The Executive Housekeeper 13_2

The ExecutiveHousEkEEpEr

Volume 13 No. 2PP 322210/00016

Front Cover:Hilton Melbourne South Wharf , VIC


3 Publishers’ Message

5 PEHN News

7 PHAN News

12 FNPHN News

13 SEQPHA News

17 The History of Beds

21 Housekeeping Pest Control issues around the world

24 The Salvation Army Employment Plus scheme

28 Leather Cleaning

32 Alternative Dispute Resolution under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)

35 Vacuum Floor Care Q&A

37 Housekeeping treasurer enjoys time behind bars

38 Hilton South Wharf

Volume 13 No. 2

Contents 40 Selecting Scrubber-Dryers that Truly Support Economic, Social & Environmental Sustainability

45 Bed Bugs – An old problem comes back to bite us!

46 H1NI Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza): Guidance to Managers of Hotels used to Quarantine Contacts of Suspected and Confirmed Cases

50 Profiles

53 Thinking Management: Doing the Hard Things

54 Housekeeping and Maintenance of Good Environmental Pracitces

57 Attracting, engaging and retaining Gen Y staff

58 Flying Insect Control in the Hospitality Industry

60 Shine in Your Profession

62 How the Top Five Low-Moisture Carpet Care Methods Stack Up

65 Cleaning or Disinfection?

67 Product News

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The Executive Housekeeper | Vol 13 No. 2 | 3

As of this issue, your Executive Housekeeper magazine can be

viewed online, simply by going to www.adbourne.com, and clicking on ‘The executive housekeeper’ link. This was done to ensure all features and advertising can easily by seen by an even greater readership.

Our front cover this issue is the new Hilton at Melbourne’s South Wharf with a photo feature of this achievement inside.

Pictured below left is Grace Esogon - Liz Lycette interviews Grace about the Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service, and how it has benefited her hiring practices at the Sydney Harbour Marriot.

Rose Bryant-Smith, an associate of Grevis Beard who does such a great job with his regular legal articles, provides us with an insight into the new Fair Work Act which recently replaced WorkChoices. Both Rose and Grevis are with Work Logic Consulting.

We have also included in this issue a feature of the spreading Swine Flu and how best to handle it. The relevant Government websites

Publisher’s Messageare included in this article for your information. Make sure you check them for the most up-to-date facts. Trevor Thornton also provides further advice on Waste Auditing and Management.

It should never really surprise you where some of our Executive Housekeepers turn up. For instance, there is a story in this issue regarding Barbara Young, treasurer of the association in northern Queensland. We caught up with her “in jail” for this interview!

There are lots of other interesting features to delight and please all those concerned with hotel housekeeping. Last but not least, another big thank you to the continued efforts of Liz Lycette and Barbara Sergeant for their most valuable input.

Finally, let me run past all readers and advertisers that there has been a minor change to distribution dates. These are now the end of July, November and March. n



PehN endeavours to offer members interesting events that not only look after their professional but also personal wellbeing.

On 19th May PEHN sponsored a “Look after yourself!” free event at the luxurious Crown Spa. One of the beauticians talked about skin care and make up and answered several questions on how important it is for individuals to have the correct skin care for their skin type. The gym trainer talked about health and well being and he emphasized the importance of balance and to not obsess about what you eat, so long as you try to eat healthy and do some exercise. A minimum of 30 minutes 3 – 4 days a week is better than nothing at all.

Future Events for 200929 July – Associate Member (Supplier) Fun night – which would include games and prizes. This would include cocktail and refreshment and an informal way our Suppliers could show their wares.

September – Annual General Meeting, this is your opportunity to have your say in who you would like to be in the PEHN committee and events for the financial year 2009 - 2010. You must be a paid financial member to be eligible to vote.

November – The infamous PEHN Christmas Party. This is a yearly event, that is sure to be a lot of fun. We have a great night planned, not to mention that fantastic door prizes, just about everyone takes home on the night.

PehNNews2009 – 2010 MembershipMembership is open to all Housekeeping staff, Hospitality Students and suppliers to the Housekeeping Department. Membership renewals have been sent in the mail. Please return with your payment by 6 July 09. Contact us on [email protected]. if not received, or if you are interested to join. You could check our website for more information on www.pehn.org. If you do not have access to Internet, contact our treasurer Christina Pak on 0414 239 052 for membership applications. n

Code of EthicsMembers of the Prefessional executive housekeepers Network accept this code of ethics as the basis for professional conduct and dedication to uphold a high level of ethical behaviour:

To know the responsibility of the position held and to •exemplify loyalty and conscientiousness at all times to the company engaged by.

To uphold the principles of honesty and integrity.•

To share knowledge, encourage ambition and to •inspire and train current employees for the future of the profession.

To strive to improve management techniques.•

To comply with rules and regulations of the network.•

To give loyalty and support to both the network and •all its members in all facets of the profession.

To promote the network to peers, colleagues and the •hospitality industry, thereby assisting in the growth and strength of the network by raising the profile.


PhANNewsMessage from the new President of PHAN April 2009Welcome to a new year for the Professional Housekeepers Association of NSW. After much change and progress last year, I am sure that PHAN will continue to serve as an innovative organisation that will be at the forefront of hospitality. To realise our full potential, this year we will be focusing on increasing membership, as well as increasing participation from our existing members.

As always, we welcome suggestions and sharing of information within the organisation. Workshops and educational tours will be held frequently, with full details being emailed to you well in advance. Our website (www.phan.org.au) will also be regularly updated, with industry preferred suppliers and a forum to comment on any developments.

Given the current economic climate, participation in our association will be vital to communicate ideas and ensure that all members benefit from more efficient methods of management.

With this in mind, I am positive that PHAN will be an example for the hospitality industry of how a department can actively work together in these uncertain times.

Best Wishes,

lalini de silva, PhAN President

New Professional Housekeepers Association NSW committee elected at AGM in Sydney

A new president was voted in to the PhAN committee at the AgM recently, Ms lalini de silva, executive housekeeper of Fraser

suites, sydney.

Along with a new committee, the new President of PHAN has a message to those in the Association and hospitality industry in general.

The new Presidents message included encouragement on the progress of the Association. The success of the “Housekeeping Olympics” held in January and the hope that PHAN will

continue to serve as an innovative organisation that will be at the forefront of hospitality. This year’s focus is on increasing membership, as well as increasing participation from existing members.

The Association welcomes suggestions and sharing of information within the organisation. Workshops, educational tours and social events will be held in 2009 and the website (www.phan.org.au) will be kept current.

Lalini also mentioned that given the current economic climate, participation in PHAN will be vital to communicate ideas and ensure that all members benefit from more efficient methods of housekeeping management.

For more information on the non profit organisation of the Professional Housekeepers Association NSW, check the website: www.phan.org.au n

New PHAN committee elected at AGM in Sydney (continued)

President Ms Lalini De Silva Executive Housekeeper Fraser Suites

Vice President

Ms Chona Ogilvie Executive Housekeeper 4 Points by Sheraton Sydney

secretary Ms Grace Esogon Executive Housekeeper Sydney Harbour Marriott

Treasurer Ms Nela Neves Executive Housekeeper Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Assistant Treasurer

Ms Christine Burnett Executive Housekeeper Novotel Darling Harbour

Committee Ms Maureen Jolowicz Executive Housekeeper Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney

Committee Mr. Kevin Ball Executive Housekeeper Radisson Hotel & Suites

Committee Ms Alex Atkinson Executive Housekeeper Meriton Apartments Collection

Committee Ms Nicole Salonga Executive Housekeeper Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Committee Ms Kamila Smirski Executive Housekeeper Shangri-la Hotel Sydney

Note Ms Carol Hanna has resigned from the Committee and has been replaced by Mr. Kevin Ball who was voted as the next committee member at the recent AGM.

Above: New PHAN committee. Absent from photo: Alex and Kamila (left).

PHAN Calendar 2009-1018th August Hotel tours: Sheraton on Park, Grace Hotel and Fraser suites. Dinner at Spanish quarter.

september Innovations Day focusing on Green and environmental issues.

october Day at the Races – Spring carnival

december Harbour Christmas cruise

February 2010 Supplier tours – Accommodation Linen tour of factory

March 2010 AGM

10 | Vol 13 No. 2 | The Executive Housekeeper

PhANNewsPHAN Sponsorship of the Outstanding Student Award – Ryde College of TAFE Certificate 4 Students

PhAN recognises the need to promote housekeeping Management as an attractive and interesting career choice for hotel

Management students. With this in mind PhAN has sponsored the “outstanding student Award” for a ryde College of TAFe Certificate 4 student in 2008/2009.

The award has been given to the best student of the Ryde College of TAFE Certificate IV in Hospitality (Supervision) (TAFE NSW course number 9544, national code THH42602), also known as “The Hotel Programme”, completed in November 2008.

The award, “The Outstanding Student Award” has been awarded to the most outstanding student attending the

course with emphasis on the Housekeeping topics. The winner was selected by a panel from TAFE based on outstanding performance over the year.

Maureen Jolowicz presented the trophy, prize of $1000 and certificate to Mr. Roni Hatava at the recent PHAN AGM. n

Roni with Frans Van Lieshout, Teacher of Hospitality at Ryde College of TAFE and outgoing PHAN President, Ms Maureen Jolowicz.

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in the last issue of The executive housekeeper Magazine i told you all about our Christmas function, talking to the animals at Cairns Night Zoo.

The main functions held in this past year have been breakfasts. 7.00 to 9.00 am seems to be the time of day many Housekeepers and Suppliers can get away to do a little socializing and networking. Some of these breakfasts were sponsored by one or two of our Supplier members who used the opportunity to spruik their wares to a “captive” audience. 20 to 30 members were average for attendance.

Sandra Dean, on behalf of Thomas Textiles and Vellux blankets hosted the October breakfast. Snuggling up to fluffy blankets and comfy pillows was a dangerous activity so early in the day, and it was often a case of “heads on desks” to catch a few more zzz’s.

The April 1st breakfast was sponsored by Mike Taylor from Cleantec and Lauren Hellmuth from Alsco. Both presented new items from their respective companies. The Committee sponsored lucky door prizes had the members gasping at our generosity – a red sports car, an overseas trip and a pile of cash were on offer. Pity they were a toy red car, a toy aeroplane and some play money – well, it was April Fool’s Day after all!

In May, Kathy Steffensen from Baby Equipment Hire and Sales was our sponsor. It is always comforting to know that there is a place to get 100 baby cots or roll beds should the need arise, and the knowledge that all sorts of equipment from warmers to monitors are available for our guests without our hotels having to keep them in stock.

In between these events we also held Committee sponsored breakfasts. The first was a “getting to know you” for the new Committee. The second took the form of a panel discussion on topics of interest to Housekeepers with the members writing the agenda themselves. Topics included mould management (very popular in the far north), maintaining a positive attitude in these economic times and adjusting to cutbacks being made in room amenities such as toiletries and linens. Discussion was enthusiastic and attendees all felt they got something out of the morning.

We held out biennial Trade Show on June 15th. Out of town Suppliers from as far away as the Gold Coast and Melbourne enjoyed Cairns winter sun, joining our local suppliers to exhibit a diverse and interesting range of goods and services. Some

Housekeeping members and the general public just came to look and others had specific shopping lists such as new uniforms. The exhibitors got along together so well that the after-party went on until 11.00 pm!

We lost two of our Committee during the year with moves out of town. Mark Hampton went first as he married and moved to Port Douglas, then our President Shirley Delaberbis took a career opportunity which meant a return home to Sydney.

Our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for July 1st. Of course, it shall be a breakfast meeting. Those of us who have been on the committee numerous times already are pleased to see that four members who have never stood before are contesting the election for Executive and Committee this year. n

FNPhNNews By CArolyN Webb, Secretary, FNPHN


our 2009 AgM was held on 11th March 2009 at the gold Coast international hotel. it was a successful meeting with a good attendance

and was sponsored by Concept Amenities.

Our new Committee that was voted in:

Libby Sharp President Executive Housekeeper Sofitel Hotel Broadbeach

Melissa Bent Treasurer PC Corporate Sales Executive Queensland Office

Kerry Dowen Secretary Sales Manager Concept Amenities

Committee:

Poppi Farry Sales Manager Robyn’s

Colleen Reynolds Executive Housekeeper – TSS

Jill Perkins Assistant Executive Housekeeper Sea World Nara Resort

Wendy Robson Executive Housekeeper Sea World Nara Resort

Lorraine Grono Cannon Hygiene

Gavin Lysaght Executive Housekeeper Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove

Geraldine Langston Consultant

Carlos Mu Operations Manager Jani King

Joyce Percy Executive Housekeeper Holiday Inn Gold Coast

Tracey Read Executive Housekeeper Brisbane Riverview Hotel

Our first Function started with an Easter Breakfast on the 7th April at the Gold Coast International Hotel with a fantastic turnout and with everyone welcomed by our Easter Bunny Colleen with her basket of eggs.

We had three guest speakers – Don Goode the General Manager of the GCI Rydges Hotel, Graham Schultz from Sewroo

Products and Carey Devoer and Justine Arnold from Totally Workwear.

Our guest speakers proved very successful and we have decided that at each Breakfast or function where possible we will include guest speakers.

On the 1st June Libby, Kerry and Melissa went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to renew our

seQPhANews

Don Goode and Easter Bunny

sponsorship of our Koala “Tallow” and to also donate to the Sanctuary’s new enclosure they are building, this handover of money caused great excitement with the Sanctuary and they organized media coverage to try encourage more support from the community.

On 3rd June – a cocktail Party at Brisbane’s Riverview Hotel. Hosted by Tracey Reed the Executive Housekeeper.

In July we are having a Breakfast at Conrad Jupiter’s Casino, which will be hosted by the Executive Housekeeper Sheila Gobie.

15th August is our favourite event of the year, Race Day at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

I would also again like to thank Melissa Bent our beloved Treasurer who has been doing this job for years who does so much organizing and goes the extra length to ensure our events always have a good turnout, a big thank you from all the team of the SEQPHA. We love you.

It is also encouraging to see so many new members on our team, made up of both Suppliers and Executive Housekeepers.

We are also looking at launching a website, which Carlos Mu is getting prices for. This would prove to be a great tool for the Association.

This year’s new committee seem really motivated and it looks like a great year for SEQPHA. n

seQPhANews (continued)

Libby and Tallow


For many centuries and across many cultures, the bed and a good night’s sleep has been considered an important part of making a home.

For 10,000 years, man has sought the perfect bed. Here’s an interesting account as to how the bed as we know it today has evolved over time.

3500 bC – Neolithic PeriodOur Neolithic ancestors constructed primitive beds for sleeping on. These beds were raised off the ground to avoid drafts, dirt and pests. The first mattress most likely consisted of a pile of leaves, grass or possibly straw with animal skins over it.

3400 bC - Ancient egyptIn Ancient Egypt, beds were more than a just a place for sleeping. Beds were used as a place to eat meals and entertain socially.

Beds found in ancient Egyptian tombswere considered an important part of the after life. King Tutankahmen slept in a bed made of ebony and gold while common people slept on palm bows heaped in the corner of their home.

