Cleaning & Maintenance - May 2021

The Official Partner of the Cleaning Show

M AY 2021

PLUS: • Industry news • People • Contracts • Products

Workforce Management The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on the cleaning industry, with stringent hygiene regulations, risk reduction and enhanced client expectations amongst the many demands now facing cleaning businesses.

Workforce management, and the adoption of appropriate technology, will be central to ensuring safe service delivery in a post-COVID world.

Business survival in a post-pandemic cleaning industry Cleaning industry leaders and members of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) share their experiences and insights to help our sector thrive in the post-pandemic world.

Training & Education A look at the importance of training during times of uncertainty. >>> page 28

>>> page 16

>>> page 22

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

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EDITOR’S LETTER C&M

Questions and answers

This month has seen the publication of a number of research projects – both surveys and reports – assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the future of the UK’s cleaning and hygiene sector.

One report, published by infection control specialist JLA as part of its ‘Infection Insights’ campaign to improve standards, customer reassurance and peace of mind across the hospitality industry, concludes that hygiene is now over four times as important as customer service in the hospitality sector. According to JLA’s survey of 2000 members of the public, 54% of respondents reported hygiene to be the most important quality they look for from hospitality businesses, coming in significantly higher than both overall service quality (13.1%) and customer service (12.5%). The report quotes various other results, all pointing to the potential consequences in store for businesses that do not reassure anxious customers that their facilities are professionally cleaned to the highest standards. The research goes on to reveal that 98.7% of the public would be less likely to visit a business with a poor reputation for hygiene and infection control, and nearly a third would boycott these businesses altogether.

help organisations cut through the fog of confused advice and to enable them to take control in a rapidly changing world – basically by providing them with accurate results from carefully collated research. A short survey asks people how their facility has evolved its approach to hand hygiene, cleaning, waste, and recycling since the end of 2019, before the pandemic hit.

The survey poses questions including: what changes are here to stay, how have facility users’ demands changed and where do organisations need to raise the bar around cleaning and hygiene in a post COVID-19 world? C&M will report on the results once they are available, and consider the findings alongside any other research that is being conducted or published.

There will be a lot to learn and absorb into business practice and culture in the months ahead, with each market sector – and the cleaning teams that service them – having to adapt to new ways of working and new levels of expectation. Facilities will certainly be judged on cleanliness – probably ahead of everything else – and so the critical role played by the cleaning and hygiene sector will remain at the top of everyone’s agenda for the foreseeable future.

I wish you a clean, tidy and healthy month ahead.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) has launched Changing Workplaces this month - an in-depth research programme to investigate the complex changes the coronavirus pandemic has spurred in workplaces and facilities across Europe. It states that hand hygiene, cleaning and waste management now hold a permanent place in the spotlight, thanks to COVID-19 ripping up the rulebook on social interaction and established ways of working. RCP has developed the Changing Workplaces research programme to

Neil Nixon, Editor Cleaning & Maintenance Magazine

@cleaningmag

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

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MAY 2021 3

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CONTENTS C&M

30 Special Report: Saving resources and protecting our planet Cromwell Polythene’s managing director, James Lee, shares his thoughts on recycling best practice.

MAY 2021

06 11 12 16 18 28 32

Industry News.

In the news this month… C&M/BCC announce APPG ‘Webinar Week’, Hygiene ‘now over four times as important as customer service’ – report.

People.

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

Contracts.

We take a look at all the latest contracts awarded across the industry.

Special Report: Business survival in a post-pandemic cleaning industry.

Cleaning industry leaders and members of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) share their experiences and insights to help our sector thrive in the post-pandemic world.

22

Special Report: COVID-19 Update.

C&M provides a round-up of the cleaning industry’s continuing role in meeting the challenges posed by COVID-19. This month, we report on RCP’s initiative, Changing Workplaces; Diversey’s Donna Mitchell looks at keeping residents, families and staff safe inside care homes; and P-Wave considers how to enhance the perception of clean.

Feature: Workforce Management The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on the cleaning industry, with stringent hygiene regulations, risk reduction and enhanced client expectations amongst the many demands now facing cleaning businesses.

Workforce management, and the adoption of appropriate technology, will be central to ensuring safe service delivery in a post-COVID world.

Feature: Training & Education A look at the importance of training during times of uncertainty.

New Products.

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

03 Editor’s Comment

13 BICSc Comment

A look at the cleaning sector this month.

BICSc: celebrating 60 years.

Michelle Iland reports.

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

14 BCC Comment Training: a vital lesson after the pandemic experience. Dave Wheadon, CEO of the NCCA, reports.

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

Lee Andrews reports.

MAY 2021 5

C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

C&M/BCC announce APPG ‘Webinar Week’ C&M and the British Cleaning Council have

Neil Nixon speaks with Paul Thrupp,

Thursday 10 June @

collaborated to bring you the APPG Webinar

chairman of the British Cleaning Council.

2.00pm: The APPG

Week, commencing on Monday 7 June at 14.00.

The BCC has been calling for all frontline

Webinar Week - Brexit,

Over the course of the week, C&M’s editor, Neil

cleaning and hygiene industry staff to be

immigration and

Nixon, will conduct a series of discussions, each

recognised as key and/or essential workers

employment.

looking at a different aspect of the APPG’s work

since the pandemic began but, so far, the

Neil Nixon speaks with

and culminating in a Q&A Panel on Friday 11

Government has not officially confirmed this.

Jim Melvin, deputy

June at 14.00.

The APPG agreeing to prioritise this recognition

chairman of the British Cleaning Council.

for a ‘significant number’ of staff is a major step forward, helping to raise awareness of

The APPG intends to review where the

Monday 7 June @

the essential roles cleaning personnel play in

Immigration & Social Security Coordination

2.00pm: The APPG

protecting health and helping the UK recover

(EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 may impact the

Webinar Week - What is

from and the ongoing containment of COVID-19.

cleaning and hygiene industry. Freedom

the APPG for the Cleaning

Paul Thrupp will discuss the importance of

of movement ended at that time, as a

and Hygiene Industry?

ensuring cleaning professionals receive the

points-based system came into force.

Neil Nixon speaks with

recognition they deserve.

Given there is no visa category for foreign

Here are the details of each day:

nationals in ‘low skilled jobs’, the APPG

Stephen Kerr.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for

Wednesday 9 June @

will review the effect with the Government,

the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry is made up

2.00pm: The

especially given the current pandemic, to

of MPs and peers with the aim of promoting the

APPG Webinar Week

drive change. The Act will make recruitment

critical importance of the cleaning and hygiene

- Apprenticeships and

harder when, as the pandemic has shown,

sectors in the UK. As the APPG’s secretariat,

training. Neil Nixon

cleaning work is highly skilled and crucial.

the British Cleaning Council gives support

speaks with Delia

The BCC doesn’t believe the industry can

and advice but the APPG itself sets its own

Cannings.

make up the shortfall from UK residents

programme of priorities and events and exists

The BCC has established a steering group to

long-term, and trusts the APPG’s drive and

to raise awareness of industry matters among

work on a proposal for a cleaning and hygiene

support will raise awareness at the very

parliamentarians and to address matters of

operative apprenticeship for the cleaning

highest level.

public policy in all aspects of cleaning and

industry. This group will agree a white paper for

hygiene. Stephen Kerr has been instrumental

consideration by the APPG. The proposal will

Friday 11 June: The APPG Webinar Week –

in establishing the APPG for the Cleaning and

ultimately need to be accepted by the Institute

Questions from the audience.

Hygiene Industry, and will provide an overview

for Apprenticeships, but has a far greater

Neil Nixon will moderate as all participants from

of how it works, why it is important, and what

chance of success if the APPG supports the

the APPG Webinar Week appear on a panel to

happens next.

idea. A recognised apprenticeship and training

take questions from the audience relating to the

accreditation for the industry will, in turn,

previous four webinars.

Please keep an eye on

Tuesday 8 June @

help demonstrate that cleaning and hygiene

2.00pm: The APPG

is an occupation requiring knowledge, skill

www.cleaningmag.com for further details

Webinar Week - The

and training. Delia Cannings, an established

in due course, and look out for an email

challenge of establishing

cleaning industry expert in training and

inviting you to register for the event in the

key worker status for

education, will discuss the process and benefits

coming weeks.

cleaning operatives.

of a successful implementation.

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

Hygiene ‘now over four times as important as customer service’ – report WITH COVID-19 having sent infection fears

businesses, coming in significantly higher

businesses altogether, and a further 34% would

skyrocketing over the past year, new research

than both overall service quality (13.1%) and

both boycott the business and warn others to

reveals that more than half of customers

customer service (12.5%).

also look elsewhere.

Highlighting the potential consequences

The research was carried out by infection

when it comes to the hospitality businesses

in store for businesses that do not reassure

control specialist JLA as part of its ‘Infection

they will visit post COVID-19.

anxious customers, the research also reveals

Insights’ campaign to improve standards,

that a staggering 98.7% of the public would

customer reassurance and peace of mind

members of the public, 54% of respondents

be less likely to visit a business with a poor

across the hospitality industry.

reported hygiene to be the most important

reputation for hygiene and infection control.

WWW.JLA.COM/KNOWLEDGE/ICIR-2021-

quality they look for from hospitality

Nearly a third (31%) would boycott these

HOSPITALITY

prioritise hygiene and cleanliness above all else

According to the survey into 2000

6 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

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C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

TSA joins the BCC THE Textile Services Association (TSA) has joined the British Cleaning Council (BCC) as an associate member. The TSA is the trade association for the textile care services industry, which contributes over £1.3 billion in GVA and supports some 28,000 jobs in the UK economy. It has become the 22nd member of the BCC in a move which benefits and TSA’s work lobbying the government to move

with so many like-minded organisations. We

BCC chairman, Paul Thrupp, said: “I am

towards multi-use gowns for healthcare

have so many harmonised agenda points I think

delighted that the TSA has joined the BCC

is something that dovetails well with the

the collective power of the BCC can really help

and I very warmly welcome them. Working

work of our members on the environmental

drive these topics to some of the key decision

together with the TSA makes the BCC and

agenda and their work on skills also supports

makers in the government. I see real benefits for

the whole cleaning and hygiene sector

our drive to create accredited training and

our membership and improved momentum on

that much stronger. It is important that the

an apprenticeship. We have many issues

some of our key project areas such as training,

cleaning and hygiene sector pulls together to

of mutual interest and I look forward to

linen recycling and energy efficiency incentives

present a unified front if we are to make our

collaborating in the future.”

such as the climate change agreement. As a

strengthens both organisations.

collective voice heard as loudly as possible.

