In contrast to these developments however, there is an increased demand for mechanical, non-electrical and ultra-robust solutions. “There are customers in every country who want these products. And they are appropriate in countries where efficiency and labour costs are of less importance,” says van Ingelgem.

Van Ingelgem and Engenhardt see continued potential for the sector. “The industry need have no fears for the future. There are enough growth areas for both manufacturers and contract cleaners. As far as digitalisation is concerned, one major challenge will be coming to grips with the possible synergies of open platforms. In our view, there is little sense in each manufacturer going their own way here. Examples from other industries show this is inefficient and not in the best interests of the customer.”

In Berlin fand vor Kurzem der WFBSC Congress 2017 statt. Bei dieser Gelegenheit unterhielt sich unsere DeutschlandKorrespondentin Alexandra Lachner mit Führungskräften der Branche über die neuesten Trends und Entwicklungen.

Il congresso WFBSC Congress 2017 si è tenuto di recente a Berlino. La corrispondente tedesca Alexandra Lachner ha parlato con i dirigenti del settore presenti delle ultime tendenze e degli ultimi sviluppi.

November 2017 | ECJ | 15

UPDATE: NETHERLANDS

UPDATE: UK

Online sales - profit or resistance?

Knowing what we know...

Internet sales are continuing to rise, but is our cleaning sector sufficiently involved? Are we aware of the dos and don’ts? Jacco Vonhof, chairman of VSR and ECJ correspondent, reports from a recent seminar on the effective use of online sales.

From the UK, Lynn Webster reports on recent studies into growth and future challenges for the sector.

There are still many gains to be made. For instance, the consumer market is already using the Hiku – a smart refrigerator magnet, which is used to scan or dictate products onto your shopping list.

And Ikea is experimenting with virtual reality. Before placing your order, you can use virtual reality to check whether a small table actually does look good in your home. Amazon is working on technology which places products ready for you, even before you order them – by getting to know you as well as possible. Retail sites (eg. for books) which recommend products on the basis of previous order behaviour,are nothing new anymore. Technology is developing at lightning speed.

Combine this technology with behaviour-influencing mechanisms, and the world is your oyster. Many people when faced with it think: “What I buy is my own business. They already know too much about you.” It is mainly the generations prior to the Millennials who are wary. However, what many people don’t realise is that they are already part of this new economy, each day.

The CleanDeal online cleaning products shop is – in my opinion – a good example of an online shop which uses new technology and responds to people’s behaviour. For instance, € symbols are deliberately omitted from prices, as this causes clients to focus less quickly on the cost. The company also places products in the shopping basket in a specific Les ventes en lignes continuent de progresser mais il se peut que le secteur de la propreté n’y soit pas suffisamment engagé et n’en maximise par les possibilités. Jacco Vonhof, président de VSR et notre correspondant aux Pays-Bas, se penche sur la question.

manner to encourage you to make further purchases.

In addition, they are continuously analysing: how do clients respond to emails? Can they find their way on the website?

This makes online shops labour intensive but – potentially – gives high returns in the form of advertising. Indeed, surveys following an online campaign showed that for each Euro spent on advertising, €9 were earned.

That is more profitable than a flagship store.

Much can be learned from the experience of this kind of pioneer. For instance, CleanDeal’s target group turned out not to be the medium-sized cleaning companies expected, but instead the vets, tattoo shops and bed & breakfasts which found their way to the site.

Also, the company was not properly prepared for use of the website on mobile devices, and did experience some fraud.

So, our advice is: just start, but start small. This will allow you to experience the reactions of the market, so you don’t invest too heavily without knowing the possible effects.

Finally, I too sometimes wonder: Are we being misled? Is my privacy at stake? The conclusion seems to be that the world is simply changing. Don’t think it won’t happen, anticipate it. That way you won’t be left standing on the sidelines.

•The Association of Cleaning Research (VSR) is the independent platform, and knowledge and research institute for professional cleaning in the Netherlands.

Der Online-Verkauf nimmt weiterhin zu, aber ist die Reinigungsbranche ausreichend daran beteiligt und wie können Gelegenheiten maximiert werden?

VSR-Vorsitzender Jacco Vonhof, der NiederlandeKorrespondent des ECJ, ermittelt.

November 2017 | ECJ | 16

Le vendite online sono in continuo aumento, ma il settore del cleaning ne è sufficientemente coinvolto e come può massimizzare le opportunità? Jacco Vonhof, presidente di VSR e corrispondente olandese di ECJ indaga.

Growth is our industry’s watchword, experienced by many and confirmed by the recently published British Cleaning Council (BCC) 2017 research report. The availability of concrete data enables effective decision-making and future planning, and can help to bolster industry confidence and foster resilience. The report cites 9.5 per cent future workforce projections for the period 2014 to 2024, a figure exceeding UK economic growth by four per cent (UKCES, 2016). This is a fundamental indicator of the value of the industry to the economy overall.

The 9.5 per cent employment growth figures breaks down as 84,000 new jobs, jobs needed to facilitate and support predicted growth, in addition to replacement jobs. The stark realities of these figures are already with us, as the industry experiences a human resource capacity shortfall at all occupational levels.

The future EU situation is one of uncertainty in terms of how UK employers will ultimately be affected. However, the cleaning industry is more exposed than most to the human resource challenges ahead.

According to the BCC report foreign born workers make up an average of 23 per cent of the UK cleaning workforce, higher than the national workforce average of 17 per cent. This more than doubles in London (68 per cent) and the south east, areas with a predominantly migrant workforce in comparison to Wales nine per cent, Scotland 10 per cent and north east 13 per cent. The stark realities of political, regional and economic factors remain, and the current uncertainty focuses on the time sensitive Lynn Webster, reporter d’ECJ au Royaume-Uni, rend compte d’une étude récente contenant des projections de croissance et d’emploi pour le secteur de la propreté.

question of employee availability with no obvious solutions in sight. Discouraged by the fall in the Pound against the Euro, opportunities to help support families ‘back home’ are reduced so the attraction of UK working diminishes. In the face of such uncertainty we must acknowledge that human resources will remain a constant challenge.

The issues of employee attraction and retention, equipping employees with the skills and the wherewithal to work safely and effectively, do not change.

The pool of potential workers has been shrinking for some time, but now this pool is set to shrink still further. Perceptions of the industry do nothing to ease the problems. The public at large tends to perceive cleaning in negative terms and recent press coverage has done little to improve this picture. In 2014 the Equality and Human Rights Commission reported cleaning operatives feeling that a lack of dignity and respect blighted daily working life; would most cleaning operatives report differently today?

Debates around deregulation and employee rights cause concern in some quarters, debates which at their worst, can lead to inaction and service suffers. The industry needs to act proactively, and examine how different businesses have responded to and tackled these matters, identifying possibly radical methods for facing the future head-on. Only by asking the questions, “how have the critical issues affecting cleaning been successfully managed?”, and “which aspects can we adapt and adopt to suit our own circumstances?” can we weather the never-ending storms of the 21st century.

Lynn Webster, die britische ECJKorrespondentin, betrachtet eine kürzlich veröffentlichte Studie, in der zukünftiges Branchenwachstum und Personalprognosen behandelt werden.

Lynn Webster, la corrispondente del Regno Unito di ECJ esamina uno studio recente sulle previsioni future per la crescita del settore e la forza lavoro.

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HAND HYGIENE

Any shortcuts to clean hands?

Hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of illnesses, particularly in the food and healthcare sectors. And experts claim that an effective regime should take between 20-60 seconds. But is this viable, asks Ann Laffeaty? And are there any short cuts?

We all know how to wash our hands: in fact most of us do so several times each day. But it often takes place in the privacy of the washroom where no one is watching and may sometimes be a fairly cursory affair.

However there are strict guidelines in hygiene-critical healthcare environments regarding the length of time that hand washing should take. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that a healthcare worker’s visibly-soiled hands should be washed with soap and water for between 40 and 60 seconds.

Frequent and thorough hand washing is also strongly recommended in food processing and preparation areas. While there are no official guidelines here the general consensus is that it should take between 20-30 seconds.

Experts agree that in hygiene-critical environments the hands should be washed and dried after coughing, sneezing, eating, using the washroom, touching any part of the body, throwing anything away in the bin and before and after preparing food. In the healthcare sector hand washing should also take place before and

after any patient interaction.

But since food preparation and healthcare workers are characterised by their hectic working lifestyles, how can they feasibly spend up to 60 seconds on hand hygiene after every one of these activities? How will they find the time to carry out their actual jobs? And can anything be done to speed up the process?

Metsä Tissue’s managing director Mark Dewick says his company fully supports WHO’s healthcare recommendations. “If the process is any less thorough it will remove fewer germs from the hands and heighten the risk of cross-contamination, which would defeat the object,” he said.

“At best this could result in staff sickness and at worst it might lead to the cross-infection of patients and all the dangers that brings. The whole point is to remove as many germs as you can so we would recommend completing the entire hand washing process as efficiently as possible and as often as necessary.”

Easy-to-use dispensers However, the process can be eased in various ways he says. “For example, dispensers should be efficient and easy to use since if they don’t work properly, hand hygiene will take longer,” said Dewick. “The choice of hand towel can also speed up the regime. A self-presenting towel will be easy to pick up whereas some towels - such as C-folds, for example – provide the user with nothing to grab on to. Worse still, some systems force the user to reach up inside the dispenser to take a towel.

This slows up the process and has the potential to cause cross-contamination.”

He says a more absorbent towel can help to speed up hand drying. ”A softer towel will also prevent chafing and damage to the skin which will help to reduce staff absences,” he said. “However it is important to remember that a certain roughness is required in order to mechanically remove germs from the hands. A smooth material such as a textile handkerchief will not be as effective for hand drying as, say, an embossed hand towel.” Metsä’s

new Katrin Windmill towels have an embossed surface for effective bacteria removal, he says.

Hand sanitisers add an extra level of protection, according to Dewick. “However, sanitisers should ideally be used as an additional step since washing and drying are key,” he said. “Sanitisers can be particularly helpful when there is no available supply of running water, for instance.”

A good layout in a hospital or food preparation area can help to improve hand hygiene efficiency he says. “The adequate provision of sinks, dispensers, towels and/ or sanitisers will make it easier for staff to practise good hand hygiene while good training, simple instructions and easy-touse information charts are also helpful,” he said.

“For example, the WHO chart features straightforward diagrams and these types of guides should be posted at the entrances to all hospital wards and clearly displayed in food preparation areas.”

Hand sanitiser dispensers can provide an effective hand hygiene shortcut in high-contact commercial environments according to Zenith Washrooms managing director Oliver Johnson. “These will give office workers an acceptable alternative in situations where hand washing is impractical,” he said.

“For example, sanitiser dispensers could be placed in reception areas and meeting rooms where people are likely to shake hands, exchange documents and remain in close proximity with each other for long periods of time.”

Explain why He adds that it is important to provide explanations for the need for increased hand hygiene in such situations. “Providing statistics on infection control and guidance as to how to use the products will increase the use of hand sanitisers and may also help to reduce staff sickness,” he said.

Essity also supports the WHO hand hygiene recommendations according to Continued page 22

November 2017 | ECJ | 21

HAND HYGIENE Any shortcuts to clean hands? (continued) product assortment director Gilles Betourne. “This protocol cannot be shortened in healthcare,” he said. “And while there are no official hand washing recommendations in the food sector, many national authorities discuss times of between 20 and 30 seconds.”

However he believes many people will hasten the process in everyday situations.

“The WHO recommendations refer to best practice for effective germ removal - but even a quick wash is much better than no wash,” he said.

There should be no shortcuts when it comes to drying, according to Betourne.

“Drying the hands helps to mechanically remove skin flakes and germs,” he said.

“And if your hands are wet it is much easier to pick up bacteria through contact with objects or by shaking hands and you will leave many more bacteria on the surfaces you touch.

Speed up hand drying “But a particularly absorbent towel that is delivered quickly and efficiently will help to speed up hand drying without compromising hygiene.” The company offers a range of Tork extra soft hand towels that are said to be particularly absorbent.

The provision of easy-to-use, wellstocked dispensers can also speed up hand hygiene, according to Betourne. And he adds that effective hand sanitisers work well in situations where staff are too busy for a full hand wash. “While Tork supports the WHO recommendations regarding those situations where hand washing is required, sanitising is now the preferred and most-used hand hygiene method in healthcare,” he said. “This takes only 30 seconds and can be performed anywhere.”

Tork Alcohol Gel and Liquid Hand Sanitisers are available in various formats.

He says the key to efficient hand hygiene is to provide the right supplies in the right place. “Those extra steps you need to take to reach a sanitiser dispenser or wash hand basin can significantly add up when you are hand-washing several times an hour,” he said. “So dispensers should be positioned for optimum efficiency.”

Essity makes recommendations to healthcare facilities on where to position L’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) considère qu’il faut 40 à 60 secondes pour se laver les mains convenablement et que l’on ne doit pas prendre de raccourcis, même si l’on est un travailleur hospitalier surmené. Cependant, s’interroge ECJ, ne serait-il pas possible d’accélérer le processus par l’usage de savons plus savonnants, de serviettes plus efficaces, ou de systèmes conviviaux ?

November 2017 | ECJ | 22

hand sanitiser dispensers to help save time and increase their usage by staff and visitors. “For example, dispensers should be situated in clearly visible locations near hospital entrances, on walking routes and in prominent positions near the entrances to nursing stations,” said Betourne.

“Hand sanitisers can also be useful in non-healthcare situations where soap and water are not available, such as in front of a canteen entrance or at a reception desk.”

He adds that sanitisers are not usually a recommended shortcut in food preparation areas, however. “Here the hands are often visibly soiled which means they will need to be washed with soap and water followed by a thorough drying,” he said.

“Sanitising will not work on dirty hands and some substances in foods such as parasites and allergens may not be neutralised by alcohol sanitisers.”

He agrees with Dewick that a soft, highly absorbent paper towel can speed up the drying stage. “Also, the dispensers themselves should make it easy for staff to check and refill stocks of soap and towels to ensure they are always available.”

GOJO is another strong advocate of the WHO hand washing recommendations according to commercial vice-president Mike Sullivan. “Whether it is in a healthcare facility, a food environment, office or school, the facts are simple – good hand hygiene helps to prevent the spread of serious infections,” he said.

While he admits that the hand washing process can sometimes be perceived as taking too long, he says: “These practices are vital in helping to prevent the spread of infections, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare. And the efficacy of soap and sanitiser formulations is crucial.”

Only soaps and sanitisers that have been proven to work against germs through independent scientific testing should be used in these types of situations, according to Sullivan. And he adds that hand rubs that work well with minimal contact times can help to speed up the process.

