Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 6th June 2024 Issue no. 1117
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International News
Products Metsä Group's tissue paper business receives fifth Platinum Rating in EcoVadis evaluation for 2024
Vitesy's Natede Smart air purifier detoxifies using natural ability of plants
Essity invests in new R&D centre in France
Top three hit jackpot in 2024 Cintas Custodian of the Year contest
'Forever chemicals' found to rain down on all five North American Great Lakes
Implementing an effective trade border between the UK and the EU
Interclean Amsterdam Innovation Awards: the winners
Tennant announces Grand Prize Winner in fifth annual ‘Custodians Are Key’ program
Industrial wastewater treatment market to reach $ 206.81 billion by 2031
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Must say that while checking over today’s news alerts I was gobsmacked to read this demonstrator’s sign, which suggests that the privatisation of cleaning and other support services will automatically increase the threat of hospital superbug infections. She was taking part in a rally, supported by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, at Ontario’s Etobicoke General Hospital against its plan to contract out 215 cleaning, portering, waste management and laundry services jobs. The story is that back in 2006, an outbreak of C. difficile at the state’s Sault Ste. Marie Hospital killed 10 patients directly and another eight indirectly, and that the hospital, which had privatised housekeeping services, was consequently forced to increase cleaning staff by 40% and institute a range of other measures. According to CUPE, which cites other examples too, management is making a similar mistake by privatising housekeeping and other services at Etobicoke, which it says will risk patient health & safety, increase hospital overcrowding and undermine infection control practices. Hmmmm… CUPE claims that the “for-profit operator's motivation to maximise revenues will mean lower staffing levels, higher staff turnover and fractured teamwork between in-house staff and contracted out workers,” and that “contracting out hospital services such as cleaning is dangerous and unsafe and magnifies the risk of acquiring infections". It says that instead of contracting out "to cut costs," management should be investing resources in improving health & safety at a time when microbial resistance is causing higher rates of hospital acquired infections." I agree with CUPE’s claim that appropriate staffing levels and rigorous infection control practices are key to maintaining good hygiene in healthcare settings, but not its claim that these are automatically compromised by privatisation. My view is that if you choose your contractor wisely, the resultant increased efficiency within the cleaning processes, superior buying power and investment in the best technology - along with ongoing staff training, can pave the way to cuts in staff numbers while improving cleaning & hygiene standards enormously… That reductions in staffing levels don’t always reflect a need to cut costs but can stem from a contractor’s specialist experience and all-round positive input. Where do you stand on this one?
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This Week's News
Taking steps to stop the spread of Legionnaire's Disease National Safety Month is observed in the US every June to emphasise the importance of safety in various environments. When it comes to water safety, of particular importance is preventing the spread of Legionnaire's disease - and that's not just in the US but the world over. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports a 900% increase in Legionnaire's disease cases between 2000 and 2018 in the US. Nexaro NR 1500 compact vacuum robot meets latest safety standard for commercial cleaning robots The autonomous robot vacuum cleaner Nexaro NR 1500 is said to be the first compact vacuum robot in the world to meet the latest international safety standard IEC 63327 for commercial cleaning robots, which was only adopted at the end of last year.
