"A blockchain system is essentially an electronic ledger," says Michael Wilson, vice president of marketing and packaging for AFFLINK, a global leader in distribution and supply chain management. 

"Like a ledger or a spreadsheet, it keeps track of transactions and interactions among many different parties all at the same time."

However, Wilson adds that blockchain software technology is much more than this and is not a fad nor a - here today/gone tomorrow - technology. 

Because of this, he says distributors and members of the professional cleaning industry should be aware of the following: 

·      Parties in a blockchain are referred to as the blockchain's "peer-to-peer network. "In the professional cleaning industry, these parties could include, for instance, manufacturers, distributors, end-customers, facility managers, and others".

·      Because all the ledgers are interconnected, any transaction posted on one ledger will appear on all ledgers shared among the group simultaneously.

·      All changes are made instantly for all in the peer-to-peer group to see at the same time. Further, everyone knows who changed what, and the result of

these changes.

·      Transactions in a blockchain are irreversible. This means all transactions are locked in. If one ledger posting must be changed, it means the entire ledger of transactions will need to be changed and recomputed.

·      Blockchains often offer what is called "programmability". Usually, this refers to the add-on software programs that can, for instance, project delivery times, costs and expenses, profits, and more.

As to what blockchain brings to the distribution and jansan table, Wilson says it helps improve transparency, boosts operating efficiencies, reduces transaction processing times, enhances workflow. 

"And most important, builds trust because everyone in the blockchain has access to the same information all at the same time."

 http://www.afflink.com/

In this article, Birkin discuss the trends and issues that all cleaning companies should be aware of as we enter the second half of 2019, not only to do your part for our planet but to stay ahead of our competitors. 

Plastic

 Probably the most talked about, tweeted about and protested about topic of 2019, it’s huge in every sense. Here at Birkin, we are now more than ever conscious of the need to cut down on our plastic waste that is sent to landfill. As part of our Environmental and Sustainability objectives, we have committed to reducing the number of plastic bottles, cloths and cleaning equipment that has a negative impact on our environments. 

We will continue to work with our clients on their plastic reduction requirement and work with our suppliers to source more sustainable and environmentally friendly options. 

Most recently we have worked with a major beauty brand client in the North West on sourcing a sustainable ‘bag for life’ option for picking and packing. This sees their employees place packaging in designated bags rather than all in one bag and encourages recycling across the business. This has proven a success and we are now working with the same customer to source a smaller, easily transportable bag.

‘Eco-friendly’ claims

In recent months, there have been numerous issues with suppliers claiming their products are ‘eco-friendly’ in order to improve their sustainability image. Unfortunately, this will likely not only continue but increase dramatically as businesses try to capitalize on the rising importance of environmental concerns.

It is sad to see some brands not approaching this ethically and falsely advertising their products - often they’ve simply made diluted products with water to reduce the hazard and risk rating. Or worse, they’ve made no changes and simply displayed a false ‘eco-friendly’ label on the front. Birkin are required to provide technical COSHH data and safety data sheets for all products that we use on our sites. To ensure we do not get caught out, we always ask for the technical proof for the products we are purchasing – this is something all companies should do.

Waste Management 

In the UK, we dispose of 57 million tons of rubbish every year. In 2010, it was predicted that we would have no landfill left by 2018! Although the timeline may have been wrong, there are major concerns about the management of waste. It is anticipated that waste disposal is likely to become more expensive and unpopular, leading to businesses wanting to source a more careful method.

Robotic Innovation

2019 has seen cleaning shows take the lead in marketing the presence of robotic machines in the cleaning industry. It is anticipated that, as the economy grows, so will the need for fewer labour-intensive techniques. The introduction of automated machinery may be cost heavy at first, but in the long term will see a great reduction in employment costs.

Birkin has been actively trialling an automated floor cleaning machine at an Educational client in London. The challenges that can come from robotics are battery life, reliability and a potential negative impact on employees, therefore Birkin is continuing our trials before committing.