“The right systems also play a critical role in the promotion of healthy hand

hygiene behaviour,” he adds. “To be truly successful they need to combine good aesthetics, accessibility and ease of use.

Innovative technology also helps which is why touch-free dispensers are so popular.”

He agrees with Betourne that the positioning of hand washing and sanitising facilities around a building can make the process more efficient. “Eye-catching signage, posters and other visual displays can also work well.”

And he adds that hand sanitising may be carried out when water and soap is not available or as an additional layer of protection. “However, the sanitising process should take at least 20 seconds to be effective.”

A UK news report published this summer1 revealed that Scottish hospital nurses were unable to complete compulsory infection control training because they were too busy.

Fewer than 10 per cent of nurses on one hospital ward at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen completed essential hand hygiene training and blamed pressure of work for this lapse. And only a third of staff members on a second ward managed to find the time to take a course on preventing the spread of infections.

Meanwhile, a New Zealand report out this September2 claimed that 100 per cent hand hygiene compliance was not practically achievable in diverse and complex healthcare settings. The country’s Health Quality and Safety Commission argued that in emergency situations, hand hygiene may not be as important as lifesaving actions.

While a 60 second hand wash may not be practical in an extreme emergency, all commentators agree that this should be the ultimate goal in any hygiene-critical setting. As Metsä Tissue’s Mark Dewick puts it: “Hand washing is a simple process that can actually saves lives, so why would anyone advise shortening the procedure?”

1 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ nurses-too-busy-to-receive-training-in-handhygiene-jx7h07hx7 2 https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellgood/teach-me/97050129/a-100-per-centhandwashing-rate-not-practically-achievablein-hospitals

Laut Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) dauert ein gründliches Händewaschen zwischen 40 und 60 Sekunden und dabei darf nicht geknausert werden – auch nicht, wenn Mitarbeiter im Gesundheitswesen noch so sehr überarbeitet sind. Aber kann das Verfahren irgendwie beschleunigt werden: vielleicht durch schneller schäumende Seifen, wirkungsvollere Handtücher oder benutzerfreundliche Systeme, fragt das ECJ?

A detta dell’organizzazione mondiale per la salute World Health Organisation (WHO), un lavaggio delle mani accurato dura fra i 40 e i 60 secondi e questo tempo non può essere ridotto, nemmeno dal personale sanitario oberato di lavoro. Ma esistono modi per velocizzare il processo, magari utilizzando saponi veloci da insaponare, degli asciugamani più efficienti oppure con dei sistemi più facili da utilizzare, chiede ECJ?

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PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

• Le désinfectant des mains Sure Instant est la dernière adjonction à la gamme de solutions végétales de Diversey.

• À l’intention des petits budgets, la société All Care a développé une gamme de distributeurs de toilette sous l’appellation Basicline.

• Le sèche-mains Executive de la société Biodrier a été certifié par HACCP International comme produit à sécurité alimentaire.

• La poste de lavage des mains Hand & Handle Wet Wipe de la société Addgards est un distributeur autonome à poubelle intégrée.

• Destiné à réduire les files d’attente devant les toilettes et à alléger la tâche des nettoyeurs, Essity propose la serviette continue Tork PearkServe pour le séchage des mains.

• Americol a mis au point un programme de soin et d’hygiène de la peau faisant appel à des stations d’hygiène personnalisées.

• Das Händedesinfektionsmittel Sure Instant ist die neueste Ergänzung der Produktfamilie mit Lösungen auf Pflanzenbasis von Diversey.

• Für diejenigen mit einem begrenzten Budget hat All Care die Produktfamilie Basicline mit Waschraumspendern aus Edelstahl entwickelt.

• Der Handtrockner Executive von Biodrier wurde von HACCP International als ein lebensmittelsicheres Gerät zertifiziert.

• Bei der Hand & Handle Wet Wipe Station von Addgards handelt es sich um einen freistehenden Spender mit integriertem Abfallbehälter.

• Das Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel von Essity wurde konzipiert, um Warteschlangen in Waschräumen zu reduzieren und die vom Reinigungspersonal benötigte Zeit zu verkürzen.

• Americol hat ein Hautpflegeund Handhygieneprogramm mit angepassten Hygienestationen entwickelt.

• Sure Instant Hand Sanitiser è la più recente aggiunta alla linea di soluzioni a base di piante della Diversey.

• La All Care ha sviluppato Basicline, una linea di dispenser in acciaio inossidabile per sale da toilette per coloro che dispongono di un budget limitato.

• L’asciugamani Executive della Biodrier è stato certificato da HACCP International come apparecchio sicuro per gli alimenti.

• La stazione Hand & Handle Wet Wipe Station della Addgards è un dispenser da pavimento con portarifiuti integrato.

• Il prodotto Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel della Essity è progettato per ridurre le code nelle sale da toilette e per far risparmiare tempo agli addetti alle pulizie.

• La Americol ha sviluppato un programma di cura della pelle e igiene delle mani con delle stazioni di igiene personalizzate.

November 2017 | ECJ | 24

Sure sanitising

Food safe

SURE Instant Hand Sanitizer is the latest addition to Diversey’s SURE range of products formulated using plant-based ingredients. This alcohol free foam disinfectant is effective against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses.

Registered biocidal hand disinfectants usually carry classifications and hazard warnings such as flammable, or corrosive to eyes but this formulation is totally non-classified.

The hand sanitiser is part of the Intellicare product range, which are dispensed through Diversey’s Intellicare hand care dispenser - a cartridge based unit that combines battery powered activation with the ability to be activated manually.

Also part of the hand care line are SURE Antibac Hand Wash Free and SURE Hand Wash. www.diversey.com

Biodrier’s Executive warm air hand dryer has been certified by HACCP International as a foodsafe hand drying device suitable for use in facilities operating in accordance with a HACCP-based food safety programme.

Features include HEPA filter, Ionpure antimicrobial coating and lockable drip tray with LED indicator when full.

New this year is the 3D Smart Dry model - a hands-under dryer which automatically adjusts to the surrounding ambient air temperature, so users get warm air in the winter and energy savings in the summer.

The case is constructed from a durable, heavy-duty stainless steel designed for high-traffic washrooms and the brushless motor has a life of 10 years says the company. www.biodrier.com

Next edition of ECJ - Feb/March 2018

Affordable steel

Basicline is the new range of functional and affordable stainless steel washroom dispensers from All Care. Designed for areas with a limited budget the line encompasses an open waste bin, hand towel dispenser (large or small), jumbo roll dispenser, soap dispenser and a toilet brush holder.

Dispensers are universally refillable and can be branded with a logo. www.all-care.eu

Wipes on hand The new The Hand & Handle Wet Wipe Station is a freestanding dispenser with an integrated bin. Developed by Addgards Commercial Products, the station facilitates hand washing in areas where washing facilities are unavailable. It is also very easy to load and empty says the company.

The dispenser can hold a range of specially formulated wipes suitable for both hands and surfaces. Addgards has developed an antibacterial wipe for general cleaning purposes and hands and a grime wipe for more industrial use. www.addgards.com

Non-stop supply A new hand towel system designed to prevent supplies from running out in busy washrooms has been launched by Tork manufacturer Essity.

The Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel is claimed to improve hand hygiene compli-

ance since it delivers towels quickly and efficiently and ensures a continuous supply.

Aimed at high-traffic venues such as stadiums, concert halls, airports and transport hubs, Tork PeakServe caters for up to 600 more washroom visitors between refills than other dispensers says Essity.

This is because the towels are compressed during production to make them 50 per cent more compact than other products while the large dispenser houses 250 per cent more towels than a folded towel unit. www.tork.co.uk/peakserve

Hygiene station A skin care and hand hygiene programme with customised skin care hygiene stations has been developed by Americol.

The stations are available in several versions, comprising protective creams, hand cleansers, foam soaps and restore creams tailored to skin condition, contamination and hand wash frequencies.

Colour coding on packaging shows at a glance whether products are for pre-work skin protection, skin cleaning and care or after-work skin care. And dispensers are available in oneor two-litre capacity, with sealed cartridges and pre-mounted pump. Cartridges are collapsible and the contents visible through the dispenser window, while the cabinets are lockable. www.americol.nl

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

Hygiene for rent CWS-boco has developed skin protection programmes to encourage healthy working conditions. These encompass protection, cleaning and care, with the optional inclusion of disinfection.

The dermatologically tested products – protective lotions, soaps, moisturisers and antibacterial liquid soaps – are fragrance free, kill germs and bacteria and ensure the skin is cleaned and cared for gently says the company. Products come in hygienic disposable bottles in which the pump and bottle are firmly connected. The complete pump and bottle system is replaced each time the dispenser is refilled.

CWS-boco offers the programme as part of its rental service, whereby consumables are regularly delivered and dispensers

promptly replaced should they become defective. www.cws-boco.com

No contact The Savona Ellipse Auto line of automatic soap dispensers from Kennedy incorporate infra-red proximity technology combined with high speed dose delivery.

The dispenser takes two individual D-Cell batteries to dispense up to 96 one-litre soap bottles. The units are compatible with various cartridge sizes as well as a direct-fill bottle.

Consumables available include soap lotions, foaming soap, industrial hand cleanser, antibacterial soap, ecolabel soaps and sanitising hand gel www. kennedyhygiene. com

Free guides Jangro’s hand hygiene range encompasses perfumed and unperfumed liquid soaps, foams, sanitising gels and wipes. The company has also produced a number of free, downloadable wall charts and posters, including a guide to hand washing.

Jangronauts products have been developed to help children learn about the importance of hand hygiene in a fun, interactive and educational way. The recently expanded Jangronauts soap dispenser range includes a manual model (BK038 FMX) and a touch-free model (BK039 TFX), available with colourful backboards and soap options including foam hand wash, and mild antimicrobial hand wash.

All washroom dispensers and hand drying units feature the Jangronaut characters and there is free support material to help engage children with the hand washing message. www.jangronauts.co.uk

• CWS-boco propose des programmes de protection et d’hygiène de la peau sous forme de services de location.

• Le dernier lancement de la société Kennedy concerne la gamme de distributeurs de savon Savona Ellipse Auto.

• Dans la gamme Jangro figurent des savons liquides, des mousses, des gels désinfectants et des lingettes parfumés et non parfumés.

• CWS-boco bietet Hautschutzund Hygieneprogramme als Mietservice.

• Von Kennedy wurde vor kurzem Savona Ellipse Auto, eine Produktreihe mit Seifenspendern, vorgestellt.

• Das Produktangebot von Jangro umfasst parfümierte und nicht parfümierte Flüssigseifen, Schäume, Desinfektionsgels und -wischtücher.

• La CWS-boco propone programmi di protezione della pelle e di igiene come servizio di noleggio.

• Il prodotto più recente lanciato dalla Kennedy è la gamma di dispenser di sapone Savona Ellipse Auto.

• La gamma della Jangro include saponi liquidi profumati e non, schiume, gel igienizzanti e salviettine.

November 2017 | ECJ | 25

PRODUCTS: HAND HYGIENE

Hands off

Door furniture

Recently launched by Brightwell Dispensers is the Modular Touch Free soap dispenser. The unit dispenses up to one ml of liquid and 0.5 ml of foam, meaning less waste and longer lasting refills.

Purehold’s antibacterial door handle and plate covers use silver ion technology to destroy microbes deposited on their surface by users. The company says it then continues to prevent the build-up of germs and pick-up by human hands for months, with a visual indicator informing staff when the products are due for replacement.

The protective coating is incorporated in two new products.

P-Hold is a cover that snaps into place around door pull handles, while P-Plate fits magnetically to push plates.

Both products are sturdy, require no special tools or expertise to fit, or extra maintenance beyond normal cleaning. p-wave.co.uk

For hand drying there is the no-touch Modular Autocut hand towel dispenser which delivers pre-measured, flat sheets of paper towel. The risk of cross contamination is reduced, says the company, as only the paper is touched rather than the dispenser. www.brightwell.co.uk • Le distributeur de savon Modular Touch Free est la dernière adjonction à la gamme de Brightwell Dispensers.

• La poignée hygiénique Pure Hold se monte à la place d’une poignée de porte à tirer normale afin de libérer du gel désinfectant sur les mains de l’utilisateur.

• Holchem propose le Handsan, un savon liquide antimicrobien qui réduit l’assèchement de la peau.

• Beim Seifenspender Modular Touch Free handelt es sich um die neueste Ergänzung der Produktreihe von Brightwell Dispensers.

• Der Pure Hold Hygiene Handle wird statt der üblichen Griffe an herkömmlichen Ziehtüren montiert und gibt bei Benutzung der Tür automatisch ein Desinfektionsgel direkt auf die Hand des Benutzers ab.

• Bei Handsan von Holchem handelt es sich um eine antimikrobielle Flüssighandseife, die gleichzeitig das Austrocknen der Haut reduziert.

• Il dispenser di sapone Modular Touch Free è il nuovo prodotto della gamma di dispenser della Brightwell Dispensers.

• La maniglia igienica Pure Hold, montata sulle porte ad apertura standard al posto della maniglia tradizionale, rilascia un gel sanitizzante sulle mani dell’utente.

• Handsan è un sapone liquido antibatterico per le mani prodotto dalla Holchem che non secca la pelle.

November 2017 | ECJ | 26

Hand soaps Latest hand hygiene products in Holchem’s range include Hand Soap and Handsan. Hand Soap is a liquid hand soap combining the cleansing power of synthetic soaps with an emollient that reduces the drying of the skin.

It is unperfumed to avoid the tainting of food and is suitable for use in food processing or preparation areas. The accompanying dispenser is refillable and holds 0.9 litre and delivers two ml per push.

Handsan is a non-alcohol based antimicrobial, non-drying, post hand wash hand sanitiser liquid.

Its antimicrobial efficacy is certified according to EN12054 and EN1500, and its foam dispenser holds 0.9 litres delivering 0.6 ml per push. www. holchem. co.uk

HAND HYGIENE

Wash away the winter bugs As winter approaches it becomes even more important to stay on top of your hand hygiene practices to avoid catching a nasty bug. Research shows that by improving workplace hygiene it is within an employer’s power to reduce the spread of infection and decrease the number of sick days taken. Dr Peter Barratt at Initial Washroom Hygiene explains.

As the colder months draw near, so does the risk of catching flu, norovirus and other nasty bugs. Viruses are more easily spread in the colder months when the heating tends to be turned on and windows closed, providing the perfect conditions for infections to thrive.

In the workplace viral spread usually is a result of cross contamination, as staff spend their time in communal areas or use shared facilities in the workplace. Germs can pass from person to person through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces which they are regularly touching, such as shared objects like remote controls, door handles and communal kitchen facilities like kettles and fridge door handles. Any object multiple people touch can potentially become a hot spot for germ accumulation and distribution.

