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Ladder Association launches advocate scheme
A new campaign from the Ladder Association sets out to inform those who use or manage the use of ladders and stepladders in the workplace about the latest developments in ladder safety, best practice and standards. The association has created a special team of ‘ladder advocates’ - senior members of its executive committee - who are available to address national and regional meetings of trade and professional bodies whose members are regular ladder users.
“We have identified an information gap in the marketplace,” said Ladder Association chairman, Chris Ball. “Since the introduction of the Work at Height Regulations much has been said and written about ladders, especially in the popular press. Myths and misconceptions have been rife and this latest initiative is intended to put the record straight. With an estimated 2 million ladders and stepladders in daily use, the Advocate Scheme will showcase the indispensable contribution this invaluable piece of equipment is making in the workplace and, in addition, highlight its safe and proficient use through training and best practice. Above all, it will reinforce the association’s principal message that if it’s right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and get trained to use it safely.”
Focusing on fact not fiction, the ‘non-commercial’ presentation covers a range of topics and includes a screening of the association’s latest Toolbox Talk. It can be tailored to suit particular audiences - for example, safety professionals, construction site supervisors, CDM specialists and facilities managers. Specific questions can be submitted in advance to ensure the subject matter is relevant to the audience.
Following an informal question and answer session at the end of each presentation, delegates receive a free copy of the association’s latest 12-page LadderBook and LadderCard information poster.
Available nationally, there is no charge for the Advocate Scheme. Interested organisations are simply asked to complete a short questionnaire in advance giving details of the event and the nature of their interest. In the first instance enquiries should be sent to Jill Couttie, communications officer at the Ladder Association: jill.couttie@ladderassociation.org.uk
Time to ‘beat the cheats’
To tackle ‘cowboy’ suppliers selling sub-standard and unlabelled hygiene products, the CHSA has produced a new DVD to promote its Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Schemes.
Titled ‘Beat the Cheats Before You Buy’, the DVD explains the vulnerability of buyers to unscrupulous suppliers who build products to a price point by subtly reducing the quantity and quality of their products. It contrasts this with the certainty that comes from buying solely from accredited suppliers.
Graham Fletcher, general secretary of the CHSA, explained: “Our accreditation schemes are a proven solution to the problem of irresponsible suppliers saying a product is one thing when in fact it is another. It makes sense, therefore, for every customer to specify CHSA accreditation scheme standards in their tender requirements and we have produced this DVD as a way to spread the message and encourage them to do so.”
Beat the Cheats Before You Buy, which is now live on You Tube - www.youtube.com/users/ForHygiene - is being distributed directly to commercial end users and will be broadcast at a range of conferences and exhibitions throughout the year.
www.chsa.co.uk
Addmaster wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise
Addmaster, innovator and supplier of anti bacterial products, has just been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.
The company, based in Staffordshire, was set up by managing director Paul Morris 11 years ago. Its top selling product, Biomaster Antimicrobial Technology, is exported worldwide for use in plastics, paper, textiles, paints and coatings. Biomaster is a silver based additive which stops the growth of bacteria on the surface it is added into and is used extensively in the medical, healthcare and food hygiene industries in applications such as doctor’s case note holders, nurse’s uniforms, medical equipment, food packaging, food preparation equipment and wall and surface coatings.
"We are very proud to accept the Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade," said Paul Morris. "It is the culmination of 11 years hard work, and is a real credit to our team. We are particularly well known for our work in developing the Biomaster antimicrobial technology, a system that is safe, durable and effective in all applications against bacteria such as MRSA, E.Coli, & Campylobacter. The award coincides with our export drive and overseas market expansion that has seen the appointment of sales director David Wells as our international business director."
Morris continued: "Our business model has been to use UK manufacturers to produce our unique products developed by our internal research team and then market these to both local and international markets via a network of specialist agents and distributors. By keeping our R&D and manufacturing in the UK we are able to support our local economy and tap into the plentiful resources this country has so we can ensure all our products are produced to the high specification our global customers require."
New infection control research for schools announced
Keeping school facilities clean and hygienic is imperative for all cleaning and facility managers to reduce the spread of viruses and infections. New research by Queen Mary, University of London and Albany Hygiene Facilities will investigate infection risks in schools, funded by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. The findings will inform the development of practical solutions to help break the chain of infection and decrease cross-contamination.
