Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 13th December 2012 Issue no. 550
Your industry news - first
The original and best - for over 20 years!
We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The Cleanzine.
  International News
Products Bacterial test results provided within seven hours Hygiena International has further developed its highly successful ATP bioluminescence system to specifically measure bacterial contamination, giving results within a working day or shift. The development involves the company's low cost but highly sensitive EnSURE hand-held luminometer, combined with its new versatile MicroSnap Total test. This system enumerates bacteria on solid surfaces as well as in raw, cooked and liquid foodstuffs, such that results are available in seven hours or less. Tests of Canadian hotels indicate high levels of contamination
An investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Company has uncovered significant levels of contamination in a variety of hotels throughout Canada. Global product launch from KGS
The Swiss manufacturer says that its KGS Flexis pads are the only pads in the world to contain Ferrzon, which in turn is thought to be the only substance that can scratch a diamond - and that because of its structural properties, Ferrzon technology is superior to diamond when used on steel and other very hard materials, as well as being more versatile and efficient than diamond for floor maintenance, grinding and polishing. NCL introduces Ultra Concentrated Speed Stripper
Bolt quickly penetrates and easily removes even extreme floor finish build-up, with application time and labour cut to a minimum thanks to its excellent wetting and slow drying features. Buc-ee's New Braunfels bathroom is America's best
P&G has new fibre sourcing goals for tissue-towel and absorbent hygiene products The Procter & Gamble Company has announced new fibre sourcing goals for the pulp it purchases for its tissue-towel, baby care, and feminine hygiene brands. These new goals help deliver progress toward P&G's long-term environmental sustainability vision, which includes having all products and packaging made from 100% sustainably sourced renewable or recycled materials. Northern European regions the most innovative, reveals new study Northern European regions are in the lead when it comes to innovation in Europe, reports EurActiv. But there is a considerable diversity in regional innovation performance - not only across European countries, but also within the member states, according to the European Commission's Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2012, published earlier this month. Unsurprisingly, the most innovative regions come from the most innovative countries in Europe. |
Welcome to the
Cleanzine - the original Cleaning & Hygiene industry e-news Read by industry professionals in 148 countries worldwide! There is a saying in my neck of the woods that the law is an ass. I daresay you have your own version of this as no doubt those who make a pig's ear (mess) out of deciding how convicted offenders are punished are not confined to these shores. I find myself getting quite cross sometimes at the stupid statements some of our Judges make whilst handing down equally stupid sentences and a case in today's newspapers is a good example.
Apparently the trio had been caught three times carrying paint, face masks and gloves between January and June at stations around London before they were even remanded in custody! So it's not just the Judge who's made an ass of himself but the people who let the trio go free when they were first apprehended. Graffiti causes damage and in this case it disrupted (on many occasions) people's travel arrangements and working days as the trains they were due to catch had been vandalised and taken out of service. That's not talent! I only wish the trio could be put to work every day, cleaning graffiti from trains and buildings so they can see how difficult it is. That way they might just realise that their 'talents' should be put to better use once they're back in the real world again.
Please get in touch either by emailing me or posting a comment on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/Cleanzine Yours,
      This Week's News
Danger: chemicals! New online toolkit alerts workers and employers to hazard pictograms A new toolkit highlighting the changes to the labelling of chemical substances has been launched by EU-OSHA, the European Agency for Safety & Health at Work. The toolkit helps employers and their workers handle dangerous substances with care and keep themselves safe at work. The High Seas Hobbit toilet wins the 2012 Lepicol Home Throne Award
BICSc to discontinue COPC qualification The British Institute of Cleaning Science has announced that the Cleaning Operator's Proficiency Certificate (COPC), along with Food Premises Cleaning Certificate (FPCC) and Healthcare Professionals Cleaning Certificate (HPCC) will be discontinued and withdrawn from use from 31st March 2013 following the establishment of the Cleaning Professional Skill Suite (CPSS). Vectair partners gynaecological cancer research charity to launch its Femcare MVP range
Swedish hospitals failing toilet hygiene guidelines The majority of hospitals in Sweden are not following the country's guidelines for toilet hygiene, with many only cleaning the toilets once a day or less, according to an investigation by the Dagens Nyheter newspaper (DN). The investigation revealed that only seven of Sweden's 53 biggest hospitals adhere to the national guidelines, which suggest at least two toilet cleanings a day. Synergy Health shows support for MRSA Action UK