By encouraging employees to make simple changes to their personal hygiene habits, businesses can hugely improve their chances of staying bug-free during the winter. In addition to helping limit the spread of infection across the office, protect employee health and improve workplace morale, they could also improve the productivity of the workforce.

Research has shown that office workers’ hands come into contact with more than 10 million bacteria on a typical day , many of which can stay alive on the skin for up to three hours which increases the risk of cross contamination. On top of that,

our own research has shed light on the strange toilet behaviour of office workers across the UK which further heightens this contamination risk. Nationally, almost a quarter (22 per cent) of UK office workers ‘hot desk,’ sharing unassigned work stations interchangeably with their colleagues, and half admit to using their phone in the office washroom, with over half (54 per cent) consuming lunch at their desk. It’s therefore hardly surprising offices and other multipurpose buildings provide a welcoming home to bacteria and the nasty illnesses which follow.

Office workers’ use of smart phones has also come under the microscope.

Browsing social media sites has become a favourite toilet activity, with 40 per cent of European workers admitting to taking their phone into the toilet with them to browse Facebook and Twitter. Whilst 83 per cent of office workers claim to always wash their hands after visiting the office washroom, it’s very unlikely that they will also wash their phones. This is a concern, as 80 per cent of viruses can be transmitted through physical contact and the flu virus can live on hard surfaces, like phones, for up to 24 hours .

The power of thorough hand washing as a weapon against infection and sickness should not be underestimated. It is a simple yet fundamental measure and goes a long way to improving hygiene levels.

Six steps to hygiene Frequent hand washing can decrease the bacteria present on hands by 80 per cent and reduce the risk of illness by up to 50 per cent, particularly common illnesses like diarrhoea and colds. Needless to say, good hand hygiene can reduce the total volume of staff sick leave and help keep employees healthy. In other words, it makes perfect sense to promote good hand hygiene amongst employees through six simple and effective steps: 1. Wet your hands using clean, running water – preferably warm water – and apply soap - if possible using a no-touch dispenser - to avoid cross contamination.

2. Rub soap all over your hands: take care to cover the front, back, fingers, thumbs and nails.

3. Scrub your hands all over by rubbing them together for roughly 30 seconds.

Singing ‘happy birthday’ twice from beginning to end is a good time guide.

4. Rinse your hands with clean running water, until the soap has disappeared.

5. Dry your hands. Drying your hands thoroughly in the correct way is the final important step in the hand washing process, but it often gets ignored or overshadowed by a rushed departure. Damp hands spread 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands, so the door handle of the washroom is likely to become contaminated if drying is missed.

6. Sanitise. Employees and visitors should be encouraged to take a proactive approach to hand hygiene at all times, even when not in the washroom, and this can be helped by making sure hand sanitiser dispensers are always available.

Hand sanitisers are best used after thorough hand washing and drying.

Staff should be instructed to always wash their hands and use sanitiser in the following situations: • Before and after eating or preparing food, especially in shared kitchen facilities • When treating any cut or graze • When caring for an ill person • After using or assisting washroom use • After blowing their nose • After handling any refuse or rubbish.

Healthy workers are productive workers, so it’s business-savvy to encourage good hygiene amongst employees.

The annual cost of sickness absence is estimated to cost UK employers around €32 billion, and a third of employers have reported an increase in people coming into work whilst sick. Managers should be encouraging staff to stay at home when ill, particularly if they’re showing symptoms of highly contagious diseases.

Follow these top tips to ensure a healthy environment this winter: Continued page 30

November 2017 | ECJ |29

HAND HYGIENE Wash away the winter bugs (continued) 1. Promote good hygiene standards.

Colourful posters and reminders about the benefits of good hand hygiene serve as a constant reminder. Hand sanitisers should be deployed in various places around the building, such as by doors, the kitchen, and water stations. Non-alcohol based sanitisers are the most effective.

2. Consider logistics. Door handles and other common touch-points can be hotbeds for germs, particularly in reception and entrance areas. Hand sanitisers should be stationed nearby, but if possible sensor-activated doors should be used.

3. Desk hygiene. Provide employees with anti-bacterial wipes and encourage a clean desk policy, particularly when it comes to food waste and tissues. Ensure cleaners are attending to the desk areas thoroughly.

The average computer mouse is home to more than three times the levels of À l’approche de l’hiver, il devient plus important que jamais d’observer une bonne hygiène des mains pour éviter d’attraper un méchant microbe. Des recherches ont montré qu’en améliorant l’hygiène du lieu travail, un patron est en mesure de réduire la propagation d’infections et les congés maladie.

November 2017 | ECJ | 30

bacteria-related contamination than the average toilet seat, and twice as many as on a toilet flush handle .

4. Clean the air. High footfall, communal areas are prime germ hotspots. Scenting products can help control and minimise aromas that might come from malodourproducing bacteria, but more importantly, air disinfection units will also help reduce airborne microorganisms being inhaled by unsuspecting victims.

5. Strong sick leave policy. Anyone suffering from a virus should stay at home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have disappeared, and this should be encouraged from the top. After all, it’s in the best interest of business – as the spread of infections to the wider workforce doesn’t help anyone.

6. Deep clean. Daily cleaning routines are important but they won’t eliminate Mit dem nahenden Winter ist es noch wichtiger, die Handhygienepraktiken nicht schleifen zu lassen, um eine Ansteckung durch üble Bazillen zu vermeiden.

Studien haben ergeben, dass es in der Macht von Arbeitgebern liegt, durch die Verbesserung der Hygiene am Arbeitsplatz die Ausbreitung von Infektionen zu reduzieren und die Anzahl von Krankentagen zu verringern.

the gradual accumulation of grease, dust, and pathogenic bacteria on less accessible surfaces such as walls, ceilings, lights and kitchen fittings. Air ducts in busy buildings can be particularly dangerous if not frequently attended to, accumulating bacteria which can contaminate food, and grease which can increase the risk and spread of fire. Facilities should receive an intensive deep clean at least twice a year.

Taking into account the number of surfaces and objects vulnerable to cross contamination in communal facilities, it’s absolutely critical businesses promote good hand hygiene amongst employees and visitors, both through hand washing and the use of hand sanitisers throughout the building. By enforcing hand hygiene practices and taking a little extra care managers can go a long way to protecting their staff and business this winter.

Con l’imminente arrivo dell’inverno diventa ancora più importante avere il pieno controllo delle pratiche dell’igiene delle mani per evitare di contrarre un brutto virus. Le ricerche mostrano che è nel potere degli imprenditori di ridurre il diffondersi di infezioni e diminuire il numero di giorni di assenza per malattia usufruiti semplicemente migliorando l’igiene sui luoghi di lavoro.

Promoting maximum hygiene.

Sanitex® MVP Soap Systems.

The Sensitive Foam Soap for the Sanitex® MVP range of soaps has been awarded the EU Ecolabel in recognition of it’s reduced environmental impact.

NL/030/013 NL/030/013

NL/030/013 NL/030/013

Mixing cutting edge design with the latest technology, the Sanitex® MVP soap and surface cleaner dispensers combine a next generation dispenser design with luxurious soaps, promoting maximum hygiene and leaving hands clean.

To suit your location preference, choose from a manual or touch-free soap dispenser available in white or black, with a choice of elegant inserts in either white or chrome.

www.vectairsystems.com EMEA Head Office: Vectair Systems Ltd, Unit 3, Trident Centre, Armstrong Road, Basingstoke Hampshire, RG24 8NU, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1256 319 500 Fax: +44 (0) 1256 319 510 Web: www.vectairsystems.com E-mail: emea.info@vectairsystems.com Sanitex® is a registered trademark of Vectair Systems, Ltd. © 2017 Vectair Systems Ltd

Also incorporated into this range is a professional surface cleaner system, designed to significantly reduce the amount of harmful bacteria on surfaces.

Luxurious soap refills are PH balanced and gentle on the skin. The Sensitive Foam Soap for the Vectair Sanitex® MVP Manual Dispenser is a mild foam soap that cleans and moisturizes hands effectively. The balanced formula is dermatologically tested and fragrance free, so kind and gentle on the skin, and is EU Ecolabel approved.

For maximum safety, Invizi-Touch® antimicrobial protection is incorporated into the manual dispenser cover.

Robust and reliable. Stylish and simple to operate.

HIGH-TRAFFIC WASHROOMS

Crisis point for poor toilets A new study reveals that poor washroom provision in stadiums and other high-traffic venues is reaching a crisis point. Jenny Turner from Tork manufacturer Essity considers ways in which this situation can be improved.

Stadium washrooms are notorious for their poor standards. Anyone who has attended a large live music or sporting event will recognise the experience of having to steel oneself to visit the toilet.

Long queues for grubby toilets with no toilet tissue and inadequate hand hygiene facilities will be a familiar scenario for many. But the washroom is hardly the focal point of any outing, so a bad washroom visit is relatively unimportant in the great scheme of things. Or is it?

In fact a recent survey has revealed a startling picture of disgruntled visitors suffering in silence despite the fact a bad washroom visit has completely coloured their experience of an event. And it demonstrates how poor toilet provision can lead to other issues such as higher cleaning bills and lower profits for the venue.

The survey, commissioned by Tork and carried out online by IPSOS, polled 3,000 people from the UK, the US, Germany, France, Poland and Sweden – all of whom had visited a stadium or a similar hightraffic venue within the past nine months.

Each interviewee was asked to name their biggest gripe when visiting such a venue. A bad washroom experience emerged as the number one response in every European country – ranking even higher than disturbances, long queues at the entrance or poor quality of food

November 2017 | ECJ | 32

and drinks.

Only in the US did unhygienic washrooms slip down to second place with 47 per cent of respondents citing them as a problem compared with 53 per cent who felt traffic congestion to and from the event to be a bigger issue.

French respondents were particularly disgusted at the state of the toilets in high-traffic venues with 91 per cent of surveyed guests complaining about unhygienic washrooms. Stadiums in Poland also appeared to be a major issue with 64 per cent visitors claiming them to be in a poor state.

Queues for washrooms was another common concern, again particularly in France and Poland. A total of 78 per cent of French stadium visitors and 55 per cent of those in Poland said they were unhappy with the overcrowded toilets in stadium.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of UK and US respondents had the same gripe while figures in Sweden and Germany were 38 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.

The survey also revealed a negative washroom experience could colour one’s whole impression of an occasion. This was particularly true of American respondents with 53 per cent claiming that a poor washroom visit had had a negative effect on their overall enjoyment while 20 per cent said it had actually ruined their experience completely.

So why are stadium washrooms such as issue? Sports matches and musical events tend to attract large crowds of excited people and the long duration of such events means that drinking inevitably takes place. This leads to increased pressure on the washrooms since everyone will want to pay a visit at once, either before the event has begun or during the interval.

Supplies of toilet paper, hand towels and soaps will soon run out in a particularly busy washroom. This will lead to even longer queues as people wait in line for the few cubicles and sinks where supplies still remain. Tempers may fray in

overcrowded toilets too, and when people are drinking alcohol this could potentially lead to vandalism. And facilities managers will face a major challenge in terms of cleaning, maintaining and restocking the washrooms during these busy periods.

It could be argued that providing spotlessly clean washrooms is not such a priority in a stadium as, say, in a hotel or restaurant. Visitors attend a stadium to watch a particular match or musical event so they have no choice but to attend that venue, regardless of the washroom provision.

Much dissatisfaction However our survey clearly shows a high level of dissatisfaction with this situation among stadium visitors. And it reveals some interesting insights into how they react after a poor washroom experience.

Almost 40 per cent of guests went on to tell a friend or family member about it while a few even posted on social media.

Up to three per cent of European respondents claimed to have referred to their negative washroom experience online.

American visitors were even more likely to “share” their experiences on the net with around 13 per cent of US respondents claiming to have posted about their washroom visit.

People seemed much less willing to take up their issues with the venue itself, however. Only 11 per cent of respondents who had had a bad experience complained to staff about it at the time while a mere five per cent contacted the organisers afterwards. So this means more than 80 per cent of all bad washroom experiences never come to the attention of the event staff or organisers. And those members of the public are still out there, silently seething.

A UK news story published this summer revealed two female football fans had become so frustrated at the state of the ladies’ toilets in the nation’s Premier League stadiums that they posted their own “washroom league table” on

HIGH-TRAFFIC WASHROOMS social media.

Diane Marson and Melanie Riley ranked the football clubs’ toilets online and highlighted issues such as long queues, congestion, lack of toilet tissue, a shortage of cubicles and insufficient soap dispensers. Images of the offending washrooms appeared on the internet and were picked up by news channels all over the world.

So it is clear that people are becoming increasingly willing to speak out and there is no longer any hiding place for the bad washroom.

Of course, people attending a music or sporting event are a captive audience and have no choice but to use the washrooms provided. But it turns out that some are, in fact, making a choice – and the results have alarming implications for the venue concerned.

More than a quarter of survey respondents claimed they avoided using stadium washrooms altogether due to concerns about queueing or fears of encountering dirty or unhygienic conditions. This practice is obviously not to be encouraged since it could lead to stress and discomfort on the part of guests as well as hygiene issues, since presumably anyone avoiding the washroom will not be using the hand washing facilities either.

While some of these respondents said they used the washroom at home before attending the event, nearly a third had another strategy: they deliberately limited their food and drink consumption at the stadium to make it easier to avoid using the toilet. This obviously has a significant effect on the venue’s bottom line since food and drink sales are a lucrative profit stream for stadiums. And at an open-air event on a hot day, avoiding having anything to drink could quickly cause dehydration.

Another worrying survey result was the fact that one in 10 people who avoided using the washrooms admitted to relieving themselves in non-designated areas. This practice potentially has several poor outcomes since it leads to unpleasant smells, extra cleaning and a poor impression on other visitors.

So a quiet revolution has been taking place against the stadium washroom.

Une nouvelle étude a montré que l’insuffisance des installations sanitaires dans les stades et autres lieux de rencontre à fort trafic a atteint un niveau de crise. En effet, il est fréquent de voir de longues files d’attente devant de crasseuses toilettes, dépourvues de papier hygiénique, et de lavabos en nombre suffisants pour se laver les mains. Pour sonder les avis à ce sujet, Essity, un fabricant Tork, a interrogé 3000 personnes à travers l’Europe.

And this has led to the creation of “luxury washroom” firms that are increasingly springing up at music festivals.

Luxury toilets People attending major UK events such as the Reading Festival, Glastonbury and Bestival can now pay for access to clean toilets with attendants, mirrors, hair straighteners and make-up zones. So it is clear that bad washrooms are no longer being tolerated and that people are willing to pay a premium for better ones – and will react angrily if subjected to poor conditions.