Compliance with the safety standard and the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC has been tested and confirmed by the independent testing body TÜV Süd. SBFM appoints Stuart Hamilton as chief strategy officer SBFM, one of the UK and Ireland's fastest growing soft FM service providers, offering the full range of professional cleaning services nationwide, has appointed Stuart Hamilton as its new chief strategy officer, to spearhead business growth. Stuart joins SBFM's leadership team, after working at the investment fund Soho Square Capital for the past eight years. His work there focused on investing in high-growth business services companies, including Arcus FM and Churchill Group, where he was a non-executive director. Previous to that role, he worked at BDO public accounting, tax and advisory professional services firm, for eight years, where he trained as a chartered accountant before moving into the M&A team. Over two-thirds of professionals uncomfortable about requesting mental health leave Some 67% of UK professionals state that they feel too uncomfortable requesting mental health leave from their employer or senior leaders in their company, while over a quarter (28%) of professionals wouldn't even consider speaking up about it. New poll data from recruitment company Robert Walters highlights how unprepared employers are for the current 'mental health crisis' - the Government recently released plans to 'overhaul' the current sicknote system due to the number of professionals taking sick leave reaching a ‘10 year high' - primarily driven by a rise in mental health-related conditions and symptoms. Clean Zero cleaning solution wins CBRE ESG Innovation Challenge 2024 2San’s Clean Zero chemical-free cleaning solution has been named the winner of the CBRE ESG Innovation Challenge 2024 – an Award that recognises and celebrates groundbreaking solutions that advance environmental, social, and governance practices within the commercial real estate industry. Clean Zero impressed the judging panel with its ability to deliver superior cleaning performance without the use of harsh chemicals, significantly reducing the environmental impact of cleaning operations. Arena experience enhanced through sustainable hygiene management from Tork/Wells Fargo team-up Today, Wells Fargo Center, (home to the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers and one of the US’s top venues for concerts and events) announced a formal partnership with Tork to enhance sustainability, efficiency and overall fan experience through innovative hygiene solutions at the venue, following its recent $400 million renovation. The venue requires comprehensive and precise operational coordination to accommodate the variety of events hosted onsite. Victory for migrant cleaners at South London private school Migrant cleaners at a private school in South London have won an inflation-busting 15% pay rise, full pay sick pay and improved working conditions after they returned a unanimous vote to strike if they were not able to secure a suitable deal with their employer. The workers, who hail from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Spain and Colombia, won all their demands - made in March this year, following successful negotiations with Blackheath Prep and cleaning contractor Westgate Cleaning. United and determined to down tools, they negotiated a deal which averted strike action. Waste management company fined after inadequately trained worker is seriously injured A waste management company has been fined after an inadequately trained worker suffered serious burns to his face and body, along with broken bones, after the metal crowbar he was using came into contact with a live electrical conductor. The man was moving heavy duty electrical cables with the crowbar on a mobile elevating working platform in July 2021, when the bar came into contact with the live conductor, causing an electrical explosion at Copper Hill industrial estate, Barkston Heath, Lincolnshire. Partnership improves healthcare facilities with innovative technology solutions Smart building specialist R-Zero, has formed a strategic partnership with SC Johnson Professional, to bring innovative and technology-driven solutions to the healthcare sector that intelligently monitor and improve efficiency and operations across smart cleaning, staff productivity, patient experience, space utilisation and energy consumption. As part of the partnership, R-Zero's comprehensive platform of occupancy and indoor air quality sensors, data insights software and UV-C air & surface disinfection solutions will be a featured extension of SC Johnson Professional's product portfolio. Veolia will provide NHS Scotland with compliant and sustainable waste management solutions Resource management giant, Veolia, has joined the NHS Scotland Recyclates & General Waste Management Framework for the next five years. Working with the Common Services Agency, this strategic placement will enable NHS Scotland Health Boards access to compliant and comprehensive general waste and recycling services. Through optimised handling, increased recycling, and managing treatment of complex waste streams, Veolia will help NHS Scotland achieve its target of reaching Net Zero by 2040. Birmingham Airport extends partnership with OCS OCS has secured a two-year contract extension to continue delivering essential cleaning services at Birmingham Airport. The scope of these services encompasses not only the airport terminals but also various other buildings, including external areas, winter gritting for terminal surroundings, washroom hygiene, and high-level window cleaning. This contract extension is a direct result of OCS's consistent service delivery to Birmingham Airport. Through a robust and collaborative partnership with the airport, OCS has demonstrated flexibility and cost-consciousness, positioning itself as the ideal long-term solution for the airport's premises. 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:
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