The TSA’s membership represents

relatively small trade association, it’s always

Textile services are a significant sector of

commercial laundries in several sectors and

difficult to get the space on the lobbying

the economy. There are also considerable

textile rental businesses serving the hotel and

platform but working with the BCC will be a

synergies with the cleaning and hygiene sector

hospitality, healthcare and workwear markets.

great way of sharing and supporting a single

as represented by our members, particularly in the health and hospitality sectors. The

TSA CEO, David Stevens, said: “We are delighted to join the BCC and work collectively

message for all members’ benefit.”

WWW.BRITISHCLEANINGCOUNCIL.ORG

NCCA achieves CPD status for carpet and upholstery training course THE NCCA (National Carpet Cleaners

this way, customers are assured that accredited

the highest standards in the care of soft flooring

Association) is pleased to announce a new

NCCA members have undergone exemplary and

and upholstery. Our carpet and upholstery

milestone in its aims to promote excellence

the most up to date training to provide the best

training course plays a vital role in completing

in the cleaning sector as it has achieved CPD

service possible. Furthermore, NCCA members are

the membership process to the NCCA. As such,

(continuous professional development) status,

able to benchmark their upskilling and re-skilling

we want our prospective members to start on a

from the CPD Certification Service.

with recognition of their training.

point of professional excellence and carry on in

Cleaning professionals undertaking the NCCA’s

Dave Wheadon, CEO of the NCCA, said: “The

the same manner. We are delighted to have CPD

carpet and upholstery training course will also earn

NCCA is focused on ensuring that our members

reinforcement while our members build their

CPD points, which will help reflect their ongoing

- and the wider community of cleaning

skills accordingly with us.”

skills in training and competence in their field. In

professionals - are always suitably trained to

WWW.NCCA.CO.UK

NIC growth highlighted for second consecutive year NIC Services Group has been listed in

years. It is a credit to the whole team at

the Financial Times top 1000 Europe’s

NIC who have continued to deliver an

fastest growing companies for the second

outstanding service to our clients through

consecutive year.

these unprecedented times. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for

John Spencer, NIC Group chairman, said:

their efforts.”

“To be included in the top FT1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies for the second

This award comes only months after NIC was

consecutive year is a fantastic achievement

also recognised for the second consecutive year by the London Stock Exchange as one of the top

for NIC and all our dedicated team. This recognition is a significant accolade for the

challenging year and reflects the substantial

‘1000 companies to inspire Britain.’

business in what has been an incredibly

growth the business has seen over recent

WWW.NICGROUP.CO.UK

8 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

INDUSTRY NEWS

C&M

RCP releases Love Recycling manifesto

KILLS

99.99 % OF GERMS

RUBBERMAID Commercial

Alcohol Free Hand Sanitising Gel

Paul Jakeway, head of

Advanced air-drying formulation quickly cleans & sanitises the hands leaving no sticky residue.

Products (RCP) has issued a

marketing - EMEA at RCP, said:

manifesto extending the scope

“At RCP, our durable products

• Ideal in educational, hospitality &

of its Love Recycling initiative.

are not only sustainable but also

• Contains powerful antimicrobials

The new manifesto details how

encourage end-users to practise

• Food safe, ideal for food prep areas

RCP will continue to support

sustainable habits. Across previous

businesses that want to improve

research studies, businesses have

their commercial recycling and

told us they want to do more when

waste management practices.

it comes to recycling and waste

The manifesto is a call to action

management. They’ve also told

for businesses to be leaders on

us about the challenges they are

sustainability issues and builds on

facing as they try to develop their

findings from the Love Recycling

recycling programmes. These

research studies. The initiative ran

challenges cover many areas, but

two research studies in 2020 with

the majority are based on access

over 1000 businesses involved. The

to accurate information to create

initial study explored the state of

better policies and processes…

commercial recycling for European

Businesses want more support,

businesses of all sizes across

and we will continue to provide

the continent. The second took

it. With this manifesto, we are

a much-needed reading of how

stepping up our Love Recycling

businesses were coping with the

commitment to help businesses

additional pandemic stresses on

become recycling heroes. RCP’s

their recycling and waste activities.

commitment to high quality

Across both studies, Love

durable products makes us the

Recycling identified that

ideal commercial recycling partner.

businesses are ready and willing

Working together, we can solve the

to do more with their recycling

challenges that facilities face so

and waste programmes but

that businesses can be leaders on

lack information, education and

sustainability issues.”

guidance on effective processes

To view the manifesto, along

and products. On average, more

with previous research findings,

than two-thirds of businesses

please visit: www.loverecycling.

indicated that their recycling

com. There you can download

efforts are not always successful.

reports, take a recycling audit

To help businesses improve their

and subscribe to the Love

recycling, RCP have included

Recycling newsletter.

several pledges in the manifesto.

WWW.LOVERECYCLING.COM

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

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MAY 2021 9

C&M INDUSTRY NEWS

Ecocleen acquires The JPM Group in deal worth over £5 million ECOCLEEN has announced the acquisition

our growth ambitions to increase geographical

Kreston supported the Ecocleen team to conduct

of The JPM Group of Companies Ltd (JPM), a

reach and introduce new service offerings. The

the financial due diligence, while Thames Valley

facilities services company based in Watford, in a

JPM Group shares our family and company

solicitors Owen White represented in finalising

deal worth over £5 million. The successful buyout

values, and offers a significant opportunity to

the share purchase agreement and supplying

will enable the group to expand its presence

grow into new sectors and consolidate on our

legal expertise.

within both established and new sectors - most

existing verticals.”

Looking to the future, Ecocleen plans to

To ensure a smooth transition, both

synergise the two companies and unite the

management teams will come together to

2500 employees, which will boost the run-

collaborate in growing Ecocleen’s geographical

rate entering post-completion to £30 million

of locations within the M25 and surrounding

and industry spread. The company’s recently

annual turnover.

counties. As a family-run business, the company

appointed chief operating officer, Francois

has established a number of long-standing

Oosthuizen, and Mark McMullen, chief commercial

“The directors of The JPM group would like to

clients and employs over 1000 people. JPM is well

officer, have both been fundamental in supporting

take this opportunity to thank our staff for their

established and has a stable operational team.

the integration plan between the organisations.

loyal service and dedication, and to say thank

notably the film industry - whilst continuing to grow its nationwide network.

Founded in 1987, JPM works across a number

Jo Bass, operations director at JPM, said:

Jean-Henri Beukes, CEO of Ecocleen, said:

During this time, Ecocleen received support

you to our many clients who have allowed us to

“We are one of the fastest-growing commercial

from Graeme Jones at AS Advisory, who worked

serve them during this time. We are excited for

cleaning companies in the UK, with a multi-

closely with the executive team to secure funding

the future as we believe that Ecocleen is the best

award-winning business model which has

for the refinancing of some existing facilities

company that could have acquired us given its

allowed us to earn the trust and respect of

and support for the acquisition of JPM with

similar ethos, culture and family values. We wish

thousands of customers across the country. This

ThinCats, a leading alternative finance provider

them all the very best for the future.”

acquisition demonstrates a great step forward in

to mid-sized SMEs. In addition, James Cowper

WWW.ECOCLEEN.CO.UK

Harrison FM receives global accreditation EAST Midlands facilities management specialists,

40 sites in the north and East Midlands regions of

as well as the appropriate structure to deliver

Harrison FM, has gained accreditation with honours

England. The company is led by Russell Harrison,

operational excellence.

from the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management

group managing director, and directors, Tom

Standard (CIMS). The certification is valid for two

Marples and Dave Allen.

Pete Gowers, CIMS auditor, said: “During the two days I spent on the audit I met all of HFM’s directors who are passionate about

years. Harrison, with headquarters in Spondon,

To earn CIMS certification, Harrison FM

Derby, and offices in Leicester and Nottingham,

underwent a comprehensive assessment by

the company and also its clients. We have

demonstrated high standards of professionalism

a third-party CIMS-accredited auditor. During

highlighted areas that the company could further

and offered ‘operational excellence’ to customers,

the audit, Harrison FM demonstrated to have in

enhance. The result has been successful, and I

according to the ISSA assessors.

place the processes, policies and management

am pleased to confirm HFM has achieved CIMS

style needed to be professional, reliable,

Certification with Honours.”

profitable, and sustainable in the long term,

WWW.HARRISONFM.CO.UK

Established in 2014, Harrison FM is a cleaning services contractor delivering services to around

Student accommodation receives hygiene verification label THE Sodexo-managed student accommodation

seven days. All documentation and processes

verified as adhering to local legislation and

at Northumbria University has received the Rise

were checked by the auditor. Other measures

standards required by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Safe label from Bureau Veritas. Introduced in June

checked by the auditor included the signage

2020 the Rise Safe label provides reassurance

advising students and visitors on required

estates at Northumbria University, said: “A massive

that Sodexo’s team has successfully implemented

actions such as social distancing, one-way

congratulations to our partners Sodexo in being

measures to ensure Claude Gill student

systems, wearing face coverings, and regular

awarded the ‘Rise Safe’ label by Bureau Veritas.

accommodation is COVID-19 secure.

handwashing and sanitising.

This is real achievement and reflects the extra

The comprehensive audit process was

Fiona Stewart, contract director for Student

Jon Oxley, assistant director facilities and

efforts made by them throughout the pandemic

undertaken by an auditor from Bureau Veritas,

Living by Sodexo, said: “I am very proud of the

in helping protect our students so that they are

a world leading testing, inspection and

Student Living team at Northumbria. The Rise Safe

working and living in a safe environment, as

certification company. Measures implemented

label gives confidence to students in residence,

well as supporting the university’s overarching

by Sodexo and audited include the training

to our client Northumbria University and to the

commitment to ensuring compliance to

and implementation of enhanced cleaning

Sodexo team who have worked throughout the

government guidelines during these difficult

procedures including a focus on high touch areas

pandemic that they are working and living in a

times. A huge well done to all involved.”

and an increased cleaning schedule from five to

safe environment which has been independently

WWW.SODEXO.COM

10 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

PEOPLE C&M

New MD for Loo of the Year Awards BECKY Wall has been

learning and gained a Higher Diploma in

then A Plush Flush has achieved many awards

appointed managing

Events Management. In the millennium year

including national category winners, market

director of Loo of the Year

she launched her own events management

sector winners, national winner of individual

Awards andsucceeds

business where she identified a niche in

categories for England, and ultimately UK

Mike Bone, who becomes

the market for luxury mobile toilet hire to

winner of individual categories.

chairman, and who will

complement the events. Together with her

Becky Wall said: “I am very excited to be

continue to be involved in all Loo of the Year

husband Charles, she consequently launched A

taking on this new position and I hope one of

Awards activities.

Plush Flush in 2006.

the goals I achieve is to raise the profile of the

After leaving school Becky Wall had a

The connection with the Loo of the Year

Loo of the Year Awards, sponsors and entrants

successful career in sales and accounts.

Awards started in 2009 when A Plush Flush was

further using social media platforms.”