200 bC - Ancient romeThe Romans were the first to enjoy luxury beds of those times. Often decorated with gold, silver or bronze, these beds featured mattresses stuffed with reeds, hay, wool or feathers.

The Romans also discovered the waterbed. The sleeper would recline in a cradle of warm water until drowsy, then be lifted onto an adjacent cradle with a mattress, where they would be rocked to sleep.

15th Century - renaissanceDuring the Renaissance, mattresses were made of pea shacks or straw, sometimes feathers, stuffed into coarse ticks, then covered with sumptuous velvets, brocades and silks.

Louis XIV was fond of lounging in his bed, often holding court in the royal bedroom. He reportedly owned 413 beds, most of which were ultra spacious and very ostentatious.

The History of Beds

16th and 17th CenturiesA typical bed of 1600 in its simplest form was a timber frame with rope or leather supports. The mattress was a ‘bag’ of soft filling, most commonly straw or down covered in plain, cheap fabric. These beds played host to an assortment of vermin.

The expression “sleep tight” originates from the time when mattresses were placed on top of a latticework of ropes that required regular tightening.

18th CenturyNatural mattress fillings, including coconut fibre, cotton, wool and horse hair replaced the straw or down fillings of previous

Château de Compiègne,Napoleon 1’s bedPhoto: Andreas Praefcke

centuries. These fillings were covered in quality linen or cotton. The mattresses also became tufted or buttoned to hold the fillings and cover together and the edges were stitched. Iron and steel replaced timber frames in the late 18th century. These provided a sleeping space that was less attractive to the vermin which was then found as an everyday component of even the most royal beds.

Mid 19th CenturyIn 1865 the first coil spring construction for bedding was patented. In 1871, the German, Heinrich Westphal invents the innerspring mattress. He later died in poverty, never having profited from his invention. In 1895 a few water-beds, which resemble large hot water bottles, are sold via mail order by the British store, Harrods.

20th CenturyIn 1900, the pocket coil mattress was invented by James Marshall. In 1906, the Sealy Mattress Company is formed after buying all patents and knowledge from a US inventor. By the 1930’s innerspring

mattresses and upholstered bases swept the market to gain the dominant position they now enjoy worldwide.

In the 1950’s the first foam rubber mattresses and pillows appeared on the market. The 1960’s saw the advent of the modern water-bed and adjustable beds become popular with consumers.

21st CenturyConsumers are spoilt for choice in today’s bedding and mattress industry. In addition to an almost unlimited range of innerspring mattress designs, new types of memory or visco-elastic foam and latex mattresses as well as airbeds, water-beds and high-tech adjustable beds have also entered the market.

For most people, comfort is the single most crucial factor when buying a new mattress and today’s mattresses are built for just that – superior comfort. Luxurious cushioning materials create a plush and comfortable feel and pillowtop mattresses have become a popular innovation in the 21st Century. bedsonline launched Australia’s most innovative and informative business to satisfy the discerning needs of Australia’s bed buyers seeking the ultimate in value, comfort and support. n

Article courtesy of www.bedsonline.com.au

A coloured commercial quality sheet should also be vat dyed so as to be bleach and chlorine resistant. Sheeting fabric manufactured and finished to these standards should meet AS 3789.6, the Australian Standard for healthcare fabric, which is the most rigorous Standard for sheeting in Australia.

So what makes a towel commercial quality? A commercial quality towel should be made from 100% cotton terry toweling with a medium length pile (to reduce pulling), overlocked seams (to reduce fraying) and either no headers or 100% cotton headers (to retain shape). A coloured commercial quality towel should also be vat dyed so as to be bleach and chlorine resistant.

H Polesy & Co Pty Ltd import and stock commercial linen, bedding and towels to suit every level of accommodation and every budget. All products are designed for use in commercial applications and for commercial laundering. They are

manufactured to relevant Australian Standards and are easy care, durable and stylish.

To speak with someone regarding your linen, bedding and towel needs please contact your nearest office:

Sydney Felicity Gordon (02) 9311-4191

Melbourne Justin Bragg (03) 9362-0075

Brisbane Davina Moore (07) 3806-4100

Perth Debbie Wheeler (08) 9248-4515

or to receive your complimentary copy of h Polesy & Co Pty ltd’s Commercial Textiles and bedding Products catalogue call 1300 765 379 or email [email protected]. n

good quality commercial linen, bedding and towels are an investment in guest comfort and

continued repeat business. Bed linen and towels are the items with which your guests have the most direct contact. To create a great lasting impression, these items have to feel comfortable to the touch and be appealing to the eye.

Commercial quality bed linen, bedding and towels should retain their shape, colour, appearance and feel even after extensive use in high traffic environments and frequent commercial laundering.

So what makes a sheet commercial quality? A commercial quality sheet should be made from a minimum 155gsm weight fabric that has been woven from polyester / combed cotton yarn (to reduce creasing) that has been mercerized (to increase yarn strength and fabric lustre), Sanforized (to reduce shrinkage to 1.5% - as opposed to up to 6% for non-Sanforized fabric) and double singed (to prevent pilling).

Commercial Quality Linen, Bedding and Towels


What are the major housekeeping challenges in Fiji, dubai and the states? even though they are worlds apart, it just so happens

they have similar issues – cats, birds and pests.

On a recent 3 day Housekeeping Management workshop in Fiji, attended by 15 housekeepers from diverse properties throughout the island, problem solving was one of the topics covered. A very common problem amongst all the Housekeepers was stray cats wandering through the public areas including into open air restaurants.

One resourceful Engineer decided to offer a reward of $50 for every stray cat the staff brought him. All was going well until one day a staff member presented him with the much loved puss of one of the management team, the cat had been kidnapped. The scheme was later abandoned.

Participants at the 2 day Housekeeper workshop for Rotana held in Dubai in early 2009 also highlighted similar issues. The Housekeepers from as far as Cairo and Abu Dhabi also brainstormed ways to solve pest problems including cats, rats, coachroaches, ants and flies.

A multi pronged approach was deemed the best way forward with good and regular communications with the contractor. Constantly updating themselves on latest methods of treatment and eradication were also important.

At the Four Seasons hotel in Santa Barbara USA, the issue was seagulls at the resorts beautiful pool. The hotel called in the services of a falconer who came twice a week, strolling around the pool with a falcon, hawk or owl perched on his arm, it was enough to intimidate the gulls who where dive bombing and leaving droppings everywhere. The falconer even gives “hawk talks” to interested guests, a fabulous solution to a pest problem!

So it seems no matter where in the world you are housekeeping challenges are often similar! n

Housekeeping pest control issues from all over the worldBy liZ lyCeTTe

Fijian Housekeepers with Liz in December 2008

The Rotana workshop in Dubai, February 2009

Liz Lycette is Director of L&A Housekeeping Management Consulting which runs training, workshops and consultancy programmes for Housekeeping Managers throughout the world. www.lycetteandassociates.com


grace has been working closely for many months with The salvation Army employment Plus on a new employment and training scheme which

creates great wins for both the hotel and unemployed Australians, giving them hope for the future. i met with grace to find out more about the scheme including all the pros and cons.

Interview with Grace Esogon, Executive Housekeeper, Sydney Harbour Marriott regarding The Salvation Army Employment Plus schemeBy liZ lyCeTTe

Q. Can you explain how The Salvation Army Employment Plus service works?

A. The Salvation Army Employment Plus (TSAEP) is a nonprofit organization which delivers an employment programme funded by the Australian Government. They provide a number of candidates who then go through 4 stages of screening and training; which can be funded by wage subsidies accessed by TSAEP. The Hotel advises how many staff they are looking for, TSAEP screens the candidates and sends through suitable CV’s for screening the next day. The hotel will then run a 2 hour “information session” for candidates to show them all aspects of the work they will be required to do. At the end of the session, those candidates who are interested stay back and are then further screened by the Hotel. Suitable candidates are offered a work experience programme of 50 hours over 2 weeks. Upon successful completion of this programme, recruits are then offered a 2 weeks “work trial”. The final successful recruits are then offered a contract of 26 weeks. Training costs for each candidate is paid for by TSAEP through a wage subsidy scheme.

Q. When did you first start to use The Salvation Army Employment Plus programme?

A. We first started in June 2008.

Q. How did you initially find out about them?

A. While working at Courtyard by Marriott in North Ryde, I met an employee who was recruited through TSAEP and I can see that there was potential talent from TSAEP candidates.

Q. Why did you decide to try them out?

A. I met some of the candidates at a career expo and saw an opportunity to develop the talents from within this group, I interviewed them and recognized the candidates potential and decided to try them out after some convincing reassurance from the TSAEP consultant. Employing students and getting them to stay has been challenging in the past, the TSAEP recruits have remained steady and loyal.


Q. What procedures needed to be put into place to set this programme up?

A. An excellent existing training process needs to be in place. Strong buddy training programmes with lots of interaction and communication is important. There is also some paperwork necessary for wage subsidy, verification forms and performance feedback to be filled out. All other processes are the same as for regular staff recruitment and training.

Q. What is the process of employing someone through The Salvation Army Employment Plus?

A. After the 2 hour group interview and information session, candidates undertake a full 2 weeks work experience programme and then 2 weeks work trial. Successful candidates are offered a 26 week contract, the candidate works as a fulltime hotel employee and a performance appraisal is conducted before the 26 weeks contract expires. 65% of the candidate salary is subsidised by the Government, this covers the Hotel training costs any lost productivity. The successful candidate is then offered an employment opportunity after the 26 week programme.

Q. How quickly are they trained and how soon are they 100% productive?

A. Candidates are trained progressively as per the departmental training process. Some candidates may take a little longer to train and reach the departmental 100% productivity level, most have no prior hotel background and some candidates just take time to adjust. The wage subsidy offered by TSAEP assists the Hotel with costs in training candidates to reach their full potential.

Q. What are the financial benefits? Costs to you? Costs to them?

A. The wage subsidy for each candidate assists the department in training candidates to reach their full potential. This reduces the cost and time in hiring and training new recruits.

The 2 weeks work experience programme give candidates and the Hotel the opportunity to assess performance and suitability. In addition, there is an additional 2 weeks work trial. 90% of the candidates wage is subsidized during the trial. This gives the Hotel a further opportunity to assess the candidate’s performance before offering a 26 week contract.

Q. What are the advantages? Short term? And long term?

A. The scheme is very cost and time effective. It is also a way to give back to the community and TSAEP provide workplace visits and support throughout the programme. The TSAEP employees have proven to be very loyal; they are mostly quiet achievers and work hard to stay employed. As a result, Housekeeping staff turnover is now low.

Q. What about disadvantages? Short term and long term?

A. One has to exercise patience as TSAEP candidates don’t have any hospitality industry background. The first 2 weeks of the work experience programme is sometimes not enough to evaluate every candidate’s performance and there is a lot of coaching and counseling involved with some candidates. There is also an increase in training hours. Critically, the Housekeeping team must be willing to help, buddy trainers need to be patient and understanding, adapting to each candidates needs.

Q. Have you had any feedback from other staff? Management? on these personnel?

A. The candidates have developed a great rapport with the whole team. The programme is cost and time effective in terms of the recruitment and training process. The candidates are being recognized by well management and fellow team members have nominated them for the Hotel recognition program.

Q. What final words of wisdom would you give to someone thinking of considering using these services?

A. TSAEP candidates have talents waiting to be tapped, it is essential to get your team on board. Despite the hard work and paperwork sometimes seeming to make the process high maintenance, it is all worth the effort and very self rewarding.

It is important to realise that sometimes some candidates just won’t’ work out.

This is a wonderful tool for building up recruits self confidence and it is really a great way to support our local community.

Since Grace started this initiative, she has won the “2009 AHA Housekeeper of the Year Award” and also the “Marriott EDGE Award for Asia Pacific”, selected from Managers of Marriott hotels throughout the region. n

Liz Lycette from L&A interviewed Grace in March 2009.

Contact details for The Salvation Army Employment Plus:

samantha PhillipsThe salvation Army employment PlusParramattaPhone: 02 9633 8106email: [email protected]


“Suede look” or “Faux Suede” fabrics are very popular at the moment and can be cleaned like most normal fabrics, because that is what they are. But real leather is different, and has to be cleaned and maintained differently to fabrics. There are many different finished on leather and it is not always easy to pick the differences.

Most people will tell you that leather is great for upholstery because all you need to do is give it a wipe over and it will be fine. This is fine for a while, but eventually the sweat and pollution soiling will build up on the leather and they can start to look a bit sad. The gradual build up can catch us unaware.

Soiling is such a gradual process that we don’t tend to see it. It’s a bit like odours, we get used to them and don’t smell them after a while, but someone else new to the scene will certainly notice a bad odour that we have gotten used to. (There is probably another story in odours that I will deal with in a future edition).

I remember sitting having a drink in a hotel in Sydney near the airport when I noticed that a drip of condensation from my glass of ale hit the armrest of the lounge I was resting in. I wiped it off with a napkin and realised how soiled they were because even this was enough to leave a cleaner strip on the armrest of the lounge.

I mentioned this to a carpet cleaner I know from the WoolSafe Certified Operator Network. He cleans leather lounges as well as fabric lounges, and of course carpets. He called around to the hotel and showed them what he could do with their lounges with professional cleaning treatments. The manager was shocked at how soiled they were and got him to clean all 25 armchairs.

The carpet cleaner was happy, and so was the hotel manager, because it made them look like new and really brightened up the tired looking furniture at a fraction of replacement cost.

ever seen a yellow, blue or green cow?

So what is leather and how does it get onto a lounge suite in all those different colours? And how do we look after it to keep it looking really good? I’ll try and answer these questions to help you understand leather and how to look after it.

First of all, Don’t worry, no animal has died to make a leather lounge suite. Furniture leather is a by-product of the meat industry. Long after the rest of the animal has been served up as a prime rib filet served on a bed of mash with a red wine jus, or turned into sausages or fertiliser, the leather will used because of its unique properties that make it an ideal furniture covering.

By Col NATioN

When Adam and eve moved to the colder climates, they found that fig leaves just weren’t good enough as apparel to protect

themselves from the cold. Most animals had nice furry coats and pretty soon leather had been discovered as an ideal material for making clothing, and even furnishings.

Even today, most furniture shops are half full of leather lounges and many of the non leather lounges are made to look like leather furniture. Suede look fabrics are becoming so popular that some of the furniture shops don’t even stock the fabric samples for other types of fabrics. So what is leather and suede and how do we keep it looking good?

Leather Cleaning

Rather than waste this valuable resource, the slaughter house will salt or dry the hides to stop them turning into compost and then sell them off to be processed into leather goods. They arrive at the tanning house where it is limed and de-fleshed to get rid of unwanted bits of meat, fat, membranes and hair. It is then tanned to protect it from bacterial degradation.

Originally, leather was tanned using the bark of certain trees. This is what gave leather the traditional brown colour. Many people think of leather being brown, but the modern tanning process uses chrome tanning solutions which give the leather a sickly grey colour called a “wet blue”. From here on, the leather has to be dyed and pigmented to give it the wide variety of colours we see in furniture today.

