February 2015

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ncca

February 2015

The official journal of the National Carpet Cleaners Association

Features:

In My Opinion...

Your ‘Target Market’ The Company Vehicle

Picture©Timorous Beasties Collection by Brintons, Linen Damask

Contents

Published monthly by:

03 From the Editor - New Year, new start

The National Carpet Cleaners Association, 62c London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5DH. Tel: 0116 271 9550 E-mail: admin@ncca.co.uk Website: www.ncca.co.uk

06 From the President 08 The year of the stone?

10 Take advantage of our incredible New

Editor Nicky Law

Year offer!

12 Why not join TrustMark this year 14 The company vehicle 16 The beauty of wool 20 ‘Just’ dust...

22 Take head of the Python 24 The importance of your ‘target market’ 26 In my opinion...

28 Draft guidelines suggest higher fines for safety offences Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Association or it’s officers or members. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the statements within this publication, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors, or omissions, or matters arising from any clerical or printing errors, and whilst every care is taken of manuscripts and photographs submitted to us, we can accept no responsibility for any loss or damage. ©Carpet Cleaners Association Ltd 1994 (Trading as the National Carpet Cleaners Association). No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Carpet Cleaners Association Ltd.

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Editor in Chief Keith Robertson Design Editor Nikki Law President/Admin Director Nigel Lay Technical Director Paul Pearce Company Secretary/1st Vice President/ Training Director Glyn Charnock Corporate Director/2nd Vice President Allan Simmons Membership Director Martin Johns Marketing Director Keith Robertson Co-opted Franchise Director Denise Pitt www.facebook.com/NCCAFloorCare www.twitter.com/NCCA_floorcare_

From the Editor - New Year, new start

A

happy and prosperous New Year to you all... and we hope you've had a great start to the

year!

Undoubtedly you will all have been very busy during the Christmas and New Year period. This is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry with everybody suddenly needing their carpets cleaned, not to mention the plethora of festive stains you will have been asked to deal with.

Now, however, we have come to what is probably the slowest time of the year. Between the rush of post-festive cleans and emergency stain removal in early January, and the pre-spring flurry of activity in late March, things can go very quiet. If this is the case for you, then it could be a good time to get your business in order.

Why not start by servicing your equipment. The need to make repairs can happen at any time of year, of course, but this is a good time to take everything off the van, assess it and then improve, fix and replace it if necessary. Also make sure that when you reload your van it is neat and tidy (you never know who may be peaking in when the doors are open).

The quiet period also provides you with an ideal opportunity to sort out your paperwork, formulate your business/marketing strategies for the forthcoming year and to review your pricing structure - you should consider increasing your charges slightly each year, perhaps in line with RPI (Retail Prices Index). This way you won't be forced

to introduce a noticeably big increase every couple of years, something which doesn't go down too well with customers.

Nicky Law These may all be things which Newslink Editor are hard to face doing, and all too easy to put off, but you'll be very glad you've done them when your workload picks up again.

It may also be worth considering your NCCA membership renewal. We know April can be another month when workload increases, so preparing for this while you do have some time will assist in making renewal smoother and easier once we send out notification.

Membership renewal documents for 2015/2016 will be with you by April 1st 2015, being due for payment by May 1st 2015. As usual, we will require confirmation of current Public Liability insurance (including Treatment Risk or Products Liability) and compliance with Health and Safety regulations in order to process the renewal. Don't forget, you can send insurance in to the office at any point during the year. We recommend doing so as soon as you receive documents from your insurer, this way we always have the current details on our system and it saves you having to dig out any documents at renewal time. If you have already arranged insurance for this year, or have the documents to hand, send them in now.

The Association has also been looking into ways Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page

to make payment of subscription fees easier for members and last year introduced the GoCardless Direct Debit scheme. We are pleased to say this was a very successful venture, with over 20% of members taking this up in its first year.

The advantage of using Direct Debit is that once it has been set up, the facility will remain in place unless it is cancelled, taking the worry out of remembering to pay subscription fees. We will write to you at the end of each membership year requesting the required documentation, reminding you of your renewal and that payments will be deducted automatically via Direct Debit.

You can choose to spread the payment of your subscription fees over a number of months (a maximum of six) or in one single payment.

The membership fees will be ÂŁ225 + VAT. However, due to the increasing popularity among the members to use Direct Debit, a reduced fee of ÂŁ220 + VAT is available to any member choosing this payment method who either already uses this facility or who signs up by 1st May. The 1% GoCardless fee will also be waived in this instance.

For any member signing up to Direct Debit after the 1st May, they will still benefit from the reduced fee, but will incur the 1% GoCardless fee.

Under section 4.7 of the Articles of Association, members are required to give 60 days notice if they intend to withdraw from the Association, which must be put in writing to the Company Secretary. All notices of resignation received will be acknowledged by the office.

We never like to hear that a member has

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decided they no longer plan to be part of the NCCA, and we would like to work with you to do all we can to assist, so if you are experiencing difficulties or considering not renewing your membership please contact us.

With the exception of Associate Members, who will be contacted prior to their first membership anniversary date, companies that have not yet completed a full year of membership will still be receiving a subscription invoice prior to April 1st.

The fee will have been reduced in respect of how long you have been a member. Payment of this invoice will bring your renewal in line with the rest of the membership and your renewal year will run from April to April from then on.

NCCA consumer leaflets The NCCA tri-fold leaflet, which is available to members, presents another opportunity for you to promote yourself and gain new business.

Aimed at the customer, it includes details on the Association, members, surveying and cleaning and includes a section on how to tackle stains and spillages, encouraging your customer to retain the leaflet for future reference. There is also a space on the back where you can place your own company details, ensuring that your customer will have your particulars readily available should they want their carpets and upholstery cleaned again in the future.

For further information, or to place your order, please call the NCCA office on: 0116 271 9550.

From the President

I

Nigel Lay

t was an honour and a privilege to be elected President of the NCCA at the General meeting in November last year. I realise that I have 'big shoes' to fill with Paul Pearce formally handing over the reins to me.

I trust that over the coming years we will continue to develop the NCCA to a wider audience and bring enhanced benefits to the membership, and I am very much looking forward to working with an extremely talented board of directors, complemented by the sterling work of our office based team of Katie, Nicky and Lewis.

My introduction to this wonderful industry was around twelve years ago when I launched my fledgling business. I received help from many experienced people who were keen to impart their knowledge to a 'green but keen' newcomer. Within a couple of months I had taken the IICRC Carpet and Upholstery courses run by Paul Pearce, who encouraged me to join the NCCA. What I discovered was an Association that believed in customer values with a Code of Ethics being delivered by members who were committed to being bound through training, treatment risk insurance and adherence of the Code of Ethics to ensure that the consumer could have faith in any member to provide a quality of service, backed by the code and independent arbitration should the need arise.

In my view it was the only National body that could deliver for the consumer, whilst encouraging members to hone their skills through advanced training in other areas, such as hard floors, leather, spot and stain etc to maximise potential revenue streams.

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Whilst the NCCA has fought hard to get consumer recognition through the introduction of the PAS86, this in itself is not enough to propel the Association to become a household or commercial 'must have' like Gas Safe. However we had the opportunity last year to become Scheme Operator for TrustMark, which is a government endorsed program now fast becoming a 'household name' for trades people that are well trained, fully insured and vetted to weed out rogue traders. Membership of this is exclusive to NCCA members with the required level of training and this further enhances the reputation of the NCCA. In 2014 we had cause to take legal action against the misuse of the NCCA Intellectual Property Rights, to protect our members and the good name of the Association, and we will continue to do this where another party seeks to gain a commercial advantage by passing themselves off as a bona fide member. Whilst we will continue to protect the IP rights of the Association, please ensure that you are not infringing any other Intellectual Property Rights held by other companies or Associations. We work closely with our industry partners in identifying logo and IP misuse and report any infringements, and we ask them to reciprocate accordingly. So please ensure that you adhere to the Code of Ethics and present your business in a professional manner, maintaining your own and the NCCA's integrity, and reporting any misuse of our logo/name and that of our industry partners to the office.

