INCLEAN September-October 2021

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE INFORMATION

www.incleanmag.com.au

September / October 2021

65dB

Low Noise Operation on Max Suction

125W

Max. Suction Power

Also available: HEPA Filter

4 Mode Suction Control

20L/s

Cyclone Attachment (191D71-3)

Max. Airflow

40V Max Brushless Stick Vacuum Kit CL001GD118 Max. air volume (m³/min)

Kit includes Charger (DC40RC) & 2.5Ah Battery (BL4025)

LIMITED WARRANTY*

1.2m³/min

Tank capacity

730mL

Suction power

125W, 70W, 45W, 20W

Continuous runtime (Max)

25 mins (BL4040)

Skin weight

0.9kg

Weight (with battery)

1.7kg

Voltage

YEAR

21kPa

40V Max

REGISTER YOUR TOOLS FOR EXTRA PROTECTION

Makita 5 year limited warranty on new cordless skins* *Makita.com.au/MyMakita for details, terms & conditions

E&OE / H343-21

Max. sealed suction

POWER WITHOUT LIMITS

™

Boost Mode for Max Power

Also available:

High Water Resistance IPX4

Gutter Cleaning Kit (191B03-8)

40V Max Brushless Blower UB001GM101

16m3/min Max. air volume

No load speed

0-20,000rpm (23,000rpm Turbo)

Max. air volume

0-13.8m³/min (Turbo: 16m³/min

Max. air speed

190km/h (Turbo: 230km/h)

Continuous runtime (Max)

Kit includes Rapid Charger (DC40RA) & 4.0Ah Battery (BL4040)

15 mins (BL4050F)

Overall length

1,043mm

Skin weight

2.6kg

Weight (with battery)

3.6kg

Voltage

40V MAX LI-ION BATTERIES Battery

Charging Time

BL4025 2.5Ah Battery

28 min

BL4040 4.0Ah Battery

45 min

BL4050F 5.0Ah Battery

50 min

DC40RA

40V Max Rapid Charger The enlarged and raised LED light provides clearer indication of charging status.

40V Max

ADP10

18V Battery Charging Adaptor Allows for charging of LXT 18V Li-ion Batteries

www.sa bcoprof essiona

l.com.au

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.

Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information.

All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

Copyright © 2021 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

Editor’s letter

O

f all the wake-up calls that COVID-19 has sounded for cleaners and facility managers during the pandemic, one is really starting to be heard – the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ).

The World Health Organization has recently formally recognised that COVID-19 is spread mainly through airborne transmission.

This acknowledgment has underlined the importance of proper ventilation and filtration of buildings, including the need for high standards of carpet care and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) maintenance.

In addition to the COVID-19 threat, another significant factor with IAQ is its impact on workforce productivity.

A recent whitepaper notes that poor IAQ is estimated to cost the Australian economy about $12 billion annually in lost productivity.

The flip side is that considerable research suggests that people are healthier and more productive in environments with good IAQ. As part of our sustainability focus this issue, we look at the importance of IAQ and how cleaning companies can help improve workplace wellbeing through cleaning. This article can be found on page 56.

While sustainable cleaning has never been clearer, the ability to make decisions through uncertainty has also become a crucial component of business.

According to research from McKinseys, only 20 per cent of business owners believe their businesses excel in decision making – and that was before COVID! In this edition, we look at steps can business owners take to improve their confidence in decision making while they are operating in an environment of uncertainty.

Also in this issue, we examine the benefits of smart onboarding, how to prepare for the next pandemic and why we need to look to the past to find out what we can learn for the future.

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

www.cleanstar.com.au

What’s on 2021 Thank Your Cleaner Day 20 October 2021

A New Zealand-based social initiative for the cleaning industry. www.thankyourcleanerday.com

2022

Wed 15 - Thu 16 September 2021

Newmarket Room, Clean NZEllerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand

1-2 March 2022

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

MOST CLICKED www.incleanmag.com.au

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 16-17 March 2022

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

Interclean Amsterdam

10 May 2022 – 13 May 2022 Europe’s leading exhibition for the professional cleaning sector.

2023 CMS

19-22 September 2023

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo rescheduled to March 2022

Diversey enters agreement to acquire Tasman Chemicals

The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo will now take place on 16-17 March 2022 in Sydney.

Diversey ANZ enters agreement to acquire Tasman Chemicals.

FWO announces contract cleaning as compliance priority

Serco launches integrated facilities management business

Contract cleaning sector to be a new compliance and enforcement priority in 2021-22.

Serco Asia Pacific establishes integrated business unit incorporating FM and asset management services.

Abco, ISS Facility Services announce national partnership

New standard for flushable products seeks consultation

Abco and ISS Facility Services partner to streamline supply chain across Australia.

Standards Australia seeks consultation on draft standard for flushable products.

Industry conference and trade fair will take place in Berlin. www.cms-berlin.de

ON THE COVER Read about Hako’s multifunctional and versatile Quick-Connect System technology in this issue’s cover story on page 16.

8 INCLEAN September / October 2021

IN THIS ISSUE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

ISSUE #5 VOLUME 34

Regulars

05 Editor’s letter 14 Industry news 84 Management 86 Opinion 98 Products

18 113

Features

36 Mastering your cleaning plan How to build a standardised workloading strategy.

46 Sustainability drive a big hit Why there is a growing momentum for green operations.

36

56 Clearing the air Indoor air quality is now firmly on the radar for the cleaning industry.

66 Planning for the next pandemic Why we are more likely than not see more in the future.

74 Smells sell – but at the cost of carpet health?

How fragrances can have damaging effects on carpet.

116

52 62

www.incleanmag.com.au 9

SPONSORED

Central Cleaning Supplies strengthens market leading offering

How Central Cleaning Supplies is preparing for the next phase of growth.

C

“

More sites and team members on the ground around Australia means we can continue to provide more value, service, and innovative products to our customers.

”

10 INCLEAN September / October 2021

entral Cleaning Supplies is preparing for a roll out of new stores across the country, and an extensive range of new product launches.

Headquartered in West Footscray, Victoria, Central Cleaning Supplies is one of the largest distributors of cleaning products, chemicals, and equipment.

“Central Cleaning Supplies is a trusted industry brand for many cleaning companies,” explains Joe Camilleri, Managing Director of Central Cleaning Supplies.

“Our growing footprint of outlets provides greater coverage and convenience for our customers.”

Most recently, Central Cleaning Supplies opened a new store in Ballarat, regional Victoria, and another in Footscray, metropolitan Melbourne.

These new stores are a part of a wider, national expansion strategy for the company.

“The Ballarat store has been warmly welcomed and accepted by cleaning companies and the general public. There’s limited stock and supply in many regional areas at the moment, so our new store has been a great benefit to cleaners as well as the general public,” says Camilleri.

Central Cleaning Supplies has been in operation for more than 30 years and provides an extensive range of products and services catering for the professional, commercial, industrial, and domestic cleaning industry.

“Store expansion is a focus for us for the remainder of the year. We have plans to open new stores all over the country,” says Camilleri.

The next Central Cleaning Supplies store will open in Campbellfield, Victoria. New sites are also in the pipeline for Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. Closure of borders around the country has affected their expansion into more states but this will be addressed soon.

“Our new stores will provide further assistance for our customers who can go in-store and speak to our staff, view our extensive product range, as well as be given equipment demonstrations.”

“More sites and team members on the ground around Australia means we can continue to provide more value, service, and innovative products to our customers.

“As long we keep finding the right sites, we will continue to open new stores. Apart from having the right location, you need the right staff to run these stores and great suppliers supporting you.”

Central Cleaning Supplies can offer cleaners a range of training sessions including safety training, chemical handling as well as new equipment training.

“Cleaners often aren’t trained properly on new products and machinery. We constantly have companies asking to bring their teams to our locations to be trained. At Central, we can train staff on how to use equipment as well as maintain machinery.”

In addition to its new stores, Central Cleaning Supplies is also preparing for a significant IT upgrade that will see it streamline its online services, including a new online ordering system.

SPONSORED “Reinvesting in the business and our staff is always a key focus within our organisation,” says Camilleri.

“We are taking the steps to plan and execute the new advancements in our company that is needed in our industry.”

There are also acquisitions in the pipeline, which Camilleri says will further strength and enhance the business. Central has also increased its stockholding by a significant amount in response to the pandemic.

“There are major supply shortages and delays in overseas freight due to the pandemic. Because of this, we have lifted our stockholding dramatically to cater to our clients.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY Further solidifying Central Cleaning Supplies’ position as a market leader is its focus on innovation.

Central Cleaning Supplies is home to the LionsBot International range.

LionsBot International is a Singapore-based robotics company that creates cleaning robots as a service for commercial, industrial and public spaces. The LeoBot cleaning robot range comprises of four different models: LeoScrub, LeoMop, LeoVac and LeoPull. Also available is the LeoRay, an autonomous UV-C disinfection robot.

Each of them is made to perform a specific task so as to achieve maximum efficiency in its cleaning operation: LeoScrub for floor scrubbing, LeoMop for mopping, LeoVac for vacuuming, LeoPull which pulls a 450kg bin, suitable for rubbish collection and LeoRay for UV-C disinfection.

The distinctive characteristics of LeoBots make them unique and set them apart from the rest. The cleaning robots are specifically created to support the existing cleaning crew with manual work while enabling them to perform supervisory duties. They help to speed up the cleaning tasks while delivering greater cleaning consistency.

“The LeoBots have been accepted by the market very well,” says Camilleri. “They are highly engaging and interactive, which we think makes them unique in the market. We plan to launch more later this year.”

Specifically, for LeoScrub and LeoMop, its water-saving technology using up to 70 per cent less water than other cleaning robots yet achieves the same high cleaning results. ■

“

Central Cleaning Supplies are a great supplier.

We are always happy to work with them. They are always looking for new innovations for us, whether it’s the LeoBots range, or other products. I think that’s why they are our major supplier and why we work with them. They are a great company to work with.

Elias Stamas, CEO, GJK Facility Services

”

Case study: GJK Facility Services and the LeoBot range Since their launch in the Australian market, the LeoBots range, including the LeoScrub, LeoVac, LeoMop, have been deployed by leading cleaning and facilities management services company, GJK Facility Services.

“We are using the LeoBots predominately in the tertiary and commercial sector at the moment,” explains Elias Stamas, CEO of GJK Facility Services, who says the LeoBots not only address issues of the past, but also the future.

“With border closures around the country, we are going to continue to experience labour shortages. The cleaning industry also has a high rate of workplace injuries, with many due to monotonous and repetitive tasks,” says Stamas.

“The LeoBots help resolve labour shortages and help remove some of the more mundane tasks, such as mopping and vacuuming, from our workforce, which enables our team members to focus on tasks that require more skill.

“Our workforce can be trained and up-skilled in other areas of cleaning because there’s now more bandwidth to do other more complicated tasks, such as sanitising, surface cleaning, and glass cleaning.

“Since we’ve deployed the LeoBots, staff have been trained in other areas and services of the company such as minor maintenance. Equally, it allows cleaning companies to train their people on how to work with the tech and how to use the app.”

Stamas says the LeoBots have been welcomed by GJK’s team members thanks to their engagement and interactivity.

“Everyone is excited by the LeoBots. When we first started deploying robotics, the machines were a lot bulkier. Staff were also concerned the machines would take their jobs, but the LeoBots are completely different in terms of their design and they’re also more engaging.”

According to Stamas, clients and facilities have also welcomed the use of the new technology.

“We know there’s always cost pressures on cleaning.

However, being able to provide new innovations have a real cost benefit to the client.

Facility managers want their building to be the best, and one that uses leading-edge technology. I think robotics is an exciting area of technology for many of them.”

www.incleanmag.com.au 11

SPONSORED

Camill Electric Utility Vehicles Central’s fleet of Camill Electric Utility Vehicles are environmentally friendly and packed with features to get the job done. 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. Noise levels are also greatly reduced during operation.

“Our customers are seeking more environmentally-friendly options, which is why the Camill range is a strong market performer,” says Camilleri. “We have introduced purpose-built units, which include add-ons such as pressure washers. We have more sustainable and environmentally friendly innovations in the pipeline.”

Z Water 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. 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.

Check out what’s new at Central Cleaning Supplies Willmop 50 The WILLMOP 50, a light and extremely manageable vertical scrubber-dryer. It combines the highperformance of a professional machine with the flexibility of a traditional mop, also allowing longer working time, thanks to the new generation lithium battery. “The WILLMOP 50 has taken off in the market,” says Camilleri.

Bonastre Pad No harsh chemicals, just a combination of unique pads impregnated with diamond particles, and water – that’s the secret of Bonastre Pad’s success in creating mirror finish floors. Easy to use with most floor machines, simply attach the graded coloured pads and follow the easy steps to rejuvenate worn floors to a sparkling gloss shine. Environmentally friendly and available in many sizes. “Our customers have been amazed at the power of Bonastre Pads, which have been able to restore old floors, into new again!”

12 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Central Cleaning Supplies opens in Ballarat “I’d just like to let you know how happy we are that you have opened up in Ballarat. I feel like a kid in a candy shop when I visit. The shop is so well stocked. The service we receive from the minute we walk in the door is why we will always come back. Nothing is too much trouble; you all are so knowledgeable about the products you sell.”

Donna and crew @ Neat, Clean & Tidy.

“We recently added a commercial carpet cleaning machine into our strike force which was purchased from Central Cleaning Supplies. It’s a great new store with everything you need. Jimmy, Mayur, Terry and Jackson had been great to deal with especially Jimmy who looked after our sale from day one and kept us in loop until our machine arrived. Jimmy even organised our machine to be dropped off. Definitely recommend Jimmy and his team at Central Cleaning Supplies!”

AJ, Director/ Operations Manager, Ballarat Cleaning Professionals “As a long time, professional cleaner, it was a very pleasant surprise to go into Central Cleaning Supplies and get great service, great prices and very helpful. I am a very happy customer who will definitely be back.”

Carlene

INDUSTRY NEWS

Technology not chemicals, says Ecofy

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo rescheduled to March 2022 In light of the current COVID-19 situation, ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has reschedule the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo.

The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo will now take place on 16-17 March 2022 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney.

Lauren Micallef, Oceania Manager, ISSA, said the decision was made following consultation with industry and the ISSA Oceania advisory council.

“Our focus is the health and safety of our exhibitors, their staff as well as speakers and attendees. While it’s disappointing that we can’t hold the expo in 2021, we want to ensure we are putting forward the best possible event for all those involved and ensure that everyone has a chance to participate and attend,” said Micallef.

“We remain as determined as ever to deliver a bigger and better event for the industry and its stakeholders. The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is a national event and a time when the industry, as well as related industries can come together to share their experiences and insight as well as showcase their latest products, services, and innovations.

“Delivering an event like this takes an enormous amount of planning and dedication from everyone involved.

We would especially like to thank all exhibitors and sponsors for their patience and support throughout these challenging times.”

14 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Simon Cooper, managing director of Interpoint Events, organiser of the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, said Interpoint actively monitors the COVID situation and keeps abreast of information from local and national authorities, public health advice, and World Health Organisation guidelines.

“The safety and wellbeing of our sponsors, exhibitors, visitors and staff is of paramount importance and remains our top priority,” said Cooper.

ISSA INCLEAN Excellence Awards 2022 The INCLEAN Excellence Awards will be a major drawcard and highlight of the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo.

“We plan to make the awards bigger and better than ever,” said Micallef.

“The new and improved awards program will feature a diverse and professional panel of judges from different sectors of the industry, as well as a robust and comprehensive judging process that guarantees transparent, fair and independent results.

“We look forward to welcoming you to the rescheduled ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in March 2022.”

All current bookings for the previously scheduled show in October 2021 will be transferred to the new show dates.

If you have questions, please contact Samantha Ewart on (612) 8586 6106 or email sewart@intermedia.com.au.

Eliminating chemicals from cleaning altogether is an idea many people find hard to grasp.

And while there’s an increasing demand and usage of ‘green’ solutions, the myths and misunderstandings about what the term ‘green’ means has meant people are unknowingly contributing to the environmental and health issues they’re trying to address.

What’s more, the current demand for thorough, regular cleaning, particularly in public spaces, has led to many reverting to the age-old idea that chemicals are the only effective solution.

Ecofy is an Australian-owned and operated company committed to providing chemical-free and sustainable cleaning solutions that are safer for people and better for the environment.

Nora Potter, founder of Ecofy, says their mission is simple.

“We keep the planet clean and its people safe and healthy. We strive to do this by providing bestin-class technology and products from around the world, all of which are proven effective.

According to Potter, we need to raise industry standards and assist companies to be more professional and socially conscious when it comes to their cleaning equipment and processes. Because the tools they use and the actions they take reflect on the type of company they are.

“Right now, there’s the belief that the more chemicals you use, the cleaner and safer the surfaces. The harm of these chemicals cannot be understated. Not only do they cause health issues, they’re also hugely detrimental to the environment and far more expensive in the long run. We are also seeing that chemicals are causing significant damage to property.

“Ecofy provides safe and effective chemicalfree alternatives and quality microfibre products for the professional cleaning industry.

Why use products that harm people and the planet when there are other options that are just as effective?”

Ecofy is the exclusive import partner of Tersano, Greenspeed and REN Clean products in Australia and New Zealand.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SEKO integrates trusted pump technology into its new hand sanitiser system SEKO has invested more than four decades of pump design and production expertise in the development of DispenserONE, a range of peristaltic pump-driven hand sanitizer systems that deliver consistency, longevity and reliability in equal measure to make them the leading product of their kind.

Offering between 3,000 and 50,000 doses of hand sanitizer between refills, DispenserONE provides uninterrupted operation combined with remote connectivity, the chance to unlock revenue via an optional multimedia screen and boundless customization opportunities.

By integrating the proven technology of the Kronos pump in DispenserONE, SEKO has ensured dosing is smooth and precise – not only delivering a consistent volume of product every time but also eliminating the potentially-dangerous and wasteful splashing associated with conventional dispensers.

Advanced stepper motor technology, coupled with a three-roller design, guarantees ultra-precise dosing which the operator can adjust at any time from any location by connecting to DispenserONE via smartphone through their personal online dashboard.

The renowned robustness and longevity of the Kronos pump means that DispenserONE requires minimal maintenance, allowing operators to overcome the fragility of traditional systems with a permanent solution they can trust – an essential characteristic in the post-COVID world where hand sanitizing provision is expected in every building type.

And with most models in the DispenserONE range providing automatic touch-free dosing powered by mains electricity, building managers can eliminate the environmental impact of disposable batteries while vastly reducing servicing requirement.

CLEANER FASTER SMARTER Maintenance Free & Fast Charging Technology Rolls Battery Engineering are experts in designing and manufacturing reliable and durable solutions specifically for commercial and industrial cleaning applications. Higher productivity rates and longer operational times keep your cleaning services more profitable. > Longer lasting for larger cleaning areas > Maintenance free, spill & leak-proof > Higher capacity for hard wearing usage > Superior uptime with faster recharging to reduce downtime > 18 Months Warranty

New AGM Range

18 DC

Call us on 1300 133 980 Melbourne | Sydney | Brisbane | Perth | Adelaide | Newcastle | Townsville | Darwin

www.incleanmag.com.au 15

COVER STORY

Even more application options – with supplementary tools!: 1. Quick-connect system 2. Tool “Light-debris collector” 3. Tool “Mop” (incl. dustpan and brush) 4. Tool “Broom” (incl. dustpan and brush) 5. Pre-sweep/vacuum unit 6. Tool "Spray bar"

Cleaning Technology goes multifunctional and versatile with Hako's Quick-Connect System

“

Hako Quick-Connect-System boots both effectiveness and real-world productivity-flexibility plus!

As if there aren’t good reasons to invest in Hako quality for peace of mind cleaning! Hako Quick-connect-system is yet another value boost for very low outlay

”

Les Miles – Hako Vic/Tas Snr Market Specialist

16 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Certain areas such as large empty rooms, hygiene-sensitive areas, or floors soiled with light debris often take additional time and effort to clean.

In order to carry out these tasks efficiently and economically in fewer working steps, Hako’s ride-on vacuum sweepers and scrubber-driers can be equipped quickly and easily with pre-cleaning tools and tools for special applications via the quick-connect system to provide even better cleaning results in even less time.

Beneets of the quick-connect system at a glance:

Even more application options – with supplementary tools!

Hako’s innovative quick-change system allows fast and uncomplicated upgrading of various Sweepmaster vacuum sweeper and Scrubmaster scrubber-drier models to extend the machines’ application options. .

More than sweeping or scrubbing and drying Hako’s quick-connect system enables Hako multifunctional working in the Cleaning Technology sector. Only one machine carries out different cleaning tasks in a single working step

Pre-sweep/vacuum unit – to remove coarse dirt The optional,easy-to-install pre-sweep/vacuum unit removes loose dirt prior to wet-cleaning the floor, which enables sweeping plus scrubbing & drying in a single working step, saves laborious pre-cleaning, and increases work efficiency.

• Saves time and costs through the multifunctional use of Hako’s ride-on vacuum sweepers and scrubber-driers • Pre-cleaning tools and tools for special applications can be connected quickly and intuitively.

• Optimised cleaning results in less time

Equipping the pre-sweep/vacuum unit with DustStop, Hako’s innovative, optionally available side broom jacket, reduces the development of dust and fine particulates during dry sweeping by up to 90% in comparison to conventional side brooms.

COVER STORY Pre-sweep tool "Mop" and "Broom" – prepare the ground for wet-cleaning tasks When working in particularly dusty environments, the pre-sweep unit “Mop” removes dust and fine particles prior to wet-cleaning the floor, while the pre-sweep unit “Broom” removes course dirt and light debris to prepare the ground for wet-cleaning tasks.

First pre-cleaning, then scrubbing & drying In areas where coarse dirt and light debris regularly accumulates in addition to dust and dirt, or where pre-cleaning is required, the scrubber-drier models Scrubmaster B175 R, B260 R and B400 R can be equipped with Hako’s quick-connect system and various tools for even more efficient working: A pre-sweep/vacuum unit (available only for Scrubmaster B175 R and B260 R), a light-debris collector as well as different pre-sweep units featuring a broom or a mop enable the operator to carry out different cleaning tasks in a single working step.