After the tanning process, the leather ends up about 5 millimetres thick and is quite stiff. Before it is dyed and or pigmented, it is split to give two and sometimes three complete hides. You can end up with a grain split or a flesh split. The grain is the outside of the animal that will show all the surface features of the leather. You may see the little wrinkles and hair follicles similar to the skin on the back of your hand. The older the animal the more defined will be the grain, just the same as our own skin becomes wrinkled with age. Okay, so mine is anyway after too many years of exposure to the sun and weather.

Leather that has been dyed only, is called aniline leather. It is generally in brown colours because that is the traditional colour of cows or saddles, but can be other colours as well. This is leather with very minimal treatment. It is highly absorbent and feels great to touch. The problem with aniline leather is that it is highly absorbent and stains easily. It is difficult to clean and requires specialist cleaning to improve the look of soiled aniline leather.

Nubuck leather is aniline leather that has been sanded back a bit with fine sandpaper. It is even softer to feel than an aniline leather and is also very absorbent to the soils and stains.

Suede is even softer again. It is actually the furry underside of the leather. It may be the back side of grain side leather or the top side of the flesh split. Either way it is very absorbent and is as difficult to clean as aniline or nubuck leather.

We then have the Semi-aniline leather which has a thin layer of a urethane coating to protect it from the intrusion of soiling. It is fairly thin and can wear through after a short while. The leather then becomes as absorbent as the anilines.

These are usually quite expensive leathers, not because of all the treatment that they receive after tanning, but more the treatment the animal receives while it is alive. You see, cattle that wander around the Queensland country side will scratch themselves on barbed wire fences or suffer dingo or insect bites and not receive much care other than a flea dip if they can be successfully rounded up every so often. An animal that has been kept in a feed lot and housed in a barn at night and then killed as yearling beef will have very fine, unblemished skin indeed. It is these animals that produce the fine grain leather that is popular with aniline leathers. And of course these are the most expensive leathers.

The hides from older animals or those with blemishes are usually sold quite cheaply and have to be further processed to remove the blemishes. These are the buffed and corrected grain leathers. The blemishes are sanded off and a layer of pigment is applied and the leather grain artificially stamped onto the surface. So even

though the buffed and corrected grains are given extra treatments, they are usually less costly that a fine aniline leather.

This pigment layer is usually coated in a further layer of polyurethane to give it the extra protection. This is the easiest form of leather to maintain for users. A simple wipe with a damp cloth will remove sticky day to day soils. The disadvantage of pigmented leather is that if it is not maintained well it is prone to cracking (crazing) as the urethane layer wears or deteriorates.

All pigmented leathers will develop a build up of day to day soiling that will eventually make it look tired and dull. Professional cleaning is required from time to time to remove this soiling and reveal the fresh clean look. A re-treatment with a protection creme is also advised to restore the protection and help keep them looking good for longer.

This is a very time consuming process. A typical leather suite can take a few hours to treat properly and unless you have staff sitting around wondering what to do next, then you are probably advised to call in a specialist.

Don’t try the cheep two in one products that claim to feed and nourish the leather. Leather is dead skin. It neither requires feeding or nourishing. It certainly doesn’t breathe. What pigmented

leather does need is cleaning to remove the soiling, and protective urethane type finishes to be re-applied to help protect the pigment from the chemical attack of the sweats and soiling that tends to accumulate over time. So if you want to look after them yourself, purchase a quality leather cleaning kit that has both cleaning product and a protection crème in separate bottles.

Aniline, Nubuck and suede leathers do need special treatments to keep them looking good. Only specialist leather cleaners can really do these justice.

So, in respect to the lovely animals that once lived inside those beautiful and comfy leather chairs, I think we owe it to them to preserve and protect their leather for as long as possible.

Many of our WoolSafe Certified Operators clean leather as well as carpet and fabric upholstery. So if you have leather furniture and want to keep it looking good, then call an operator close to you and have a chat. If they don’t do leather then they will generally know someone who will. n

For a list of WoolSafe Certified Operators go to www.woolsafe.com.au.

good beds are good for business – and sleepmaker remain Australia’s largest provider of a good night’s sleep to

Australian and international travellers.

Sleepmaker is an iconic bedding manufacturer supplying beds to Australians for 77 years. Sleepmaker are licensed to manufacture global bedding specifications for Simmons, Dunlopillo and Seta using state-of-the-art technology, ensuring this Aussie icon is the best option when selecting beds and bedding for your property.

Sleepmaker are part of the Pacific Brands Commercial Group, embracing Tontine, Sheridan, Actil and Dunlop Flexible Foams.They are the preferred supplier to Accor Hospitality who manage the hotel brands Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, Formule1 and Pullman – the latest in premium corporate accommodation.

Sleepmaker is also the supplier of choice to Shangri La, Westin Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Australasia, Toga Medina and Choice Hotels Australasia.

Travellers the world over have a common need when away from home, they seek a good night’s sleep.

Having a good nights sleep is very important when deciding in which hotel to stay the night, a rested happy guest will return year after year to sleep on a great bed.

When selecting the right beds for your property consider the important elements of a good bed – how can you save on your bedding investment?

> Purchase quality bedding as it will cost you less in the long run

> Ask about comfort layers – the comfort layer makes all the difference

> Consider adding healthcare fabric to prevent soiling of the mattress

> Ask about the mattress coil count – the coils are the engine of the mattress

> Enquire about edge support – best when integrated with the mattress manufacture

> Enquire about Zip or Velcro-lok mattresses

> Ask about Easy Care option with ‘no turn’ features

> Ask if the foams are Ultrafresh treated to eliminate mould and mildew

> Make sure the fabric is Fire Retardant

Why choose sleepmaker?• Welistentowhatyouwant.

• Weasklotsofquestions.

• Wediscussalloptionswithyou.

• Wepricewhathasbeenaskedfor,anddeliverwhat has been priced.

• Yourpeaceofmindisourpriority.

• Wecanprovidebeddingaccessoriesin fibre or feather and down.

Sleepmaker provide the convienience of a sales team and manufacturing facilities in every state.

To speak with your local representative please call:

National Paul Hobbs 0412 552 538

NSW Steven Jovanovski 0412 734 206 Claudette Loos 02 9821 7451

Queensland Greg Galletely 0411 094 855

Victoria Mishael Owen 0423 783 536

WA Tom Power Craig 0421 097 256

SA Robert Crawford 0412 106 288

Tasmania Phil Clarke 0412 344 882

lives up to its name


on 1 July 2009, much of the Fair Work Act 2009

(Cth) will come into force. Clients have recently asked us what changes we can expect to see in industrial dispute resolution, as the Australian industrial relations Commission (“AirC”) becomes Fair Work Australia (“FWA”).

While the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) has not turned back the clock to pre-WorkChoices, there are significant changes in relation to dispute resolution that hr managers, and managers generally, must become aware of.

Deputy Prime Minister Gillard announced in November 2008 that FWA “will be able to exercise a full suite of alternative dispute resolution powers”.[1] Although the phrase “alternative dispute resolution” is not used anywhere in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the new Act refers to FWA and private providers conducting mediation, conciliation and arbitration, holding conferences, making recommendations and expressing opinions.

FWA will have broader powers to conduct ADR, in a greater number of circumstances than the AIRC under WorkChoices. All AIRC Commissioners will move across to FWA and their ADR functions will continue. FWA has also employed full-time conciliators in all capital cities, who will work mainly on unfair dismissal claims.

There are various disputes under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) in which FWA will have specific ADR responsibilities, which can be summarised as follows.

(1) Disputes under the Model Dispute Resolution Process

Where a modern award, enterprise agreement or contract of employment includes a term that provides for FWA to deal with a dispute, then FWA:

Alternative Dispute Resolution under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)By rose bryANT-sMiTh

must not exercise any powers limited by the term;•

may arbitrate, if the parties have agreed that FWA may •arbitrate the dispute;

may deal with a dispute by mediation or conciliation, or by •making a recommendation or expressing an opinion;

must not make a decision that is inconsistent with the Act, or •an applicable fair work instrument; and

may deal with a dispute only on application by a party to the •dispute.

(2) Disputes in bargaining for, or varying, collective agreements

As part of FWA’s general role in facilitating bargaining, a bargaining representative for a proposed enterprise agreement can apply for FWA to deal with a dispute about the agreement if the bargaining representatives for the agreement are unable to resolve the dispute.

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) does not give FWA a general power to arbitrate in enterprise bargaining matters. If empowered to arbitrate by the parties, in the course of arbitration, FWA may make an order that particular content be included or not included.

FWA can deal with – but not arbitrate – a dispute about the proposed variation of an enterprise agreement, if the employer and the affected employees are unable to resolve the dispute.

There are other detailed provisions in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) about good faith bargaining and the appointment of bargaining representatives.

(3) Unfair Dismissal and Unlawful Termination

The provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) about unfair dismissal are similar to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) in most respects. FWA is required to conduct a private conference or hold a hearing in relation to an unfair dismissal matter if, and to the extent that, the matter involves facts the existence of which is in dispute. FWA must take into account the wishes of the parties

to the matter as to the way in which it considers the application and informs itself in relation to the application. FWA may decide at any time (including before, during or after conducting a conference in relation to a matter) to hold a hearing in relation to an unfair dismissal matter, if it appropriate to do so. Similar provisions apply in relation to unlawful termination (the termination of an employee’s employment for certain prohibited reasons, such as temporary absence from work because of illness or injury, or industrial activity).

In unlawful termination and unfair dismissal cases, where FWA has granted permission for a person to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent, it may issue a costs order against the lawyer or paid agent in certain circumstances where that person encouraged an application which had no reasonable prospects of success.

(4) Disputes about Freedom of Association and Discrimination

FWA can also deal with disputes about an employee’s dismissal or detrimental treatment, where the employer’s conduct was allegedly in contravention of the freedom of association and/or discrimination provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Applications will be made by the dismissed person or an industrial association that is entitled to represent that person’s interests. FWA must conduct a conference (in private, where the dispute is about a dismissal), and may mediate or conciliate, or make a recommendation or express an opinion.

In dealing with a dispute about a dismissal which allegedly breaches freedom of association or discrimination provisions, FWA must advise the parties if it considers that a court application in relation to the dispute would not have a reasonable prospect of success.

(5) Disputes about Right of Entry

FWA can deal with disputes about right of entry by arbitration, including by making various orders such as an order imposing conditions on an entry permit. FWA may also deal with a dispute about right of entry by mediation or conciliation, or by making a recommendation or expressing an opinion.

FWA can deal with a right of entry dispute either on its own initiative, or on application by various people to whom the dispute relates. In dealing with the dispute, FWA must take into account fairness between the parties concerned.

(6) Disputes about Stand Down

FWA has similar powers in relation to disputes over stand down. FWA may deal with a dispute over stand down by arbitration, however it can only deal with a stand down dispute on application by an employee who has been or is going to be stood down, or an employee who has taken leave to avoid stand down, or an employee representative of such an employee, or an inspector.

Conduct of Disputes at Fair Work Australia

With respect to conferences, FWA can direct a person to

attend a conference at a specified time and place. A conference is conducted by a FWA Member or a delegate. The conference must be conducted in private, unless the person responsible for conducting the conference directs that it be conducted in public. FWA may also hold a public hearing in relation to a matter, or a private hearing in certain circumstances.

In any matter before FWA, a person may be represented by a lawyer or paid agent only with the permission of FWA, except as provided by section 596(3) or the procedural rules. The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) restricts FWA’s decision-making in this regard, allowing lawyers and paid agents only if certain requirements are met. The Act does however allow employees and officers of a party, or a bargaining representative, to appear without consent. The challenge for FWA will be to ensure that the new unfair dismissal procedure and other proceedings work effectively without the assistance of lawyers, while maintaining procedural fairness for all parties. n

Rose Bryant-Smith, together with Deanne McLennan and Grevis Beard, are former lawyers who now run Worklogic Consulting (www.worklogic.com.au). Worklogic

provides a range of discrimination and dispute resolution services, including the investigation and mediation of workplace complaints, workplace training, HR

troubleshooting and workplace reviews.


Andre Motta is a senior product manager at rubbermaid Commercial Products, llC, and has been instrumental in the development and

marketing of innovative cleaning products. The question and answer session below covers his thoughts on the vacuum industry.

Q: What are the current vacuum trends in the industry?

A: Currently, we see a major trend in the marketplace toward day cleaning versus cleaning after business hours. More facility managers are making the transition to day cleaning because of the many benefits: employee retention, morale improvement, and energy savings. But the key to making day cleaning work is minimizing interruptions - the ability to get everything done in one-pass. The best solution for day cleaning is an integrated product system that enables surface cleaning, waste and recycling removal, and vacuuming in a single pass. A one-pass cleaning approach gives the user the ability to effectively and efficiently clean at one-time-reducing the need for additional steps.

Green cleaning is another trend. Green cleaning programs that improve indoor air quality playa critical role in “Schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. We see more market segments making the connection between improved indoor air quality and its positive impact on worker wellbeing, insurance costs, and worker compensation. In addition, more market segments are beginning to adopt Green practices that address water conservation and a reduction in exposure to cleaning chemicals as part of their overall cleaning process.

Q: Describe the research and development put into current vacuum lines.

A: Many companies go directly to the users in the field and witness first-hand how taxing it can be to drag a heavy vacuum cleaner up and down stairs, how time-consuming it is to change bags while in the midst of cleaning a room, or how difficult it is to maneuver around a crowded office space while trying to avoid nicking walls or furniture.

It’s also important to discuss details with the users-listen to what they see as challenges and take notes on what vacuum features would help make their workday a little easier.

Once these issues are discussed, improvements can be made to current technology, by looking for solutions to user-identified gaps.

Vacuum Floor Care Q&A with Andre Motta

Then follow-ups must be made, with renderings and models, and proto-types for in-field testing must be built.

Q: What are specific benefits and features that end-users look for in vacuums and how is that accomplished?

A: You can sum it up in three words: 1. Easy; 2. Smart; 3. Powerful.

For effective cleaning, end-users should look for vacuums that are Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Certified and feature dual motor strength.

The ergonomic and ease-of-use benefits of a vacuum have a direct impact on the physical wellbeing of a worker. Key features and benefits to consider include:

Large, outboard wheels that make it easy to steer and •maneuver.

An easy-to-carry handle for easy transport up and down •stairways.

Electronic indicator lights that warn the end-• user when the collection bag is full or clogged.

A narrow profile for unrestricted mobility to maneuver •around furniture, tricky obstacles, or cluttered office environments.

When addressing the low operating noise level of a vacuum, it is about overall performance. End-users should consider decibel (dB) ratings, product design, and the construction quality of the product. For example, do vacuum components rattle while in use?

Additionally, it is important to evaluate the level of service and support that comes with the product and take a look at the overall service/support program. Look for a product that offers a smart service program via an extensive nationwide certified repair network with unique Web tools that include a 24/7 troubleshooting guide for quick solutions.