Whilst I feel it is a tremendous honour to represent the NCCA as President, it is my personal

belief that NCCA Membership is a privilege and not a 'right'. You have earned the privilege of membership, so please covet it and use it with respect to enhance the great name of the NCCA. Finally, I hope that you have all enjoyed spending time with your family and loved ones over the Christmas and New Year period and that 2015 will be memorable in accomplishing your personal goals.

Latest TrustMark Statistics The good news continues for TrustMark members!

During December 2014 the category of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners on the TrustMark website was searched 5378 times. 'Click throughs' to members' details are now consistently exceeding 5000 every month and, since its launch in April last year, this category has been searched a total of 46,445 times!

TrustMark membership within the Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners category is ONLY available to NCCA members. So, put simply, that's over 46,445 times NCCA members' company details have been searched by consumers looking for a carpet and upholstery cleaner on the TrustMark website!

How to apply for TrustMark membership To see joining criteria go to page 13 of this month’s Newslink If you would like to apply to become a TrustMark member please ring the NCCA office on 0116 271 9550 or email: admin@ncca.co.uk

Email addresses The NCCA are increasingly contacting members via email to circulate relevant Association information. As such, it is MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER that we have your current email address logged on our database.

If you change your email address at any point, could we ask that you please notify us immediately so we are able to update your details. This will ensure that you do not miss any important information circulated by us.

To inform us of any changes, please email: admin@ncca.co.uk or phone the NCCA office on: 0116 271 9550.

Why not write for Newslink?

Contributions to Newslink from readers are always welcome, as are suggestions and new ideas.

So.... if you fancy expanding your repertoire, why not put 'pen to paper' and add 'author of published article' to your skillset. Don't worry if you feel your writing skills are not up to the job, as all articles undergo an editing process before they are included. What we need from you is the knowledge and stories you undoubtedly have.

Contributions can be regular, or simply a oneoff, it's entirely up to you.

We endeavour to publish all editorial received and all contributions will, of course, display your name as the author.

If you feel you'd like to send something in, or have an idea, don't be shy, just give Nicky in the office a ring on 0116 271 9550 or email: nicky@ncca.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you.

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The year of the stone?

C

Keith Robertson

In Victorian houses many people have opted to ould this year be the year of the stone for retain and enhance the original pine floors, which you? Over the last few years a growing has also been the case with flagstone in a number number of carpet cleaners, particularly of Georgian properties. What has been most those who had been targeting larger domestic homes or commercial premises, quickly recognised noticeable though is the introduction of new stone that there was a move away from carpets The advent of the large family kitchen/living room has led to an increase in hard flooring in people’s homes being laid in every room.

In a typical 'chicken and egg' situation I scratch my head and wonder whether it was a change in our lifestyles that heralded the advent of the large family kitchen/living room (that is incorporated in so many of the larger homes) or the marketing ability of kitchen appliance manufacturers who, along with floors; granite, limestone, travertine and a number the willing help of architects and designers, of other stones have been selected as suitable. pushed us towards the idea of having the largest I am sure that some purchasers have either been space possible (or affordable) to cook, eat and guided by suppliers/designers, or have followed generally mess around in. the choices of respected friends, rather than Whatever the reason, this bigger space certainly actively considering what would be the most requires flooring suitable for a number of uses. suitable flooring for their own specific needs. If Resilient flooring was, and still is, used by many they had given it more thought they might well people and the manufacturers of modern linoleum have concluded that a ceramic tiled floor, in fact, and rubber have kept 'up to the moment' with shares many of the benefits of stone with far less new and adventurous designs. costs for its upkeep.

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Too often, I believe, short-fix work is carried out For us, all of these choices have opened up a new without the consideration of the long-term profitable line of work. If you haven't already requirements of the customer. Inappropriate involved yourself in hard floor care, before you do preparation, poor quality products and so it is highly advisable to first seek some training, unformulated and then plan to planning affect the practice before final result of all jobs, attempting jobs you so it is vital to learn aren't capable of the best thing to do carrying out correctly. for each surface Consider attending depending on where the NCCA Hard Floor it is and how it is Course in 2015, as a being used. precursor, so that you In addition to can logically work out training, and gaining what direction you want The NCCA Hard Floor course - training practical experience, to follow. in an informal and friendly atmosphere general knowledge of If stone is for you, there are a number of the industry helps us courses were you can to deal with learn the basics or gain prospective some practical customers. It allows experience. NCCA us to speak with corporate member Nugreater authority.

Life hold regular handsThis year’s Natural on courses in Stockport, Stone Show is being as does London based held in Excel in London between the NCCA supporter 28th and 30th April.

Chemspec Ltd (note: This is the UK's 11th this is a different show and is the company to NCCA showcase event for the stone industry. If you Corporate Member, Chemspec Europe, which is a can't, or don't want to, visit the annual Italian carpet and restoration cleaning supply company).

Unfortunately, too much work is still being carried Verona stone show then, at the very least, DO out badly by inexperienced and untrained, or poorly plan to visit London this year.

Hopefully I will see you there. trained, technicians. Please don't be one of them.

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Take advantage of our incredible New Year offer!

50% DISCOUNT ON HEALTH & SAFETY COURSE WHEN BOOKING ON NCCA 'ADVANCED SPOT & STAIN REMOVAL' AND 'LEATHER IDENTIFICATION & CLEANING' COURSES DURING FEBRUARY AND MARCH! During the next two months we are running three excellent training courses, Health & Safety for Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners (19th February), Advanced Spot & Stain Removal (20th February) and Leather Identification & Cleaning (19th March). All these courses are open to both NCCA members AND non-members.

The great news for you is that we are offering an incredible 50% discount on our Health & Safety course when you book on either the Advanced Spot & Stain Removal training or the Leather Identification & Cleaning course at the same time!

So... don't miss out, book your places NOW! (See below for full course information) NCCA HEALTH & SAFETY FOR CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS (19th FEBRUARY) INCREDIBLE 50% DISCOUNT WHEN BOOKING 'Advanced Spot & Stain Removal' OR 'Leather Identification & Cleaning' AT THE SAME TIME! The NCCA Health & Safety course is aimed specifically at carpet and upholstery cleaners and will help you to meet your Health and Safety requirements.

The course covers: The Law, Manual Handling / Lone Working / Emergency Plans & Reporting Accidents / Work Environment Guidelines / Slips & Trips / First Aid Guidelines / The importance of Training & Induction / Risk Assessment (inc

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template on CD) / Method Statement (inc template on CD) / Health & Safety Policy (inc template on CD) / COSHH Assessment (inc template on CD) / 10 Health & Safety PDF documents on CD. The course will take you through several policy and assessment documents, which are all on Microsoft Word templates and can be completed as required. Course tutor, Paul Pearce, will walk you through step-by-step procedures to create your own documents (many of these can be completed during the course so, if you have them, please bring your own laptops).

You will be able to leave the course having started to implement your company's health and safety policy. If you are struggling with Health & Safety in your business, then this course is NOT to be missed!