During that time, she studied through remote

entered into the ‘mobile toilet’ category. Since

WWW.LOO.CO.UK

Julia Argles retires from Swiftclean JULIA Argles, who had served for many years as

structure and development of the company,

Swiftclean’s service delivery director, is retiring

but also to best practice and raised standards

from the company. She is also relinquishing

across the industry. We owe much of our focus

her many achievements, Julia has, above

any commercial interest, her shares being

on training and development to Julia, and the

all, been a great business partner for many

purchased by the company.

industry is the better for her input too.”

years. She was influential in our introducing

Gary Nicholls, managing director and founder

Julia Argles joined Swiftclean in 1992,

also on maximising individual staff potential.

Gary Nicholls continued: “Quite apart from

development programmes for every individual,

of the company with Julia’s late husband, Paul,

following the tragic death of her husband Paul,

and she has always been both reliable and

praised her for the contribution that she has

taking on his mantle as co-owner, and helping

considered in her approach. We wish her

made. He said: “We are very grateful for the

to drive the company forward, together with

every happiness pursuing other interests and

hard work and positive influence that Julia

Gary Nicholls. She has had a significant impact

enjoying a very long, active retirement.”

has contributed over the years, not only to the

both on Swiftclean’s service delivery model, and

WWW.SWIFTCLEAN.CO.UK

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 11

C&M CONTRACTS

Three contracts renewed with British Land INCENTIVE FM has renewed three of its

Crownpoint Shopping Park in Denton,

shopping centre contracts with British Land,

Manchester, which comprises 36 units, will join

one of the UK’s leading property companies,

the portfolio.

and been awarded an additional contract for a

Last year British Land awarded Incentive FM

shopping park near Manchester. It builds on the

contracts to provide a range of soft facilities

long-term partnership that has seen Incentive

services for Ealing Broadway in London,

FM drive value whilst delivering high standards

Beaumont Shopping Centre in Leicester and

at Incentive FM, said: “Each of these sites has

to sites nationwide.

Crown Wharf Retail Park in Walsall. The company

different needs based on variables such as

Glenn Wilson, director - retail and distribution

also renewed Incentive’s contracts to provide

footfall, demographic and location which

continue to be responsible for providing a range

similar services at Whiteley Shopping Centre in

demonstrates our ability to successfully deliver

of cleaning, security and associated services

Hampshire and the Old Market in Hereford.

value with our flexible, partnership approach

Under the new deals Incentive FM will

Richard Nield, head of retail operations at British

whilst ensuring the British Land ‘Places People

Bath and the Inverness Shopping Park. These

Land, said: “Incentive FM has proven to be a highly

Prefer’ strategy is at the forefront of everything

solutions have been revised to include some

supportive partner, adapting quickly to our changing

we do. Our portfolio of shopping centres and

COVID-related changes and to introduce new

needs brought about by the pandemic. They have

retail parks has grown significantly, and we are

technology and equipment to support further

helped to ensure that our visitors and retailers are

now responsible for over 40 sites across the UK.”

financial efficiencies.

able to enjoy a safe, secure and clean environment.”

WWW.INCENTIVE-FM.COM

at Drakes Circus in Plymouth, SouthGate in

Water saving laundry equipment for Eton College LAUNDRY chemical and engineering specialist

commitment,” said facilities manager, Paul

Christeyns UK has helped Eton College in

Bayley. “Addressing water usage was one of the

Windsor meet its environmental goals with a

initiatives that came out of a recent meeting,

new water filtering system.

realising that the old tank system was way beyond being efficient.”

In 2017 the college cut its energy costs by

Christeyns water and energy specialist, Brett

replacing lamps and fixtures that led to a reduction in its carbon footprint by 61%. Earlier

Cartwright, analysed the current provision

this year the college tackled the issue of water

and needs of the college and a Lint X Compact

saving with the installation of a new storage

was installed and up and running ready for the

and filtering system, Lint X.

students return post-lockdown. The new unit will save the site around a third of its water usage.

Renowned for its innovative water and energy

Paul Bayley continued: “Christeyns carried

saving systems, Christeyns installs equipment

dedicated team of 30 run and maintain the

in commercial and on-premise laundries

laundry that processes 50,000 items per week

out a very professional installation of the

across the UK and Ireland that complement the

which includes everything from rugby kit to

Lint-X unit despite the challenges imposed

use of its patented Cool Chemistry and other

chef’s outfits. Items are sorted, washed, ironed

due to lockdown. The whole process went

detergent programmes. Eton College has had a

and then individually repacked for each boy.

very smoothly and I look forward to seeing the

laundry on site since 1881 and has been using Christeyns’ chemistry for almost a decade. A

“As a whole, both the school and the pupils are focused on improving our environmental

longer term impact on our water usage.”

WWW.CHRISTEYNS.COM

Retail window cleaning contract awarded INDEPTH Managed Services has been awarded

cleaning and additional ad hoc services such as

a contract with international retailer, L’Occitane

fogging and deep cleans.

en Provence, to deliver window cleaning

Indepth has a policy of ensuring that it

We want to ensure that through our bespoke communication system, that we operate in our UK hub, and strong contract

services to 85 of its retail stores across the

employs all operatives on a contractual basis

management, that they receive a streamlined,

country, plus daily cleaning services at its UK

and will therefore self-deliver the cleaning

unified service - which is something that

head office in London and flagship store on

contract at the Regent Street flagship store and

many companies are looking for today. We

Regent Street.

London head office.

hope to build a longstanding relationship

The window cleaning element of the contract

Director of sales, Andy Smith,

with the team at L’Occitane en Provence,

will be delivered by Indepth’s sister company,

comments,said: “We are thrilled to be given

assist them with other associated service

Incredible Window Cleaning. It will provide

the opportunity to work with L’Occitane

requirements and be at their side as they

managed, streamlined and comprehensive

en Provence and deliver different cleaning

continue to prosper.”

services that include high and low-level window

services throughout its UK operation.

WWW.INDEPTH-CLEANING.CO.UK

12 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

BICSc C&M

BICSc: celebrating 60 years WHERE do I begin? There is so much to

Sholom Gordon Award was presented at the awards dinner for the first time.

say about the Institute and all it has

Here’s an interesting 1970s fact

contributed to the industry over

It is apparent that there are so many people who have made a considerable contribution to the Institute over the years - John Edwards, Peter

the years - standards, training,

about the Cleaning Operators

Vickers, Dorothy Oliver and, of course, Colin Hasson

membership, education, colour-

Proficiency Certificate (COPC), one

to name a few. There are so many more people who

coding, BICS Business Services

of our earliest qualifications:

are entwined in the rich tapestry that has made

City & Guilds first major cleaning

BICSc what it is today, I’m just sorry that we cannot

- all of that would probably take up events manager, BICSc, reports

qualification, known as ‘The

mention all of you.

the entire publication, so here I’ll

764’, actually used COPC as

(BBS), the BICSc Annual Awards

Michelle Iland, marketing and

do my best to sum up our highlights to date.

That brings us to 2021, and the lockdowns that

the course’s practical element. You can still find

allowed us to shuffle the top agenda items. We

shades of COPC today through the BICSc Licence

have adapted a selection of our training courses for

got together to form what would later become the

to Practice (LTP) - training designed to educate

online delivery, launched the CPSS Assessor app,

British Institute of Cleaning Science, aka BICSc. Our

candidates in, amongst other things, the basics

healthcare skills, BICSc Standards and Best Practice

founder, Eric Hill, headed up these early informal

of health and safety. Upon completion of the

and, in March, we launched the BBS Virtual Training

meetings where sector knowledge and experiences

assessment, candidates will understand the

Suite, allowing candidates to learn at their own

would be shared amongst the group. The meetings

methodology behind the task. From an educational

pace. Then, now and moving forward - our purpose

gained momentum, and over the years that followed

perspective, LTP is the passport to a ‘career in

remains ‘to raise the standards of education and

geographically-based branches were formed.

cleaning’ and is synonymous with BICSc and, some

build awareness of the cleaning industry through

might say, one of our greatest achievements.

professional standards and training’.

In 1961 a group of like-minded industry colleagues

By 1964 BICSc had just over 600 members and we saw the introduction of BICSc Council. Today, we

Over the last few years, our narrative has been

I’m proud to be associated with this historic

have over 45,000 members, a number that continues

around careers in cleaning, something that is

brand, it’s an honour to be a member of Team BICSc

to rise and stands testament to the passion that

attainable through the Cleaning Professional’s

- long may it reign as the UK’s largest membership

people have for the craft that is cleaning.

Skills Suite, Cleanlogic courses and workshops,

and training organisation within the cleaning and

and the soon to be released BICSc Cleaning

hygiene sector.

Supervisor’s Certificate.

WWW.BICS.ORG.UK

The 1970s saw international interest grow, the introduction of Corporate Memberships and the

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 13

C&M BCC COLUMN

Training: a vital lesson after the pandemic experience Dave Wheadon, CEO of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA), explains why professional training and development will continue to be priorities in the cleaning industry going forward after the pandemic.

THERE is no doubt that the cleaning industry has experienced its most challenging professional test in living memory during the coronavirus pandemic. However, it has highlighted the value that we as an industry bring to society, and how as professionals, the responsibility is ours to maintain the highest cleaning standards. This is only achievable through consistent and high-quality professional training.

During the pandemic there were many cleaning companies claiming to be ‘experts’ in various disciplines. We now know that this was not entirely true in many cases, but merely opportunism. The type of cleaning required, especially during a health crisis, must be exemplary. This kind of excellence is only achieved with the right knowledge acquired through targeted training.

At the NCCA, we believe in the value of measurable professional standards, working to a code of practice and, most of all, the pursuit of continuous professional development. To be taken seriously, techniques must be effective whilst offering assurances to our clients that they are receiving the best service.

As part of our ongoing commitment to maintain standards in our particular expertise, we recently achieved CPD (continuous professional development) status for our carpet and upholstery cleaning course - which also forms part of the entry requirement to the

NCCA. The CPD certification elevates our members’ standing and distinguishes them as correctly trained professionals.

The main difference in the NCCA approach to training is the type of training that we offer. We believe in teaching the science of cleaning rather than focusing on how to use one product at a time.

Knowing the fundamental causes of specific soils and how to treat them is often the differentiator between being able to remedy them or not - it doesn’t just depend on what machine one uses. Therefore, we teach using a generic approach which provides a much surer footing for technicians. After all, a wider knowledge base facilitates more successful outcomes.

The product-specific approach is limited for different reasons. For example, if a technician has to swap tools or machines, having only been trained on one type, they will come unstuck very quickly. Our training covers various processes and machines because a technician will have to deal with various types of carpet and soft flooring. They all require their own respective cleaning methods to avoid causing damage.

Just because someone has procured a carpet cleaning machine and a rotary, it doesn’t

mean, by any stretch, that they are qualified and able to do the job at hand. An inadequately trained person, or persons, can wreak untold damage to clients’ carpeting and upholstery by using incorrect chemicals and technology on any given material.