Many companies understand that commercial cleaning professionals have meaningful work to accomplish. When evaluating any vacuum product, it is important to carefully consider features and benefits that deliver solutions that are easy, powerful, and smart- enabling cleaning professionals to succeed at work and in their careers. n

Reprinted with kind permission from Executive Housekeeping Today, the official journal of the International Executive Housekeeping Association (IEHA).

Arctic green has evolved through its sister company Arctic

Plumbing services. After 20 yrs in the plumbing industry, we saw a need to create green solutions, to help move the focus away from chemical usage in the service industry.

To help combat chemical usage we have sourced an exclusive range of environmentally friendly, and OH&S safe products to help your company create a greener hotel/ work environment.

Arctic Cleanser: Arctic cleanser is a bathroom/washroom cleaning fluid

designed to remove uric stains and smells, remove mold and prevent its return. As well as to aid in the cleaning of bathroom surfaces by removing body fats and soaps whilst building up a protective barrier.

Plumb Clean: Plumb Clean is an organic drain cleaner designed to eliminate odours and blocked drains. Plumb clean can be used on trade wastes, toilets & urinals, grease traps, septic tanks, and room drains. Plumb Clean is Non-corrosive, Non-hazardous and fully bio-degradable.

solutions range: Solutions is a full housekeeping range. This contains a Window cleaner, General purpose cleaner, Air freshener, and a Sanitiser. This range is fully bio-degradable, contains no petroleum based hydro-carbons, pH neutral and has a dilution rate of 1:100. 4 litres will make 800 spray bottles (500ml).

Arctic Carpet kleen: Arctic Carpet Kleen is a biological stain and odour digester that will effectively degrade any organic soiling absorbed into the carpets, upholstery fabrics and flooring material that traditional cleaners cannot remove. It is highly effective on urine stains & odours.

Arctic Green would like the opportunity to show you a great range of products and ways in which your hotels could become more environmentally sustainable.

Please see our website for more in-depth product information and client testimonials.

if you have any questions or inquiries, please contact:

National sales ManagerPhil McdonnellPhone: 0410 532 133

A D V E RTO R I A L


The outgoing treasurer of the Far Northern Professional housekeepers Network has been in one of Queensland’s largest prisons this year

– and is enjoying every moment of it.

Barbara Humphreys this year has been behind bars for five days a week at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre. It houses up to 600 inmates, many of them murderers, rapists and other long-term prisoners in this all-male maximum security prison.

But Barbara is not there doing time. Her time is spent from Monday to Friday teaching interested inmates about the laundry business, especially how to operate the centre’s busy laundry service.

At the time of interviewing Barbara, she has had five of the inmates achieve each of the first 11 modules of Certificate II in Laundry Operations – a 12 module certificate. This certificate, finishing during July, will not only help them to learn all aspects of this business, but bring in steady profits for the centre, as this laundry takes in large amounts of work on a daily basis from various motels in the district, as well as servicing restaurants, medical centres, aged care facilities etc.

The prison catchment area for Lotus Glen is from Cardwell to the Torres Strait Islands and west to the NT border. Barbara’s trainees get the money paid each week into a trust account which they can access to purchase a list of items from town. This is purchased for them by the centre (called town purchase). This is all part of the centre’s rehabilitation program.

The industries operating in the maximum security correctional centre are laundry, carpentry, metal work, horticulture (non edible plants and landscaping), tailoring, butchering, restaurant and kitchen duties.

When you think of the prison system usually being a costly burden on taxpayers, this is one place where the rehabilitation program is generating income while giving many of the inmates a chance to not only learn a trade, but to earn a certificate to show for their efforts. All centres in Queensland run similar programs and industries.

Housekeeping treasurer enjoys time behind barsBy MAX AgNeW

Barbara Humphreys, who as a teenager did an apprenticeship in the electronics business, has spent her years in the hospitality industry since 1992 in the Cairns district, having been a housekeeper at such establishments as the Hilton, Sebel, Novotel Palm Cove Resort, Green Island, Pullman’s Reef Hotel, Radisson Plaza (now Shangri La) and the Forde Group.

For the last three years, Barbara has been running her own training company for aspiring Room Attendants. At the start of 2009, she joined the Brisbane-based contracting firm of BSI Learning and was sent to one of Queensland’s major correctional centres to teach the laundry business to inmates keen to learn. BSI Learning also has employees who train for them, although the majority of their trainers are contracted.

Barbara is soon to carry out a similar role down south in Brisbane.

In recent months she has been getting home only for the weekends, during the week living in accommodation provided by BSI in Atherton.

She explains how initially when making contact with her first inmates, none of them had any idea of health and safety issues. “That was the first step that had to be taught, and why the use of gloves was so important when handling all kinds of dirty laundry.

When Barbara asked the trainees what they would take away from this course, they all said they had learnt skills which could be applied in any industry, even if they did not end up working in a Laundry. A sense of achievement was felt by all. n

Welcome to the new Melbourne

Melbourne: a city of contrasts. Worldly sophistication meets laid-back charm. A thoughtfully-preserved past meets a dynamic

future. Now, this vibrant city has a hotel that captures all the excitement and possibility of the new age. Want to see Melbourne like you’ve never seen it before? Welcome to the hilton Melbourne south Wharf.

Shouldered by the Yarra River and in the heart of the South Wharf precinct, this new hotel redefines Melbourne’s riverside experience, and showcases a spectacular new perspective of the city.

Eating and drinking destinations offer endless ways to unite. At Nuevo 37 restaurant, the modern Spanish cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Ramon Freixa is authentic, surprising and sublime. Enjoy the drama of the open kitchen, or gaze through vast floor-to-ceiling windows to the city beyond. Your experience is completed by expert, intuitive service.

At Sotano Wine and Tapas bar, the soaring wine tower is suspended from seven-metre-high ceilings, while the four-metre-high charcuterie tower is laden with Spanish meats and cheeses, anchors for the Barcelona-style tapas menu. Be a part of the see-

and-be-seen bustle, or settle in for an intimate evening. Outside, the riverfront terrace provides a relaxing dimension.

Caffe Cino is perfect for a quick bite. Enjoy an espresso, a treat from the patisserie, or grab breakfast to go – the menu focuses on fresh, local produce prepared with simplicity.

Bedrooms are spacious private sanctuaries. In Guest rooms and Deluxe Guest rooms, intense attention to detail defines the luxe aesthetic. Full length windows infuse each room with light and provide stunning skyline views. Oversized bathrooms are calming, luxurious, serene.

Sky-high Yarra suites and Relaxation suites offer intoxicating levels of space and light, with double-aspect panoramas. Self-contained apartments on top floors are a sanctum of style and tranquility – be seduced by the breathtaking vista.

Executive Floor guests can enjoy the private Executive Lounge with complementary breakfasts, canapés and drinks. Floating over the Yarra, the Lounge’s expansive terrace offers a relaxing new way to meet or unwind.

For business guests, the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf is linked to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) which presents an unprecedented offering. This partnership provides limitless opportunities to inspire and communicate to up to 5,000 delegates. With full access to MCEC spaces and technology, along with Hilton’s world-renowned events service, organisers will be able to create successful, memorable events on a level unparalleled in the South Pacific. And with a full range of impeccable business-focused services, every imaginable convenience is available for delegates. n


Today, forward-thinking business leaders are taking sustainability into account while running their day-to-day business. Facility maintenance

and cleaning professionals are in a unique position to quickly make a large impact on those efforts and demonstrate a concern for the environment.

Choosing cleaning equipment such as scrubber-dryers is therefore nowadays heavily influenced by factors that deal with preservation of natural resources and limiting the environmental impact.

More than ever, “sustainability” means more than just environmental friendliness – it means companies balance the economic, environmental, and social impact of their business decisions. And, when done right, sustainability can be a core strategy in a company’s operations that helps them grow while lowering their resources and costs to do so.

Businesses are increasingly facing the challenges of environmentally driven issues. They used to be mainly about key natural resources such as oil and industrial metals, but these days pollution is one of the key issues. Research has established that mankind can

Selecting Scrubber-Dryersthat Truly Support Economic, Social & Environmental SustainabilityBy AgNes kNAPeN

overburden nature to absorb polluting agents and require too much from the ecosystem in order for it to provide sufficient fresh water, clean air and a stable climate.

Among the top environmental issues facing the cleaning industry are energy efficiency, water quality and quantity, air pollution and waste management.

Innovative hard floor cleaning solutions providers typically focus on three aspects of sustainability:

1. Environmental aspect

(a) Reducing or eliminating harsh chemicals

(b) Reducing waste

(c) Reducing office/plant resources

(d) Reducing packaging

2. Social aspect

(a) Reducing chemical accidents

(b) Producing low noise machines

(c) Reducing VOC’s (volatile organic compound)

(d) Integrating ergonomics

3. Economic aspect

(a) Product benefits

(b) Differentiated results

(c) Lower costs

(d) Economic Profit

Manufacturers choose the above aspects because they impact the environment and their business; they are things people care about and things on which they can have an effect. They typically view sustainability as a journey. The strategy is to start with a narrowly defined boundary or scope and a few key projects for each aspect. As they build their skills and learnings, they extend their boundary and add more projects. Innovative technologies and product design


support the sustainability strategy of these cleaning solutions providers.

Driven by the market requirements in sustainability, cleaning equipment manufacturers now offer solutions that meet the expectations in natural resources protection, waste reduction and energy savings. The portfolio has grown to include innovative “off the floor” solutions, superior cleaning solutions that emit fewer toxins, reduce engine emissions, use less water, use fewer or no chemicals, and minimise noise levels, among others.

When a cleaning professional or facility manager is considering a potential investment in scrubber-dryers for his facility maintenance programme, the solutions provider will look at all aspects and propose the scrubber-dryer that best fits the application while guaranteeing productivity and superior cleaning results.

Protecting the environment has become an integral part of many facility maintenance programmes. With new information on the negative impact of some chemicals, airborne particles, and even noise, many new industry standards and regulations actually mandate environmental sustainability. Fortunately, many recent technological advancements in scrubber-dryers make protecting the environment effortless.

Latest innovations in scrubber-dryers concentrate on productivity, reduction of chemical use, safety, operator comfort and waste reduction. These are all linked directly to the above social, economic and environmental sustainability pillars.

ProductivitySalaries and wages represent the biggest cost when operating facility cleaning and maintenance. Therefore, any increase in productivity immediately translates into a cost reduction and a higher effectiveness. Coupled with additional performance enhancements, such as larger solution tanks, wider cleaning paths, and longer battery life, scrubber-dryers have redefined how today’s hard floor surfaces are cleaned.

Nowadays, scrubber-dryers come equipped with chemical-free and quick-dry technologies that also use less water while guaranteeing an excellent cleaning result. Cleaning technologies that make more efficient use of water and thereby reduce the fill and drain instances during the cleaning cycle, have an immediate effect on the cost of operation.

On top of this, pre-dosed chemicals offer the benefit of operator safety and also reduce down-time because there is no need for mixing and measuring detergents.

Scrubber-dryers with quick-dry technologies leave just-cleaned high traffic areas available for passage in a much shorter time. Not only will it increase cleaning productivity but it even allows for 24/7 operation.

Reduction or elimination of chemical useThe environmental concerns today force machine manufacturers to invest in technological innovations that allow scrubber-dryers to run on less or no chemicals whilst achieving adequate cleaning results.

The development of chemical dispensing systems is an important evolution in the hard floor care industry. Automated chemical dilution and proportioning systems are replacing less effective and less safe dispensing methods.

Automated chemical dispensing systems ensure that the proper amount of chemical is used on the floor, which protects the floor surface from potentially damaging chemicals. This also saves on chemical costs by eliminating over-use, and it reduces waste. In the old days, the method of manually mixing and measuring chemicals almost always resulted in too much chemical being used, resulting in a myriad of problems, including higher chemical costs, the premature removal of the floor finish, and a sticky or slippery floor. With automated dispensing systems, the integrity of the floor finish is maintained and less chemical is used to get the job done, ultimately leading to a safer floor surface.

Scrubber-dryers equipped with chemical reducing technologies are a good choice for today’s facility managers and cleaning professionals. They affect safety and the waste stream in different manners: not only is the waste water less hazardous for operators and the environment (no need for separate disposal), but the packaging reduction that comes from not using chemicals or using less of them is obviously an important environmental benefit.

Safety and operator comfortSafety goes hand in hand with the above: when operators can work with pre-dosed or less or no chemicals, the risk of exposure to harmful detergents and effluents is minimised, resulting in operator safety. Moreover, scrubber-dryers that leave floors immediately dry after cleaning present a reduced risk of slip and fall accidents. Both workers and visitors will benefit from this aspect.

Maintaining hard floor surfaces with a scrubber-dryer helps reduce the amount of dust that gathers on the floor. The less dust there is to remove, the less dust there is to potentially become airborne and affect indoor air quality. Another reason for choosing first-rate scrubber-dryers.

Operator comfort is highly impacted as well by ergonomic enhancements, low sound levels and easy-to-use machines that don’t require lengthy training cycles for operating the scrubber-dryer and handling chemicals.

Just as the safety of maintenance personnel and facility occupants must be addressed when considering how to care for a hard floor area, so, too, must the safety of the facility itself. Not only does


in 500mL spray and 5L and 20L containers so it is both practical and easy to use for any operation and is effective after just one application.

In recent years the Hospitality sector has seen the increasing need to protect its clients against these unwanted insect house guests.

Dustroy is suitable for carpets, bedding, soft furnishings and mattresses - all the places that the dust mite lurks hidden to the eyes of inhabitants and guests. Dustroy will not stain and has an instant neutralizing effect that renders the allergens from dust mites harmless.

Dustroy is easy to use and effective after just one application, making it the perfect response to the rising threat of allergen producing dust mites in both the home and service sectors. Boasting a 99.99% effectiveness and being environmentally safe, Dustroy is a significant breakthrough in the fight against dust mites and other allergens.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT COLLOIDAL TECHNOLOGIES: (02) 4952 8922

dust mites: Microscopic, cosmopolitan eight-legged “guests”, of all human

habitations are infamous for spreading allergens in the home. These allergens can cause Asthma, hayfever and watery eyes in humans. These creatures are closely related to the spider and the tick and can be just as dangerous.

To date, to combat these pests drugs or pesticides have been used, but now, the fight against dust mites and other allergens has been taken to the next level with the release of a powerful new weapon - Dustroy. Dustroy is 99.99% effective against the dust mite and has a sanitizing effect limiting the growth of mould and mildew. And is not a drug or pesticide.

Dustroy is an all natural product, therefore it is environmentally safe, biodegradeable and non-harmful to humans and animals. Dustroy is the result of extensive research and development by leading international laboratory personnel and has enjoyed proven consumer success.

Dust mites are a major cause of the debilitating disease, Asthma. Six million Australians suffer from Asthma and other respiratory diseases. Parents and their children who find themselves in hospital emergency rooms at 3am understand the seriousness of this problem more than most. With the eradication of the dust mite allergen, parents and their children live and sleep easier, thanks to the powerful Dustroy formula.