The course will be held at the NSPCC Training Centre in Leicester. The usual cost is £115 + VAT for NCCA members and £155 + VAT for non-members, but DON'T FORGET YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INCREDIBLE 50% DISCOUNT WHEN BOOKING ON THE ADVANCED SPOT & STAIN REMOVAL COURSE OR THE LEATHER IDENTIFICATION AND CLEANING COURSE AT THE SAME TIME! NCCA ADVANCED SPOT & STAIN REMOVAL COURSE (20th FEBRUARY) On this course, you will learn how to identify stains, establish the chemical solutions to be applied and how to determine expected results. Very importantly, you will not just be taught how to remove the soils, but also how to do it without causing further damage to the samples.

The topics to be covered include: Customer Advice

(accidents happen) / Typical Problems / Spots and Stains (how do you know what to look for?) / Fibres and Construction / pH / Spotting Kit (basic, advanced, preparation) / The Five Steps (identify, required re-agent, application, removal, rinsing) / Problems / Fabric Protectors (benefits).

All delegates will receive a course manual and three spotting tools to be used on the day, which can be taken home to use again.

So come along and learn the A.B.C of stains and how to identify spillages using F.O.C.A.L, along with the five methods of removal. As a carpet cleaner this is an important part of your job so DON'T MISS IT! The course will be held at the NSPCC Training Centre in Leicester and your course tutor will be Paul Pearce. The cost is £115 + VAT for members and £155 + VAT for non-members.

DON'T FORGET YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INCREDIBLE 50% DISCOUNT ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY COURSE WHEN BOOKING THIS COURSE AT THE SAME TIME! NCCA LEATHER IDENTIFICATION AND CLEANING (19th MARCH) This course has been specifically designed to equip you with the knowledge you require to confidently clean your clients' leather upholstery.

During the day you will learn: About the tanning process / How to identify different types of leather from Aniline through to Bicast and Faux leathers / How to determine when it is cleanable, or in need of restoring or replacing / How to identify different finishes / How to clean leather upholstery (with demonstrations).

Training notes and a set of leather samples will be supplied.

The course will be held at the NSPCC Training Centre in Leicester and your course tutor will be Pawlo Woloszyn. The cost is £115 + VAT for members and £155 + VAT for non-members.

DON'T FORGET YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INCREDIBLE 50% DISCOUNT ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY COURSE WHEN BOOKING THIS COURSE AT THE SAME TIME! Places will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis so early booking is advisable. Don't miss out!

To book your places please contact the NCCA office on: 0116 271 9550.

New NCCA Members Cheshire Supreme Clean Northwich, Cheshire Cleaning Doctor South Devon Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, Devon Dunford Cleaning Services Ltd Luton, Bedfordshire

Member referral report Since publishing a referral statistics report in the last issue of Newslink there have been 59 recommendations for full members provided by the NCCA. This number is made up of 27 referrals from the NCCA office and 32 potential customers contacting members direct through the website.

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Why not join TrustMark this year

N

ine years ago TrustMark was set up with the Government to give homeowners a safe and easy way to find quality, reliable tradesmen for all work in and around the home. Launched as a quality mark with Government-endorsed standards to tackle the menace of cowboy tradesmen, TrustMark not only provides advice to guide people through finding the best tradesmen for jobs in their home, but is a trusted avenue for support when needed.

In April last year the NCCA was awarded Scheme Operator status for the Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning category on the TrustMark website and, since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of NCCA members who have become TrustMark registered. TrustMark membership within the Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners category is ONLY available to NCCA members, and all registered firms within this category have had to meet strict criteria in order to join.

A key advantage of being TrustMark registered is the recognition it provides. TrustMark is the only national 'find a trader' scheme to operate to Government-endorsed standards and involve both industry and consumer interests in its governance and Board. Many consumer organisations

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including Citizen's Advice, Trading Standards Institute, Age UK and the HomeOwners Alliance are signposting consumers to TrustMark registered firms, which again ensures visibility of NCCA cleaners for anyone searching for a reputable local tradesman.

TrustMark has gone from strength to strength and now has the largest database of vetted tradesmen in the UK, with around 14,000 firms across the UK. TrustMark carpet and upholstery cleaners' details were viewed 46,445 times during 2014, an average of 5,160 per month.

How is TrustMark different?

TrustMark audits all its Scheme Operators on a regular basis to ensure that quality processes, standards and complaint procedures are being maintained. All TrustMark registered firms have to meet strict criteria in order to join, have to agree to abide by Government-endorsed standards of competence and fair-trading, and are monitored for compliance. TrustMark also offers a consumerfriendly complaints procedure, and a customer feedback service which enables its firms to have low cost access to alternative dispute resolution tools for their customers.

TrustMark recently updated its Core Criteria, the Government-endorsed standards by which

registered firms have to operate. Unlike many of the commercial 'find a trader' websites, firms cannot JUST PAY to become registered. TrustMark does not sell consumer details and a proper complaints process is provided should a consumer be dissatisfied with the work of a TrustMark tradesperson.

TrustMark understands the concerns both consumers and tradespeople have about the persistent problem of rogue traders in the UK's home repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector. Consumers need to have confidence that they are hiring reliable and skilled tradespeople and the RMI sector itself needs to ensure that the reputable, hardworking majority is not damaged by a minority of unscrupulous traders.

To stay up to date with developments at TrustMark, visit the website at: www.trustmark.org.uk Joining TrustMark TrustMark members can use the logo on their advertising and promotional materials, website, vehicles and stationary.

TrustMark membership is NOT compulsory. It is, however, AN EXCELLENT MARKETING TOOL which benefits members, the NCCA and the industry as a whole. Membership is just £150 + VAT per annum, and the criteria for joining is as follows: ŸYou must be a member of the NCCA and abide by our Code of Practice. ŸYou must have attended the NCCA two-day Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning course and passed the exam, or the IICRC two-day carpet and two-day upholstery cleaning courses, or a two-day

Corporate course approved by the NCCA. ŸYou must have attended an Advanced Spot and

Stain Removal course (a copy of the certificate will be required as proof of attendance). ŸYou must have third party insurance to a minimum value of £2m and Treatment Risk cover. ŸYou need to have been actively involved in the industry for a minimum of two years. ŸYour work must comply with PAS 86:2008 standards. ŸYou must attend a training course or industry event once every three years. ŸYou must sign a Health & Safety declaration form.

The NCCA Directors reserve the right to refuse membership of TrustMark to any current members who, within the past two years, have: ŸBeen placed on probation for breach of the Code of Practice. ŸHad a complaint upheld against them. ŸFailed to pay their NCCA membership fees and/or send in their supporting documentation to the NCCA office by the due dates.

If you would like to apply to become a TrustMark member please ring the NCCA office on 0116 271 9550 or email: admin@ncca.co.uk

NCCA Shop Are you making the most of your NCCA membership?

Have you got an NCCA tie, badge, leaflets, survey forms or van stickers?

To see all the NCCA items for sale, log on to the Members' Area of the NCCA website.

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The company vehicle

A

Derek Bolton (Honorary Member)

company vehicle, often a van of some sort in our line of work, is a very important part of your business.

Some years ago there was a guy I knew (Stuart) in the Contract Cleaning business in Leicester.

He had started his company around the same time as me, but suddenly I seemed to see his company vehicles everywhere. ''He must be doing well'' I thought.

A few days Company after thinking address here this I happened to bump into Stuart and we exchanged pleasantries, as you do. ''You appear to be doing well'' I said ''I seem to see your vans everywhere, how many have you got now?'' “One'' he replied.

“You're joking!'' I said ''I am always seeing them everywhere.'' To this he then replied ''Well, we drive around a lot''.