“

Hygiene is becoming more and more important, not only in hygiene-sensitive areas, but in everyday life.

Hako scrubber-driers can be equipped with additional tools, for disinfection disinfection, sanitisation, detergent dispensing just to name a few

”

Tool "Spray bar" – more than clean When it comes to carrying out special cleaning tasks or meeting particularly high hygiene requirements, using the tool “spray bar” in combination with the hand spray wand ensures excellent results.

Special applications and disinfection tasks

In addition to applying disinfectants, the spray bar can also be used for individual cleaning tasks such as removing tyre marks, oil and grease residues. The hand spray wand helps to remove particularly stubborn dirt and to spray the disinfectant solution in every corner or onto walls, handles and doors.

Collecting light debris before sweeping & vacuuming In order to improve workflow processes, our ride-on vacuum sweeper models Sweepmaster 900 Rand 980 R/RH can be upgraded with the “light-debris collector” tool via the quick-connect system, which allows the operator to pick up course dirt manually and collect it in the litter bin.

The Scrubmaster models B175 R and B260 R can be upgraded with a tool for special applications and disinfection tasks, installed at the rear of the machine. With the tool featuring a spray bar and a hand spray wand, the machines are perfectly equipped to meet increasing hygiene requirements or carry out special applications. applications

Richard Dodds Hako Market Specialist in New South Wales

Do you want to know more? Scan the code below to learn more about Hako Quick-Conect-System.

www.incleanmag.com.au 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Central Cleaning Supplies Footscray

Central Cleaning Supplies expansion continues Central Cleaning Supplies is preparing for a roll out of new stores across the country, and an extensive range of new product launches.

Headquartered in West Footscray, Victoria, Central Cleaning Supplies is one of the largest distributors of cleaning products, chemicals, and equipment.

“Central Cleaning Supplies is a trusted industry brand for many cleaning companies,” said Joe Camilleri, Managing Director of Central Cleaning Supplies.

Most recently, Central Cleaning Supplies opened a new store in Ballarat, regional Victoria, and another in Footscray, metropolitan Melbourne. These new stores are a part of a wider, national expansion strategy for the company.

“Store expansion is a focus for us for the remainder of the year. We have plans to open new stores all over the country,” said Camilleri.

The next Central Cleaning Supplies store will open in Campbellfield, Victoria. New sites are also in the pipeline for Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. Closure of borders around the country has affected their expansion into more states but this will be addressed soon.

“Our new stores will provide further assistance for our customers who can go in-store and speak to our staff, view our extensive product range, as well be given equipment demonstrations.”

“More stores and team members on the ground around Australia means we can continue to provide more value, service, and innovative products to our customers.”

Conquest launches Conquest QR Conquest has launched Conquest QR, which the company believes reinforces its commitment to be “behind you all the way”.

Conquest equipment now comes supplied with a QR Code located near the machine controls. By using a smart phone to scan the QR code, the operator is directed to a webbased interface where they can navigate to the available support resources for each model.

Conquest QR has been developed in response to feedback from customers and the recognition that information has not always been readily available to operators when they need it most.

For example, requests for replacement operator manuals has been identified as a commonly asked question.

18 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Conquest QR solves this problem, making the manuals readily available from the Conquest QR interface, offering the option to download or view the relevant manual and daily maintenance chart.

Staff turnover is another commonly cited challenge, whereby new operators need training to use the equipment, safely and effectively.

Conquest National Operations Manager, Tim Wakefield, said: “Often an operator might not receive sufficient training and handover – Conquest QR features training videos, demonstrating how to use and maintain the equipment. This information is all readily available, whenever it might be needed by the operator.”

wwwhako

australia. com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Northfork Chemicals enables business to make good environmental choices Working with GECA, Northfork Chemicals has implemented a wide range of biodegradable cleaning and personal care products designed to meet the needs of today’s user.

Northfork GECA certified products offer everyday cleaning solutions such as dishwashing liquid, toilet and urinal cleaner, spray on wipe off, window and glass cleaner and lemon disinfectant. The range also offers personal care solutions such as antibacterial liquid hand wash and foaming hand wash.

The comprehensive Northfork GECA range is ideal for use in rest rooms, living spaces, waiting areas, public areas (such as bus shelters and parks) and any other high traffic areas.

“Consumers are concerned with environmental issues more so today than they have before,” said Carmine Barbaro, national sales manager of specialist channels, ACCO Brands Australia.

“As businesses focus on improving their environmental consciousness, from a sales lead perspective we are seeing an increase in requests on what eco-friendly products are available through ACCO Brands.”

The range is available from 750ml through to 15 litre options that require decanting.

The personal care range offers bottle sizes of 500ml through to 5 litre and incorporate one litre foaming hand wash cartridges that fit exclusively to Northfork Dispenser systems.

“Within our cleaning products portfolio, having a selection of Northfork cleaning chemicals certified by GECA enables our reseller network to support their customers by supplying eco-friendly products that meet their needs,” said Barbaro.

“Incorporating biodegradable and phosphate free properties throughout the Northfork GECA range enables businesses to make good environmental choices and helps make our planet a cleaner and healthier place to live.”

Northfork Chemicals are made in Australia and are part of the ACCO Brands Australia portfolio.

i-team & Filta announce New Zealand partnership i-team is pleased to announce the appointment of Filta as master distribution partner for New Zealand.

Filta has been in business since 1977 and are well known for their exceptional customer service and aftersales parts and backup support.

Lee James, general manager at Filta, said i-team is an anchor brand for Filta and offers the New Zealand market some real change in the COVID world.

“Filta and i-team believe we can inspire change through a selected network of i-team distribution partners, expanding the accessibility and support for the i-team range within the market.

The i-team range will change the way the market cleans, and it is 20 INCLEAN September / October 2021

great to be part of a brand that is on the cutting edge of technology, productivity and design,” said James.

“The I-range represents a focus on changing the way we think about cleaning. With i-team solutions on your side, the traditionally menial task of commercial cleaning can be fun and inspiring.

“Our developments in high-end commercial and industrial cleaning technologies ranging from floor scrubber dryers, vacuums, washroom cleaning, microfibre and air cleaning will simplify and improve the effectiveness of cleaning processes.”

Filta anticipate delivery of the i-range in September and will be present at the upcoming CleanNZ Expo show on Wednesday 15 September and Thursday 16 September.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Lefand opens new corporate office in Sydney, partners with Tennant Australia Building and facility management company Lefand has opened its new corporate office in Sydney.

Lefand is one of Australia’s fastest growing building and facility management company, with an extended team of more than 1200 equipped to provide a full range of building management services in both the residential and commercial sectors.

A small family-owned business with more than 20 years in the industry, Lefand has grown its portfolio to more than $10 billion in assets, providing services to more than 40,000 Australians.

Lefand’s new purpose-built facility, located at South Strathfield, hosts a boardroom, large office space, full gym, kitchens, and break room area.

For its new facility, Lefand was looking for a long-term supplier partner, one that that had a robust industrial floor care offering with the best aftermarket support nationally.

Lefand required dependable, premium quality machines that not only performed day in, day out for their clients but was backed by a national service presence.

Philip Lacovou, Lefand director, said one of the reasons they chose Tennant Australia was because of the company’s fast, quality and efficient service.

Michael Christofi, Lefand senior accounts manager quoted Tennant Australia as having “outstanding customer service, reliability, and a premium product.”

Edwin Baik, sales territory manager for the area supplied and installed Tennant’s

US made mid-sized industrial sweeper (S30 model), along with Tennant’s integrated ride on combo scrubbersweeper unit (M20 model), with both machines backed by Tennant’s National Factory Direct Service.

After the initial site survey, Baik explained that because their sites varied in size and cleaning application requirements a mid-size sweeper would allow them to keep the likes of carparks, pedestrian, and open areas free of dust and debris.

Whereas the integrated combo sweeperscrubber, has the advantage that it can perform both sweeping and or scrubbing on demand, and is more suitable for larger more demanding areas and different surface types.

Motorscrubber launches Australian subsidiary Motorscrubber United Kingdom has added another country to its growing list of international subsidiaries launching Motorscrubber Australia.

Motorscrubber UK has appointed Lucas Paris as Managing Director in charge of growing the brand and product suite locally with plans to supply the APAC region soon.

Select Motorscrubber products have been available in Australia for many years, most recently through and exclusive relationship with E.D Oates PTY LTD. Motorscrubber Australia will be based in Melbourne Victoria, having a fully stocked 3PL warehouse with all products, spares, and accessories.

22 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Motorscrubber Australia will launch the full suite of globally available Motorscrubber products including – JET3, STORM, BLADE, PROWASH, and FORCE just to name a few.

Along with the full range of products Motorscrubber Australia will be supporting dealers with localized marketing, print and instore activity to build a strong network of brand and product ambassadors in all parts of Australia.

Motorscrubber products are manufactured in the United Kingdom ensuring the products are the highest quality fit for purpose products in the market.

Motorscrubber UK constantly innovates and redesigns their products as new materials and market demands evolve.

The initial focus for the local subsidiary will be to ensure its current distribution partners are supported as much as possible giving them access to quick supply of products, spares, and accessories.

It will then move to working with those key partners to increase product penetration in its core target markets of facility services, hospitality, health, and education.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Hygiene and the health of your business

FloorMaster opens third store in South Australia FloorMaster has opened its third store in South Australia.

FloorMaster is a third generation, family-owned cleaning supplies company. The company is also a member of the Rapid Group.

The family-run business recently opened its third store in South Australia in Elizabeth. FloorMaster’s two other sites are located at Greenacres and Edwardstown.

The company celebrated the opening of the store by hosting a launch event, with more than 400 people in attendance.

Amy Mitev, owner of FloorMaster, said the company plans to continue its expansion across the state.

FloorMaster’s Greenacres and Edwardstown stores will soon be expanding, with both sites expected to double in size.

“The opening of our third store is a testament to our strength as well as the work of our great team,” said Mitev.

“The launch of our new Elizabeth store had more than 400 people in attendance, and we also had great local supplier attendance.”

Mitev said the company’s goal is to have five stores in total. However, the business’ next priority is expanding its Greenacres site, which should be completed by April 2022.

“We have been able to survive and thrive during COVID because of our team’s quick thinking and ability to adapt,” said Mitev.

Last year, FloorMaster teamed up with South Australiabased Frontline to develop a COVID-19 Cleaning Kit in response to the pandemic.

“During the current situation with COVID-19, we have been providing our customers with vital products such as hand sanitisers, toilet paper and disinfectants. The kit is innovative product to aid in the cleaning process under COVID-19 conditions and they have had a great response with our customers.”

24 INCLEAN September / October 2021

It goes without saying – the year 2020 changed businesses forever.

Some businesses closed their doors, others waited for the storm to pass, whilst some finally took the leap into e-commerce.

But, without doubt, the most significant change to come out of last year are the higher hygiene expectations of customers and employees, and the need to feel ‘safe’.

In retail environments, cleanliness directly correlates to customer satisfaction and sales. 92 per cent of customers base the decision to be a repeat customer on the cleanliness of the business.1 User experience (UX) has been at the forefront of digital design for several years, yet in-store customer experience has been relegated to the bench. With competitive gaps narrowing due to an increase in choice for consumers, retailers and facility managers must lift their hygiene standards.

Changing priorities are also being seen across office spaces, with nearly 50 per cent of people having higher expectations on hygiene standards in the workplace post pandemic.2 High touch surfaces in break rooms and shared spaces are some of the most contaminated surfaces. In Australia, 6.5 working days of productivity are lost per employee every year due to absenteeism.3 A heightened focus on effective hand hygiene and disinfecting protocols and signage, along with optimised sanitiser dispenser placement, is pivotal to promoting a safer environment and helping to reduce the spread of infection.

Jet air dryers spread 10x more bacteria4 so replacing with paper hand towels provides a more hygienic solution.

As global experts in professional hygiene for over 50 years, Tork is here to support you with the right tools for maintaining the highest hygiene practices within your business.

ISSA Value of Clean, 2021 Survey conducted by United Minds in cooperation with CINT in July 2020 3 ISSA Value of Clean Oceania InfoGraphic, 2021 4 Best et al, J Hosp Infection, 2014 1 2

INDUSTRY NEWS

Abco expands with new site in South Australia Abco Products, a national supplier of commercial cleaning supplies and machinery has expanded its business with a fifth warehouse now located in Adelaide, South Australia.

This expansion is to provide its national building service contractors with next day deliveries, better onsite service, and technical support.

“Abco offers a very personalised and tailored delivery service where our drivers deliver product safely to the cleaners’ rooms and put them away where they are meant to go,” said Craig Dowell, director, head of sales and marketing, Abco, said.

“This service we offer really sets us apart from the competition and our national clients in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth love this about Abco because we care and go that extra mile for

them. That’s why expanding to South Australia was such an obvious decision, being able to also provide this service to metro and regional areas of Adelaide instead of using third party freight companies.”

James Bagshaw, managing director of Abco, said the company is personally committed to making sure our new South Australian office is a success, “I’ve moved my whole family here temporarily from Perth, WA. I believe South Australia has a lot to offer, and there are vast opportunities available with increased government investment in defence, infrastructure, and the mining industry.

“This is great for the economy, and we look forward to growing our new branch and employing South Australian staff for many years to come.”

info@krystalshield.com.au www.krystalshield.com.au Untitled-1 1

22/07/2021 10:54:29 AM

www.incleanmag.com.au 25

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INDUSTRY NEWS

TEAM Software launches new global workforce management solution TEAM Software is excited to announce continued product expansion into the Asia-Pacific region with the availability of Timegate, TEAM’s global workforce management solution.

Purpose-built for cleaning providers, Timegate is scalable, best-in-class software that provides business-critical information to help companies operate efficiently and improve performance while reducing cost and risk.

The core of Timegate’s features exists in the Timegate Essentials pack, which handles employee and customer information, time and attendance and schedules and offers the ability to generate bill and pay data. I n addition, Timegate offers the E-Engagement pack to increase employee productivity, collaboration and satisfaction through a variety of self-service options for your field-based cleaners, including diary management, payslip information and two-way messaging.

As the launch pad for everything you need to manage people, processes and contracts, Timegate can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any cleaning company employing a workforce of one hundred employees or more.

With a proven track record, Timegate is known and trusted to achieve results, serving 20 of the largest 25 cleaning companies in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“Being able to show that we’re on the forefront of innovation and bringing in new ideas, new methods, new tools [with Timegate] is absolutely critical to being able to give that added value our customers want,” said Simon Giles, Group Finance

Director & COO, AXIS-Cleaning & Support Services | United Kingdom TEAM Software is a technology company with customers on five continents and approximately one million end users.

Solutions available to the Asia-Pacific market also include Lighthouse, IoTenabled mobile workforce management software, and TemplaCMS, contract management software.

Polivac International announces the release of new generation II machines Polivac has launched a new generation machines combining advanced technology, durability, and efficiency.

The new generation II machines are incorporated with features that saves time, resources, and labour efforts.

The machines that are ready to be released in the market are C27 Gen II Rotary Scrubber, SV25 Gen II slow-speed Sandivac sander and SV25 Gen II slow-speed Supervac sander. These machines are diligently crafted and thoughtfully designed to diminish noise disturbances for quieter operations.

According to the company, thee machines are highly beneficial when used in commercial areas and health care facilities where quite operations are of paramount importance.

The machines are equipped with triple planetary industrial gear drive and universal clutch system that helps improve productivity. The sanders are incorporated with extra weight to offer ideal downward pressure.

“We have received great reviews and insights from industry experts on demo trials of the machines and we are happy to announce that these machines are available in the market now,” the company said.

All Polivac machines are manufactured in our Melbourne facility, following quality standards hence ensuring reliability and efficiency.

28 INCLEAN September / October 2021

INDUSTRY NEWS

HPC Solutions, BSCAA announce joint Cleaning Performance Standard submission to Standards Australia High Performance Cleaning (HPC) Solutions and the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) have announced a joint proposal to Standards Australia to develop a new Australian and New Zealand Cleaning Performance Standard.

The aim of the standard is to give the cleaning and associated industries: • Consistent terminology and definitions for specifying and measuring cleaning performance, • Benchmarks with which to improve industry standards, and • A foundation on which future licensing and auditor qualifications can be built.

Since 2020, HPC Solutions director, Bridget Gardner, and the national BSCAA board have undertaken extensive consultation with Standards Australia to develop this submission, including establishing an industry working group to ensure it met industry needs.

The Cleaning Performance Standard submission is now entering its final stages. If accepted, Standards Australia will take over the formal process of engaging with industry stakeholders and developing this standard.

Kim Puxty, national president, BSCAA, said the BSCAA first approached Gardner in 2019, to discuss the potential of using the five Cleaning Activity Levels (CAL) model she had developed, as a new industry cleaning standard.

“Bridget Gardner offered to gift the CAL model to the industry if we formalised its development through Standards Australia” Puxty said.

“The BSCAA agreed, as this would increase the chance of it being widely adopted across Australia and New Zealand.”

The timing of this initiative could not have been better, Puxty said.

“As the current pandemic has highlighted, anyone can set up a website, purchase some chemicals, equipment and a van, and call themselves a cleaning company. They assume cleaning is easy and any fool with a mop can do it.

“But the many poor practices we have seen promoted on social media over the past year from fly-by-night companies, clearly demonstrate just how mistaken they were,” she said.

“When cleaning companies operate on nothing more than guesswork, it not only risks the health and safety of cleaners and occupants, but it is also a threat to the viability of companies who have invested in skills and training, and worked hard for years to build a professional service.”

Gardner agreed saying, “the case for a national approach toward setting and measuring cleaning standards has never been stronger.

“This is the perfect opportunity to establish a standard that acknowledge the degree of skill, knowledge, time and resources that are required to clean well.

“Commercial cleaning services must cater for a wide variety of risks, surfaces, soils, budgets and maintenance tasks, within multiple different sectors and environments.

“Building a Cleaning Performance Standard on the five cleaning activity levels of the CAL model, addresses these complexities and supports the FM Standard 41,000,” said Gardner.

“Unlike current standards which rate the degree/type of soil that must not be visible on a surface, this standard defines the degree, type and outcome of the activities to be carried out, with several objective auditing options for measuring the performance of each level.”

BSCAA and HPC Solutions will host a webinar on the initiative on Wednesday, 22 September.

www.konsiderate.com.au www.incleanmag.com.au 29

INDUSTRY NEWS

A fresh new look for Livi Imagine a warehouse where the staff member has been moving the same product for many years. He knows the shape of the logo and the colour of the printing and he moves fast, not needing to stop to read. Suddenly, the brand gets an update and even the colour changes, and he can’t the find the product his manifest says is in stock.

Our brains use heuristics or short cuts to help deal with an overload of information.

It allows us to be more efficient. Updating packaging is important to stay modern but it is critical to communicate the change, which is why Livi has introduced fresh new look.

Livi from Solaris Paper is the well-known global brand with an extensive range of toilet paper, facial tissues, hand towel and napkins as well as soap, sanitiser, and dispensers.

Livi has a good, better, best model, with three tiers, that meets the needs of diverse industries, to meet the quality requirements and budgetary constraints of all customers.

Globally, a new look Livi range is rolling out in 2021. The refreshed look is modern and clean, featuring the signature Livi leaf pattern across the range.

CleanNZ Expo rescheduled to March 2022

The printing on the cartons will remain black while the inner packaging will use the sub-brand colour that has been maintained to ensure the new look is easy to recognise. As part of the new branding, Livi Basics is now called Livi Everyday.

Customers can count on all Solaris Paper products, including Livi, Sorbent Professional and Handee, for sustainable procurement as all products are PEFC Certified.

PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification system. Its purpose is to transform the way forests are managed for long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits. Find more information and all our brand here.

Isabel Merkel to head Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions Professional Business

Isabel Merkel is to take on the role of President Professional at Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions (FHCS).

Merkel succeeds Elisabeth Arnberg, who leaves the company after a career at FHCS spanning 30 years.

In her new role, Merkel will be responsible for the Weinheim-based company’s global Professional business, including the Vileda Professional and Australian Oates brands. Merkel will report to Karin Overbeck (CEO).

“I am delighted to have been able to win Isabel Merkel for this position,” said Overbeck. “With her verve and energy, she will help us drive the business forward. She is a very versatile manager who can win people over with good ideas.”

“Our industry is facing enormous challenges in the current pandemic situation; my focus will be to overcome these together with our customers,” said Merkel.

“This means identifying and serving the needs of our individual customer groups even more clearly. In particular, with digital solutions and a stronger focus on sustainability, we will support our customers in tapping new potential.”

Merkel has previously held various management consulting roles, including within the Freudenberg Group since 2015.

At Freudenberg, Merkel served in various international-level management positions at the Vibracoustic Business Group. Most recently, as Director Global Account Sales for the automotive supplier, she was responsible for global sales with BMW, the automotive manufacturer.

In light of the recent events, BSCNZ and Interpoint Events have made the decision to reschedule the CleanNZ Expo.

The Expo will now take place on Tuesday, 1 March 2022 – Wednesday, 2 March 2022 at the Ellerslie Event Centre in Auckland.

“We remain as determined as ever to deliver a bigger and better event for the industry and its stakeholders,” said Sarah McBride, CEO of the BSCNZ. “CleanNZ is a national event and a time when the industry, as well as related industries can come together to share their experiences and insight as well as showcase their latest products, services and innovations.

“Delivering an event like this takes an enormous amount of planning and dedication from everyone involved. We would especially like to thank all exhibitors and sponsors for your patience and support throughout these challenging times.

“Our focus is the health and safety of our exhibitors, their staff as well as speakers and attendees.We also want to ensure we are putting forward the best possible expo for all those involved and ensure that those nationally have a chance to participate and attend.”

BSCNZ CleanSweep Awards The BSCNZ CleanSweep has also been rescheduled to take place at the conclusion of CleanNZ Expo.

The awards will now take place on the evening of Wednesday, 2 March 2022 at the Ellerslie Event Centre.

“The CleanSweep awards night is an opportunity for the New Zealand commercial cleaning industry to come together and celebrate the success of outstanding organisations and individuals,” said McBride.