Colloidal Technologies International now introduces Dustroy to the contract cleaning and accommodation industries as a further protection for valued clientele against dust mites and other allergens. Dustroy is available

The major benefits of the DUSTROY treatment are:

4 It is not a drug or pesticide

4 It is environmentally safe

4 It has a sanitising effect, limiting the growth of mould and mildew, another source of dustmite food

4 It is not harmful to humans or animals

4 Contains no CFCs and is fully biodegradable

4 Suitable for carpets, bedding, mattresses

4 Instantly neutralises and renders harmless the allergen from dustmites

4 Effective after just 1 application

Major ingredients are proven in studies by leading international

experts to be effective in rendering dustmite

allergens harmless.


humans continually drop and also feed on mould spores.

Our product Dustroy De-Natures (changes the shape) of the Allergen so that the body does not recognize it and there is no reaction. It is a breakthrough in the prevention of Asthma coursed by Dustmites.

In the home, the bedroom and its bedding is one of the main targets. The service offer of a healthy nights’ sleep is one of the key offers made by the Accommodation industry and will have the same Dustmite problem as the bedroom in any house.

For a small cost in housekeeping, it would be a serious benefit to your guests. The application would be applied as the bed is being made up and the carpet would be sprayed every 12 weeks. Dustroy would need to be applied to linen after each wash.

Dustroy is harmless to humans and animals, does not stain and will dry within 5 minutes after being applied as a fine mist spray. Dustroy is fully protected and professionally researched

by specialist professors in this field. The National Asthma Council Australia is currently considering this product to take part in their on going Asthma presentation.

Dustroy will be promoted in mainstream media to the consumer and will also have the opportunity to talk about the Accommodation industry as well.

This is a very effective product after just 1 application and could be a marketing tool for the Hotel/Motel owner to demonstrate the extent to which you are prepared to go to, to ensure the comfort of your guests while staying with you.

Dustroy is bottled and distributed from Newcastle NSW. Available as a 500ml spray bottle, 5 and 20lt tubs. Call us for more information and availability. Consumer testimonials are also available. n

For More iNForMATioN CoNTACT ColloidAl TeChNologies: (02) 4952 8922

Colloidal Technologies international is a supplier of a wide range of environmentally green cleaning

products to this industry, featured on page 31 of this issue. however we are also concerned with the levels of Asthma sufferers in both Australian homes and the Accommodation environment.

A lot has been said about PESTS and their possible effects in the Hotel/Motel industry, but not much is being mentioned about the Dustmite and the Allergen effect from these little guys.

They are everywhere we are and are part of nature’s clean up brigade, however there is an Allergen in their feces which floats as a dust particular and when taken in by an Asthma sufferer, affected by this allergen, their body will react, causing an Asthma attack, watery eyes or sneezing. The average vacuum cleaner’s filter is not fine enough to trap this Allergen.

It is not desirable to kill the Dustmite with pesticides as they feed on the skin scales that

HOSPITALITY is KEY Investment in Guest Comfort and a Healthy Environment = Return business & Recommendation

routine maintenance pose a risk to the structure—walls, columns, floors—but it also poses a risk to other components within that facility—shelving, products, assembly lines, etc.

While older cleaning machines were bulky and square with sharp corner points, some of today’s best built ride-on scrubber-dryers are highly manoeuvrable and include corner rollers that “grip” a wall or stationary object and roll the machine forward. In addition, headlights improve operator visibility to help avoid bumping into walls, columns or other obstacles.

Waste reductionManufacturers are constantly looking for ways to reduce packaging throughout the manufacturing and supply chain: from choosing suppliers that run waste reduction programmes to delivery of finished goods in reduced and recyclable packaging. The customer has the benefit not only when receiving the equipment or parts, but by decreasing the use of chemicals there is no need for storage of detergent jugs or containers at the customer’s site. The ecological footprint through waste reduction is considerably less significant than in the past.

Choose technology todayThere are numerous examples of best practices in hard floor care, such as those listed here. They continue to grow as new scrubber-dryer technologies continue to advance. The bottom line: with the evolution of best practices in equipment and cleaning chemicals, there’s no time like the present to choose scrubber-dryers that allow you to maintain a high performance floor care programme that produces an outstanding looking floor at an affordable price, all while preserving natural resources. n

Agnes Knapen is the Marketing Communications Manager, EMEA Tennant Company – www.tennantco.com

Selecting Scrubber-Dryers (cont’d)


bed bugs are enjoying a resurgence worldwide and are rapidly becoming an increasing problem for many accommodation providers such as

hotels, motels and halls of residence.

This situation has been brought about partly as a result of increased international travel and partly due to changes in pest control practices, where some new, environmentally friendly treatments have proven to be less effective than insect sprays in terms of killing bed bugs. While getting rid of bed bugs can be challenging the good news is that there are many steps you can take with respect to prevention and cure.

Bed bugs were eradicated 50 years ago due to the strong, too strong, pesticides that were used. Pest control products are not so strong now so it has become a problem again in Australia and New Zealand. There has been a particularly strong increase in the 21st century.

Are they a problem? There is a stigma associated with bed bugs, so it is hard to estimate the size of the problem. Information says that every major chain of hotels has bed bugs. And 90% of backpacker hostels, ie casual accommodation, are affected.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the current problem.

No one was familiar with the problem as it has been so long since they were a problem. Few pest control operators were able to recognise bed bugs, so the problem went unrecognised for too long.

We are no longer using organophosphates, organochlorins and organocarbomates. Bed bugs have a suspected resistance to pyrethroids.

The increase in global travel has resulted in an emergence of cimex hemipterls (tropical bedbug), not just lectularius (common bedbug). The tropical bedbug is finding its way to colder climates in luggage.

Designs and interiors are bedbug friendly, so too are central heating and sealed buildings.

Bed Bugs – An old problem comes back to bite us!By PAul PriTChArd

The bed bug lives on human blood and is about 5mm in size. It has five stages of development and has to feed before moving onto next stage of development. Therefore starvation (closing a building to humans) is one way of ridding a building of the pest. This is expensive and not an option in the hospitality industry. However, it has been undertaken in cases where the problem is out of control.

Its presence is not due to bad housekeeping, but everything to do with control. Hotels can ‘profile’ visitors and get staff to check for bedbugs on baggage before they have the opportunity to take hold.

Check anywhere within 1 cubic metre of its food source, ie bed, as they are slow movers and do not move far from food source. They also like natural (cellulose) fibres.

Bed bugs are not known to carry disease but bites can become infected. An holistic approach to eradicating bed bugs is important. Don’t rely on chemicals alone but involve housekeeping, pest control and good management.

The signs of bed bugs include bites on guests; fresh blood spots on sheets; dried blood spots (egg or bug faeces) visible on mattress piping, joints in bed frames; and live bugs shed castes (skin).

Bedbug code of practice There is an accepted code of practice and its use is the only legally recognised defence. Use a professional pest management company widl appropriate licence and pest management association affiliation. You should have a damage control plan when guests complain.

1. Establish where and when they were bitten as they may not have been bitten in your establishment and then advise them to hot wash everything. Begin a contamination process immediately and do not reassign the guest to another room until the above is completed. Do not let the room unless completely cleared of problem.

2. Train housekeeping to identify the signs of bed bugs when making beds.

3. Front desk profile ‘at risk’ guests.

4. Make the facility bedbug unfriendly - look at furniture design before purchasing. Protect pillows and mattresses with bed protectors

5. Market your hotel as being a good hypoallergenic establishment n

Paul Pritchard is Cleaning Systems Limited’s technical and training manager. He presented this paper at Clean NZ 2009.

Reprinted with kind permission from Inclean magazine June/July 2009 www.incleanmag.com.au


About this guidance

This guidance has been developed to advise managers of hotels or motels assisting in the quarantine of guests (‘contacts’) of suspected or confirmed human cases of h1N1 influenza 09. it is primarily concerned with advising on safe cleaning procedures to minimise the small risk to staff and to minimise the risk of contamination of the environment by these ‘contacts’.

Further advice about the management of contacts will be provided by public health authorities at the time that quarantine is established. If a contact becomes unwell they will be assessed by public health authorities and alternative arrangements will be made if required. Additional cleaning guidance may also be given under these circumstances.

This guidance may be modified or updated following evaluation of the contact, the case linked to that contact, or as new information about the H1N1 influenza 09 strain becomes available.

Privacy Concerns

Individuals in quarantine must have their rights with respect to privacy of their personal information respected. This means that, after discussion with the public health authorities, information about the individual’s situation should only be discussed with those staff members directly involved with assisting quarantine. In practice this may include cleaners of the guest’s room and relevant laundry and catering staff. There should be no need to make general statements to other staff members or other hotel guests.

What is Quarantine?

Quarantine means restricting the movements of some people (‘contacts’) who are well but who have been in close contact with another person (a ‘case’) who has or who is strongly suspected

H1NI Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza):Guidance to Managers of Hotels used to Quarantine Contacts of Suspected and Confirmed Cases

By CoMMuNiCAble diseAses NeTWork AusTrAliA

to have an infectious disease. If one of the contacts has been infected, quarantine helps prevent the disease spreading further. Quarantine has been used very successfully to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases for many years. The purpose of quarantine at this time is to prevent or delay the H1N1 influenza 09 virus strain from spreading in Australia.

Quarantine usually stays in place until the suspected case linked to a contact person has been excluded as a real case (e.g. through a laboratory test completed in 1-2 days) or until enough time has passed for public health authorities to be confident that the contact person has not been infected (usually a maximum of 7 days from the last day of contact with a case).

how is influenza spread?

In general, influenza viruses are spread between people in two ways:

respiratory droplets from an infected person’s coughs •or sneezes (these droplets generally travel less than one metre); and

touching contaminated surfaces (including hands) and then •touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Influenza viruses can persist on hard non-porous surfaces such as metal and plastic for up to 48 hours. Influenza viruses can persist on porous surfaces, such as cloth, paper and tissues, for up to 12 hours.

how is the spread of influenza Prevented?

Routine cleaning and disinfection practices play an important role in reducing the spread of influenza. Good hand hygiene, covering your cough and sneezes, and standing back from other people are also important means of preventing the spread of influenza.


instructions for Cleaning hotel Quarantine Areas

For the purpose of this guidance it is assumed that the contact person(s) occupying the room to be cleaned is either: (1) not in the room that is being cleaned, or; (2) in the room that is being cleaned but wearing a surgical mask and maintaining a distance of 1 metre or more from the person performing the cleaning.

Frequency of Cleaning

Cleaning should not be done more than once a day. The frequency of cleaning will be decided in discussion with public health authorities and it may be possible for cleaning of the room to be left until after the contact person has completed quarantine.

Recommended Disinfectants

Influenza viruses are killed by a number of chemical disinfectants readily available from consumer and commercial sources, and likely to be used already by hotels. Examples of appropriate disinfectant solutions are listed in the table below.

Steps for Cleaning

Routine cleaning methods should be employed in the room of the contact and in any areas used by the contacts with the following additional steps.

step 1. Personal Protection

Disposable gloves should always be worn while cleaning the •room, toilets and other common areas, and when handling cleaning and disinfecting solutions. Dispose of gloves if they become damaged or soiled or when cleaning is completed, as described in Step 5 below; never wash or reuse the gloves.

Wearing a simple surgical face mask is recommended if •close contact (within 1 metre) with the contact person is unavoidable when the cleaning is conducted.

Eye protection, such as goggles, and a surgical mask may be •required if splashing cannot be avoided.

Avoid touching the face with gloved or unwashed hands. •

step 2. routine Cleaning

The use of disposable cloths is strongly recommended, with a •fresh cloth used for each room. If other cloths are used they should be laundered in hot water wash before re-use.

Clean surfaces as usual with a neutral detergent and water. •

step 3. disinfection of special Areas

In addition to routine cleaning, the following surfaces in the •room which are commonly touched should be disinfected:

o Door handles and light switches o Tables and counters o Armrests of chairs (if not fabric) o TV buttons and remote controls, telephones, air conditioner (A/C) buttons and remote controls, kettle handles, fridge door handles

o Bathroom including door handle, door lock, toilet seat and buttons, taps, wash basins, counters, shower and/or bath.

Clean the surface first with a neutral detergent and water, and •then apply the disinfectant as instructed on the disinfectant manufacturer’s label. Ensure the recommended contact time occurs. Allow to dry completely.

Adhere to any safety precautions or other label •recommendations as directed (e.g. allowing adequate ventilation in confined areas such as toilets).

Avoid using application methods that cause splashing. •

Standard disinfectants cannot be used on some surfaces, e.g. •television remote controls and telephones. For these surfaces alcohol solutions are recommended.

Consider using impermeable and cleanable zip-lock plastic •bags to hold TV and A/C remote controls as these items are likely to be handled frequently.

disinfectants recommended use Precautions

sodium hypochlorite (bleach): 1000 parts per million of available chlorine, usually achieved by a 1 in 50 dilution of 5% liquid bleach

Disinfection of material potentially contaminated with blood and body fluids (Recommended contact time with surfaces is 10 minutes).

Should be used in well-ventilated areas •Protective clothing required while •handling and using undiluted bleachDo not mix with strong acids to avoid •release of chlorine gas Corrosive to metals •

granular chlorine: e.g., Det-Sol 5000 or Diversol, to be diluted as per manufacturer’s instructions

May be used in place of liquid bleach if this is unavailable

Same as above

Alcohol: e.g. Isopropyl 70%, ethyl alcohol 70-80%

Smooth metal surfaces, tabletops and other surfaces on which bleach cannot be used

Flammable, toxic, to be used in well-•ventilated area, avoid inhalation Keep away from heat sources, electrical •equipment, flames, hot surfaces Allow to dry completely •


If contacts are permitted to leave their room or are suspected •to have left their room, clean and disinfect any other areas outside the room that may have been used such as elevators (buttons and hand-rails), sauna, spa and pool areas, public telephones and vending machines.

step 4. body Fluids

Cleaning staff should wear an impervious disposable gown •or apron, gloves and eye protection when cleaning up body fluids, including any steam cleaning.

Any body fluids (e.g. vomit from an ill contact) should first •be removed from visibly contaminated surfaces by using an absorbent material, which should then be disposed of as described in item 5 below.

Hard, non-porous surfaces must then be cleaned and •disinfected as described in Step 2. Large areas contaminated with body fluids (e.g., covering most of a table) should be cleaned up with an absorbent material, then cleaned with detergent and water and then disinfected.

Since disinfectants are not registered for use on some •porous surfaces, contaminated material such as carpets and upholstery should be carefully steam cleaned or laundered in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

step 5. disposing of soiled Material and gloves

Dispose of all soiled material and cleaning gloves in a sturdy, •leak-proof (e.g., plastic) bag that is tied shut and not reopened.

Local health authorities should be consulted for appropriate •disposal decisions.

Unless there are any special concerns, these wastes are •considered routine and can be disposed of normally.

step 6. Food Trays, dishes, and Cutlery

Hotel food services should be advised to only deliver food •and drink orders outside the contact person’s room door to minimise direct exposure to the contact person.

