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Jonathan Hooper, marketing manager at Connect Hygiene Products Ltd, reveals the results of some interesting research.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that though its recommended advice to restaurants is to use disposable cloths for wiping, only 32% do so. Of the 68% that did use cloths, in 24 instances in the study, the cloths were used in both raw and ready to eat areas. 15% of the catering premises reviewed didn’t even know how often their reusable cleaning cloths were changed.
One of the most important factors in reducing the spread of bacteria is ensuring that separate cloths are used in specified areas and it seems that this advice is being ignored. So bacteria do spread and sometimes the customers get food poisoning. Always unpleasant, it can be more serious, especially amongst vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and the elderly. Given the risk to human health and the subsequent tarnished business reputation, the choice of wiping methods would seem to deserve a higher level of priority.
So why do restaurants take these risks, why do they largely ignore the HPA’s advice? Convenience must be a factor, custom another and the product ‘feel’ perhaps yet another. But if this practice is combined with the other great hygiene problem area, hand drying, then there is a solution in sight that may convince the catering industry to change.
The HPA also recommend the use of disposable paper towels for hand drying in food preparation areas, believing it to be the most effective way of removing bacteria from hands. The recent study from the University of Bradford confirms that view, placing paper towels above any other form of hand drying in reducing bacterial transference.
Connect Hygiene has developed a tissue that is both sufficiently robust and absorbent for use as an effective disposable wiping cloth, whilst being soft and flexible enough to encourage thorough hand drying. Made from 100% recycled paper, the 2 in 1 tissue can be accessed through any Leonardo roll towel dispenser.
So one dispenser, useful in the confined space of some kitchens, with a dual purpose tissue for both hand drying and wiping. It meets the HPA’s recommendations, helps maintain the business reputation for excellent hygiene practice and as an additional bonus, has impressive cost in use performance figures. Oh, and if an inspector does ask how often you change your wiping material, wouldn’t it be nice to say: "Don’t know, it doesn’t apply to me!"
www.connecthygiene.co.uk
TC achieves H&S award
TC Contractors has recently been accredited with BS OHSAS 18001, the UK standard which enables businesses to measure and demonstrate their commitment to occupational health and safety management.
This latest internationally-recognised certification compliments TC Contractors’ existing ISO14001 environmental systems and ISO9001 quality management systems, and reflects the company’s desire to adopt formal procedures to reduce the risks associated with health and safety at work, without the need for unnecessary bureaucracy.
TC Contractor’s health & safety manager, Brian Mold, said: “BS OHSAS 18001 certification gives our customers and staff added confidence that we are able to manage occupational health and safety issues proficiently in order to reduce the risk of accidents and to avoid any breach in legal requirements. BS OHSAS 18001 certification also assists organisations to qualify for tenders, to achieve preferred supplier status, avoids the need for duplicating work, thus making the process more cost effective and, as part of a risk management strategy, to address changes in legislation and protect our workforce.”
www.tc-contractors.co.uk
Anti-litter campaigners call for deposit scheme
Making consumers pay a refundable deposit for plastic and glass bottles and aluminium cans would increase recycling rates and reduce litter, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has claimed.
Under its proposed deposit refund scheme, anyone buying a small container would pay a 15p deposit, with a 30p deposit for larger capacity items, which would then be refunded when the container is returned to a shop or collection point.
The CPRE’s report, entitled ‘Have we got the bottle?’ , suggests revenues from the scheme would go a long way to covering its operational costs. The report also states that the initiative would save local authorities £160 million per year in waste management costs, as return rates are predicted to rise to up to 90%.
Mark Woodhead, chairman of the British Cleaning Council, said: "Britain produces 434 million tonnes of waste each year, and we waste over £650 million annually by dumping and incinerating waste that could otherwise be recycled. Recent figures from one of our member associations, Keep Britain Tidy, also revealed that local authorities in England spend more than £858 million a year cleaning the litter from our streets. In these austere times, this is a very serious problem and the year-on-year increase in the cost of clearing up this mess is unsustainable. We need to look at all the ways in which we can address the blight of litter, and this report makes a strong case that a deposit refund scheme is a viable means to achieving this goal.”