All current bookings for the scheduled show in September 2021 will be transferred to the new show dates.

For more information about the event, visit: www.cleannzexpo.co.nz

Wed 15 - Thu 16 September 2021 Newmarket Room, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand

30 INCLEAN September / October 2021

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www.incleanmag.com.au 31

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common floor care mistakes to avoid

Consider the following errors and solutions to keep floors looking their best.

F

loors are often the first thing that your customers and visitors notice when entering your facility.

Floors that are stained, scratched and covered in dirt and debris send the wrong message and may even discourage guests from spending time and money.

There are several common floor care mistakes that can impact the look and lifespan of floors.

Facility managers should understand these and how to solve them to ensure guests are always greeted with clean and safe floors.

A FIX FOR EVERY FLOOR CARE FAIL Understanding frequent floor care mistakes can help organisations avoid them entirely or take corrective action if they’ve occurred in the past. Consider the following errors and solutions to keep floors looking their best:

1

Neglecting daily floor maintenance

Floors need attention every day, not just when they appear visibly dirty. Plus, spending time each day to address floors can save time and money in the long run by prolonging their life. Regular vacuuming helps remove dirt, dust and contaminants like sand and salt. Vacuuming also helps prepare floors for tasks like daily floor cleaning. Today, floor care pads constructed with billions of microscopic diamonds can simultaneously clean and polish floors with just water, making floor care faster and easier. These pads can also revitalise the look of floors 32 INCLEAN September / October 2021

that have been neglected, as they remove scratches and bring shine back to dull surfaces.

2

Not cleaning spills immediately

3

Using too much or too little chemical

Spills from beverages, greasy food and even paint can turn into permanent stains if left on floors for too long.

Employees should quickly address spills and do visual inspections for spots on a daily basis. Keep a variety of microfiber cloths and mops, carpet spotters and floor cleaners in your supply room to address these oftenunavoidable spills and keep them from impacting floor fibres and finishes.

Using the right amount of chemical is crucial for a number of reasons. For example, using too much chemical is wasteful and can result in sticky residues or a hazy appearance. Using too little chemical will likely require employees to clean floors again, which drives up labour costs.

To remove guesswork from floor care, consider chemical-free options like Twister diamond pads or use a floor care machine that accommodates pre-portioned pouches of chemical and doses solution according to the speed of the machine to avoid overwetting floors.

Many of Diversey’s TASKI floorcare machine range come complete with intelliDose, delivering the perfect dose of chemical for the speed of the machine, thus avoiding wet patches or over/under dosing chemical.

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4

Using the wrong product

5

Failing to train employees

6

Ignoring the investment required

There’s a reason that floor care products are specially formulated for wood, carpet or tile.

Using a product on the wrong type of substrate can result in visible damage such as etching and wear on the finish. Know your environment and make sure to use products that are compatible with your floors. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply the product.

Organisations can avoid many of the above issues if employees are trained in proper floor care. Make training part of the onboarding process for new employees and provide refresher training for seasoned employees so that they understand cleanliness standards and expectations, as well as how to operate equipment and use tools and chemicals correctly. When employees are confident in how to perform floor care, they are more likely to complete the necessary tasks.

It’s important to assess if you are truly your

willing to invest in the amount of maintenance that is required to achieve the level of appearance you desire. There are different programs available today and the right partner can help you determine the one that best fits your needs and budget. With the right products, machines, pads, and procedures, you can align your reality with your expectations.

Clean floors lay the groundwork for a successful business. To avoid customer complaints, floors should always be free of contaminants like dirt, dust and debris, scratches and unsightly stains. By addressing the above lapses in floor safety and applying best practices, organizations can maintain cleanliness and protect their flooring investment.

Diversey offers a variety of machines, tools and chemicals to help you build a floor care program that fits your needs. Diversey’s facility management solutions save time and increase profits while creating greater value for your customers.

“

With the right products, machines, pads, and procedures, you can align your reality with your expectations.

”

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n high-traffic retail settings, keeping floors well-maintained is key for upholding cleanliness, minimising abrasions, and reducing slip-and-fall hazards.

However, certain maintenance methods like stripping and refinishing can be costly and time-consuming. Retailers that are installing “low-maintenance” floors still need to understand how to preserve the look, safety and lifespan of floors.

Thankfully, new floor care options can have a positive impact on appearance, the bottom line and sustainability.

THE TREND TO LOWERMAINTENANCE FLOORS Although every retail store’s floor maintenance plan varies depending upon the desired 34 INCLEAN September / October 2021

appearance and the amount of daily foot traffic, facilities typically utilise daily cleaning, regular burnishing, scrub and recoat processes, and stripping and refinishing to care for floors.

Stripping and refinishing should occur once or twice a year, or even every few months for busy stores. This requires removing old layers of finish and then adding four to eight new coats. Although necessary, stripping and refinishing requires stores to block off areas to allow for work to be completed and floors to dry. The chemicals used are powerful and can produce unpleasant odours that bother customers. Additionally, refinishing is an expensive investment that requires lots of finish and labour.

To reduce costs and time spent on floor care, many retailers are transitioning to lowermaintenance substrates like concrete, terrazzo,

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marble and stone. However, it’s important for facility managers to understand that these floors still require regular attention. Some opt for ultradurable coatings that require minimal upkeep.

Unfortunately, if floors become scratched with these coatings, the abrasions cannot be removed.

THE POWER OF DIAMONDS When floors are glossy, they project an image of cleanliness while those that are dull give off a dirtier appearance. Since a facility’s floors can serve as a lasting first impression for guests and help build brand loyalty, it’s important that they always look their best.

Stores once had to utilise both mechanical and chemical components in their floor care routines, first polishing floors with a floor care machine, then applying a chemical protector for stain, slip and abrasion resistance, and then finishing with a cleaner maintainer to add gloss.

However, there are now floor pads available that use billions of microscopic diamonds to simultaneously clean and polish floors. These pads are used with conventional floor care machines

and don’t require the use of chemicals – water combined with these powerful pads will remove dirt and build-up from floors as well as unsightly abrasions. The result, beautiful natural looking floors that are safer for guests and employees.

In addition to introducing a more sustainable approach to floor care, pads like Twister diamond pads from Diversey can reduce the need for periodic floor maintenance because daily polishing is being conducted.

Twister pads deliver productivity and cost savings by reducing the need for more extensive floor maintenance and restoration. Their lifespan is also three times that of a traditional floor cleaning pad.

AN EASIER APPROACH TO FLOOR CARE Twister Diamond Pads are the answer to minimise business disruption, avoid costly stripping and refinishing and ensure an immediate return on investment.

“

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www.incleanmag.com.au 35

CONTRACTING

Mastering your cleaning plan

Build a standardised workloading strategy with these six steps.

Words Tim Poskin

36 INCLEAN September / October 2021

D

isinfecting took centre stage during the global pandemic. You may now find yourself behind on other important cleaning tasks assigned a lower priority. How do you determine and defend staffing levels to ensure these cleaning tasks are completed too?

Cleaning standardisation, workloading, and scheduling are the keys to your success.

Cleaning organisations typically don’t standardise their methods for determining cleaning practices and priorities, even with a limited staff. Many are reactionary in their custodial operations and lack a dedicated investment in workloading.

Organisations that create tightly integrated and standardised workloading solutions are better able to stay on course for success, even when there are less people available to do the work. They are prepared when an opportunity or crisis arises that requires a quick decision.

Efficient workloading creates a calendar for necessary tasks and documents their frequency.

It enables staff assignments based on a building’s cleaning needs, the risks associated with doing (or not doing) these tasks, and the available budget.

Proper workloading that is specific to the tools and equipment chosen allows organisations to align resources with the people who do the work.

SET UP YOUR STANDARDS The path forward is easier than you think. Adopting an existing standard that has already been vetted by the cleaning industry will simplify the process.

The new Official ISSA Cleaning Times resource details hundreds of tasks and tools, including a benchmarked time for each. For additional assistance, implement the following recommendations to create an integrated approach to the entire cleaning program: 1. Set aside the right amount of time: Dedicate the appropriate amount of time to plan, execute, and follow through to ensure your success.

2. Define your cleaning objectives: Give some thought to defining and setting your cleaning goals. Ensure these goals are in line with the organisation’s expectations, regulatory requirements, and desired healthy cleaning outcomes. This will serve as a guide later when you are prioritising, assigning, and scheduling the cleaning work. Make sure the tasks and workload are aligned to these objectives and review them often to ensure they remain aligned, especially if you have recently given all your attention to disinfecting. Defining your cleaning objective will also allow you to clear your cleaning schedule more readily of tasks that are not bringing you closer to accomplishing your objectives.

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www.incleanmag.com.au 37

CONTRACTING

3. Calculate the workload: Once you’ve defined your cleaning goals you will need to calculate what needs to be done to achieve them. In other words, you need to calculate the actual cleaning team workload. This step will range in complexity depending on the type, size, and number of cleanable areas, space types, and tasks involved so it helps to break it down.

First, make a list of all the cleaning projects and processes the cleaning team needs to deliver. Estimate the time and commitment each of these cleaning projects and processes will demand from your team. Break down the projects/processes into smaller tasks/phases to set workload on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Identify which tasks are most urgent and organise them by priority.

6. Be flexible: Don’t expect to complete workloading once and be done with it. You must also be prepared to rearrange workload if needed. Take a flexible approach and understand you may need to pivot, as being rigid about the workload strategy can create long-term cleaning problems. Priorities may shift and workloads may become uneven. As long as everything evens out over the span of a year, it’s normal to have ups and downs in between while still achieving the desired cleaning results.

BUILDING A BETTER PLAN

4. Establish your team’s capacity: Now that you know how much cleaning work needs to get done, you’ll need to understand how much work your cleaning team can actually deliver.

Make sure to account for real-life events such as vacations, hiring struggles, or other compromises/responsibilities.

A workload strategy provides cleaning organisations with the opportunity to build an efficient and innovative cleaning plan with a balanced workload that leads to high performance.

Standardised workloading not only benefits the front-line cleaning workers, but also the employees tasked with making and defending custodial staffing levels.

The result provides a mathematical and factual basis for custodial staffing levels to meet customer and management expectations of clean.

5. Distribute the cleaning work: Assign the cleaning work according to the workloaded tasks. Avoid overloading the overachievers and undermining those that are at the other end of the spectrum. Giving work to those who will eagerly take it and complete it quickly will be tempting, but you risk burning them out.

Tim Poskin is president of Cleaning Management Concepts LLC. He is a leading authority on custodial workloading and currently serves as chair of the ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) workloading and benchmarking committee. He can be reached at tim@cleaningmanagementconcepts.com. ■

38 INCLEAN September / October 2021

“

A workload strategy provides cleaning organisations with the opportunity to build an efficient and innovative cleaning plan with a balanced workload that leads to high performance.

”

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2021 issue of ISSA’s Cleaning and Maintenance Management (CMM) magazine.

www.tork.com.au/

saferchoice

SPONSORED

Perfect chemistry

A focus on sustainability is giving ACCO Brands’ popular range of cleaning products and chemicals an edge as government, corporate customers, and the wider pubic increasingly demand environmentally friendly cleaning options.

A

s the custodian of some of the world’s most trusted stationery lines such as Artline, Texta, and Spirax, ACCO Brands is well aware of the importance of protecting its brands.

That is why the company is applying the same rigour to the quality and sustainability of its cleaning chemicals and janitorial supplies in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Northfork, which is part of the ACCO Brands portfolio, sells a range of chemical products, deodorisers, disinfectants and sanitisers via B2B suppliers such as Winc and retailers including Officeworks, Office National, and Chemical Specialty Resellers.

A number of its products are certified through Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), which runs Australia’s only not for profit ecolabelling program with a mission to help organisations make, buy and do better for people and the planet.

The GECA standards follow ISO 14024 principles and are subject to independent assessment through assurance providers. They include standards for cleaning products and cleaning services to ensure they meet a high level of environmental responsibility.

Ben Antecki, brand manager at ACCO Brands, says signing up to the GECA standards is the business’s way of demonstrating that it is serious about sustainability.

“We need to meet a whole range of rigorous testing that is set by GECA to ensure that our chemical products are biodegradable, phosphate-free and good for the environment,” he says.

40 INCLEAN September / October 2021

“They’re not going to have toxic effects on waterways or marine life.”

Antecki says ACCO Brands and Northfork have two key motivations for embracing GECA principles. First, the company is trying to make a difference in terms of the sustainability of chemicals.

“We wanted to really put a product out there that is genuinely different to all the other chemicals products on the market that showed we are taking a committed step towards preserving the future for our children and our children’s children.”

Second, as a long-time distributor of stationery products through B2B suppliers to government bodies – which place a premium on sustainability when determining tenders – the business sought to ensure that its chemicals division would uphold the same standards as its traditional stationery products.

HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE For more than 25 years, Northfork has been manufacturing cleaning chemicals at its manufacturing facility in Queanbeyan, NSW. The product range covers the gamut from food-service hygiene and washroom products to housekeeping, personal hand care and laundry washing products.

Owned by ACCO Brands – which supplies the retail and commercial sectors with more than 10,000 product lines for use in the home, office and school – the fast-growing chemicals line is seen as a means of creating new market opportunities for the group.

SPONSORED “The stationery market has been our core bread and butter for as long as we’ve been a business, but seeing new opportunities out there we’re moving into other areas such as chemicals and air-purifying products,” Antecki says.

He believes having a domestic manufacturing presence in Queanbeyan gives Northfork a real edge at a time when COVID-19 and the pandemic has disrupted international distribution networks and supply chains.

“We’re very much in this for the long term and we won’t be moving production overseas. We’ll continue supporting Australian-made products.”

ACCO Brands and Northfork are also determined to showcase environmentally friendly chemical options for customers, with the GECA certification being the best-regarded product endorsement available.

Key products in its GECA portfolio are the Northfork Spray-On Wipe-Off Surface Cleaner, which caters for a wide range of cleaning applications and is effective against a broad spectrum of germs; the Northfork Disinfectant Lemon Fragrance, which is a three-in-one cleaner, disinfectant and deodoriser; and the Northfork Liquid Hand Wash – Antibacterial, which is effective against germs and safe for the environment. The business also offers

specialised products such as a neutral cleaner and window cleaner that are for use in general housekeeping.

Antecki says having Northfork in the ACCO Brands stable means the business is at the forefront of sustainable cleaning solutions.

“For us, we ensure that if we have a regular Northfork product we always offer a GECAcertified product from our key range as well.”

SALES SURGE On the back of a strong product portfolio and the panic buying that has been associated with COVID-19, Antecki says ACCO Brands and Northfork have had a “stellar year”.

It has not always been easy, however.

Northfork sources most of its raw materials and resources, including spray bottles and chemical ingredients, from Australian suppliers.

Nevertheless, global demand for bottles and triggers means that in some instances the business has had to turn to overseas markets to get sufficient supplies, leaving it at the mercy of disrupted supply chains.

“And there has only been so much ethanol on the market that we could buy,” Antecki says.

“So we have been keeping supplies up to customers the best we can.”

“

We want to put a product out there that is not only fit for purpose, but that is good for the environment, and which represents value for consumers, too.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 41

SPONSORED “Our B2B customers are finding that this is resonating with their end-user customers as well. It’s a very easy switch because the products are of extremely high quality and fit for purpose.

So their customers are more than happy to use an environmentally friendly product and see no change in results.”

That is the key, according to Antecki, who says that regardless of any sustainability credentials, cleaning chemicals and products must still do their job.

“We want to put a product out there that is not only fit for purpose, but that is good for the environment, and which represents value for consumers, too.”

So encouraged is Northfork with the success of its GECA-certified range in Australia that it is examining similar initiatives in the New Zealand market, where Environmental Choice New Zealand runs a similar ecolabelling program to GECA.

EDUCATION FOCUS

“

GECA encourages businesses, whether they are small or large, to make good choices for the environment.

”

42 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Sales of Northfork products are showing consistent results during the COVID-19 pandemic, even while a glut of chemicals in the Australian market continues to be sold down.

“There were a lot of importers that came into Australia and really wanted to strike while the market was hot and then get out,” Antecki says.

“But there are still a lot of residual chemicals in the market from that time.”

Antecki is confident that ACCO Brands’ and Northfork’s commitment to GECA certification will stand them in good stead as the market recovers from COVID-19. The GECA standards are based on science and are relevant to many Australian industries and products, including the cleaning and cleaning services markets. They reward top-performing products and services.

Antecki says GECA has been supportive of efforts to have products certified. Northfork’s own inhouse chemist works on chemical formulas and liaises with GECA and the relevant compliance officers to ensure that products make the grade. It typically takes up to five months for certification to be finalised.

“But it’s by no means a difficult process,” Antecki adds.

Importantly, Northfork’s customers have responded favourably to the business’s certification drive, which extends to a biodegradable dishwashing liquid, as well as green window and glass cleaners and a bathroom cleaner.

In addition to focusing on the manufacture and distribution of sustainable products, ACCO Brands and Northfork are ramping up education initiatives for customers, including office supply businesses, to drive home the benefits of green policies. They, in turn, can then better inform end users who buy the products from stores.

Antecki says this education effort reflects the fact that many cleaning companies and individuals use chemicals incorrectly, taking the view that tipping a whole bottle of disinfectant into a bucket will be a case of “more does more”.

Rather, he says, the aim should be to encourage cleaners and customers to use the right volume of chemicals for the right job – a scenario that will deliver the best cleaning and hygiene results, as well as the most favourable outcome for the environment.

In the quest to support industry excellence and education, ACCO Brands has signed up as a silver sponsor of the 2021 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, which will be held in Sydney in March 2022. Antecki says the expo fits well with the company’s desire to learn from and network with other industry leaders.

“We want the education that ISSA brings so we can apply it to our products.”

In the meantime, ACCO Brands and Northfork will continue to press home the market advantages that GECA certification delivers on the sales front, in the knowledge that government bodies and large corporations are increasingly insisting on the use of products that contribute to better environmental outcomes.

Antecki encourages all cleaning and cleaning services companies to explore such certification. “GECA encourages businesses, whether they are small or large, to make good choices for the environment.” ■

Kitchen & Facilities

Bathroom & Hand Care

Environmentally preferable cleaning and personal care products certified by GECA, Good Environmental Choice Australia.

ww.accobrands.com.au For more information on all our brands visit w www.accobrands.com.au

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SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability

drive a big hit Words Cameron Cooper

46 INCLEAN September / October 2021

The case for sustainable cleaning has never been clearer at a time when COVID-19 has put the spotlight on environmentally friendly but affordable cleaning and waste-management services.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

A

s the nation’s star cricketers strut their stuff during clashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a more low-key team goes about its job behind the scenes that makes a real difference to patrons and the environment.

Quayclean, a national cleaning services and wastemanagement company, has a contract with the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust that includes creating sustainable recycling solutions. One of the jobs for its cleaners on match day is diligently picking up discarded bottles as part of a container deposit scheme.

CEO Mark Piwkowski estimates Quayclean’s bottlecollection operation provides rebates in the order of $60,000 as part of a number of annual recycling savings.

He says the program demonstrates how smart recycling can actually deliver a revenue stream for sites, rather than having to always pay for waste collection.

Too often, he adds, the assumption is that the major waste transporters alone are the key to sustainability.

“Of course, they can contribute to waste separation,” Piwkowski says.

“But, ultimately, if you don’t get the strategy right on-site you’ll have contaminated waste ending up in landfill as the waste providers cannot separate contaminated waste, particularly dry waste contaminated with wet waste.”

Piwkowski says Quayclean has been committed to sustainability and measures to protect and preserve the environment across all its operations.

“Working closely with our partners, we can have a real impact.”

GROWING MOMENTUM FOR GREEN OPERATIONS Quayclean is part of a rising movement within the cleaning and cleaning-services sector that is striving to be greener and more environmentally friendly. The view is that operating in a more sustainable way can generate benefits around brand reputation, revenue and client attraction and retention.

As operators seek to cut down on the use of harsh chemicals and use less paper, plastic and fuel, the industry is also responding to customer demands for greener products and a commitment to sustainability from its service providers.

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SUSTAINABILITY

It is a call that Alan Selcuk, director of Eclipse Floor Solutions, is hearing loudly and clearly at his Brisbane-based cleaning business.

“Sustainability is always on our mind,” says Selcuk, who notes that the business has new and improved battery buffers on the way.

Across Eclipse’s buffer, stripping and burnisher machinery, the goal is to deliver greater fuel efficiency and lower carbon monoxide emissions.

In line with that aim, Selcuk says Eclipse has been able to change its oil-change servicing regime from every 50 hours to every 250 hours.

“They now have long-life oil in the machines and that in itself goes a long way to being more environmentally friendly.”

Solaris Paper is an Australian-operated and managed company that distributes high-quality toilet and tissue products paper. It is part of a triumvirate of companies that includes The Sorbent Paper Company and Cottonsoft.

Director of Corporate Affairs Steve Nicholson says ssustainability has been a crucial issue for Solaris Paper since its inception in Australia in 2010.

48 INCLEAN September / October 2021

“We exclusively source only 100 per cent virgin sustainable fibre for our products,” he says.

“We’re constantly striving to find the balance between efficient and effective products that are good for the environment and for our customers and their customers, across toilet paper, hand and kitchen towel, facial tissues and wipes.”

As part of one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world, Nicholson says Solaris Paper has an edge in so much as its competitors typically buy pulp on the open market. “This provides us with absolute confidence in our products coming from legally and sustainable sources.”

The company’s strategic supply partner, APP, manages the certified sustainable plantations and the pulp-making facility through to the production and distribution of the finished goods, which guarantees supply and allows for greater control of the process.

“APP is planting one million trees a day, every day for sustainable supply, with zero deforestation and zero illegal logging. That is true sustainability in paper.”

SUSTAINABILITY

ADOPTING A GREENER MINDSET Within the cleaning industry, the sustainability cause has many different facets.

The use of greener chemicals and cleaning products is seen as being safer for environmental and human health.

Simple changes such as embracing washable microfibre mop heads and cloths result in the use of less water and laundering materials. And a mentality of reducing, reusing and recycling waste is increasingly in vogue.