This blog was written by Birkin, a commercial cleaning company based in London and the South East.

In a recent survey, United Carpets & Beds found that only 3% of the public have their carpets professionally cleaned, while more than half of the people surveyed admitted to vacuuming their carpets less than once a week.

These statistics show that most are failing to take proper care of their carpets, risking not only permanent staining and ruined fibres but also damaged health and possible negative affects to business reputation.

When should businesses get their carpets professionally cleaned

Paul Pearce from the National Carpet Cleaners Association recommends that businesses, especially client-facing ones, should get their carpet professionally cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months to ensure it looks professional and welcoming. 

Office carpet is likely to experience increased levels of footfall and wear, as well as a wide variety of heel and tread ‘outside shoes’; therefore, the carpet may become soiled and worn more easily. 

Vacuuming the carpet

The survey highlighted that the average member of public spends less than the recommended time vacuuming their carpets. This can be a costly error, as it allows dirt to become ingrained, necessitating a new replacement carpet sooner than would otherwise be the case.

Offices usually need their carpets vacuuming at least twice a week due to the high levels of traffic. 

Spot cleaning carpet to remove stains

It is not always possible to avoid spillages and scuffs to a carpet—especially in a busy environment. Sometimes it will be necessary to spot clean. Again, failing to deal with a stain in the correct way as quickly as possible can leave your carpet permanently soiled.

Carpet professionals United Carpets and Beds offers easy hacks on how to quickly remove stubborn stains without doing more damage to the affected area.

Getting rid of stubborn stains

Paul Pearce recommends the following solutions for some common tough stains…

Coffee and tea

For many businesses, coffee and tea stains may be common due to employees walking across the office with hot drinks—over time small spills will become unsightly and should be dealt with immediately. 

• Soak up as much liquid as possible with absorbent towels—apply pressure and turn or replace the towels regularly.

• If necessary, apply more water through a small plant sprayer and repeat the blotting process.

• Spray a dilution of carpet shampoo and water and blot.

• Repeat as required.

• Leave six to eight sheets of kitchen towel on top of the wet carpet and leave overnight to dry.

• Remove the towels and vacuum the carpet.

Mud

With a large number of people walking through the office daily, the risk of treading in mud is high – especially in wet weather. 

• Let the mud completely dry.

• Go over it with a vacuum cleaner.

• If there’s any residue left, apply a dilution of carpet shampoo and water through a spray bottle.

• Leave kitchen towels on while drying.

• Vacuum again once dry.

Paul also shared his solutions for removing food, oils, cosmetics and blood.

When creating a first impression for clients and future employees, it is important that attention is paid to small details like the overall appearance of the carpet. Following these recommendations will ensure the carpet looks clean and professional, stay in good condition and lasts a long time. 

Hermes, the delivery company, has crafted a deal with the GMB union, setting out a new optional arrangement for its 15,000 couriers, guaranteeing them better wage rates and paid holidays.

Under the arrangement, the currently self-employed drivers could opt into a new status, called ‘self-employed plus’ and receive up to 28 days’ paid holiday and choose individually negotiated pay rates of around £8.50ph – more than the current national minimum wage of £7.83ph. Opting in to self-employed plus would also entail opting in to a collective bargaining agreement so the GMB can represent them. However, they could continue to deliver parcels in whatever order they want to.

Any new couriers joining Hermes under the new arrangement (again, optional) would receive the same beneficial terms, but would have to follow routes specified by Hermes, who would want to ensure they take the most efficient route. 

Hermes have announced that the new arrangement comes after several discussions with the GMB, who backed 200 Hermes couriers who won their case to be recognised as workers, rather than self-employed individuals, at Tribunal last summer. Similar cases were also brought against Uber and Deliveroo, amongst others.

The GMB has commended the ‘step change’ and sees this move by Hermes as a way that gig economy employers can treat people fairly, and not utilise exploitative methods.