As part of the sponsorship agreement, Synergy Health's Infection Prevention & Control division will also be making a donation to the charity of five pence for each UK purchase of its 50ml or 600ml alcohol free Assure hand sanitizer. UBM Live unites Facilities Show and FM Event for 2013 UBM Live, the organiser of Facilities Show and The FM Event, announced this week that the FM Event will merge with Facilities Show for 2013. Taking place from 14th -16th May at Birmingham's NEC, Facilities Show 2013 is the annual flagship event dedicated to those working across the full spectrum of facilities management. Blaklader to launch multi-certified product range designed for tough conditions
We're getting to the time of year when we'll be flocking to the local gym to work off the excesses of the holidays with a view to starting the New Year with a health and fitness campaign. Many indoor sporting activities, including wrestling and gymnastics, require the use of gym mats to promote safety and prevent injuries. However, compared to other types of matting, gym mats have very specific placement, cleaning, care, and storage requirements. Following these guidelines closely will help keep matting in tip-top condition, providing years of quality service. Avoid the perils of window cleaning in frozen wintery conditions
Stop-painting.com introduces new pallet marking kit A new floor marking product that makes marking box shapes on industrial concrete floors much faster, easier and long lasting, has been introduced by Stop-painting.com. The Superior Mark Pallet Marking Kit includes pre-cut strips of the patent-pending Superior Mark floor tape which features bevelled edges and recessed adhesive and is engineered to withstand more force than any other floor marking tape. ISS and Telenor sign Nordic IFS contract
Harper Brush Works sold to Cequent Consumer Products
Five new cleaning contractors will keep Mecca clean
The Cleanzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The Cleanzine. If you would like to run a search of the The Cleanzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The Cleanzine:
|
  REQUEST THE CLEANZINE HERE The Cleanzine is broadcast
every Thursday. You may receive it FREE each week by
clicking the link above. Hospital Hygiene 
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
CHSA announces changes to secretariat from 1st January 2013 The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association has this week announced that it will be outsourcing its secretariat to the Cleaning & Support Services Association from 1st January 2013. Would you like salt with that? Colder than average months in October and November are already driving sales at workplace equipment supplier Slingsby's purpose built salt facility as increasing numbers of businesses and organisations choose to prepare early for bad weather. Autumn Statement leaves green economy out in the cold, says CIWM With the green economy representing one of the few areas of economic growth and potential for the UK, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management is disappointed to see it so poorly supported in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement that was made yesterday. LCC Support Services signs up for ICE's new rental model Industrial Cleaning Equipment , the Southampton-based cleaning equipment and service specialist, has welcomed LCC Support Services as a valued new client - in what is believed to be a groundbreaking 'first' for the industry. Conference to hear from expert behind British athletes' 2012 success Facilities management employers are invited to a free conference next Wednesday, 5th December, which will look at the talent strategy behind the British athletes' success this Summer. Ambitious plans announced for Facilities Show 2013 What is said to be the world's largest dedicated facilities management event will return to Birmingham's NEC in May 2013. Facilities Show 2013 will run from 14th - 16th May in association with the British Institute of Facilities Managementd. The annual flagship event hosts a plethora of free educational content that includes the CPD Seminar Theatre, Facilities Show Seminar Theatre and the Energy Solutions Theatre. ICE's new ServiceSmart Lite makes keeping track of cleaning contracts easier Industrial Cleaning Equipment , the Southampton-based cleaning equipment and service specialist, has launched ServiceSmart Lite - a new asset management tool that provides comprehensive on-line tracking and support to clients.
Don't trouble with computer spreadsheets that will either crash, or keep bringing up last year's arrangements, plan it all out at a glance - with the free Greyland Wallplanner! Genie will reappear in different form Genie Management Group, the Aylesbury based contractor support company, will be rebranding to OrangeGenie Group and realigning its operational brands to Genie Umbrella, Genie Accountancy and HSE Passport. David Bellamy OBE steps down as President of BICSc
Forum announces five-point plan for jobs and growth
British Cleaning Council welcomes new London Living Wage The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, marked the start of Living Wage Week by announcing a new rate for the London Living Wage earlier this month. Further funding for employer ownership of training will help burst skills bubble As the UK Skills Minister, Mathew Hancock, announces pledges a further £150m pot of funding to enable employers to create the training schemes they need to grow their companies, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's chief executive highlights the need for skills and training to form an integral part of discussions about long term business planning. |
Three young men - dubbed the 'SMT' graffiti gang - daubed graffiti on train and tube carriages across London over a three year period, causing £150,000 worth of damage (our picture, courtesy of the Daily Mail, shows one of their finished works). In saying he would pass the 'least possible' sentence (a combined total of under four years) Judge Henry Blacksell called the defendants 'talented artists'.
What do you think?