Disposable gloves should be worn when handling a contact’s •used trays, dishes and utensils

Any disposable utensils should be discarded with other •general waste, as in Step 5.

Wash reusable dishes and cutlery in a dishwasher with •detergent and hot water as usual

step 7. upholstery and Carpets

Special cleaning procedures for upholstery, carpets and •storage areas are not necessary unless obviously soiled.

step 8. laundry

Laundry staff should also wear gloves when handling laundry •from a contact’s room

Linen should not be shaken as this might contaminate the •surrounding area

If linen and towels require laundering they should be collected •in a laundry bag

Linen should be emptied directly from the laundry bag into •the washing machine without handling and laundered on a normal hot cycle then air or tumble dried

Do not use compressed air and/or water under pressure •for cleaning, or any other methods that can cause splashing. Vacuum cleaners should be used only after proper disinfection of other surfaces has taken place.

step 9. hand Washing after Cleaning

When cleaning is completed and gloves have been removed •and safely disposed, immediately wash hands with soap and water for 15-20 seconds before drying with a paper towel.

Additional information on h1Ni 09 influenza:

Australian Department of Health and Ageing H1N1 influenza 09 website: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/

State and Territory Health Departments:

NSW Department of Health http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp

Victorian Government http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/swine-influenza

Queensland Government http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/infectionsandParasites/Viralinfections/swineFlu2009_fs.asp

WA HEALTH http://www.health.wa.gov.au/swine_flu/home/

SA Department of Health http://flu.sa.gov.au/swineflu.aspx

NT Government Department of Health and Families http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_disease_Control/index.aspx

Tasmanian Government http://www.pandemic.tas.gov.au/

ACT Department of Health http://health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10098808&pid=1240874209


Carlos Mu is the hotel operations Manager (Queensland) for Jani-king Australia Pty ltd, the

largest commercial cleaning franchise company worldwide. in his role, Carlos’ main responsibilities include sourcing new hotel business for Jani-king in south east Queensland, preparing and delivering proposals for prospective hotel clients and then inducting and delivering training to new franchisees. once franchisees are up and running, it is Carlos’ responsibility to conduct regular quality control audits with the franchisees at their respective properties. Carlos is currently responsible for 9 properties with a total of 344 rooms.

Whilst most of the franchisees come from a commercial cleaning background, most do not have the experience to manage busy Housekeeping departments, so much of Carlos’ time is devoted to training staff in all policies and procedures as they relate to the rooms section. Carlos spends time daily with Hotel franchisees for the first three months of their contracts and then meets with them regularly to assist as necessary.

Carlos first gained his interest in Housekeeping when he did a short course in room attending through Bensons Hospitality in Sydney. He gained his two weeks work experience at the Renaissance Hotel, Sydney. From there, he went to the ANA Hotel Sydney as a Housekeeping “Floater” i.e working as a Room Attendant/Public Area Cleaner/Houseman where he stayed for two years. After leaving the ANA Hotel, he worked at The Sydney Hilton under Beatrice Soldati as the Public Area Supervisor for two years before taking on a similar role at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour where he stayed for two and a half years.

Carlos developed itchy feet as many Housekeepers do, and moved to Melbourne to take up a position as Assistant Executive Housekeeper at the Novotel Melbourne on Collins working with Elaine Rosairo who he credits with teaching him “a lot”. Carlos experienced a baptism of fire in his new role on top of the hotel going through a complete refurbishment, when Elaine had to take extensive sick leave soon after he arrived.

With his feet still itching two years later, he headed to Ayers Rock Resort to work at the Outback Pioneer Hotel for six months before moving to Terrigal, NSW where he worked at the Crowne Plaza Hotel as Executive Housekeeper with AHS for two years. From Terrigal he went on to work at The Daydream Island Resort as Executive Housekeeper for six months and then worked at both the Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin, and the then Crowne Plaza Darwin with AHS as Housekeeping Manager for eighteen months.

He joined Jani-King in October 2007 and says he enjoys the senior role where he is constantly learning more through the varied challenges that the role presents.

Carlos has been a member of most of The Housekeeping Associations including The PEHN (Vic), The PHAN (NSW) and is now a current committee member of the SEQPHA (South East Qld Professional Housekeepers Association). He is a firm believer that every Housekeeper should be a member of their network as it is important to network with other Housekeepers and suppliers to keep abreast of new and improved cleaning methods, technology and hotel products. He believes that because of the Housekeeper Associations and their facilitated training, the role of the Executive Housekeeper is slowly being recognised as a true management position.

Carlos has two personal cleaning tips he would like to share:

a) The use of a telescopic microfibre mop for use on the bathroom floors and walls.

b) A product called Lencia made by Citrus resources which he says is fantastic on limescale and mould on glass shower screens.

Carlos hails from East Timor and has been in Australia for thirty three years, arriving initially in Darwin. He is married with a two year old daughter, Rhiannan, and a little boy scheduled to make his appearance this October. Away from work, Carlos works out at the gym twice weekly where he admits to doing “bootcamp” and enjoys watching movies. He is currently studying a Certificate IV in Sales & Marketing which he states will help him with his current role. I think the industry will see much more of Carlos in the future. n

p r o f i l e

Carlos Mulearning through varied challenges


Carolyn rasmussen was born and raised in ipswich and Toowoomba, Queensland and

worked initially in the family business of ten pin bowling. Carolyn admits that after year 12, she did not have a career path until applying for her first job which drew her into housekeeping which she now loves. Carolyn is the executive housekeeper at the sea Temple resort and spa, Port douglas and is employed by Ahs.

Carolyn is somewhat of an expert when it comes to refurbishments, having been involved in at least four.

Carolyn has worked in Housekeeping now for twenty two years, working for six months as a room attendant before being promoted to supervisor at the former Sheraton at Ayers Rock for another six months. It was her first time away from home and admits shedding some tears on the flight there from Brisbane.

After leaving the Sheraton Ayers Rock, Carolyn moved to the Hyatt Regency, Sanctuary Cove as a supervisor for the opening of this prestigious property, a situation she thoroughly enjoyed for two years before moving to Hayman Island as training supervisor when the island was still owned by Ansett.

Carolyn worked her way up to become the Assistant Housekeeper and then Assistant Executive Housekeeper on Hayman Island . It was in this role that she became involved in her first refurbishment.

In 1994 after four years on Hayman, Carolyn became the Executive Housekeeper at Kingfisher Bay on Fraser Island, her first experience of managing housekeeping for 50 privately owned villas as well as a 150 hotel rooms. Her experience there taught her a lot about eco tourism – having to be aware of chemical use and correct disposal. The logistics of the island were challenging and at times dangerous: hiking through tall undergrowth! Linen and supplies were moved via golf buggies.

After leaving Fraser Island, Carolyn took a year off and a change of pace saw her work for a Government Agency teaching Housekeeping

three days a week for periods of seven weeks finally helping participants to find work placement, a task she found very rewarding.

In 1998, Carolyn returned to the wonderful world of Housekeeping as Executive Housekeeper at the All Seasons Hotel, Darwin overseeing 132 rooms where she stayed for 12 months.

She then moved to Dunk Island where she experienced a cyclone and a refurbishment within a nine month period (I wonder which one was worse?).

Tiring of island life, in 1999 Carolyn moved inland to the Peppers Fairmount Resort NSW where againd her time there – you guessed it – encompassed another refurbishment!

In 2000, Carolyn was again on the move to the Mercure Hotel Sydney to be the Executive Housekeeper of the 517 rooms for the Sydney Olympics where she stayed for five years enjoying city life again and high occupancies. In 2005 returning to Brisbane she worked at the Hotel Sofitel briefly before relocating to the Oasis Resort, Cairns for yet another refurbishment during her 2 year stint.

Carolyn joined AHS in 2008 initially at Peppers Beach Palm Cove. She has only been in her current position for one month but finds working for AHS similar to operating her own business and the challenges it presents.

Carolyn is the new recently elected President of the FNPHN and looks forward to this exciting role.

She cites Hayman Island Resort as her best Housekeeping experience as she was able to grow in her own role and also assist others to move upwards and outwards in Housekeeping. She believes that having good and solid training plans in place help to motivate staff to self improve and has a positive impact on morale and dedication. Carolyn also has staff do “warm up exercises” in the morning which the staff find fun. Carolyn likes to visit family in her free time and enjoys a walk on the beach. n

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Carolyn Rasmussenrefurbishment expert


Vicki Curran is a sydneysider through and through, but recently feeling in need

of a challenge, applied (and was successful) for the position as executive housekeeper at the new hilton Melbourne south Wharf.

Vicki finds herself in a rather unique position being employed by Hilton but having all of the room staff employed by AHS outsourcing company and her public area cleaning contracted to another company, AES.

Vicki is responsible for 396 rooms and public areas. Her key role is to oversee quality whilst purchasing all of Housekeeping’s stock requirements and overseeing the budget. Whilst the Hilton contracts out its laundry and dry cleaning function to South Pacific Laundry and Elite Dry Cleaners respectively, there are two large washing machines on site where rags and small items are processed.

Vicki has had over twenty nine years hospitality experience working with the Hilton Sydney and Hilton Sydney Airport in various roles including Reservations, Purchasing and Housekeeping where she worked her way up the ladder from room attendant to Assistant Executive Housekeeper and then finally taking the reins as Executive Housekeeper at The Hilton Sydney Airport from 1994 to 1998. She credits Leonie Looser from the Hilton Sydney with her success.

In 1998, Vicki relocated to Sanctuary Point, NSW to run her own general store but after almost four years, decided that because of seasonal influences and some tough times, it was time to return to the wonderful world of Hotel Housekeeping. She then taught Housekeeping at the William Blue International Hotel School in Sydney for three years.

She was then seconded for three months to The Kuala Lumpur Hilton which, newly opened, was experiencing 80% occupancy with many staff still to be trained. Vicki spent these three months training staff, most of whom could not speak English, plus setting up procedures.

Her training was conducted mainly by demonstration and cites some grooming aspects as “interesting”.

She returned to the newly refurbished Sydney Hilton in April 2005 for three years and then decided on her move to Melbourne.

Vicki is enjoying Melbourne and relaxes by commuting to work daily from Footscray by bicycle in all weather(s) and admits to enjoying all the wonderful Melbourne bike paths.

Challenges Vicki faced during the opening of the new Hilton South Wharf included dealing with the enormous amount of waste generated from unpacking and placement of hotel products in all 396 rooms, separating same for recycling and the removal of all manufacturers’ labels from these items. She advises any Executive Housekeeper contemplating an opening to get plenty of rest before starting and be extremely organised in advance, to have many box cutters on hand and be prepared for the inevitable challenges like leaking pipes and never ending concrete dust caused by last minute builders’ defects or not having enough operating lifts!

Vicki enjoys the outdoor life and at home enjoys her two cats. Let’s hope she continues to enjoy her seachange in beautiful Melbourne. n

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Vicki Curransydneysider enjoying Melbourne


one of the common misconceptions about Management

is that it is easy. oh yes, people realise that there are long hours to work and such, but few people recognise that it is hard work as well.

One of our young employees recently told their Department head that they realised what they really wanted to do was become a manager. . When working with his Department Head one day he realised how hard it was but that it “seemed to be the way to go”. Now that was a grand ideal, especially coming from this young man who had previously displayed at best an ambivalent attitude towards work. What happened the next day? He rang in sick! Now, I’m not against sickness per se, however, this chap has since had more sick days than I think I’ve had in my life! Yep! Management material all right.

When I was first starting out in the industry, I used to observe my Front Office Manager, who to my mind worried too much. Every time the hotel was looking full, he’d be double-checking the figures to make sure we weren’t over too much, calling in the evenings or on weekends. He also had the ability to strike fear into a young receptionist’s heart every time he walked past. Then, I thought he worked too hard; later I realised later that he was just conscientious. He is also one of the best Front Office Managers I had the pleasure to work with, and some years later when I became General Manager, I promoted him to Rooms Division Manager.

We recently promoted one of our room attendants to Housekeeping Supervisor. This role assists the Executive Housekeeper, and supervises the Department when the Exec isn’t there (such as when she is taking a regular shift as Duty Manager). Now this lady was offered the job because we felt she had the necessary fortitude to cope with the role, which is bloody hard work. Naturally, one of her co-workers saw it differently, and had a go at her one day because she thought the Supervisor had forgotten what it was like to be a room attendant. Some weeks later when the Supervisor was ill, this particular

Thinking Management

Doing the Hard ThingsBy deAN MiNeTT

room attendant took on the role for a couple of days, and boy! was she surprised! “I really didn’t realise how much they do” she told me one day. She had thought that the extent of the role was allocating rooms to clean in the morning and then swanning through the corridors in the afternoon to check rooms, until she discovered all of the other tasks involved, that are rarely seen.

One of the other attributes of a good manager is the ability to do the things that either no one else wants to do, or can do.

Some managers just like to be liked, and can’t discipline; others hide in their office when the hard work is happening, appearing again later to bask in the afterglow. (This is probably a bit like paying someone else to make love for you, and then smoking the cigarette yourself afterwards!!)

Making decisions about terminations are difficult, as are deciding when to pull the plug on a project, or marketing campaign. Some people can’t make decisions at all, which is even worse – it causes confusion and uncertainty.

When guests are abusive, managers should take the brunt of it. That’s not to say that staff shouldn’t try to handle such issues, just that it is the manager that gets paid to deal with it after all.

When discussing difficult decisions or tasks, my eldest brother used to like quoting David Parkin, the former Hawthorn Premiership player and Carlton coach – regarded as one of the best “thinking” coaches in the AFL. His favourite quote was something along the lines of “You’ve got to do the hard things.” This advice contains no sophisticated technique or jargon and no magic – just a blunt statement that can apply to the management field just as easily as the football field.

So, when people tell you they want to be promoted, encourage them by all means, but remember to tell them – “if you want to become a manager, you’ve got to do the hard things!” n

Dean Minett is Area General Manager Australia/NZ for Ascott International and has worked in, managed or consulted to hotels, motels, resorts restaurants and casinos for

over 30 years. He is co-author of two hospitality & tourism textbooks. Email [email protected].

© Dean Minett 1998–2009 This article was first published in Hospitality magazine.


The community is becoming increasingly aware and concerned over issues such as waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, energy

efficiency, water conservation and resource depletion. As a result many industries and businesses have started to assess how their activities affect the environment. in response to these issues as well as pressure brought by the wider community, many businesses are examining what they do and produce, responding with “greener” products and using “greener” processes.

In September 2008, we used the total quantity of resources that we should have consumed in the full year. This means that we are continuing to use resources at a far quicker rate than we should. In 2008, this occurred a week earlier than in 2007 – how much quicker will we continue to use resources and pollute the planet in 2009?

The question is why? Given the many messages about the need to conserve resources, reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and care for the wider environment,

Housekeeping and Maintenance of Good Environmental PracitcesBy dr. TreVor ThorNToN Waste Audit and Consultancy Services

why are we seemingly failing to heed the call for action by each and all of us?