Piwkowski says Quayclean has had no hesitation in making sustainability one of the pillars of its operations.

“It’s the right thing to do in terms of how we are going to live in the future.”

The emphasis has been on adopting a sustainability mindset. With waste, the company has at every turn tried to understand the possible end markets so that it can be recycled to best effect. What happens with bottles at sports grounds and other facilities?

How should contaminated food packaging be treated? Where does eco-friendly packaging such as BioPak fit into the overall picture?

“What I regard as our skill is being up to date all the time on what is changing in the marketplace and responding accordingly,” Piwkowski says.

Such agility can also pay off financially. He notes that Quayclean, pandemic or no pandemic, has had a record-breaking year, even though a significant proportion of its portfolio involves working in venues such as major stadiums, racecourses and entertainment facilities – all of which have suffered from the impact of pandemic-related lockdowns at some point during the past 12 months.

PRODUCT INNOVATION TO THE FORE In the paper industry, Nicholson says there is a constant search for more efficient products so that consumers use less paper, thereby saving on cost and the environment while still delivering strength and softness.

TAD (through air dried) technology continues to evolve and is used particularly for hand towel and kitchen towel, giving superior absorbency, strength when wet or dry, and a ‘soft hand feel’ – the upshot being that one or two towels will do the job instead of dry crepe products that might require four or more towels for the same task.

“

We have to lift to expectations in not only how we train our own staff, but how we keep abreast of the latest information about hygiene products or sustainable solutions that contribute to better environmental outcomes.

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SUSTAINABILITY

“

Cleaners and facility managers are always looking for bargains, but this is not a time where the emphasis is just on saving a few dollars.

”

THE MARKET OUTLOOK

Education counts To promote sustainability even more in the years to come, Quayclean believes education will be critical – for clients and staff.

There is a perception, according to CEO Mark Piwkowski, that the average Joe in the street is the problem when it comes to recycling. They may throw a half-eaten carton of hot chips into a bin at a sports venue or put some inappropriate materials in recycling.

However, for real change to occur, Piwkowski says the property or catering departments, the events team, or the grounds and horticultural teams also have to step up. “If they don’t manage the waste well in the first place, that’s where most of the damage is done. So educating the customer is critical.”

The staff at cleaning companies also have to be up to speed with the latest practices.

“We have to lift to expectations in not only how we train our own staff, but how we keep abreast of the latest information about hygiene products or sustainable solutions that contribute to better environmental outcomes,” Piwkowski says.

“Every little thing we do is going to have an important impact.”

“The use of different base papers embosses and ply bonding lamination continues to provide more bulk to paper without needing to use more fibre, which again achieves efficiency with quality – satisfying both the consumer and the business that buys it,” Nicholson says.

Selcuk says seemingly simple machinery and chemical innovations can make a real difference to sustainable practices. For example, strippermachine chemicals are far more dilutable now.

Whereas the norm before was to dilute strippers up to a maximum of one part stripper to eight parts water, the formula is now 1-20 for heavy-duty jobs and even greater dilutions for lighter tasks.

When polishing floors, a total of six to eight coats used to be required, whereas superior products now mean that just one base coat and three top coats are required. “So it’s reduced the usage by almost half, which helps our customers and the environment.”

50 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Like many cleaning services operations, Eclipse has been performing well and expects to finish the year strongly.

“We’re certainly holding our own, but we have areas where we’re suffering,” Selkuc says.

Shopping centre lockdowns in hard-hit Melbourne, for example, have caused issues and some orders have had to be held back as a consequence.

Selcuk has no doubt that taking a serious approach to sustainability will help on many fronts. At the same time, he warns building owners and cleaners operating in high-risk areas such as hospitals and healthcare sites against cutting corners to save costs.

“If you’re a cleaning company and you’ve been employed to do a deep-clean at a COVID site, use reputable products and make sure your team members are safe,” he says.

“Cleaners and facility managers are always looking for bargains, but this is not a time where the emphasis is just on saving a few dollars.”

Nicholson says the key challenges for the cleaning and facilities management sector will continue to be potential lockdowns and uncertainty of supply because of the global shipping crisis, which has seen costs for a container rise four-fold in the past two years.

“Overall, the next year or two will no doubt still be variable and uncertain; however businesses are already on their toes, ready to respond and pivot when the next curve ball is thrown.”

Despite COVID-19 challenges, Piwkowski believes there are positive signs for cleaning services operators.

“Overall, the cleaning industry, particularly, should come out of this pandemic very strongly,” he says.

Ultimately, he believes sports-loving Aussies will want to get back to attending a football, cricket or horse-racing event, or embracing other entertainment options. That is good news for Quayclean, but it also puts the pressure on his team to get things right.

“Our job is to work with our customers to make sure we have a solution for how we keep their sites clean and ensure their people are as safe as possible.” ■

Solaris Paper Pty Ltd. w ww.Road, solaPemulwuy 8 Basalt Australia rispapNSW er.c2145, om.au 1300 832 883 | www.solarispaper.com.au

SPONSORED

Leading with purpose How Abco Products is creating social and environmental change with Enviroplus.

A

bco Products is driving environmental and social purpose through the Enviroplus product range.

Exclusively owned and distributed by Abco Products, Enviroplus is widely recognised as the leading sustainable natural cleaning products provider which includes specialising in the development of products based on microbial, antimicrobial, plant extract and enzyme technology. These solutions although environmentally friendly are powerful and are even more effective than traditional chemicals.

The primary focus of the Enviroplus product range is to minimise the overall commercial waste impact on the environment and on the end user; whilst giving customers the added advantage of improved waste management opportunities and cost-effective business practices to empower the cleaners performing the job day after day.

“At Abco, we are committed to finding new ways to solve the waste management and hygiene problems facing our planet today,” explains Keiran O’Neill, Head of Innovation and Product Development.

52 INCLEAN September / October 2021

“By balancing, the cleaning and hygiene needs of our customers with a sustainable approach and our environmental responsibilities, we can provide new cleaning solutions that help our industry empower cleaners and the community by extension.”

MEANINGFUL GROWTH While the Enviroplus product range is environmentally conscious, it also aims to make purposeful community impact.

“Abco began as a small family business, with family values and beliefs at its core,” says Craig Dowell, Director, Head of Sales & Marketing, Abco Products.

“As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that we maintain these values.”

Abco has recently become a major supporter of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) and the organisation’s Book Supply program as part of its wider Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The ILF is a not-for-profit charity with a vision of equity of opportunity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote Australia.

SPONSORED

ILF programs focus on empowering communities in their literacy journey, ensuring access to quality resources including books in home languages, and publishing community stories.

Book Supply aims to ensure children in remote communities have access to culturally relevant books.

So far, Book Supply has gifted 537,100 new books to more than 400 remote Indigenous communities where books are often scarce, with plans to gift another 99,000 books in 2021.

“Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Indigenous children living in remote communities around Australia,” explains Lisa Flower, Marketing Communications Manager, ILF. “The goal of Book Supply is to help children in remote communities build a love of reading and to also ensure they have access to culturally relevant books.”

As a supporter of the ILF, when customers buy selected Enviroplus products, a portion of profits are donated to the Book Supply Program.

“Corporate relationships like we have with Abco are so important because we don’t receive government funding. We rely on this support to continue the vital work that we are doing,” says Flower.

“We aim to work with organisations that not only care for people, but planet as well, and Abco certainly fits that with the Enviroplus range.”

PURPOSEFUL PARTNERSHIPS For Abco Products, it aims to align itself with organisations that share the same core values.

“One thing we love about Book Supply is that it is a meaningful and tangible program,” explains O’Neill.

“We really believe we can make a difference in these children’s lives by providing learning resources and books.”

“

At Abco, we are committed to finding new ways to solve the waste management and hygiene problems facing our planet today.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 53

SPONSORED

“

Our CSR program is wide and diverse and that comes from our core value and willingness to give back.

”

Abco’s support of ILF has also been welcomed by its Enviroplus customers, including Multhana Property Services.

Multhana, which means ‘coming together to help each other’, is an Indigenous-owned business delivering commercial cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance and construction across Southeast Queensland.

The company, led by Joseph Wallace, has worked with a number of national and state institutions, including Brisbane City Council and Department of Transport and Main Roads. It is currently involved in one of Queensland’s largest infrastructure projects, the Cross River Rail.

Multhana Property Services uses the Enviroplus range including e-Washroom X, an all-surface washroom cleaner; e-Z-Kleen X, a neutral hard surface and floor cleaner; e-Guard X, a commercial grade disinfectant and cleaner; e-Surface X, an all-in-one multi-surface and glass cleaner; and e-Flush, a natural toilet bowl and urinal cleaner and deodoriser.

“The feedback that we get from our clients is that it is a really cost-effective product,” says Wallace, who says the Enviroplus range is used at all of Multhana’s major cleaning sites.

Multhana aims to provide employment pathways and training opportunities for its workforce. The company is also heavily involved with local sporting clubs.

“A big part of Multhana Property Services is supporting the local community, inside and outside the workplace, and giving employment opportunity to young Indigenous people,” explains Wallace.

“We focus a lot on education and training. We aim to help young people entering the workforce for the first time and try to provide them with career pathways and options. It’s an area that’s expanding for us.”

James Bagshaw, Managing Director, Abco Products, says Abco’s core purpose is to “to empower our people, to empower cleaners, to empower the community” and this empowerment is done through teaching, training, and passing on knowledge”.

“We believe education is so important and that our Enviroplus products can not only help the environment but also now the wider community and the Indigenous community,”

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AT EVERY LEVEL According to O’Neill, Abco’s overarching Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy is to make meaningful difference.

“While we operate in an industry in which the use of sometimes-harmful chemicals is an unfortunate reality, we have made it our mission to provide long-term sustainable alternatives to our clients.

54 INCLEAN September / October 2021

“Hence why, we have been investing heavily in latest biotechnologies and nanotechnologies that will reduce environmental impact relating to commercial cleaning,” he says.

“There are three questions that we ask when developing our products: is it green? Is it sustainable? Does it perform? This approach is a significant step change for our industry.

“We are moving away from traditional chemicals and products, and working with new technology and raw materials, such as plant extracts or certified pulp sources such as bamboo and sugar cane, that aren’t as prevalent in the industry.”

Abco Products has also partnered with various leading organisations to bring forth sustainable cleaning solutions to Australia in line with its CSR policy.

“Our CSR program is wide and diverse and that comes from our core value and willingness to give back.”

In addition to ILF, Abco Products also supports Greenfleet, a leading non-profit committed to protecting our climate by restoring our forests.

When customers purchase Enviroplus PEFC certified paper products, such as Enviroplus bioactive toilet paper, Abco donates a portion of its profit for every carton. So far, more than 1000 trees have been planted thanks to Abco’s contribution to the initiative.

Abco also supports other CRS initiatives including Rapid Relief Team (RRT), a nonfor-profit which provides support services to help battle any crisis from fires, floods or humanitarian needs; and Made Blue, which invests in projects in developing countries to help provide water for those who don’t have access to it.

“We’re constantly looking at our supply chain. As we expand and engage more with communities across the country part of giving back process is to engage and make a difference wherever we can.”

Its next mission is to eliminate single-use plastic.

“We’re very conscious of the environment and the removal of single-use plastics in our products and the industry.”

Looking ahead, O’Neil says Abco is currently reviewing its product development pipeline.

“We are in an industry that is quite traditional in its use of products, but we will soon be releasing a new range of products, including natural handcare range and natural cleaners, over the next few months.” ■ Find out more about these organisations here: Abco: www.abcopro.com.au ILF: www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au Multhana: www.multhana.com.au RRT: www.rrtglobal.org

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SUSTAINABILITY

Clearing the air

Once largely ignored or misunderstood, indoor air quality in buildings and facilities is now firmly on the radar for the cleaning industry as a result of the highly transmissible nature of the COVID-19 virus.

56 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Words Cameron Cooper

O

f all the wake-up calls that COVID-19 has sounded for cleaners and facility managers during the pandemic, one is really starting to be heard – the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently formally recognised that COVID-19 is spread mainly through airborne transmission. This acknowledgment has underlined the importance of proper ventilation and filtration of buildings, including the need for high standards of carpet care and heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) maintenance.

In addition to the COVID-19 threat, another significant factor with IAQ is its impact on workforce productivity. A white paper released by GJK Facility Services notes that poor IAQ is estimated to cost the Australian economy about $12 billion annually in lost productivity. The flip side is that considerable research suggests that people are healthier and more productive in environments with good IAQ. Elias Stamas, CEO of GJK Facility Services, says that in the past IAQ may have been undervalued by some building owners because it is “often hard to smell or see the difference between clean air and poorer-quality air”.

“Unless a chemical cleaning product or fragrance has just been used, or there are evident air pollutants, facility users cannot immediately notice the difference,” he says.

“Studies show us, however, that constant exposure to an environment with low indoor air quality can take a toll on workers’ health.”

Bridget Gardner, director of HPC Solutions, says multiple studies have revealed that improving IAQ can result in worker productivity gains of 4 per cent to 10 per cent.

She says a mistake people often make with regard to IAQ is focusing only on the structure of a building, such as ventilation or the content of materials that are used in its construction. Yet they ignore the impact that cleaning and maintenance can have on IAQ once they move in.

“They don’t realise how critical it is to maintain the building with good cleaning practices,” she says.

Cleaners can play a dual role in improving IAQ, she adds, by efficiently removing dust and mould pollutants from a building, and by not contributing to poor IAQ via cleaning and disinfectant products that emit chemical pollutants.

CARPET HYGIENE ON THE AGENDA When it is of good quality and properly maintained, carpet is an unsung hero in commercial facilities – after all, it is one of the biggest filters inside most buildings.

Kristine Collins, product manager at vacuum cleaner distributor SEBO Australia, says COVID-19 has highlighted for many building owners and operators that their cleaning programs and equipment must be up to standard if they want good IAQ.

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www.incleanmag.com.au 57

SUSTAINABILITY

“

Of all the wake-up calls that COVID-19 has sounded for cleaners and facility managers during the pandemic, one is really starting to be heard – the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ).

”

58 INCLEAN September / October 2021

“Best practice has always been to use the right cleaning equipment to suit the application – that is, an upright vacuum cleaner with highperformance filtration and hygienic, disposable filter bags to correctly clean and maintain commercial carpet tiles,” she says.

Collins says it is essential to know the flooring type in a building and to then use the appropriate equipment for that floor.

Discussions with technical staff or vacuum cleaner experts can then inform a carpetmaintenance plan that meets the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3733 for textile floor coverings.

Collins says the aim of carpet cleaning should be to retain the original pile texture and overall appearance of the carpet for as long as possible, as well as ensuring the flooring is hygienic and contributes positively to the indoor environment.

“Carpet tends to trap soiling,” she says.

“This helps to maintain better indoor air quality by holding the soiling at floor level instead of allowing it to circulate throughout the building. When cleaning is conducted regularly and with the correct equipment for the carpet type, it will prolong the life of a carpet and minimise possible health problems.”

The biggest mistake facility managers tend to make with soft floor furnishings, according to Collins, is using a ‘suction only’ vacuum cleaner such as a barrel or backpack.

“An upright vacuum with an electric brush roller is regarded as best by manufacturers for maximum debris removal.”

The second mistake is using re-usable cloth bags, or no bags at all. Disposable bags that reputable suppliers such as SEBO provide add another level of filtration.

‘SICK’ BUILDINGS AN ISSUE Air-conditioning and ventilation also have a dramatic impact on IAQ. David Jones, a HVAC specialist and director at Airconstruct, has been designing, constructing and maintaining HVAC systems for more than three decades. His aim is to create healthy indoor environments for offices, or entire buildings.

Jones sees the mechanical services companies as the custodians of the air people breathe in buildings. While the are many inputs to the overall IAQ of a building, the HVAC systems play the largest part by far and are the source of mould outbreaks.

He is concerned that there is a “lot of snake oil” in the HVAC market as a result of COVID-19, with some contractors making promises on IAQ that they simply cannot meet.

“There’s been a lot of opportunistic activity from people who think they’ve got a solution,” he says.

Jones also warns building and fSacility owners to be cautious of some of the solutions being offered involving UV disinfection systems for airhandling units, which came to prominence during the swine-flu pandemic just over a decade ago.

“These systems are effective but can be costly to maintain and the UV bulbs have a limited life.

As with all things, you get what you pay for, so if you’re considering UV, it is prudent to do lifecycle cost analysis and make sure it stacks up.”

ACTIONS TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY Although no one solution can address IAQ, the consensus is that best-practice cleaning standards – as well as a focus on proper ventilation and air filtration – are vital.

SUSTAINABILITY Gardner advises three ways for cleaners to remove and control airborne dust. First, all surfaces should be damp wiped with a folded cloth, rather than using ‘feather’ dusters and dusting wipes that simply move dust and virus particles from one spot to another.

“You shouldn’t be just flicking around the feather duster, but actually using proper damp-dusting techniques that capture all that fine dust,” she says.

Second, insist on using proper HEPA filters in vacuum cleaners, otherwise cleaners risk simply blowing the finest dust particles back into the air.

Third, use disposable liners and dust masks when emptying vacuum dust bags to safeguard the environment and the cleaners themselves.

As someone who has suffered ongoing heath impacts as a result of her days as a cleaner, Gardner is passionate about protecting cleaners from pollutants, bacteria and viruses.

Indoor dust in cities can be quite toxic, with pollutants blown in or

“walked in” to buildings on shoes, then stirred up and re-aerosolised during cleaning. When fine dust particles enter the lungs they can harm people’s health.

“I really believe that cleaners should always wear dust masks while they’re vacuuming and dusting.”

Mould spores can be easily removed with a damp cloth, Gardner says, but regular cleaning to prevent the growth of mould is the key to healthy buildings.

A TEAM EFFORT

Get healthy surfaces via: 1. High touchpoint cleaning

GJK believes achieving optimal IAQ requires collaboration between building managers, occupants and service providers such as cleaners. This includes educating occupants that the strong smell of scented cleaning chemicals does not equate to cleanliness.

“In addition to ensuring products have low or no VOC emissions, chemical-free cleaning technologies and microfibre should be used wherever practicable to ensure better air quality,” Stamas says.

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2. Chemical minimisation

Get healthy air via: 3. Low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fragrances 4. Dust and mould control

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SUSTAINABILITY “Cleaning companies should also use low or no-scented cleaning products with little to no phosphorus content and increase ventilation in washrooms to reduce the use of air fresheners.”

With regard to HVAC systems, Jones agrees that ventilation and filtration is crucial. He suggests increasing ventilation rates across rooms to increase the air-change factor and considering if the use of F5 or F7-grade air filters as prefilters over existing HVAC filters to provide an added layer of protection that can trap airborne particles containing possible viruses is viable.

“And you need to be able to validate that the fan power can do that without any detriment to the performance of the HVAC system. In essence, someone has to do the numbers and calculate the pressure drop.”

Jones is also an advocate of more comprehensive and widespread HVAC training as part of the fight against viruses such as COVID19. To that end, he has created the nation’s only nationally recognised qualification for airconditioning hygiene, the 10829NAT – Certificate II in Air-Conditioning Hygiene.

“The course is designed to bridge the gap between HVAC and the training skillsets of someone who already holds core cleaning skills. It’s ultimately intended to raise the bar for unqualified people who are out there now to enable better-quality IAQ work across the country that is also more affordable,” Jones says.

“As an industry we suffer HVAC trades skills shortages, so it makes sense to tap into the existing pool of cleaning labour and train them up to do some the HVAC cleaning tasks and leave the HVAC technicians to get on with the diagnostic and optimisation pieces.”

At SEBO, Collins concludes that cleaning results can only be as good as the equipment used.

“Ensure you are using the right equipment for the task, that the equipment is properly maintained and that your staff are qualified for the job,” she says.

Gardner believes IAQ will increasingly be on the agenda for facility managers and cleaners in the years to come.

She says the health of buildings – and the employees and cleaners within them – will suffer unless there is an insistence on best-practice maintenance and cleaning. ■

For more information on indoor air quality, see GJK’s white paper: 6 Ways to Optimise Cleaning for Wellbeing and Productivity at https://gjkfacilityservices.com.au/ cleaner-spaces-safer-places

HVAC units crucial for the health of buildings and employees As they seek to provide better indoor air quality, many facility managers are missing an opportunity to protect their properties and people.

Michael Kritzler, International Technical Manager – Asia Pacific for Aeris, says amid all the talk about the airborne transmission of COVID-19, the importance of properly maintaining heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units is often overlooked.

“I’m surprised that the hygiene of the actual HVAC units hasn’t been drilled into further,” he says.

“We need to get the message out more clearly that there are options that not only give substantially improved indoor air quality, but which also reduce the running costs of the assets.”

Aeris provides specialised indoor air quality services and supplies a range of AerisGuard air-handling hygiene products – covering air filters and indoor coils, as well as bioactive surface treatments and air-conditioning split-system treatments – that target mould and bacteria. Aeris has presented its products for testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and can claim COVID-19 efficiency for the initial application of the treatments.

60 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Over time, the filters of HVAC systems can become dirty, with a build-up of contaminants decreasing the airflow across the filter and leading to excess energy consumption.

Kritzler says towards the end of its working life, a typical filter is highly contaminated, which can have consequences for building and human health. When mould and bacteria break down, they can also produce mycotoxins and endotoxins, which are carcinogenic.

While surface cleaning and carpet care is on the radar for many facility managers, Kritzler encourages them to rethink the maintenance of HVAC units as they seek to provide cleaner and safer indoor environments. The AerisGuard products offer up to 12 months’ protection from mould and bacteria and can cut airconditioner power use by about 15 per cent.

“It’s strange that more than 10 years ago sick-building syndrome was spoken about extensively, but in many cases the issues haven’t been addressed,” Kritzler says.

“I understand that people are hesitant to spend money on this issue, but when you weigh that up with a validated energy saving it makes sense to take action.”

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Modernising the facilities management industry How Menzies Facility Services is using technology to proactively prepare for the future.

I

t wasn’t long ago that Australia-based Menzies Facility Services implemented Lighthouse, TEAM Software’s mobile workforce management system.