Matthew Taylor, who led the Government’s ‘Good Work Plan’ and set out recommendations for the government to clarify different forms of employment status and associated rights, has suggested this approach will be scrutinised by the HMRC. Mr Taylor feels that the self-employed plus status may provide the couriers with benefits similar to employees, and also would give more control to Hermes, and therefore the HMRC may treat individuals on the new arrangement as employees, attracting national insurance and tax payments.

Both Hermes and the GMB disagree with Mr Taylor, suggesting that the couriers remain self-employed.

Who is right? I’m sure we will know soon as it will only be a matter of time before the new arrangement is tested through the system – either HMRC or Employment ribunal. In the meantime, at least Hermes is giving its giggers a choice.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Terry in his session "But they’re not our employees" – the evolving world of employment status” taking place on Thursday 11^th April at The NEC, Birmingham.

With the government’s Clean Air Strategy launched in January placing indoor and outdoor air quality at the top of the environmental agenda, our understanding of the effect of ‘bad air’ – particulate matter (PM) – is coming under increasing scrutiny.

As a result, there is an urgent need for those responsible for our buildings to take steps to ensure they become safe-havens – essential in our polluted city centres. After all, air pollution is the top environmental risk to human health in the UK, and the fourth greatest threat to public health after cancer, heart disease and obesity.

That’s why I am giving a talk – The invisible danger: how FMs can protect building occupants from ‘bad air’ – at the Facilities Event. This article covers some of the ground I plan to talk about.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, says in the Clean Air Strategy’s introduction: “[Poor air quality] makes us more susceptible to respiratory infections and other illnesses, and we estimate that the actions outlined in this document could cut the costs of air pollution to society by £1.7 billion every year by 2020, rising to £5.3 billion every year from 2030.”

The government says it wants to do all it can to reduce people’s exposure to toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxides, ammonia, particulate matter, non-methane VOCs and sulphur dioxide. The Clean Air Strategy says: “New legislation will create a stronger and more coherent framework for action to tackle air pollution.

“This will be underpinned by new England-wide powers to control major sources of air pollution, in line with the risk they pose to public health and the environment, plus new local powers to take action in areas with an air pollution problem.

“These will support the creation of Clean Air Zones to lower emissions from all sources of air pollution, backed up with clear enforcement mechanisms.”

PM affects more people than any other pollutant. It comprises a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air. The three main particle sizes the filtration sector is concerned with are PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 where the figure is the number of microns. PM1 is smaller than 1,000th of a millimetre and toxic PM1 traffic air pollution particles are particularly prevalent in urban locations.

Air filters that separate PM1 particles from incoming air not only protect people from serious health problems, but also help sustain the general well-being and productivity of people by preventing bacteria and viruses (which are often PM1 in size) from spreading through the ventilation system.

A well-sealed building envelope and effective filtration of incoming supply air can reduce particle penetration by 78%. The fact that many modern buildings are sealed and employ effective filtration makes them ideal havens against the effects of outside air pollution. Mr Dyment believes safe havens should be promoted because they are a crucial way in which people in cities can get significant health protection.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Peter in his session The invisible danger – how FMs can protect building occupants from bad air taking place on Thursday 11^th April at The NEC, Birmingham.

More and more commercial businesses and industries are relying on steam cleaning to provide economic and effective cleaning because it’s capable of dealing with tough stains, marks and dirt more easily. 

Let’s have a look at some of the popular industries that have chosen steam cleaning as their method of cleaning and why.

1. The Food Industry

The food industry needs to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness because their businesses are all about serving people food that they will consume and digest. In the case of food, one cannot take a risk with hygiene because it’s a matter of health. There are strict laws and regulations regarding food health and safety which is all the more reason that restaurants and factories need to be extra considerate and careful when it comes to hygiene standards.

The high pressure and heat of steam cleaners is great to get rid of bacteria, dirt and germs from grout and tiles. The dry steam cleaning method exceeds the regulatory food cleaning standards. This method will ensure that you don’t have to worry about the hygiene standards of your restaurant or rather, any environment that you’re in. 

