Feeling foggy with the flu? Try our fogging service!

Many of you may have missed (or purposely avoided) reading my last article regarding the flu epidemic that it looked like we may be facing in 2019.

Well, can I just say that it’s not just a warning in some blokes article anymore…

It’s here!

By the end of the first week of April, we had already reached half of our 2018 total of flu cases, and in Queensland alone there had been a reported 7,289 diagnosed cases of the flu. Professor Robert Booy, Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition, has said that this season might be more severe as a result of the relative mildness of the 2018 flu season, which has seen us regular folk not build up the natural immunities that we normally do year to year.

For me, it all comes down to the cleanliness of where we work and play. While the flu is always an unavoidable reality of this season, it’s the uncontained spread of germs from those who are afflicted that cause the real headaches. Enclosed areas that house a significant population of people, such as hospitals, offices, schools and aged care homes, are all an absolute feeding ground for flu germs. When one person gets ill in these environments, you’ll very soon find those around them displaying similar symptoms (if not managed correctly). This is due to the germs not being able to escape from the space as easily as an open area.

So how can we combat this? What can we possibly do to reduce the risk of sickness when we spend a large amount of our lives in these high risk areas?

The solution for cleaning (see what I did there?) is our fogging service.

When you engage our fogging service, we fill your high risk enclosed areas, such as a school classroom, medical centre, childcare building or an office, with a cold fog of disinfectant. The disinfectant we use is a Hospital Grade Disinfectant approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Our disinfectant is silicon based, which bonds to the contacted surfaces, creating a barrier that continues to kill microorganisms for 28 days. This is made possible by the microbial qualities of the product, which physically puncture the cell walls of the microorganisms to instantly kill it. In comparison, other hospital grade disinfectants simply use toxic kill to poison the microorganism. This type of disinfectant is what allows the microorganisms to build a resistance over time – meaning your regular cleaning has a quickly diminishing effect.

Our fogging service allows the disinfectant to penetrate into all areas, cracks and crevasses and will completely cover all surfaces.

Interested to find out more about the testing that the disinfectant has gone through? We’ve got you covered below – elsewise, read on!

Product Testing

Toxicology Testing

· Acute Dermal Toxicity Study OEDC 402

· Acute Inhalation Study OEDC 403

· Acute Dermal Irritation/Corrosion Study OEDC 404

· Acute Eye Irritation/Corrosion Study OEDC 405

· Acute Skin Sensitisation Study OEDC 406

· Acute Oral Toxicity Study OEDC 425

Efficacy Testing

· TGA Disinfectant Test

· 1 Day Challenge Testing – MRSA

· 14 Day Challenge Testing E coli, Salmonella, VRE

· 14 Day Challenge Test – Norovirus

· 28 Day Challenge Test – E.Coli, Salmonella, VRE

· Hard Surface Challenge Test – Clostridium Difficile

· Surface Testing – Aluminium – 1116.002-Al

· Surface Testing – Aluminium – 1124.001-Al

· Surface Testing – Carpet – 1116.002-Carpet

· Surface Testing – Linoleum – 1116.002-Linoleum

· Surface Testing – PVC – 1116.002-PVC

· Surface Testing – Stainless Steel – 1116.002-Steel

· Surface Testing – Untreated Wood – 1116.002-Wood

· Virucidal Efficacy Suspension Test – Swine Influenza Virus (H1N1)

Once the fogging service has been completed, we then do a test to measure our success and provide the data back to you. The test is carried out quickly, consisting of 10 random swabs which are placed into our portable tester. The swabs give off light which is measured and recorded as Reflective Light Units (RLU), which measures the energy given off by living organisms.

So the dimmer the light = the lower the RLU = the better the result.

How this can benefit your workplace

The answer is pretty simple – you can lower your risk of infectious illnesses.

By lowering your risk of infectious illnesses, you can ensure that this flu season has minimal impact on your workplace. The fogging service is a proactive measure to mitigate the risk of flu in your place of work to help you avoid the costs that come with associated sick leave.

When it comes to schooling, the fogging service assists with keeping kids at school for more of the year, reducing impact on parents and learning.

In summary, we are currently on track for the flu to affect us here in Queensland more than it has in recent years – or perhaps ever before! Doctors are encouraging us to help fight sickness by taking things a step further, rather than simply relying on your standard flu shot.

As a business owner, medical practice manager, or leading educator, you can do your part in the prevention of the flu this season. Call us today on 1300 860 832 or request a quote for our fogging service.

What role do your cleaners play in infection control?

Stay safe this flu season!

I know, I know – it still feels like Summer. So why am I talking about managing the spread of the flu and other sicknesses already?

Well, that’s because the flu is already here.  And it’s spreading like wildfire. Just take a look around you. I can all but guarantee that somebody in your life right now has been struck down or is beginning to show the symptoms.

I’m not trying to start a fear campaign here, but these sort of outbreaks can get around crazy fast. And flu season is only just beginning!

So what can you do about it? Well, one of your first points of call should be to sort the prevention and control of infections in your workplace. It’s where you spend a third or more of your day most days after all!