One of the largest privately-owned providers of cleaning and related property services in Australia had been looking towards a technology solution that would be able to flex up and meet future industry demands, as well as current needs.

In less than six months post initial rollout, they’ve already gained value that is helping modernise the approach to their facilities management.

Often, companies retroactively look towards technology as a means of solving a business challenge. Menzies chose to take a proactive approach, leveraging technology to invest in their future.

“The reality of our industry is that the focus of cleaning is shifting, especially since the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Springall, Menzies’ Chief Executive Officer.

“Clients are looking for more than just traditional cleaning services.

They’re looking at what technology you can provide, and how it can deliver and substantiate provable service against high contract standards.” www.incleanmag.com.au 63

SPONSORED

“

Lighthouse has the capability to liaise directly with our employees in real time. Work orders, safety issues or updates – whatever we need to communicate to our employees, we can do through the mobile app.

”

64 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Menzies’ long-term business strategy includes technology integration as a pillar – integrating services and systems in a way that streamlines all business operations, uses data and business intelligence to build efficiencies, and manages all aspects of a contract from within a single software platform.

It’s no small undertaking with operations across all major Australian cities and regional centres. Lighthouse is currently servicing over 600 Menzies sites nationally, which is only the first step in this long-term strategy.

Lighthouse operates as a web-based and mobile application, with quick and easy-to-use forms to record tasks, submit data and supply reports across multiple and dispersed properties in real-time.

In short, Lighthouse provides an accurate picture of “the who, the what and where” of every contract.

Menzies’ workforce of over 2500 employees can easily access and use the app from their mobile devices to update and submit daily tasks, report incidents and provide contextual information about what is happening onsite through rich media capture and digital signature certifications.

And, contract management can easily communicate with field-based cleaners directly.

“Lighthouse has the capability to liaise directly with our employees in real time. Work orders, safety issues or updates – whatever we need to communicate to our employees, we can do through the mobile app. It eliminates the need for contract managers to manually track down a cleaner onsite. That’s especially important in the instance where an emergency

clean is warranted, for example. The knowledge that we’re doing everything we can to shorten the time it takes to resolve an issue makes all the difference for our customers, and that’s a mentality we know will remain of high importance to our clients post-pandemic.”

Perhaps the best thing about Lighthouse from Greg’s perspective is its flexibility extends to integrations outside of the platform.

“TEAM Software has gone above and beyond making sure that Lighthouse works for us, not the other way around,” Greg said.

“Rather than us having to bend to the rigidity of a technology solution, they’ve ensured that Lighthouse can flex to meet our needs. Today, that involves integrations with our time and attendance solutions, so whenever we recruit an individual and add their information into Lighthouse, that data is automatically integrated with our systems, reducing manual work while championing data integrity.”

It’s this flexibility of technology that Menzies recognises of value as they look to modernise the facilities management industry.

“The cleaning industry is moving towards more of a technology-based mentality,” said Greg.

“It’s not necessarily just about how well you can clean anymore, it’s about how you’re able to certify and substantiate the work that you do.

What cleaning has occurred, who completed the work and where they were in a facility down to the minute – that is the new benchmark standard.

The technology Menzies is using with Lighthouse to surpass that standard and provide even more visibility and transparency to our clients is what will set us apart moving into the future.” ■

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FEATURE

Planning for the next pandemic Words Robert Kravitz

Why we are more likely than not to see more in the future.

A

s of May 2021, we seem to be inching our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that those fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks outside or inside, in most situations.

Many of us are feeling some relief. We know that with the pandemic behind us, our lives and businesses can return to some sort of normalcy.

Further, many of us believe that a pandemic like COVID-19—which has infected more than 164 million people, causing 3.5 million deaths— will likely never happen again.

Unfortunately, that may not be the case.

Although COVID-19 is one of the most severe pandemics since the Spanish flu of 1918, which killed more than 50 million people, we have had other pandemics since then, and we are likely to see more in the future. (See sidebar: What is a pandemic?) We need to look to the past to find out what we can learn from those earlier pandemics.

PAST PANDEMICS

1957: Asian Flu: One of the most underreported pandemics was the 1957 Asian flu. It traveled from Hong Kong to the United States and became widespread in England. A second wave followed in 1958. Eventually, more than a million deaths globally were reported—116,000 of them in the United States.

66 INCLEAN September / October 2021

1981: HIV/AIDS: Although this pandemic has been widely reported, many people do not realize that it dates back several decades.

HIV/AIDS is believed to have developed from a chimpanzee virus circulating in West Africa as far back as the 1920s.

It spread to Haiti in the 1960s before progressing into the United States in the 1970s.

However, it wasn’t until the early 1980s that the public heard much about HIV/AIDS when it started spreading very quickly. Today, about 35 million people worldwide have died from AIDS. 2003: SARS: SARS, not COVID-19, is viewed by public health officials as the world’s “wake-up call” when it comes to worldwide pandemics.

The lessons from SARS have helped keep diseases such as H1N1 (swine flu), Ebola, and Zika from becoming global pandemics. However, and unfortunately, this wake-up call was generally unheeded by the public and officials in some parts of the world.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak is believed to have started with bats, spread to cats, and from cats to humans in China. In time, cases were identified in 26 other countries, more than 8,000 people were infected, and 774 died.

Unlike COVID-19, which appears to have been tamed by vaccines, no vaccines were developed to help prevent the spread of SARS. Quarantine efforts proved most effective, and within about a year, SARS essentially disappeared.

FEATURE TAIWAN VS. COVID-19 COVID-19 impacted some countries less than others. Even without the vaccine, Australia and New Zealand were the first to “conquer” the disease.

Meanwhile, in Taiwan, just 81 miles from the disease’s epicenter in China, there were no lockdowns. Its 23 million people continued to go to work and school and live their lives as usual.

How did this happen?

Mike Sawchuk, a Canadian cleaning consultant and business advisor, says Taiwan heeded the SARS wake-up call very early.

“They knew when it was time to act, and they acted fast. Taiwan was caught off-guard by SARS, so as soon as they heard reports out of China of an unusual flu-type outbreak, they took significant steps immediately.”

Those steps included the following: • Taiwan activated its “epidemic command center,” created in 2009 and based on lessons from SARS. “Taiwan was one of the few countries in the world to have such a command center,” mentions Sawchuk.

• Borders were closed, and mandatory quarantines were started.

• Mask-wearing and crowd control measures were put into place and enforced by the country’s military.

• Proper cleaning and disinfecting measures were taken immediately. “Taiwan public health officials knew effective cleaning was essential, and they took steps right away,” explains Sawchuk.

• Daily briefings discussed the dangers of the disease and why precautions were necessary.

“These daily briefings were sometimes twice

per day [and started] long before similar briefings were happening in Canada or the United States,” says Sawchuk. “Taiwan officials were very transparent about the disease, and [the briefings] helped encourage the people of Taiwan to trust their government.”

Today, Taiwan is seeing a resurgence of the disease. Again, the country has acted fast in response. The cities of Taipei and New Taipei are under lockdown. Vaccinations have increased sharply. And the populace appears to be taking the threat seriously, essential to ending the surge.1

EXPANDING ON THE ROLE OF CLEANING

“

We should be much better prepared if something like this should happen again.

”

“As soon as reports started coming out, we also knew cleaning – effective cleaning – would play a significant role in slowing the spread of [COVID-19],” says Michael Wilson with AFFLINK. “However, there was not a concerted effort, at least at first. Most in the professional cleaning industry knew something had to be done, but precisely what was unclear.”

Almost immediately, jansan cleaning solution manufacturers reported that distributors and their customers were clamoring for disinfectants. Most manufacturers ramped up production accordingly.

Old technologies, such as UV-C* and electrostatic sprayers, found new purposes. Both technologies have been used for industrial applications for more than a century. Their disinfecting potential was now needed to kill the virus.

Yet, a universal response was still lacking. To fill the need, AFFLINK began providing training and guidance to its more than 350 distributormembers in the U.S.

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FEATURE

“We wanted to educate them so they could instruct their customers on proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques. And if [their customers] selected UV-C systems, electrostatic sprayers, or other disinfecting technologies, we wanted to be sure they were able to instruct them on how to use them effectively and properly.”

On a much broader scale, ISSA’s Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) started providing instruction and guidance for the entire professional cleaning industry as well as assistance to government, commercial, and private entities.

GBAC’s goal is to help organizations quickly address a hazardous situation and limit its impact.

Further, significant players in the professional cleaning industry lent their assistance. For example, Kimberly-Clark Professional provided scholarships to small and women-owned businesses worldwide so that they could take advantage of the GBAC training.

OUR WAKE-UP CALL UV-C radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water, and nonporous surfaces. *

Taiwan was a COVID success story.

Now it is fighting its biggest outbreak.

CNN.com. May 17, 2021. www.cnn. com/2021/05/17/asia/taiwan-covidoutbreak-intl-hnk/index.html.

1

68 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Although many of us did not learn from SARS, we are learning a lot from COVID-19. We know more pandemics are likely to occur. We just do not know when.

We have also learned from countries like Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand that steps must be taken quickly to stop the spread.

What is a pandemic?

According to the World Health Organization, a pandemic is the spread of a new disease to which most people do not have immunity. A pandemic outbreak may affect a large area, such as an entire country or region of the world or may spread globally.

“We certainly do not like wearing masks, social distancing, and lockdowns. We may even be politically opposed to them,” says Sawchuk. “But the facts speak for themselves. They can stop a virus from spreading.”

As for the professional cleaning industry, Wilson adds, “We have a much better understanding of effective cleaning and disinfecting methods and technologies, we understand the importance of distributor and custodial training, and we now have organisations such as GBAC to help provide guidance. We should be much better prepared if something like this should happen again.”

Robert Kravitz is a frequent writer for the professional cleaning industry. This article was first published by ISSA and has been re-published with permission. ■

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Why it’s time for a clean start on your

insurance strategy Insurance is often an expensive budgetary item for cleaning companies, but getting your policy choices and renewals wrong can be even more costly. There is a solution available, though, that helps companies with claims management, renewals and data analysis of risks.

A

s CFOs, bosses and facility managers try to evaluate or renew their all-important insurance policies, two key factors often work against them – a lack of insurance expertise and a shortage of time.

There is no doubt that conducting reviews of insurance strategies, or managing client and public liability claims, can be a daunting assignment. Therefore, it is best left to the experts who are constantly engaged in such work.

“Insurance claims are a time-consuming task for people working at companies,” says Poppy Foxton, who for almost a decade has been Head of Claims at Risksmart, which provides risk and insurance solutions for businesses in cleaning, facilities management, retail and service-related industries. “They might have to get their CFO, COO or operations manager or legal counsel to get heavily involved in the claims. That’s taking them away from their core job.”

70 INCLEAN September / October 2021

LEGAL THREATS Then there is the risk of either paying too much for insurance, or having too little cover at a time when there is an increasingly litigious business culture in Australia. On the back of the rise of no-win, no-fee plaintiff law firms, businesses and their insurers are subject to a growing number of claims, both litigated and un-litigated. The upshot is that getting your insurance wrong, or mismanaging claims, can be costly.

Foxton says the team at Risksmart includes qualified solicitors and insurance specialists who undertake professional investigations into claims and provide expert advice, ensuring that claims are resolved and defended as quickly as possible.

Such proactive engagement with claimants, law firms and insurance stakeholders is designed to safeguard their clients’ reputations and finances.

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“A huge part of what we do at Risksmart is protect our clients’ brands,” says Foxton, who adds that her team also prides itself on maintaining a good rapport with claimants so that claims can be resolved as amicably as possible.

She notes that court rooms are usually a foreign and frustrating setting for most cleaning company operators, who may still be subject to legal action despite trying their best to comply with contractual arrangements. Risksmart can advise clients on when it is best to fight a claim in court, and when it is best to settle out of court.

“Our experience is valuable to avoid running a claim where you’re not going to win it and you’ll just end up burning through legal costs,” Foxton says. “You want to avoid paying more in legal expenses than the claim is actually worth.”

PROUD HISTORY Launched in 2006, Risksmart is a subsidiary of Honan Insurance Group, an Australian-founded insurance and financial services broker that was set up in 1964. Honan is now a major broker house in the Asia-Pacific region and has more than 240 employees around the world.

Foxton, who was recently appointed National Head of Corporate Insurance and Risks Solutions at Honan, says the inspiration for establishing Risksmart was the need for businesses to be able to better manage insurance deductibles , or excesses; that is, the amount a business has to pay if it decides to make a claim on its policy.

With its headquarters in Sydney but boasting a national presence, Risksmart has Australia covered. Its status as an associate member of the International Sanitary Supply Association means Risksmart understands the issues and threats facing many cleaning contractors with a retail or commercial presence.

Foxton says the truth is that risk management is often a forgotten or underplayed aspect of

day-to-day operations for cleaning businesses and facility managers. They can be exposed to significant risks given their role in environments such as hospitals and healthcare centres, food courts and commercial kitchens, and offices and shopping centres. In such areas, there is a constant threat of slip-and-fall accidents, damage and breakages of expensive property, exposure to toxic and hazardous substances, and contractual disputes over just what services a cleaning or related services business should provide.

Even a seemingly simple incident such as a member of the public slipping on a floor because of a chemical or hand-sanitiser spill can lead to costly insurance claims and court action. As Foxton explains, insurers naturally try to protect themselves by imposing deductibles. “It’s a way of reducing their risk, but what it means for cleaning companies and others is that they have to wear the first $25,000, $50,000, $150,000 and upwards of every claim.”

To protect its clients, Risksmart’s experts navigate their way through complex insurance legislation that changes from state to state.

Disputes are resolved in accordance with clients’ instructions, or under an agreed delegated authority. Foxton is proud of her team’s proven ability to defend third-party claims. One client alone has reduced its average claims settlement by 95 per cent over a five-year period from $18,000 to $800.

The goal at all times for Risksmart is to minimise the lifespan of claims and ensure that claim-management fees and defence costs are monitored and minimised. “The only other option for businesses is to outsource to a law firm, which is very expensive,” Foxton says.

For its part, Risksmart charges an hourly rate and commits to complete fee transparency. “So our clients know with certainty what they’re paying for,” Foxton says.

“

Foxton is proud of her team’s proven ability to defend third-party claims.

One client alone has reduced its average claims settlement by 95 per cent over a five-year period from $18,000 to $800.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 71

SPONSORED EXPERIENCE COUNTS One of the key benefits Risksmart can deliver for clients is tackling premium sprawl (see panel), a scenario in which the cost of insurance keeps increasing every year.

Foxton says insurers are currently operating in what is classified as a ‘hard’ market; in other words, they are coming off the back of a number of catastrophic events and associated losses that have buffeted their premium collections. The result is that, in many cases, insurance costs are on the rise.

The impact of COVID-19 and the pandemic – during which many cleaners have been working in high-risk sites – also means that many insurers are insisting on more exclusions with policies, or using endorsements that modify coverage within an existing insurance contract. “So a risk with a cleaning facility management, for which many insurers already don’t have much appetite, becomes even harder to place as the market hardens. It also means deductibles and premiums can go up,” Foxton says.

In such a market, the assistance of experts is especially important. Foxton says Risksmart works closely with insurance brokers to shape a risk profile for a business and to get the best possible coverage at a competitive price.

DELIVERING DATA ANALYSIS AND TRAINING The other big advantage with Risksmart is its ability to harness clients’ claims data to forecast and target key business risks and avoid margin erosion. It offers a game-changing claims portal that provides quick and easy access to all claims data, as well as dashboards that track key risks and claims trends in real time.

“They can see it then and there,” Foxton says.

This can be especially useful for executives or facility managers who have to report to a CFO, the boss or a board.

They can use the data analysis to articulate risk and insurance strategies and back up the need for spending. “With some clients we have been able to do forecasts of risks based on 10 years of data,” Foxton says. “For example, if our client wants to know how many people are slipping on grapes in a store, we can tell them that.”

Many cleaning operators struggle with low margins, and insurance spending and claims payouts can be a significant part of margin erosion. Foxton believes powerful data analysis can make a real difference to the bottom line by mitigating risks. “By informing clients of such risks, we can help them to either avoid claims incidents in the first place, or defend the claims when they come up. The better you understand your risk, the easier it is to manage.”

Risksmart specialists also provide on-site training sessions for clients’ site managers to educate them about how to create a strong culture of risk management and safety within their businesses. In addition, they can “shadow” managers and workers to get an in-depth understanding of the business’s challenges and risks. “We want to make safety top of mind for everyone who is out there on the floor because that can make the difference between a claim that’s defensible and a claim that’s not,” Foxton says.

As cleaning company leaders and facility managers combat COVID-19 and contemplate dealing with their insurance renewals and claims, Foxton assures them that help is at hand.

“There’s no doubt that insurance can be a very difficult area, but we can help reduce the number of claims incidents for clients and save them money on claims. We’ve been doing this for a long time and have a great track record.” ■ 72 INCLEAN September / October 2021

6 WAYS

Risksmart can help...

1 2 3

Stopping margin erosion whereby ever-increasing insurance costs can hurt profits.

Reducing significant claims exposure due to unavoidable contract terms.

Preventing premium sprawl that sees insurance premiums and deductibles keep rising year on year.

4 5

Providing continual staff training on risk management.

Informing data-backed decisions with analysis that lets companies understand high-risk areas of their business.

6

Providing insurance and risk benchmarking to ensure companies know where they sit against their competitors.

... and some other important benefits Risksmart consistently delivers the following benefits to its clients: • Cost savings through proactive claims management by engaging in structured settlement negotiations.

• Strategic collaboration between clients and stakeholders.

• Database systems that store and preserve evidence relating to incidents and claims.

• Client risk profiles that help negotiate favourable terms with insurers for premium renewals.

Claims.

Advocacy.

Solutions.

Are you spending too much time, energy and money managing your insurance claims?

Are you concerned about increasing claims costs and sky rocketing premiums?

Do you have a lack of visibility and control of your key claims risks?

If you answered yes, then you are well placed to engage Risksmart to reduce the cost and burden of managing your claims inhouse. At Risksmart, we manage claims under your insurance deductible, ensuring costs are controlled and that you get the best possible outcome. Our team is comprised of both qualified solicitors and insurance specialists who undertake professional investigations into claims and provide expert advice, ensuring that claims are resolved and defended without delay.

By engaging Risksmart, your business will achieve the following key objectives: Reduce claim lifespan and cost through proactive management and early resolution.

Avoid the cost and resource drain of managing under deductable claims inhouse.

Ensure best claim outcomes through our high level of specialist legal knowledge and effective negotiation strategies.

Protect your brand reputation through early, effective and professional engagement with your customers.

Refine risk management practices using our sophisticated data analytics and risk reporting.

Improve your business risk profile to assist in renewal negotiations.

Please get in touch to find out more about how we can assist you in claims management.

Email: info@risksmartclaims.com.au PH: (02) 8297 1722

RESTORATION

Smells sell – But at the cost of carpet health?

Carpet deodorisers may appeal to your customer’s nose, but fragrances can have damaging effects on carpet.

74 INCLEAN September / October 2021

RESTORATION

Words Mark Violand

W

hether it’s apple pie, lavender, or ocean breeze, we all have a favorite fragrance. What method do you use to have this fragrance greet you when you enter your home or office? Bowls of potpourri?

Plug-ins? Candles? Powdered carpet deodorisers?

Powdered carpet deodoriser users likely do not know that most of these deodorizers are made from abrasive substances. In fact, some of these deodorisers, if used for an extended period of time, can cause a carpet to soil rapidly, lose its dimensional stability, and delaminate.

Studies have shown that vacuuming only removes about 65 per cent of a typical powdered deodorizer. And these products are not just harmful to your carpet – they damage your vacuum, too.

COMPONENTS OF POWDERED CARPET DEODORISERS There is a variety of substances found in powdered carpet deodorizers, and many are abrasive, such as baking soda, calcium carbonate, sodium silicate, and hydrated silica (sand).

Baking soda, the most common ingredient in these deodorizers, in addition to being great for baking, is also a water-soluble abrasive. It is a natural and green product that can be used to clean countertops and glass stove tops.

It is also an environmentally friendly alternative for removing graffiti and restoring the appearance of old buildings. Calcium carbonate is dissolved rock. It comes from limestone and is one of the substances found in hard water. As a common ingredient in antacids, you may even chew a tablet or two of calcium carbonate to relieve heartburn.

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RESTORATION

Below: The abrasiveness of powdered deodorizers causes the traffic-lane graying, in which the soil scratches carpet fibers until they are lighter than the rest of the carpet.

76 INCLEAN September / October 2021

As you know, the goal of cleaning carpet is not only to improve the carpet’s appearance by removing visible soils, but also to remove embedded abrasive soils and stop the deleterious effect these soils have on carpet fibers.

As such, it’s alarming to see people intentionally spreading abrasive soil—powdered deodoriser – on carpet. This abrasive soil scratches carpet fibers, making the carpet appear lighter in color in the trafficked areas and causing the fibers to lose their luster. This creates a condition known as traffic-lane gray, which makes a carpet look unduly worn.

People use deodorisers in different ways.

I know of some small business owners who sprinkle the carpets in their offices with powdered deodorisers to test that the custodial staff is vacuuming a specific area. I also know of hotel housekeeping departments that use them on a routine basis to freshen the air.

Aerosol air fresheners, the most common product people grab to freshen the air quickly, may be no better. They start out in the air but will eventually fall—right onto the face of the carpet, possibly leaving a sticky, soil-attracting residue.

Even plug-in style deodorisers evaporate and become airborne oil, which leaves an oily film on everything, including the carpet. And there is, of course, a myriad of problems caused by burning scented candles.

The popularity of these products is only increasing. Global retail sales of air-care products (air fresheners) are forecasted to reach $11.7 billion by the end of 2021. In the US alone, the demand for spray and aerosol air fresheners is expected to reach $3.94 billion in revenue by the end of 2021. That number is staggering.

Smells sell! People want the air they breathe to smell fragrant, but they should know about the realities of using these products.