Steam cleaning is great for sanitising kitchen equipment, disinfecting cooking and preparation surfaces, cleaning tiles, grouting, wall coverings, removing grease and grime and of course, sanitising equipment as well. 

2. Healthcare Industry

It’s no surprise that the healthcare industry is extremely conscious about maintaining healthy and hygienic standards in their place of work. Steam cleaners are extremely effective in removing, not killing, what’s called “superbugs” so that there is no antimicrobial resistance. They, almost, remove the need to use chemicals, leaving the surfaces and areas clean. They are widely being used in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, veterinary clinics, health centres and more. They are widely used in health centres and hospitals to clean public waiting areas, floors, hallways, operating theatres, medical equipment, cafeterias etc.

3. Hospitality Industry

Of course the hospitality industry cannot be far behind when it comes to maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. This industry is really booming with more and more shifts to steam cleaning rather than chemicals due to its ease of use and effectiveness. It works great to get rid of infection and also provides high quality of visual cleaning. The hospitality industry can benefit from steam cleaning to remove stains and spots from carpets, sheets, deep clean their bathrooms, kitchens, prevent bedbugs, clean tiles and grout from spas, swimming areas, hot tubs and also use it to clean furniture and upholstery.

4. Motor Industry

The industry which deals the most with dirt, grease and grime is the motor industry and so it probably requires steam cleaning the most. Garages and motor cleaning services use steam cleaners to clean the interior of cars like doors, dashboards, vents, floor mats, exterior like rims, wheels, and the main body of the car. They are also used to remove stains from leather and other fabric seat covers and foul odour. Steam cleaning is the most useful when trying to remove dirt, grime and grease from the engine. It leaves the car not only clean, but also hygienic because it removes bacteria and germs. 

Conclusion

There are many other hidden and long term benefits that steam cleaning offers and those which have made it a popular choice among such large scale commercial industries. It not only saves you time but also saves money because you don’t need to use any other products or cleaning methods when you’re using steam cleaners. It’s also a natural way of cleaning because it doesn’t require hard scrubbing, scraping or any hard manual labour on the part of the cleaner. The steam cleaning process involves the steam and a wipe. That’s it. It’s also a safe way of cleaning for the cleaner because it doesn’t use any harsh chemicals which could otherwise harm and affect the person doing the job of cleaning. 

So, overall steam cleaning is definitely the future of cleaning services and cleaning standards in all the major industries. It’s only a matter of time before more people adopt this method of cleaning for their homes as well.

Provided by ospreydc.com

This places added pressures on organisations and individuals to find greener, eco-friendlier solutions that are financially viable and less harmful for our environment. So, what is the true impact of chemical-based cleaning products on the environment and what is the solution? 

The true impact of cleaning products on our environment

When you take into account all the ways in which cleaning products affect our environment, from toxic chemicals entering our water supplies to single-use packaging finding its way into our oceans; the carbon footprint is huge. To put this into perspective, in 2016 the chemical industry was worth 5.2 trillion U.S. dollars, indicating just how many chemicals we use and will end up in our water supplies. On top of this, each year 400 million tons of plastic is produced, 40% of which is single-use plastic which is used just once before being thrown away. When you consider the vast quantities of cleaning products we use every day, it is safe to say it is having a damaging effect on our environment.

What is the solution?

The answer is to replace chemical-based cleaning products packaged in single-use plastic with a reusable, eco-friendly and non-toxic solution. Whilst they sound too good to be true, these solutions do exist and they can actually end up saving you money as well as improving your carbon footprint. 