So, how can stadiums address this situation? At Essity we looked at the overcrowding issue and the reasons behind them and concluded that hand drying was a major hold-up in high-traffic venues.

If people have to queue to dry their hands – either because an air dryer takes too long or because a hand towel dispenser has jammed – it will quickly lead to a logjam. And if hand towel dispensers run out too quickly, queues will form around the other units which will again cause congestion and frustration.

There are other ways in which stadium washrooms can be improved, too. Wellthought out facilities with a sufficient

Eine neue Studie hat offenbart, dass die mangelhafte Bereitstellung von Waschräumen in Stadien und anderen stark frequentierten Veranstaltungsorten einen kritischen Punkt erreicht. Lange Warteschlangen für schmuddelige Toiletten ohne Toilettenpapier und mangelhafte Handhygieneeinrichtungen sind ein vertrautes Bild. Tork-Hersteller Essity befragte 3.000 Menschen in ganz Europa zu diesem Thema.

number of cubicles and urinals, a good design and plenty of space to queue will help to relieve the pressure on the washrooms. All dispensers should be carefully positioned to allow a quick throughput of visitors: for example, soap dispenser should be situated above the sinks while the hand drying units should not protrude so far that they impede traffic in and out of the washrooms.

High-capacity dispensers that cater for large numbers of visitors between refills should be installed. And any run-outs should be addressed swiftly since this with lead to increased congestion with longer queues for fewer facilities.

Time is running out for the poor stadium washroom. People are staying away from them – opting instead to avoid the food and drink concessions or pay a premium for luxury alternatives. And those who resign themselves to lengthy queues for potentially unhygienic facilities are increasingly prepared to complain.

Every commercial venue needs the goodwill of customers in order to remain successful, and stadiums are no exception. So it is time the washrooms in such environments were equipped for maximum efficiency and with the comfort and wellbeing of the visitor kept firmly in mind.

Un nuovo studio ha rivelato che una scarsa e scadente fornitura di servizi per le sale da toilette negli stadi e in altri luoghi altamente frequentati sta raggiungendo una situazione di crisi. Lunghe code per toilette sporche senza carta igienica e strutture inadeguate per il lavaggio delle mani sono uno scenario familiare.

La Essity, produttrice del marchio Tork ha intervistato 3.000 persone in tutta Europa per valutarne le opinioni.

November 2017 | ECJ | 33

MADE IN ITALY

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TROLLEYS

Small space, big capacity How do trolley manufacturers create compact, lightweight trolleys that incorporate all the tools and capacity that their customers require? We find out about the ingenious ways in which trolley space can be maximised.

Compact trolleys are increasingly in demand because of the many benefits they offer over larger models. They take up less storage space and fit more easily into lifts, for example. They are also less cumbersome to push around and are more manoeuvrable in corridors.

But even the most compact of trolleys needs to be fit for purpose. This means it should be able to house all the required cleaning equipment and refills while also being capable of accommodating any waste that might be picked up on the cleaner’s travels.

So how do manufacturers provide a trolley with a large capacity on a small footprint? The answer lies in modularity and customisation according to TTS export sales manager Alessandro Costantini. ”A modular design allows us to create smaller units that offer a range of customisable functions,” he said.

“The trolley can then be divided into several compact parts that can be used independently of each other and may be recomposed again later as a complete unit.”

He confirms that there is growing customer demand for compact trolleys.

“Operators need modern and flexible tools that can be used even in the most hardto-access areas such as corridors and staircases,” he said.

The TTS Magic Line has a new hook system that allows the Mini Magic satellite station to be detached with just one click. This is said to enable it to be used comfortably even in narrow spaces.

“A modular trolley may be customised to easily incorporate all the necessary cleaning equipment,” said Costantini. “For example, the Magic Line allows users to adapt the storage space by adding drawers, shelves, buckets and basins according to demand. It also enables them to divide the waste collection bag and increase the number of collection apertures by means of an insert.”

IPC’s tools division’s managing director Michele Redi agrees that there is a general requirement for today’s trolleys to be small and compact while also being conveniently equipped.

“This means they need to feature all the essential components for the required cleaning regime while also being light enough to be pushed around through narrow corridors and in tight corners,” he said. “But this is easier said than done and requires a great deal of skill and knowledge.”

The types of equipment and tools that need to be incorporated will depend on the sector, says Redi. “In environments such as schools, offices, supermarkets and smaller department stores a trolley needs to be compact and manoeuvrable even though bulky components such as water buckets and supports for waste bags or laundry bags cannot be avoided,” he said. “You can’t leave out what is really necessary. However, sometimes you can rationalise smartly.”

He says trolley suppliers should be wise to the fact that customers often overestimate their need for certain tools. “For example, they may ask for items they will never use during standard daily operations,” he said.

IPC’s compact trolleys help the operator to maximise available space by incorporating holders for sweeping, washing and disinfecting frames as well as hooks and

fixings for cleaning tools and safety signs, says Redi. “Customers can also save space by doing away with bulky buckets and wringers and equipping their trolley with a pre-impregnated mopping system such as our SDS system instead,” he said.

New from IPC is the “kit concept trolley” which is claimed to offer modularity while also reducing size. The company’s Brix Compact trolley comes in three models and can be used in a range of environments by changing the kit on the standard body.

Demand for compact grows Vileda’s business development director Steve Barber agrees that demand for smaller, more compact trolleys has been increasing over recent years. This has prompted the company to develop the VoleoPro range which has a footprint of 0.5 square metres.

“The main driver for this launch was the fact that smaller cleaning cupboards result in a reduced amount of space for storing large trolleys between shifts,” he said. “Many customers choose their trolley based on the storage space available rather than on the tools that will be required to fulfil the day’s tasks. To resolve this conflict we have been obliged to develop trolleys that make the most of the space available.”

The mop frame holders on Vileda’s VoleoPro trolleys have been moved from their traditional position on the outside to a new position beneath the waste collection unit. “This removes 15 cm from the width of the trolley without any negative impact on functionality,” says Barber. “Modularity is also key and our Origo range uses all the possible space to ensure that elements such as buckets, waste collection and cleaning materials will all fit.”

But there is no getting around it, says Barber: a smaller trolley will inevitably have a lower capacity for tools and equipment than a larger model. “However by working with our end-users and combinContinued page 36

November 2017 | ECJ | 35

TROLLEYS Small space, big capacity (continued) ing a thorough knowledge of the cleaning process with smart design and engineering we are able to come up with compact trolleys that will accommodate everything that may be required by the cleaner,” he said. “We also have a range of multifunctional tools that allow users to reduce the number of items they need to carry - and this again frees up space on the trolley.”

He adds there is no need for a trolley to be compact in certain environments. “For example, in airports and shopping malls the main purpose of a trolley tends to be for waste collection and washroom refills,” he said. “Here you need ample space to hold the collected waste and store toilet rolls and hand towels.

Compact not always best “Choosing a compact trolley for this type of environment would be less effective and increase overall costs since the operatives would need to make multiple trips to and from the central waste area and storage station. Therefore manufacturers need to offer flexibility and supply everything from small compact trolleys through to large multipurpose units.”

Like other manufacturers Kärcher has noticed an increase in demand for compact trolleys according to international public relations manager Alexander Becker.

“This is particularly the case in upscale hotels,” he said. “In these types of environments compact trolleys are preferred because they take up less space in corridors and are less intrusive for guests. And the fact that compact trolleys require less storage space helps to reduce costs.”

Like Barber he claims that fewer tools are required on today’s trolleys due to the development of more flexible and multifunctional products. “Our goal is to offer trolleys that can be configured according to specific cleaning tasks so that no unnecessary items are accommodated,” he said.

Kärcher offers the Trolley Clean Liner Classic II, a compact unit that incorporates two colour-coded 15-litre buckets, a mop press and a fold-up bin liner holder.

“While it is not easy to fit all the necessary components on to a more

Les chariots de nettoyage compacts sont de plus en plus utilisés parce qu’ils peuvent être introduits plus facilement dans des ascenseurs, des couloirs et des armoires. Mais les nettoyeurs doivent néanmoins être munis de tous les équipements et recharges de produit dont ils ont besoin, et pouvoir emporter les déchets qu’ils ramassent. Que font donc les fabricants de chariots de nettoyage pour répondre à ces exigences opposées et faire plaisir à leurs clients ?

Nous prenons note des moyens ingénieux d’usage de l’espace que les fabricants ont imaginés.

November 2017 | ECJ | 36

compact trolley, the availability of more compact components is helpful and we are working on more flexible build trolleys,” says Becker.

The demand for more compact trolleys stems from changes in the cleaning market according to Filmop’s export area manager Igor Pegorin. “Narrow rooms and environments with a reduced number of storage spaces have always existed,” he points out. “However the growing demand for compact trolleys arises from greater specialisation when it comes to cleaning tools.

“At one time a standard trolley could basically suit any environment. But nowadays the market has evolved and it has become more sensitive to the requirements of individual applications and the need to provide better support for specific needs.”

Various functions He says it is a growing challenge to design compact trolleys that can fulfil different functions such as washing, waste collection and material storage. Filmop’s latest trolley – the AlphaSplit line - is a compact multipurpose unit incorporating various modules that can be divided up and locked if required.

But the choice of trolley ultimately depends on the environment according to Pegorin. “If the main aim is to sanitise a hospital for example, the storage and cleaning functions will be less important and require less space than the disinfec-

Kompakte Reinigungswagen werden immer beliebter, da sie leichter in Aufzüge, Gänge und Abstellkammern passen. Aber das Reinigungspersonal muss sie noch immer mit allen erforderlichen Geräten und Nachfüllpackungen ausrüsten und den eingesammelten Abfall verstauen können. Wie machen Unternehmen das meiste aus dem kleineren Platz, den Kunden benötigen? Wir erfahren mehr über die raffinierten Nutzungsmöglichkeiten für den Platz in Reinigungswagen, mit denen Hersteller aufwarten.

tion equipment,” he said. “And the type of mopping system you require will also impact on trolley choice. For example, a wetmopping system that offers mop-soaking on demand will save a significant amount of space compared with traditional systems that require one or two buckets.”

So, will trolleys become even more compact in the future? IPC’s Michele Redi says yes, tomorrow’s trolleys will become increasingly compact and efficient, “However, we feel that the traditional ‘all-inclusive’ trolley will retain a small and limited share of the market,” he said.

Filmop’s Igor Pegorin believes compact trolleys will not necessarily dictate tomorrow’s products. “We think the main demand in future will be for trolleys and tools that are easier to use, environmentally-friendly and more compact while maintaining their functionality in order to improve hygiene standards in different environments,” he said.

And Vileda’s business development director Steve Barber agrees here will be an ongoing need for trolleys of all different sizes. “Cleaning requirements vary greatly and the trolley’s capacity should never be the main driver in any purchasing decision,” he said.

“Selecting the correct cleaning system that meets the specific needs of the site in question is key to the end result. The ongoing challenge for trolley developers is to ensure that the chosen system - whatever that may be - will fit on to the cart.”

I carrelli compatti stanno diventanti sempre più popolari in quanto entrano facilmente negli ascensori, nei corridoi e negli armadietti. Ma gli addetti alle pulizie devono essere sempre in grado di equipaggiarli con tutte le attrezzature e i prodotti di cui hanno bisogno più i rifiuti che raccolgono. Quindi, i produttori come sfruttano al massimo gli spazi ridotti che il cliente richiede? Scopriamo gli usi ingegnosi degli spazi di un carrello che i produttori hanno escogitato.

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PRODUCTS: TROLLEYS

• SYR affirme que ses chariots de nettoyage Spacesaver se replient de manière à occuper l’espace d’un seau de lavage.

• En lançant son Système One, Vermop a transformé son chariot de nettoyage Equipe D en un centre de nettoyage numérique.

• Recevant plus de 100 accessoires et réalisable en 1,3 million de configurations, le système à chariot de nettoyage TASKI de Diversey Care se présente comme l’un des plus flexibles du marché.

• Laut Angaben von SYR lassen sich die Reinigungswagen Spacesaver auf die gleiche Fläche wie ein Moppeimer zusammenklappen.

• Mit der Einführung von System One verwandelt Vermop den Reinigungswagen Equipe D in ein digitales Reinigungszentrum.

• Mit mehr als 100 Zubehörteilen und 1,3 Millionen Konfigurationen ist das TASKI Reinigungswagensystem laut Diversey Care eines der flexibelsten am Markt.

• La SYR afferma che i suoi carrelli Spacesaver si ripiegano alla dimensione di un secchio per mop.

• Con il lancio di System ONe, la Vermop ha trasformato il suo carrello Equipe D trolley in un centro di pulizia digitale.

• Con oltre 100 accessori e 1,3 milioni di configurazioni, la Diversey Care afferma che il suo sistema TASKI Trolley System è uno dei più flessibili.

November 2017 | ECJ | 38

Saves space The Spacesaver line of trolleys fold down to the same footprint as a mop bucket says manufacturer SYR. With a footprint of 51x57 cm, 100 of them can fit into an area that would usually accommodate around 58 traditional trolleys.

Despite being so small the trolley is versatile and can be designed to fit with a variety of cleaning products - open or enclosed models are available.

Virtually every trolley must carry a waste paper bag, vacuum and hand pails, plus a host of tools and shelf space

for paper and chemicals. The docking station allows a mopping combo to be attached in seconds when needed. Bins and buckets can be wheeled along with the trolleys. www.syrclean.com

Highly flexible

Real-time data System ONe is a intelligentlyinterconnected system solution that connects its trolleys with a digital module.

Equipe Digital cleaning equipment collects all the data from the appliances and makes it available in a web portal.

The trolley provides information on the ground it has covered so planned target times at site level can be compared with the actual times for example. This means effective performance metrics can be determined, information on premises occupancy gathered and travel times determined. www.vermop.com

With over 100 accessories and more than 1.3 million possible configurations, Diversey says its TASKI trolley system offers ultimate flexibility changes are made simply by adding or removing various modular components.

The trolley is also ergonomically designed with the ability to adjust the height and position of the accessories.

The Nano trolley system, meanwhile, is 30 per cent lighter and 20 per cent narrower than other trolleys in the range - this makes it suitable for small or confined area cleaning, as well as being easy to store. www.diversey.com

PRODUCTS: TROLLEYS

• Réunissant trois chariots de nettoyage, la gamme C-Shuttle de Greenspeed est réalisée à 75 pour cent en matière plastique recyclée.

• Le Cover Bag IPC Brix est constitué d’un système de panneaux destiné à couvrir des sacs poubelles peu attrayants sur des chariots de nettoyage Brix.