As we look ahead to people returning to work on site, it is vital that commercial spaces are deep cleaned to a standard that ensures the safety of the occupants. A trained professional will also know how to design a maintenance programme for their client that will sustain the level of cleanliness required for maximum hygienic standards. In the wake of the pandemic, this has become more important than ever.

Therefore, as an industry, we must work together to keep our standards high in our respective disciplines, maintain the momentum on training and send the professionals out into the field to ensure our built environment is safe. With our current hygiene needs, there’s no room for improvisation on the job.

WWW.NCCA.CO.UK The NCCA is a member of the British Cleaning Council. The views of Council members are their own.

The Professional Independent Registered Trade Association for

Window Cleaning Membership offers numerous quality benefits IOSH Accredited Safety Training Safety Accredited Member (SAM) Procurement Scheme Secure online store at: https://www.windowcleaning.org.uk/ Federation of Window Cleaners Tel: 0161 432 8754 - Email: info@f-w-c.co.uk – Web: www.f-w-c.co.uk

14 MAY 2021

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

Helping the arts sector reopen with confidence Lee Andrews, CEO of DOC Cleaning, reports.

SUBJECT to government guidance, the next few weeks should see the gradual reopening of museums, galleries, heritage sites, performance venues, and other cultural organisations across the country. At DOC, we have a strong involvement in this sector and have witnessed the frustration of clients trying to balance COVID guidance with the desire to create an authentic visitor experience on reopening.

In fact, there are two very distinct types of indoor attraction when it comes to release from lockdown.

First there are the galleries and museums - what I call the ‘static’ venues - where it is fairly easy to manage the flow of visitors using timed entry and one-way systems, and where the visitors quietly enjoy the exhibits. Then there are the theatres and concert halls, where the audience floods into the venue in a short time window, mingles in the bars, gets up together to stretch their legs at the interval, and floods out again at the end of the performance. Back of house is just as frenetic, with performers rehearsing and support staff buzzing all over the place. Apart from a plane or train, it’s hard to imagine a more challenging environment in which to manage the risk of transmitting infection.

For those institutions who receive little or no public support - and there are many well-known venues that

fall into this category - there is the added headache of getting enough customers through the doors at performances to at least break even. My understanding from speaking to clients is that this is a complex calculation. Some venues rely heavily on bars and catering to make money and need upwards of 80% of seats to be sold for an event to be financially viable.

What are the implications for cleaning? Well, it would be a huge understatement to say that client management at the venues are sensitised to the risks.

They have been working out the best way to maintain safe conditions and we are doing our best to support their efforts. In the ‘static’ venues, there will be a major focus on frequent touchpoint and washroom cleaning alongside the provision of hand sanitisers and the removal of bins containing disposable PPE. We will be employing data analytics to monitor throughput of certain areas and help us redeploy resources in line with usage.

At the live venues, where performers are rehearsing in studios during the day and where audiences are in contact with seats, lifts, stairs, and washrooms during performances, we are adopting a two-pronged approach. We will be delivering periodic fogging in combination with a highly flexible janitorial service.

Staggered shifts will be the order of the day, as will short notice changes in client requirements in response to changes in event schedules whilst everything settles down.

In the background, we have been busy working alongside clients to identify and eliminate risk as part of our DOC ‘SecureZone’ programme, designed to protect all our stakeholders going forward. In addition, we have been loading new videos to our training and engagement platform, UhUb, focusing especially on COVID-19 awareness. These activities form part of our ‘employee back to work plan’ for each client sector, which also includes guidance on first aid and mental health.

Even though infections are in decline and the mood in the country is positive, in the arts sector there is no sense of COVID’s influence on our work receding any time soon - more a feeling of it being here to stay.

Of course, this is not just true of the arts sector. I am sure I speak for all contractors when I say that whilst there has never been a more challenging time to be a cleaning contractor, we have never felt so engaged with clients and staff alike.

WWW.DOCCLEANING.COM

✓ 2-layer construction: catching dirt and moisture and reduces overall floor care which enables greener maintenance regimes ✓ Open construction for easier cleaning and maintenance on site, no need for offsite dry cleaning which makes it more sustainable in use. ✓ Disinfectant can be used within the mat for more protection against viruses and bacteria’s. ✓ Removes 80% of dirt particles at the door while the fine fibers absorb excess water ✓ Improved resistance to traffic for increased durability and sustainability ✓ A mildew-resistant draining fleece to ensure durability and resistance to extreme traffic.

3M™ Nomad™ Aqua Entrance Mats A cleaner, safer building starts at your front door.

✓ Enhanced fire and smoke resistance ✓ Comfort cushioning and sound-deadening qualities ✓ Phthalate free PVC

For more info visit 3m.co.uk/facilitysafety

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 15

C&M

SPECIAL REPORT

Business survival in a postpandemic cleaning industry Cleaning industry leaders and members of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) share their experiences and insights to help our sector thrive in the post-pandemic world.

Jamie Wright, MD, Incentive QAS During the pandemic’s early stages, the unknown nature of the true risk to the industry was daunting. Regular internal and external communication was vital as we navigated those early months. From these meetings our best ideas were born - for example, we produced wellbeing packs for all our teams, whether they were working or on furlough, which were well received.

We have advised clients on how to safely return to the office environment, assisting many with deep-cleans and full environment sanitisation. We have also designed John Shonfeld, Master, WCEC.

programmes for managing touchpoint cleaning

Stan Atkins, group CEO, BICSc

and periodic disinfection to reassure end users.

As we started grasping the new normal, we

and reassure staff members that their facilities

been filled with challenges as we navigated

adapted by introducing a remote training and

are being cleaned correctly. Even though daily

through the coronavirus pandemic. We now

engagement platform for all staff. A new IoT

office cleaning is greatly reduced, along with

turn our attention to a more positive future,

solution was also introduced to assist with

sectors like aviation and retail, other areas, such

for our businesses and our industry as a

socially distanced housekeeping services

as healthcare, logistics and supermarkets, have

whole. I have invited members from the WCEC

throughout the washroom environment.

a much higher demand for cleaning staff due to

“There is no doubt that the last 12 months have

the increased cleaning frequencies required.

to reflect, impart their thoughts on how we embark on recovery in our sector, bring value,

Stan Atkins, group CEO, BICSc

resilience and prevail going forward. Among our

The Institute has been focusing on developing

James White, MD, Denis Rawlins

contributors is Gary Fage, who will succeed me

distance learning/e-learning for over 12

To prepare a cleaning business for reopening,

as Master of the WCEC starting in September

months. COVID-19 has accelerated this project

resources like the ISSA GBAC accreditation

2021. He gives his perspective on our industry’s

and currently over 40% of our skills training is

systems are extremely useful. They help

longer-term opportunities in a ‘green’

available online. Our technical skills (Cleanlogic)

facilities establish a comprehensive system of

economy.” John Shonfeld, Master, WCEC.

are gradually moving to online versions. We

cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease

still have concerns over online assessments

prevention, with ongoing audits, for their staff

but are finding practical ways to overcome the

and their buildings.

difficulties these pose. Fortunately, our IT and

like the pandemic should start with asking

replace the lack of face-to-face training.

customers what they need and identifying their

For the wellbeing of our staff during

supplier, it became evident that our customers

week. However, our members and customers

needed both spraying equipment and

can still speak directly to a member of the

chemicals that were more than just bleach or

BICSc team.

traditional disinfectant. By being informed, you

programmes during the pandemic. There has

16 MAY 2021

current problems. For us, as an equipment

lockdown, we are trialling a four-day working

We have seen a surge of interest for training

Jamie Wright, MD, Incentive QAS

Re-pivoting a business after a unique crisis

support systems were already positioned to

are better positioned to help them.

When it comes to effective remote

also been a shift from night-time to daytime

management, communication is the key and,

cleaning - the hitherto ‘invisible workforce’ must

by using tools like Teams and Zoom, we can

be seen to be doing their work to help clients

maintain it. Internally, team members need WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

SPECIAL REPORT

C&M

Hopefully, the reputation of the industry has been enhanced and everyone will have a better understanding of why science-based cleaning and its measurement are so important. Before the pandemic we were one of a few companies promoting the use of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for cleanliness measurement, now it is becoming the norm.

Medium to long term, cleaning must become a profession with recognised qualifications and licences to trade. This will elevate the industry and the standards that are expected by clients.

It may even prevent further pandemics or limit a future outbreak, thus avoiding economic James White, MD, Denis Rawlins

damage like that seen in the last year.

Gary Fage, MD, Janitorial Express

sustainable - companies that employ these

to know whether their jobs are safe, how the company is doing and how management can

Gary Fage, MD, Janitorial Express

solutions are more likely to receive investment,

help. Good communication will lower stress

The Lord Mayor of London, William Russell,

acquire new business, and build a more

levels and foster inclusion, which ultimately

is currently supporting ‘The City’s role in a

successful rapport with the consumer.

benefit collective mental health as well.

green-led economic recovery’[1] as part of the

We have found that continuation of regular

government’s national initiative, the ‘Build back

professional technicians, we made buildings safe,

reviews, especially one to one, also imparts

better campaign’[2].

and protected the health of our clients. Now is the

a feeling of normality during these far from normal times.

The greatest threat to our future is not, as

In 2020, this industry proved that we are

time to lead the fight against climate change.

many believe, COVID-19, but climate change.

Businesses that put environmental resilience

References

relationships and expectations to keep them on

and biodiversity at their core will be highly

[1] www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-

board. Again, communication is vital, especially

valued and desirable in a post lockdown world.

It’s important to adapt when managing client

when informing customers of the positives

Investment funds focussed on

events/2021-lord-mayor [2] www.assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/

and negatives. By realistically managing their

‘environmental, sustainable and governance’

government/uploads/system/uploads/

expectations, they too can plan. I have found

(ESG) goals received $21.4 trillion[3] for global

attachment_data/file/968403/PfG_Final_

it refreshing to speak with customers and

sustainable investment. $13 trillion of this was

Web_Accessible_Version.pdf

suppliers using video conferencing - I feel

in Europe alone, which equates to around £9.3

[3] www.hsbc.co.uk/wealth/articles/

relationships have strengthened.

trillion. Any recovery needs to be green and

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

sustainable-investing/

MAY 2021 17

C&M

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19

COVID-19: Opening for business Neil Nixon reports.

Following on from the features in previous issues of C&M looking at the role the cleaning sector is playing in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, I am continuing to post news, new product information or video interviews/webinars online to allow for the more immediate dissemination of any updates. Please take a look at www.cleaningmag.com – content is changing on a daily basis.

As previously, I will continue to use the pages of C&M to focus on the importance of cleaning and hygiene, particularly as businesses are now reopening after a long period of lockdown.