At that 'Eureka' moment I suddenly realised just how important a vehicle actually is to a business.

I would think that all of you have a van of some sort, but do you look upon it as anything more than a necessary gas guzzler to get from A to B? Well, your van is actually a lot more than that… it's a moving advertisement for your company. It

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should be sign-written in such a way that it promotes your business to good effect wherever it travels. Your vehicle should boldly display your company name and logo and state what you do.

Telephone number/s

Your company name and logo here Other logos Website address Email address

It should (equally boldly) display your contact details, i.e. telephone number, mobile number, e-mail and website address. If you are a member of an association or organisation, it's a good idea to display these logos too. Some tradesmen even have a plastic leaflet holder, that fits on the front side window, so that passers-by can take one and hopefully give them a call… a great idea!

Once you have sorted out what will prove to be one of your main promotional tools, the next thing you need to do is to keep it clean. My really old mate 'The Old Man of Essex' has always made a point of washing his vehicle at

Diary Dates 2015 NCCA COURSES Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 20th - 21st March 22nd - 23rd May 10th - 11th July 18th - 19th September 20th - 21st November

the end of each day's work so that it is clean at the start of the next working day. His most recent van obviously looked great because someone else decided they wanted it too... and it disappeared along with all his cleaning gear!

Joking aside though, it is always sad to hear of things like this happening (REMEMBER: Always ensure that your vehicle is made as secure as possible at all times, especially overnight).

Back onto the subject of your vehicle's appearance, don't forget that when you open the doors you are exposing the interior to the world. If the interior is a mess then it reflects badly on your company. I am sure that each and every one of you reading this just cannot refrain from looking into a van with its doors open when you pass one (we are a nosey lot aren't we).

Well, your potential customers are no different.

Why not make it your goal to clear out your van at this (quieter) time of the year. You could even make it (admittedly rather late) one of your New Year resolutions‌. to keep your vehicle tidy at all times.

You all possess an excellent mobile marketing tool, so why not use it to its full advantage. Off to the supermarket? Well, take the van; there are lots of people in supermarket car parks. With a bit of ingenuity you can come up with many more similar ideas. As Delboy would say ''the world is your lobster''. You never know, this time next year you could be a millionaire!

IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: ADAM JANKOWSKI) Held at Chemspec Europe Ltd, Yorkshire. Tel: 01274 597333

Have a happy and prosperous 2015!

Carpet Cleaning Technician 4th - 5th March 23rd - 24th September

Advanced Spot & Stain Removal 20th February 26th June 9th October Health & Safety for the Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner 19th February (see Newslink pg 10 for information on discount) 8th October Leather Identification and Cleaning 19th March All above courses held at NSPCC Training Centre, Leicester unless otherwise stated. Visit: www.ncca.co.uk for booking forms and further details.

IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: PAUL PEARCE) Held at Alltec Network, Hertfordshire. Tel: 01763 208222 Carpet Cleaning Technician 24th - 25th February 9th - 10th June 15th - 16th September Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician 3rd - 4th March 16th - 17th June 22nd - 23rd September Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician 14th - 15th May IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: ADAM JANKOWSKI) Held at National Flood School, Surrey. Tel: 01252 821185 Carpet Cleaning Technician 24th - 25th March 10th - 11th September Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician 31st March - 1st April 25th - 26th November

Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician 18th - 19th March 29th - 30th September Visit: www.iicrc.org for further details on all IICRC Training Courses.

The beauty of wool Ken Wainwright

W

ool has traditionally been the fibre of preference for carpets for generations and, even today, with the vast array of other natural and synthetic fibres available, it is still the fibre that many aspire to. Even the manufacturers of synthetic fibres will sometimes try to engineer their products to have the feel and texture of wool.

Frequently they will be successful but usually fall short when it comes to durability, as these 'plastic' fibres wear, flatten and then lose their wool-like appeal.

So, what are the qualities and benefits of wool fibre? Firstly, and of significant importance to many consumers, is that wool is a naturally resourced fibre. Wool walks on grass! It is harvested from sheep. During processing, the wool grease (lanolin) is removed and then recycled to be used in many different ways, especially in the cosmetics industry. A double whammy for wool! Eventually, the host itself (i.e. the sheep) is used as a source of food. A triple whammy for wool! All of this means that in our ecologically aware society, wool has significant green credentials.

Putting all of this aside, what are the characteristics of wool's performance as a textile floorcovering? Well, there are many beneficial characteristics and, in no particular order, these include: easy to dye, excellent resilience, durability, superb flame retardency, reasonable resistance to water-based staining, excellent oil stain resistance, excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties and it still works well when blended with other fibres. Wool fibre also, in my

opinion, reigns supreme when it comes down to hiding dry particulate soiling.

As you would expect, however, there are also downsides to wool. Cost is a significant factor as to why many consumers will often choose a synthetic fibre for their carpet instead of wool.

Wool is also prone to insect damage, especially from moths and carpet beetle and, like most other fibres and dyes, can fade, especially when in areas exposed to large amounts of direct sunlight.

As professional carpet cleaners, we need to be

considerate to this natural fibre in order to maintain not only its natural beauty but also its durability and performance characteristics. We need to identify the wool during our pre-cleaning inspection and testing procedures and execute all three types of dye test. Wool accepts acidic dyes very well, but both the dye and fibre can be compromised by alkalinity. Many inexperienced technicians think that it is acceptable to use a high pH cleaning solution to clean wool as long as the rinse is acidic. Wrong! A high pH detergent will damage the wool fibre and dye on contact.

The acidic rinse will merely prevent, or minimise, ongoing damage.

Excessive agitation, especially the wrong type, can damage the yarn bundle of a wool carpet, just as it can with synthetic fibres, so always be aware and cautious of your procedures and choice of equipment.

Wool is a staple fibre, meaning the fibre length is relatively short. Generally speaking, the longer the fibre the better it is for the manufacturing of

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carpet, as it binds more successfully within the twisted yarn. Although synthetics are created as infinitely long or continuous fibres, they too need to be cut down to staple fibre lengths when blended with wool.

As with most things in life, wool is available in different qualities. Some Raw wool breeds of sheep produce finer wool, which may be more appropriate for garments, whilst others provide the coarser wool preferred by carpet manufacturers.

Some breeds will produce shorter staples than others, whilst the crimp on a fibre also contributes towards the quality of its performance and 'feel'. There are, therefore, many, many different qualities of wool found in carpets, some are good and some less so.

Finally, there are also many variables from the manufacturing process. Does the wool yarn have

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one, two, three or even six plies? Does it have a tight or a loose twist? Is there a high count of yarn per inch or is it low? Is it moth proofed?

This has been a very general appraisal of wool in carpets. As specialist carpet and upholstery cleaners, wool should not hold any fears for us, just an understanding of what it is and how to clean it safely and effectively. As There are many benefits always, it is to wool carpets beneficial to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Complimentary education will always be of benefit to us.

NCCA Corporate Member, The Woolsafe Organisation, can provide this specialist education and training, ably supported by our other Corporate NCCA Members.

It is this type of specialist skill, knowledge and experience that helps to elevate professional carpet cleaners above the levels of the 'Bodgit & Scarper' type companies of this world.

‘Just’ dust...

Terry Guilford (The Ultimate Floor Sanding Co.)

I

get asked many questions about floor sanding but, recently, I was consulted about the dangers of sanding a particular type of timber floor. The client whose floor it was had mentioned to the contractor that the wood in question was known to cause health issues when sanded. There was no mention of what the specific issues were but, of course, whenever there is concern expressed about any form of dust in a health context the natural assumption is that we are talking about respiration issues and possible long term lung damage. However, whilst most people are aware of these problems they are usually less aware of some of the other possibilities.