• Ecolab met en avants les hautes normes hygiéniques et l’ergonomie de ses chariots de nettoyage, et le fait qu’ils ne fatiguent pas leurs opérateurs.

• Die Reinigungswagen der Produktreihe C Shuttle von Greenspeed werden zu 75 % aus recyceltem Plastik hergestellt.

• Bei IPC Brix Cover Bag handelt es sich um ein Verkleidungssystem, mit dem unansehnliche Abfallsäcke auf Brix Reinigungswagen abgedeckt werden können.

• Laut Angaben von Ecolab helfen seine Reinigungswagen, hohe Hygienestandards zu erzielen und sind dabei ergonomisch und ermüdungsfrei für den Benutzer.

• La gamma di tre carrelli C-Shuttle della Greenspeed è prodotta per il 75% in plastica riciclata.

• IPC Brix Cover Bag è un Sistema di pannelli che si possono utilizzare sui carrelli Brix per coprire i sacchi poco attraenti della raccolta dei rifiuti.

• La Ecolab afferma che i suoi carrelli aiutano a ottenere alti standard di igiene e allo stesso tempo sono ergonomici e non causano stanchezza all’operatore.

November 2017 | ECJ | 40

Convenient With the introduction of its C-Shuttle line of trolleys Greenspeed says it is delivering convenience, compactness and creativity. There are three models, all of them made from 75 per cent recycled plastic and said to be compact and easy to manoeuvre.

The C-Shuttle 150 consists of one compartment and is designed for small spaces, while the C-Shuttle 250 is a standard variant with two compartments.

Featuring three compartments is the higher end version C-Shuttle 350.

Trolleys can be customised with logos. www.greenspeed.eu

Advertising

IPC says its Brix Cover Bag is a system that enables unsightly waste bags to be covered with customisable panels that can be used for advertising and marketing.

The panels are add-ons that can be removed, and they can be printed with many different messages, or simply attractive graphics. Brix Cover Bag can be used on all trolleys in the Brix and Black is Green ranges. www.ipcworldwide.com

No fatigue Ecolab says its trolley range helps operatives to achieve high standards of hygiene while

offering ergonomic and fatiguefree operation.

Thanks to a wide variety of accessories the Mobilette Vario Maxx and Vario Flexx can be personalized to fit individual requirements. For example it can offer either a one-step cleaning solution with impregnated cleaning textiles or a two-step option with “click in” wet cleaning unit.

The practical waste system disconnection means use as a single unit that can easily be adapted to the size of the premise. And no tools are required to modify the workstation. www.ecolab.com

STEAM CLEANING

The truth about steam The cleaning indusry has experienced a dramatic increase in the use of low pressure steam cleaners since the late 1990s so much so that many cleaning experts often refer to the period as a ‘steam revolution’. However the technology is still very much confined to certain niche sectors of cleaning. Thomas Stücken, managing director of steam cleaning equipment specialist OspreyDeepclean, explains the advantages of the technology.

The cleaning industry has experienced a dramatic increase in the use of low pressure steam cleaners since the late 1990s - so much so that many cleaning experts often refer to the period as a “steam revolution!” However even though the use of dry steam as a cleaning tool has become much more commonplace in recent years, the technology is still very much confined to certain niche segments within the cleaning industry despite the fact it is far less aggressive than more conventional cleaning methods and does not damage any surfaces. In addition dry steam has great “green biodegradable” credentials as it only uses clean cold tap water to achieve these high standards of cleanliness and the highest degree of bactericidal efficacy.

Initially the term “dry steam” may sound like a contradiction as steam is a by-product of water and therefore cannot possibly be dry. This is true of conventional steam such as that from a kettle but by applying further heat to conventional steam and super heating it to between 140°C and 200°C, the remaining water is vaporised resulting in “dry” steam. It is this dry steam that is ideal for use in both wet and dry environments alike and gives excellent cleaning and sanitation capability.

To explain further: dry steam technology

November 2017 | ECJ | 42

heats the water within a boiler/heating coil to boiling point. The so called “Steam Curve” table or “Saturated Steam” table always refers to steam at a particular saturation point, also known as the boiling point. This is the point where water (liquid) and steam (gas) can coexist at the same temperature and pressure. At this temperature water is converted from its liquid state into a gas at an expansion rate of one litre of water converting to 1,650 litres of steam during the process.

Highest cleanliness standards The Steam Curve table also states the correlation between boiler temperature and the pressure of steam. Dry steam machines start with a boiler temperature of between 120°C and 200°C approximately.

Good quality dry steam is produced from about 145°C onwards. The hotter the steam, the smaller the water molecules within the dry steam will be and the safer in use the technology will be. Equally the hotter the steam temperature the better the bactericidal efficacy will be. It is a fallacy to believe that bactericidal efficacy is achieved through the killing of pathogens as this method of sanitation only serves to encourage antimicrobial resistance over time. It is instead the safe removal of all debris which offers the highest levels of bactericidal efficacy whereby all pathogens are inevitably removed from any given surface.

Professional steam hygiene systems ensure that even the highest standards of cleanliness and bactericidal control can be exceeded. Utilising steam at temperatures above 140°C safely removes microbes and organisms living beneath their own protective biofilm, which normally can resist the most powerful of chemical agents for prolonged periods. Independent laboratory and hospital tests have verified the bactericidal efficacy of steam.

Heat alone ensures that the bonding between micro-organisms and the surface structure is broken down whilst the low pressure allows the steam to deeply penetrate into areas such as cracks, crevices

and grouting which are normally inaccessible by any other cleaning process. The heat from the vapour saponifies the dirt, grease and grime whilst the pressure at which the steam is being released onto the surfaces ensures it quickly penetrates into the surface without causing surface damage or destruction as can happen with hazardous or aggressive cleaning chemicals.

The dry steam then works instantly to remove dirt and pathogens and their biofilm including MRSA, Acinetobacter and C. Difficile and any residue is left ready for instant removal either manually using a microfibre cloth or via an inbuilt vacuum cleaner. The surfaces are left thoroughly deep cleaned, instantly ready for reuse and pathogen free. This method of cleaning has the added benefit of not requiring any contact time either.

Given the proven track record of dry steam, it is easy to see why it has become the chosen method of sanitation in high risk areas such as food production and preparation areas as well as other environments which require the highest standard of cleanliness and bactericidal efficacy including (but not limited to) hospitals, education facilities and hospitality and leisure environments. The focus in these areas is very often to achieve the highest degree of disinfection and/or sterilisation yet it is often forgotten that the prerequisite to achieving the highest standards of bactericidal cleanliness is good and through cleaning.

Unlike other technologies, dry steam is not concerned with killing pathogens but instead with achieving the highest degree of deep cleaning thereby inevitably removing most of the pathogens from any given surface – a 4-6 log can be achieved as reported in the OspreyDeepclean TNO validation report.

The benefits of steam have long been experienced within the health sector, specifically hospitals, nursing homes and care centres which are constantly confronted with the task to ensure the highest stand-

STEAM CLEANING ards of cleanliness in their respective environments. Hygiene products, specifically disinfectants, have over the past decade provided effective protection with appropriate cleaning power. The right selection of the correct hygiene products, however, becomes more and more complex. It is therefore imperative to employ a cleaning method which not only achieves the highest bactericidal efficacy against the most commonly known pathogens and microbes but one that also ensures a standard approach to cleaning and bactericidal control.

Dry steam is used within the daily cleaning regime by operatives and infection control nurses alike within the ward environment to clean the patient environment and sanitary area. Additionally the technology is also deployed as a rapid response cleaning tool in case of outbreaks and during “terminal cleaning operation.� Dry steam is also widely used by for cleaning and decontamination of disability and mobility aids.

Food retailers and commercial kitchens have, for many years, reaped the benefits of dry steam for the deep cleaning of their respective environments as steam easily cleans, degreases and sanitises even the

most difficult to reach areas without damaging any of the predominantly stainless steel surfaces. This has, in more recent times been further developed for the food manufacturing and processing Industry where the technology has achieved widespread acclaim for its deep cleaning performance and its bactericidal efficacy against specific pathogens such as listeria and salmonella.

food factories can save as much as six million litres of water per annum in comparison to traditional more water based hygiene solutions.

Many food manufacturers are also Continued page 44

Allergen removal In this environment, normally the larger three-phase technology is employed as it delivers a far greater volume of steam per minute than conventional 230 volt equipment. It is not uncommon today to find dry steam solutions from six kilowatt right up to 72 kilowatt in the food manufacturing and processing environments. The technology has also proven to be very effective in removing allergens whilst greatly reducing the volume of water being used on a daily basis which in turn reduces the effluent discharge.

Most of the professional dry steam technologies are also listed on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Water Technology List (WTL) in the UK and major installations in

November 2017 | ECJ | 43

STEAM CLEANING The truth about steam (continued) now looking to deploy the technology in conjunction with conveyor belt cleaning equipment in a quest to automise the cleaning of conveyor belts. Technological solutions are available for the various types of conveyor belts used in the food manufacturing industries either as part of a periodic deep cleaning regime, during daily product changeovers or 24/7 sanitation during production.

Dry steam technology has also been long used to combat the plight of discarded chewing gum deposits on our streets and public places. In the chewing gum removal process, the steam is mixed with a chemical. Steam softens the gum while the chemical, in conjunction with light agitation with a brush, dissolves the chewing gum into a powder whereby it Depuis la fin des années 1990, le secteur de la propreté a connu une forte augmentation de l’emploi d’appareils de nettoyage à vapeur basse pression, à tel point que de nombreux experts ont parlé d’une « révolution de la vapeur ». Néanmoins, la technologie demeure en grande partie confinée à certains créneaux du secteur. Thomas Stücken, administrateur délégué d’OspreyDeepclean, un spécialiste des équipements de nettoyage à la vapeur, en explique les avantages.

November 2017 | ECJ | 44

is simply brushed away. This technology is widely used throughout the world and has now seen the first development of non-electrical solutions in the form of gas powered machines or more recently, battery operated chewing gum removal steam machines.

The benefits of dry steam can therefore easily be qualified and quantified. The most obvious benefit is the potentially huge water usage reduction as well as a reduction in chemical usage. The risk of surface damage and surface degradation is greatly reduced and there is also the reduction in time and labour costs.

Enhanced visual cleanliness is greatly increased as is bactericidal efficacy and dry steam offers a greater compliance with

any applicable food and hygiene directives.

The applications where dry steam can be used and the associated benefits really are limitless. There are the essential, if a little mundane, applications such as vehicle cleaning which has seen a large increase over recent years in the use of dry steam as the chosen medium specifically because of the deep cleaning credentials and water-saving benefits. But there are the more unusual applications too such as the film industry. Next time you’re watching the big screen and the villain disappears in a puff of “smoke” or the latest Sci-Fi blockbuster features an eerie patch of “fog” remember that more often than not, the effect is created by a commercial steam cleaner!

Die Reinigungsbranche hat seit den späten 1990ern einen dramatischen Anstieg bei der Verwendung von Niederdruckdampfreinigern erlebt – und zwar in einem solchen Maße, dass viele Reinigungsfachleute diese Periode häufig als „Dampfrevolution“ bezeichnen. Diese Technologie ist jedoch noch immer weitestgehend auf bestimmte Nischenbereiche der Reinigungsbranche beschränkt. Thomas Stücken, Managing Director bei OspreyDeepclean dem Spezialisten für Dampfreinigungsgeräte, erläutert die Vorteile der Technologie.

Il settore del cleaning professionale ha registrato un notevole aumento nell’utilizzo di macchine per le pulizia a vapore e bassa pressione dalla fine degli anni 90 a oggi, Questo aumento e’ così alto che molti esperti del cleaning spesso parlanodi questo periodo come il periodo della “rivoluzione del vapore”. Questa tecnologia è comunque ancora molto confinata a certi settori niche del cleaning. Thomas Stücken, direttore generale dell’azienda specializzata nelle attrezzature di pulizia a vapore OspreyDeepclean, spiega i vantaggi di questa tecnologia.

Water savings

BUSINESS: JOB INTERVIEWS

The pitfalls of recruitment In many ways, a job interview is not so very unlike a first date. And as with the course of true love, the path to finding an ideal match is just as likely to be strewn with banana skins as rose petals, for both parties. Hartley Milner explores the pitfalls of the recruitment process.

As a business manger, you are looking for a long and productive relationship based on mutual trust and respect. The applicant is seeking much the same, plus assurances that they would feel valued, secure and able to give their best.

But there is no certainty you will find that chemistry. Rather than ‘falling for each other’, a clash of strong personalities can create friction, and clumsy or inappropriate comments may lead to awkward silences with you both looking for excuses to terminate the relationship before it has begun.

One male company boss took the dating analogy too far, asking the female candidate: “Are you in a committed relationship right now?” When the interviewee asked what the question had to do with her job application, he added: “Well, I have a busy agenda today… I was wondering whether we could conclude this interview over dinner tonight.” The horrified woman bolted for the door.

Another candidate applying for a job in a call centre saw she was being ogled at through the glass of the interview room.

Unmoved by her discomfort, the male recruiter eyed her up and down and said: “You are very attractive. How would you fight off the office wolves around here?”

You might expect such unseemly and unprofessional lines of questioning from the likes of David Brent of The Office fame, but it is more common outside a sitcom situation than you might think, according to a survey of 2,000 UK adults by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

Here are some of the more bizarre interview questions survey respondents said they had been asked: • What would you do if you caught a member of staff kissing the boss?

• Is a Jaffa cake a cake or a biscuit?

• Do you like to sing in the bath?

• What would you do if the sun died out?

• Who would win in a fight, Superman or Batman?

• What dinosaur would you like to be?

• How do you feel about blood sports?

• If a hippo falls into a hole, how would you get it out?

• Was the book Frankenstein really about state control?

Other hapless hopefuls complained: “The interviewer seemed bored”…“I felt intimidated”…“The other person was really rude”…“The other person interviewing me asked if I was thinking of having a child anytime soon”…“I was made to do an interview Apprentice-style with the other shortlisted candidates.”

Interview candidates also reported being asked to undertake strange tasks, such as: • Build a tower of paper cups in one minute that would not fall down when you put water in the top cup.

• Please bring a toy with you and explain how this reflects you as a person or a part of your personality.

• Please do an improvisation of a film (with potential co-worker).

AAT spokeswoman Aimee Batemann said: “The prospect of being interrogated on our professional experience and ability is a naturally intimidating scenario and, as the results show, it’s not always easy to keep composed. The range of random and unbelievable questions or tasks candidates were subjected to shows that sometimes you just can’t predict what will be thrown at you.