‘CHANGING WORKPLACES’ PROGRAMME LOOKS AT COVID’S IMPACT ACROSS EUROPE Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) has

waste and recycling since the end of 2019,

from transparent sector-to-sector information

launched Changing Workplaces - an in-depth

before the pandemic hit. The survey poses

sharing to prepare for the future.

research programme to investigate the complex

questions including: what changes are here to

The report will reveal where the market

changes the coronavirus pandemic has spurred

stay, how have facility users’ demands changed

really needs support and survey results will

in workplaces and facilities across Europe.

and where do organisations need to raise the

shape the advice, education and training

bar around cleaning and hygiene in a post

provision RCP provides.

Hand hygiene, cleaning and waste management now hold a permanent place in the spotlight, thanks to COVID-19 ripping up the

COVID-19 world?

Open to respondents across Europe, the

Paul Jakeway, head of marketing - EMEA, RCP, said: ‘’We’re here to support our customer

rulebook on social interaction and established

survey is relevant to all workplaces and

partners’ success. We urge people to take part

ways of working. For facilities to succeed in an

facilities management and health and safety

in the Changing Workplaces survey, as you will

environment where standards and expectations

professionals, along with anyone whose role

be contributing to a research programme that

are higher than ever before, organisations must

covers cleaning, hygiene, waste management,

will provide clarity and enable control by getting

first understand the trends and challenges the

and recycling.

under the skin of the challenges we are all set

market is facing.

COVID-19 has prompted changes across

to face in the months and years ahead. We will

sectors as diverse as education, logistics,

analyse the data to produce a report to arm you

hygiene, cleaning, waste and recycling solutions,

warehousing, hospitality, and office-based

with the knowledge to make confident decisions

RCP has developed the Changing Workplaces

businesses, so RCP is calling for respondents

that will protect your brand’s reputation for

research programme to help organisations cut

across various markets and facility types. By

quality with staff, customers and facility users.

through the fog of confused advice and take

completing the survey, respondents will make

The insights we glean will feed our R&D and help

control in a rapidly changing world.

an important contribution to their industry.

us continue to develop timeless hand hygiene,

RCP will analyse the survey results and create

cleaning, waste, and recycling solutions that will

survey asking people how their facility has

a report to provide insights so organisations

be relevant and dependable whatever the world

evolved its approach to hand hygiene, cleaning,

can benchmark against their sector and benefit

looks like in two, 10 or 20-years’ time.’’

As a leading international manufacturer of hand

Changing Workplaces launched with a short

As a further incentive for taking the time to respond, completed surveys will see the respondent entered into a prize draw, with four top prizes to be won, featuring £250 of Amazon vouchers, along with £500 of RCP products and a specialist consultation for the winners’ workplaces. There are also 10 runners up prize bundles of £50 Amazon vouchers, £100 of RCP products and workplace consultations.

The Changing Workplaces survey is now open here: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/News_ Story Following analysis of the survey results, RCP is set to deliver a comprehensive review of how the world of work will emerge and operate at a heightened level of consciousness about hand hygiene, cleaning and waste management this summer.

18 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19

C&M

KEEPING RESIDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF SAFE INSIDE CARE HOMES Donna Mitchell, sector marketing manager, healthcare, Diversey, UK and Ireland, reports.

Care homes want to ensure the continued

home’s website. A booking system provides an

sink. Additional precautions are advisable during

safety of their residents, visitors and staff as

excellent opportunity to explain disinfection

the pandemic. This will mean placing hand-rub

they reopen for visits following a relaxation of

processes. Include information about these

dispensers at convenient points around the care

lockdown restrictions. Effective personal and

measures on the phone or send a text or email

home. Dispensers located at the main entrance

environmental hygiene - especially hand and

when confirming a booking.

allow visitors to disinfect their hands when they arrive. Dispensers should also be located inside

surface disinfection - should be central to their infection prevention strategies.

Hand hygiene

and by the doors of communal areas. The aim

Keeping our hands clean is the simplest and

is to make it easy for anyone to disinfect their

normally spreads from person to person

best way to help prevent the spread of the

hands whenever they wish.

by direct contact, touching contaminated

virus. Everyone in the care home should be

Wall-mounted dispensers offer many long-

surfaces and through breathing in airborne

encouraged to clean or disinfect their hands

term benefits (and are less likely to go missing).

droplets produced when infected people

as often as possible. This can include when

In the short term, however, it may be more

cough, sneeze or breathe out. Stopping any

moving from one part of the building to the

convenient to use portable bottles with built-in

of these pathways helps to break the chain

next, when interacting with different people

dispensers. Some suppliers also offer smaller

of infection, and is why good hygiene, social

and after touching any surface that could have

bottles for personal use.

distancing and wearing masks have all been

been touched by someone else. Put up plenty

so important.

of signs to remind people: your hygiene supplier

should be able to show evidence their products

should have some you can use.

meet relevant EN-numbered disinfection

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19

Good practice can start before visitors arrive. Make information about infection prevention measures prominent on the care

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

Make sure the product is effective. Suppliers

Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds will work in any location with a

Continued on Page 21.

MAY 2021 19

C&M

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19

ENHANCE THE PERCEPTION OF CLEAN cleaners, plus a bad smell and a reduction in hygiene standards,” said Wintle. “But there’s something even more important at this unprecedented time. According to the World Health Organisation, Coronavirus can spread in an infected person’s urine. This is called ‘viral shedding’, which means that if traces of contaminated urine become aerosolised and inhaled while using a urinal, the disease can infect others in the washroom [1]. That’s why P-Wave recently delivered a new angle on splash prevention, coupled with a major step forward in urinal deodorising technology with the launch of a new highly fragranced urinal screen.”

Passive and active air fresheners Passive air fresheners are ideal for smaller areas where consistent fragrancing is important. From simple, highly fragranced units for installation As businesses begin to reopen, facilities

“Facilities managers should not overlook the

in bins, the back of doors, under desks, or in

managers need to ensure that premises are

power of scent in the workplace,” continued

washrooms, to more powerful units which can

not only clean and safe, but also restore

Wintle. “Choosing the most appropriate

be placed near a door or any space with good

confidence for returning office workers,

fragrance to apply throughout a building

air flow, the open-air design ensures maximum

contractors and visitors.

can help create a happier and more relaxed

surface area exposure for effective and efficient fragrance release.

First impressions count and can begin

experience for staff and visitors. After all,

before people even see if an office is clean.

shopping centres and high-end retailers

The sense of smell is the strongest of the five

have been using ambient scents to positively

are better for the environment. Systems are

senses and one of the body’s front-line defence

influence customer perceptions for years.

available to freshen small, medium and large

mechanisms, designed to set off alarm bells if

P-Wave has worked with leading fragrance

spaces. Discrete wall or ceiling mounted

a foul smell is detected. According to research,

houses to develop a range of well-researched

systems can freshen up to 16m3, and feature

75% of all emotions generated each day are

and consumer-tested popular fragrances. As

an intelligent fan which powers down when

due to smell. A bad smell is a warning of a bad

innovators in the air freshening industry, P-Wave

the lights go off to conserve the battery.

experience to come.

Active air fresheners replace aerosols and

understands that cleanliness and hygiene

A motion-actvated solution delivers more

“Many premises have been closed for

are the most important aspects of managing

targeted, clean and efficient air freshening

months, and while they might have been

premises, but with the heightened awareness

in small spaces exactly when and where it’s

cleaned, air quality will be poor, and with a

created by COVID-19, facilities managers need

needed, reducing fragrance overload, nasal

reduced frequency of cleaning routines they will

to action every option available to ensure safety

fatigue and aerosol residue.

not smell as fresh as they should,” said P-Wave

and reassure employees and visitors.”

sales and marketing manager, Mark Wintle.

Also available are powerful yet silent active fresheners which feature advanced micro-

“People’s trust in the cleanliness and safety of a

Washroom focus

diffusion technology. Delivering coverage

building can be negatively impacted if it smells

In all premises, to feel safe, consumers need

from 200m3 to 1200m3, one option features

bad, as they will wonder why, and suspect that

to see - and smell - that the washroom is

bluetooth control and advanced programming

it is not hygienic.”

immaculately clean, but poor plumbing or

via smartphone or tablet, while the largest

maintenance, or an inadequate cleaning regime

features fully adjustable start/stop, diffusion

caused by the presence of bacteria which has

can lead to unfortunate odours which are

and stand-by intervals as well as a weekend on/

been left to grow through either inadequate

unlikely to receive 5-star reviews. However, in

off function.

or infrequent or cleaning procedures. While

urinals it is the actual minute-by-minute usage

www.p-wave.co.uk

the washroom may be the cause of the worst

that can cause the biggest problem.

Foul smells in any building are typically

odours in a building, improving the air quality

“We’ve been solving the most common

[1] www.who.int/docs/default-source/

and freshness throughout premises brings

hygiene issue in urinals for years, as randomly

coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-

many benefits.

splashed urine causes a headache for

covid-19-final-report.pdf

20 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19

Continued from Page 19.

and can be used often without damaging the surfaces being treated. Some formulations will

C&M

surfaces frequently during the day.

Cleaning suppliers can advise on the best

standards for the particular viruses or other

disinfect multiple pathogens and can be used

infection prevention products and how to

pathogens of concern. Products meeting

on a wide range of surfaces. Look for products

use them. They will work with care homes to

EN14476 against Viccinia Virus, for example,

that work quickly and can be used when

help ensure the best infection processes to

should be effective against the virus that causes

residents, visitors and staff are present. This

protect residents, visitors and staff.

COVID-19. Look for products that are pleasant

will help make it simpler and safer to disinfect

www.diversey.co.uk

and suitable for frequent application because this will encourage more use.

Surface disinfection The other key aspect to infection prevention is surface disinfection. All hard surfaces should be disinfected frequently to remove viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.

During the pandemic it is a sensible precaution to clean surfaces even more regularly than traditional schedules.

This might mean many times a day. Pay particular attention to surfaces or objects that are regularly touched or used by more than one person. This will include light switches and door handles and equipment such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters and stair lifts.

Select products that meet relevant EN disinfection standards (such as EN14476)

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For crowded spaces, one hand is enough.

