Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2009 - (Page 12) Way to Go (continued from page 10) exeCutive Corner (continued from page 2) ed for some touchless systems also requires the use of a wet/dry vac to remove the excess water, whereas spray-and-squeegee systems enable the liquid remaining on the floor to be removed by squeegeeing it into a floor drain. This design also means that the system can be battery-operated, eliminating the need for a power outlet. And, because there is also none of the noise that is associated with wet/ dry vac cleanup, the unit’s almostsilent operation makes it perfect for daytime cleaning, particularly in noise-sensitive environments, such as schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. measure the level of cleanliness. Studies have found that a surface that has been cleaned with a spray-and-squeegee method will see a dramatic reduction in the ATP count. Simply put, sprayand-squeegee cleaning can be scientifically proven to significantly outperform the outdated mopand-bucket technique because the squeegee does a better job of removing soiled water and chemicals from the surface, which results in an overall cleaner environment. Conclusion Proven Results The operation of these new units also puts them within the acceptable standards for recent Green cleaning recommendations. Among the environmental, health, and well-being benefits of spray-andsqueegee systems include reduced energy consumption; reduced natural resource and chemical usage; reduced risk of sprayback of soil- and bacteria-contaminated water; noise pollution elimination; and reduced physical stress on workers. Another principal topic at the ICM Symposium concerned measures that can be used to determine the actual cleanliness of a facility after it has been “cleaned.” One new method of determining just how clean a restroom might be is through the use of an ATP meter. ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, which is present in all organic material, including microbial cells. A high level of ATP on a surface may indicate an elevated level of bacteria. So, even though a surface might appear clean, a quick and simple test with a handheld ATP meter—called a “truth detector” by some for its ability to make the invisible world visible—will quickly and accurately Today, facility managers face a difficult juggling act: patrons demand and deserve the cleanest facilities possible, and studies have shown that Green cleaning processes—in some states backed by legislation—will soon become the norm in facility sanitation, while tightening budgets have made meeting these requirements increasingly problematic. However, into the void steps the cutting-edge cleaning capability of spray-and-squeegee technology. This technology creates a more environmentally-friendly cleaning experience with less energy consumption. These units also cost less than most spray-and-vac alternatives, a fact that is not to be undervalued when shrinking budgets are hampering facility cleaning efforts at the same time that the public-health community and consumers themselves are demanding cleaner facilities, especially the restrooms. u Bill Taylor is the ICS Sales Manager for Cincinnati, Ohio-based Hydro Systems Co., the world’s largest independent manufacturer of proportioning, dosing, and dispensing systems for concentrated chemicals, serving the janitorial, institutional, foodservice, commercial cleaning, industrial, and automotive-care markets. Taylor can be contacted at (513) 271-8800 or btaylor@ hydrosystemsco.com. More information can also be obtained at www.hydrosystemsco.com. 4. Get your administrator involved: E-mail your administrator a copy of the virtual EHT so they can see the information that you read on a monthly basis. This will assure them that you are attuned to learning about valuable information such as appearance levels, personnel accountability, communication, and a plethora of other critical subjects. 5. Educate yourself: It will benefit you to educate yourself and earn your certification through IEHA. If you are not interested in purchasing the entire Self Study series, it is always a good idea to purchase an individual module to brush up on your budgeting or management skills. Not only will it help you in performing your job better, it will be difficult for your management to let go of an expert. 6. Take on other tasks: Get yourself involved on committees in areas of risk management, dietary, valet, and any other areas within your facility where you can be an integral entity. The more responsibility that you and your department have will confirm to management that you have made a career commitment to the organization. In conclusion, make your shoes hard to fill! u ADD US TO YOUR ADDRESS BOOK! excel@ieha.org 2 Executive Housekeeping Today/April 2009 http://www.hydrosystemsco.com http://www.hydrosystemsco.com
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