Is it due to the fact that we find it difficult to relate actions and potential outcomes with achieving realistic gains in environmental performance? If this is so, why do other messages about behaviour change work and environmental ones don’t?

Hotels are one sector, like many others that impact on the environment. However, unlike a manufacturing company that can simply change raw materials or processes, hotels can’t. They need to continue to provide the services that guests want.

And this is also where the answer lies. Many interviews with hotel management indicate that there is a reluctance to change services as the guests may not respond favourably. Yet, interviews with the wider community suggest that they are in fact looking for, and are sometimes even willing to pay a little more, services that are better for the environment.

This suggests that hotels apart from the benefits to themselves from reducing environmental impacts, should seriously consider implementing options as guests are starting to question why such options are not being introduced. Quite simply, why when the guest goes to a park there are recycling systems similar to what they have at home, but in the hotel there generally is not.

Someone once said that sustainability is “the slipperiest piece of soap in the shower”. How appropriate for the housekeeping fraternity. But what does it mean. Probably, that no matter what you do, do you ever actually catch the soap and say that you have a sustainable organisation. Being an environmentally responsible organisation such as a hotel is not easy. However though, the rewards are great – not only environmentally, but often also economically.

It is important to have good information and data on what is being disposed of in the waste stream so you can make decisions

on what actions are needed to reduce wastes, but also ensure that you continue to provide quality services to your guests. After all, no point in placing an assortment of containers in the guests room for all manner of recyclables if none of them are being generated.

Audits of waste streams from hotels have provided some interesting insights. In a Sydney hotel, the following was found in the general waste stream:

43% by volume of the general waste was recyclable materials.•

Of the total waste generated: 47% of cardboard, 89% of •glass, approximately 100 toilet rolls that had at least ½ of the paper remaining, 2 dozen tissue boxes that had at least 2/3 remaining, linen equivalent to 7 hotel rooms (all in excellent condition), had been placed in this stream from the housekeeping department.

What this shows amongst other things, is that the housekeeping department is a major contributor to the waste stream and by implementing better systems, there can be greater diversion of materials to recycling – this is a much better approach than in sending them to landfill.

While detailed audits are complex, there are other approaches. Conducting regularly scheduled waste assessments (or visual inspections), of the waste streams as well as actually measuring the total amount generated, strategies can be developed based on this information. Just as importantly, by ensuring staff are aware of what to measure and how, these waste assessments can be conducted regularly for all areas of the hotel, nit just housekeeping.

While the waste assessment will provide relatively accurate data on the types of wastes being generated and how they are being

managed, it won’t give detail as to why. For the answer to the “why”, you will need to conduct what is called a “site analysis”.

This is a review of waste management procedures throughout the hotel. It would be expected that the site analysis would identify whether placement of waste containers is satisfactory, are there signs instructing guests/staff where to deposit different types of waste, are there any potential hazards, are there containers for recyclables etc. In short, this process is truing to answer “why are materials going into the waste stream and what systems would ensure that these materials are recycled”.

Of course the preferred approach is in avoiding waste generation in the first instance. If the waste assessment reveals that there is a significant quantity of unread newspapers going into the general waste, don’t just think recycling is the answer. Question why there are so many, how many does the hotel purchase each day, survey over a month to see if you can actually reduce the volume without detracting from guest needs – this is the preferred approach.

As indicated, data guides the decision making process. However, it is important to ensure that careful analysis is undertaken of options to ensure the best one is chosen. In conducting your evaluation of waste minimisation potential, the following questions can be asked:

what wastes can be reduced at source•

do purchasing policies incorporate waste minimisation •principles

can wastes that cannot be reduced, be recycled•

are the necessary resources for reducing or recycling wastes •available


do employees want to participate•

is management committed•

The most promising options should then be subjected to a feasibility study, during which:

technical viability•

cost effectiveness•

environmental applications•

occupational health and safety requirements•

ease of implementation•

are evaluated and compared with current practices and •products.

The analysis should consider the following criteria.

economic•

technical•

environmental impacts•

occupational health and safety•

legislative/regulatory•

social•

It is not sufficient to conduct a superficial analysis of alternatives regarding whether one is cheaper and appears to be better for the environment than the other. Often you may find that once you

have factored in waste disposal costs one alternative that may on purchase price seem cheaper actually works out to be more expensive.

Don’t forget about hotel purchasing policies. Buying in bulk may look good, but not is stock goes out of date. What packaging are the products wrapped in – are they recyclable or do they need disposing of in the general waste. The latter is an additional cost the hotel has to pay.

Education of staff is another critical aspect for the development of environmental strategies. In terms of waste minimisation/management a permanent change in the manner in which people approach their work is required so that they consider not only the effective management of waste, but to use items for the overall, long term benefits for the environment and wider community. For example, will their actions contribute to the larger environmental problems, such as the greenhouse effect? Instituting procedures for “waste awareness” and employee training are two possible methods for achieving waste minimisation.

Staff do need to gain appropriate knowledge and skills and evaluate their attitudes to the various work practices that lead to the generation of waste if waste minimisation is to succeed.

Ecological sustainable development recognises that if improvements are to be made by any organisation, then they must also be compatible with business objectives. After all, there can be many environmental strategies implemented, but if they result in a reduction of the business to operate and/or even grow, then it is questionable as to why implement them in the first instance.

Strategies to improve environmental performance must be individual to the organisation and include a proper and detailed process to identify all environmental impacts, analysis of options to reduce those impacts and implementation of the selected options coupled with a staff education program. Having this can make a big difference. n

Housekeeping and Maintenance of Good Environmental Pracitces(continued)

Having initially obtained a Degree in Education, Trevor Thornton has gained considerable experience in developing specific training programs for industry and presenting education sessions for many sectors of industry and the community. He has lectured widely on waste auditing and waste minimisation techniques.Trevor’s past experiences include being employed by the Victorian Environment Protection Authority, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of many waste management policies, including those for biomedical waste and municipal waste. He was a Senior Waste Management Officer and the EPA’s Local Government Liaison Officer.

www.wasteaudit.com.au


sometimes described as gen y, echo boomers, Millenials or the igen (internet generation), people born in the 80s and 90s are challenging traditional notions of reward and remuneration. ANders

sorMAN-NilssoN, self-professed gen y devil’s advocate, provides seven tips for heads who may. be wondering if gen y staff are off-line with reality or in-tune with the future.

• Definewhatyouremployervaluepropositionisandexaminewhether it is Gen Y-friendly - if it is not, start a cross-generational thought exchange on how you can make it so.

• Bringyouremployervaluepropositionandtheemployeeexperience into alignment by surveying your current staff's attitudes to the question, 'Is this school a staff-friendly place to work?' Map the generational differences.

• AskyourcurrentGenYstaffwhatyourschool'scurrentstrengths and blind spots are. Gen Y are the bloodstream of global change and will know whether you are optimally positioned for the future.

• Implementanemotionalintelligencetrain ing program for your Gen Y staff. Research shows that they display lower levels of emotion-ally intelligent workplace behaviour; and emo tional intelligence is directly correlated to en gagement, job satisfaction and performance. Paradoxically, the more training and develop ment (CV strengthening) opportunities Gen Y staff have, the more likely they are to stay.

• Involvetheminformaltwowaymentoring and coaching programs with Xers and Baby Boomers. This will ensure cross-generational understanding of

the demographic diversity in the workplace and facilitate a cross-pollination of the three Es - the enthusiasm of Yers, the expertise of the Xers, and the experience of the Boomers.

• Givethemresponsibilityforinnovation,creativityandintrapreneurship. These activities are the birthright for Gen Ys and if given the chance to contribute in this space they will positively surprise you with new solutions for your school. Just asking their opinion starts the feedback loop and will communicate that you care. Have the chutzpah to implement the most thought-through solutions.

• Encouragethemtogoaway.Andincentivisethemtocomeback. Gen Ys love travel and a formal international secondment pro-gram will be a very attractive drawcard for your school – paradoxically it will ensure greater long-term staff loyalty and bring back valuable international experience. Why not integrate it with your rewards and recognition program? If you don't yet have one, implement one ASAP. n

Anders is a reformed lawyer, and the principal agent provocateur at Thinque, which he founded in 2005. Anders is a thought leader on innovation, change management and generational trends. His client list includes Macquarie Bank, ANZ, Optus, Minter Ellison, Canberra Grammar School, Rivendell School and the NSW Department of Education and Training. Contact: [email protected].

Attracting, engaging and retaining Gen Y staff


November they cross Bass Strait to Tasmania and are a major problem in all Australian states. They tend to die out during the colder winters of subtropical areas.

Fruit (Vinegar) FliesFruit flies are attracted to yeast growth that cause fermentation in (over-ripened) fruit and vegetables. A dirty garbage bin, unclean mops or dishcloths, drainwater in refrigerators and food particles behind kitchen

equipment can also support a heavy population of fruit flies. Fruit flies do NOT bite humans but are a nuisance pest and a sign of unclean premises.

MosquitoesMosquitoes rely upon water for survival of the larvae stage. Check your locality to ensure no stagnant water containing mosquitoe larvae. If found, empty the container or use lavender in water pool areas. In large areas contact a

professional pest controller.

Mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects that cause great annoyance and secondary infection to some affected people. Electronic fly traps are highly effective at attracting and killing mosquitoes. In high infestation areas some judicial use of pesticide spay and residual spays may be useful.

Integrated Pest Control Methods

According to Glenn DuBois, Technical Director of the APCA Australian Pest Controllers Association Inc, the professional control aspects for a variety flying insects have some common principles.

Direct chemical treatment of individual flying insects has limited value. Better to concentrate on elimination of potential food

Flying Insect Control in the Hospitality IndustryBy gleNN dubois

For positive customer goodwill and health reasons, hospitality businesses need to minimise the presence of flies, mosquitoes and other flying

insects, particularly in kitchen and indoor eating areas.

The main culprits we deal with in this article are bush flies, fruit flies and mosquitoes.

Bush Flies Bush flies are feared carriers of a range of diseases, pathogens, salmonella and other stomach complaint organisms. Bush flies lay their eggs in cow dung pads, congregrate on and eat rancid meat and other decaying food

products, and are highly mobile. Flies readily fly directly from filth to the dinner plate. It is true that flies have sucking mouthparts – they need to vomit on solid food to help dissolve and make the food more edible.

Flies breed prolifically all year round in the tropical areas of northern Australia. In spring, the warm northerly winds carry them south, sometimes covering several hundred kilometres in a day. By


sources; prevention of physical access and trapping of the flying insects.

Elimination of potential food sources

Flying insects are heavily attracted to light, as well as food •and moisture Where practicable, eliminate the flying insect breeding sites and food sources. For example, check the garden-laden drain water and clean the gelatinous material in drain pipes.

Basic regular cleaning and disinfecting is fundamentally •important in reducing the number of potential fly breeding sites.

Keep overripe fruit in the refrigerator before •fermentation begins.

Any contaminated food stuffs should be discarded as •soon as practicable.

Prevention of access to sensitive areas

Although easier said than done, you should aim to restrict •access of outside flying pests to indoor areas. Proper screening and proofing of premises where food or waste is stored, processed or handled is recommended.

Install fly screens on doors and windows. Note: fruit flies can •gain entry through standard window screening but not 16 mesh or finer screening.

These flying insects are heavily attracted to light. Wherever •possible use a special yellow light above doorways and windows that is not attractive to insects.

Mercury-vapor lamps at such entrances should be replaced •with sodium-vapor lamps.

Installation of electronic fly zappers and sticky trap units

Flies and mosquitoes by nature use UV rays from the sun to navigate.

According to the APCA, “Fly zappers and traps that use a ultraviolet UV light (not florescent tubes) as an attractant are the most successful at attracting a wide range of flying insects and they are becoming the industry standard for fly control throughout the world”.

The APCA recommends the use of “electronic fly zapper and sticky trap machines containing attractant blue UV lighting tubes, in food processing and hospitality areas, where they will not compete with alternative light sources. Such machines can be wall mounted and ceiling suspended. The ideal height is about 2 metres above the ground, as this is the height at which fly pest species frequently settle.”

Ensure the machine has a 365nm wavelength – a safe form of UV. Much shorter wavelengths may cause sunburn from prolonged exposure.

The machines must be kept clean and serviced regularly. The blue light tubes wear out (ineffective) and need replacing every 12 months. The APCA recommends siting the machines in such a way that flies are drawn away from sensitive areas, rather than drawn towards them.

Sticky trap units catch flying insects on a glue board, which should be monitored and replaced weekly or monthly depending on intensity of infestation. Advantages include silent operation, lower cost, ease of installation and monitoring. n

For further information – contact Glenn DuBois 1300 660 200 or visit the APCA website www.PestControl.org.au


have you ever wondered why some technicians achieve brilliant floors that never seem to need stripping? The secret to

success is simple – preparation and attention to detail. here are some pro tips for great shine and clean, good looking floor finish.

sTriPPiNg

• Ensurethatalloftheoriginalfinishiscompletelyremoved,especially from the edges. Yellowed areas of will residual floor finish will be highlighted by new polish laid over top.

• Useawetsuctionpickup to pick up stripper slurry and rinse water. Wet & Dry vacuums start from a few hundred dollars. They save time and effort and will pay for themselves the first time you use them.

• Useacleanmoptorinse: If you have to use a mop to rinse the floor after stripping make sure that it is a clean, uncontaminated by stripper or other chemicals. Regardless of how many times that you rinse you will never get all of the

Shine in your professionBy briAN ClArk

Nina Tower Hotel Lobby Photo: WiNG

stripper out of a used mop. A few extra dollars on a clean rinse mop will save you hundreds of dollars in labour.

• Changerinsewateroften. Even the smallest amounts of residual stripper will build up in your rinse bucket and it will only be reapplied back onto the floor.

• Rinsemorethanonce. Striper residue can be difficult to remove completely. It will affect the first coat of finish causing adhesion problems, uneven drying, powdering or poor levelling. A rope-like finish is a common symptom of stripper residue.

APPlyiNg FiNish

• Neverusecontaminatedfloorfinish. If the container has been opened and used previously ensure that the lid was on tight and that a film has not formed on the surface of the polish. A smell like rotten eggs is a sign that the polish has been contaminated by bacteria.

• Alwaysuseclean mops or applicators: NEVER reuse a stripper mop for rinsing or laying finish, regardless of how many times it has been rinsed. If an applicator has been used previously with

finish ensure that it has been rinsed properly before being stored. Applicators that smell or have dried crusty bits should not be used to apply new floor finish.

• Avoidcontamination. Don’t pour unused finish back into the drum. Dispose of it according to environmental guidelines. Used finish will contaminate the rest of the container with dirt and bacteria.

MAiNTAiNiNg Floors

• Ensurethatyourmaintenanceequipmentisclean and operating properly. If you used your polisher in the stripping process ensure that all stripper residues have been thoroughly removed.

• Usethecorrect pads to suit your floor finish. Many cleaners make the mistake of using coarser pads when burnishing because they remove the marks quicker. However, they are also removing the finish, which is designed to protect the floor from marks and damage. Using coarse pads is a self defeating process.