Introducing SAO technology…

Stabilised Aqueous Ozone (SAO) is a completely natural cleaning solution which uses just oxygen, electrical currents and normal tap water to kill up to 99.999% of harmful bacteria, making it an entirely environmentally friendly product. The technology works by taking Oxygen from the air and infiltrating it with an electrical volt, turning the O2 into O3. The O3 is then infused with normal tap water changing the minerals in the water to create Stabilised Aqueous Ozone. Once stabilised, the aqueous ozone will cling to germs, harmful bacteria, dirt and grime, killing 99.999% of all harmful contaminants. It can stay stabilised for up to 24 hours, giving you plenty of time to clean with just one batch. After the 24 hours is up, it will simply return to its natural form. The Lotus Pro is an aqueous ozone cleaning system which uses SAO technology and only needs to be purchased once. So, not only is this solution entirely reusable, chemical-free and natural, but over time it can actually save you money on your cleaning costs too. 

Written by UK suppliers of Tersano’s SAO cleaning products, Purozo. 

New technologies combined with evolving buyer expectations are taking customer service to a whole new level. In response, service technology is being used to help the cleaning industry provide added value to customers. 

For example, portals and dashboards give customers access to all the latest service and performance reports, without having to rely on calls or emails. So customers get all the info they need, while the admin burden on your team is reduced. Because customers always know what’s happening, this leads to higher levels of satisfaction.

Online portals and apps are also being used to make it easy for customers to feedback on the service they receive. However, where customers tell you about their experience you must use this knowledge to address any problems. As such cleaning companies are also using big data and analytical functionality to help spot trends and improve. 

Undertaking regular checks is also crucial to ensuring the high standards customers demand. So, savvy cleaning companies are moving from paper-based to digital checks (with no room for error). These forms are then automatically synced with back-office systems in real-time, so managers always know what is happening on the ground. Today, the use of mobile apps and reporting is helping to speed up the process while ensuring more consistent reporting. What’s more, this data can also be shared via customer dashboards making it easy for cleaning companies to provide more precise information on the status of checks and other activities.

Software that enables automation is also being used to improve standards of customer support. For example, repetitive tasks can be done automatically while ensuring that processes are simplified, standardised, and streamlined. This means that customer service teams spend less time on mundane tasks, and more time responding to more complex enquires. 

Moreover, because modern service management software and apps allow all your employees to share information in real time, everyone has access to the same data. So customers don’t get frustrated by mixed messages or having to relay information more than once.

Today, keeping customers happy is vital. And with the technology available to do this, cleaning companies not currently investing in service management tools could soon get left behind.

For example, one study showed that women working as cleaners or regularly using cleaning products for 20 years suffered a decline in lung function equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day, according to the Independent. To help you stay safe and well, Zoro has put together this useful guide to raise awareness about chemical products and improve the safety of their use.

How to recognise dangerous products

By law, all products that contain hazardous chemicals must be labelled with the appropriate CLP symbols. This EU-standard chemical classification system is your key to understanding the potential health effects associated with various products and chemicals. 

If you start paying attention to the products you use, you will soon see that many of them carry these warnings. All sorts of everyday essentials — including deodorant, bleach, nail polish, and insect spray — contain potentially dangerous chemicals. You can view each CLP pictogram and find out more information about the classification system on the British Cleaning Council website.

How to use hazardous products safely

The only safe way to use chemicals is to follow the directions on the product label. Use all products with care, whether that means putting on some goggles, wearing a respirator mask, or using rubber gloves. Certain cleaning agents will require a particular type of protective glove to ensure you're fully-protected: Zoro has a wide range of chemically resistant gloves that might work well. It is also wise to have first aid supplies to hand in case of emergency. 

Exactly what you need will be laid out in the product's accompanying safety directions. Only ever use as much of the chemical as stated on the instructions — using twice as much will not make the product twice as effective. Never eat or drink near chemicals and keep them away from children and pets.

How to store chemical products 

Storing chemicals safely is just as important as using them safely. You should always keep chemicals in the containers you purchased them in and make sure they are tightly sealed after use. Some chemicals have their own special storage instructions, so always read the label. Flammable substances, for example, should be stored away from heat, while bleach should be stored away from cleaning products that contain ammonia and acids as they can react to make chlorine gas if accidentally mixed.

Many products have child-proof caps on them to prevent children from using them, but research has shown that these caps are not as safe as we think, and little ones as young as three are able to open them. So, if you store any of your cleaning products in the homes of your clients, make sure they're kept somewhere children won't be able access them. 