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 21

C&M

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

The growth of mobile technology in cleaning and FM

AS little as two years ago, the use of mobile

view payslips, check holiday entitlements,

workforce management (WFM) software is

technology in the cleaning and FM sectors

and submit queries without needing to speak

particularly effective at managing this growing

was viewed, perhaps, as a supplemental tool

physically to a member of the head office team.

demand. Using their smartphones, specialist staff or teams can familiarise themselves with their

for more familiar workforce management solutions. Although nice to have, activities like

Safety, compliance and incident

weekly schedules, view relevant risk assessments

time and attendance, route monitoring and

management

method statements or personal protective

standards auditing were achievable through

For many years, providers have discharged

equipment requirements, take photographs,

more localised desktop or manual methods, if

their duty of care towards lone workers by

and obtain client sign-off. Combined with GPS

not quite as efficiently.

requiring staff to scan RFID (Radio Frequency

tracking, WFM systems also provide an insight

Identification) tags to check in and out of

into which parts of a building are absorbing your

landscape created by COVID-19 has focused

buildings. This technology now extends,

resources the most, enabling management to

the minds of service providers on confronting

through the use of tags placed discreetly in

reallocate intelligently based on demand.

a series of challenges whose common

different parts of the accommodation, to

denominator is they can all be solved

reassuring facilities managers that sensitive

Integration as the way forward

effectively using mobile technology.

areas such as washrooms have been cleaned on

It’s one thing to deploy mobile solutions to

a regular basis. Using smart form technology,

address specific challenges, but another to do

More effective engagement with

on-site staff can also perform tasks such as

it efficiently. Integrated management software

front line staff

confirming their health status, the completion

systems harness the benefits of each individual

The need to broadcast promptly to staff on the

of a recent COVID-19 test or recording the

application, whilst minimising duplication of

evolving health and safety protocols linked to

management and resolution of incidents.

data entry and making it possible to analyse

Fast forward to 2021 and the new

information swiftly and automatically, leading

COVID-19 means 100% implementation of safe working can no longer be guaranteed by relying

Staff scheduling and demand-based

to better-informed decision making. Combining

on field management to communicate by

resource allocation

workforce management solutions with client

traditional methods. Software portals integrated

Staff scheduling has become a critical tool

transparency and tight financial control, they’re

to staff databases are coming into their own,

in the new world of building cleaning, where

increasingly becoming the preferred way for FM

with staff able to read important information

an agile and mobile workforce is required

contractors to manage the complexity of life in

in their own time on their smartphone. The

to deliver increasing volumes of specialist

the pandemic-constrained world.

facility for two-way communication means

one-off or intermittent tasks associated with

WWW.TEAMSOFTWARE.COM/CLEANING-AND-

they can also access important documents,

decontamination and deep cleaning. Mobile

MAINTENANCE

22 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

C&M

COVID-19 has created an increase in liability for the cleaning sector and the need for greater more demonstrable compliance.

UhUb is providing the perfect solution to ensure both saturation of adaptable training and live data reporting.

2020 has been a year of transformation and

been updated via messaging. This means

a big role for us to show

core to this is accountability, meaning that

that the latest guidance is available

our colleagues what our

where compliance is concerned no longer is

in a matter of hours to all, as

training simply just about training. Speaking

opposed to spending time

with Insurance Companies has highlighted a

printing and distributing

change in attitudes meaning if training is not

the documents to site.

UhUb also plays a big role in us reassuring

constantly updated, available and applied to all,

Also…we are able to ensure

our clients and enabling them in turn to

or you don’t have the data to demonstrate it’s

that staff always have access to

reassure their clients, occupiers and visitors.”

completion, you may as well have not done it!

relevant COSHH, H&S and other

The ability to share and prove training for all, is

guidance documents whilst

now more critical to compliance and customer

carrying out their usual duties.”

assurance than ever before. We asked our clients

expectations are and how they must keep themselves, our clients and the public as safe as possible.

UhUb Clients understand not only how important it is to be compliant through data, but to have an engaged and motivated

what UhUb means to them when protecting

How will UhUb be used to

themselves from liability.

provide compliance, risk

workforce that deliver outstanding cleaning standards and reduce risk.

mitigation and protection in the How is UhUb helping with you from a

‘COVID liability’ world we are

‘traditional’ compliance requirement view?

getting used to?

Iain Fraser-Jones (MD) Greenzest Ltd

Jamie Wright (MD) Incentive QAS

“At Greenzest we have fully embraced UhUb’s

“The emphasis on cleaning and disinfection

If you’d like to know more about UhUb why not get in touch? In 20

capability beyond the delivery of training. We

will remain high on everybody’s agenda as we

minutes, we could change the way you think

now encompass the wide range of information

emerge from the pandemic and I believe it is the

about Training & Engaging staff forever.

and engagement tools that not only streamline

responsibility of the cleaning industry as a whole

our operations but ensure we no longer need to

to ensure the importance of a hygienically clean

print mountains of documents for our site files

and regularly disinfected environment does not

with reams of repetitive data around COSHH or

waiver. Through UhUb we are able to continually

SSoW. We are able to upload this data onto UhUb

train and re-train our staff in the basic cleaning

which allows all of our site based staff to access

principles, new methods and changing guidance

it. From a compliance perspective being able

as it occurs – all without having to physically be

to demonstrate through data that training was

with them. With the restrictions on our movement

delivered and passed is an absolute necessity.

during the pandemic UhUb has been a welcome

As such UhUb has reduced our administration,

addition to our business and shows the cleaning

Call: 0203 291 3439.

improved our training & compliance, and our

teams we are still investing in them, and the senior

Or email: info@uhub.co.com.

carbon footprint”

leadership team can be confident we remain

You can also find us at www.uhub.co.com

continually compliant.”

Lee Andrews DOC Cleaning Ltd

https://www.linkedin.com/company/10892902

“In terms of documentation, the ability to

Gemma Bowers (HR & L&D Director) Regular

provide our workforce with instant access to

Cleaning

this important information has been a huge

“It is becoming a prerequisite when tendering

benefit. Given the ever-changing requirements

for new business to demonstrate how you train

and guidance in the current climate we are

colleagues to be COVID compliant, and what

able to revise our documentation on UhUb

tools you use to communicate compliance,

and then inform all staff that documents have

best practice and to mitigate risk. UhUb plays

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 23

C&M

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

Streamlining back-office operations with SmartTask EQUITY Cleaning Services, a contract cleaning company that specialises in the maintenance of commercial and industrial buildings in the south of England, has invested in SmartTask cleaning services management software to manage its workforce of over 200 employees.

Founded some 40 years ago, the company has built a reputation for high standards of professionalism, reflected in its client list, including the NHS and Audi. Using SmartTask software has delivered significant operational efficiencies, better communications for staff and customers, and more accurate up-to-date reporting, payroll and invoicing.

Right people, right place, right time meeting SLAs Equity’s operations director, Louise Haynes, sets the scene: “A lot of time was spent on manual admin tasks. What we needed was

SmartTask populate the company’s Sage

that employees start and end their shifts, with

something that was better than a spreadsheet

accounts system with no rekeying of data

automatic alerts should staff fail to arrive on

and that was designed for our particular kind

required, reducing the risk of errors and

site. This will assist the company in meeting its

of business. When I first saw the SmartTask

potential for lost paperwork. Previously

duty of care, lone worker and health and safety

software I liked its modern look and knew that it

invoices took a week to reconcile and email

compliance requirements.

would be easy for people to use.”

out to customers. With SmartTask invoices are

SmartTask is used to create weekly timesheets for staff, replacing the spreadsheets and

prepared and issued in just under an hour.

Louise Haynes continued: “The SmartTask

A mobile App for a mobile workforce Introducing the new SmartTask App will

dramatically reducing time spent on admin.

software records all working hours ensuring

make it easier for Equity’s staff to receive

A key driver for choosing SmartTask was to

that no cleaning jobs are missed in the invoices,

details of cleaning jobs and check in and

streamline rosters and manage cover for sickness

which means no lost revenue. Accurate records

out once completed - they can book onto

and holidays. Being able to identify staff with

also enable transparency of all jobs completed

their shifts, view their daily work schedules

the right skills who are available and local to the

for each customer. Where one-off cleans have

and make welfare calls. Completing audits

customer site to fill any gaps has been invaluable

been arranged, scheduling the job using

and submitting incident reports via the App

because it ensures that all customer jobs are

SmartTask eliminates paper notes that in the

will also help to support health and safety

serviced cost efficiently and helps the company

past may have been misplaced or forgotten.”

requirements. For the managers, activity reports can be used for quality audits of the

to meet its service level agreements.

Future plans support health and safety

service provided for customers and to meet

scheduling staff rosters now takes just half a

compliance

profitability targets.

day instead of two days, a reduction of 75%.

The SmartTask solution provides a full range

SmartTask ensures that all working hours are

of workforce management capabilities which

SmartTask our operations and administration

captured and reports collating data from all

can be utilised as business requirements

are more efficient and accurate across the

jobs completed are fed into the payroll, which

evolve. Equity Cleaning Services plans to

board. Rostering and payroll are massively

means staff are confident that they are paid

further extend its use of SmartTask to include

streamlined, while SmartTask’s user friendly

accurately for the hours worked.

the ‘holidays’ module, allowing staff to request

system has freed my time up greatly, enabling

holiday and see holiday entitlement/accurals

me to focus on other priorities. The customer

Improving customer service with

via the app. The company also plans to utilise

service from SmartTask has been second to

faster invoicing

the ‘time and attendance’ module which will

none, their attention to customer experience

Invoicing customers has become a more

enable staff to clock in and clock out. This

makes them very easy to work with.”

automated process. Integrated reports from

will provide an accurate record of the times

WWW.SMARTTASK.CO.UK

Since using SmartTask, the time spent

24 MAY 2021

Louise Haynes concluded: “Since using

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

C&M

Access Group acquires Ezitracker THE Access Group, a leading provider of

software within the facilities management

business management software to mid-sized

sector and provides our customers with the

ERP, said: “We are excited to acquire Ezitracker

organisations, has announced the acquisition

opportunity to explore a wider range of ERP and

and build on their success. Ezitracker has built

of Ezitracker, one of the UK’s leading providers

business management solutions from a single

a reputation of being a trusted supplier of

of workforce management solutions in the

provider. Ezitracker was set up over 20 years

reliable and innovative technology solutions for

facilities management sector.

ago to provide FM businesses with software

better workforce management in the facilities

Brendan Flattery, managing director, Access

solutions that specifically meet their needs.

management, cleaning and security sectors

workforce management, Ezitracker, said: “We

Our story continues but in an enhanced way as

across the UK, Australia and New Zealand and

are delighted to be joining The Access Group.

part of The Access Group, which will see further

we look forward to working with them closely as

This gives Ezitracker a new level of expertise in

investment in our people and the products and

they integrate into the Access ERP division.”

the provision of remote workforce management

services we deliver to our customers.”

WWW.EZITRACKER.COM

Christian Berenger, managing director -

redwigwam launches flexible working community for cleaning sector REDWIGWAM has created Red Clean in

to scale up or down subject to their needs. New

powered platform currently has over 150,000

response to huge demand for cleaning

clients also pay no booking fee for the first job

workers and 4500 hirers registered. The

personnel in the wake of the coronavirus

they place with the platform. It is also free to

business saw a sharp rise in enquiries from the

pandemic. Red Clean gives companies instant

post jobs on the site.

cleaning and facilities management sector as

access to fully managed, flexible cleaning

redwigwam was established five years ago

staff. Red Clean handles all HR, payment and

and has quickly become a leading flexible

administration, giving businesses the flexibility

working community. The company’s AI-

companies reopened following lockdowns, but with much stricter cleaning protocols in place.

