Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 27th October 2011 Issue no. 493
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International News
Products Get involved in review of EcoLogo's Sanitary Paper Environmental Standard EcoLogo, based in Ottowa, Canada, and one of North America's most trusted and recognisable ecolabels, is inviting members of the public to help transform the sanitary paper products industry by participating in the revision of its Sanitary Paper environmental standard. Tork foam soaps save customers time and money
Survey finding shifts in green attitudes and behaviours Yesterday, SC Johnson and GfK Roper Consulting released survey findings on American consumer green attitudes and behaviours, painting a compelling picture of the evolution of consumer interests and actions over the last two decades. Of course the attitudes we have as consumers affects the way we think and behave at work, so this survey is worth examining. ISSA aims to change the way the world views cleaning ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is launching a multi-faceted initiative to help its members gain greater acceptance of the positive impact of cleaning and to assist them in navigating the ongoing challenges facing the industry. New approach to fighting hospital superbugs - with friendly bacteria
Kimberly-Clark introduces patient education programme for HAI prevention Following research which revealed that 56% of respondents were not very familiar or not at all familiar with Healthcare-Associated Infections and their causes, Kimberly-Clark has this week announced a new programme to educate patients about HAI's and steps they can take to aid in their prevention. Environmentally responsible lamp recycling initiative now available in Canada Furthering their commitment to lamp recycling and to protecting the environment, Veolia ES Technical Solutions, the hazardous waste division of Veolia Environmental Services North America (VESNA) and Osram Sylvania have anounced the expansion of their joint online programme to offer RecyclePak recycling kits into Canada. Chemical-free floor stripping in just one pass
A new study published in the September 2011 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (vol. 39 No. 7 pps 555-559) has confirmed that soft surface textiles are significant sources of bacterial contamination in healthcare settings, with 63% of physician and nurse uniforms testing positive for pathogenic organisms, including those that are multi-drug resistant (11%). The study was conducted by the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. It looked at 238 samples from 135 of its hospital personnel [60 (45%) physicians and 75 (55%) nurses]. WEEE Directive recast negotiations sparking disagreements The European Parliament and the 27 EU member states are set for difficult negotiations over the recast of the bloc's electronic waste directive as MEPs insist on ambitious targets for collecting and recycling discarded fridges, phones and other e-waste than the member states can accept, reports EurActiv. Study confirms 'no link' between use of antibacterial soaps and antibiotic resistance Newly published research reaffirms that the use of antibacterial wash products does not contribute to antibiotic or antibacterial resistance, confirming previous research that showcased similar findings. |
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My contact John Laws, who represents the contract cleaners, tells me that one of the main aims of this new body is to upgrade the skills and qualifications of the industry's workers and to bring in some sort of licensing scheme so that any worker taking part in the scheme, will be able to settle anywhere in the country and find employment in the industry (if it's available!) that suits his or her skillset. We launched a similar scheme in the UK some years back. It was called Pathway and cleaners taking part would carry a Pathway card, which, when checked against a central database, would not only highlight the carrier's qualifications but also his or her work history and experience - which can prove just as valuable in such a large, fragmented industry with a myriad of training schemes and certification bodies and many employers not offering any 'official' form of training at all. Industry sources tell me that the scheme no longer seems to be operating in the UK, which is a shame. I thought Pathway was a brilliant idea in an industry that has such an enormous workforce and a huge turnover of staff. It was supposed to make recruitment decisions easier for employers and mean that valuable previous experience and training was not ignored and possibly repeated. It also gave those who carried it a sense of pride in their achievements. I don't know why the scheme appears to have died a death but I sincerely hope the Australian version becomes a real success. Yours,
  This Week's News
Australian cleaning industry to form umbrella body The Australian Cleaning Contractors Alliance has been busy over the past year or so assisting in the formation of the Cleaning & Hygiene Council of Australia. from Andrew Large, Chief Executive, Cleaning & Support Services Association I would like to respond to the article in Cleanzine issue 492 by David Camp concerning gangmasters. David is right to highlight the gold plating of the law creating the Gangmaster's Licencing Authority, as it is clear that the law did not intend to cover the activities of cleaning companies. However I take issue with his characterisation of certain cleaning businesses as "gangmasters". Unger UK supports Keep Britain Tidy's 'Love Where You Live' campaign
Chemical product/manufacturing process health impact reporting standardised NSF International and the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute have developed an American National Standard that provides a standardised way to define and report the environmental and human health hazards associated with a chemical product and its manufacturing process impacts. US Products' survey finds 2011 carpet cleaning spend 'about same' as 2010 A survey conducted for US Products, manufacturer of professional carpet cleaning tools and equipment, reports that most carpet cleaning technicians (60%) find customer spending on carpet cleaning this year is on par with 2010. However, nearly 30% say this year's sales are behind those of 2010. St Pancras International's cleaning runs as scheduled, thanks to Rubbermaid
Post Office guarantees to beat business insurance renewal quotes The Post Office is guaranteeing to beat business insurance renewal quotes for self-employed property maintainers.* The business insurance policy, which can be accessed from any one of over 11,800 Post Office branches, as well as by phone and online, will provide self-employed property maintainers with access to the wide ranging cover required in the course of their business including: Roadshow highlights business cost of poor indoor air quality The UK is said to have the highest rate of illnesses caused by water systems, dampness and mould, ventilation and conditioning systems and building materials in the EU. A new campaign was launched last week to urge UK businesses to fit adequate ventilation systems that comply with European guidelines.
A date for your diary: Carpex / Windex Show 2012 Designed specifically for everyone involved in the window cleaning industry and the cleaning, maintenance and restoration of carpets, upholstery and flooring, Carpex & Windex 2012 is being staged at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on 8th and 9th March. The organisers report that 60% of stand space is already sold.
T: 01737 855086 Workplace Futures conference 2012: New needs? New solutions Where is Facilities Management headed as customer needs continue to change and suppliers grapple with the challenges of an economy still struggling to recover from recession? Workplace Futures brings together the experts that will help you define and clarify your own strategy for future success.
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Our weekly updated Hospital Hygiene features current developments and product solutions cleaning and hygiene industry manufacturers are coming up with. Read More. Recent UK News
Snow and sustainable transportation DO go together!
Ace Janitorial celebrates 40th Anniversary
Soapbox: Food Manufacturing Cleaning Companies are Gangmasters By David Camp from the Association of Labour Providers The Association of Labour Providers is the specialist trade association offering support and expert advice to organisations that provide and use workers within the food, agricultural and other GLA regulated sectors. Its members also include industrial labour providers. Established in 2004, the ALP's goal is to improve the standard of labour provision across industries, whilst supporting the need for an ethically managed, cost effective and flexible labour force. MITIE wins inaugural Co-operative Food Award MITIE has won an award at the inaugural Co-operative Food Property Awards Charity Dinner. The award is Supplier of the Year in the Environmental, Cleaning and Waste category and is in recognition of MITIE's efforts in working for Co-operative Food across the country. Karcher Professional Cleaning Roadshow a resounding success!
After a few weeks of planning, filming and creative editing, Brightwell has launched its first product demonstration video. The video details the technical aspects of Modular hand care dispenser, showing you all the capabilities and opportunities of the system. It is available on Brightwell's newly launched Youtube channel, which will soon also feature a demonstration video of the SuperC dilution system: T: +44 (0)1273 513566 A MITIE partnership with Essex County Council Essex County Council has announced that MITIE Group has been selected as the preferred partner for delivering a transformational contract which includes facilities and property management as well as energy services. |