The new research will take a phased approach. Phase one will involve screening the toilet facilities of London based schools. Interim findings are planned to be released about now before phase two widens the examination to outside the washroom area. Infection control policy guidance, based on the outcome of the research, is hoped to be released by the end of the year.
To date, no documented scientific research has been undertaken in schools that accurately identifies the level of infection and type of bacteria breeding. In addition, there is currently no clear guidance on what schools need to clean with, how often and when.
Postdoctoral researcher, Dr Hermine Mkrtchyan, has been appointed to investigate infection risks in schools. Dr Mkrtchyan was selected from approximately 60 candidates who applied for the 30 month post and will be working with Dr Ron Cutler, principal investigator of the project and director of biomedical science at Queen Mary. Dr Mkrtchyan has over seven years of experience in the field of natural product chemistry, microbiology and molecular biology research, mainly in the context of infectious diseases, with a number of published papers and patents.
Infection outbreaks and illness have a significant economic and educational impact on schools. It is hoped that Dr Mkrtchyan's research will uncover the real state of infection risks in schools, which will then help to develop a guide for schools on how to manage infection control effectively.
Annual statistics show 11.7 million school days were lost in the spring 2010 term alone due to child illness including flu, norovirus and E.coli. According to Dr Ron Cutler this illness rate is only going to increase: "Infection threats to schools are influenced in part by external changes, such as increased international travel and antibiotic misuse and resistance. Climate change may also create the catalysts for increasing levels of infection as well as more unpredictable infection threats in the future. This research appointment will go a long way in helping us provide schools with the insights and guidance they need."
www.albanyfacilities.com
CHSA accreditation united under one scheme
The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association has united its accreditation programmes - for soft tissue products, plastic refuse sacks and industrial cotton mops - and is promoting them as one unified scheme, the Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Scheme.
“We have created and are now promoting the unified accreditation scheme to make it easier for customers to make informed purchase decisions,” said Graham Fletcher, general secretary of the CHSA. “The activities we are undertaking to raise awareness of the scheme, including the production of a DVD and the distribution of new promotional leaflets presenting the unified scheme and the value it provides, are showing customers the value of buying from accredited suppliers.”
The Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Scheme is supported by all the major manufacturers in the industry, each of whom has passed the CHSA’s stringent auditing process. The scheme guarantees:
• Consistency of supply: customers receive what they order.
• Accurate labelling: customers get what they pay for.
• Fully audited manufacturers: our standard, your guarantee.
Graham Fletcher continued: “In tandem with promoting the scheme we are taking action against those companies found to be selling short measures. It’s important customers understand that through the scheme we are both singling out the high quality suppliers and directly challenging ‘cowboy’ suppliers.”
The Soft Tissue Accreditation Scheme was originally introduced in 1998, followed by the ones for industrial cotton mops in 2000 and for plastic refuse sacks in 2005. A unified look and feel was introduced in 2007 and, following the positive response, the schemes have now been formally united and are being promoted as one accreditation scheme.
CHSA members that do not manufacture any of these products benefit from the promotion of the Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Scheme, their reputation being enhanced by being a member of an association known for raising standards and ensuring value for end users.
www.chsa.co.uk
WCEC installs new Master
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners held its annual ceremony of installation at the historic Bevis Marks Synagogue within the City of London recently. Following the ancient traditions of the City Liveries, Peter Holt was installed as Master for the year ensuing, along with the installation of Barrie Torbett as deputy master, Peter Robb as senior warden, and Maureen Marden as junior warden.
Subsequent to the Installation, a banquet was held in the evening at Mansion House with guest of honour, the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Bear, accompanied by Sheriff Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE and Sheriff Richard Sermon MBE. Representatives from the City of London Corporation, visiting Masters and senior military officers joined many leading figures from the cleaning industry.
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners is one of 108 Livery Companies which are based upon trades, industries and professions and carry on the ancient traditions of the Guilds and Livery Companies which started in the 12th century. The company aims to encourage and maintain high standards of practice and integrity while promoting and supporting education, training and research projects within the cleaning industry.