So let's consider the five problems associated with wood dust and the measures that can be taken to mitigate the danger.

Lung damage Like our old 'friend' asbestos, fine wood dust can hang in the air and easily be breathed in. Whilst not as life threatening as asbestos, this dust can

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cause very small wounds to the lungs which are not immediately noticeable but are irreversible and eventually diminish lung capacity.

Irritation This is quite common and normally manifests itself as itching, sneezing, short term breathing problems, skin flushing, runny nose etc. Merbau, Ipe and Iroko are timbers regularly used in flooring that can commonly cause many of the above symptoms, although just about every timber is listed as an irritant at some level.

Sensitivity Some woods cause increased sensitivity with repeated exposure. In other words we react a little worse to them with each subsequent contact. Iroko is a timber which is listed as a

sensitizer whilst the Merbau and Ipe are not. orbital sanders can be improved by hooking them Toxicity up to extractors and it is possible to get DCS (dust control systems) for belt sanders but, in my Some timbers are considered to be directly toxic experience, they add little or nothing to the although, fortunately for us, none of those listed in performance of professional machines. the wood toxicity and allergen charts are Strategically placed air movers used in a room commonly used for flooring!

Cancer with open windows can suck the old, stale air from the room allowing fresh air to replace it.

In this instance we are referring to Nasopharyngeal This is particularly useful in carcinoma, sometimes called PPE is recommended when larger areas with a door to the nasopharyngeal cancer, which can sanding floors outside. occur as a direct result of exposure Personal protection equipment to the dust from specific timbers. such as masks or, better still, Basically, it is a cancer of the upper respirators should be worn all area of the pharynx or 'throat', the time if using cheaper hire where the nasal passages and machines and would be auditory tubes join the remainder recommended by some health of the upper respiratory tract. experts as essential the whole There are several timbers used in time. With regard to irritation, it flooring (including walnut and oak) is obviously impossible to cover every piece of that can trigger this particular type of cancer skin but a respirator will help and, if sanding a although, fortunately, this is rare. However, having timber that you are particular sensitive to, a said that, there is one very well-known case Tyvek suit and gloves can be used. involving a prominent member of the floor sanding Modern floor sanding equipment (when well community.

Minimising the risk maintained) is incredibly efficient at dust control.

However, the greatest exposure to dust, Having listed the dangers of wood dust let's talk irrespective of the quality of the machines, is about what we can do to minimise the risk. during the emptying of dust bags. If you find it The most obvious control measure is to create as impossible to work using any form of protection, little airborne dust as possible. Since one of the I would strongly suggest that, at the very least, best methods of achieving this (water) is ruled out you use it when emptying dust bags. by nature of the surface we are working on, it is A list of timbers and the risks associated with essential that anyone regularly floor sanding uses them can be found online at The Wood Database: only professional sanding equipment; this has far www.wood-database.com to whom I owe thanks better dust control than the cheap hire sanders. for most of the information shown above.

Smaller machines such as edgers and random

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Take heed of the Python

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Keith Robertson

erry Gilliam, who started his career as an animator and strip cartoonist, is perhaps best known as the quiet sixth member of Monty Python, possibly the most successful comedy troupe ever. As a 'Python' he generally only played small roles, often those the other five refused to play.

However, his real skill was in the animation used in the opening credits of Monty Python's Flying Circus which ran on television between has become very successful.

1969 and 1974. He had gained Reports of net wealth vary experience producing from £25 million to £140 children's cartoons but soon million, so not only can he became known for his afford to live comfortably but surrealist black humour. surely he must also be worth He went on to develop a listening to. career, not only as an actor Recently (in the Financial and animator, but also as a Times), when asked whether Above: Two of the many bizarre and film director. After the bizarre wonderful animations created by Terry Gilliam ambition or talent matters for Monty Python’s Flying Circus animation sequences in Monty most to success, he was Python's Flying Circus he then went on to make quoted as saying “Both. And Luck - maybe the some very imaginative films for television and most important thing. And patience. And pigcinema, such as the 1985 film 'Brazil' a headedness. Monomania may also be useful”. fantasy/satire on bureaucratic society.

You might have thought that by the time he got American born Gilliam, who had dual UK and US to 70 years of age he would have slowed down a nationality until he renounced his US citizenship, bit but, instead, between December 2013 and has packed a lot into his 74 years. Financially he December 2014 it is reported he had become the

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highest paid actor for that year grossing $75 million. On top of this he owns a chain of restaurants, an American football team and, in addition to his property holding and stock market investments, has his own brand of Vodka and a top selling perfume. So, when Gilliam provides a list of what personal attributes contribute to success, it's time to prick up your ears.

I think you will agree with me that, although many of us may only have a small amount of talent, there is nothing to prevent us from having ambition and that, by combining the two, we can build a small business that will provide a comfortable living for our families.

Fifty years ago I worked with a chap who, a year or two later, started a carpet cleaning business and within a few years had developed an international business. Years later I learned he was by then operating cleaning companies in sixteen countries, all from the comfort of his own home.

In my opinion, in addition to ambition and talent, this man demonstrated at least two of the personal attributes for success that Gilliam listed. He was a Yorkshireman so pig-headedness perhaps came easier to him than some others. He was also a patient man (he was a skilled man-manager who had the ability to identify the right individual that he could build a business with and around).

Another 'attribute' mentioned, monomania, is usually described as an exaggerated or obsessive enthusiasm for or preoccupation with one thing, however, sometimes monomania is used to describe a person with a consuming passion. It is more than likely that if you have a consuming passion for your business you will end up being

quite successful, as long as you demonstrate a little patience, a degree of pig-headedness, a modicum of talent and a lot of ambition.

The only thing on Gilliam's list of attributes which could be up for debate is his (possibly selfdeprecating) comment that “luck may be the most important thing�. Time and time again we hear of individuals becoming very successful through luck and that is, of course, absolutely true if you were perhaps fortunate enough to purchase a big winning lottery ticket. However, for people in the real world, the idea of luck is much more subjective (dependent on the mind or on an individual's perception for its existence). The majority of those who have become financially successful did so by either 'making their own luck' (only possible to do with a positive attitude) or skilfully capitalising on a situation.

As this New Year starts I have noted that the 'experts' say it's a waste of time to make New Year resolutions. Maybe they are right but, on the other hand, if you have made some New Year plans and have listed the steps for you to progress through the year, the application of the points mentioned

by Terry Gilliam should help you move forward.

We might never make it as actors, animators or film directors, although I have noticed a number of you putting together podcasts and Youtube videos, so maybe a few of you may just jump ship and start a new career. For the rest of us, however, gradually applying what we can learn from Terry Gilliam and moving from being a 'General Practitioner' to become a 'Specialist' may be all we need to provide us with a good balanced lifestyle while still retaining peace of mind.

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The importance of your ‘target market’

David Coker

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here's an old adage that says “when everybody's your customer, nobody's your customer”. That's because it’s virtually impossible for you to appeal to ALL the potential target markets available to you within your line of work. This is certainly true with carpet cleaning.

Unfortunately, some carpet cleaners aren't even aware that there are different target markets. Often their sales pitch is “we'll beat any competitor's price”. But this doesn't take into account what different prospects actually want. You could be trying to appeal to the wrong market.

Sometimes it's difficult to see the different target markets in your own industry.

After all... “My customers just want their carpets cleaned for the cheapest price!” However, it's easy to see different markets elsewhere.

Take cars for instance. A Mercedes owner is not the same as a Kia owner. Someone who just wants to get from A to B, or who only has a few thousand pounds to spend, is not going to walk into a Mercedes showroom and try to 'knock them down' on price, or say “I can buy a Kia for a third of your prices”. They may, of course, be thinking “I would NEVER spend thirty thousand pounds on a car” and obviously they are not wrong to think like this. It does, however, make them terrible prospects for a Mercedes dealership.

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Do you think Mercedes dealers worry about those who buys Kias and say to themselves “we must try to appeal to these people and get them to buy our cars”? No, they simply recognise that they serve a different market. In most cases, a Kia owner will NOT be buying a Mercedes.

It's the same with carpet cleaning. Someone who can only afford (or only wants to pay) £20 to get their carpets cleaned would likely feel they are being 'ripped off' when given a quote of £80 or £100.

Bear in mind that within every industry there are typically four categories of shopper: 1) Price Shoppers - who always have to feel that they are getting the lowest price on everything

they buy. You can get their business by offering the lowest price, but someone else will always come up with a lower price and take them away from you.

2) Middle Market - who usually pick a price somewhere in the middle because they don't trust that they get good service at the lowest price, but they still need to feel they are getting a deal by not paying the highest price. This is where many carpet cleaners think they are.

They'll say things like “we're not the cheapest but we're the best”. Yet they are missing out on possibly the most lucrative and rewarding market, one with the least aggravation... the 'Premium Price Shoppers'.

‘Premium Price Shoppers’ fall into the next two categories: 3) Prestige Shoppers - who always have to pay the highest price or have 'the best' and let everyone know what they’ve paid.

4) Value Premium Shoppers - who can best be summed up with the maxim ‘You get what you pay for’. They believe that products and services are priced where they are for a reason. They have learned this through hard experience and wasted money. Value premium shoppers will never pay the lowest price even if it has a really logical story attached to it because they just can't understand

that something that is cheap offers good value.

Notice how ‘price shoppers’ will never pay premium prices and how, at the other end of the scale, ‘premium price shoppers’ will never pay the lowest price! That's why “when everybody's your customer, nobody's your customer.” You can't target and appeal to both.

Many carpet cleaners price their service too low because they fear not getting the work. In doing so, they may 'pay the price' of lower perception of value, lost business, and reduced profits.

Of course, it's not just a case of declaring that you're a premium priced carpet cleaner. Putting a Mercedes price tag on a Kia doesn't fool anyone. You can put lipstick on a pig... but it's still a pig!

So, choose your target market carefully. If you want to service the lowest price take a warning from Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons, who have all just announced sales falling. It seems their customers are loyal only to price (and are deserting them in favour of Aldi and Lidl) whereas Waitrose, who service quality seekers and don't claim 'lowest price', have seen an increase in their sales.

REMEMBER, choosing who you want as your customer should be the very first thing that you do.

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In my opinion...

I

Cecil Aigin (Honorary Member)

read David Coker's thought provoking article ('What would you have done?' - Newslink November 2014) with interest and, in response to his request for an opinion, here is my contribution.

David informed us that he had declined a job because the client, who was in possession of a 'free trial voucher', had requested a further discount.

I sympathise with David's decision. It may be that certain prospective clients who request discounts will turn out to be difficult to deal with. However, in general, I personally believe there is no harm in asking for a price reduction. We live in a time of economy and a culture of 'discounts'. My supermarket offers to sell me three items for the price of two and, at certain times of the year (for instance, just after Christmas), we look forward to sales with heavily discounted prices.

Consequently, we should, as I am certain that David did, do our best to convince a client that our charges are commensurate with the level of service that we provide and that we charge the minimum price possible to enable us to sustain our quality of work.

We cannot prevent our clients from obtaining other estimates but we should inform them of our membership of the NCCA and what that means. A full breakdown of all the elements of our cleaning procedure should be provided and they should be encouraged to obtain an alternative estimate from a company that is able to carry out the work to a similar high standard.

I trust that David will not mind me also commenting on his practice of providing a voucher

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that could be passed on to family or friends for the free clean of a trial area of carpet.

It may be that I misunderstand the situation but I am uncertain about the benefit of this offer. After all, a close friend's recommendation is surely an adequate endorsement and, in the case in question, the client had the opportunity of seeing the success of the cleaning at the home of a relative.

Furthermore, the offer of a trial clean may be used by someone to obtain a free clean with no intention of providing any further work, and the trial area may not be typical of other areas of carpet because a client is unlikely to select their cleanest carpet for a trial.

Finally, may I observe how invaluable our Newslink is in providing a forum for the constructive exchange of opinions.

NCCA on Facebook Did you know that the NCCA have two Facebook sites?

1) Industry-facing site - go to: www.facebook.com/nicky.law.315 (includes a private Group exclusively for NCCA members - a place where over 100 people are already sharing ideas, advice, opinions and daily stories).

2) Consumer-facing site - go to: www.facebook.com/NCCAcarpetcleaning (contains useful information on flooring and soft furnishing cleaning which is ideal for sharing with your customers and others within your industry).

So pop on, have a look, and if you see something you like‌ just share it!

NCCA Corporate Members + Allied Insurance Services Ltd: 0844 8156211 (I) + Alltec Network: 01763 208222 (C/M/F/T) + Amtech UK: 01444 232211 (C/M) + Ashby's Cleaning Equipment: 01795 436999 (C/M/E)

NCCA Member Benefits Adelante Merchant Services 01628 820500 BeValued - Home Options (specialist claims management - insurance work) Call Shaun Mulvey on 01323 418432 Control Account PLC 01527 882901 Hibu (previously Yell) Ask for Corporate Advertising Department 0808 100 7890 HMCA (free legal & counselling helpline) 0117 934 2600 HMCA (medical health cover) 01423 866985 Payatrader 01296 660177 SiteWizard (website creation) 08450 608860 Thompson Local Ask for Corporate Advertsing Department: 01252 390385 TrustMark (Ring NCCA Office) 0116 271 9550

Corporate Member Benefits 20% off RESEARCH and CITRUS products for all NCCA members at Cleaners Warehouse!

Go to www.cleanerswarehouse.co.uk (A registration page has been set up on the site for NCCA members)

+ Asset Finance Solutions UK Ltd: 01254 584404 (FI) + Bio Productions Ltd (inc. Stapro): 01444 244000 (C) + Camberford Law (insurance brokers): 0208 315 5000 (I) + Chemdry Franchising Ltd: 01482 872770 (C/M/Fr) + Chemspec Europe Ltd: 01274 597333 (C/M/T/D/F) + Cleanerswarehouse Ltd: 01772 434333 (T/C/R/M) + Cleaning Systems UK: 01334 656787 (C/M/T/F) + Cleansmart Ltd: 0115 8240034 (T/C/R/M/K) + Cleantec Innovation Ltd: 0870 733 7733 (T/C/W/M) + Columbus Cleaning Machines Ltd: 01772 426527 (M) + Crisp & Brite: 01509 881137 (C/M) + Dri-Eaz Products Ltd: 01908 611211 (C/M/T) + Dry Fusion UK Ltd: 01772 433711 (C/M/T/W/Fr) + Furniture Clinic Ltd: 01207 279964 (C/Tr) + Get Booked Up Software: 01405 813665 + Gleaming Insurance (insurance brokers): 0845 4740068 (I) + Hi-Tec Cleaning Group: 02866 341416 (C/E/F/M/T) + Host Von Schrader Ltd: 0151 347 1900 (M/C) + Hydro Dynamix: 01622 664993 (Fr/T) + LTT Leathercare: 01423 881027 (T/Tr) + Mailboxes Etc: 01628 633336 + McGregor Lloyd (insurance brokers): 0121 706 0616 (I) + NSL Restormate: 01670 590099: (M/C/Tr) + Nu Life Stone Care Ltd: 0161 480 7284 (M/C) + Oates Laboratories (Europe): 01772 433711 (C) + Prochem Europe Ltd: 0208 974 1515 (C/F/M/T) + Rainbow International: 01623 422488 (M/C/Fr) + Restoration Express: 01252 726106 (M/C/T/A) + Robert Saunders Marketing Mentor: 08450 537129 (K) + Sebo UK Ltd: 01494 465533 (M) + ServiceMaster Ltd: 0116 275 9000 (M/C/Fr) + Stainshield Ltd: 01372 841467 Š + Textile Cleaning Solutions: 01934 521155 (M/C) + The Big Clean: 0208 3934778 (M,C,W,K) + The Ultimate Floor Sanding Co.: 00353 91846488 (M/C/Fr) + The WoolSafe Organisation: 01943 850817 + Vaclensa: 0161 728 1800 (M) + Worldwide Cleaning Support: 01279 422220 (C/M)

C - Chemicals / M - Machinery / W - Wholesalers / Fr - Franchises / I - Insurance / K - Marketing / T - Technical Services / F - Fire Retardents / A - Auxiliary Services (Restoration Cleaners) / E Supply/Repair of Curtains and Blinds / Fi - Finance / Tr - Training.

Draft guidelines suggest higher fines for safety offences Simon Winterburn (Eversheds LLP)

T

here has been growing criticism about fines for health and safety offences not being on par with those imposed for non-safety related offences, such as price fixing and other anti-competitive practices. 2014 saw an attempt by the Courts to increase fines for safety offences, but this has been on an ad hoc basis, without any central guidance or support.

Whilst there are calls to increase health and safety fines, there are more muted requests for greater consistency in sentencing offences. Broad guidelines exist for the current sentencing process, but they cannot offer any level of tariff for similar offences heard across the country.

A suggested new approach With these problems at the forefront of the agenda the Sentencing Council have released, for consultation, the Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences Guidelines (the 'Guidelines'). If implemented as drafted we expect to see a sharp increase in fines and, potentially, some predictability within the sentencing process.

The aim of the Guidelines is “to ensure that all sentences are proportionate to the offence committed and in relation to all other offences�.

They impose a step by step approach on the Courts, similar to the Environmental Sentencing Guidelines published early last year and discussed in a previous article.

The Courts are required to consider the seriousness of the offence and the means of the offender. This is much like the current sentencing

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exercise, but guidance on what constitutes a serious offence is much more transparent. The sentencing Guidelines then give a recommended starting point and range of fine.

How serious?

The seriousness of the offence will be decided on two factors: 'harm' and 'culpability'. (a) Culpability Culpability will be assessed on the extent to which the offender failed to meet the standards required of them, from a deliberate breach of the law (very high) to minor or non-systemic failings (low). (b) Harm The 'harm' associated with the offence will initially be based on the 'risk' of harm created, rather than the 'actual' harm. This approach is said to avoid any disparity in sentencing should one offender 'get lucky' and the risk not eventuate, compared to another where it does; the 'harm' is still considered equal. However, the 'harm' rating may still then be changed if the offence has exposed a significant number of people to the risk of harm or if the offence was a significant cause of actual harm.

Whilst the guidance on harm and culpability is clearer than before, it may still fail to encourage consistency. By way of example, the distinction between 'falling far short' (highly culpable) and 'falling short' (medium culpability) may be a fine one, and could be interpreted differently by different Courts and prosecutors. The same could be said of the difference between 'serious, systemic failings' (highly culpable) and mere

'systemic failings' (medium culpability). If there is any discrepancy in the approach to culpability, which we submit is a real risk, then consistency will be lost from the outset. The consequences can be very pronounced in terms of the applicable starting point then applied.

What are the means of the offender?

The Guidelines then focus on the financial means of the offender in order to determine the size of punishment.

In order to measure size of companies, the Guidelines propose the use of turnover and will therefore want to see the company's annual accounts. This will be the same for partnerships.

Four 'categories' of offender have been proposed for corporate organisations. Most reading this publication will fall into the category of a micro organisation, with a turnover of up to £2 million.

The proposed fine levels? (a) Companies For micro companies, the guidance on health and safety fines is as follows: ŸFor a highly culpable, and harmful, offence the suggested starting point for a fine is £250,000, with a range between £150,000 and £450,000; and ŸFor the most minor offences, the starting point is suggested at £200, with a range between £50 and £2,000.

Guidance also applies for corporate manslaughter sentencing and, as expected, fines start at a higher level. (b) Individuals The Guidelines also apply to individuals, albeit the process of determining harm and culpability will

differ slightly. For individuals, there is a custodial 'starting point' where deliberate actions put others at risk of harm. The range of punishments then consider fines (as a proportion of weekly income), as well as custodial sentences.

Again, the suggested sentencing ranges are likely to see punishment for individuals increase.

Back to the traditional approach Once the starting points and ranges have been established by the Court under the Guidelines, the normal sentencing process would then resume. There will be an assessment of the aggravating and mitigating features of the case in order to determine where the fine should sit within the suggested range.

For this part of the sentencing process, very little will change. For that reason, the inconsistency associated with the current sentencing regime may still remain. How does one Court acknowledge a particular mitigating factor (in terms of a reduction of fine) compared to another Court? There is no requirement to ensure that the reduction is equal and no-one will be able to quantify precisely what discounts should be awarded.

Conclusion Whilst the Guidelines are currently in consultation, they do show a 'joined-up' desire to increase fines for health and safety offences.

Increased fines will follow, if the Guidelines are implemented similar to the current drafting, but consistency may still be missing.

You are able to have your say on the Guidelines as currently drafted until 18 February 2015 at http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/getinvolved/consultations-current.htm

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CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS FOR SALE Small, long-established, reputable working carpet, upholstery and soft furnishings cleaning company.

Essex based. Owner Operator retiring. To be sold as a complete package only. Mobile HWE and dry cleaning system. Domestic and commercial clients. Genuine interested parties only please to call 07903 497298 and leave details.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Prochem 250 ft vacuum hoses for truck mount £150.00. Chemspec hose reel for truck mount plastic £200. Prochem sadle tank for truckmount 227 litre/60 gallons - £250.00. Contact aquadriinfo@btconnect.com for further information or contact Andy on: 07970 544806.

BUSINESS FOR SALE Small long-established reputable NCCA registered working business, specialising carpet, upholstery and hard floor cleaning. Northumberland based owner/operator retiring. To be sold as a complete package only. Sign written 55 plate Iveco Daily van with fitted Prochem Blazer Truck Mount. High pressure and extraction hose reels complete with hoses, including wands, hard floor surface spinner 3 turbo dryers fans, 4 dehumidifiers, MMs Plus, Sebo vac and duo, Rotary scrubber, plus lots of other equipment and chemicals. Plus a fully SEO website. Genuine interested parties only please. Call 01670 787185.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Airflex Storm 800psi, Solution hose 25ft(high pressure), 25ft x 1.5" vacuum hose with 1.5" cuff fitted at each end, Westpak 4" stainless steel hand/detailer tool with splash guard, 6" stair tool, Upholstery Pro Sapphire Hand Tool, HOST Reliant agitator, Sebo BS36 upright vacuum cleaner, Dri-Eaz Air Mover Sahara E 3 speed, Magma heater 1313, Assorted horse hair brushes, Furniture Foam Snap Blocks x 360, Orion 6L Sprayer with nozzle set, 10 Litre Bucket x 2, Carpet Sliders x 8, pH Test Paper, Corner guard, Hose hook, Pumptec Powersprayer BOM, Mesh hose bag.

Assorted cleaning chemicals - some opened.

Bereavement forces sale. Cost: £4500 ONO (Bought as new in 2013 for £7500). All items used a maximum of 5 times so in 'as new' condition. Please contact Jamie Edmonds at: Jledmunds@hotmail.co.uk. Tel: 07795 546037. Items located in North Cornwall.

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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Ashbys Sensei Carpet cleaning machine with dry cleaning facility, comes with dry clean hose and curtain hand tool and hose bag - £800.00. Dry fusion rotary machine with drive board - £600.00. Power flite 500psi twin vac carpet cleaning machine, only used as back up, two years old - £1400.00. Esprit Von Schrader upholstery machine still under warranty only used 5 times - £2500.00. Ashbys power brush £300.00. Ashbys spotting machine with hose and hand tool - £300.00. Ashbys V2 steam attachment only used twice - £300.00. All Items plus VAT. If interested please call Peter on 07866 905 424, or 0208 850 2085, or Email: peterscarpetcare@aol.co.uk Buyer collects from south east London.

TRUCKMOUNT Banclene truckmount complete with base unit, stainless steel 80 gallon recovery tank, 100 gallon solution tank, 150 feet of vaccuum/solution hoses, floor, stair and various upholstery hand tools, inline heater and misc parts etc. The van has been sold separately. Selling due to retirement and will consider the highest offer. Call Derek at Aquamaster on 01845 537640 - mobile 07976 218304 or email: derek@aquamaster-yorkshire.co.uk COMMERCIAL VACUUM CLEANER Sebo BS 36 Comfort commercial vacuum cleaner for sale. Excellent condition apart from a few scratches hardly used. Includes three attachments: dusting brush, upholstery tool & crevice tool - hardly used.

Also 9 new waste bags and instructions. Excellent buy for £175.00 ono. Collection only. Contact Andrew on 07730 203008.

VACANCY & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Experienced full time Carpet and Floor Care Technician required. Own van and equipment an advantage but not essential. Good business incentive package (profit share or buy in). Area coverage M4 corridor from Bristol to London. Apply by email to glynn.norcutt@gnccontractservices.com (with full CV, etc.) or telephone: 01672 871882 or mobile: 07831 172743.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 3 Ozone plates 4'' x 6'' to fit Jetazone 600 ozone generator - £15.00 for the 3, plus £5.00 p & p. Please phone Pete Collins on 07885 804560.

CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - IDEAL FOR NEW BUSINESS Everything you need to start carpet cleaning, including: Ashbys Ninja adjustable up to 400psi with Dry Cleaning Functionality built in, 2 x25m vacuum hoses, 1 x silencer hose, 1 x wand, 1 x upholstery tool, 1 x dry cleaning solvent tool. Sebo Duo agitator. Sebo Vacuum BS36. 1.5hp blower dryer. Truvox high speed buffer. Prochem Stain Removal kit. 2 x 6 litres pressure sprayers. 1 x 1 litre upholstery/spot sprayer.

1 x vinyl mat for Ninja and 1 terrapaulin sheet. Huge array of chemicals including: Prochem Power Burst, Defoamer, Prochem Pre Spray Gold, Prochem Natural Carpet Cleaner, Ashby's supreme Anti Grease, Prochem Browning prescription, Prochem Fabric and Fibre Rinse, Ashby's Extra Fresh, Prochem Odour Fresh. Box of other bits including: shoe covers, brushes, polystyrene pads, measuring jugs, dry compound. All in excellent condition. Selling as my second business is consuming all of my time. Selling for £1950. Contact Richard on 07903 841534.

VAN & TRUCK MOUNT + EQUIPMENT VAN: Fiat Ducato 35 Multijet LWB / Only 3,200 Miles / Taxed April 2015 / Ply Lined / Linex Coated / Shelving.

TRUCK MOUNT: Phoenix 570i / Only 91 Hours / LPG Gas Conversion / All Tanks Hoses & Reels / Water Softener/Filter. EQUIPMENT: Evolution Wand / Pre Sprayer / Carpet Rack / Stair Tool / Upholstery Tool / Ramp / Von Schrader Esprit Dry Cleaner. Genuine enquiries only please. Mobile: 07775 507227. Email: re_nulife@btinternet.com MACHINERY FOR SALE CFR Paramount 1000 PSI machine - delivering 1000 pressure per square inch. 95 litre recycling tank, great for commercial and domestic work £600.00 o.n.o.

Contact davidkendall40@aol.com for further information or phone David on 07768 667824 or 01277 824546.

TOOL AND CHEMICALS FOR SALE One 5.4kg tub of host powder (unopened). Retails at around £29 - only £12. Also Kleenrite curtain cleaning tool - £25.00. Contact Lester Gale (oxfordshire) 07949 207777.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Victor Sprite 12" Rotory Machine. Used once. Was £855 - Accept £450. Collect from Coventry. Tel 02476 620444.

FREE CLEANFAX MAGAZINES Andrew Hoyland, of carpet cleaning company Freshclean in Cheshire, is offering 75 FREE Cleanfax magazines (ranging from 1998 up to 2005) to anyone who can come and pick them up. They are a few years old but still full of very useful information for carpet cleaners. He lives in Lowton near Warrington. If interested please call Andrew on: 07973 399903 or email: hoylandandrew@hotmail.co.uk EQUIPMENT FOR SALE HOST freestyle (dry carpet cleaning system) VGC £1800... NO OFFERS. ASHBY'S NINJA 2X3 VAC 130psi (water heater needs fixing). Also included: 2 jet wands, separate v2 steam kit, 2x hoses, 2x bags, 2x carpet rakes, Kleenrite upholstery tool, Prochem power brush, 2x stair tools, 1x curtain tool. Excellent back-up machine, all can be used again after servicing - £950 o.n.o. TURBO air mover Sahara Pro - £85 o.n.o.

Dowding & Plummer contrator400 carpet/floor scrubber/polisher (slow speed - 105 rpm approx.) including buckets with stand and mops and pads (also including a wet/dry vac). All can be used again after servicing - £450. Call Jon on 07736 512527 up to 8pm.

Based in West Midlands.

WANTED Extracta Scrubba Deluxe powerbrush, in good condition and working order. Please phone Steve Woodcock on 0797 121 2720.

JOB VACANCY (CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TECHNICIAN) We are looking for an experienced, full time, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Technician to work for an independent specialist business in Norwich, Norfolk.

Please contact Danny on 07716475415 to discuss further.

The Association advises that all goods are checked to be in a satisfactory condition, and comply to electrical and health and safety standards, etc.

It is recommended that equipment serial numbers should be checked to ensure the seller is the legitimate owner.

The Association accepts no responsibility or liability arising from any transaction or dispute between the buyer and seller.

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newslink

WHAT IS T.I.G? . A newly formulated tar, ink and grease

remover. . For oily stains other solvents can't remove. . Fast and effective on stains such as: NAIL VARNISH, PERMANENT MARKER PEN, BIRO etc. . For most textiles, carpets, hard surfaces and leather.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS

Pre-test carefully according to industry standards before use.

Chemspec Europe, Tong Park, Otley Road, Baildon, West Yorkshire, BD17 7QD. Tel: 01274 597333 Fax: 01274 597444 E-mail: info@chemspec-europe.com Website: www.chemspec-europe.com