Bottle deposits were commonplace in the UK in the 1980s but fell out of favour when plastic bottles and cans became cheaper and more prevalent. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it welcomed the report and would consider the proposals as part of its ongoing policy review.
www.britishcleaningcouncil.org
Greyland gains European distribution
Greyland has agreed a Europe-wide distribution deal with Nohtec GmbH, the industrial distribution agency based in Germany. Established in 1999 by Norbert Heinen, Nohtec quickly made a name for itself as a distributor of specialist adhesives to the industrial maintenance sector. Currently the business is adding to its existing portfolio with a number of carefully selected suppliers and products in order to grow a presence in the cleaning sector.
According to purchasing manager Mandy Smith, a fluent German speaker who has been living and working in the country for eight years, Nohtec’s concept is to treat their customers as partners, providing a level of support and training that would usually only be expected in- house. “We supply what the competition doesn’t,” she said. “And we only deal exclusively with manufacturers, so we guarantee consistently high quality. We always say to new customers, ‘you’ll love us, and not want to leave!’”
Richard Dyson of Greyland said: “The distribution tie-in with Nohtec is a perfect fit for Greyland as it gives us experienced sales personnel on the ground, as well as the superb back-office support. Nohtec is pro-active in the European market and again, this meets with our own expectations. We are looking forward to this new distribution agreement with Nohtec leading to new milestones for Greyland.”
www.greyland.co.uk
National Flood School secures CII accreditation
The National Flood School’s ‘Practical water damage awareness day’ - which puts insurance claims handlers in a real flood situation - has been reaccredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
The one day course has been awarded CII Continuing Professional Development accreditation. Held at The National Flood School’s headquarters in Farnham, Surrey, the course combines classroom-based training along with a real life experience of water damage and restoration in the school’s innovative flood house.
Believed to be the only purpose-built floodable house in Europe, the flood house - situated next to The National Flood School’s training centre - comprises eight rooms and 60 common household materials. It is flushed with 1500 gallons of water as part of the course, to give a realistic insight into the difficulties policyholders face if their property floods.
The course also gives claims handlers an insight into restoration techniques - and increases their knowledge through first hand experience, thereby providing the insurer with a competitive advantage through service differentiation.
Jeremy Mullen, accreditation services consultant for the Chartered Insurance Institute, said: “The variety of training methods used makes the training programme an engaging and valuable learning experience for all participants. The trainer accommodates a variety of learning preferences by using visual, practical and classroom based learning, which reflects best practice in a learning environment. The CII is pleased to recognise the excellent training provided by The National Flood School; the quality and professionalism of the training, and of those involved in the accredited programme, are to be congratulated.”
Immigrant workers issue back in the news
Recent reports in the media have suggested that Illegal immigrants have been discovered working as cleaners at the House of Commons. It is suspected that the 10 employees had been working illegally in Parliament for several months.
Employers discovered using illegal immigrants are normally issued with a notification of potential liability and could face a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker. The allegations are the latest in a series of reports of embarrassing security lapses for officialdom.
Incidents include last year’s discovery that illegal immigrants were employed as cleaners in the Home Office’s buildings, and the Brazilian cleaner who was discovered using a fake pass while working at the House of Commons in 2008.
All staff at the Palace of Westminster are supposed to undergo stringent background checks by police and the security services before being issued passes.
Mark Woodhead, chairman of the British Cleaning Council, said: “The Houses of Parliament have some of the most diligent and thorough security procedures anywhere in the world, yet despite all their resources and legislative experience, they still appear to be falling foul of the rules. In this environment, what chance do ordinary businesses have? The BCC recognises the need for a proportionate and fair approach in dealing with illegal workers, but the current system is excessively complicated, time-consuming and, if these reports are true, all too often fallible. We believe government should review this policy and provide clearer and more practical legislation for employers, as well as developing a more proportionate response if cleaning businesses fall foul of the tough rules.”
www.britishcleaningcouncil.org