Prepare for all possibilities “However, the best way to maintain composure and reduce the chances of embarrassment is to try to prepare for every possibility and be prepared to think on your feet if need be.”

But more than a few job applicants admitted they have found themselves in embarrassing situations of their own making.

Sixty per cent said they had made gaffes such as spilling drinks, tripping up or accidentally swearing. Some ended up in tears after being caught out by a lie on their CV or had failed to prepare for the interview, knowing nothing about either the role they were applying for or the

company it was with. And others turned up late or nursing a hangover.

Freezing on the spot was the biggest cause of awkwardness, while stuttering, breaking out in a sweat, not knowing what to say or blurting out something stupid were also high in the top 20 awkward moments revealed in the AAT survey.

The questions job hopefuls said they sweated over most included: “What are your weaknesses?”...“Describe yourself in three words”…“If you were a fruit or vegetable what would you be and why?”…“What has been your greatest achievement?...“Describe a time when you have failed”…“Why should we choose you for this role?”...“What attributes do you have that will support you in this role?”…

“How will you contribute to the team?”

But despite their frequently surreal experiences, a third of all candidates said they still got the job.

Batemann added: “Whether it’s a difficult or random question or the fear you’re out of your depth, confidence comes from feeling prepared and ready for anything thrown at you.”

Well, not perhaps anything. There are questions that job applicants should not have to answer and employers should ask in the first place because they fall foul of the law. You would expect HR departments to be aware of seemingly innocuous questions that are strictly taboo, but it appears many hiring managers are not.

At least 20 per cent of hiring managers held their hands up to posing a question only to find out later that it was illegal to ask it, according to an online survey conducted in the US by Harris Poll for Continued page 46

November 2017 | ECJ | 45

BUSINESS: JOB INTERVIEWS The pitfalls of recruitment (continued) employment website CareerBuilder.

“It’s important for both the interviewer and interviewee to understand what employers do and don’t have a legal right to ask in a job interview – for both parties’ protection,” said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder.

“Though their intentions may be harmless, hiring managers could unknowingly be putting themselves at risk of legal action, as a job candidate could argue that certain questions were used to discriminate against him or her.”

Among the most common questions that later led to ‘oops’ moments for the 2,100 interviewers surveyed were: • What is your religious affiliation?

• Are you pregnant?

• What is your political affiliation?

• What is your race, colour or ethnicity?

• How old are you?

• Are you disabled?

• Are you married?

• Do you have children or plan to have any?

• Are you in debt?

• Do you socially drink or smoke?

Most countries draw up their antidiscrimination legislation along broadly the same lines. Employers who fail to abide by the rules governing the recruitment

Why is it discriminatory to ask about a candidate’s marital status, whether they have children or are planning a family soon? The assumption is that applicants who are married could be treated more favourably because they are seen as stable, or perhaps less favourably because they may not feel so inclined to devote as much time to the job as a single person.

It is acceptable, though, to ask whether there are any responsibilities that could disrupt their attendance at work. However, questions about sexual orientation are strictly verboten and provide generous litigation fodder. Never go there!

What is wrong about asking for a candidate’s age or date of birth? The question implies that the company has a policy of discrimination against older applicants, perhaps because they are trying to promote a more youthful brand.

Some crafty employers try to get around this by posing related questions such as asking an older applicant how long he or

À plusieurs égards, un entretien de recrutement ne diffère pas tellement d’un premier rendezvous galant. Et comme sur le chemin de l’amour, la découverte de l’accord parfait risque fort d’être semée à la fois de bonnes et de mauvaises surprises pour les deux parties. Hartley Milner explique les pièges du processus de recrutement.

In mancherlei Hinsicht ist ein Vorstellungsgespräch einem ersten Rendezvous gar nicht so unähnlich. Und wie beim Weg der wahren Liebe, ist auch der Pfad zum Finden des idealen Kandidaten gleichermaßen mit Bananenschalen wie mit Rosenblütenblättern gestreut, für beide Parteien. Hartley Milner untersucht die Tücken des Einstellungsverfahrens.

November 2017 | ECJ | 46

process not only risk damaging their brand but also leaving themselves open to a costly equal opportunities lawsuit. And it may not always be blindingly obvious why a question is wrong in the eyes of the law.

Forbidden questions

she saw herself working until retirement.

But this would also be unlawful.

Are there any circumstances in which you are entitled to ask an applicant whether they have any disabilities?

Physical or mental issues may affect a candidate’s ability to do the job, but you should avoid asking about them. Instead, you should ask the applicant if they could handle what is required. For example…”Are you able to perform the specific duties of this position?”

“Employers need to take great care because job applicants are becoming increasingly savvy about the type of questions they can and cannot be asked, and not so reticent about saying so,” said Sandy Stafford of online recruitment site TopJob. “Successful interviewing is a skill that has to be learnt but, equally, job candidates need to ensure they are properly prepared before they go into the interview. Their future may ride on it.

“If both parties follow the rules and treat each other with respect, the process need not be so very daunting. After all, you are seeking the same thing…a professional relationship in which you can grow and prosper together.”

Sotto molti aspetti, un colloquio di lavoro non è poi così doverso da un primo appuntamento galante. E come il corso del vero amore, il percorso per trovare l’anima gemella è più probabile che sia cosparso di buccie di banana piuttosto che di petali di rosa, per entrambi le parti. Hartley Milner esplora le insidie del processo di assunzione del personale.

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS

Effective and water-saving The public perception of pressure washing is that it is practical as well as time-saving, but it also comes under critical scrutiny. With respect to water consumption, the key issue is sustainability, but there are also the problems associated with treating sensitive surfaces. What is the truth about conventional pressure washing, and what are the alternatives?

Kay-Uwe Müller of Kärcher writes for ECJ.

The history of pressure washers is a success story. These versatile machines have long been all-rounders that have become crucial in countless areas, whether with a electric motor or combustion engine, mobile or stationary. Pressure washers are commonly used to clean roads, public squares and buildings. In agriculture they play their part in maintaining vehicles and machinery or cleaning animals stalls, for example. In the motor vehicle industry, they are used for washing engines, underbodies and small parts. High pressure cleaners are often found in areas where hygiene is particularly important: in swimming pools, medical facilities or in food and beverage industry operations. Virtually no other cleaning technology is quite so flexible in its applications.

In addition to flexibility, the pressure washer has other features in its favour: • Even stubborn dirt can be removed with the right combination of pressure, water volume, temperature and detergent • The high pressure jet reaches areas that are difficult to access, and adapts to irregular surfaces • Dirt and germs are not spread because cleaning is done without contact.

• Mechanical cleaning is an environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical cleaning,

and in many cases yields a better result in a considerably shorter time.

In practice, both cold and hot water pressure washing are used. A lot of dirt can reliably be removed with cold water. Accessories such as brushes and scrubbers that are connected directly to the pressure washer lance reinforce the mechanical cleaning effect. Detergents can also accelerate the process, or improve results. Most cold water appliances can be also operated with hot inlet water up to 60°C, which increases the cleaning effect. Hot water offers advantages when removing oil, fats and proteins – particularly when they are already encrusted.

However there are some questions, particularly concerning the water consumption of high performance appliances, and preventing damage to unsuitable surfaces.

What are the answers to these questions?

The constructional design of the nozzle has a big impact on ensuring cleaning is as fast and thorough as possible. Even minimal changes to the geometry have huge effects on the impact pressure. This is what lifts and loosens the layer of dirt. The influencing factors of nozzle pressure, water volume and jet geometry fundamentally depend on the shape and size of the nozzle profile.

Important to know: the impact pressure falls considerably the further you are from the object. At a distance of 30 cm, the impact is only around one hundredth of its initial value. For effective cleaning with optimum results, the distance from the nozzle to the object should therefore be no greater than 10 to 30 cm.

Pressure washers save water In addition to the nozzle geometry, the main deciding factors are pressure and the pump output capacity. Many users look in particular at the maximum pressure and related dirt-busting effect. In many instances however, the volume of water and its washing performance is of greater significance to the cleaning result. This is particularly important where – in the construction industry and agriculture for example – a lot of Continued page 48

November 2017 | ECJ | 47

HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS Effective and water-saving (continued) dirt needs to be removed from machines and floors.

A high cleaning effect also requires high water flow volume. High performance machines operate at around 1,000 litres per hour. That sounds high but is low in comparison with a standard water hose where the flow rate is up to 3,500 litres per hour. This means pressure washing uses water very efficiently. As well as meeting demand for sustainable solutions in countries such as South America or Australia, where during dry periods there are stringent conditions placed on the use of pressure washers in order to save water.

There are even greater savings due to the fact that the high water pressure means the job can be completed more quickly.

Ecologically good - many machines can also be operated with recycled or conditioned water. This practice is particularly effective when used at gantry car washes, for example. Water recycling systems can be installed here, saving up to 98 per cent of fresh water – for a comparatively low investment.

Accessories for better results With many cleaning tasks, the use of accessories can improve results, reduce the time required, and make the work easier and more ergonomic. Accessories such as brushes and scrubbers that are connected directly to the pressure washer lance reinforce the mechanical cleaning effect. A further accessory that is increasingly used is the patio cleaner. The rotating nozzle bar facilitates fast and even operation over large surfaces. The cover serves simultaneously as a spray guard. It prevents dirty water from escaping, and eliminates the need to rinse and dry walls and fixtures after cleaning. Models with integrated extraction based on the Venturi principle offer an added benefit. It not only leaves the floor clean, it also dries more quickly. In practice, this avoids time and effort wiping the area down again.

For many tasks, reduced operating pressure is perfectly sufficient. Machines where reduced pressure can be used support the efficient use of water. This also allows the machine to respond flexibly to different hardnesses. The control is either on the machine, or conveniently positioned on the gun itself.

Le secteur du nettoyage sous pression est de plus en plus critiqué par ceux qui doutent de la durabilité de consommer de grandes quantités d’eau et de les projeter contre des surfaces délicates au risque de les endommager. Quels sont les arguments en faveur du nettoyage haute pression traditionnel et quelles sont les alternatives modernes ?

November 2017 | ECJ | 48

Ergonomics also play an important part when considering efficiency and sustainability. The gun should sit comfortably in the hand and require little effort to pull out or hold it. It is particularly user friendly when the pressure and water volume can be adjusted on the handle itself. An angled, rotatable jet pipe means even corners and other hard-to-access areas can be reached. The curved design offsets the recoil to some extent, and ensures that the lance is easy to hold in high pressure operation. The jet pipe and nozzle can be easily changed without the need for tools, saving time.

Hot water pays off There are numerous features in favour of using cold water pressure washers. The universal machines are generally compact, easy to handle and easy to transport if they are frequently used in different areas. Hot water pressure washers offer even more advantages. Heat energy is a key factor in sustainably influencing and accelerating cleaning processes. Increasing the temperature results in • The same cleaning result with a lower impact pressure • Improved cleaning results with the same impact pressure.

The engines on modern hot water pressure cleaners can be operated using standard biodiesel. Machines with an electrically hot water boiler are used where exhaust gases need to be avoided – for example in industrial kitchens, swimming pools or other enclosed spaces.

Stubborn dirt can be tackled more quickly and effectively with hot water machines. The combination of hot water and high pressure increases efficiency in particular. In practice, using hot water reduces the operating time by around 35 per cent – usually coupled with significantly better results.

Whereas cold water machines usually yield acceptable results only in combination with additional detergents, temperature is a factor here. Using less or no detergent benefits the environment.

Introducing heat means residues of dirt and grease are broken down and loosened more quickly. Oils, fats or encrusted deposits of soot melt away with the introduction of heat, and are easier to remove Die Branche der Hochdruckreinigung kommt zunehmend selbst unter erhöhten Druck, da Fragen nach der Nachhaltigkeit hinsichtlich der großen Wassermengen und den möglicherweise bei empfindlichen Oberflächen verursachten Schäden gestellt werden. Wie lauten die Argumente für die herkömmliche Hochdruckreinigung und welche modernen Alternativen gibt es?

more thoroughly. A major advantage of using hot water pressure washers is the faster drying time. Surfaces cleaned with hot rather than cold water warm up easily, and so generally dry more quickly, and are ready for use in a shorter time.

Hot water pressure washers play an important part in reducing microorganisms and germs in hygienically sensitive areas.

In the steam mode, machines yield water vapour up to a temperature of 155°C. This effectively reduces harmful germs even before subsequent disinfection. Applications are in the food industry, in industrial kitchens, medical facilities, indoor swimming pools and also in agriculture.

Caring for sensitive surfaces Hot water pressure cleaners are also able to tackle demanding cleaning tasks.

The steam setting is perfect for sensitive surfaces where full cleaning performance is achieved with a considerably lower operating pressure and less water. This means materials that react sensitively to too much water can be cleaned gently, including sandstone façade elements, mineral plaster and other porous natural materials. Even stubborn dirt and deposits can be loosened in an environmentallyfriendly way with this process, including layers of bitumen, paint residues, remains of rust, lichen and algae.

Heated are particularly efficient The biggest advantage of hot water pressure cleaners is the improved costeffectiveness. They particularly come into their own when used in regular industrial applications - the more intensively the machine is used, the more apparent the cost savings. The higher purchase price is amortised by the lower labour and operating costs. Energy heating costs are soon offset by the significant reduction in water and detergent usage.

Pressure washing continues to be a cost effective and water-saving alternative to manual cleaning using brushes, scrubbers and a water hose. In industrial and commercial use, hot water models offer added benefits, particularly due to shorter working times, their gentle treatment of surfaces, their ability to loosen and remove residues of oil, fat and protein, and to reduce the transmission of germs.

Anche il settore delle pulizie ad alta pressione è sempre più sotto pressione perchè si pongono le domande sulla sostenibilità dell’utilizzo di altissimi volumi di acqua e del danno che possono causare a delle superfici delicate. Quali sono le argomentazioni per la pulizia tradizionale ad alta pressione e quali sono le alternative moderne?

PRODUCTS: HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS

Digital display

All of DiBO’s high pressure cleaners on trailers have been upgraded this year with a new operating panel, digital display, joystick and track & trace system.

All mobile hot water models on a trailer now feature a display that guides the operator through the user programme step by step.

Everything is visible at a glance, easily adjustable with a joystick and simple to operate with gloves.

The + version of the trailers also includes an electronic level indication for fuel and water tank, electronic gas regulation with automatic speed control and a new track & trace system. This allows the user to determine the location of the unit, as well as following up on working hours, malfunctions and service notifications. www.dibo.com

Easy trigger Kärcher’s cold and hot water high pressure cleaners feature the EASY!Force trigger gun.

When the trigger is operated, the recoil of the water jet automatically presses the trigger into the hand, which contributes to effortless use.

The reduced force action prevents hand and finger strain and in turn muscle cramps. Accidental operation is prevented by a yellow safety lever.

The company has also redesigned the lance and high pressure hose recently. A quadruple trapezoidal thread, EASY!Lock, allows a tight and reliable connection with only a single turn.

Further connections - from lance

to nozzles and from hose to high pressure cleaner - also feature the new EASY!Lock thread. This means all components can be changed quickly and easily - 476 accessory parts have been converted to the new screw thread. www.karcher.com

High RPM swivel Mosmatic offers a wide range of products for specialty high pressure cleaning applications from surface and duct cleaning to belt cleaning. All are based on a high RPM swivel combined with a stainless steel rotor arm and can be used with hot or cold water high pressure pumps.

One of the key products in the range is the Surface Cleaner Professional FL-AH 520 with Recovery System and stainless steel housing which can be used in- and outdoors. The dual housing and vacuum port allow recycling of waste water. www.mosmatic.com

• DiBO a réalisé un nouveau tableau de commande à affichage numérique et fonctionnement par joystick sur ses remorques de nettoyage haute pression.

• Kärcher a modifié l’agencement de son pistolet à EASY!Force pour alléger l’effort imposé à l’opérateur lors de tâches de nettoyage haute pression.

• Le FL-AH 520, appareil professionnel de nettoyage de surfaces proposé par Mosmatic, comporte un carter en acier inox.

• DiBO hat eine neue Bedienungstafel mit Digitalanzeige und Joystickbedienung entwickelt, die auf seinen Hochdruckanhängern eingesetzt werden.

• Kärcher hat das Design der EASY!Force-Hochdruckpistole geändert, um die Belastung des Benutzers zu verringern, wenn sie zusammen mit Hochdruckreinigern eingesetzt wird.

• Der Surface Cleaner Professional FLAH 520 von Mosmatic ist mit einem Edelstahlgehäuse ausgestattet.

• La DiBO ha sviluppato un nuovo pannello operativo con un display digitale e joystick per i suoi carrelli di pulizia ad alta pressione.

• La Kärcher ha cambiato il design della sua pistola EASY!Force per ridurre lo sforzo dell’operatore quando utilizza le sue idropulitrici ad alta pressione.

• Surface Cleaner Professional FLAH 520 della Mosmatic include un alloggio in acciaio inossidabile.

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PRODUCTS: HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS Sewer jetting R+M/Suttner specialises in accessories which aim to expand the range of applications for high pressure cleaners.

The company has added to its range of nozzles for sewer cleaning by developing a rotating model with rotors made out of high pressure bronze.

In contrast to rotating nozzles with stainless steel rotors nozzles with rotors made out of bronze have emergency running charac-

teristics which are especially used when starting or decelerating the nozzles if the hydrodynamic water film in the gap has not yet been formed within the starting phase of the nozzle or if the hydrostatic lubrication is not effective anymore when switching off.

The bronze body of the newly rotating nozzle ST-49.2 for

sewer cleaning rotates around a hardened and polished stainless steel axis, which makes a pressure-loss-optimised flow of the nozzles possible. www.rm-suttner.com

Sustainable The newest high pressure model from IPC Group is the PW-C45 cold water machine which boasts a number of environmental credentials. It incorporates technologies designed to

save water, energy and labour and more than 90 per cent of its components are recyclable.

PW-C45 also comes with MSC (Multifunction Safety Control) technology designed to protect the machine and the operator while the DTS (Delayed Total Stop) function stops the machine after 30 minutes from the trigger gun shutdown.

Ergonomic design featuring foldable handle and large wheels make the machine easy to move, stock and transport. www.ipcworldwide.com

Two versions Lavor Pro’s high pressure cleaner Tucson is available in two versions - Tucson and Tucson XL. They are designed for use in various sectors, from agriculture and industry to petrol stations and contract cleaning.

Different versions are available, featuring Lavor linear pump, motors with water-cooling (on three phase models), Automatic Stop system, pressure regulator, glycerine pressure gauge and hose-reel as optional equipment. www.lavorpro.com • Pour le nettoyage professionnel d’égouts, R+M/Suttner a mis au point des rats d’égout à turbine en bronze haute pression.

• Nouvelle adjonction à la gamme IPC d’appareil de nettoyage à eau froide sous pression PW-C45 est construit à 90 pour cent en composants recyclables.

• Le Tucson, qui est proposé en deux versions, est le dernier né de la gamme de nettoyeurs haute pression Lavor Pro. • Für die professionelle Kanalreinigung hat R+M/ Suttner Düsen mit Rotoren aus Hochdruckbronze entwickelt.

• Neu in der Produktreihe mit Kaltwasser-Hochdruckreinigern von IPC ist der PW-C45 – 90 Prozent seiner Komponenten sind wiederverwertbar.

• Tucson, der neueste Hochdruckreiniger von Lavor Pro, ist in zwei Ausführungen erhältlich.

• La R+M/Suttner ha sviluppato degli ugelli con rotori in bronzo resistenti alle alte pressioni per la pulizia professionale delle fognature.

• Il nuovo prodotto nella gamma di idropulitrici ad alta pressione e acqua fredda della IPC è il modello PW-C45 – il 90 per cento dei suoi componenti sono riciclabili.

• Tucson è l’ultimo modello di idropulitrice ad alta pressione della Lavor Pro disponibile in due versioni.

November 2017 | ECJ | 50

SWEEPERS

Seasonal sweeping Does the sweeping challenge vary from season to season and country to country? Ann Laffeaty looks at seasonal sweeping and finds out how far environmental factors have an impact on machine choice.

Sweepers are required to remove anything and everything from a variety of locations, both indoors and out. But the type of debris that needs to be swept away can often be largely predicted. The environment in which the sweeper operates, the country it is in – even the season can help the operator to create a profile of the kind of debris that may need to be removed.

Hako’s municipal technology product manager Dr Olaf Heinemann confirms that seasonal changes alter the density, volume and type of debris that a sweeper may face.

“Substances such as dry sand and leaves usually need to be cleared up during the spring and summer while snow, wet leaves and mud are the items that tend to be removed in the autumn and winter,” he said. “This is why most outdoor machines are suction sweepers with water-based dust control systems.

They suck up dirt from the street like a vacuum and this is then collected in fitted containers.”

The grit and sand involved in springtime cleaning can sometimes exceed the weight limit of the average sweeper, he adds. “We find the main issue in spring relates to the weight of the collected debris whereas in autumn the challenge is more about volume.”

Roads and paths need to be regularly

cleaned and maintained during the winter for safety reasons, according to Heinemann. “However, conditions in winter can be very unpredictable which makes multifunctional machines a good investment,” he adds.

Most single-purpose sweepers tend to be grounded during the winter when outdoor sweeping is often no longer required, he said. “However, the chassis of a multifunctional sweeper can easily be equipped with snow-clearing attachments to enable it to carry out light to medium winter service duties,” he adds. Such attachments include standard blade/spreaders, snow plough/spreader combinations and brine sprayers.

The type of dirt that needs to be cleaned away varies according to geographical location as well as the season, according to Heinemann.

“In northern countries the spring cleanup involves a great deal of heavy-duty sweeping of sand and grit left over from winter maintenance,” he said. “This is alongside all the partially decomposted leaves that have lingered behind from the previous autumn plus all sorts of other rubbish that may have piled up during the winter. In summer there will be more general dirt and dry sand to sweep away - mainly in light-duty form –while in autumn the sweeping-up of leaves becomes the next big challenge.

“The sweeping requirement varies in other geographical locations too: for example, in countries with no clear seasons the leaves tend to fall throughout the year and need to be cleaned up year-round whereas in coastal and desert areas the main challenge is the sand.”

High pressure water In warmer areas it is common to use water at high pressure to supplement the sweeping effort, says Heinemann. “This helps to suppress the dust while also having a cooling effect compared with that of a standard blower,” he said.

The most challenging environments for sweepers are often historical districts, he

believes. “These often combine uneven road surfaces with accessibility restrictions,” said Heinemann. “Special attention also needs to be paid to dust and noise emissions in these environments along with wheel loads. This means machines with suction systems that are pavement joint-friendly are especially welcome here.”

Despite the seasonal and regional differences, he claims there is little difference between the sweeping challenge in urban and rural environments. “However, you will find that the quantity of debris that is both lightweight and bulky is higher in larger municipalities due to more crowded events.”

Any type of challenge Multifunctional machines can cope with any type of seasonal and environmental challenge according to Heinemann. “As well as carrying out seasonal sweeping and winter service tasks they can also be used for water applications such as sluicing, jetting and irrigating along with green area maintenance and transport tasks,” he said. Hako’s Citymaster and Multicar sweepers are both multifunctional models that offer these functions.

Weather conditions can have a significant impact on effective sweeping results according to IPC’s floorcare product manager Paolo Bassanini. “Every season presents a different challenge for the cleaning operator,” he said.

“The ideal sweeping environment is a clear road on a bright, sunny day. But in autumn a strong wind can drag heavy debris or wet leaves on to the street which means a powerful machine will be required to move it. And winter has its own challenges since snow, ice and frost can all impede the job itself.”

According to Bassanini, the season can have an impact on indoor sweeping as well as on outdoor tasks. “Sometimes the wind can carry in debris and leaves from outside,” he said. “The geographical location of a site also has an impact since Continued page 52

November 2017 | ECJ | 51

SWEEPERS Seasonal sweeping (continued) some southern countries have the problem of sand gathering at the front of buildings.

Northern countries, on the other hand, have to deal with snow and ice.” IPC offers a range of industrial sweepers including the 191 and 1404 multifunctional machines.

Wet conditions and high or low temperatures pose the biggest challenge for sweepers according to Nilfisk group product manager Thomas Tykskov.

“Our industrial sweepers are particularly well adapted for dust control and have a wet sweep by-pass that allows them to operate in wet conditions without dampening the filter,” he said. “This means they can be operated in all seasons. However, an outdoor sweeper solution will be required where the main task involves the removal of large items of debris or high quantities of leaves.”

High temperatures tend to be a challenge for engine-operated models while low temperature are an issue for batterypowered machines, says Tykskov. “A windy environment can also be a challenge where dust control is required,” he said.

Nilfisk’s most recent sweeper launches include the SW5500 which comes in battery, LP-Gas and diesel versions.

Gravel and salt in the winter can be a big problem for sweepers says Kärcher’s product manager Marian Anton. “This type of debris can weigh a considerable amount so it makes sense to divide the volume between two hoppers when using a larger sweeper,” he said.

“Dust and dirt are the main issues in summer. Here an appropriate filter system will remove much of the dust and prevent it from returning into the environment. In particularly dry months it is a good idea to use additional dust reduction measures such as a water spray system for the side brushes. And larger industrial sweepers may be fitted with an air-conditioned cabin to protect the operator from the harsher effects of the sun.”

The large volume of leaves to be swept up in autumn means that the hopper needs to be emptied much more often, says Anton. A new container designed specifically for holding leaves is now available on Kärcher’s KM 105/100 R machine.

En quoi le balayage des rues varie-t-il en fonction des pays et des saisons ? Les problèmes auxquels il se confronte vont-il également varier entre zones rurales, marquées par l’accumulation de feuilles, et zones urbaines, caractérisées par la multiplication de déchets ? Nous sondons des fabricants sur les effets possibles des saisons, de l’hémisphère et de la situation géographique.

November 2017 | ECJ | 52

“In winter traditional sweepers are rarely used outside – at least if there is no snow,” he said. “But when this occurs our large industrial sweepers can be fitted with a heated cabin so the operator is protected from the cold.” Kärcher offers the KM 80 W for winter use which can sweep up snow using either the brush alone or with an optional snowplough.

Location effect Anton agrees with other manufacturers that geographical location can have a major effect on the sweeping challenge. “For example, the quantity of dust experienced in hot Middle Eastern countries cannot be compared to the levels we see at European latitudes,” he said. “A well-functioning filter system is particularly important in the Middle East but on the other hand, those countries will have fewer problems with large volumes of leaves.”

Like Heinemann he feels the differences between rural and urban locations are minor. “A small village will have the same type of dirt as a large city, only in different dimensions,” he said. “Broken glass, cigarette ends, small stones, dust, pine needles, leaves – these can all be found in rural areas as well as in cities.”

He agrees with Tykskov that extreme temperatures can be a problem, with the cold being a particular issue. “Low temperatures will affect the service life of battery-powered sweepers while the issue of condensation when moving from a cold to a warm environment will have an impact on all the sweeper’s components,” Welche Unterschiede gibt es beim Kehren von Jahreszeit zu Jahreszeit und von Land zu Land?

Gibt es unterschiedliche Herausforderungen an ländlichen Orten, an denen nasse Blätter usw. aufgekehrt werden müssen, im Vergleich zu Innenstadtumgebungen, wo es mehr Abfall gibt?

Wir fragen Hersteller, welche Auswirkungen die Jahreszeiten, die Hemisphäre und der Ort auf das Kehren haben können.

he said.

However there are various ways in which a sweeper can be adapted to cope with seasonal and geographical challenges, according to Anton. “For example, solid rubber tyres will be useful on sharp-edged dirt such as glass or metal shavings,” he said. “A water spray system or side-brush covers will also help to reduce dust in the summer, while a leaf collection kit may be helpful in the autumn.

“And a rough dirt-catcher may be used if there is a particularly large amount of debris, particularly in winter. This can then be collected manually without forcing the operator to have to climb down from the sweeper.”

So, which season represents the biggest sweeping challenge? Opinion is divided.

“Unpredictable weather conditions make winter the most challenging season in spite of ongoing discussions about climate change and rising temperatures,” says Hako’s Dr Olaf Heinemann.

Conversely, IPC’s Paolo Bassanini feels the dry, summer months present the biggest challenge. “The amount of dust is higher - and so is the variety of dust and debris that needs to be swept up,” he said.

But autumn is the biggest problem for Kärcher’s Marian Anton. “Large quantities of dust and gravel are standard tasks for the sweeper and can be achieved without any great problems, but in the autumn you have to cope with a large volume of leaves,” he said. “But whatever the seasonal challenges there are attachments and accessories available to tackle them.”

Come può il lavoro di spazzare variare da stagione a stagione e da nazione a nazione? E ci sono sfide differenti in zone rurali dove ci sono foglie bagnate da raccogliere in confronto ad ambienti metropolitani dove ci sono molti più rifiuti? Chiediamo ai produttori quali sono gli effetti che le stagioni, l’emisfero e la zona possono avere sul lavoro di pulizia delle aree.

PRODUCTS: SWEEPERS Compatible Isal says its 6000 Euro 6 road sweeper is compatible with all environmental standards and suitable for urban and suburban areas, ports and airports, and cleaning large industrial areas such as foundries, cement factories and steel mills.

The control panel is userfriendly thanks to its touchscreen dashboard featuring the Can Bus system. The machine is also equipped with a patented

uses a water system with a tank capacity of 500 litres. www.isalsweepers.com

Dirty jobs RCM’s Boxer ride-on sweeper was designed to clean the large indoor and outdoor areas of ceramics factories, cement plants, steel mills, foundries, recycling plants and other heavy industry.

Features include a sturdy steel frame, large area dust filter,

electric shaker, vacuum cut-off for wet sweeping, main and side self-levelling brushes, and lifting front flap for bulk debris. www.rcm.it

Four versions IPC’s 1280 ride-on sweeper is available in four versions: battery, dual power, petrol and diesel. The dual power model incorporates a hybrid system which allows double use of the machine, with battery for inter-

nal use and combustion for the external areas.

The gel type batteries offer a running time of four hours in themselves, whilst DBL technology optimises charging cycles and increases battery life up to 100 per cent says IPC. The main V-shaped brush boasts maximum performance in debris collection while a special flap - which is activated by the driver - facilitates large debris collection. www.ipcworldwide.com

system for controlling and regulating the hydraulic pressure of the central brush, the Clever Detective System, which allows it to be used where there are bumps and irregular pavements.

A third side brush, controlled by the operator from the cabin via the joystick, can work on both sides of the machine. And the side brushes incorporate a dust reduction system that • La balayeuse de voirie 6000 Euro 6 de la société Isal satisfait à toutes les normes environnementales.

• Produite par RCM, la Boxer est une balayeuse autoportée pour le nettoyage de grandes surfaces internes et en plein air dans l’industrie lourde.

• La balayeuse autoportée 1280 d’IPC est proposée en trois versions : batterie, double alimentation électrique, essence et gazole.

• Laut Angaben von Isal entspricht die Straßenkehrmaschine 6000 Euro 6 allen Umweltnormen.

• Die Aufsitz-Kehrmaschine Boxer von RCM dient zur Reinigung großer Innen- und Außenflächen in der Schwerindustrie.

• Die Aufsitz-Kehrmaschine 1280 von IPC ist in vier Ausführungen erhältlich: Akku, Dual-Power, Benzin und Diesel.

• La Isal afferma che la sua spazzatrice stradale 6000 Euro 6 è conforme a tutti gli standard ambientali.

• La Boxer della RCM è una spazzatrice con operatore a bordo adatta per la pulizia di aree interne ed esterne di grandi dimensioni per l’industria pesante.

• La spazzatrice con operatore a bordo 1280 della IPC è disponibile in quattro versioni, a batteria a doppia potenza, benzina e diesel.

November 2017 | ECJ | 53

PRODUCTS: SWEEPERS

• Johnston Sweepers a lancé le système SmartLink de suivi et de gestion de parc de véhicules.

• Pour les zones urbaines et les surfaces industrielles, Comac a lancé la gamme de balayeuses Street Line.

• La PS 800A de Nilco est une balayeuse manuelle à batterie rechargeable destinée à un usage à la fois intérieur et extérieur.

• Neu von Johnston Sweepers ist das Fahrzeugverfolgungs- und -verwaltungssystem SmartLink.

• Bei Street Line handelt es sich um die neue Produktreihe mit Kehrmaschinen von Comac, die für kommunale und industrielle Bereiche konzipiert wurde.

• Bei der PS 800A von Nilco handelt es sich um eine manuelle, mit einem Akku betriebene Kehrmaschine, die sowohl in Innenräumen als auch Außenbereichen eingesetzt werden kann.

• La novità della Johnston Sweepers è il Sistema di monitoraggio e gestione dei veicoli SmartLink.

• La nuova gamma di spazzatrici Street Line della Comac è progettata sia per le aree urbane che per quelle industriali.

• La spazzatrice manuale PS 800A della Nilco è alimentata da una batteria ricaricabile e può essere utilizzata sia all’aperto che in interni.

November 2017 | ECJ | 54

Connectivity A new vehicle tracking and management system called Johnston SmartLink has been introduced

by Johnston Sweepers.

The company will fit the device as standard to all new compact, mid sized and truck mounted sweepers sold in the UK, giving it the connectivity tools to carry out service calls and repairs even faster. There will also be a range of subscription-based packages for customers, supplying operational data. www.johnstonsweepers.com

Street line New from Comac is a range of sweepers developed for urban and industrial areas, called Street Line. CS140 T and HP6000 are both equipped with the Twin Action System, which combines the mechanical collection of waste with a powerful vacuum action for dust.

Large items such as bottles,

cans and branches are crushed and shredded by the hammers of a rotating shaft, thus preventing the vacuum duct from becoming clogged and ensuring an optimal hopper filling operation. The vacuum can pick up fine PM10 dust, returning clean air into the environment.

The side brushes are used only along edges and pavements, thus reducing the use of water - which is employed only in a nebulised state to control dust, without wetting the ground.

Accessories include a third brush for collecting debris from areas far from the machine, along walls and on pavements. www.comac.it

No fatigue

According to Nilco the efficient working of its PS 800A manual sweeper with dual disc brush and combined turbo sweeping roller brush improves the pick-up of dirt and increases the capacity of the waste receptacle.

Two counter-rotating flat brushes extending beyond the edges of the machine push dirt and refuse along their entire width towards the roller brush - which is located directly downstream of the brushes - without stirring up dust. The roller brush takes up the waste and moves it into the container.

The rechargeable battery makes the machine easy to handle, says Nilco. www.nilco.de

PRODUCTS: SWEEPERS Durable steel Tomcat’s GT floor sweeper is built mostly in steel for durability. The company says it is easy to maintain and simple to operate.

This model incorporates a baghouse filtration system which reduces the need for constant filter replacements - filters typically last the life of the machine as they can be removed and cleaned out for later use. www.tomcatequip.com

Six times faster

manual broom.

Because it is compact and light this model can be used where space is limited or in congested areas. The brooms are rotated by the gear system as the machine is pushed forward by the user, making the sound level low. There is no motor and no maintenance cost.

Features include an adjustable soft grip handle to ensure comfortable working position; direct-throw system, 38-litre hopper; built-in filter; and suitability for outdoor use. www.nilfisk.com

Agile compact

New from Nilfisk is a new walk-behind sweeper, available in model SW200 and SW250, which the company says picks up dust, dirt, sand, nails, bolts etc up to six times faster than a

The battery-powered KM 85/50 R is the new entry level model in the ride-on sweeper range from Kärcher. The company says it is an alternative for operators seeking a very compact and manoeuvrable machine, but who do not wish to compromise on convenience and speed. Area performance per hour is around

• Réalisée en acier, la balayeuse Tomcat GT est conçue pour la durabilité et l’aisance d’exploitation.

• Pour le balayage intérieur et extérieur, Nilfisk a lancé une nouvelle balayeuse accompagnée, proposée en deux versions, la SW200 et la SW250.

• La KM85/50R à batterie est la nouvelle machine de niveau d’entrée de la gamme Kärcher de balayeuses autoportées.

30 per cent higher than that of a walk-behind sweeper with the same working width.

This model can be equipped with an additional side brush as required, while the operator can adjust the rotational speed during operation to suit the type and amount of dirt.

With its working width of 85 cm with one side brush the KM 85/50 R can clean in narrow corridors or between shelves - it also fits between doors with a minimum width of 90 cm. Turning circle is under two metres.

The Kärcher Home Base system offers supports and holders for further accessories such as litter pickers, brooms or an additional container. www.karcher.com

• Bei der Entwicklung der aus Stahl gefertigten Kehrmaschine Tomcat GT hatten Dauerhaftigkeit und Benutzerfreundlichkeit oberste Priorität.

• Für das Kehren in Innenräumen und Außenbereichen hat Nilfisk eine neue handgeführte Kehrmaschine vorgestellt, die in den Modellen SW200 und SW250 erhältich ist.

• Bei der akkubetriebenen KM85/50R handelt es sich um das neue Einsteigermodell in der Produktreihe der AufsitzKehrmaschinen von Kärcher.

• La spazzatrice Tomcat GT, costruita in acciaio, è progettata per essere durevole e facile da utilizzare.

• Per spazzare spazi all’aperto o in interni, la Nilfisk ha lanciato una nuova spazzatrice con operatore al seguito e disponibile nei modelli SW200 e SW250.

• La macchina KM85/50R alimentata a batteria è il nuovo modello base nella gamma di spazzatrici con operatore a bordo della Kärcher.

November 2017 | ECJ | 55

NEW PRODUCT REVIEW

• AKBO aligne deux nouveau pistolets de nettoyage, les Blue King et Blue Princess.

• Parmi les nouveaux produits Vileda figurent les tissus en microfibre MicronQuick et le logiciel iQonnect pour entreprises de propreté.

• GOJO Industries-Europe a lancé les sprays et lingettes de désinfection de surface Purell.

• La BinWash 40, une nouvelle machine de nettoyage de poubelles présentée par Morclean, comporte huit étapes de traitement d’eau.

• Ozo Innovations propose un nouveau produit, l’elocube, qui transforme du sel de cuisine et de l’eau en une solution de nettoyage pour des cuisines et entreprises agro-alimentaires.

• Delta-Q Technologies a introduit l’ICL900, un chargeur de batterie au lithium à puissance de 900 W. • L’Enziclean de la société Bullen est un nouveau nettoyant bioactif, digesteur de déchets organiques, et éliminateur d’odeurs pour planchers et murs poreux.

• Neu von AKBO sind zwei Reinigungspistolen: Blue King und Blue Princess.

• Unter den neuen Produkten von Vileda befinden sich die Mikrofasertücher MicronQuick und die App-Lösung iQonnect für Reinigungsunternehmen.

• Neu von GOJO IndustriesEurope sind Purell Oberflächendesinfektionssprays und -wischtücher.

• Die neue MülltonnenReinigungsmaschine BinWash 40 von Morclean weist acht Stufen der Wasseraufbereitung auf.

• Der elocube von Ozo Innovations verwandelt Salz in Lebensmittelqualität und Wasser in eine Reinigungslösung für Küchen und nahrungsmittelverarbeitende Firmen.

• Delta-Q Technologies hat das 900-Watt-Ladegerät ICL900 für Lithium-Akkus vorgestellt.

• Das neue Enziclean von Bullen ist ein bioaktives Reinigungsmittel, ein organischer Abfalldigestor und Geruchseliminierer für porige Böden und Wände.

• La novità della AKBO sono due pistole per le pulizie, i modelli Blue King e Blue Princess.

• Fra i nuovi prodotti lanciati dalla Vileda ci sono i panni in microfibra MicronQuick e la soluzione app iQonnect per le imprese di pulizia.

• I nuovi prodotti della GOJO Industries-Europe sono lo spray Purell Surface Sanitising Spray e le salviette umidificate Wipes.

• La nuova macchina per il lavaggio delle pattumiere BinWash 40 della Morclean ha otto fasi di trattamento dell’acqua.

• Elocube, prodotto dalla Ozo Innovations trasforma il sale da cucina e l’acqua in una soluzione di pulizia per le cucine e le imprese di preparazione di alimenti.

• La Delta-Q Technologies ha introdotto il carica batterie ICL900 a 900 watt per batterie al litio.

• Il nuovo Enziclean della Bullen è un detergente bioattivo che digerisce i rifiuti organici ed elimina gli odori dalla superfici porose e dai muri.

November 2017 | ECJ | 56

Spray guns New from AKBO are two cleaning guns, called Blue King and Blue Princess. Designed to use minimum water and be comfortable to use, both boast cleaning power and high quality construction.

Blue King is a premium brass cleaning gun that offers water savings of up to 16 per cent.

Blue Princess, meanwhile, is an economic and lightweight model boasting reduction in water use of up to 26 per cent. www.akbo.nl

and other plastic the PURELL products come ready to use and clean with no rinse required.

They have been tested specifically on Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and yeast for the food environment and have passed the ISO 4120:2007 food tainting test. www.gojo.com

Clean bins To celebrate 40 years of trading Morclean has launched the BinWash 40 - its latest bin cleaning machine.

Now featuring eight stages of water treatment, the new model still uses the same heavy duty galvanised trailer and the tried and tested stage

Cleaning app Vileda Professional says its new iQonnect app will allow contract cleaners to reduce their managerial costs significantly by digitalising core operational processes.

The app includes functions including time and attendance registration, real-time monitoring and reporting of working hours, digitalised HR information, working plans and schedules, and quality and complaint management. Everything can be managed using a tablet or smart phone. iQonnect has been developed in conjunction with FacilityApps. www.vileda-professional.com

Surface wipes

GOJO Industries-Europe has extended its expertise in surface hygiene with the launch of PURELL Surface Sanitising Spray and Wipes - designed for use within food contact areas.

Suitable for a wide variety of applications such as kitchen utensils, food storage containers, smooth non-porous surfaces, refrigerated display cases

filter system. There is also an impregnated silver filter which inhibits the growth of bacteria in the main water tanks. Two extra stages of water filtration have been added. www.morclean.com

Lithium charger

Delta-Q Technologies has expanded its lithium battery charger with the introduction of the ICL900. This 900-watt model is designed to optimally charge lithium battery systems of any lithium-ion chemistry from nine to 15 cells in series.

Maximum output voltage is 57V and features include Controller Area Network (CAN-bus) communications. Because of its wide AC input range the charger can operate on any single-phase electrical grid around the world. www.delta-q.com

The next edition of ECJ is Feb/ March 2018. In the meantime, keep up to date with news at the website

Water and salt elocube is a new system that turns food grade salt and water into a disinfectant and cleaner that can remove fat and kill pathogens associated with food poisoning. Developed by Ozo Innovations it is designed for commercial kitchens and food processing applications.

The solution produced is nontainting to food - it is pH neutral and can remove fat deposited on grease traps and cooking utensils at room temperature.

Chemicals are not required.

Ozo says it can kill 99.99 per cent of Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli, and inactivate Norovirus. ozoinnovations.com

Bioactive cleaner Enziclean is a new bioactive cleaner, organic waste digester and odour eliminator designed specifically for porous floors and walls by The Bullen Company.

Released under the Truekleen brand, Enziclean is suitable for use in food service and food processing facilities, as well as in institutional washrooms and shower areas.

The formula’s bioactive agents are based on an optimised bacteria mixture that produces five different types of enzymes (lipase, amylase, protease, cellulase and urease). These enzymes break down organic matter such as grease, food, blood, cellulosic fibres and urine, for easy removal.

Enziclean leaves behind a pleasant scent and continues to clean long after use. www.bullenonline.com

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