How to dispose of chemical products 

Getting rid of used or partially-used cleaning products in a safe way is just as important as storing them properly. If any of your chemical products are leaking, have passed their use-by date, or generally look bad, you will need to dispose of them. 

Never just pour any unwanted chemicals down the sink and throw away the empty container — anything you put down the sink will ultimately end up in a river or the sea. Always follow any advice on the label and, if in doubt, take your used chemicals to your local waste and recycling centre.

What to do if you come into contact with a toxic substance

Harmful chemicals can get into your system through direct skin contact, by breathing in chemical gas, or by ingesting them directly. There are many factors that play into whether a substance is toxic, and different chemicals will affect people differently. Prevention is always easier than the cure, and if you use the right personal protective gear and follow the instructions on the label, you should never come into contact with a toxic substance. 

But, if you do, it is wise to have read any instructions beforehand, so you know what to do. Generally, washing any direct contact areas with water is recommended, but if you ingest any dangerous chemicals, seek medical attention immediately. It is important that both you and your staff know what to do in case of an accident, so it's beneficial to provide full training. High Speed Training offers a straightforward online training course in hazardous substances.

The common theme of chemical safety is to take your time, read all available information, and understand what you're doing. This will minimize the risks involved in using chemicals and protect you from trips to the hospital.

What’s brewing this Christmas? 

As temperatures plummet, employees will likely be making more trips to the kettle, but it’s these tea runs where germs could easily spread. Initial Washroom Hygiene’s survey of 1,000 office workers found that only 33% of people wash mugs before making a cup of tea for colleagues and 80% admitted they don’t wash their hands prior to preparing a brew. When we swabbed the boxes where office tea bags are kept we found extraordinarily high levels of bacteria – an average 17 times higher than the average toilet seat.

Encouraging more hygienic employee behaviour such as washing hands, cleaning mugs between tea rounds and wiping down tea-making equipment, can help overcome any potential contamination. Facilities managers should equip offices with soap and sanitisers as well as displaying helpful hand washing reminders around the office.

Guilt (and germ)-free indulgence 

Research has shown that most people eat their lunch at their desk at least three times a week, and at this time of year festive nibbles are almost certain to end up on employees’ desks. Handwashing before eating or snacking is vital, as 80% of all illnesses are transmitted by touch. Despite this, Initial research revealed that 74% of people don’t wash their hands before snacking. 

Deploying hand sanitisers throughout the office could help employees form a barrier against microbes and will also promote a more proactive approach to hand hygiene. 

Tricks of the trade

It’s the role of the office manager to ensure that regular office cleaning takes place and that a deep clean is undertaken (we would recommend twice yearly). Ensuring good quality infection control procedures are in place is worth investing time and money in, as it can help to prevent or reduce any illness amongst staff.

One secret weapon to quickly and effectively clean the office – is Ultra Low Volume (ULV) fogging. This technique is especially useful in the event of an outbreak as it enables the treatment of large areas in a short space of time by generating a mist formed of tiny droplets of disinfectant, measuring 5-50 microns in diameter. Carried out by trained specialists, ULV fogging significantly reduces the number of potentially harmful pathogens and ensures those hard-to-reach areas that manual cleaning might miss are treated. The fogging technique can also include a disinfectant with ‘Reactive Barrier Technology’ to keep areas sanitised for extended periods of time. Considering deep cleaning techniques like ULV fogging alongside routine cleaning procedures could be essential in keeping your office full of cheer and not germs this Christmas.

Final words

With a small investment, office managers can ensure they’re putting the needs of their employees first by tackling the spread of bacteria and viruses this festive season. Tackling these hygiene risks by employing the necessary tactics to prevent them will go a long way to ensuring a very Merry Christmas for everyone in the office! 

Authors: 

Jamie Woodhall, UK technical & innovation manager, Initial Washroom Hygiene
Paul Casson, technical field manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene