INCLEAN May-June 2021

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE INFORMATION

www.incleanmag.com.au

May / June 2021

®

15 YEARS STRONG

EDITOR’S LETTER

INCLEAN is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd on behalf of ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association.

41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia MANAGING DIRECTOR: Simon Grover PUBLISHER: Simon Cooper MANAGING EDITOR Claire Hibbit Email: chibbit@intermedia.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6140 NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Samantha Ewart Email: sewart@intermedia.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6106 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jacqui Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Natasha Jara GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Alyssa Coundouris Print Post Approved Publication No. PP: 255003/09765 AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION RATE 12 months (6 issues) - $66 (inc. GST) To subscribe call 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

INCLEAN is owned by ISSA ABN: 44 617 407 020 P: +61 2 9890 4951 A: Suite 1, Level 1, 52 O’Connell Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150 W: www.issa.com DISCLAIMER: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the Publisher). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisherís endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees.

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Copyright © 2021 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

Editor’s letter

D

emand for cleaning services in healthcare facilities has skyrocketed during COVID-19, forcing cleaning operators to be at the top of their game as they pursue ever-higher hygiene standards.

In our healthcare feature this issue, we speak to organisations that have been put to the test in healthcare environments in the past year, how they are embracing new advances and how the pandemic is re-shaping cleaning and hygiene standards. Read our healthcare feature from page 34.

In addition to healthcare facilities, cleaning organisations also play a critical role in keeping building occupants safe and healthy. This means the effectiveness of the cleaning programs in the buildings they occupy can have a real impact on their health.

Cleaning effectiveness can be directly tied to an organisation’s standard operating procedure (SOP). It is important, now more than ever, to ensure you have an SOP aligned with your company’s objectives – and those of your stakeholders – to create safe and healthy building environments. Read how standard operating procedures can set up your organisation for long term success on page 28.

Also in this issue, we take a look at floorcare – a topic that may not always receive the attention it deserves as the cleaning industry focuses on high touchpoints and disinfectants because of COVID-19 - but remains a key area of hygiene and innovation for contractors and their clients. Read how cleaning companies are upping the ante on floorcare products, services, and technologies from page 48.

As the sector’s trade magazine, we are focused on keeping the industry connected and informed. If you have a positive news story to share with the team, please get in touch at info@incleanmag.com.au.

Happy reading

Claire Hibbit Managing Editor

FOR MORE INDUSTRY NEWS FOLLOW US ON

CHECK OUT WWW.INCLEANMAG.COM.AU

The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

The wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is 100 per cent biodegradable.

www.incleanmag.com.au 5

What’s on 2021 The Cleaning Show 8-10 June 2021

The UK’s largest cleaning and hygiene event will be held at Excel London. https://cleaningshow.co.uk/london

ISSA Show Canada 17 June 2021

ISSA Show Canada will be held virtually, focusing on educating and inspiring the industry. https://canadashow.issa.com

ISSA Pulire

7-9 September 2021 Italy’s professional cleaning exhibition will be held in Verona. www.pulire-it.com/it

MOST CLICKED www.incleanmag.com.au

Wed 15 - Thu 16 September 2021

Newmarket Room, Clean NZEllerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand

15-16 September 2021

Clean NZ is New Zealand’s only dedicated trade event for the cleaning industry. www.cleannzexpo.co.nz

CMS

21-24 September 2021 Europe’s leading cleaning trade fair will take place virtually. www.cms-berlin.de

Registration open for ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo

Quayclean unveils new brand identity

The event convenes more than 3000 industry decision makers annually.

Quayclean unveils contemporary brand identity as it enters new era of services.

Academy Services rebrands as ServiceFM

Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Bill passes

Cleaning firm Academy Services merges with partner companies to create ServiceFM.

Avalon SteriTech, SoftBank Robotics launch joint venture Avalon SteriTech and SoftBank Robotics Group to develop public healthcare and hygiene solutions.

The bill establishes decision-making principles for categorising industrial chemicals.

Single-use plastics banned in SA SA becomes first state to ban sale, supply, and distribution of single-use plastics.

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 12-13 October 2021

The cleaning industry’s premier trade event will be held at ICC Sydney. www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com

Total Facilities

12-13 October 2021 The FM event will coincide with the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo at ICC Sydney. www.totalfacilities.com.au

6 INCLEAN May / June 2021

ON THE COVER Cleanstar/XPOWER is celebrating ‘15 years strong’ in its latest marketing campaign for 2021. Read more about the latest product innovations from the leading wholesaler of commercial and domestic vacuum cleaner bags, filters, spare parts, and equipment, from page 16.

IN THIS ISSUE MAY / JUNE 2021

ISSUE #3 VOLUME 34

Features

08 Verla - High quality, affordable hand care solutions Making hand care simple and easy to understand.

64

22 Whiz AI robots clean for GJK Indigenous Solutions Reinventing commercial cleaning services with Whiz technology.

8

28 How to implement and maintain an SOP Standard operating procedures for long term success.

30 Cleaning in aged care Why cleaning, disinfecting, and hygiene must stay a priority.

34 Clean bill of health How COVID-19 has forced healthcare operators to be at the top of their game.

38 Caring for your hard floor Find the right cleaning detergent for your floor surface.

42 The power of light The science of UV-C against microbes.

Regulars

05 Editor’s letter 12 Industry news 16 Cover story 58 Opinion 64 Products

48 Higher ground Why floorcare matters during COVID-19.

22

30

54 COVID-19 and HVAC systems Cleaning and disinfecting air conveyance systems has never been more critical.

38 www.incleanmag.com.au 7

SPONSORED

8 INCLEAN May / June 2021

SPONSORED

“ Making hand care simple and easy to understand.

V

erla is an independent brand offering luxurious hand and body solutions.

Created by the team behind True Blue, Verla’s range of liquid, foam, gel and lotion have been carefully formulated for optimal skin care.

Developed and designed by Verla’s Innovation and Product Development team, the range is 100 per cent Australian owned and made.

“Prior to COVID, we identified a clear gap in the hand hygiene market between the large corporate multi nationals and the next tier down,” explains Brad Macdougall, Managing Director of Verla and True Blue.

“Most of the leading brands are now sold by almost anyone and everyone and independent distributors are looking for quality brands that

provide them with a level of exclusivity and loyalty. Our products are premium, luxury quality and are arguably the most cost-effective products available in use.”

Verla’s ingredients are naturally sourced making them suitable for all skin types, while the botanical fragrances of the soaps, gels, and foams feature luscious red pear with warm earthy ginger, fresh apricot with crisp cotton flower blossom, and refreshing lemon grass.

Products include Red Pear & Ginger Hand Wash, Apricot & Cotton Flower Hair & Body Wash, Fragrance Free Hand Wash, Verla Care Moisturiser, Verla Blue Hand Sanitiser (70 per cent Ethanol), Cedarwood & Rose Antibacterial Hand Wash and Verla Blue+ Fragrance Free Hand Sanitiser (70 per cent Ethanol).

Our goal is to continue building a strong group of independent Verla distributors in Australia and New Zealand and are always open to any new enquires.

”

Carefully formulated for optimal skin care.

Australian owned & made

Premium ingredients

verla.com.au

Botanical fragrances

Follow us

Suitable for all

verla_handcare

verlaskincare

www.incleanmag.com.au 9

SPONSORED

“The briefing we gave our innovation team and on-site chemists was that we wanted to create luxury, premium skincare products at an affordable price. A lot of time and effort has gone into developing a complementary range of fragrances which have a great feel when they are in use – whether that’s body, hair, or handwash – and even extending to our sanitisers. “

SIMPLICITY IN DESIGN Verla’s range also includes two easy to use, proprietary dispensers.

Innovative, cost-efficient, and low in maintenance, the dispensers are available in two convenient sizes: Verla Mini (500ml) and Standard (one litre).

Developed in partnership with a leading Dutch engineering company who manufacture state of the art proprietary dispensers, Verla’s dispensers are designed to make hand care simple, and in colours of black, white, and blue.

Macdougall says there has been a lot of innovation in the hand hygiene space, particularly around dispensing, but many of these systems are becoming too complex and costly for the end user.

“Some customers are looking for touch free dispensing but the more complex the dispenser, the more likely it will be problematic in terms of reliability. Whilst there is a place for touch-free, it is not without its complexities, and the more complexity built into a dispenser the more expensive the product can become for the end user.”

He says there has been a proliferation of dispensing systems and pods to suit, however, based on Verla’s extensive market research, he believes Verla has “arguably the most cost-effective products on the market.”

Designed for aged care, education, childcare, Health and fitness, commercial property and office space, and hospitality, Macdougall says feedback on the range has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We launched Verla to the market in late 2019, and already we have put 50,000 in the marketplace. We have received an overwhelming positive response from both distributors and end use customers regarding the quality of the products and how cost effective they are.

They also love the simplicity of the dispensing system.”

10 INCLEAN May / June 2021

SPONSORED

PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE While COVID has placed hand hygiene in the spotlight, it has also placed greater emphasis on the need for locally made products.

“COVID has certainly made people aware of the importance of good hand hygiene and as such I believe we are practising this more than ever.

We all need to ensure this trend continues and important to note that use of soap and water can be just as effective as using alcohol-based sanitisers.

“The main negative was a number of inferior products (both locally made and imported) with poor labelling and packaging but I think customers will move back to quality, premium products, provided they are cost effective.”

The team has recently launched new products, including Green Tea and Sage Moisturising Cream and Cedarwood & Rose Anti-Bacterial hand wash to the range, with several other products in development, according to Macdougall, who is encouraging the industry to buy more Australian made and owned products.

“There is no doubt the demand for soaps and sanitisers is here to stay but there is arguably

more product on the market now more than ever. Over time we believe customers will preference quality, but these also need to be cost effective for the end user.

“There are lots of good products available to the consumer, but I would love to see preference towards Australian owned and manufactured brands. Sadly, the majority of products used currently in Australia are overseas brands.

“COVID has highlighted how reliant we have become on imported products and how vulnerable our supply chains are.

“As an Australian manufacturer we did not have too many disruptions in our supply chain during the pandemic. However, people need to take heed from the lessons of COVID. The Australian economy is important to us all.

The more people in the industry can support Australian made, the better for everyone.

“

We have received an overwhelming positive response from both distributors and end use customers regarding the quality of the products and how cost effective they are.

”

Verla’s range of products are available across Australia and New Zealand from Verla’s independent distributor partners, which can be found via the Verla website: www.verla.com.au ■

Simple dispenser system with easy installation.

Two convenient Dispenser size options: Verla Mini 500mL & Standard 1L Proprietary Dispensing System.

Products available in Liquid, Foam, Gel & Lotion.

Most simple and cost effective system on the market.

Independent Distribution ONLY. Australian Owned and Manufactured.

verla.com.au

Follow us

verla_handcare

verlaskincare

www.incleanmag.com.au 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

Registration open for ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo Registration is now open for the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo.

The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo – Australia’s only dedicated cleaning and hygiene show – runs from 12-13 October 2021 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney.

Hosted by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, the event convenes more than 3000 industry decision-makers annually.

This year the trade show will coincide with facilities management event, Total Facilities, which will also take place on 11-13 October at the ICC Sydney.

i-spraywash HACCP Australia certified for use in food establishments i-team ANZ has received another significant vote of confidence for its foam cleaning system, i-spraywash.

After successfully completing the HACCP evaluation program, the i-spraywash gun and cleaning tablets are now certified by HACCP Australia as compliant and suitable for use within the food industry.

The i-spraywash is a foaming cleaning system which reduces washroom and kitchen cleaning time. HACCP Australia is a leading food science organisation, specialising in the HACCP food safety methodology and its applications within the food and related non-food industries.

This certification is highly recognised in the food industry and allows the i-spraywash to be used for cleaning food production plants, kitchens, and cooking facilities.

“We are excited to announce HACCP certification for i-spraywash foam cleaning system to support its introduction to the ANZ market,” the company said.

“The HACCP Australia program confirms the suitability of i-spraywash for cleaning in the food industry, building on its most popular application which is washroom cleaning. i-spraywash gained rapid market acceptance in Europe due to the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, and we are now seeing the same in Australia and New Zealand.”

12 INCLEAN May / June 2021

Sponsors of the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo include Makita, BIC Services, Victory Innovations Co, ACCO, Airhygiene Training, JS Hayes, Oates, Tennant and Whiteley Corporation.

To register for the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo visit https://issacleaninghygieneexpo.com For information about the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo visit the website or contact Samantha Ewart by calling (612) 8586 6106 or email sewart@incleanmag.com.au.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Whiz AI robot vacuums deployed

by GJK Indigenous Solutions Whiz AI robot vacuums has been deployed by, GJK Indigenous Solutions.

Started in 2017, GJK Indigenous Solutions is a leading Aboriginal-owned and operated commercial cleaning and associated services company.

GJK Indigenous Solutions employs more than 250 staff across its national footprint, with 34 per cent Aboriginal employment across its contracts Australia-wide.

The company’s services include commercial cleaning, infection control, hygiene and sanitation solutions, and waste and recycling solutions.

“Our vision is to be one of the largest Aboriginal-owned and operated facilities services company in Australia,” explains Max Newman – Executive General Manager GJK Indigenous Solutions.

Currently, GJK Indigenous Solutions has deployed the autonomous Whiz vacuum sweeper as part of works provided to a commercial real estate services firm,

Cushman & Wakefield, and its client National Australia Bank (NAB), at George St, Sydney, where it is used for night cleaning of floor carpet and carpet tiles across four 1600sqm levels.

“Whiz was a significant investment for GJK Indigenous Solutions but since its launch, the feedback from clients has been outstanding, and the quality of the product has been even better,” said Newman.

Since launching Whiz, GJK Indigenous Solutions has purchased two additional Whiz robots, which the company plans to roll out to sites in Sydney and Perth.

“We have put a lot of time and effort into understanding and deploying Whiz in our facilities and we are excited to be rolling out more machines with our existing clients and a healthcare site.”

“With the help of Whiz, we’re reaching our vision to be the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the cleaning industry and we’re well on the way of achieving that.”

The TruShotTM Mobile Dispensing System This new dispensing system keeps the cleaning staff moving. Our patented spray-and-wipe cleaning system provides optimised dilution delivery.

The easy-to-use system requires no mixing, measuring or stopping and its fully intuitive design will have cleaning staff using it in minutes.

The no-spill, 296ml concentrate cartridges snap directly into the mobile dispensing unit and the pre-labeled cartridges are compliant with Safe Work Australia.

The on-board 296ml water reservoir easily fills at any water source reducing re-supply trips to the store room.

Using our high-quality SC Johnson Professional® hard surface chemistries, this patented system simplifies dilution dispensing and replaces wall-mounted or other concentrate dispensing systems.

Try TruShot™ in a starter pack today!

PRODUCT CODE: TRUSP Includes 1 Mobile Dispenser Unit with 4 cartridges.

Available Products: PRODUCT

CODE

Multi-Surface Cleaner Cartridge

681023

PACK SIZE 6 x 296ml TruShot™

Non-Ammoniated Glass Cartridge

681027

6 x 296ml TruShot™

Restroom Cleaner Cartridge

681022

6 x 296ml TruShot™

Power Cleaner and Degreaser Cartridge

681021

6 x 296ml TruShot™

TruShot™ Mobile Dispenser

681028

4 x 296ml TruShot™ Mobile dispenser

INDUSTRY NEWS

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo welcomes BIC Services as gold sponsor The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo has welcomed BIC Services Pty Ltd as the event’s gold sponsor.

Hosted by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is the industry’s leading trade event.

This year the show will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney on the 12-13 October 2021.

“BIC Services have been a great supporter of INCLEAN magazine and the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo,” stated Lauren Micallef, ISSA Oceania manager.

“They have previously supported the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo education program and this year have extended their relationship by becoming a Gold sponsor for the show.”

BIC Services has been a leading provider of cleaning services since 1989. BIC brings an innovative, sustainable and clientcentric approach to cleaning, hygiene, maintenance and waste management services across commercial, education, industrial and health and aged-care facilities, as well as precinct and open-spaces.

Central Cleaning Supplies introduces new range of Camill Electric Utility Vehicles Central Cleaning Supplies has introduced a new range of Camill Electric Utility Vehicles, which the company says is set to revolutionise the cleaning industry.

The electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and help to minimise its carbon footprint, while noise levels are also greatly reduced during operation.

According to Central Cleaning Supplies, what really sets this fleet apart is the extensiveness of the range, from transport vehicles, to sweepers, to garbage trucks and pressure washers. Each category also comprises of various models to fit different job requirements.

“Most models come with enclosed cabins, which is a major benefit as it means staff are protected from the elements and work can continue throughout various weather conditions,” the company said.

Other features include tailgate lift, safety beacon, heating and air-conditioning, CB radio, reversing camera and tipping tray.

14 INCLEAN May / June 2021

Tony Gorgovski, BIC Services, CEO said “As a company, we’re dedicated to driving standards and innovation in the industry. The expo is a chance to showcase the progress the industry has made and the technologies we’ve developed to overcome the challenges of COVID-19.

“Sharing ideas and knowledge can only be good for the industry, and that’s why we’re proud to attach our name to the expo and align ourselves with ISSA’s work.”

The industry will also benefit from two key shows exhibiting at the same time at the same location with Total Facilities, coinciding at the ICC from the 11-13 October 2021.

“It will be the first time in two years that the industry has been able to reconvene, since COVID-19,” said Micallef.

“This will be a highly relevant and important show, following 2020, where the global market became highly aware of the important role the cleaning industry plays in maintaining and supporting public health and safety.”

The Chemistry of Cleaning

ENHANCE AND PROTECT

YOUR FLOOR

EFFECTIVE FLOOR SEALER REMOVAL & REJUVENATION Careful and thorough floor stripping is vital to ensure the new coats of sealer and finish look their best and adhere well to the floor surface underneath.

Poor stripping can leave unsightly residues under the new sealer, and even cause the new sealer film to wear out prematurely. This may require another strip and seal process which is an unwelcome expense and inconvenience.

When stripping porous marble, limestone and terrazzo floors we recommend checking pH after rinsing. If necessary Neutralizer can be applied to lower the pH. For the best stripping and cutting back performance, use high quality chemicals and equipment, the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all instructions carefully. And never rush!

DEMOLISH

FLORPREP

pH: 12.0 + 0.5

pH: 12.5 + 0.5

Super-concentrated floor stripper rips through the toughest, most built-up floor polishes.

Highly effective cleaner designed for scrubbing back floor sealer prior to recoating.

Available in: 5L, 20L

Available in: 5L, 20L

Scrub-Back Detergent

Ultimate Stripper Concentrate

SEALERS AND HIGH GLOSS FLOOR FINISHES We take the best polymers, resins and other key ingredients available from around the globe and blend them into our own unique products. They clearly out-perform the standard or ‘book’ formulations offered by many manufacturers.

Our criteria for evaluating floor sealers are extremely demanding and reflects years of experience in formulating, manufacturing and supporting floor sealers to professional cleaning contractors and ‘in-house’ users across Australia and New Zealand.

We understand the need for: • • • • •

durability high gloss & clarity quick response to buffing resistance to scuffing and scratching ease of scuff and scratch removal

• • • •

suitability to re-coating ease of daily cleaning excellent slip resistance ease of stripping when the time comes

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS: A well-planned re-coating program will ensure a long life for the floor.

When cutting back remove ingrained soil and any deteriorated sealer from top of film.

Recoat by laying only one coat to the edges. The other coat(s) stop 15cm from the edge.

AUTOSCRUB

Low Foaming Cleaner pH: 9.5 + 0.5 Powerful cleaner, but not harsh on the floor finish.

Available in: 1L, 5L, 20L

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS: Always allow at least the recommended drying time.

Buff within 24 hours to generate heat to cure the film.

Apply thin, even coats of sealer to get the best results.

FIRST BASE

SUPER NOVA

3D GLOSS

pH: 8.0 + 0.5

pH: 9.0 + 0.5

pH: 8.5 - 9

Superior base-coat sealer that which protects them from the harsh effects of traffic wear, spillages and weathering.

Super-glossy, rockhard sealer that requires no buffing.

Super-glossy sealer finish with a fast cure-rate leaving floors dazzling.

Available in: 5L, 20L

Available in: 5L, 20L

Base Coat Sealer

Super Glossy Sealer

Coverage: 40-50 sq metres per litre

FIND OUT MORE AT AGAR.COM.AU

High Gloss Finish

Coverage: 50-80 sq metres per litre Available in: 5L, 20L

®

Now with ITAL GRADE SP O H

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H13

H14

HEPA FILTER

HEPA FILTER

BUTLER

1200 WATT DRY VACUUM Now available in Yellow, Blue or Red

1400 Watt Dry Vacuum Cleaner

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POLYSTAR 13-inch

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15 YEARS STRONG

INDUSTRY NEWS

Conquest announces expansion to South Australia

Peugeot Australia launches Peugeot Partner Van Long Peugeot Australia is launching a larger version of its Partner small van.

Featuring 30 per cent more cargo space, the new Partner Long comes with a 3.9 cubic meter cabin matched with a 1,000kg payload.

The extra space comes via an extension behind the rear wheels that takes the internal cabin length to just under 2.2 metres, or up to 3.4 metres through the removable flap on the standard fit bulkhead.

At 4.7 metres it’ll fit comfortably in any normal car parking space, and a low 1.8 metre roof height makes for easy access to underground car parks.

A 1200 square Aussie pallet slides in comfortably between the rear arches, while dual side doors provide easy access to your gear from either side.

Peugeot Partner Van Long also comes with three seats up front, the only van in its class to offer this handy feature.

Power comes from the trusty Peugeot PureTech. Proof that good things come in small packages, the 1.2 litre PureTech cranks out a peak 96kw, with a diesel-like 230Nm available from just off idle, all while using just 6.3L/100km on the Combined Cycle. Drive is to the front wheels via a smooth and slick shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

Peugeot Australia general manager Kate Gillis said, “We often hear from customers in the cleaning business that they really like their Peugeot Partner’s easy drive, practicality and low running costs, but that sometimes they could use just a bit more space out back. With a cabin that’s almost a third larger, this new Partner model delivers exactly what they want, further improving their productivity and their van’s ROI”.

Peugeot Partner Long comes with a five year/200,000km warranty and five years Roadside Assist, and will be available for delivery from June with a MRLP of $33,990 plus on-road costs.

Conquest has announced its geographic expansion into South Australia, with a new fully equipped branch and service facility in Adelaide.

Managing director Michael Mathews expressed his excitement regarding the expansion into South Australia. “We’re excited to be positioned to personally deliver the same level of service and support in South Australia, that our clients in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales have come to value.”

The company said it can now offer its South Australian customers a range of services, including its Intelligent Solutions Program (ISP), starting with a free site assessment; onboarding and training with all new equipment installations; after sales support, including spare parts and loan machines; and hire machines available from one day hire for any additional requirements.

“With this expansion, clients and customers in South Australia now have responsiveness and national consistency in the full suite of products and services that customers have come to rely on across the country,” said Mathews.

Polivac to release new generation slowspeed sander and rotary scrubber Polivac will launch its new generation II Slow-Speed Sander (SV25 Gen II) and Rotary Scrubber (C27 Gen II) to the market in the next four months.

“Polivac believes in performing continuous R&D and developing machines as per changing market requirements,” the company said.

“We are happy to announce that we have tested the new generation II machines, a new range of Scrubber, Polishers, and Sanders that are meticulously designed with innovative technology to provide maximum productivity and efficiency.”

These machines are extremely quiet, which minimises noise disturbances and enables quieter operations. The new generation II machines come with new motor and triple-planetary gearbox.

The dearth of machines in the market that cater to shifting requirements of operators has influenced our decision to manufacture these machines.

“We have received great reviews and insights from industry experts on demo trials of the machines and we are happy to announce that the production of the SV25 Gen II Slow speed Sander and C27 Gen II rotary scrubber will commence and will be available in the market in the next four months.”

18 INCLEAN May / June 2021

®

“TO ALCOHOL OR NOT TO ALCOHOL...

THAT IS THE QUESTION?” Alcohol Free

Antibacterial Alcohol-Free Surface Wet Wipes • Available in 800 or 1200 wipes per roll • 2 rolls per carton (individually packaged) • Extra Strong - Cross Spunlace 45gsm wipe material



Lemon Scented



75%

Alcohol

Antibacterial 75% Alcohol Surface Wet Wipes • Available in 800 or 1200 wipes per roll • 2 rolls per carton (individually packaged) • Extra Strong - Spunlace 40gsm wipe material

Freestanding Wet Wipes Dispenser + Bin • Holds roll of 800 or 1200 wipes # DISP003

Wall Mounted Wet Wipes Dispenser • Holds roll of 800 wipes # DISP004

(03) 9460 5655

(03) 9460 5666

sales@cleanstar.com.au

15 YEARS STRONG

cleanstar.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

GBAC accreditation available for cleaning service providers The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, has launched the GBAC STAR Service Accreditation Program for building service contractors (BSCs) and other outsourced cleaning service providers.

The newest member of the GBAC STAR portfolio, GBAC STAR Service accreditation provides third-party validation of a cleaning service provider’s cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention protocols and procedures.

“Building service contractors are on the frontlines of cleaning, disinfecting, and infection prevention of facilities during the pandemic, and many are looking for ways to promote their expertise,” said GBAC executive director Patricia Olinger.

“Expanding GBAC STAR accreditation to these service providers enables them to expand their knowledge of cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention, and to demonstrate to customers and prospects that they can manage risks today and in the future.”

BSCs and other cleaning service providers that want to demonstrate their commitment to building occupant health and safely through a respected, third-party accreditation can achieve GBAC STAR Service accreditation by completing the program’s training requirements and implementation guidelines.

This program is ideal for facilities seeking ways to prevent the spread of infection among staff, customers, and guests, and be fully prepared for potential outbreaks in the future.

John Barrett, executive director, ISSA, said BSCs can pursue GBAC STAR Service accreditation to further enhance their service offerings and complement the GBAC STAR Facility accreditation to which more than 4000 facilities around the world are committed to achieving.

Cleaning service providers can apply for GBAC STAR accreditation at gbac.issa.com/gbac-star-service-accreditation.

INCLEAN is published by the Intermedia Group of behalf of ISSA

New range of stand-on scrubbers from Central Cleaning Supplies Central Cleaning Supplies has launched a range of new generation Adiatek Quartz Auto Scrubbers to provide a flexible and compact solution for medium to large size areas with a working capacity up to 4710 m²/h.

The battery powered stand-up scrubbers offer unbeatable cleaning performances and deliver the comfort of a ride on machine with unmatched manoeuvrability and visibility.

The Quartz range come in three models, 50, 66 and 80 with cleaning widths from 508mm to 785mm and a battery autonomy of up to four – five hours.

The Quartz 50 is a compact solution, able to easily move and work on several floors and comfortably enter the elevator.

According to the company, the scrubber’s 90° steering and the squeegee rotation that follows the machine on every curve, makes it possible to clean even in narrow areas.

The Quartz 66 and 80 also feature two 350W brush motors. They each have a 100-litre solution tank and the detergent solution flow rate can be adjusted directly from the dashboard in order to be able to switch from high to low without stopping the cleaning process.

20 INCLEAN May / June 2021

The machines also feature total ergonomic design in order to be productive, easy to get on and off, 360 degrees visibility and total access around the machine, as well as automatic cut out if the operator steps off the machine and a large recovery tank opening designed for easy internal cleaning. The Quartz range comes with a two year warranty and free demonstrations are available.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Academy Services rebrands as ServiceFM

Commercial cleaning firm Academy Services has merged with its partner companies, eSafe (electrical compliance) and Universal FM (facilities maintenance), to create ServiceFM. The multi-year transformation comes with a growth strategy to drive the organisation to the next level. Internal reporting and business systems have been upgraded, organisational capability improved, and a new brand developed.

ServiceFM CEO James Pollock said the transformation was prompted by a desire from clients across the nation for the consolidation of service providers and greater transparency.

“Even before COVID, the market we were working in has been changing. Our clients were seeking fewer suppliers and asking

for more services, along with improved data to ensure value-formoney service,” Pollock said.

“With our many years of experience in soft and hard services we decided upon a strategic move to consolidate as one brand, one service company, ServiceFM. “We have listened to the market, reset our business group as a whole, improved our systems and processes and have identified and clearly defined our growth strategy to take us to the next level and beyond.”

ServiceFM works with facility management companies and other businesses in aged care, commercial corporate, education, government, health care, hospitality, infrastructure, mining and manufacturing, retail, and transport and logistics Services include asset management, commercial and corporate cleaning, commercial hospitality, electrical compliance, infection control, operational services, security & electrical Services, and workplace management.

“ServiceFM’s motto, Everything’s Connected, reflects how our service offerings will meet our clients’ diverse needs.

“We have the national footprint, service offering and resources of a large provider, and also a personalised, localised approach where we listen to client needs and co-design solutions,” Pollock said.

“We encourage clients to tell us what their FM needs are, and we’ll find a way to serve them.”

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“

Whiz was a significant investment for GJK Indigenous Solutions but since its launch, the feedback from clients has been outstanding, and the quality of the product has been even better.

”

22 INCLEAN May / June 2021

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

Whiz AI robots clean for GJK Indigenous Solutions Reinventing commercial cleaning services with Whiz technology.

W

hiz is an AI autonomous vacuum sweeper that is reinventing commercial carpet cleaning.

Developed by SoftBank Robotics and powered by BrainOS, Brain Corp’s commercial operating system, Whiz is capable of navigating complex and dynamic environments autonomously, while ensuring the highest levels of cleaning performance and safety.

In Australia, Whiz has been deployed by, GJK Indigenous Solutions. Started in 2017, GJK Indigenous Solutions is a leading Aboriginalowned and operated commercial cleaning and associated services company.

GJK Indigenous Solutions employs more than 250 staff across its national footprint, with 34 per cent Aboriginal employment across its contracts Australia-wide. The company’s services include commercial cleaning, infection control, hygiene and sanitation solutions, and waste and recycling solutions.

“Our vision is to be one of the largest Aboriginalowned and operated facilities services company in Australia,” explains Max Newman – Executive General Manager GJK Indigenous Solutions.

Currently, GJK Indigenous Solutions has deployed the autonomous Whiz vacuum sweeper as part of works provided to a commercial real estate services firm, Cushman & Wakefield, and its client National Australia Bank (NAB), at George St, Sydney, where it is used for night

cleaning of floor carpet and carpet tiles across four 1600sqm levels.

“Whiz was a significant investment for GJK Indigenous Solutions but since its launch, the feedback from clients has been outstanding, and the quality of the product has been even better,” says Newman.

COLLABORATIVE CLEANING One of the first cleaning ‘cobots’ on the market, Whiz is a self-driving machine designed for softsurface floor vacuuming.

Cobots are collaborative robots which carry out repetitive and strenuous tasks which would otherwise be performed by cleaners, but they work alongside individuals and within a team, not in their place. According to Interact Analysis, the market for collaborative robots is growing rapidly, and the annual revenue for cobots is expected to grow to $1.94 billion by 2028.

Small, agile, and intelligent, Whiz can easily manoeuvre around obstacles — and keep out of the way of passing people. For Newman and his team, the Whiz completes multi-surface vacuuming cleaning, including walkways, common areas, and office stations.

“We saw Whiz as an opportunity to remove the labour some task of vacuuming, reduce safety risks and manual handling, and at the same time allow our workforce to focus more on critical cleaning services such as sanitation and disinfecting,” explains Newman. www.incleanmag.com.au 23

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

42

successful routes

27,075 completed square meters in January

“

We have put a lot of time and effort in to understanding and deploying Whiz in our facilities and we are excited to be rolling out more machines.

”

24 INCLEAN May / June 2021

“Whiz has allowed us to redistribute hours back to our staff and offer value-added services to our customers, such as extra touch point cleaning and sanitisation of workstations, which have become critical tasks during COVID-19.”

Whiz is powered by BrainOS® and can record up to 600 cleaning routes, for which staff teach the cobot the initial floor cleaning route upon their first use.

Subsequently, routes are stored in Whiz so it can repeat the cleaning route autonomously.

Through cloud data visualisation, cleaning and status reports on Whiz can be gathered and analysed.

With its computer vision navigation, Whiz can navigate its way close to walls and avoid obstacles, while the notification pager can send real-time alerts. Whiz can clean areas up to 15,000 sqft, the size of three basketball courts, for three hours on a single-battery charge.

“There were concerns from our staff initially Whiz would reduce their working hours, but once discussed there was a greater understanding of how our team members and the cobot could work together,” explains Newman.

“Our team love working with it because they don’t have to vacuum. They see it as a massive support. Personally, I think it is one of the best tech innovations on the market and we are really excited about it.”

DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS As Whiz cleans, it collects data about its route that includes when, where, and how long it ran. Data is stored in the cloud and can be accessed in near real time via Whiz Connect. This SaaS application simplifies access to reports and ROI analysis.

Whiz Connect keeps track of several metrics, providing a complete performance picture. Its data-driven analytics features mean customers can not only manage their fleet effectively, but they can also continually improve cleaning quality — and track ROI in a measurable way.

Whiz Connect provides usage metrics and other data analytics to confirm performance and improve efficiency and effectiveness over time.

“COVID-19 has dramatically changed how our clients view cleaning. They understand the importance of a clean facility, not only from a cleanliness standpoint but also for the health of their workers.

“Whiz is an innovation that improves safety, removes laboursome or mundane tasks for team members and re-diverts their time into really important aspects of cleaning that will be critical in facilities post-COVID – sanitisation and touch point cleaning.”

Since launching Whiz, GJK Indigenous Solutions has purchased two additional Whiz robots, which the company plans to roll out to sites in Sydney and Perth.

“We have put a lot of time and effort in to understanding and deploying Whiz in our facilities and we are excited to be rolling out more machines with our existing clients and a healthcare site.

“One of the biggest challenges in the industry is trying to remain competitive, but through the use of Whiz we are now able to offer technology and innovation to our customers.

“With the help of Whiz, we’re reaching our vision to be the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the cleaning industry and we’re well on the way of achieving that.” ■

Whiz is an AI autonomous vacuum sweeper that is reinventing commercial carpet cleaning.

Our client GJK Indigenous Solutions on using Whiz in Australia:

With the help of Whiz, we’re reaching our vision to be the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the cleaning industry and we’re well on the way of achieving that.

Cameron Martin, Client Services Manager at GJK Indigenous Solutions

Contact us today to innovate your commercial cleaning services. www.softbankrobotics.com/apac/contact-us

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CONTRACTING

How to implement and maintain a standard operating procedure (SOP) Standard operating procedures set up your organisation for long-term success.

Words Tim Poskin

C

leaning organisations play a critical role in keeping building occupants safe and healthy. A Berkeley National Laboratory survey found that in North America and Europe people spend more than 90 per cent of their time indoors.

This means the effectiveness of the cleaning programs in the buildings they occupy can have a real impact on their health. Poor cleaning, for example, can contribute to poor health, but effective cleaning can potentially save lives.

Cleaning effectiveness can be directly tied to an organisation’s standard operating procedure (SOP). It is important, now more than ever, to ensure you have an SOP aligned with your company’s objectives – and those of your stakeholders – to create safe and healthy building environments.

While some organisations have individual components of an SOP, many lack a fully designed and implemented procedure. Here are some guidelines to help you create and maintain a successful SOP for your cleaning organisation.

WHAT ARE SOPS? Simply put, SOPs are brief, easy-to-understand-and-use documents that show action points and workflows. You can use SOPs to create process flowcharts for performing 28 INCLEAN May / June 2021

defined tasks. A well-thought-out SOP for a cleaning organisation outlines steps (so you don’t have to repeat them) for routine actions like: • Onboarding and training new employees • Performing cleaning tasks • Managing employees (both managers and workers) • Fulfilling human resource practices • Workloading cleaning tasks • Standardising tool use • Encouraging employee recognition and engagement.

THREE PILLARS OF AN SOP The most successful organisations use an SOP for standardising operations to achieve stability and growth.

There is no one-size-fits-all process for writing an SOP, but one key point is to not overcomplicate the process.

Here are three major pillars to help build your SOP: 1. Create a blueprint of your company’s most repetitive tasks—The blueprint should include duties performed on a repeated basis such as the actions listed above and other less-frequent tasks. Now is the time to detail those tasks in writing in order to assure your existing success and help you prepare for the next level. The blueprint will allow for accountability and improve how the work is done, creating long-term sustainability.

CONTRACTING

2. Outline and launch each blueprint’s processes—The size of your organisation will determine the scope and complexities involved in creating the blueprint. The larger an organisation is, the more time and resources it will need. Start at the very beginning to identify and engage stakeholders that will be affected by as well as contribute to the SOP’s success. Communicate with everyone, not just managers, who’ll be working on any step or specific task of this process. Communication will keep everyone on the same page and aligned with the standardization of procedures.

3. Assign and automate routine tasks with the required level of detail—Maintaining your cleaning organisation’s SOP is as important as writing it. The job doesn’t end the moment you’ve launched your procedure. Cleaning is dynamic as it responds to current demands.

You’ll need to update it as the need arises. One common practice is to update your SOP at least once per year. Doing this and adding new notes to each blueprint will keep employees on task. It will also remind them that they must adhere to set procedures.

SOPS SET UP LONG-TERM SUCCESS If an SOP doesn’t exist, then employees are forced to come to you with questions instead of relying on outlined solutions.

At a systems level, an SOP outputs a safe and healthy environment. It isn’t just about having a poster to put on the wall, or a folder of documents and flowcharts stored on the cloud to use in case of an emergency. It’s about setting your organization up to improve so that it becomes stronger, both for its workers and its stakeholders.

Employees and stakeholders can use an SOP to answer the questions they may have brought to leadership in the past. SOPs deliver operational consistency, reliability, and cost savings.

Properly used, these standards can be a springboard for creating unique solutions for new problems and challenges based on a deep understanding of an organisation’s needs.

Designing and implementing an SOP for your operations – as well as aligning it with stakeholders’ objectives – will create long-term growth, success, and stability. In the end, it will save people’s lives. ■

“

The most successful organisations use an SOP for standardising operations to achieve stability and growth.

”

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

Cleaning in aged care: Why cleaning, disinfecting and hygiene must stay a priority

30 INCLEAN May / June 2021

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

Whiteley’s medical range of hygiene products have been helping Australians since 1933.

Whiteley believes the importance of infection prevention is only going to increase.

I

nfection prevention and control will continue to be critical in aged care even once the threat of COVID-19 is contained, says one of Australia’s leading infection prevention experts, amid a growing threat of “superbugs” and viruses.

Whiteley Executive Chairman, Dr Greg Whiteley, said cleaning, disinfecting and hygiene more generally were essential for maintaining the health and quality of life for aged care residents, many of whom are vulnerable to opportunistic infection.

“Whilst the issue of airborne spread of the COVID-19 virus is clear, and provides the platform for super-spreader events, the risk of singular infection via contaminated surfaces and fomites is a residual concern.”

Dr Whiteley is an expert in disinfection and decontamination who helped craft Australia’s first national disinfectant framework.

He leads Whiteley, Australia’s largest manufacturer of hospitalgrade cleaning and disinfecting products.

Dr Whiteley comments that a major impact of the pandemic had been a heightened awareness of hygiene and its importance.

“This focus should remain on improved hygiene,” he said.

“Generally, hygiene standards have been improved by COVID-19, and that’s a good thing. People are paying more attention to hand hygiene and surface hygiene.”

Dr Whiteley is concerned that there is an on-going risk of other microorganisms in aged care settings all of which potentially reside on uncleaned surfaces in patient and non-patient areas.

As the number of multidrug resistant superbugs increases around the world, and the lack of efficacy in antibiotics to treat these pathogens becomes more acute, the parallel risks of infection via fomites remains a tangible and serious risk to aged care residents.

“We worry about infections in aged care,” Dr Whiteley said.

“Many patients still succumb to multidrug resistant organisms such as Golden Staph and the so-called CRE producing bacteria.

For those patients, infection prevention is absolutely critical.”

“Obviously if you can treat some of these illnesses it can have a tremendous quality of life benefits for individuals,” he said, “but with the continuing decline in the efficacy of first line antibiotics there is a real awareness of the need for enhanced hygiene, including hand hygiene and surface decontamination.”

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

“

We have a long and proven history of providing effective, easy-to-use products for cleaning and hygiene.

”

32 INCLEAN May / June 2021

Australia’s Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission report into the outbreaks of COVID-19 in Victorian aged care homes last year found “all providers” identified the critical importance of effective infection prevention and control.

But it also found many facilities were unprepared for the “intensity and complexity” of the control measures across all areas of the service.

A PROVEN TRACK RECORD FOR VIRUS-KILLING CLEANERS A week after Australia entered its first national lockdown to try to halt the pandemic’s spread in March last year Whiteley were already leading the way.

Whiteley’s hospital grade surface disinfectant product Viraclean®, was the first product in Australia to legally make the claim approved

by the health regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for killing the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2).

Viraclean, a Hospital Grade Disinfectant product was invented and has been manufactured by Whiteley since 1986. The product was developed during a collaborative research project undertaken with Professor Yvonne Cossart, the Bosch Chair of Infectious Diseases at the University of Sydney.

“It’s peace of mind that it works,” he said.

“The fact it has been used within healthcare across Australia and has been used successfully for so long after all these years affirms that the product is reliable and effective. Choosing ‘Made in Australia’, with a full TGA registration, and manufactured under TGA licensed conditions provides a level of quality assurance not found amongst the normal aged care suppliers.”

Dr Whiteley said the Whiteley manufacturing plants operate with licensing from both the TGA and Standards Australia covering all aspects of product development, research, and quality assurance.

“We have a long and proven history of providing effective, easy-to-use products for cleaning and hygiene.”

Whiteley exports its suite of hygiene technologies to more than 30 countries around the world.

A LEADING FOCUS ON RESEARCH And there is more to come.

The company is three years into an agreement with the University of Sydney, UNSW and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) to invest in the research and development of new treatments for infections that are spread through biofilms.

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED These surfaces can host bacterial and other microorganisms and can influence their ability to spread and develop antibiotic resistance. The normal defence mechanism of many common microbes is to develop biofilms in which they can thrive and survive.

“Biofilms can also make [the bacteria] more resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants. We’ve shown that in the biofilm bacteria can resist up to 20,000 ppm of available chlorine, so the bacteria can be as much as 20,000 times more resistant than normally expected (a swimming pool normally contains just 1ppm of available chlorine).”

Dr Whiteley said biofilm impacts were important in aged care as bugs could linger on surfaces – such as skin, medical devices and even chairs – and spread rapidly particularly via unwashed hands.

“Where you’re frequently touching surfaces and people, microbes that are on the surface of your skin can easily jump off,” he said.

“Where there is biofilm, on a medical device and you touch that biofilm, those bugs will stay on your hands for up to 19 subsequent touches. This highlights the need to emphasise both hand hygiene and surface hygiene as a two-pronged approach to cleanliness.”

“We see it as our role to lead this field globally using extensive university-based collaborative networks, to discover new and effective ways to fight some of our oldest foes, the microbes. We owe it to our future generations to push on with this exciting research work, to save lives and protect livelihoods for many more years to come.” ■

HEALTHCARE

Clean bill of health

Demand for cleaning services in healthcare facilities has skyrocketed during COVID-19, forcing cleaning operators to be at the top of their game as they pursue ever-higher hygiene standards and take advantage of the latest technology.

Words Cameron Cooper

J

ames Pollock is justifiably delighted with the role his business’s cleaners have played in eliminating the coronavirus at an aged care facility.

The CEO of ServiceFM, a national facility services specialist, recalls how the cleaners performed their duties in a Victorian centre, which had recorded 77 cases of COVID-19.

“After three weeks we were down to zero cases,” Pollock says. “So, we’re quite proud of that result, and after that the Victorian Government was referring us to sites where they had an issue with the coronavirus.”

He is also happy that during the cleaning process no employees contracted COVID-19. “At the forefront of our methodology has been a commitment to protect our staff and use our proven cleaning processes.”

Pollock says the fact ServiceFM had done its homework about cleaning products and processes prior to COVID-19 has paid off. “We were very confident in ourselves that we knew what we had to do and what products we had to use.”

IN THE FRONT LINE ServiceFM is one of a cohort of participants in the cleaning industry that have been put to the test in healthcare environments in the past year.

From hospitals and medical clinics to aged care centres and beyond, the pressure has been on cleaners to help protect patients and people from infection during a tumultuous public health crisis.

34 INCLEAN May / June 2021

Diversey Australia Healthcare Sector Lead David Purnell says there has been a considerable sense of pride among the cleaning community about the important pandemic task its workers have performed. “They have a huge amount of pride in the role they do. It’s a critical role,” Purnell says.

Nevertheless, some cleaners on the front line in hospitals and healthcare centres feel “a little bit forgotten”.

“The frontline care staff have got all the kudos,” says Purnell, noting that cleaners have to put their health on the line, wear personal protective equipment and risk exposure to harsh chemicals.

Diversey’s range of cleaning, sanitation and maintenance products, systems and services have been in high demand as a result of the coronavirus. In the early phase of the pandemic, the company was selling in just one day a volume of disinfectant wipes that would normally be sold in months. “It was madness,” Purnell says.

Now that the market has settled down somewhat, Diversey’s focus is on assisting customers with cleaning processes and standards, including releasing a cleaning guide for healthcare operators.

COUNTRY PRACTICE While country areas across Australia have had fewer cases of infection from COVID-19 than the big cities, the team at Town & Country Cleaning in Dalby has been playing its part to keep locals safe in the Darling Downs region of Queensland.

HEALTHCARE ServiceFM has also been conscious of getting on the front foot. Formerly known as Academy Services, the 40-year-old company has embarked on a significant branding and transformational period that is designed to reinvigorate and unite its electrical testing and tagging business, eSafe, and its facilitymanagement company, UniversalFM, to provide greater options for clients.

“This move is about meeting the needs of the industry and this has been reinforced to us by COVID-19,” Pollock says. “We see the move we’re making as being ahead of the trend as people realise that the management of their buildings is not just about cleaning and appearance – as our new motto says, Everything’s Connected.”

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

“

From hospitals and medical clinics to aged care centres and beyond, the pressure has been on cleaners to help protect patients and people from infection during a tumultuous public health crisis.

”

The business has the contract to clean Goondir Health Services, which provides healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, in addition to Myall Medical Practice, the largest private practice GP service in the area.

Town & Country Cleaning owner and director Scott MacDougall says the pandemic has chiefly resulted in an emphasis on targeting high-touchpoint areas. “There has been more attention to detail, rather than a lot of increased hours,” he says. “It’s been about ensuring that what is being done is being done correctly.”

In meeting stringent hygiene standards with healthcare facilities, MacDougall says his business has benefited from having a trusted pool of staff. “We are fortunate that we have regular teams in Goondir and Myall,” he says.

“Our loyal team has definitely been one of our strengths.”

MacDougall says the key to successful cleaning at such a critical time has been to communicate closely with clients about their needs. All staff have been put through an online COVID-19 training course produced by the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia.

“Fortunately, we haven’t had COVID-19 outbreaks in Dalby, but we are prepared for them and we have all our PPE gear there ready to go if needed.”

COVID-19 has clearly put the spotlight on various chemicals that can be used to target the virus.

Purnell says the cleaning industry, especially in a healthcare environment, is embracing advances that go well beyond the traditional focus on neutral detergents and microfibre to eliminate bacteria and viruses.

Some new innovations are transforming the industry, while other existing technologies are evolving and crossing over into healthcare settings.

For example, fogging and fumigation is being used in some hospitals, while some operators have been exploring the use of electrospraying, UVC sanitising through the use of ultraviolet light, robotics and the Internet of Things to improve health and efficiency outcomes.

Diversey distributes a UVC disinfection lamp called Moonbeam, which can be deployed into a typical hospital room and dispense beams of ultraviolet light to disinfect the room.

“While it’s fantastic, it’s what we call adjunct technology. It should be used in conjunction with fantastic cleaning processes,” Purnell says.

“There is no one silver bullet.”

At the same time, he believes there is considerable scope for cleaners to use the IoT or virtual reality via smartphones and apps to streamline cleaning and training.

For example, a worker could access online information on how to best use a floor machine in real time, rather than relying on advice from an on-site representative of a cleaning equipment supplier. “It’s about having that ability to quickly problem solve and doing it in-house,” Purnell says.

ServiceFM sees robotics as a factor that can help transform healthcare and other cleaning “further down the track”. In the meantime, Pollock envisages using automating processes to streamline the administration of hospitals and clinics. This could include management of contracts, invoicing, purchase orders and timesheets. www.incleanmag.com.au 35

HEALTHCARE

“

Some new innovations are transforming the industry, while other existing technologies are evolving and crossing over into healthcare settings.

”

36 INCLEAN May / June 2021

WINDS OF CHANGE Like many operators, Town & Country Cleaning has had a rollercoaster ride during the past year, initially losing work from accounting and legal firms and the local Catholic school because of some closures. However, its healthcare work has been strong, along with demand for cleaning services at a nearby power station and wind farm.

Contemplating the year ahead, MacDougall reflects that Town & Country Cleaning has fared relatively well during the pandemic. With his accounting and legal clients coming back on board, the business is looking strong. “We’ve been very grateful that our customers have stuck by us because quite a few of them have had their businesses adversely effected by COVID-19.”

He is also pleased that the virus has not been transmitted in Dalby and plans to do his bit to make sure that status is maintained. “It’s onwards and upwards now.”

For many cleaning companies, success will no doubt be linked to the smarter deployment of cleaning chemicals and equipment.

At ServiceFM, cleaning of hospitals, medical clinics and aged care centres has required a commitment to quality and processes. “We do what we say we’re going to do,” Pollock says.

The other imperative has been to up the ante with training to ensure that high standards are being met. He says there are simple anecdotal stories about some cleaning companies using the same mop to clean floors in toilets and kitchens.

“That just shouldn’t happen.”

ServiceFM has invested in a comprehensive onboarding and induction program to ensure that all cleaning staff receive the same training instructions, whether they are subcontractors or direct employees.

Pollock believes ServiceFM’s rebranding and the move to bring all the company’s arms under

one umbrella will give it an edge in a COVID-19 environment where clients want to be able to trust their cleaners, get continuity of service and streamline the administration burden.

“Once you’ve earned that trust and you’ve delivered for them, they’re very likely to use you for other services.”

NEVER STAND STILL Although there can be confusion around the best way to clean healthcare environments given how infectious COVID-19 has proven to be around the world, Purnell says the key is to keep innovating and testing new methods.

For example, as part of the shift away from the use of chlorine, which can damage surfaces and present inhalation risks for workers, Diversey has released a new line of wipes called Oxivir Excel that are intended for the cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces in healthcare sites.

The active ingredient breaks down to oxygen and water, making it safer for patients and cleaners, and has Therapeutic Goods Administration validation for killing the COVID-19 virus within 60 seconds.

“It’s a great product, its efficacy is fantastic, and its compatibility on surfaces is tremendous, which is important when talking to hospitals with equipment that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

On site, Purnell says high-touchpoint surfaces such as light fittings and remote controls require additional attention, as do areas in and around a patient, including bed rails. Likewise, messages around the importance of washing hands after touching open-source body parts such as ears and sanitising between the cleaning of rooms remain important.

“A lot of this is common sense and the challenge is to maintain the rage and ensure those levels of cleaning and disinfection are kept up.” ■

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INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

CARING FOR YOUR HARD FLOOR

38 INCLEAN May / June 2021

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

“

Finding the right cleaning detergent for your hard floor will vary enormously depending on the purpose of the facility.

”

O

n the face value, hard floor is a hard floor wherever it happens to be.

When it comes to hard floor care, for many years solvent degreasers were the only option.

Finding the right cleaning detergent for your hard floor will vary enormously depending on the purpose of the facility. So, the higher the traffic, the greater the need for maintenance.

Large, crowded areas, like airport terminals and supermarkets, attract large number of foot traffic plus different type of dirt.

At Research Products we really know hard floors. Since 1982 we’ve been designing, developing, testing, and marketing innovative products for the hard floor cleaning and maintenance industry.

Hospitals, schools, large stadiums, gyms and pools, factories, industrial work sites and construction sites all require specialised cleaning solutions to ensure clean floor surfaces and to provide a safe and hygienic environment.

Floor surfaces are many and varied including extra heavy-duty tiles, durable linoleum and concrete or the high-quality polished timber floors used for sporting arenas and large halls.

The type of floor can also have a significant impact on the cleaning task.

Porous tile surfaces are the most difficult types of floor to maintain due to the dirt penetrates the pores of the surface. This type of floors needs a detergent that can penetrate the pores and emulsify dirt and greasy build up.

Whatever the cleaning, maintenance, or specialty hard floor requirement, you can be assured Research Products have the right product for the job.

Water-based degreasers use surfactants to emulsify greasy build up and contain penetrating agents that accelerates the speed of degreasing.

At Research Products, we offer a range of water-based degreasers/heavy duty cleaners for all your hard floor care needs.

Being a water-based, all our degreasers are more environmentally friendly and safer alternative to work with. Vapours from solvent degreasers can cause inhalation health risks with high levels of volatile organic compounds.

CROSSFIRE – SUPER CLEANER AND DEGREASER “It just mows down dirt, grease and grime” CROSSFIRE is an instant action cleaner, formulated to attack the dirtiest industrial cleaning jobs. Its high powered, concentrated formula dissolves and floats away hardened fats, food spillages, nicotine stains and floor polishes.

Its medium suds formula and high performance make it ideal for pressure washers, steam cleaners and automatic scrubbing machines. CROSSFIRE generally don’t pose any inhalation risks, have no or very low levels of VOC and are non-flammable. www.incleanmag.com.au 39

INDUSTRY // SPONSORED

“

Whatever the cleaning, maintenance, or specialty hard floor requirement, you can be assured Research Products have the right product for the job.

”

MULTI-PURPOSE APPLICATIONS Reduces your inventory cost. CROSSFIRE is a balanced formulation, developed for food areas to banish the need for flammable solvent-based cleaners and pungent smelling degreasers and strippers in the commercial and industrial field.

Its medium suds formula and high performance make it ideal for pressure washers, steam cleaners and automatic scrubbers. Just dilute to the strength you require, a real cleaning kit all in one. CROSSFIRE is a water-based degreaser and offers value for money. Due to its composition, it is transported as concentrates and can be effectively diluted to a ratio of 1:80.

FOR FOOD INDUSTRY HARD SURFACE CLEANING NEEDS In a commercial kitchen or in a food processing facility, the main challenge will be cleaning oil, grease, and food soiling. BREAKAWAY is a powerful water-based foaming cleaner, ideally suited for greasy and fatty soil removal of walls, floors and equipment used in the food, meat, fish, poultry, and dairy industries. It is particularly effective on protein build-up.

With low pressure foaming equipment, BREAKAWAY has been effectively used in meat rendering and packing areas in Supermarkets plus the areas behind the rotisserie and smallgoods sales counters.

CARING YOUR CERAMIC TILE FLOORS Many unglazed, vitrified, and semi-glazed ceramic tiles collect and build-up soilage in either the micro pores of the surface or into uneven “hills and valleys” and the grout. Normal maintenance cleaning procedures and regular neutral cleaners cannot remove or prevent this build-up or grey soiled appearance.

Now that patterned anti-slip tread tiles are being used, the soilage problem is becoming worse still, with shopping centres, hotel kitchens and washrooms becoming very difficult, if not impossible to clean effectively.

PUNCH is a highly concentrated alkaline cleaner with extremely high water softening and degreasing qualities. Its aggressive cleaning and wetting action penetrate the pores of the vitrified surface, helping to lift out old dirt and build up in hot or cold water. The result will be immediate, especially when auto scrubbing.

PUNCH is suitable for use on glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles, sawn sandstone, terracotta tiles, Mexican “Chicklet” tiles, semi glazed quarry tiles, steel trowelled and wood-floated concrete, tile grouting, brick, and clay pavers.

Areas of application includes shopping centres, tiled washrooms and toilets, shower blocks, hotel kitchens, restaurants, car parks, exterior tiled malls.

Research Products is a division of E.D. Oates Pty. Ltd. For more information visit http://oateslaboratories.com/home ■ 40 INCLEAN May / June 2021

www.incleanmag.com.au 41

FEATURE

The power of

LIGHT The science of UV-C against microbes.

Words Jeff Cross

42 INCLEAN May / June 2021

FEATURE

W

hen Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner travels, he more closely resembles an astronaut preparing for a space journey than a traditional traveler on a business trip.

He knows the dangers of potentially dangerous infectious agents. He knows the proven dangers of infectious agents such as the coronavirus.

He knows there could be something new right around the corner that poses a danger to human health. He doesn’t take any chances.

Dr. Macgregor-Skinner is an epidemiologist who concentrates his efforts on the global cleaning industry. He is now the director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA. Some of the activities and actions of others he sees surprise him.

“I was once going through the TSA checkpoint at a major airport,” Dr. Macgregor-Skinner relates, “When a shift change occurred for the TSA agents. I kid you not. I saw one agent take off his face shield and hand it to his replacement.

No cleaning, no disinfecting, nothing.”

There is a huge chasm, a disconnect, between what people know they should do and what they actually do.

One way to solve this issue is to put antimicrobial protocols in place that really work and don’t always require the human element to implement. An example is with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology.

“UV-C light (after cleaning) has significantly mitigated infection risks with environmentally mediated transmission routes,” Dr. Macgregor-Skinner says, for agents “such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). And just like traditional, chemical disinfectants, UV-C light has a required contact time.”

Some UV-C units are portable and can be targeted to specific surfaces. Other systems provide antimicrobial light much like a traditional lightbulb in a room.

Manufacturers of UV-C technology, in addition to industry consultants, can point to data that prove it works and is an effective antimicrobial innovation.

WHY CONSIDER UV-C? Camila Salazar, an account consultant with Nichols Distribution in Indianapolis, is on a mission to consult with and seek out ways to empower her clients with solutions that include innovative disinfection technologies.

She works closely with Pure Protective Equipment, which is made up of a family of companies, including UVC Lightforce, UV Angel, and Lucid Drones, and led by Bill Fisher, president of Pacific Floorcare.

“I help fast-track my customers to productivity and process improvement gains by using UV-C as their antimicrobial tool to quickly eradicate and destroy the cellular growth of microorganisms.

“Clinical studies prove customers adding UV-C light to standard regimens reduces bacteria contaminant counts by 88 per cent in comparison to just 63 per cent with traditional methods. That is a huge savings for health care and commercial institutions, she explained.

“It’s another arrow in their quiver to supplement their current standard operating procedures and protect their communities. As a result, transmission of infection www.incleanmag.com.au 43

FEATURE

“

With the current pandemic that we are in, operators are looking for a next-level solution in addition to the current cleaning and disinfecting methods.

”

44 INCLEAN May / June 2021

decreases exponentially, allowing for peace of mind during volatile times.”

Grant Morgan, CEO and founder of R-Zero Systems, a company that manufactures UV-C equipment said, “The scientific community has long understood the innovative power of UV-C light. UV-C has long been the gold standard for infection prevention in hospitals, and UV-C has been used in countless other air, water, and surface applications for over a century. UV-C was key to fighting early public health crises, like measles and tuberculosis.”

“UV-C is a long-proven method for disinfecting air, water, and non-porous surfaces,” says Timothy Sulecki, the president of MaxAssure Inc., a manufacturer of ultraviolet equipment.

“Multiple lengthy case studies prove both the efficacy and economic benefits of UV-C as part of a disinfection process. For decades, UV-C has been an important tool to health care facilities around the globe and providing a demonstrated, easy-to-use method of disinfection.”

UV-C offers next-level protection in coordination with regular cleaning and disinfecting protocols, according to Mike Colligan, the director of corporate sales with Pure Protective Equipment.

“The use of UV-C is a chemical-free process that does not leave behind any residue and allows for immediate occupancy of the space.

In addition, other methods of disinfection introduce the element of human error into the cleaning process. The use of UV-C is another layer of disinfection for the facility to ensure proper cleaning procedures and protocols are in place,” he added.

Dr Linda Lee is the chief medical affairs and science officer with UV Angel, a manufacturer of UV-C technology. She has spent more than 30 years working with a wide range of organisations in her quest to eliminate disease and create safer indoor environments.

“UV-C is a well-studied, well-understood technology that has been around for years and used to treat environments and reduce pathogens,” says Dr. Lee. “There are hundreds of uses and everyday applications for UV-C treatment in the air, on surfaces, and in water. Applied correctly, it can be safe for use with many modalities.”

“UV-C or ultraviolet light in the 200 to 280 nanometers (nm) range has shown to be effective against pathogens under specific conditions,” according to Dr. Stefan Wagener, Ph.D., SM (NRCM), CBSP, RBP, and a scientific advisor for GBAC. “The effectiveness depends on the specific wavelength used, medium to be treated, the amount of UV energy released, the distance between the UV source and the material being

exposed, and, very importantly, the conditions in which pathogens are in.”

The UV-C process is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), explains Frederick Schetrompf, the vice president of MaxAssure Inc. “This disinfection method uses shortwavelength UV-C (~254 nm) to kill or inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their D-/RNA (apoptosis), leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions such as replication. The result is cell death.”

So, it’s not as simple as turning on an ultraviolet light and zapping into oblivion what can hurt you.

“To be safely and effectively used, UV-C light must come in direct sight with the treated air or surface, as areas shadowed from the light will not be treated,” according to Mike Hartmann, the executive vice president of The PYURE Company, which manufactures equipment using ultraviolet light that creates hydroxyls and organic oxidants.

“UV-C cannot be directly exposed to humans as it is proven harmful to skin and eyes, and prolonged and repeated use will damage materials in a treated room.”

“Any user of UV needs to assess the intended application and usefulness carefully,” Dr. Wagener stresses.

“UV systems designed and specifically customised for installation in a specific airhandling system (HVAC) to treat the air while it is passing through, will likely be much more effective per unit dose of UV than UV lights placed in a room full of equipment, furniture, and other objects that provide shade.”

HOW IT WORKS Commonly seen in hospitals are the UV-C towers. “These are rolled into the room, people leave the room, and it is sealed off from anyone entering the space while the tower is emitting UV-C energy in the room,” says Dr. Lee. “The action of the UV-C is to interrupt the DNA/RNA of the cell, and thus the cell cannot reproduce.

Cells that cannot reproduce will die.”

In addition, UV-C is used with building ventilation systems. “There are a number of ways to incorporate UV-C into HVAC systems,” according to Morgan.

“The most common application is inserting UV-C lamps into the ducts of an HVAC system to disinfect air as it passes over the lamps before entering a room. It can also be used near the filtration system, which not only disinfects the air, but also disinfects the filters that catch, but don’t inactivate, harmful pathogens.”

According to Morgan, exposure times vary greatly and are impacted by several variables such as airflow rate, humidity, the types of

pathogens being eradicated, the intensity of the light, the size of the radiation chamber, and more. Given how complex modeling can be and how much is at stake, it’s advisable to consult an expert to understand how much exposure time is needed for your application.

UV-C light can be used for antimicrobial purposes if enough UV light (dose) reaches the pathogens, explains Dr. Wagener.

“They need to be exposed to the light for a long enough time, and nothing shades the pathogens from the light. For that reason, UV-C light can be used in HVAC systems where air passes in front of the light for a long enough time, and the same is true for in-water applications if the water is clean.”

Dr. Wagener also cautions about routine maintenance.

“Over time, UV-C light bulbs will reduce the output of UV-C light, and any time the bulb gets dirty, it will be less effective. For that reason, shields and/or filters are sometimes used in front of bulbs in an HVAC or water system to keep the bulbs clean. As long as the UV-C bulbs are in a closed system (no UV-C light gets to the outside), they are considered safe.”

Overall, manufacturers of UV-C equipment see an acceptance of this type of technology. “Our observations show us that the demand for UV-C as a disinfecting tool has increased over the last year due to the global pandemic and is safe to use as directed in unoccupied spaces where there is no exposure to people and porous materials,” reports Hartmann.

SAFETY CONCERNS Obviously, it all starts with training. “As with all systems designed for health and safety, training and support are critical,” Salazar explains.

“We have developed customised training and implementation programs based on industry segment.

Knowledge is power. The more comfortable and educated on a system you are, the more likely it is accepted.”

Eight years ago, MaxAssure embarked on educating and gaining acceptance in the UV industry. “Although UV-C is a highly safe and effective means for disinfection, it was then and remains now difficult to convert some folks from more ‘traditional’ disinfection processes,” explains Sulecki. “While UV-C has its own inherent risks, safety measures have been built into our devices.”

“UV light and especially UV-C is high-energy radiation and a significant human and animal hazard,” says Dr. Wagener.

This being said, using UV-C in an occupational setting requires that no skin and/or eye contact occurs at any time.

“For that reason, UV-C application is either in a closed system or without any occupancy during the application.

In addition, any surface application requires the surface to be clean and unobstructed. Trying to use it on dirty, soiled surfaces will not work well.”

“When operated correctly, this technology is safe,” Morgan adds.

“Humans and animals should not be in the room while a UV-C device is running since the light can be damaging to eyes and skin. It’s imperative that UV-C devices come with built-in safety features, such as a motion detector that shuts down the device if there’s movement in the room, as well as detailed manufacturer instructions for safe operation.

Training programs for those who operate the devices are also important.”

INCLEAN

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FEATURE

“

If there’s anything certain about the current pandemic, it’s that the landscape is constantly changing, the behavior of the virus is difficult to predict, and SARSCoV-2 will not be the last dangerous pathogen to challenge the world.

”

Some innovative systems are developed to be used in occupied spaces, however. As Dr. Lee explains, the technology that she works with includes safe and shielded technology, and “this technology is safe for occupied spaces because of the shielded UV-C and continuous treatment.”

Salazar points to advancements in ceilingmounted units in an enclosed UV-C chamber.

“It continuously operates at the source of the pathogens (humans) and safely continuous operation with patrons, patients, and humans in the area. They are safe to use in the presence of humans, who shed 37 million types of pathogens per hour!”

Added Colligan: “With the current pandemic that we are in, operators are looking for a next-level solution in addition to the current cleaning and disinfecting methods. While there is no one perfect way to clean and disinfect, the use of these layers of cleaning protocol allows for a cleaner, safer workplace, school, or environment.”

AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS Automation is the obvious path to the future, according to Schetrompf. Ensuring there is effective overlap between the level of automation employed and safety is paramount. “In the last 18 months, we have observed big leaps made in the bridge between automation and safety using next-generation sensors and computer modeling. It is exciting, to say the least.”

Colligan believes that the use of robotics in the industry continues to evolve. “Regardless of the application, robotic, human, or otherwise, the intensity of the UV-C lamp will still define the time necessary to effectively kill or inactivate the pathogen and drive the productivity time.”

THE FUTURE The pandemic has led to rapid growth in the UV-C market, and Morgan believes the industry will only see this growth continue in the new normal—especially as bodies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) develop uniform performance standards.

“It is our belief that the coronavirus pandemic will ultimately have a larger impact on infectious disease protocols—along with every other aspect of modern culture—than any other event in history,” Morgan adds.

“From this point forward, businesses around the globe will be putting infection prevention and environmental safety at the forefront of their day-to-day operations, making technologies like UV-C a part of standard disinfection protocols. While today the focus is COVID-19, tomorrow it will be norovirus, 46 INCLEAN May / June 2021

the seasonal flu, E. coli, the common cold, and every other virus, bacteria, fungi, or mold that threatens the human immune system.”

“The seasonal flu alone impacts 40 million Americans every year,” Morgan says, which costs the United States economy more than $10 billion annually—and “somehow as a society we’ve come to accept that as normal. I believe UV-C will play a huge role in decreasing those numbers and ultimately setting a new standard for infection prevention in our post-pandemic world.”

While the global pandemic presented an obvious, immediate increase in UV-C usage, there is an anticipated, heightened awareness remaining. According to Sulecki, “Demand for better disinfection management of our environment, particularly public spaces, is likely here to stay. Once largely limited to health care and water treatment applications, the future poses limitless applications so long as the driving force of design includes safety.”

Salazar adds, “The use of UV-C technology in our everyday lives is here to stay, as is the hyper-focus on cleaning and disinfection procedures. Even though we are seeing the economy start to reopen and are expecting herd immunity by early summer, growing trends from customers are their increased focus on implementing proactive prevention strategies and instilling confidence in their patrons that they can return to a safer environment once again. Many were doing just enough to ‘get by,’ but what can they be doing now to protect their tenants, patients, employees, students, and others?”

If there’s anything certain about the current pandemic, it’s that the landscape is constantly changing, the behavior of the virus is difficult to predict, and SARS-CoV-2 will not be the last dangerous pathogen to challenge the world, according to Kathryn Kulick, the chief product marketing and financial officer of Neon LLC, a company that provides several UV-C solutions.

“Clearly, the best approach for addressing the unknown is to begin with proven approaches and straightforward safety procedures.”

With these thoughts in mind, we must all now take the time to examine our cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing strategies.

Are we just doing enough to “get by,” or are we doing all we can to safeguard those in our buildings, our customers, employees, and ourselves?

Jeff Cross is the editorial director of ISSA Media, which includes ISSA Today, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, and Cleanfax.

He can be reached at JeffCross@ISSA.com This article first appeared in ISSA Today and has been re-published with permission. ■

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FEATURE

“

People are looking for better and more effective ways to clean and to get measurable outcomes in terms of cleanliness and hygiene.

Floorcare has a role in that.

”

48 INCLEAN May / June 2021

FEATURE

Higher ground Why floorcare matters during COVID-19 Words Cameron Cooper

Floorcare may not always receive the attention it deserves as the cleaning industry focuses on high touchpoints and disinfectants because of COVID-19, but it remains a key area of hygiene and innovation for contractors and their clients.

F

or someone who has seen it all in the cleaning business over the last two decades, Steve Bagshaw admits that some aspects of the trade still surprise him.

For a start, cleaners who still insist on manual mopping of floors. “That’s quite amazing to me after so many years of other alternatives being available,” says Bagshaw, the regional ambassador for i-team Australia and New Zealand. “There’s sometimes still a lack of awareness and a desire to focus on innovation and present value to clients.”

His company distributes the i-mop floor scrubber, which is credited with cleaning up to 70 per cent faster than conventional wet mopping and up to 30 per cent quicker than conventional auto scrubbing. “In a nutshell, it gives you the power of a large walk-behind scrubber, but with the agility of a mop,” Bagshaw says.

So, in an era when COVID-19 is forcing cleaning operators to insist on best-practice and greater efficiency, he believes it is common sense to take advantage of the latest technology.

“Labour is almost always the biggest cost in cleaning, so any way to focus on that line of the profit-and-loss statement for a contractor is where they’re going to get the fastest gain.”

While floorcare may not be the main focus of cleaning improvements during the pandemic – that honour goes to high-touchpoint areas in

hospitals and other healthcare environments – it is nevertheless part of an overall industry in which the highest possible hygiene standards must be achieved.

“The significance of COVID in relation to floorcare has been minimal,” Bagshaw admits.

“The focus has been more about the wider importance that is now placed on cleaning. But people are looking for better and more effective ways to clean and to get measurable outcomes in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. Floorcare has a role in that.”

RESPONDING TO MARKET DEMANDS Many cleaning businesses have been in high demand since the outbreak of COVID-19, including Polivac, a leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial cleaning equipment such as floor scrubbers, polishers and sanders.

Managing director Tony Antonious reports that sales are up 36 per cent compared with last year, despite lower international demand because of border closures. “Markets have slowed overseas, but in general Victoria and Australia have been doing very well,” he says.

Antonious puts it down to increased frequency of cleaning because of the pandemic.

“There’s also been changes to the process of cleaning, like people using fogging, and the cleaning standards have been higher because of the need to stop the coronavirus spreading.” www.incleanmag.com.au 49

FEATURE

According to Antonious, COVID-19 has highlighted the dearth of Australian manufacturers of floorcare machines, giving Polivac an edge with clients in current markets.

“They’ve had to rely on the local manufacturers.”

For Alan Selcuk, director of Eclipse Floor Solutions, the past year has been a rollercoaster ride for sales. Lockdowns in Melbourne, in particular, affected sales of his company’s range of chemicals, floor pads and machines, but on the flip side the demand for products into supermarkets “has gone crazy”. “So, one sector has pretty much offset the other,” Selcuk says.

With markets starting to return to prepandemic levels, he expects the lingering impact of the coronavirus to be the quest from contractors and their clients for the highest possible cleaning standards at the lowest possible cost.

“Everybody is looking for products that can save them time and money and still deliver a good result to their customers.”

This trend has led to a rise in popularity of floors made from engineered stone, which 50 INCLEAN May / June 2021

are cheaper and less porous than marble and terrazzo. “They’re better wearing, which makes life easier for cleaning contractors who want to present an acceptable and cost-effective floor to their clients,” Selcuk says.

The other major change is that leading suppliers such as Eclipse are offering improved technology for products such as strippers, sealers and other coatings which mean that floors can be stripped less often, while the product volumes used for sealing floors is about half of that used about 10 years ago. Superior cleaning pads also last about 2½ times longer than the older ones.

The upshot is that floor cleaning is now more efficient and relatively cheaper than in the past. Another example of such gains is Pioneer Eclipse’s AMP antimicrobial protection additive, an advanced technology within a floor coating that inhibits the growth of stain and odour causing bacteria on the floor surface. Eclipse is the sole Australian distributor of Pioneer Eclipse products.

“This is where technology has gone ahead in leaps and bounds,” Selcuk says.

FEATURE MARKETING ON MESSAGE At a time of heightened awareness of the importance of cleaning standards, some companies have taken the opportunity to finetune their branding and alert the market to the quality of their products and services.

SEBO Australia, for instance, has embarked on a brand-awareness campaign that has resulted in a sharp increase in sales for its commercial floorcare range, which includes upright vacuum cleaners, barrel machines, power brushes, polisher and a dry carpet cleaner.

“Customer education on correct floorcare cleaning methods was high on our priority and remains still to this day,” says product manager Kristine Collins.

She says in response to the need for everhigher floorcare standards, SEBO continues to emphasise industry-specific education and tailored cleaning programs for its customers.

“We’re committed to giving advice on the correct cleaning methods for soft floorcare.

Global media coverage has put a spotlight on harmful pathogens and allergens that cannot be detected by the human eye, so no longer can society turn a blind eye and accept ‘if it looks clean, it must be clean’.”

Collins says health concerns go beyond the immediacy of COVID-19, with National Asthma Council Australia claiming that about two out of five Australians have allergies, including most people with asthma. Using a vacuum cleaner with an electric brush roller that can extract maximum debris, dust and allergens from soft floor covers and seal them in an air tight system is paramount for improving indoor air quality. “SEBO vacuums not only clean the floors you walk on, but also the air you breathe,” Collins says.

While many retailers are trying to reduce floorcare costs, Eclipse Floor Solutions advises them to factor in the experience they are giving their customer. A floor that is in poor condition can be a turnoff. Selcuk notes that some of his competitors use low-grit pads to grind vinyl floors that can be as thin as 3mm.

“You can only do that so many times before you destroy the floor and even leave holes in it,” he says. By contrast, those who use a highquality acrylic finish get a great result which protects the vinyl and increases longevity.”

TECHNOLOGY TO THE FORE There is no doubt that cleaning supply companies are upping the ante on technology innovation, either through the release of new products or by improving existing machines.

At Polivac, its popular Stealth batteryoperated high-speed polisher has been subject to redesigns in the past six months to further improve its speed and efficiency. “Of course,

efficiency is the name of the game,” Antonious says. He comments that Polivac is constantly seeking to innovate, and that a proportion of profits from the spike in recent sales will go back to product development.

At i-team, Bagshaw and his staff are also not resting on their laurels, having implemented many major improvements to the i-mop since its launch in the Australian market about five years ago.

The objective, as always, is to make machines more efficient and cost-effective.

Bagshaw, who says product changes made by flooring manufacturers have seen a reduction in the use of strippers and sealers as a means of protecting floors in the past 15 years, is adamant that technology advances cannot be ignored.

“Positively, there’s definitely a general desire to be aware of key products and what the leaders in innovation are doing globally. We’ve seen a lot of that come to Australia over the past 10 years, but there’s still a lot more exciting opportunities to come.”

While SEBO embraces innovation, Collins says contractors have to be careful to assess any new products and their perceived benefits. She notes that there has been considerable interest in battery and robotic vacuums during the past year because of their convenience.

“But SEBO’s growth in the market has not been affected with the introduction of ‘convenience’ vacs. While they may look sophisticated and there may be in some industries a time and place for them, do they actually provide the required hygienic level of clean in industries where indoor air quality is of paramount importance?

The time it takes to do five to 10 passes with a battery vacuum could have taken one pass with a traditional SEBO vacuum.”

“

Everybody is looking for products that can save them time and money and still deliver a good result to their customers.

”

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE As cleaners in the floorcare space seek to deliver the best possible products and services during the pandemic, Collins urges them to get on the front foot. “Seize the moment and evolve your business,” she says. “Tempted as you might be to save a few dollars, avoid resorting back to ‘old cleaning hacks’ as a cost-saving measure.

Speak to a qualified cleaning expert, or two, and get the right piece of cleaning equipment for the application.”

She adds that it is crucial that staff are properly trained and for companies to have a well-planned floor-maintenance program.

With an eye to the future after the worst of COVID-19 passes, Bagshaw is adamant that any innovations and changes in floorcare and cleaning more broadly must be made in the context of providers delivering a truly transparent and honest approach to the industry.

“That will drive value in the long-term.” ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 51

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FEATURE

COVID-19 and HVAC systems Cleaning and disinfecting air conveyance systems has never been more critical.

I

Words Jon A. Barrett

ndoor air quality is extremely important for productivity and occupant health in any industrial, commercial, or residential property.

HVAC air conveyance systems, with associated ductwork and ductless mini split systems, provide acceptable indoor air quality atmospheres. They must also be inspected, maintained, and cleaned on a routine schedule in order to operate most efficiently, therefore saving operating costs. This includes the interior of the ductwork and the replacing of filters.

Air conveyance systems filter out dust, particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and lower humidity levels while removing moisture levels in a building. Unfortunately, dust, particulates, VOC’s, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses can accumulate on the interior surfaces of the air conveyance systems and interior ductwork. This accumulated mass of debris can be aerosolized and transmitted through air currents.

STUDY RESULTS Regarding the COVID-19 virus, a study has shown that a human sneeze or cough can disperse smaller droplet nuclei into air currents up to 12 feet away and linger in the air for more than one minute.1 Another study confirmed that a burst from a person’s mouth at nearly a hundred miles an hour can travel as far as 27 feet.2 Where can the COVID-19 droplets be aerosolized, carried to, and transmitted? Possibly through the HVAC duct systems.

A ducted HVAC system creates air currents, which can likely carry smaller viral particles even further. According to Chinese health officials, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started, ten people from three families eating in a 54 INCLEAN May / June 2021

Guangzhou, China, restaurant became infected earlier this year. Aerosolised droplet transmission was prompted by air-conditioned ventilation. Researchers reviewed a video from the restaurant and saw many of these patrons were more than six feet apart from one another, suggesting that the virus followed the airflow, traveling through the air.3 An ongoing study of environmental contamination obtained surface and air samples in two Nebraska Biocontainment Units (NBUs) and nine residential isolation rooms housing individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The room surfaces that were tested included ventilation grates, tabletops, and window ledges.

Virus samples with the highest concentration were recovered from an air handling grate in the NBU. Airflow in the NBU suites originated from a register at the top center of the room and exited from grates near the head of the patient’s bed on either side of the room. Airflow modeling has suggested that some fraction of the airflow was directed under the patient’s bed, which may have caused the observed contamination under the bed, while the dominant airflow likely carried particles away from the patient’s bed towards the edges of the room, passing by the windows, resulting in some deposition there.4 A recent study of SARS-CoV-2 stability indicates that infectious aerosol may persist for several hours and on surfaces for as long as two days. The most prolonged viability of viruses was on stainless steel and plastic.

The estimated median half-life of SARS-CoV-2 was approximately 5.6 hours on stainless steel and 6.8 hours on plastic.5 In conjunction, influenza viruses can spread through the air on dust, fibers, and other microscopic particles, according to new research from the University of California, Davis and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai.6

FEATURE

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Indoor air quality is extremely important for productivity and occupants’ health.

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www.incleanmag.com.au 55

FEATURE

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It’s important for the HVAC systems to be inspected, maintained, and cleaned on a routine schedule.

”

56 INCLEAN May / June 2021

AIRFLOW Although ductwork interiors can be made of smooth metal, fine dust can collect on air duct surfaces, vents, motors, and coils. Flakes of dead skin, hair, and pet dander catch onto the dust, and before long, this process creates a dense, mat-like environment where viruses, bacteria, mold, dust mites, and allergens can flourish.

This is similar to a vehicle’s exterior during a spring pollen season, as the pollen would coat the vehicle and windows.

For instance, when dust is carried on air currents generated by air conditioning and similar devices, the dust takes on a positive or negative static electric charge due to contact with various objects. Dust with a positive electric charge will be attracted to objects with a negative electric charge and vice versa. The greater the amount of dust in the air, the more considerable the amount of dust that clings to objects within the room.

Also, if sources of dust (mainly people and clothing) are electrically charged, the dust that is generated from these sources is electrically charged as well. This attractive force generated by static electricity is known as “Coulomb force.”7 Also, ductwork return airstreams contain levels of humidity and moisture. As a result, this moisture can adhere to the ductwork interior and capture dust particulate.

HVAC air filters might help in capturing the viral particles and dust particulates. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter effectively removes small particles, 99.7 per cent of particles 0.3 microns. A minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) filter removes larger particles, 0.3 microns to 10 microns.

A MERV filter rated 17 or higher is considered HEPA-like in efficiency. However, most commercial buildings have MERV filters rated 12 or lower.

Unfortunately, a coronavirus particle is about 0.1 microns and cannot be viewed with human eyesight. So, there’s no guarantee that a HEPA filter would stop viral particles and dust particulates.

Current standard air handling units (AHUs) in HVAC systems circulate up to 80 per cent - 90 per cent of the air in regular systems during peakload conditions, such as winter and summer, when outdoor ventilation airflow is set at the minimum percentage to save energy. Standard filtration units in HVAC systems cannot remove the virus within an airstream effectively. The HVAC system has become a central point of contact to spread the virus by recirculating contaminated air into space.

Based on the studies and information, inspection, testing, and surface and air sampling, cleaning and disinfecting HVAC air conveyance systems and associated ductwork can help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

HVAC SYSTEM AND DUCTWORK CLEANING AND DISINFECTING BEST PRACTICES: 1. Review HVAC air conveyance systems and associated ductwork drawings and diagrams.

2. While donning proper PPE, perform a visual inspection of the exterior and interior of the HVAC air conveyance systems and associated ductwork, registers/vents, motors, coils, and filters. Use a video borescope camera if necessary and take digital pictures.

Document and log any observations, even if the ductwork “looks clean.”

3. Test and inspect for any air leakage, VOCs, particulates, and duct metal seam issues.

4. Perform pre- and post-surface swab sampling, of the HVAC air conveyance systems and associated ductwork, registers/vents, motors, coils, and filters. The pre-surface swab sampling may identify any hazardous substances and hazardous particulates.

5. Perform pre- and post-air sampling of the project area. Performing these samplings will help identify and isolate specific systems and affected areas, along with identifying any hazardous substances and/or particulates.

6. Use environmental controls and infection control risk assessment protocols to contain and isolate the cleaning and disinfecting project.

This includes setting up HEPA air scrubbers, negative air machines, and containment barriers while using a particulate counter and air pressure monitor.

7. Ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging using a non-acidic, non-chlorine-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered virucide, biocide, and fungicide disinfectant can be implemented, outside and inside ductwork, on registers/vents, motors,

coils, and the entire project area, to inactivate any viral aerosols. For efficacy, allow a minimum of a 10 minute dwell time, or the dwell time per the virucide label, on surfaces.

8. Clean the interior ductwork surfaces from larger dust and particulates, using HEPA vacuuming, rotobrushing, air whipping, and mechanical cleaning. Interior fiberglass lined ductwork requires specialized attention and cleaning to prevent fiber damage and release. Visually inspect to prevent re-contamination.

9. On metal interior ductwork, registers/vents, motors, and coils, clean and disinfect, using a nonacidic, non-chlorine based, EPA registered virucide, biocide, and fungicide disinfectant. For efficacy, allow a minimum of a 10-minute dwell time, or the dwell time per the virucide label, on surfaces.

10. Replace and install new HEPA filters.

Ductless mini split systems may have a washable filter. Itis best to HEPA vacuum the air conveyance unit and disinfect the washable filter often with an EPA registered virucide, biocide, and fungicide disinfectant.

For efficacy, allow a minimum of a 10-minute dwell time, or the dwell time per the virucide label, on surfaces.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it’s important for the HVAC systems to be inspected, maintained, and cleaned on a routine schedule. If you do this, your air conveyance system will operate most efficiently, provide a healthier indoor air environment, and save costs over time.

Jon A. Barrett is marketing manager of SERVPRO of Blackwood and Gloucester Township, NJ. This article was first published in ISSA Today and has been republished with permission. ■

Sources: 1

www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/mechanical-cough-coronavirus.php

2

www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/04/coronavirus-covid-sneeze-fluid-dynamics-in-photos/#close

3

wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0764_article

4

www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69286-3?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_ junction&utm_campaign=3_nsn6445_deeplink_PID100045715&utm_content=deeplink

5

www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2004973

6

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200818094026.htm

7

www.keyence.com/ss/products/static/resource/solution www.incleanmag.com.au 57

OPINION

Mobility is transforming the delivery of cleaning services

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The cleaning companies that adopt mobile technology generate a vast amount of valuable data that helps them understand their operations and make better decisions.

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58 INCLEAN May / June 2021

OPINION

W

hile mobile devices have empowered field service workers for more than a decade, the cleaning industry has been slow to adopt mobile phones within its workforce.

But over the last few years, the pace of mobile adoption is suddenly increasing, and the cleaning companies that are leading the way are reaping the rewards.

Using mobile devices to manage cleaning services offers a range of business benefits, from reporting efficiency and improved compliance, to streamlined communication and enhanced employee safety.

In fact, at Toronto Airport, Canadian facilities management provider Dexterra saved up to 100 hours per week using a mobile solution that replaces paper recordkeeping and automates reporting.

So, what’s driving a sudden increase in the adoption of mobile phones? Cleaners are becoming more comfortable using mobile apps as part of their work.

Buyers of cleaning services are demanding detailed and real-time reporting from their providers, and cleaning companies realise that the benefits of implementing mobile solutions far outweigh the costs.

How are mobile devices used in the delivery of cleaning services? The way value is derived usually varies depending on the type of cleaning contract.

For instance, there is a strong focus on risk minimisation in retail contracts through real-time tracking of cleaning rotations and reporting of slip hazards such as spills.

Small sensors called Bluetooth beacons work in tandem with a mobile application to monitor when toilets and food courts are cleaned and automatically raise alerts if rotations are missed. Suppose a cleaner identifies a hazard such as a spill.

In that case, the cleaner can use the mobile application to log a record and include photos that demonstrate the risk has been eliminated. The data generated from these interactions plays a vital role in reducing public liability claims costs typical in large retail contracts.

In healthcare settings, managing variable cleaning tasks such as patient room turnover and providing verifiable reporting that supports accreditation requirements is critical. Using mobile devices and Bluetooth beacons, help desk operators can see cleaners’ real-time location and use this data to more efficiently allocate cleaning tasks.

When a task is assigned to a cleaner, the cleaner is immediately notified via a mobile application. The cleaner can update the task’s status giving the help desk full visibility of all work in progress. The use of data to inform the help desk, plus automated mobile workflows, results in a much more efficient, reliable and compliant cleaning operation.

In large, distributed contracts such as retail banking or big-box retail, knowing the cleaner showed up and completed the required work is critical. In this case, a

virtual GPS perimeter, known as a geo-fence, can be set around each property with an associated service schedule.

If the cleaner doesn’t start a shift on time, an exception is automatically raised and a manager is notified.

When a cleaner does show up, the mobile application automatically presents the tasks that need to be completed based on the time and location. This data provides regional managers with the confidence that services have been delivered according to scope and allows them to manage contracts by exception. It also streamlines payroll administration by automating start and finish time collection.

These are just a few examples of how mobile devices can drive value within commercial cleaning contracts. In our experience working with some of Australia’s leading cleaning companies, we’ve seen firsthand how leveraging mobile devices can help win new contracts, retain existing contracts, improve compliance, drive efficiency and reduce risk.

The cleaning companies that adopt mobile technology generate a vast amount of valuable data that helps them understand their operations and make better decisions.

Given the tremendous benefits they offer, why aren’t all companies rushing to deploy mobile devices to their cleaning teams? The most common objections we hear include it costs too much, cleaners don’t know how to use the apps, we can’t expect cleaners to use their phones for work or it’s too hard to change.

Firstly, the associated costs of rolling out and supporting a mobile-empowered workforce are insignificant to the costs of doing nothing. We’ve seen how cleaning companies that have implemented mobile technology win contracts over their competitors. Mobile technology also helps retain at-risk contracts and delivers enough efficiency gains to pay for itself many times over.

Secondly, let’s give cleaners the credit they deserve: they are capable of using mobile phones and applications.

For the small proportion who are not tech-savvy, a small investment in training can solve any challenges.

Finally, we are transitioning into a world where it’s normal for employees to use their phones to conduct work. It has been happening in the corporate world for over a decade. That said, it’s crucial to develop a clear mobile device use policy, cover any costs related to mobile usage and set expectations at the time of employment.

If you’re a cleaning company considering implementing a mobile solution to manage your workforce, now is the time to do it. A global pandemic has only accelerated the need to give your customers the confidence that cleaning services have been delivered on time and according to scope. The cleaning companies that adopt a mobile-first strategy are going to be the winners in the future.

Ben Howden, is director of growth – APAC, TEAM Software. He can be reached at ben.howden@teamsoftware.com ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 59

OPINION

COVID uniform trends and what the future looks like

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For those in the commercial cleaning and hygiene space, it has never been more important to ensure your staff and brand are correctly represented.

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60 INCLEAN May / June 2021

ife as we know it has certainly changed thanks to COVID-19, and so too has the value placed on working in a clean, well sanitised and safe environment.

If you have ever worked an early or late shift, you will have inevitably crossed paths with the company engaged to clean your offices.

Perhaps you paid them little attention as you went about your day, as they were providing a routine but vital service.

We are living through a time where infection control, the spread of germs and hygiene have never been so important. For those returning to the office after extended periods of working from home, it might be a bit daunting to go back to the commute and be in an environment where you are required to share facilities.

With that apprehension at the front of the minds of returning workers, comfort and security will be drawn from the partnerships your company has formed with those responsible for keeping their workplace SAFE. For those in the commercial cleaning and hygiene space, it has never been more important to ensure your staff and brand are correctly represented, and what your team wear when on location is critical to that first impression around the quality of their work.

As the crew responsible for leaving behind a safe and sanitised environment, what they are wearing

when on the job is critical. The uniform needs to not only look contemporary, trustworthy, and appropriate for the task at hand, but it needs to evoke a feeling of security for those in its presence.

Pre-COVID-19 uniforms for those working in cleaning and hygiene may have been an afterthought; a budget-based activity where the cheapest polo with a logo was usually the approach, or to my even greater horror, no uniforms at all.

For those few that took their branding and first impressions seriously, having a dress code and uniform policy in place ensured their team stood out and looked professional. These are the businesses that are thriving in a time where cleaning and hygiene services have never been in such demand.

If your team looks the part, then they are likely to be trusted by other businesses to keep their people safe. As demands for hygiene and cleaning services increase, as does the emphasis on branding and what to wear when working in these environments.

A great team uniform reflects the changing market, exudes confidence, has a contemporary feel and inspires employees.

A great team uniform in the cleaning and hygiene industry takes this one step further and ensures the staff wearing the uniform feel professional and protected, and that those

OPINION working with this team feel safe. Like any element of brand and marketing, a uniform design and implementation needs to be well thought out and take into consideration:

1. PURPOSE Uniforms should always reflect a company’s brand and purpose. This ensures a client can identify what the company is about through what the staff are wearing. For Cleaning and Hygiene services, your team need to look polished and put together to evoke feelings of trust.

What trousers are they expected to wear? Is there a requirement for a cap or beanie? There is no point creating a fabulous shirt or polo only to have it covered up by an off-brand hot pink jumper that does not communicate the consistent story of your brand.

4. POLICY

3. PICTURE PERFECT

The devil is in the details. Ensure there is a company uniform policy outlining dress standards. Should the shirt be worn tucked in or out? What type and colour shoes are acceptable?

What is the jewellery policy?

Unfortunately, common sense isn’t always all that common, and when taking the time to create your team image through uniform, it is even more important to follow that through with the detail of how it should or shouldn’t be worn.

The trend of hyper-awareness around hygiene and the emphasis of safety and sanitation in the workplace is here to stay, and the careful consideration of what is worn by those working in this industry should also remain a priority.

Tell the whole story from top to toe. If you spend time creating a look, it needs to consider all factors. Will staff need a winter wear option?

Pamela Jabbour is the founder and CEO of Total Image Group. www.totalimagegroup.com.au ■

2. PRACTICALITY Depending on the client, we often find there is either too much of a focus on the look and not enough on practicality, or vice versa! There is a significant difference between weekend wear and work wear, and whilst uniforms need to be fashion forward, they also must be functional and fit for purpose.

“

As the crew responsible for leaving behind a safe and sanitised environment, what they are wearing when on the job is critical.

”

Join your local industry association within a global community!

With more than 10,500 members worldwide — including distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members — ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry.

The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line.

Contact the ISSA Oceania Regional Office to find out more: issa.com/oceania oceania@issa.com 1800 621 872 Search ISSA Oceania

www.incleanmag.com.au 61

OPINION

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How events and festivals will change in a post-COVID world

ith the return of events and festivals on the horizon, it’s important to recognise the need to adapt to become more health-conscious and more sustainable.

Here are four ways the return of events and festivals will change in a post-COVID world.

1

HYGIENE WILL BECOME A PRIORITY

Hygiene has always been a priority for event and festival organisers, but it will become increasingly important for guests and attendees too.

Everyone has upskilled their hand washing game considerably as a result of 2020 and maintaining stricter levels of health and safety will stay at the forefront of consumer’s minds going forward.

For event and festival organisers this means COVID-related hygiene practices like having handwashing and sanitiser stations throughout the venue, increased sanitation and disinfection of high touch points such as door handles, bathrooms and handrails, and having a larger commercial cleaning presence to maintain a clean and clear space for guests and talent.

Whether it’s extra cleaners for event bathrooms or commercial disinfectant teams to give multi-day events a complete reset, hygiene has become more important than ever.

2

WASTE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY

The pandemic changed the way Australians viewed so many aspects of their lives.

The pause in world activity also showed how quickly mother nature was able to bounce back.

For this reason, the post-COVID world will see events and festivals looking to promote sustainability in their industry to continue to put environmental needs first.

Banning plastic straws won’t be enough in 2021 and beyond, it will take correct waste management plans that bring step-by-step custom solutions to manage and dispose of the waste created by events and festivals.

What waste streams should be made available on site? Are there waste reduction strategies to limit the amount of waste going to landfill? Are the cleaning chemicals environmentally friendly? Are we using biodegradable plastics?

These are the types of waste management questions that event and festival organisers will need to answer going forward.

62 INCLEAN May / June 2021

At Clean Vibes, we partner with event and festival organisers to ensure we have the correct waste infrastructure onsite therefor diverting on average 86 per cent of waste and recycling from landfill sites.

Introducing the ‘return and earn’ scheme onsite at each event ensures that valuable recourses are responsibly managed, while also providing rebates back to the event and festival organisers.

3

COST REDUCTION GOALS

Organisers will have to look locally for resources, talent and commercial services.

The cost for additional staffing, for COVID safe practices such as COVID marshals who maintain social distancing, increased security for temperature checks, and QR code sign ins and increased cleaning and hygiene practices will have an added impact to the costs of operating events moving forward.

Bringing down overall costs is possible through sustainable waste management practices that divert landfill, with on-site processing and sorting able to slash the waste invoices, as well as generating rebates for a further reduction in costs.

Cost reduction strategies, whether applied to event cleaning, organising or talent, will become key considerations going forward.

4

TICKETED AND TRACED

With the importance of monitoring numbers and contact tracking individuals in case of health emergencies, expect events and festivals of all sizes to move towards ticketed models instead.

While this is already the case at large scale events, don’t be surprised if community markets, street events and public exhibitions move towards ID checks and scanned entry passes to make sure there’s a traceable fingerprint of attendees.

As a natural evolution, larger events and festivals will need to focus on upgrading their fencing, security and ticketing tech to make sure they’re on top of their overall numbers.

A post-COVID world isn’t necessarily one without COVID-19.

But one where the coronavirus is a much smaller, albeit still circulating, presence.

Andrew Macarthur is managing director of event waste management and sustainability company, Clean Vibes. www.cleanvibes.com.au ■

OPINION

The importance of partnerships

F

acilities is such a broad-reaching industry that includes many professions from CCTV to couriers to cleaning, and from air conditioning to asset tagging to access control, multiple trades and services mean that every day you can be working with a variety of colleagues.

Whether you are doing the cleaning, creating a work order, navigating a critical environment, cleaning your machinery, filing a report, complying to health and safety requirements, or working out the most suitable environmentally sustainable product for the job in hand, you will talk to many people whilst building upon your knowledge and skills and developing your own helpful partnerships and networks.

In today’s world, success is increasingly dependent on how we interact with others and can make the difference between sinking or swimming.

Whilst I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist, I know from experience that your future success in life and love is based on the relationships and networks that you build. I consider myself to be a giver and try to make better the lives of people I am connected to, no matter how briefly.

I am also a firm believer in ‘what goes around, comes around’ and that we should give credit to others. Nobody should expect to get by without help and support – personally or professionally.

After all, your legacy will be how you treat the people on the journey.

I have built professional relationships with numerous individuals in the facilities’ industry, many of them are in the cleaning business. While they may have moved around a little as different opportunities arose; this is a very connected industry and we have remained in touch.

Coffee meetings, conferences and industry networking events have cultivated these partnerships over time. Whether the company I works for needs something, or my cleaning contact needs a reference or another’s contact name, we mutually support each other’s needs without compromising our personal morals and business ethics.

When I relocated my family to Australia in December 2008, I had to start my networks from scratch. It can take years to build your personal brand – your reputation is made on the communications you have and the partnerships you build. I give the same advice to my teams as I do my children – be professional and courteous, even when circumstances outside of your control may try to dictate a different reaction.

Now more than ever, you will be relying on your workplace management to ensure that all the right checks and balances have taken place. We have already seen requests from customers asking to change their contract scope, for cleaners to: • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) • Change their hours from being ‘hidden’ at night to becoming ‘visible’ during the day • Open more doors and windows to circulate the air and • Remove or increase vacuuming of soft furnishings.

Cleaning can and will continue to make the difference now and in the future as our world has changed, permanently, thanks to the pandemic demands. Customers are hand washing more frequently, using hand sanitiser and desk wipes regularly in the office and face masks are supplied almost as regularly as toilet paper.

I am confident it will not stop there. I am sure there will be a lot more changes that come to the typical routines of a year ago as personal cleanliness and hygiene gets a greater focus everywhere.

Your firm probably has core values that include teamwork, trust and respect, all key to create successful partnerships. Successful partnerships are built on trust.

Business partnerships have the capability to build higher levels of value, increase customer and employee satisfaction and ultimately keep our customers happy. And a happy customer, is very good for business!

“

Business partnerships have the capability to build higher levels of value, increase customer and employee satisfaction and ultimately keep our customers happy.

”

Caroline Fitzwater is director of Caroline Fitzwater Consultancy (CFC) and will be presenting presenting at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Sydney on October 12-13. ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 63

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PRODUCTS

Surfex Surfex is the world’s first dry surface biofilm remover and surface disinfectant. It is the result of collaborative research with Western Sydney University and Macquarie University on dry surface biofilms. It is intended for use on environmental surfaces and for non-critical medical devices such as hospital beds and theatre trolleys. Surfex’s unique formula of buffered peracetic acid and surfactants ensures it will provide maximum disinfectant efficacy critical for healthcare environments. Surfex has excellent materials compatibility when compared with Bleach/Chlorine and has proven kill claims against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Clostridium difficile, Norovirus and Influenza. Surfex is available in 8.5g sachets for dilution in 500ml bottles and 85g sachets for dilution in buckets.

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566

Whiz by SoftBank Robotics

marketing@whiteley.com.au

Whiz is the autonomous floor care vacuum robot

by SoftBank Robotics that works with cleaning teams to build happier, healthier working environments. Whiz takes care of the vacuuming, so cleaners have more time for important tasks such as wiping and disinfecting.

• Works straight out of the box – simply teach it a route and its ready to go • Up to three hours of continuous operation, covering up to 1500sqm • Easily navigate complicated and dynamic spaces • Powerful tools to track and analyse performance

SoftBank Robotics Australia 1300 197 357 softbankrobotics.com/apac/au

Electric solutions for outdoor cleaning The range of eco-friendly battery-operated outdoor sweepers and vacuums from TSM are paving the way for a cleaner and greener future. They don’t produce CO2 emissions and thanks to their powerful filtering systems, fine particles remain trapped and are not released into the environment.

Innovations include an on-board automatic filter cleaning system and its ‘Follow Me’ system that allows the outdoor vacuum machine to follow the operator autonomously. As functions are electric, noise emissions are greatly reduced, allow for cleaning any time day or night.

Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 www.sweepclean.com.au

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PRODUCTS

HAKO Citymaster 650 The Citymaster 650, designed as a compact implement carrier, already sets new standards in the 2-t class: for example, with articulated steering, permanent all-wheel drive with a fully electronic control system and extensive features providing increased comfort and safety at work. The 600-litre universal hopper made of seawater-resistant aluminium alloy can be used for a wide range of different applications: e.g., for sweeping tasks or to collect grass and leaves.

Emptying the hopper is easy thanks to the hydraulic tipper function which automatically opens the hopper lid.

Hako Australia 1800 257 221 www.hakoaustralia.com.au

MULTI FLOOR CLEANING POWER SEBO PROFESSIONAL RANGE

sebo.com.au

POWERHEADS | CRB MACHINE | UPRIGHTS | BARRELS | POLISHER

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PRODUCTS

i-dose chemical dosing for i-mop i-team has launched the i-dose system, a unique chemical pod dosing system to eliminate guesswork and the wastage associated with manual chemical dilution. for the i-mop xl floor scrubber. The i-dose tank replaces the regular i-mop xl water tank. Operating the i-dose is as simple as filling the i-mop tank with water, placing the chemical pod in the i-dose injector chamber, and pressing the yellow button to dose the chemical into the tank. Three variants of pods are available, the E52 Neutral floor cleaner, E33 Bathroom floor cleaner, and E73 HD Floor cleaner for greasy floors.

www.i-teamanz.com

Willmop 50 Vertical Scrubber-Dryer Willmop 50 is a light and extremely manageable vertical scrubber-dryer, combining the high performance of a professional machine with the flexibility of a traditional mop. Perfect for crowded spaces.

• Fully 360 rotatable steering guarantees revolutionary manoeuvrability • When hands are removed, the machine will remain upright and automatically enters the stand-by mode • Interchangeable lithium battery • 50cm scrubbing paths, 2100m²/hr coverage and ~1h 15 mins working time Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 www.centralcleaning.com.au

Tackling the toughest missions Delivering a unique combination of quality, efficiency and productivity, the Conquest CRZ industrial floor scrubber is the pinnacle of industrial floor cleaning equipment. The CRZ has been engineered to ensure an effective and efficient clean between wide warehouse aisles. Featuring corrosion-resistant stainless-steel fasteners, 10mm thick solution and recovery tank built to withstand the harshest operating environments.

Suitable for a variety of floor surfaces; concrete, tiles, vinyl, timber, marble, and painted floor surfaces and with minimal chemicals required the CRZ is an exceptional machine that passes the toughest floor cleaning missions. Contact Conquest for a complimentary onsite assessment.

Conquest Equipment 1800 826 789 www.conquestequipment.com.au

70 INCLEAN May / June 2021

PRODUCTS

Z Water – Safe and chemical free cleaning Z Water is a purified pH12.5 ionised alkaline water made with advance Japanese technology that is chemical free and requires no rinsing after use.

It cleans, deodorises and sanitises at the same time! Using electrolysis, the Z Water generator produces 20 litres of Z water per hour. It’s so pure that it can last for years unopened.

Z Water has no colour compounds, no odours, non-sticky and no foam up during use. Z Water is the perfect cleaning agent on areas that are sensitive to conventional cleaning chemicals, such as childcare centres, hospitals, F&B outlets and theatre seats. Professional cleaners love Z Water as it cleans many surfaces. It’s safer and leaves no residue after cleaning. Surfaces cleaned with Z Water, being free of chemical residue, stay cleaner longer.

Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 www.centralcleaning.com.au

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PRODUCTS

Makita 18Vx2 Power Brush Powered by Makita’s 18Vx2 Split-shaft Powerhead (DUX60) the Power Brush attachment (BR400MP) is ideal for sweeping hard surfaces free of leaves and debris.

• • • • •

Nylon bristles remove debris from uneven surfaces 600mm wide cleaning path 10.9kg total weight with 2xBL1860B batteries Market leading charge time of 55 minutes with Makita rapid chargers Compatible with DUX60 or DUX18 LXT Brushless Powerheads

Makita Australia 1300 361 690 enquries@makita.com.au www.makita.com.au

Comac Innova 55 Thanks to its very compact dimensions, the Innova 55 replaces a traditional walk behind scrubbing machine in maintenance cleaning of surfaces up to 3000sqm.

Extremely convenient, user-friendly, and providing faster cleaning operations, with reduced dimensions, the machine can even be used in small and cluttered environments.

Godfreys 1800 815 270 corproate@godfreys.com.au www.godfreys.com.au

Summer Citrus Summer Citrus is a powerful citrus perfumed neutraliser of all unwanted odours. It has a beautiful citrus fragrance that lingers but is not over-powering. Ideal for use as an air spray deodoriser wherever unwanted odours are found, such as in bathrooms, hospital wards, surgeries, toilets, rubbish bins, drains, vehicles, and hotel rooms.

• Summer Citrus is designed to be sprayed into the air • Leaves no residues • Actively seeks and destroys bad smells

Agar Cleaning Systems 03 9480 3000 www.agar.com.au

72 INCLEAN May / June 2021

PRODUCTS

Butler 1200 Watt Dry Vacuum Cleaner The Butler 1200-Watt Dry Vacuum Cleaner from Cleanstar is now available with hospital grade H14 HEPA filter. Made in Europe, the ergonomically designed vacuum features a durable metal shock proof body, onboard tool storage, and rubber bumper protection. Available in three colours, the Butler vacuum is ultra-quiet and is ideal for use in areas such as hotels, schools, and offices. Other features include:

Polystar 15-inch Orbital Floor Polisher & Clean A truly multi-purpose machine designed to strip, wash, buff, sand, refinish and dry clean hard floor surfaces and carpets.

The Polystar 15-inch Orbital Floor Polisher & Clean features a strong induction motor and 15” (38cm) working width. It comes with a hard brush, soft brush, pad holder, and a microfibre polisher pad. Other features include: • • • • •

• • • • •

2.9 meter hose Dusting brush, crevice, and upholstery tool Wessel-Werk low profile floor tool Hard floor brush 10 litre dust bag capacity

Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au

250–275-watt power (240V) 150rpm working speed Safety /kill switch start-up Quick release foot pedal Quick wire release system

Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au

®

OUT NOW!

NEW 2021 CATALOGUES

460+ PAGES

OF PRODUCTS

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PRODUCTS

SL1600 Dominator and SL2000 Stingray Polivac’s ultra-high-speed suction polishers SL1600 Dominator and SL2000 Stingray are packed with features to deliver smooth, quiet, and trouble-free operations.

• The SL1600 Dominator and SL2000 Stingray are both equipped with Marathon 1.6 kw, 50 hz, 240-volt motor, and feature total dust control (TDC) vacuum system, ensuring high-efficiency dust removal in one pass • The Dominator is equipped with a 40cm pad, enables easy manoeuvrability in smaller areas, while the Stingray includes a 50cm pad to enable operations in larger areas easy and convenient • Lightweight and well- balanced with an adjustable handle, ergonomic hand grips and ‘safety button’ actioning triggers, Stingray’s and Dominator’s ergonomics always deliver safe and comfortable control

Polivac International Contact nearest distributor www.polivac.com.au

Rosemor Escalator Cleaning Machine Introducing the most technologically advanced escalator cleaning system in the world –Rotomatic. With touch screen interface, 10 second ‘Rapid’ cleaning cycle and a revolutionary “Self-Cleaning” mode, it is a new era for cleaning technology.

• Two- stage energy efficient step drying • Large detergent tank capacity • New Ultra Compact Size

Godfreys 1800 815 270 corproate@godfreys.com.au www.godfreys.com.au

U.S. Battery Deep-Cycle Batteries Operate your floor machine reliably with U.S. Battery Deep-Cycle Batteries. Available in 6 volt, 8 volt and 12 volt sizes, U.S. Battery have sizes and configurations for any type of floor machine. Switching to U.S. Battery will give you longer operating time with their ability to be deeply discharged and spend less time waiting with their faster recharge. Maintaining their peak capacity for long periods between charges means greater vehicle reliability and lower annual operating costs. U.S. Battery Deep Cycle batteries are constructed with Diamond Plate Technology giving them a longer cycle life and durability, resulting in less replacements over your equipment’s lifetime.

U.S. Battery, available exclusively from R&J Batteries stores or selected distributors across Australia and New Zealand.

R&J Batteries 1300 769 282 rjbatt.com.au

74 INCLEAN May / June 2021

E&OE / H195-21

Makita is leading the way in cordless Commercial Cleaning, Power Garden and Building & Construction solutions.

Makita’s range of vacuums provide market leading performance and runtime. The benefits of LXT continue outdoors with our Power Garden range eliminating fumes & petrol while drastically reducing noise for clients/ guests. Paired with market leading rapid charge technology, Makita batteries are ready to work when you are!

YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY*

REGISTER YOUR TOOLS FOR EXTRA PROTECTION Makita 5 year limited warranty on new cordless skins* *Makita.com.au/MyMakita for details, terms & conditions

MakitaAustralia

Sanitol

™

ANTIBACTERIAL HAND SANITISER