Continued on Page 27.

Software for companies that keep the world clean.

Sync your back-office and operations when you bundle users, modules and services across your business.

Partner with TEAM Software.

teamsoftware.com/cleaningmaintenance

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 25

C&M

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

Technology’s role in managing a modern workforce

THE coronavirus pandemic has shone a

providers throughout the UK are now utilising

and evidence service delivery in a more efficient

spotlight on the cleaning industry, with

digital workforce management solutions, such

and effective manner.

stringent hygiene regulations, risk reduction

as Unique IQ’s IQ:timecard, to share timesheets,

and sky-high client expectations amongst the

tasks and data from remote office workers to

be ticked-off, date stamped and pushed directly

many demands now facing cleaning businesses.

field staff via the Internet and mobile apps.

to the office, to taking photographs of surfaces

Technology will be central to ensuring safe

Through replacing paper processes, not only

or stock such as alcohol hand gels, in utilising

service delivery in a post-COVID world.

is the risk of a touchpoint removed, the data

a mobile app it becomes easier to track and

shared is more accurate, reliable and quicker

provide evidence of what cleaning has been

to access, helping to meet regulatory standards

undertaken, in some cases in real-time.

The changes brought about by the pandemic have not only affected cleaning methods -

From introducing mandatory tasks that can

As people begin their return to work and more office buildings begin to reopen, the use of technology will not be lost - too many of us are now settled into this ‘new normal’ of instant communication and data transfer. Expectations of hygiene and standards of service delivery have also risen, and with the help of technology, are being actively met.

With the cleaning sector having one of the most influential positions in the fight against coronavirus, technology has a key role to play in helping to achieve the ultimate goal of providing a safer environment for all.

WWW.UNIQUEIQ.CO.UK 26 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

C&M

Continued from Page 25.

This has included providing specialist sanitising and decontamination services for offices and workplaces to protect employees and the public from COVID-19 infection.

Lorna Davidson, CEO of redwigwam, said: “The cleaning and facilities management industry has seen unprecedented demand for its services as a result of the pandemic and the increased pressures being placed on businesses to provide safe working environments for their employees. We were receiving an ever-growing number of enquiries with an urgent need for additional cleaning resource including corporate and commercial premises, hospitals, property agents, landlords, and litter-pickers.

This has led to us launching Red Clean, the first flexible working community to directly support the cleaning sector. Clients like the flexibility that we are able to provide, giving them the

Lorna Davidson, CEO of redwigwam

chance to find the workers they need quickly but without having to take on the responsibility

like the flexibility that Red Clean gives them to

cleaning services across south east England,

of HR, payroll and other administrative burdens.

dial up or down their requirement in line with

said: “We urgently needed cleaning operatives

They also have the peace of mind of knowing

the demands of their business.”

who were diligent and reliable. Redwigwam

that all cleaning staff are experienced, fully trained and have been vetted. Our clients also

Dean Yershon, managing director of Cool to Clean, provider of commercial and office

supplied great staff at short notice.”

WWW.RED-CLEAN.CO.UK

Outdoor cleaning products from Robert Scott.

As catering reopens for business, we have handpicked a selection of products to help keep outdoor spaces clean.

All neatly packaged in a new six-page leaflet. Visit our website for your free download.

That’s serious cleaning know-how from Robert Scott.

robert-scott.co.uk

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

MAY 2021 27

C&M

TRAINING & EDUCATION

The importance of training during times of uncertainty Jan-Hein Hemke, managing director of Facilicom UK, explains why training shouldn’t be cast aside during challenging times.

TRAINING is one of the most important

Although we deliver ongoing training for our

investments a business can make. It not only

colleagues throughout the year, and work to the

ensures that colleagues are fully equipped

highest standards at all times, the pandemic

to do the job, but it also boosts staff morale,

brought new challenges and requirements. But

has a positive impact on your customers and,

rather than hitting pause on our regular training

ultimately, your bottom line.

sessions, we stepped them up a gear to ensure

Within the cleaning sector, training is vital for keeping up to date with the latest practices and protocols. Ensuring that operatives have the

our operatives had the skills they were going to need on the frontline.

As demand grew for deep cleans, fogging and

latest knowledge of products and techniques

touch point cleaning, we refreshed our training

is crucial. This level of knowledge can only be

in these areas so we were ready and waiting

achieved through regular, ongoing training,

to deliver these services. And as clients craved

which is engrained in a person’s development

reassurance that their premises were safe, we

Embracing remote communication, rather

plan. This requires a commitment of both time

upskilled our team in post-cleaning aftercare,

than seeing it as a barrier to delivering training,

and expense. But when a global pandemic

and launched a brand new service - ‘SAFER’

meant that all of our colleagues were able to

strikes and a business is under immense

with Facilicom - an adenosine triphosphate

access learning materials from their own homes

pressure to deliver, training can be one of the

(ATP) surface testing regime.

at a time that suited them.

things that is put on the back burner.

Against the odds

Pandemic learnings

it makes little sense to me to cast aside training

Training hundreds of our colleagues during a

If the crisis has taught us anything when it

at such an uncertain time. It is short sighted to

global crisis wasn’t easy and trying to deliver

comes to business, it is that you have to accept

think that it isn’t important during a time of crisis,

sessions alongside COVID-19 restrictions was a

change and adapt if you want to survive. By

or that it can wait for calmer time. The reality is,

real challenge. But through socially distanced

tailoring your training to the current climate,

we need it more than ever.

meetings and video calls, we were able to

rather than letting it fall to the wayside, you will

upskill our teams to provide these vital services

reap the rewards, both in terms of colleague

at a time of real need.

motivation and client satisfaction.

As a firm believer in continuous improvement,

Evolving alongside the pandemic The virus has changed the way in which many

We also launched our virtual

As our cleaning operatives continue to keep

people operate and, in turn, this has altered the

‘Inspirational Toolkit’ which was packed full

our businesses and public places as clean and

demands on the cleaning sector. Our customers

of stories from colleagues, useful tips and

safe as possible, we owe it to them to invest

require a different level of support and we have

practical advice to guide people through

in their development and future-proof their

had to adapt our services, and our skillset,

this challenging time - both professionally

careers for many years to come.

rapidly to suit the evolving situation.

and personally.

WWW.FACILICOM.CO.UK

Innovative training platform expands TWO new resources are now available

The ‘Deep clean product guide for education’

and surface cleaners, disposable wipes and

to help ensure shared spaces, such as

contains useful information to help nurseries,

floorcare products as well as solutions and

education and catering establishments,

schools and colleges select the best products

procedures required to clean a potential virus

are cleaned effectively. Jangro, the UK and

to prevent the spread of infection, such as the

outbreak. There are also instructions on how to

Ireland’s largest network of independent

Jangronauts hand soap and dispensers, a fun

clean and disinfect a fogging machine.

janitorial and cleaning distributors, has

range designed especially for children. As well

launched a ‘Deep clean product guide for

as advising on best hand washing and sanitising

platform, the Jangro Learning Management

education’ and extended its range of training

techniques, it also helps to identify common

Solution, with the addition of a training ‘Task

‘Task Cards’ to include one exclusively

germ hotspots within educational facilities. This

Card’ dedicated to deep cleaning. Task Cards

focused on deep cleaning.

handy guide also includes antiviral disinfectants

are brief, highly visual documents which

28 MAY 2021

Jangro has also extended its e-learning

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

TRAINING & EDUCATION

C&M

contain step-by-step instructions for product

organisations to sort the wheat from the chaff

usage and safety information so that staff can

and select the most effective products for their

refer to them on the go. The deep cleaning

settings. Given the importance of cleaning

Task Card outlines best practice for donning

and hygiene, particularly as we navigate the

PPE, hand hygiene procedures, colour-coding

pandemic, the deep cleaning Task Card was

and cleaning in non-healthcare settings,

a natural addition. We hope this will act as a handy reference guide, enabling a high quality

disinfecting high touchpoints, cleaning a

clean to be achieved.”

potential virus outbreak, and waste disposal.

with all children back to school and bars, cafes

It also includes enhanced guidance for

and restaurants reopening (albeit al-fresco), it

chemical fogging.

is the perfect time for premises to undergo a

can be downloaded for free at: www.jangro.net.

deep clean. At a time when there is so much

The deep cleaning Task Card is available at:

choice on the market, our new guide will help

WWW.JANGROLMS.NET

Joanne Gilliard, CEO at Jangro, said: “Spring time is synonymous with cleaning. This April,

The ‘Deep clean product guide for education’

Cleaning - and the importance of training - in the hospitality sector The importance of cleaning in the fight against COVID-19 cannot be overstated. As the UK exits lockdown and moves towards relaxed restrictions and the reopening of businesses, we all need to remain vigilant about hygiene. Training is a key part of this, as maintaining a clean environment will be everyone’s responsibility. Kelly Brierley and Tom Capper, regional sales managers at Robert Scott, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of products for the janitorial sector, share insights to help businesses train staff effectively.

VENTILATION is important in the fight against

Sustainable cleaning

coronavirus and airflow should form a key part

Our own research shows that sustainability will

of cleaning training from now on. Where internal

remain important beyond 2021. A non-chemical

ventilation systems are installed, make sure your

cleaning solution such as hypochlorous acid

team knows how often to clean them - and how

(HOCI) made by Toucan Eco is beneficial for a

to do this effectively. High-level cleaning tools,

variety of environments, as staff and customers

such as the Flexi Tool, are ideal for this job and

are not exposed to harmful chemicals or

can get into the external vents and high reach

pungent smells.

areas safely for thorough cleaning.

The most effective way to clean is in two stages: first to clean and then to disinfect, as

Choose reusable products where possible

disinfectants kill more germs when surfaces are

Reusable microfibre is cost-effective, eco-

grease and dirt free. Disinfecting surfaces is a

friendly and delivers a great result. As one of

key priority, but traditional disinfectants can be

the first companies to introduce microfibre

tough on skin and highly scented, which isn’t

products to the market over 20 years ago,

always desirable.

Robert Scott recommends the capabilities of

Toucan Eco is made at a low concentration

microfibre as a more efficient and sustainable

and gentle pH. It’s food-safe, non-toxic, odour-

Understanding touchpoints

choice for regular cleaning. Educating your

free, and hypoallergenic, making it perfect

A key part of staff training now needs to

team on using the right products for the job will

for any environment where disinfectant is

encompass touchpoints. These are areas which

help improve the effectiveness of their cleans.

required. The multipurpose non-chemical

experience high volumes of human interaction,

solution has also become one of the first

so they must be cleaned regularly. This is a

cleaning products of its kind in the UK

crucial part of your cleaning regime.

to receive both EN 14476 and EN 16777

door handles and lift buttons. Aim to eliminate

against coronaviruses.

touchpoints during cleaning - using a door stop

Simply make as much solution as required

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

Examples of touchpoints are handrails,

certification, proving its virucidal efficacy

and handle, for example - and make sure cleaning

using tap water and salt, then activate with a small

is built into the team schedule throughout the day.

electrical current to create the HOCI solution.