Whatever your daily work setting is, from an office to health care facility or even a childcare centre, your cleaners (see Solutions 4 Cleaning for more information) should play an important role in managing the risk of infection to your staff and customers.  

The role of your cleaner is to remove dust and microbes from the environment, effectively preventing or controlling any potential outbreaks. If you want to know what are the most vital considerations for your cleaning – well, you’ve come to the right place!

Here are 4 essential things that you and your cleaner should consider as part of any highly effective infection control in the workplace:

Equipment

Good quality, clean and well-maintained equipment is essential in commercial cleaning. We recommend the use of clean, colour coded cloths and mop heads which are laundered after each use, as this will minimise the risk of cross contamination. Other areas that are often overlooked are vacuum cleaners that have a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter helps to ensure that no dust, spores or fungi pass through the vacuum and go right back into the environment that you just removed them from. D’oh.

Chemicals or Cleaning agents

Having the right products to do the work is one thing – knowing how they work and how to use them effectively is another thing altogether.  In my years of experience, I have encountered far too many cleaners who simply spray and wipe.

This effectively does very little to kill the microorganisms that are the real culprits in the spread of infections such as the flu.  

Even the best hospital grade disinfectants need 10 minutes to sit on a surface to kill microorganisms like Norovirus (the dreaded cause of gastro) and even 3 min for Rhinovirus (our most common cause of the common cold).  

Also essential to the process of infection control is understanding which products simply clean or break down solids – and which do the actual killing of microorganisms.

Quite often an item like a door handle might need to be treated twice.  

First with a general cleaner, in order to break down fats and solids;

And then with a hospital grade disinfectant, which is applied and left to air dry to kill the microorganisms.  

If your cleaners don’t understand the process and the products, they might be leaving you exposed to unwanted germs. If you want a professional team you can rely on to take care of the job properly the first time, every time – then give us a call on 1300 860 832 or get in touch with us here.

Regular Cleaning

Regular Cleaning is essential to staying on top of the potential spread of infection.

This is why it is essential to talk to your commercial cleaners prior to engaging them.  A good cleaning company will listen to your wants and needs, as well as get an idea of your budget.  Then they can go away and create a schedule specific tailored to your workplace. A typical office that is getting a twice weekly clean might get high risk areas like kitchens and bathrooms cleaned twice weekly, where other jobs like the wiping over of workstations might only get done once a week.

It’s totally and completely up to you – and that is why you need a cleaner who will listen and recommend accordingly, as opposed to simply going all gung ho on your office, medical practice or warehouse.

Periodic Cleaning

Periodic Cleaning is essential to ensuring your workplace is not only kept healthy, but also maintained properly.  

Regular mopping, for example, will not be sufficient to maintain high traffic areas like entrances. Over time, rubber from shoes can build up and starts to hold onto all that dirt and grime from the outdoors. The only way to remove it is through a thorough clean with a floor scrubber.

This floor scrub will maintain both the appearance and cleanliness of the area. Talk about two birds!

Periodic cleaning should also include thorough dusting, thorough cleaning of fridges, cupboards, under appliances and hard to reach areas.

I’ve Got Waterless Urinal Systems – How Do I Manage Them?

So you’ve gone waterless with your urinals. Congratulations! Water isn’t an infinite resource and any business reducing their consumption is making a smart decision (and one that’s bound to save money). A single waterless urinal could save up to 133 000 litres of water per year, depending on the size of your workforce and who’s using your facilities.

You also need to keep in mind that it’ll have an impact on your electricity bill, as you now won’t require energy to move water to and from your systems. Double win!

Now that water isn’t a part of the equation, you might be wondering how you can keep this area clean and hygienic – not to mention odour free.

Well, allow us to help. Here’s everything you need to know about waterless urinal maintenance.

Types Of Systems

Waterless urinal systems can operate using an oil lock system, a biological system or mechanically.

In oil lock systems, urine passes through a sealing liquid which is less dense than it is. The sealing fluid sits on top of the urine, trapping it and preventing odour from passing through. In a biological system, a block containing microorganisms absorbs and ‘digests’ the urine. Finally, in a mechanical system, a hollow ball valve of a lower density than the urine is used so that it blocks the urine after it passes through.

Each of the three systems have their own pros and cons, but what they all have in common is that a standard cleaning job won’t be enough to clean them. While you might be able to clean the outside of the urinal using disinfectant products, the internal elements are dry and can be difficult to reach.

Furthermore, waterless urinal systems using oil or biological systems are often not able to come into contact with water or traditional cleaning products. These systems need to cleaned using a very particular method and products.

So what do you do?

You trust the professionals.

A waterless urinal system only saves you money and helps the environment if its functioning as it should be at all times. It’s for this reason that we advise that you get a professional urinal cleaning and maintenance team to do the job for you. Our Solutions 4 Cleaning team members are all trained in managing any sealants, valves and cylinders the system could have, topping up necessary sealants when they run low and removing, cleaning and replacing the trap without damaging it, as well as flushing any lines that require it.

So all you really need to do to effectively manage your waterless urinal systems is contact us on 07 3160 7306 and set up a regular appointment for our urinal cleaning Brisbane service.

We’ll take care of the rest, leaving you to enjoy a hygienic and odourless waterless urinal system that works for your business time and time again.

What is testing and tagging and do I need it?

We are excited to announce that Solutions 4 Cleaning is now qualified to complete test and tag services in addition to our commercial, office and healthcare cleaning services. This is especially helpful for our clients who require all cleaning and maintenance work to occur outside normal business hours. Solutions 4 Cleaning are able to conduct our test and tag services alongside any of our existing cleaning services – with minimal disruption to you and your workforce. 

Electrical safety is and should always be a number one priority for all Australian businesses.

Inline with the Queensland Electrical Safety Regulations and the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760: 2003, test and tag in office workspaces should be conducted every 5 years, or, all circuits need to be protected by a safety switch.

So what exactly is testing and tagging? Well, it’s the number one method of identifying dangerous electrical appliances. Testing and tagging commercial services go hand in hand as the best way to make sure your office is safe for everyone. As long as testing and tagging are included in your electrical safety plan, any issues with equipment can be diagnosed, resolved or removed early on. Once an appliance has been tested, a tag is placed on it to confirm that it has been tested, who tested it, the test date and when the next test is due. A record of these tests is kept as part of your overall OH&S risk management documentation.

Having your electrical equipment tested and tagged will help to identify and prevent possible electrical hazards. If any malfunctioning electrical equipment is found, you can have it fixed or replaced before it becomes a danger. We have outlined additional features and costs involved in our Solutions  4 Cleaning Test and Tag service here.

In addition to test and tagging, it is recommended that all workplaces be fitted with safety switches or RCDs, and since the Wiring Rules AS3000:2007 update, RCDs (safety switches) are now required to be installed on all new circuits which supply power points. The use of an RCD however, is no excuse for complacency when it comes to the regular inspection and testing of your electrical appliances.If it’s time again for your electrical equipment to be tested and tagged, feel free to contact our Solutions 4 Cleaning team to organise your test and tag at the best time for your company and your employees.

We are compliant with AS/NZS 3760 Australian Standards, with a Restricted Electrical Contractors Licence ( Licence number 85328). You can read more about our Test and Tag Service by visiting our Test and Tag Brisbane page.

Couriers, cleaners in firing line as government continues to fight the “black economy”

Courier and cleaning businesses look set to face greater regulatory burdens after the federal government outlined plans in its 2017 budget to extend measures in the fight against the nation’s $21 billion so-called “black economy”.

Tuesday’s budget papers saw the government suggest it could recoup $318 million in revenue through a plan to extend the taxable payments reporting system (TPRS) to contractors in the courier and cleaning sectors.

The scheme, which currently applies to the construction sector, compels businesses to report the individual and collective payments it makes to contractors each year to the Australian Taxation Office. Under the budget proposal, businesses in the courier and cleaning sectors would have to start collecting this information at the start of the 2018-19 financial year, in preparation to tell the ATO how much they are paying contractors from July 1, 2019.

Having this week released the interim report from its Black Economy Taskforce, the government also outlined plans in the budget papers to ban certain point-of-sales systems that could allow businesses to underreport their income, and also committed to measures for fighting multinational tax avoidance by extending pre-existing laws to companies using foreign partnerships and trusts.

Principal at Perigee Advisers, Lisa Greig, tells SmartCompany this year’s federal budget is “riddled with integrity measures” and will result in increased compliance burdens for many SMEs.

She says the plan to extend the TPRS, which comes off the back of a recommendation made to government in the Black Economy Taskforce interim report, is simply a matter of authorities looking at areas of non-compliance, and seeing which businesses they can place added scrutiny on.

“They’ve done their benchmarks and said, ‘who else we can tag with the contractors’ brush?’” she says.

While there is a concerted effort from the government to recoup funds from those operating outside of the tax system, Greig says unscrupulous providers are likely to find a way to continue to avoid paying tax.

Meanwhile, she says many small business owners are already confused by the complexities of compliance measures, and there’s not much being done to simplify matters.

“All the tweaks in the budget are adding to the compliance costs for SMEs,” she says.

On Wednesday, the government made the interim report from its Black Economy Taskforce, which was established in December, available for public consultation.

The report, led by taskforce head Michael Andrew, highlights that Australia has made “few inroads” in fighting the hidden economy, and current approaches tend to focus on symptoms of the problem, rather than the causes.

The taskforce made nine initial recommendations to government, including the extension of the TPRS to new sectors, as well as potentially developing tax or other incentives for small businesses to switch to “non-cash business model[s]”.

Marking the contracting and cleaning sectors as areas of significant risk, the report also devotes time to how government can shift community attitudes about the payment of tax.

The taskforce says community attitudes have the potential to undermine the fight against the black economy, with the idea that “everyone” takes cash under the table leading more to be tempted not to comply with tax law.

“Similarly, if people do not trust their tax authorities or have little faith in governments spending their tax dollars wisely, they may be reluctant to comply with their tax obligations,” the report observes.