RESTORATION EFFECTS OF DEODORISERS ON CARPET Many common powdered products come with the narrative of being green and safe to use. While this may be the case, the main ingredient of most powdered carpet deodorizers is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Sodium bicarbonate is an abrasive that is hydrophilic (water loving), hygroscopic (moisture absorbing), and water soluble. This means it tends to stick to carpet fibers and then scratch them every time they are walked on.

To test this phenomenon, I took two popular brands of powdered deodorizer, sprinkled them on Plexiglas, rubbed the powders with my fingers, and then wiped the glass clean. The scratches left on the Plexiglas were astonishing.

These deodorisers will have the same effect on plastic carpet fibers, including nylon, polyester, triexta, and olefin. Further, the abrasiveness of the powder can also harm the plastic parts within vacuums.

Sodium bicarbonate’s hydrophilic and hygroscopic properties make that little box of baking soda inside the refrigerator act like a mini, nonelectric dehumidifier; it removes moisture from the air inside the fridge.

Low-humidity air carries less odor, which is why most odors in your home or office diminish during the heating season when the air is drier. Odors are plentiful, however, in the summer months when the humidity is higher.

Sodium bicarbonate easily dissolves in water, such as when a carpet is being cleaned with hot water extraction.

Above: Scratches on Plexiglas from powdered carpet deodorizer test.

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www.incleanmag.com.au 77

RESTORATION It is possible to freshen the air in a building without harming people, furnishings, carpet, or vacuums—and without creating resoiling issues.

Professionally cleaning carpet with hot water extraction that follows the ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings is the proper way to deodorize carpet, and with more and more people working from home and sheltering in place, now is the perfect time to market that professional carpet cleaning, for both health and appearance.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Above: Sodium bicarbonate’s abrasiveness can damage vacuums and leave on them high-pH residue.

Right: Powdered deodorizer ingredients can cause carpet to delaminate and can lead to unusually high pH and alkalinity.

78 INCLEAN September / October 2021

During cleaning, the sodium bicarbonate from the deodoriser dissolves, but as the carpet dries, the sodium bicarbonate turns back into a powder and appears as a white film over the surface of the carpet (since carpet dries from the bottom up).

Correcting this issue is a challenge. Vacuuming alone will not remove it, and several encapsulating acid rinse treatments may be needed to remove the contaminant from the carpet.

Over time, some of the sodium bicarbonate and sodium silicate also sift into the backing of the carpet. The water-loving properties and alkalinity of the sodium bicarbonate and sodium silicate powder will break down the latex adhesive used to laminate the carpet backings together and could cause the carpet to lose its dimensional stability and even delaminate. In the field, I have, consequently, found higherthan-normal pH readings in the carpet in both trafficked and untrafficked areas and high-pH residue on the bottom of the vacuum.

Using aerosols to freshen the air is convenient and just fine as long as they do not leave a residue. Because of gravity, anything sprayed into the air will eventually land on the surface of the carpet and other items in your home.

Spraying some of your favorite air freshener on your bathroom mirror and letting it dry is an effective test of its potential effect; if the air freshener evaporates completely and leaves no residue, it should have no effect on carpet.

If your customers (or you) want to use a deodorizer, the goal is to find a product that claims to be nonabrasive and that will not damage the carpet fibers or the backing. Options are now available in which up to 98 per cent of the product can be vacuumed out of the carpet, which is appealing when compared to a typical deodoriser’s 65 per cent.

What I do in my own home to make it smell good is to bake some cinnamon rolls or bread.

It may not be the best thing for my diet, but it smells great without impacting my carpet.

I also purchase sachet packets, typically found near the florist area or laundry aisle at the grocery store. I just sprinkle the contents of the sachet on the carpet in a small area and vacuum it up. With the contents in the HEPA filter bag in my vacuum, spreading my favorite scents around is a breeze.

Mark Violand is an IICRC-certified carpet inspector and approved instructor. Contact him at mark@mark4floors.com.

This article first appeared in CMM magazine and has been republished with permission. ■

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Are you in the dark with workforce compliance?

UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) shares with INCLEAN some of the common causes behind workforce compliance risk and how organisations can proactively mitigate risk, gain visibility into costly labour trends, and improve workforce efficiency.

I

t’s no secret that contract cleaning and facilities organisations have faced a challenging year and a half. Whether it’s quickly adapting to accommodate stringent COVID-19 hygiene regulations or dealing with mixed operating conditions, commercial cleaning organisations have been in the spotlight, including as one of Fair Work Ombudsman’s (FWO) top compliance and enforcement priorities for 2021-2022.

Australia has one of the most complex employee relations systems in the world with its modern award requirements, enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs), and often sudden and dramatic developments in compliance legislation. Relying on manual processes or outdated technology to comply with awards and other employee legislation can exponentially increase your exposure to risk, and frequently leads to costly errors.

As Fair Work begins closely monitoring the contract cleaning sector, it’s becoming increasingly important that organisations implement and maintain proactive compliance processes. Whether you’re a small organisation or a large enterprise, you rely on your workforce to provide optimum service as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. A compliant business is ultimately more efficient and provides better service – all at a lower cost.

80 INCLEAN September / October 2021

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW Managing a workforce is complex enough, but as Gideon Joseph, Practice Director at UKG, notes, “You also have to ensure that when you’re rostering people, you’re not just meeting compliance obligations under the Industry Award, but also complying with all relevant health and safety requirements.”

Those can include obligations around mutual variation agreements, proper enforcement of breaks during the day, proper training and licencing, he says.

Without visibility into your workforce, your organisation may be unaware of non-compliant practices taking place, including unauthorised timecard edits, modern award agreement infringements (including better off overall failures), and scheduling violations.

With compliance audits from Fair Work expected to become more commonplace, contract cleaning organisations will benefit from a clear record of employee movements, edits, and changes to employee profiles or attendance information, as well as a robust award interpretation engine.

As Fair Work continues to drive compliance and accurate award interpretation, it is imperative that organisations in this industry implement systems to help reduce risk and automate manual processes.

SPONSORED

UKG’s workforce and human capital management solutions help to optimise and streamline people management processes.

www.incleanmag.com.au 81

SPONSORED

UKG provides greater rostering flexibility, adaptability, and accuracy – for both workers and managers.

SPOT THE SIGNS Out-of-date technology, manual or paper-based processes, and disparate systems are common causes of workforce compliance risk in contract cleaning.

Here are a few warning signs that indicate you need to improve compliance: 1 You’re lagging on reflecting changes to legislation, industry regulations, or updates to awards or agreements. Rules and regulations are everywhere - rest periods, shift breaks, allowances for items such as broken shifts and meals, and beyond. With manual or outdated systems, maintaining compliance and adhering to shifting labour regulations is a daunting task.

2 You’re experiencing errors in payroll that cost both your employees and organisation in time, money, and resources.

Additionally, you have little to no visibility into clear records of time and location worked, and there is suspicion of manual reporting being manipulated or misunderstood.

3 Your organisation uses disparate systems, with multiple sources of truth. If you have no easy mechanism for pulling information across your business, you may always be challenged to create accurate, compliant schedules. Without real-time visibility into when — or if — employees are clocking in for their scheduled shifts, you may also regularly experience times when you don’t have enough staff working.

4 You don’t have a single source of truth for storing employees’ qualifications and certifications, which means your employees are often misclassified in their role or skills. With high employee churn, it can be difficult to maintain correct classifications, risking under or over payments and compliance violations.

In this constantly changing environment, it’s crucial to stay on top of new and evolving compliance laws, especially as it relates to human resources and payroll teams.

A cloud-based solution that stores and maintains all workforce, payroll, and human capital data results in historical and current information that is visible and accessible, with reporting at the glance of a dashboard.

UKG solutions enable you to: • Keep pace with ever-changing government and industry regulations • Manage and monitor all time worked for your employees • Manage budget costs against contracts for full financial visibility, ensuring you can build a roster to reflect planned activities • Leverage real-time employee data to better manage compliance across your organisation, especially around certifications and qualifications Without the right workforce solution in place, your organisation could be at risk for compliance violations and subsequent financial challenges. UKG helps you minimise compliance risk by simplifying, streamlining, and standardising processes, with an experienced team to support you every step of the way. ■

WHAT’S NEXT? Gideon agrees the need for integrated, automated people management is particularly acute in the Australian context.

“Australia has one of the most complex employee relations systems in the world with our Award requirements and the various other overlays,” Gideon says. “That’s why UKG invests hundreds of millions of dollars each year in R&D to ensure that our product is compliant and efficient from a legislative and regulatory perspective. Especially if businesses want to scale, they still have to scale in the Australian context – and that’s where I think that solutions like what we offer are crucial in alleviating the manual workload that comes with complex compliance arrangements.”

82 INCLEAN September / October 2021

A compliant business is ultimately more efficient and provides better service – at a lower cost.

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MANAGEMENT

The checklist for any business at the top of their game

W

being the best. Generally, this refers to their product or service, but it tends to flow through to every part of their business. The culture is so strong that being anything, but the best is not really considered an option, and it shows.

HEY HAVE A DEEP AND INGRAINED T CULTURE THAT IS ALL ABOUT BEING EXCELLENT AT WHAT THEY DOW

Being ‘committed’ covers so much territory. The businesses that are the best at what they do have a high level of commitment to their people, their customers, their suppliers and their industry. They are loyal, they are considered. Their commitment is simply to do what they do better than anyone else – and they understand they can’t do that on their own.

hen looking to really define what ‘being the best’ actually means, I decided to look at what I see in the businesses I’ve worked with and studied around the world that are clearly considered the abso¬lute best at what they do, and who charge accordingly. These are the characteristics, and perhaps a self-review checklist, for any business that is at the absolute top of its game.

1

Without a doubt, these businesses have an internal culture that is absolutely, and probably obsessively, about 84 INCLEAN September / October 2021

2

THEY ARE TOTALLY COMMITTED – TO EVERYTHING

MANAGEMENT

3

HEY ARE VERY COMPETITIVE T (LIKE, SUPER COMPETITIVE)

They are competitive. Being considered the absolute best at what they do, whether it’s in their town, their city, their state, their country or the world – they want to keep that title and they will work incredibly hard to do exactly that. They invest in learning, skill development, getting better and better all the time, working to hone that competitive advantage. Think of an elite athlete. These are elite businesses.

4

THEY ARE INCREDIBLY BRAVE

Businesses that are the best have to be brave because it generally means doing what others won’t do, and that feels like a lonely and isolated place for most people. To be the best means you have to buck against the norm, you have to get out of every comfort zone imaginable, and you have to be prepared to move into unchartered waters, with many obstacles.

5

THEY ARE CREATIVE

Creativity is such an unexplained characteristic and influencer in successful businesses. Living in such a rapidly changing world, one that is anything but consistent, requires creativity not only to succeed but to just keep up. They are creative with their products and services, but also with how they manage their people and their customers. They can think outside of the norm and they aren’t afraid to try new – in fact, they thrive on it.

HEIR PRODUCTS ARE 6 T TRULY EXTRAORDINARY AND EASILY THE BEST Clearly the end result – the thing people buy and use – has to be the best. Whether it be a meal in a restaurant or a piece of art for the wall, or a new computer or a hotel on a tropical island or a hamburger – the product really is leaps and bounds ahead of their competitors.

HE SERVICES THEY OFFER T ARE AT THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL LEVEL

7

Many businesses are selling a service rather than a product – does all of this ‘being the best’ apply here? Absofrickinglutely. In fact, I think servicebased businesses have even more opportunity to charge more for what they do, because there are generally so many more opportunities to create extraordinary interactions and experiences.

8

HEY TREAT EVERYONE T WITH RESPECT

While the businesses that are the best often battle with an internal love/hate relationship with perfectionism, I’ve noticed there is a lot of respect. They respect themselves and what

they do, and by association they respect their customers and suppliers just as much. Respect is a word that comes up often in my discussions.

For exam¬ple, I love talking to chefs who have established relationships with suppliers who grow amazing food. There is so much mutual respect and admiration.

THEY DON’T JUST SERVE PEOPLE, THEY CREATE EXPERIENCES EVERYWHERE

9

Businesses that are the best at what they do understand the need to create experiences, a concept that comes up time and time again throughout this book. If your business simply does transactions instead of creating experiences, you will struggle to ever become the best at what you do. But I’ll talk more about this deep, deep idea a little later.

HEY ARE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING 10 TEvolution – the backbone of survival. In today’s business world we are all fighting a battle to stay relevant with our customers, and one of the most important elements of being successful at this is to constantly evolve. What needs to evolve? Everything. Not just the products and services we are selling, but how we do business, how we sell ourselves, our growth, our business – everything, everything, everything.

HEY DELIVER 11 TThis one is pretty simple – they deliver on their promises. What they say is what they do, and they have built a reputation on exactly that.

If you buy a brand-new Rolls-Royce, I’m pretty certain you are going to get exactly what you wanted, and every single expecta¬tion you have will be not only met but exceeded.

ARE CURIOUS 12 THEY Okay, I’m going to do a little namedropping here, but I’ll do it for a point. A few years back I had the pleasure of being part of a speaker line-up at a big event that included the likes of Richard Branson and Tim Ferriss, with some 10,000 people attending.

Waiting in the green room to get ready to do our various things, I had the oppor¬tunity to have a short chat to Richard Branson – and what I found humbling was while I got all giddy and tongue-tied, he started ask¬ing me all kinds of questions about my books, my speaking, doing business in Australia, flying (did I like Virgin, and what could they do better here?) – question after question. He’s a curious man.

This is an edited extract from Someone Has To Be The Most Expensive, Why Not Make It You? By small business author Andrew Griffiths www.andrewgriffiths.com.au ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 85

OPINION

Finding balance from your business

F “

As your business grows you have more people that rely on you. This creates more stress and provides less balance.

”

86 INCLEAN September / October 2021

inding balance in the current pandemic is more elusive than ever before. Yet it is the biggest challenge that successful business owners face in their lives.

The reality is that as your business grows you have more people that rely on you.

Staff, customers, even suppliers. This creates more stress and provides less balance. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Let me explain using a recent case study.

Bob came to me because he had lost the love in his commercial cleaning business. He worked six days a week, 10 hours (or more) a day. The business was doing well but the long hours and frustration weren’t sustainable.

Bob needed to make a change.

Sound familiar?

As a business owner there are three key groups of people that you must keep happy to be successful: • Staff • Customers • Business partners (including family, shareholders, etc) As your business grows, you start to run out of capacity to manage all three groups.

• Weekly dinner and drinks with staff change to monthly 30 min catch-ups (if you can manage it) • That one-on-one relationship with every customer dwindles to the top 20, or even top 10 • Weekly business partner catchups replaced with monthly management meetings.

You start to feel like you are losing touch, with everyone.

Your time is consumed with the daily firefighting, problem-solving. No time for; strategic vision, casual customer chats, or to focus on the future of your business.

Bob had an issue with two key groups: staff, and business partners (in this case his family).

The staff did not clearly understand Bob’s vision and goals. They were working hard but their decision-making wasn’t aligned to the business goals.

This had a negative impact on customer service and profitability.

Bob’s family was not happy. His mind was always at work even when he was at home.

This in turn created more work for Bob. He was constantly setting staff straight, apologizing to customers, making promises about spending more time with the family... tomorrow...

He was exhausted from the constant firefighting.

We’ve all been there, and it’s hard!

The solution was clear. Bob needed to get everyone on the same page. He needed his staff to make the right decisions so he could focus on the bigger stuff.

We implemented our proven business operating framework. His profit went up by 32 per cent and he wound back to working four eight-hour days a week (from six 10-hour days).

The solution is simple but not easy.

Let me explain.

The freedom pyramid (top right) shows the two components needed to get balance in your business.

1. Financial stability: In the words of billionaire Glen Stearns, “You can’t build a successful business when you’re worried about where your next meal will come from”. You can’t get a balance until you have your basic finances in order. You must have good profit and cash flow practices in place. (Read more about this at: www.lucrature.com/content-hub).

2. Emotional stability: Having confidence your staff make the right decisions, even when you’re not there. Adopting a proven business operating framework is your best bet in achieving balance and freedom from your business.

OPINION

Freedom

Emotional Stability Financial Stability A good framework will focus on four key areas: 1. Vision, strategy, and goals: Create a shared vision. Making the right decisions becomes easy when everyone is on the same page. Staff starts to think like you and work towards your common goal.

2. Standardised processes: Process-driven businesses encourage more creativity and consistent results. Systems free up your time and your brainpower to focus on bigger and better things.

3. Scorecard: Measuring your business from a customer perspective.

We use Ultimate Customer Value KPI. It gives you unique insight into your delivery to customer expectations. You can track the results of decisions made from your customer’s point of view.

4. Active management: Active management drives action.

This makes sure things get done with and without you.

This action is what drives your business to the next level.

After implementing the changes Bob said something to me that I’ll never forget.

“A weight has been lifted, and I can breathe again.” He started to love his business (again) and enjoy freedom in his life.

FIVE TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING YOUR OPERATING FRAMEWORK:

1. Get selfish: It’s not as easy as it sounds. This is your business, your goals. Involve others but put your views first.

2. Use a proven framework: You can come up with your own but it will cost time and money. Speed up your success with a proven model.

3. Don’t go it alone: Engage others in the process, staff, customers, business partners.

4. Be prepared to change: This is a learning experience not everything will fall into place the first time. Experiment a little to make sure it works for you.

5. Dedicate time and effort now: I know you’re busy. This is an investment in your future. Your time investment now will pay back 10-fold.

Brad Horan is director of Lucrature. He can be reached bhoran@lucrature.com ■

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OPINION

Decision-making through uncertainty

A

ccording to research from McKinseys, only 20 per cent of business owners believe their businesses excel in decision-making1 – and that was before COVID! So, what steps can business owners take to improve their confidence in decision-making while they are operating in an environment of uncertainty?

UNDERSTAND TRADING CONDITIONS Inflation rates can give us a good indication of how the macroeconomic environment is evolving – and what we are seeing across the globe could provide some insight.

Annual inflation rates are beginning to rise significantly across the more developed economies. The US recently hit an annual rate of 5.4 per cent and New Zealand is also experiencing its highest rate of inflation since 2011.

The annual rate as at the end of June 2021 jumped to 3.3 per cent, which more than doubled the annual rate posted in the March 2021 quarter results.

While inflation in Australia has been relatively subdued to date, with the record high levels of stimulus, combined with the record low interest rates and trends we are seeing internationally, speculation is rife about what will come next.

Throw in another COVID outbreak with lockdowns across our two major cities, and that spells ongoing uncertainty for trading conditions across the country.

In times of uncertainty, traditional approaches to decision making can be dangerous. Business owners with a strong bias for action, and a ‘just do it’ approach to management, can inadvertently lead their businesses astray.

On the other hand, business owners that are more risk adverse, and slower to act, can find themselves in a state of decision paralysis.

While both approaches have merit under normal conditions, effective decision making in times of uncertainty needs to be more calculated, informed and timely than usual.

They will generally have a strong understanding of the key drivers within their business, will monitor them closely and will act both quickly and decisively when required.

Obviously, a lot will depend on the industry you are in and the financial strength of your business, which can often dictate your hand.

But having said that, you would still be wise to consider the alternative scenarios and be prepared to act either way.

If you find yourself in a position where things are turned upside down, you should be ready to take the steps required to protect your position.

Conversely, there can also be real opportunities amongst the chaos for some businesses to position themselves for longer-term success.

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND? You should respond by acknowledging the reality of your current circumstances and preparing yourself either way.

As Jim Collins says, sometimes in business we need to confront the brutal facts before they confront us!

Some of the key questions you should be asking yourself include: 1. What are the key drivers of demand within our sector?

2. How are the needs of our clients changing throughout this period?

3. How are we positioned against our competitors and what makes us different?

4. Do we have forecasts on key metrics to provide us with foresight?

5. Have we considered the worst-case scenario?

6. Can we improve operational efficiencies?

7. Are there any opportunities within the uncertainty?

8. Do we need help?

At the end of the day, you want to be ready to make informed decisions if you are forced into action by circumstances outside your control.

The businesses that can answer these questions above will almost certainly be best placed.

1

WHAT SETS THE BETTER PERFORMING BUSINESSES APART? In our experience, the best performing businesses are realistic and acknowledge the conditions they are trading in. They consider the alternative scenarios and then focus on themselves and the things that are in their control.

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www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/

decision-making-in-the-age-of-urgency

This article was co-authored by Andrew Ash, director at HLN Mann Judd, and Tom Roberts, director at HLN Mann Judd. They can be contacted at aash@hlbnsw.com.au and troberts@hlbnsw.com.au ■

www.sweeper.com.au

OPINION

How COVID-19 has changed your workers’ compensation liabilities With your increased responsibilities to protect your staff, consider these best practices for managing workers’ compensation claims to help reduce your costs.

90 INCLEAN September / October 2021

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OPINION

That sneaky thief in your business

B

usiness is not getting easier.

We all know that. Everything takes more time than was anticipated, with increased distractions and tougher demands at every level of the business.

And as we grow it is not just our own discipline and application we need to rely on. We need to rely on others, and we need to pay those others to do work that is profitable.

This is a matter of survival. To survive we must be profitable … selling and delivering our services for more than they cost us.

Today we are going to explore the cost of time and the gold mine of technology that can deliver sustainable profits.

WHERE ARE THE BIGGEST COSTS?

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To be profitable the modern cleaning company must be very productive.

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92 INCLEAN September / October 2021

The simple answer is your people. Labour makes up more than 50 per cent of the cost base of all commercial cleaning companies.

The regular hourly rate for a cleaner in Australia is $21.73 and up to $27 an hour when working in the evening or weekend.

At just under $1000 per week per person, and more than a $1 million cost line for a firm with only 20 people.

Labour is a cost line we all pay close attention to with small improvements promising big bottom-line impacts.

But people are hard! They think differently to you (um … didn’t we hire them to do that?) and

they see things in their own way (shock horror!).

Isn’t that what we wanted, so we can get on with other things?

“So why isn’t the work done as I expected it to be?” you ask. Or how the client expected? Is what you determine as ‘clean’, versus the client, or the cleaner, all very different? You bet they are!

STANDARDS RECOVER THOSE SNEAKY MINUTES Defining standards, reminding the team of these standards, and then checking on them periodically is one of the biggest time-sinks in any team.

We have clients of getfreshops.com reporting they spend over 20 per cent of their time site inducting, training and reminding staff what is required and how much is enough (where diligent, over-servicing is most often the culprit).

But the real culprit is repetitive training and repeat reminders. We can stop this by simply having an ability to show the team what we mean, or to remind them of the process to adopt on a particular task so they don’t overdo it with consumables, use the wrong equipment or overservice a task.

Say it once, say it clearly and never have to say it again (unless the client expectations change of course), that is what a great field management tool can offer. Make sure yours includes visual training, task tips and reminders on tasks as they are done.

OPINION

TIME AS CURRENCY The time to do these activities must be tracked accurately and consistently over time for fixed tasks to allow for reporting and reconciliation to these expectations. It is incredible how many of us focus in other areas and hope the people-time aspect will sort itself out, or we will know where the slack is to be found.

We review our consumables such as gloves, cleaning cloths, solutions, etc. to find the last few cents we can, but they only make up 3 per cent of our cost base. Or we negotiate like crazy for lower capex to purchase Equipment, knowing they make up at most our 5-10 per cent of cost base based on the type of cleaning we do. And still the people costs continue with slack from top to bottom of the organisation just waiting to be found.

Isn’t it ironic that the real cost savings of most equipment purchases is the time you save for the operator? Yet many businesses don’t have an ops tool to save lost time on all workers across the whole week!

And hey, it isn’t just you. At trade shows for our industry 90 per cent of the stands are for these minor cost lines that represent just 10 per cent of your costs.

The lost time within your team and the work they perform that is different to the specified work is a veritable gold mine.

Here is how you start tapping into it.

SUPERVISORY HOURS ARE UNDER ATTACK To be profitable the modern cleaning company must be very productive. Tight margins and leaner management practices at senior management are leading to the pursuit of lower ‘manager to team member’ ratios as possible.

With the work heavily regulated in the field, the supervisory level is a logical place to drive efficiency and deliver a competitive cost advantage. But ONLY if work quality, contract compliance, rework and customer experience is maintained.

This is not always the case as the responsibility for the work delivered sits with the employee or contractor that is working remotely.

Without reliable, mobile workforce software such as getfreshops.com these supervisors will find it very hard to provide their team ongoing training, microrefreshers when doing the work and to overcome the issues of self-reporting T&A or quality.

EMPOWERING YOUR PEOPLE TO “OWN” THEIR WORK When you are at five people, almost anyone can schedule work one-on-one, manage your team via their diary (or email calendar), communicate directly, and decisions are made quickly and explained if needed, leaving little room for politics.

But as your company grows to 30 then 50 or more all of the challenges become very real. This is where technology comes to the rescue for field services companies.

With great field services software you can set your vision of what is expected overall, remind staff of this regularly, set priorities for each client and manage right down to specific actions that ensures your team excels at each and every task. Managing excellence from the ground up, every minute of every day.

EMBEDDING EXCELLENCE INTO THE WHOLE TEAM Once you are clear on expectations you can remind the whole team at key moments in their workflow what success looks like and how this is measured. This leads to deeper ownership of the work and a more personal responsibility by the person doing the work.

Avoiding management of your people costs with real accuracy and objectivity is avoiding doing the hard thing. But what is hard about is not the people piece, it is implementing the system to manage the process. The really great news is that with off the shelf software, that is no longer hard (or expensive).

Enough talking about it, let’s go and take a fresh look at your operations!

Martin Callan is the CEO of www.getfreshOps.com.

He can be reached at martin@getfreshOps.com. ■

www.manham.com.au www.incleanmag.com.au 93

OPINION

A fresh new look for BSCAA

T

he Building Services Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) is the most accomplished representative body for the building services industry, delivering a range of resources and support for its members.

Now, the BSCAA is going even further to promote and support the building services industry with the launch of a new website.

We have always been dedicated to supporting businesses in the building services industry and this new website allows us to continue providing incredible resources in a way that is more accessible and member focused.

Improved accessibility for members is a priority as the website has been designed with simple navigation in mind.

All member resources are easily accessible through the site and well organised so new members can explore all of the help and advice that is available to them from the BSCAA. The new design of the website is not just helping businesses either, it also makes it more accessible to their clients.

Companies in the building services industry benefit when they can show clients that they are committed to compliance, education, and training.

The new website will allow businesses to show their clients what the BSCAA does and how their membership improves their services.

Ultimately, this improves the reputation of companies in the building services industry and builds trust with their clients, facilitating long-term growth.

The Business Partners Program has long been one of the best member resources that the BSCAA offers.

By connecting suppliers with contractors, they aim to facilitate growth in the building services industry. Business Partners will be selected based on their ability to help members build knowledge, introduce innovations, and present new products and trends.

An improved platform for the Business Partners program on the new website is streamlining this process, meaning greater benefits for everybody involved.

The new site also includes a platform where businesses can submit issues that affect them to the national office.

Through this platform, the BSCAA can identify the key problems that are hindering businesses in the building services industry and take direct action.

Although the association is already a strong advocate for their members, the new website makes it far easier for them to affect real change that helps businesses thrive.

This improved communication between the BSCAA and the building services industry will allow the association to provide consistent messaging about the issues that really matter to businesses.

94 INCLEAN September / October 2021

New member resources will continue to be created based on the wants and needs of the industry itself, making them more valuable than ever.

Overall, the launch of this new website marks a change in direction for the BSCAA, which is reflected in our new logo. It’s a slick, up-to-date logo that really demonstrates how the association is moving forward and modernising their operations so we can better serve members and support the building services industry.

It also represents a change to the way that operations are handled on a state and nationwide level, demonstrating their dedication to pursuing a truly national agenda rather than handling things on a local level.

The cooperation between states will give the BSCAA a much louder voice and make them an even stronger advocate for the industry, meaning that they can drive real change that supports their members.

Any business in the building services industry that isn’t already a member of the BSCAA will benefit from working with the association.

The new BSCAA website will surely attract more members than ever by improving branding and expanding the association’s reach. It will also allow members to access more effective support in the future.

Kim Puxty is national president of BSCAA. www.bscaa.com ■

OPINION

T

The benefits of smart onboarding

he challenge of running a business in today’s climate means focusing on driving down costs and reducing time to market.

For companies with high staffing rates, traditional onboarding processes can be painful (and costly) for everyone involved.

Once only the realm of large corporations, many smaller companies are beginning to acknowledge the importance of an intuitive digital onboarding system as a critical tool to increase efficiencies, customise to their unique compliance process and get their human resources in front of their clients in a timely manner.

Onboarding software is a tool used by businesses to onboard new hires digitally, without the need to print or scan documents.

Using onboarding software allows for business-wide transparency and enables genuine collaboration to ensure a new hire is swiftly and professionally onboarded.

The adoption of a sophisticated solution will ensure that onboarding processes are well-designed, professional, and consistent for all employees.

Non-negotiable “smarts” should include customised onboarding workflows, custom checklists complete with automated task reminders and clear business-user role definitions, to ensure no part of the process is overlooked.

Great software is intuitive and simple to use providing user access to a common interface for the most common tasks. Gone are the days of clicking numerous screens just to complete one simple task.

Intuitive recruitment software should be customisable from single user recruitment to processes involving 50 or 100 systems users, completing various tasks including payroll, HR,

operations, and interviewers, each with separate permissions and designated tasks.

Managing applicants though each step of the recruitment process involves back-end email notifications to system users and applicants throughout the recruitment and onboarding journey. This should include scheduling and tracking interview schedules and online company inductions.

Onboarding is much more than collecting, banking, superannuation, and tax information.

Your software should produce customisable job offer documentation tailored to each position description or job advertisement and the ability to customise employment documentation and declarations with on-screen signatures.

Further system integrations should include exportable files to common accounting and payroll systems, national police checks, AI document tracking and LMS Integration.

Every step of the recruitment and onboarding process should be readily accessible via smart phone and other portable devices. Most of all your software should follow the KISS principle.

Enter a new cost-effective solution called Onboarding360; a scalable and integrated recruitment and onboarding platform which can be tailored to suit the needs of any business from 10 to 10,000 employees.

Recruitment starts with a customisable job advertisement linked to various online job advertisements. The customisable recruitment advertisement includes screening questions, visa verifications and the ability to upload any customisable documentation for each individual position and job advertisement particulars.

Bruce Whiteley is operations director at Daniels Associates. www.danielsassociates.com.au ■

“

The adoption of a sophisticated solution will ensure that onboarding processes are well-designed, professional, and consistent for all employees.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 95

OPINION

Window cleaner risks from radiofrequency radiation emitted by building antennas

W

indow cleaners working at height may become exposed to radiofrequency radiation emitted from antennas mounted off the side of buildings and installed on rooftops.

After more than a decade of working in property services and working with window cleaning contractors I decided to gain some high-risk construction experience with a telecommunications contractor.

One day, I was observing a panel antenna situated high up off the side of a large city building. This panel antenna was transmitting radiofrequency radiation (RF) which is hazardous, silent, and invisible. I was shocked to see window cleaners edging their way up the building and toward the emitting panel antenna.

I signalled to the window cleaners to stop their ascent and on explaining my reasoning it was as though they had no idea of the hazard they were about to encounter. It was then that it occurred to me that this risk may be a common occurrence in the high access window cleaning industry.

HEALTH RISKS The body comprises of 60-75 per cent water and the water content of the brain is as high as 80 per cent.

Radiofrequency radiation (RF) energy has a heating effect upon the body by causing water molecules to vibrate at a rate determined by the RF frequency.

When exposed to frequencies above 100 kHz the body can absorb significant levels of RF energy which can lead to absorption and thermal injury.

Radiofrequency energy may have a number of adverse health effects on the body such as cataracts, burns, headache, fertility issues and possible adverse effects on any bodily implants.

CASE STUDIES A group of three men were servicing an array of television antennas. They were working near a live antenna.

There was a winching incident that took the men into the near field area of the antenna. All three men felt an immediate sensation of heating and headache.

In another case, a 31-year-old rigger claimed an overexposure from a low power panel antenna he worked on in an area where the power was not isolated. He described a sharp headache.

96 INCLEAN September / October 2021

In a further case, a 39-year-old male engineer was exposed to microwave energy from an antenna which was switched on whilst he was performing maintenance. He quickly developed a bilateral cataract as a result of head exposure.

Clearly RF energy can heat the body and result in thermal injury.

CONCLUSIONS Whilst it is recommended that window cleaning companies always seek independent specialist safety advice, the following suggested control measures may assist in the development of risk assessments and safe work method statements (SWMS).

• Sign into the site via site management or security before entering.

• Comply with site rules and warning signage.

• Ensure the entry door to the rooftop is kept locked especially when leaving the site.

• Never walk or work in front of an antenna noting that RF radiation sources are often outwardly directed and away from building perimeters. Always aim to walk behind panel antennas and microwave dishes on rooftops.

• Do not enter RF radiation marked zones unless professionally trained in RF radiation awareness.

• Always report problems within marked RF radiation hazard areas where such may include damaged installations or signage.

• Remain aware of live antennas that may be mounted off the side of buildings and never work or pass in front of them (unless it can be confirmed by the respective telecommunication carrier that the sector of antenna/s has been isolated).

• Contact telecommunications carriers prior to works (where required) to have relevant sectors isolated.

• Ensure workers are trained in radiofrequency radiation awareness.

• Consider an investment in radiofrequency radiation monitors.

Within the high access window cleaning industry, buildings with radiofrequency installations are not likely to be an everyday occurrence as not all buildings are located in favourable locations for telecommunications reception.

This in itself may present a risk where workers need to remain aware of the risk and its control measures and act accordingly when the hazard does present itself.

Dr Denis Boulais PhD (UTS). PhD (UNSW) is national risk and human resources manager at Broadlex Services. ■

OPINION

The emergence of the aged care cleaning specialist

T “

The importance of cleaning specialists in aged care cannot be understated.

”

he COVID pandemic has demonstrated how important cleaners and cleaning contractors are in the fight to keep us all safe from exposure and infection.

However, over the last few years in the aged care sector, and because of Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, together with financial challenges facing many aged care providers, the change from in-house cleaners versus outsourced cleaners is ever increasing.

A recent LinkedIn Poll found 44 per cent of aged care providers have outsourced their cleaning to contractors, while 26 per cent said they have implemented a hybrid model of 50 per cent in-house and 50 per cent outsourced contractors.

These findings demonstrate that 70 per cent of aged care providers moving to a new model so they can improve efficiency and cleanliness of facilities.

There are many cleaning related challenges for operators in the aged care sector. The cleaning is conducted during an eight-hour day, among elderly residents with varying mobility and cognitive ability, dementia, and palliative care awareness.

The aged care environment requires an understanding of quality standards. A level of flexibility is also required based on personcentered care, and most importantly, you need a level of empathy, tact, and respect to navigate a working day.

Enter the aged care cleaning specialist. You are not only the defender against germs and infection, but you also need to understand the aged care quality standards and how your role plays a part in supporting person-centered care.

Cleaning and aged care training is imperative and your ability to build relationships and trust will determine your success.

Some of the key attributes of an aged care cleaning specialist will include communication skills, cultural awareness, understanding dementia and palliative care, a level of resilience, and a good dose of mental and physical well-being.

Becoming an aged care cleaning specialist involves a holistic approach, meeting mandatory requirements for safe practice and demonstrating skills in communication. Empathy is equally as important. The role is specialised as you will be working and communicating with vulnerable people from different backgrounds.

The importance of cleaning specialists in aged care cannot be understated because you are seen as an extension of the aged care provider and its staff. Therefore, the way you interact needs to reflect the aged care provider, any quality auditing undertaken needs to show an alignment to the quality standards and expectations of the aged care home.

Training and education is vital for cleaning specialists to support person-centered care and deliver exceptional cleaning outcomes all while building relationships through effective communication, understanding, respect, empathy, and expertise.

Sean Matthews is managing director of Banksia Consulting Group. Training programs have been developed through Banksia Consulting Group and Smarter Skill. He can be contacted at sean.matthews@banksiaconsultinggroup.com or 0437148168. ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 97

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Oxivir Excel with 15 second COVID-19 kill claim Now available in a ready-to-use pre-wetted wipes in a convenient soft pack, Oxivir Excel Wipes are a OneStep Hospital Grade Disinfectant Cleaner based on Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP®) technology to deliver fast, broad spectrum disinfection with enhanced cleaning power. Based on proprietary AHP technology to deliver fast, effective cleaning and disinfection.

Bactericidal & Virucidal with one minute contact time including: Common colds - Rhinovirus, Influenza - H1N1, Gastroenteritis - Norovirus and Rotavirus. Yeasticidal with one minute contact time. The active ingredient hydrogen peroxide degrades into water and oxygen.

Diversey Australia 1800 647 779

Airhygiene Training Split system hygiene is becoming increasingly important with more than 18 million air conditioning units in Australia. Many consumers are searching for a cost-effective way to clean and maintain their systems and reduce the risk of microbial growth to improve their indoor air quality.

10829NAT Certificate II in air conditioning hygiene – Australia’s only nationally recognised competency in Air Conditioning Hygiene developed and delivered by HVAC technicians.

• Learn inside secrets direct from the professionals • Learn to work safely on-air conditioning equipment • Learn to clean and sanitise air conditioning split and ducted systems

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TASKI Intellisweep A major breakthrough in cleaning productivity and efficiency, a machine which sweeps as it scrubs. With increased productivity offering a 2-1 process, the TASKI XP-M IntelliSweep™ combines two separate tasks of pre-sweeping of debris with scrubbing and drying of hard floors. The patented IntelliSweep process design offers a huge 30 per cent increase in productivity. Its smart design makes the machine flexible even in congested areas.

Diversey Australia 1800 647 779

98 INCLEAN September / October 2021

Capitalising on both of its international and local resources, ISSA will be putting together a two-day prodigious program of commercial cleaning, cutting-edge technology and education.

16-17 March, 2022 70+ local and international exhibitors

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Cutting-edge products and innovative services

LEARN how to adapt to change and lead from the front in your organisation

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Procarpet 30 TASKI Procarpet 30 allows users to select the cleaning application that best fits their needs based on turnaround time and soil levels. The Procarpet 30 can be set-up for deep cleaning extraction for heavy soils or restorative type cleaning application or for interim cleaning using our specifically formulated encapsulation chemical.

The Procarpet 30 allows customers to control all carpet cleaning activities and select the application that best fits their needs. Utilising interim cleaning will help to extend the time between deep cleaning activities keeping carpets looking better longer without extended dry times.

Diversey Australia 1800 647 779

NEW Dermalux Essentials Hand Soaps Dermalux Essentials Hand Soaps effectively remove germs, leaving your hands feeling fresh, clean and smelling pleasant.The Dermalux Essentials range of hand soaps are developed and made in Australia.

The range includes liquid and foam hand soaps with delicate fragrances of primrose, vanilla, and french vanilla. The Dermalux Essentials French Vanilla and Primrose liquid hand soaps are pH balanced, ultra-mild and provide a generous lather. The Dermalux Essentials Vanilla Hand Soap has a delicate fragrance, presents good coverage and a generous lather, and is recommended for use with bulk foam soap dispensers.

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au

COMING SOON Bonnie Bio from Cleanstar Bonnie Bio’s range of compostable products will soon be available from Cleanstar.

The range will include a variety of PLA internationally certified garbage bags (small to large sizes), multipurpose bags, and dog bags (good for doggy doo, spent nappies, sanitary, medical, and food waste).

PLA straws of various sizes, gloves, and cutlery will also be available from Cleanstar. Bonnie Bio’s products are made from plant-based ingredients, with no chemical additives or petroleum-based products. Products aare naturally compostable and decompose when exposed to natural elements such as heat, moisture, and microbial activity. Contact the Cleanstar team for free samples.

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

100 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

Scrubmaster B75 R Provides economically efficient cleaning and comfortable working: Being extremely compact and highly manoeuvrable, the Scrubmaster B75 R can work in areas that could previously only be accessed by walk-behind scrubber-driers. Its top speed of up to 6 km/h in transport mode – which can be gradually reduced at the push of a button – and particularly long runtimes ensure that this ride-on scrubber-drier cleans larger areas in less time.

Smart features provide economically efficient operation: • • • •

Comfortable brush discharge system Ergonomic and back-friendly seat design Intuitive operating panel On-board charger allows charging at any power outlet worldwide

Hako Australia www.hakoaustralia.com.au

TASKI swingo 855B The TASKI swingo 855B scrubber drier is an agile machine, which is easy to handle while offering increased productivity due to its wide working width. The 50cm brush unit allows very efficient cleaning of floors and close along walls, leading to great performance. The 40-litre tank volume and the patented Intelliflow system (=cleaning solution dosing) radically increase performance and reduce time-consuming tank filling stops during the cleaning operation. The machine’s patented brush follows the floor profile and delivers nearly even pressure allocation along the full working width, which leads to excellent soil removal. The patented V-shaped squeegee enables excellent water pick-up on the floor. Due to the proven three-wheel concept, adjustments of the squeegee are no longer necessary.

Diversey Australia 1800 647 779

www.whisper.com.au www.incleanmag.com.au 101

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NEW RELiON InSight Series 24V lithium battery The new RELiON InSight Series 24V lithium iron phosphate battery is a GC2 sized drop-in replacement battery that delivers exceptional performance, power, and precision. The 24V 60Ah battery effectively meets the power and energy requirements of floor machines, electric motorised hand trucks, walk-behind pallet jacks, and many other material handling applications. RELiON Insight batteries can easily be installed by simply connecting them in parallel for the capacity required without needing to modify trays or meddling with complicated connections. Connecting these batteries in parallel (up to four) retains the same voltage level but scales up the capacity for increased power and energy (up to 240Ah). RELiON Insight Series 24V batteries are available at all R&J Batteries branches or selected distributors across Australia and New Zealand.

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

Encapsul8

rjbatt.com.au

Encapsul8 is a global leading, patented encapsulating carpet shampoo that uses advanced polymer technology to encase soil on carpet fibres. Encapsul8 is formulated with a powerful surfactant system that emulsifies oily soils on fibres and enables residue to be encapsulated by the polymer. The polymer becomes brittle as it dries and then fractures from the fibre surface which allows it to be easily removed by subsequent vacuuming.

Encapsul8 Carpet Spotter is a patented stain remover that uses advanced polymer technology to encase soil on carpet fibres. It is safe for use on most carpet, rug and upholstery fibres. Encapsul8 Carpet Spotter is ready to use from a convenient 750ml bottle.

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au

NEW ASC Eureka E 50 scrubber After successfully selling the ASC Eureka E 50 scrubber in the Australian industrial sector over the last 36 months, the machine is being launched into the commercial sector.

The ASC E 50 is heavy duty in design and simple to operate.

With zero failure rates while working in tough industrial applications, the ASC E50 machine leaves floors dry and clean thanks to its unique spring activated constant squeegee pressure system. This quality-built Italian made machine provides reliability, low maintenance costs, and set of zero maintenance AGM batteries and charger offers remarkable affordability. The ASC E 50 is sold nationwide at all ASC state-wide locations.

Australia Sweeper Corporation www.sweeper.com.au 1800 650 989 sales@sweeper.com.au 102 INCLEAN September / October 2021

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EcoMax 100: SAFE + QUIET + LOW MAINTENANCE The EcoMax 100 is the world’s first zero-emission commercial pavement sweeper, combining outstanding power and operability with low maintenance and running costs. Advanced battery technology delivers up to 8 hours of continuous operation on a single charge. Clever internal and external insulation reduces noise levels by up to 30 per cent. The compact and highly manoeuvrable design features a wide 1250mm sweeping path, rear swivel wheel suspension, two shock absorbing front brooms and a convenient 120mm diameter suction hose for collecting larger litter and debris. Now available from Conquest Short Term Hire on terms starting from as little as one day.

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

MULTI FLOOR CLEANING POWER SEBO PROFESSIONAL RANGE

LESTER INDUSTRIAL BATTERY CHARGERS SUMMIT SERIES II 650W and 1050W

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• Extended Warranty

• Best in Class Efficiency

• Versatile Use

/ R&J Batteries PTY LTD

/ www.rjbatt.com.au / 1300 769 282 www.rjbatt.com.au

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PRODUCTS

NEW Sabco Professional UltraClean Microfibre Antibacterial Flat Mop Pads Microfibre presents many cleaning benefits – it effectively lifts and traps, dust, dirt, microbes, grime and moisture resulting in a more hygienic clean and drier finish than traditional cotton fibre alternatives.

They also lift productivity by improving floor drying time. Sabco’s Professional UltraClean Microfibre Antibacterial Flat Mop Pads feature: • Colour coded edging to match professional colour coding system • Twist pile microfibre designed to effectively remove microbes, dirt, dust and grime • No excess solution/water in buckets after pad have been pre-charged for floor cleaning process • Made from bleachable yarn with unique antibacterial treatment for superior removal of bacteria during washing • Can be washed up to 500 times • Launderable up to 90 degrees

Sabco Australia 1800 066 522 www.sabco.com.au

Bac2work Bac2Work utilises advanced biologically-active ingredients to digest and consume the organic soilage and uric acid salts found in and around toilets, urinals, toilet floors and walls. Because it removes the ‘food’ for bad-smelling bacteria, Bac2Work completely deodorises toilets and urinals that have had a history of bad odours and generating complaints from people using the facilities. Bac2Work has a sustained action that keeps it working as long as soilage is present, so it keeps on cleaning and deodorising even after the cleaner has left the room.

• • • • •

Positively stops foul-smelling odours in toilets and urinals Keeps on digesting stains until the soilage is gone Has no effect on surfaces other than cleaning and deodorising Non-hazardous product, so it is safe to use Works in waterless urinal systems

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

Effective brushing with SEBO Using a vacuum cleaner with electric brush roller improves carpet hygiene by effectively lifting the carpet pile, loosening deep down dirt from within. SEBO offers with their vacuum cleaners and powerheads a variety of brush rollers and brush strips to suit any floor vacuuming application. As part of your routine equipment maintenance program ensure your brush roller and brush strip are clean prior to use making the overall carpet cleaning task that more effective. One of the many benefits of the SEBO equipment range is ‘tool free’ cassette style brush roller and brush strip removal for replacement and cleaning.

SEBO Australia 02 9678 9577 www.sebo.com.au 104 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

ActivePaper ActivePaper is a fully biodegradable paper towel infused with a water activated hospital grade disinfectant. Kills 99.9999 per cent of germs and bacteria plus kills 99.99 per cent of COVID-19 and Influenza in five minutes (AUST L 343050). In addition to its germ-killing power, ActivePaper and its game changing benefits is a renewable product, environmentally friendly and 100 per cent biodegradable. Its sound composition is of higher quality to standard paper towel. Due to its biodegradable benefits, it is superior to standard wet wipes that end up as residual landfill.

RapidClean sales@rapidclean.com.au www.rapidclean.com.au

QUALITY WASHROOM PAPER DISPENSERS Durolla Products NZ Ltd

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CONNECT WITH US: 1800 CONNECT WITH US: 1800 312 312 970 970 www.bscaa.com national@bscaa.com www.bscaa.com national@bscaa.com CONNECT WITH US: 1800 312 970 CONNECT 1800 312 312 970 970 CONNECT WITH WITH US: US: 1800 www.bscaa.com national@bscaa.com www.bscaa.com national@bscaa.com Supporting the building services industry in cleaning and affiliated services since 1964. www.bscaa.com national@bscaa.com

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Supporting the building services industry in cleaning and affiliated services since 1964.

Supporting the building services industry in cleaning and affiliated services since 1964.

Supporting Supporting the the building building services services industry industry in in cleaning cleaning and and affiliated affiliated services services since since 1964.

1964.

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PRODUCTS

CounterFlu & CounterFlu RTU CounterFlu is a hospital grade disinfectant which kills germs and viruses such as human influenza virus, herpes simplex virus and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus). It can be used to clean and disinfectant all hard surfaces.

CounterFlu has passed the following tests: 1. TGA Test for hospital grade disinfectants under ‘dirty’ conditions (Option B) at a dilution of 1:20 against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

2. ASTM International Standard Test Method E1053 Assessment of the Virucidal Activity of Chemicals Intended for Disinfection of Inanimate, Nonporous Environmental Surfaces at a dilution of one in 10 against human influenza virus, herpes simplex virus and coronavirus.

3. AOAC Hard Surface Carrier Test 991.47, 48, 49 (modified) at a dilution of one in 10 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella choleraesuis.

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

i-stack - charge i-power batteries from a single outlet As we all well know, there’s never enough space in our cleaning storerooms. If you have multiple i-mops onsite, i-stack is an ideal accessory within the i-range to conserve space. I-stack allows you to vertically stack chargers, store, and recharge the i-power batteries. i-stack is available from all authorised i-team ANZ i-partners.

i-team www.i-teamanz.com

IPC 1050 COMPACT Rider Sweeper Easy to operate and manoeuvre down warehouse aisles, the 1050 rider sweeper is ideal for all small to medium spaces. The battery-powered sweeper comes with an easy-to-access manual waste hopper and some nice features that include; • Self-levelling system (SLS™) allows brushes to adjust to any surface, and an electronic filter shaker for added convenience • Dual brushes designed for small to medium warehouse applications with a 185cm turning radius • Auto-Stop safety disables sweeping when not in acceleration to save battery run time • Ramp climb - up to 16 degrees • Low maintenance ‘No tools’ access • Carpet kit option available for indoor soft flooring applications

Tennant Australia 1800 226 843 contactanz@ipcworldwide.com

106 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

Dyson Hepa Cool Formaldehyde Purifying Tower Fan The Dyson Hepa Cool Formaldehyde Purifying Tower Fan captures ultrafine dust, allergens and H1N1 virus. It’s fullysealed airflow and filtration system captures 99.95 per cent of microscopic allergens and pollutants as small as 0.1microns.

• Detects and destroys formaldehyde - Solid-state sensor precisely detects formaldehyde and the catalytic filter destroys it, continuously • Activated carbon filtration - Removes odours and gases, including benzene, VOCs and NO2 • Automatically reacts to air pollution, increasing airflow when it needs to • Delivers over 290 litres per second of smooth, yet powerful airflow – circulating powerful air to purify an 81m³ space • Control and monitor real-time air quality on the LCD display or from anywhere using the Dyson Link app Free demonstration available

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

First impressions count.

First impressions count.

Conquest is behind you all the way.

Nobody notices a clean floor. But everybody will notice a dirty one.

First impressions count, and that’s why we’re behind you all the way as your partner in cleaning equipment and service.

For more information: Call 1800 826 789 Visit www. conquestequipment.com.au conquestequipment.com.au

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Urinal Screens from Cleanstar Cleanstar has a large range of washroom product made in the America’s including Urinal Screens and cages, multipurpose clip on’s, and in tank toilet cleaners. A standout product is the Large Urinal Blocks that are longer lasting than conventional blocks. They are nonpara and non-hazardous and only act with water as they do not evaporate with air.

They contain enzymes that help clean the urinal and prevent stains and bad odours and are Septic Safe.

Cost effective and space saving, you don’t need to use as many blocks as with other brands in the market.

Contact the Cleanstar team for a free sample.

Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au

Hydrotek steam cleaner Aussie’s new industrial Hydrotek steam cleaner is designed to perform heavy duty cleaning without needing any outside electrical power. Powered by genuine Honda 23 hp petrol twin engine, these 4,000 psi steam cleaners deliver 18 lpm flow and feature 12v diesel fired burner, producing temperatures up to 130°C. The Spiralast coil comes with a lifetime guarantee. The compact design allows them to be mounted on a trailer, truck bed or tank skid for on-site mobile cleaning.

Hydrotek steam cleaner is a Class A machine under the Australian Safety Standards, so no operator certification is required. (Model HSS40005HH)

Australian Pump Industries 02 8865 3500 www.aussiepumps.com.au

Predator MK3 Designed for maximum performance and total portability for large- or small-scale carpet cleaning, the Predator is a powerful 2000 psi max rated HYPRO pump, driven by 1500kw (2 HP) REGAL motor.

• The machine is spring-mounted on rubber seals vacuum motors deliver vibration-free, low-noise extraction power in a minimum profile body • “Euro-style” Fiberglass body (with 50-litre solution and 50-litre recovery tank) and aluminium frame • Comes with 7.5m solution, vacuum hose (optional 15m hose available) and a 12” 3-jet stainless steel wand • Versatile carpet extractor with adjustable pressure with thermostatically controlled heater element designed to maintain water temperature up to 70°C). Optional booster box to increase vacuum power (2 x vacuum motors: 3 stage 1100W each)

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

108 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

MotorScrubber DMT system The DMT System, now with added virus control will transform the way you clean, saving you time, effort, and cost. The DMT system makes cleaning faster and safer whilst achieving outstanding hygiene results on all floors and surfaces. The combination of the JET3, BLADE and STORM cleaning tools gives you an incredibly efficient suite of products to deep clean, dry floors, clean and disinfect with minimal fuss and 100 per cent effectiveness.

MotorScrubber www.motoscrubberclean.com

Viper AS1050R Ride-On Scrubber Dryer Built to handle the biggest floorcare challenges with ease, the robust Viper AS1050R is Viper’s largest ride-on yet. Designed with truly massive floor space in mind, it can handle large area cleaning of up to 30,000m2. But don’t let the size fool you - it’s still highly maneuverable and resource-efficient, with features that maximise performance while ensuring the safety of your staff and visitors: • • • •

Dual-vacuum system for consistent performance Intuitive dashboard, one-button start Eco-mode reduces energy and resource consumption Robust chassis with front and rear bumpers for longer machine life • Automatic speed reduction, mechanical foot brake and emergency stop for safety

Viper 1300 556 710 vipercleaning.com.au

NEW Sabco Professional UltraClean Microfibre Disposable Flat Mop Pads Using disposable microfibre for single use provides instant guaranteed hygiene and consistent cleaning power through its recommended cleaning area.

• Single use microfibre pads are ideal for high-risk areas • No need for energy, chemicals, water and labour during laundering process • Costs associated with disposal of mops is lower than the costs associated with laundering a re-usable mop • Up to 20m2 coverage from each pad.

• Suitable for dry or damp mopping • Reduces the need for heavy buckets of water • Suitable for use with just water or with chemicals

Sabco Australia 1800 066 522 www.sabco.com.au

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Mira 40 Floor Scrubber Cleanstar’s Battery Powered Cordless Floor Scrubber now comes standard with 2 x 36v batteries. The unit requires one battery for operation and offers up to eight hours run time with both batteries. Made in Italy with a heavy duty stainless steel frame, the MIRA 40 stands out above its competitors. Contact Cleanstar for a free demonstration.

Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au

Leobots and LeoRa disinfection robots LeoBots and LeoRay are specialised robots, crafted to perform specific tasks so as to achieve maximum efficiency in its cleaning or disinfecting operations. The LeoRay can be deployed to disinfect surfaces using high concentration UV-C radiation and the LeoBots are a family of four likeable robots that are experts in their cleaning tasks and can also collaborate as a team.

• LeoScrub: Scrubbing expert - Uses up to 70 per cent less water with high cleaning results • LeoVac: Vacuum genius -comes with Optional HEPA filter for cleaner air • LeoMop: Silent mopper - leaves behind much drier floors • LeoPull: Small but strong worker - able to pull 450kg bin • LeoRay: Autonomous UV-C Disinfection Robot Free demonstration available

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

Digital Signage Monitors A great addition to any site, the Digital Signage Monitors from Central Cleaning Supplies will help to transform how you communicate with your customers.

These displays are easily customisable by yourself to display any messages that you want to convey. They are battery powered and portable, which means you can take it anywhere to display notifications such as “cleaning in progress” or move them to reception to use as branding or information screens. The possibilities are massive.

• • • • •

43-inch digital signage HD Display – 1920 x 1080 pixels Portable – wheels and handles for easy moving Corded or 8h battery time Multimedia capability - text, images, videos, audio

Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au 110 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

JUMA STEP 150 Escalator Cleaning Machine The JUMA STEP 150 is the newest generation of escalator cleaning machines. JUMA cleaning devices are 100 per ent quality made in Germany, in the original factory that produced other escalator cleaners. With major changes incorporated into the STEP 150, you are able to clean escalators faster than you have ever experienced.

• 18 brushes for more efficient and faster cleaning • Choose cleaning cycles between 12 and 60 seconds • New brush geometry giving you more force on the steps to remove heavy dirt faster • In one single step, steps and rise are cleaned, in horizontal and vertical movements • Touch display with manuals • Free demonstration available

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

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www.whiteley.com.au

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Cleaners Own C05 Mach One Cleaners Own C05 Mach One is a heavy duty highly alkaline floor and hard surface cleaner that has been formulated to clean and restore heavily stained and soiled concrete, porcelain, ceramic and quarry tiles, its unique formula penetrates into the substrates pores where dirt and grime is collected.

• Brown, fragrance-free formula • Unique formula penetrates the substrate pores where dirt and grime collect over time • Can be used on concrete, porcelain, ceramic, and quarry tiles • Environmentally sustainable

Krystalshield & Shield Chemicals 1300 519 074 www.krystalshield.com.au

Re-belle: the microfibre cloth that rebels against waste Introducing Re-belle, the microfibre cloth that’s 100 per cent recycled and 100 per cent recyclable. This high-absorption cleaning cloth is made of 100 per cent recycled PET bottles and allows you to clean surfaces efficiently with minimal water thanks to its quality microfibres. After hundreds of washes, Re-belle can be fully recycled and processed into raw materials for a second life as furniture, clothes, or PET bottles. Re-belle is an innovative product that eliminates waste and reduces CO2 emissions, all without sacrificing cleaning quality. Re-belle is available at Ecofy.

Ecofy 02 9531 8550 info@ecofy.net.au https://ecofy.net.au/greenspeed

Konsiderate certified compostable bin liners and dog bags The Konsiderate range of certified compostable bags are an easy solution to eliminate the use of traditional plastic bags and also reduce the amount of food and organic waste ending up in landfill. Certified industrial and home compostable to Australian Standards, Konsiderate compostable bin liners available in 40, 60, 80, and 240 litres are strong quality and suitable for commercial use. You may know of their dog bags that are out there in local councils. They also offer a whitelabel service if you’re seeking a customised compostable bag made to your specific size and branding.

Konsiderate 07 3105 5986 www.konsiderate.com.au

112 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

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 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au

Fragrance Free Antibacterial Hand Wash Now available in a convenient 500ml bottle, Fragrance-Free Antibacterial Hand Wash is a high-quality, ph neutral hand cleaner ideal for use in kitchens, restaurants, cafes, and childcare centres.

The Fragrance-Free formula is made in Australia and is suited to food preparation areas allowing no transfer of fragrances to food and beverages. With a range of products suitable for any situation, from food service hygiene and washroom products, to housekeeping, personal hand care and laundry washing products, Northfork is ideal for the home and workplace environment.

Northfork Chemicals 1800 084 555 Northfork.com.au Accobrands.com.au

New Whisper Premium Paper Towel in a Box A new addition to Whisper range, Premium 2ply Paper Hand Towel with 150 individual sheets packed per easy dispensing box. Similar to facial tissue boxes, functioning as a portable dispenser, hygienic, with simple one sheet dispensing per time. These are proving handy for cleaners during their daily shift and being a disposable dispenser opens a myriad of applications now demanding for no contact dispensing is crucial to avoid cross-contamination and maintain a high level of hygiene.

Whisper 07 3105 5986 www.whisper.com.au

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Lighthouse from TEAM Software With market-leading location tracking and mobile workforce management features, Lighthouse from TEAM Software is everything companies need in a mobile solution for your cleaning workforce. Lighthouse addresses challenges in the cleaning industry, including eliminating costly and labour-intensive manual processes and replacing them with a digital interface that captures all operational touch points. Lighthouse acts as an information hub, providing insights on everything from time and attendance, task completion and cleaning quality outcomes. And, Lighthouse is highly customisable, meeting the unique needs of every individual cleaning contract with its flexible feature set.

TEAM Software +44(0) 370 626 0400 sales.emea@teamsoftware.com www.teamsoftware.com/incleanmagazine

Don’t blow it, switch to paper towels Tork’s complete range of paper hand towel dispensers and refills provide your business with a safe and hygienic experience. Our innovative range features functional options for basic washrooms, to high-capacity systems for demanding environments; to higher-end solutions for the designer and executive washrooms. In today’s environment, improving workplace hygiene standards has never been more important. Research shows paper towels are the most hygienic method for drying hands, removing more bacteria than other methods. Our locally made FSC® certified paper hand towels are made with 63 per cent renewable energy and can be composted, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 per cent.

Tork www.tork.com.au/saferchoice

STAY SAFE. LOOK GOOD In light of these difficult time, Cleanstar has a range of colourful, fun and comfy face masks and social distancing signage to bring some joy. These include PRIDE theme, social distancing, Aussie Style and more.

Contact the Cleanstar team for a free sample.

Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au

114 INCLEAN September / October 2021

PRODUCTS

Pullman Commander PV900 Backpack Vacuum A high-powered commercial backpack designed for maximum user comfort in any commercial setting.

Featuring the world-first Comfort System harness complete with 3 height settings, anti-vibration and air ventilation systems, a turbo suction mode and HEPA13 filtration for a healthier environment.

• Transforms into a powerful blower • Eco and Turbo modes for tailored suction strength • Professional-grade HEPA13 filter ensures clean air output

Vacspare sales@vacspare.com.au 1300 722 886

JUMA TRAVEL 600 Escalator/Travelator Cleaning Machine The JUMA TRAVEL 600 is the turbo wet-cleaning machine for travelators and escalators. JUMA cleaning devices are 100 per cent quality made in Germany, in the original factory that produced other escalator cleaners.

Unlike conventional cleaning machines, the TRAVEL 600 relies on the highly effective power of a secure vacuum-type mechanism. Dirt can be thoroughly dissolved and removed with a sufficiently high water input – and without any water getting into the steps.

• Simply place on the step and you’ll only need to lock it in place once.

The machine works while the escalator/travelator is in operation • Operation is simple – there are three pre-set programmes with different levels of water consumption • Safety – the weight of the cleaning head keeps the TRAVEL 600 firmly and securely in place on the step • The hallmark of the TRAVEL 600 is its exceptionally large number of brush tufts – your guarantee of quality and hygiene • Free demonstration available

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

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NEW Surevac Stormpac Corded Backpack Vacuum Cleaner The Stormpac is a powerful and robust backpack vacuum made for cleaning professionals with commercial grade construction, that is light weight and easy to use.

Stormpac features include: • • • • • • •

A tangle-free 18m power cord Easily locatable on/off switch on the waistband Two-year warranty on the body and motor 6-litre tank allows you to clean for longer between bag changes Super-strong vacuum body made from blow moulded material Stretchable hose designed for optimal control and compact storage Used on surfaces including carpet, hard floors, timber, vinyl, laminates, tiles • Stormpac’s HEPA 4-stage filtration delivers superior airflow that eliminates 99.95 per cent of dust and allergens, with no loss of suction.

Abco Products 1800 177 399 sales@abcopro.com.au www.abcopro.com.au

DispenserONE – the ‘fit and forget’ sanitiser system Replace those light-duty, low-capacity sanitizer dispensers with the ultrareliable long-term system that facilities managers love.

SEKO’s DispenserONE sanitiser systems offer a virtually maintenance-free solution for world-class hand hygiene provision in every building, from stadiums to supermarkets and hospitals to hotels.

• • • • •

Up to 25,000 doses between refills – never run empty during opening hours Motor-driven dosing delivers years – not months – of reliable running Mains-power connection ensures system is always available Systems sized for every building type Smartphone alarm notifications allow unlikely faults to be identified and rectified quickly

SEKO Australia 02 4774 0700 www.dispenserone

Cleaners Own C12 Bathroom Plus Cleaners Own C12 Bathroom Plus is a multi-purpose bathroom cleaner made with environmentally sustainable ingredients, its unique formulation easily removes a number of different soils and stains from toilet bowls, urinals and sinks both ceramic and stainless steel leaving a clean, shiny odour free surface.

• Violet formula with a powder puff fragrance • Easily removes stains from toilet bowls, urinals, sinks • Can be used on both ceramic and stainless steel surfaces • Environmentally sustainable

Krystalshield & Shield Chemicals 1300 519 074 www.krystalshield.com.au

116 INCLEAN September / October 2021

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PRODUCTS

T16AMR Robotic Floor ScrubberDryer coming in October The industry’s first robotic scrubber for large industrial spaces is coming soon to the ANZ Tennant family. Developed exclusively for large spaces and applications, the T16AMR solution helps address common labour challenges, reduce the need for pre-sweeping, drive efficiencies, and maintain a high standard of clean. The T16AMR comes with ec-H2O Nanoclean technology, which means reducing the amount of detergent and water required during operation. Powered by BrainOS, an advanced artificial intelligence and robotic technology platform, Tennant’s industrial robotic solution has been designed to work safely and efficiently alongside employees.

Tennant Australia 1800 226 843 www.tennantco.com.au

Conquest heavy industrial floors scrubbers get even tougher The Conquest heavy industrial floor scrubber range (Carbon, Hero, CRZ and XR) now contain stainless steel corrosion resistant cleaning heads and squeegees, providing consistent cleaning performance and improved long-term reliability in even the toughest of applications.

These machines are known for their ability to tackle the toughest jobs with ease, the addition of these stainlesssteel cleaning heads now makes the Conquest Industrial Scrubbing machines ideal for harsh corrosive and/or damp wet environments such as swimming pools, leisure centres and manufacturing plants.

Conquest Equipment www.conquestequipment.com.au

Florogen Range Florogen is a specially formulated, alcohol-based, surface and space deodorant which is designed to remove unwanted odours and provide a positive method for increasing hygiene in the immediate area of use. Florogen has a range of pleasant fragrance’s available and is proven to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria.

• Extremely long lasting deodorisaiton • Hospital strength odour control • Five fragrances available: Strawberry, Frangipani, Original, Citrus, Lavender • Available in 5-litre and convenient 500ml spray bottles

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au

118 INCLEAN September / October 2021

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