WWW.ROBERT-SCOTT.CO.UK MAY 2021 29

C&M

SPECIAL REPORT

Saving resources and protecting our planet Cromwell Polythene’s managing director, James Lee, shares his thoughts on recycling best practice.

USING resources efficiently depends upon the

On the business side, the consultation

engagement of everyone, working together to

includes proposals for those companies

share expertise, making sustainable choices

which produce municipal waste to segregate

and finding achievable solutions to protect our

dry recyclable materials from residual waste

environment and act on climate change.

so that these can be collected for recycling.

One element of hope during this pandemic

Plans also recommend these organisations

is that it is making us more aware of the

separate their food waste for collection and

importance of using resources wisely. There

recycling or composting. Producers will also

are signs that air pollution and C02 emissions

be required to take more responsibility for

have dropped as a result of changes made to

the products and materials they place on

manage the virus. It will be interesting to see if

the market, including when they become

It can offer many sustainable solutions to help

governments will take more measures to ensure

waste, under the reform of the UK Packaging

mitigate the effects of a changing climate, for

environmental benefits can be maintained, and

Producer Responsibility System.

example significantly reducing food waste. It also enables the safe containment of liquids

resource efficiency can be improved, once this Effective segregation

such as cleaning products, eliminating

Recycling and re-use of materials starts with

environmental leaching of cleaning chemicals

change on the environmental front, not least

effective segregation of the different waste

and wastes from bottles, for instance. Using

in terms of recycling and waste management.

streams on site to avoid contamination.

plastic waste sacks and bags is the simplest and

However, the UK Government’s enhanced

Unfortunately, items can often end up in the

most cost-effective way to encourage people

Environment Bill, which sets out its vision

incorrect bin. The value of paper, for example, is

to safely and hygienically separate and collect

for a greener future, is now rightly on hold

significantly reduced if it is contaminated with

materials for re-use and recycling.

as we focus on combatting coronavirus. The

wet wastes such as food, and may even render

environmental legislation will set standards

it unrecyclable.

pandemic eases.

This year was expected to herald significant

for improving air quality, protecting nature,

Practical steps that cleaning teams can take

Switching from plastic to alternative materials, such as glass or cardboard, is often suggested to be ‘greener’. However, this can

increasing recycling, and cutting down on

include ensuring there are enough recycling

lead to other sustainability issues, such as

plastic waste.

bins, that they are of a suitable size, clearly

higher energy and water use, increased C02

labelled, and that the waste is frequently

emissions in production and transport (due to

Uniform approach to recycling

collected. From posters on walls with recycling

the extra weight of material), or an increase in

A consistent approach to household and

information to colour-coded bins and staff

food waste.

business recycling collections in England is a

awareness-raising campaigns, there are endless

key part of the legislation, as previously outlined

opportunities to remind people about the

in cars, trucks and planes, lightweight plastic

in the Government’s Resources and Waste

benefits of recycling.

packaging increases the efficiency through the

Just as plastics help reduce fuel consumption

supply chain, burning less diesel and helping

Strategy. There are plans for all local authorities in England to collect the same core set of dry

Carbon footprint

to reduce greenhouse gases. Our LowCO2t

recyclable materials from households and to

It is right and encouraging that people are

products, for example, are engineered to

provide separate, weekly food waste collections.

showing concern for the environment and the

provide maximum performance using minimal

impacts that our actions have. Plastic waste has

resources. This not only helps to reduce

grabbed the headlines but in our desire to do

the volume of plastic used and the energy

the right thing the challenge for organisations

used in manufacturing, but also to minimise

and individuals is not to eschew plastics in

greenhouse gas emissions in transportation

favour of less resource efficient alternatives, but

through the supply chain.

to choose responsibly sourced materials with the lowest carbon footprint.

Responsibly produced plastic can have a

is needed in recycling infrastructure, litter

high recycled content (up to 100%) and can

management and simplification of the

be reprocessed many times, not only saving

recycling process.

virgin material but associated energy as well.

30 MAY 2021

Technologies exist that mean every type of plastic can be recycled, but investment

Continued on Page 32.

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

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C&M

SPECIAL REPORT / PRODUCT NEWS

this material for future use. However, if

Life-cycle assessment approach

compostable packaging is put in with waste

Used properly, plastic will continue to offer a

Clarity needed on compostable bags

for disposal in landfill, as with any other

convenient and cost-effective solution to many

A recent report, ‘Plastic Promises’ from the

organic matter in landfill, as it degrades it

of modern day life’s issues, especially in the

Green Alliance looking at the grocery sector

will give off greenhouse gases.

cleaning industry. The real debate shouldn’t be

Continued from Page 31.

Additionally, if compostable packaging is put

indicated that ‘over 80% of consumers think

about making a choice between plastics and

biodegradable or compostable plastic is

into the recycling stream it can contaminate the

sustainability, but how we can use all resources

environmentally friendly, but there is little

other materials, meaning that the whole batch

more efficiently and help combat climate

understanding of what the terms mean and

cannot be recycled.

change. The carbon cost of all products must be taken into consideration across the whole life

how the material should be dealt with’.

Confusion is added as some bags are

Quality standards

cycle assessment - if this was a consideration

being described as biodegradable, or

To maximise sustainability, buyers should

now, lightweight plastic packaging would not

compostable, when this is not always the

ensure that the products they are investing

be ditched in favour of heavier, less energy-

case, for example oxo-degradable products.

in perform to a high level. Things to look for

efficient materials. With the help of plastics,

In addition, compostable should only be

include international, independently audited

and emphasis on resource efficiency, improved

used for the recycling application that

quality hallmarks - these include EN standards

litter management and recycling infrastructure,

they are designed for. Compostable bags

and ISO quality management principles. And

we can better address the more crucial issue of

are ideal for food and garden waste from

in the UK, the CHSA Accreditation Schemes for

climate change.

client sites, where they compost alongside

mops, tissue and refuse sacks.

WWW.CROMWELLPOLYTHENE.CO.UK

HYDRO Systems, a leader in delivering chemical dispensing and dosing solutions, has launched the EvoOne

EvoOne Bottle Lockout enhances safety and supplier security

Bottle Lockout system to complement its EvoOne push pump dispenser.

Hydro’s EvoOne Bottle Lockout is a no-chemical-contact cap system which provides chemical exclusivity with its leading EvoOne product range. Comprising two separate parts, the Lockout Cap has a custom ‘keyway’ position unique to the customer. This makes it an attractive option for chemical suppliers, as it helps prevent users from switching out chemical bottles with other brands.

Installing the EvoOne Bottle Lockout also minimises the risk of accidental contact with the chemical.

The EvoOne product range delivers the advantages of chemical dispensing to facilities without requiring a water line connection, ensuring accurate doses into sinks, bottles, buckets and other containers.

WWW.HYDROSYSTEMSEUROPE.COM

THE new Taski Aero Up upright cordless vacuum cleaner uses, according to the manufacturer, less than half the energy, weighs over a third less, and is around half as noisy as previous comparable models. It combines high performance, sustainability and low cost of ownership in a compact and lightweight design.

It supports complete mobility and portability when cleaning hard floors and carpets in professional applications. The new model is also perfect for use with the integrated Taski trolley system.

Sustainable, lower cost, mobile vacuum cleaner

WWW.DIVERSEY.COM

32 MAY 2021

WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM

PRODUCT NEWS

C&M

NILFISK has introduced a new

Nilfisk launches Core Pressure Washer range

range to the UK market the Nilfisk Core Pressure Washers. Recognised for its simple, clean and Scandinavian design

EDITOR

combined with a black frame and blue body, the Nilfisk Core 140 and 140 IH pressure washers have been awarded a

2021 German Design Award and a 2021 Red Dot Design Award.

Ian Davies, consumer sales manager at Nilfisk, said: “The new Core Pressure Washers have been designed with the consumer in mind, and truly encompass Nilfisk’s commitment to creating highquality tools that are built to last. Taking influence from our Scandinavian heritage with its awardwinning simplistic design, the multi-purpose and powerful machines offer plenty of opportunities for

Neil Nixon neilnixon@quartzltd.com 07957 713316 SALES DIRECTOR

Stuart Dacre stuartdacre@quartzltd.com 01737 855041 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

made simple.”

Michelle Andrews michelleandrews@quartzltd.com 01737 855086

WWW.NILFISK.COM

PRODUCTION MANAGER

our trading partners, and we are confident that the collection will be a fantastic success. It’s cleaning,

Carol Baird carolbaird@quartzltd.com 01923 437619 MANAGING DIRECTOR

THE totally redesigned taski.com website launched recently and is not just a showroom with pictures and videos, it’s also a space

Tony Crinion

Taski launches new website and app

where visitors can take a deep dive into what Taski offers. The selector tool guides customers so they can find the perfect machine to meet their needs, and what their sector requires.

CEO

Steve Diprose CO-CHAIRMAN

Paul Michael DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES

Elizabeth Barford elizabethbarford@quartzltd.com 01737 855028

Taski is simultaneously launching a new app that provides on-the-move access and insight. With content specifically optimised for phone and tablet screens, the app is a companion to the new website. Elements like the simple machine selector allow users to find their ideal cleaning machine based on their needs. They can get additional information on the competitive ownership costs of a Taski machine with the in-built total cost of ownership calculator. Alongside the website, the app delivers training materials so that throughout a facility, staff have access to instructional material.

Sector specific sectioning is also present in the app to help users dial into their needs and relevant video content.

WWW.TASKI.COM

NEW from Kimberly-Clark Professional is the Scott Control Mini Twin

Take control of washroom hygiene, efficiency and sustainability

PUBLISHED BY

Quartz Business Media Quartz House 20 Clarendon Road Redhill, Surrey RH1 1QX 01737 855086 www.cleaningmag.com

centrefeed toilet tissue system designed to deliver maximum hygiene, efficiency and sustainability in washrooms. Launched in March 2021, the twin format is claimed by the manufacturer to be the most hygienic dispenser in the marketplace and is the highest capacity centrefeed toilet tissue system available.

Launched as part of the Kimberly-Clark Professional 360 Hygiene

and Protection programme, the new twin system provides all sectors with optimum hygiene, with a one-wipe-clean dispenser that is designed with no shut lines or key holes.

WWW.KCPROFESSIONAL.COM

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ISSN: 1473 723X © Quartz Business Media, 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the copyright owner.

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Cardiff, UK

MAY 2021 33

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