• Useonlyclean polishing pads. Dirty pads simply redeposit soil and spread it evenly over the floor, yellowing the finish and destroying the shine. Dirt and polish residues may also form hard lumps on the surface of the pad and will scratch the finish and cause swirl marks throughout the finish that you worked so hard to put there.

• Sweepthoroughlyorvacuumbeforemopping.Over 80% of the soil on a floor is loose dust and dirt that can be simply removed by sweeping or vacuuming. This will make your mopping easier and will allow your detergent to work more efficiently to remove stains and oily soils. Dry soil contamination also causes pickup problems including wet streaks behind autoscrubbers.

• Diluteyourdetergentaccordingtoinstructions.If you have a good finish and it has been swept or vacuumed properly you will need less detergent, not more, to clean. Too much detergent is deposited onto the floor where it becomes sticky and attracts soil, quickly yellowing your finish.

• Mop,orpreferablycleanwithanautoscrubber,beforeburnishing.Burnishing a dirty floor will drive the dirt into the floor quickly yellowing the finish. Mopping by hand is inefficient and labour intensive, but if you mop, change your cleaning solution frequently. If you use an autoscrubber, ensure that the pick up is working properly. Nicks, cuts or worn squeegee blades or poor suction leave dirty water behind and smears it into the floor.

• Cleanshinyfloorsarearealsourceofsatisfactionandprovide executive Housekeepers and Hotel Guests with a positive statement as to the professionalism of the cleaning workforce. Pride in your work, attention to detail and care with your equipment and techniques are the key factors that will make your floors shine. n


due to the benefits, low-moisture carpet care has become one of the pinnacles of commercial carpet care. With its ability to quickly improve

a carpet’s appearance, it allows facilities to maintain a consistent image of cleanliness. And with its shortened dry times, it also allows facilities to either remain open during cleaning or open more quickly after cleaning. but to be clear, the main goal of low-moisture carpet care is to reduce the amount of moisture used to clean the carpet and, therefore, reduce dry time and out-of-service time. The goal is not to provide maximum soil removal. For this reason, low-moisture methods should always be used in conjunction with periodic and thorough deep extraction cleanings to remove built-up soil and chemical.

As low-moisture carpet care has advanced in popularity, so have the many methods available. In fact, there are so many low-

How the Top Five Low-Moisture Carpet Care MethodsStackUpBy JeFF FysTroM

moisture carpet care methods available today that it’s difficult to know which ones really work and under what circumstances they work best. Each method has its benefits - but only when properly applied.

So when is the best time and place to use each method? Let’s take a look at the five most commonly applied low-moisture carpet care methods and how they stack up against each other, specifically in terms of how much water and chemical they leave behind, how much soil they remove, and how well they improve a carpet’s appearance.

Surface Extraction Surface extraction can be achieved with virtually any extractor by simply moving faster while cleaning and, therefore, spreading the set rate of water dispersion over a larger area. Surface extraction actually does remove a fair amount of soil. The trade-off for removing that soil, however, is that surface extraction, as far as low-moisture cleaning methods are concerned, does have lengthy dry times. In fact, surface extraction probably has the longest dry times of any low-moisture carpet care method, typically requiring one hour or more. In addition, while surface extraction does a good job of removing soil, it does not always leave a carpet looking clean and uniform.

So when should surface extraction be used? Surface extraction is a good low-moisture method to use when some soil removal is necessary and improved productivity is desired - cleaning professionals can clean 5,000 to 6,000 square feet per hour using surface extraction. An ideal application for surface extraction is the upper levels of an office building - meeting rooms and hallways where there is less foot traffic and, therefore, less soil buildup. In such a location, surface extraction will remove the soil and improve the carpet’s appearance and an hour or more of dry time can be accommodated.

Soil Transfer Technology Soil transfer technology is the newest low-moisture method to come to market and is an alternative to methods that put water and chemical directly on the carpet. Because the carpet is never actually sprayed with water, soil transfer technology offers extremely short dry times - often less than 30 minutes. In addition, soil transfer technology does a very good job of removing visual soil from the carpet before it becomes embedded. As a result, carpet appearance with soil transfer technology is consistent and uniform.

Soil transfer technology is a great interim cleaning method to use when soil removal is necessary, appearance is important, and fast dry times are essential. And soil transfer technology could wisely be used in just about any application where improved appearance, regardless of soil level, is desired. Soil transfer technology will actually remove the visual soil from the carpet and be dry in less than 30 minutes. This means that carpet can be cleaned just prior to an event and the carpet will look great and be dry when the doors open. An added benefit is that soil transfer technology is extremely productive, which means soil can be quickly removed even from large spaces.

Bonnet Cleaning Bonnet cleaning is a frequently used low-moisture cleaning method because it offers extremely quick dry times - between 10 and 30 minutes. And, when applied correctly, it removes the top layer of soil from commercial carpet, temporarily removes the appearance of stains, and results in a carpet that has a uniform and consistent appearance. But bonnet cleaning is not the best mechanism for completely removing the chemical that is pre-sprayed onto a carpet. While a bonnet is designed to wipe away soil and re-absorb chemical, the inherent problem is that once a bonnet is saturated, it will no longer remove either and could then transfer soil and chemical back into a carpet. If applied properly-that is, if a clean bonnet is always in use - this method can remove quite a bit of surface soil and absorb greater percentages of pre-sprayed chemical. Unfortunately, proper application of this method is operator-dependant and rarely followed. To ensure bonnet cleaning is applied correctly, bonnets should be flipped or changed at least every 100 square feet. This means no more than a couple hundred square feet of carpet should be cleaned using a single bonnet.

Because bonnet cleaning, when applied correctly, does a good means of temporarily removing stains from view, and because it

cleans just 1,000 to 2,000 square feet per hour, bonnet cleaning is best used for targeted stain removal. For example, bonnet cleaning could prove beneficial for stain removal in a retail location that needs its carpet to look clean and stay in service – say removing a coke stain in the toy aisle or a coffee stain in accessories-or in a small entryway that gets a lot of foot traffic.

Encapsulation Encapsulation has long played a role in low-moisture carpet care. That’s because encapsulation, whether in the form of pre-spray chemicals, low-moisture shampoos, or dry foams, leaves very little water behind (it dries in about 30 minutes), and it leaves a carpet looking clean and uniform. In addition, similar to surface extraction, encapsulation offers high productivity. In fact, cleaning professionals, depending on the machine used, can apply an encapsulation chemical to up to 10,000 square feet per hour.

But by its very nature, while encapsulation does remove some soil from the carpet, it also leaves chemical behind- after all, the encapsulation chemical is sprayed directly onto a carpet. And chemical left behind often leads to re-soiling. In addition, it’s important to note that encapsulation chemicals require a second step-that of vacuuming. Vacuuming is typically delayed until the next regularly scheduled cleaning, but if no vacuuming takes place after the chemical has dried, NO SOIL REMOVAL takes place.

With its high productivity and fast dry times, encapsulation might be used when a carpet simply cannot get wet due to a need to keep the space open. An appropriate application for encapsulation is a 24-hour call center that is always staffed and simply cannot be closed. Cleaning professionals can close off just a small section of the carpet at a time and still get a carpet that has a consistent appearance.

Damp Compounds Damp compounds are more difficult to use in commercial carpet care because they are very expensive and, due to the three-step process, are not as productive as some . of the other forms of low-moisture carpet care. Still, they are used because, similar to encapsulation and bonnet cleaning, damp compounds leave no water behind, which means dry times aren’t a concern, and they leave carpet looking clean and uniform. And, similar to encapsulation, damp compounds do remove some soil from the carpet. But, in addition to being less productive, like encapsulation, by their very nature, they also leave residue behind. But damp compounds do have a place in your carpet care program, specifically if you have a rug on which you cannot place water, like an antique Persian area rug. In such an instance, damp methods will remove soil from the carpet and will-without ever getting the carpet wet-result in a clean looking carpet.

Final Ranking So which of these low-moisture carpet care techniques is best? That really depends on what you hope to achieve, how much time you have, and what type of carpet and/or facility you are cleaning. Just remember, low-moisture cleaning methods by their very definition are for interim cleaning only. To achieve the best results no matter which technique you use, incorporate low-moisture carpet care into an overall comprehensive carpet maintenance program that includes periodic restorative extraction. n

Jeff Fystrom is a product manager with Tennant Company. To learn more about low-moisture carpet care, contact Tennant at www. TennantCo. com.

How the Top Five Low-Moisture Carpet Care MethodsStackUp(cont’d)


in fact a lively population of microbes at work and where there are microbes, there must be contaminants or soil providing a food source. Pouring on liberal doses of disinfectant might kill some bacteria but more than likely the chemical will interact with the soiling and the temporarily respite from the offending odour is probably the masking perfume at work. Disinfectants also require time to work, provided they actually come into contact with significant numbers of microbes in the first place.

So what are we doing wrong? Why didn’t the disinfectant kill all the germs? Why is the odour still there and why is it steadily

Cleaning or Disinfection?By briAN ClArk, Janitech Australasia

getting worse? To understand this, you need to understand that the basis of disinfection and odour control is good cleaning. Remove the source and you remove the odour.

First of all, we need to get the terminology right. If you understand the terminology, then you will understand the process. Here are some of the common terms and their meaning

decontamination: The removal of micro-organisms and unwanted matter from contaminated materials. This is a cleaning process.

disinfection: The inactivation of non-sporing micro-organisms using either thermal or chemical means. This is a post-cleaning process.

sterilisation: Complete destruction of all micro-organisms, including spores. Sterilisation will never occur in surface cleaning, regardless of the disinfectant that you use.

Disinfectants are chemicals that react with the chemistry of living cells to stop all activity. They may do this by literally ripping them apart by breaking down the cell walls and spilling the contents or as subtly as preventing the organism from feeding by deactiving the enzyme systems in the cell membrane.

Now that may sound great, but what we need to remember is that these organisms are so tiny that millions may >

There is an ugly smell coming from the toilet, the carpet or the drain and

your customer is not happy. What do you do? The first thing many cleaners do is saturate the area with a strongly perfumed chemical labelled ‘disinfectant’ or even bleach. After a minute or so, we rinse it off. Magically, the smell seems to disappear, only to return the next day with a vengeance.

So what is actually happening here? The presence of a strong organic odour is probably a good indication that there is


< exist in an area the size of a pinhead. Most disinfectants are not good cleaners and may be deactivated by soils, while conversely, good cleaning can dramatically reduce the soil load and significantly lower the bacterial count to a point where disinfectants are not needed.

For disinfection to occur, the soil barrier needs to be thoroughly removed so that the disinfectant can come into contact with microbes. If the area is not thoroughly cleaned and rinsed the residual soil and chemical will provide a safe habitat for millions of organisms. They can be shielded from the disinfectant by tiny soil particles, poor wetting ability of the disinfectant, by the ‘giant’ microscopic holes that make up a surface that may appear smooth to us or even by the slime of their own excrement. Indeed, bacterial slime or biofilm may even deactivate the disinfectant by chemical reaction with it.

Disinfectants also need to be diluted exactly to manufacturer’s specifications for them to work as intended. Weak solutions

may kill some microflora, probably the good ones, and allow the more resistant organisms to flourish without competition. Moreover, the residual disinfectant will break down into other compounds through interaction with the soil and may in fact actually become food for some types of bacteria and increase their numbers. Over-strength solutions may not be chemically stable which may cause the active ingredient to precipitate from the solution or their ‘wetting’ ability may be greatly reduced.

The overuse and misuse of disinfectants will have a negative impact on both the internal and external environment. Being strong biological and chemical agents they will interfere with sullage pits, septic and bio-cycle waste treatment plants and they may not be fully biodegradable. What you must realise is that disinfectants are designed to kill living cells. That is what we are made of. Regular contact with even the most benign disinfectants will cause health problems ranging from sensitisation through to hospitalisation in the worst case scenario.

In a green building environment, there is virtually no place where disinfectants are acceptable.

And of course, the more that disinfectants are misused, the more likely it is that the most resistant organisms, the ones we are trying to kill, will develop protection mechanisms that make them immune to the disinfectant, while their more genial counterparts are killed off. Imagine a world with superbugs immune to both anti-biotics and disinfectants. Don’t imagine, because that is already happening!

So think twice before resorting to disinfectants. Go to the source of the problem and clean and clean and clean - thoroughly - using the right chemical in combination with appropriate equipment and the correct methodology. You’ll be amazed at the improvement in results. n

Need help, some staff training or just a little professional advice? Janitech Australasia is a specialist consultancy service for cleaning and green cleaning. Brian can be contacted on 0414 944 615.

www.cleaningconsultant.com.au

What’s hiding in your hotel rooms?Make sure your hotel is UrineFREE®!

however efficient your cleaning regime might be, can you really be sure

that you have identified and removed all sources of stains and odours in your hotel?

Urine odours & stains are not only unhygienic but also unpleasant for guests and staff alike. Urine odours can be one of the most offensive smells and can often lead to guest complaints that give a hotel a bad reputation.

urineFree® offers a practical and environmentally friendly solution to this problem.

Whilst most proprietary brands of cleaning products simply contain a surface cleaning agent, temporarily masking the urine smell, urineFree® is a high quality bio-enzymatic product that tackles the source of the odour.

Whether the area affected is bathroom, bedding, carpets, upholstery or flooring, urineFree® is an all-in-one product that completely removes all (pet & human) urine odours and stains no matter how old and is a must for every hotel & housekeeping cleaner.

With 20% more concentrate than other brands with the addition of extra urine eating bacteria for faster action, urineFree®’s works on the biological combination of urine – urea, urochrome and uric acid crystals. Most general cleaners merely remove the water soluble components of urine (urea and urochrome) but leave behind the non soluble uric acid crystals that retain the odour and stain. These crystals attach to surfaces and are very difficult to dislodge, providing a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. Any humidity or dampness will also trigger the dormant crystals bringing back the odour.

urineFree®’s formula of specifically selected enzymes and bacteria “eats up’’ the uric acid crystals whilst removing the urea and urochrome

components, eliminating both the stain AND the odour.

While cleaning crews must dust, vacuum and disinfect daily, most hotels say they only deep clean on average four times a year – unless stains are visible.

Many urine stains are invisible to the naked eye, yet certainly not to the nose. However, the source of the smell can often be difficult to trace. urineFree® urine detector solves this problem. Using LED light technology, similar to that used by Police Forensic Officers, the pocket size torch will fluoresce dried urine in a darkened room, making it easy to identify and treat the right area. Then, after treatment in accordance with the product directions, use urineFree® urine detector again to check if you’ve removed it all.

Ready for use and available in a range of bottle sizes, urineFree® is the only urine remover you’ll ever need.

For more information on urineFree®, to find a distributor or to purchase online visit: www.urinefree.com.au.


Product NewsThe ExecutiveHousEkEEpEr

Gilchrist & Soames beekind Collection

Delight your guests with the new Gilchrist & Soames beekind Collection of luxury amenities, supplied in eco-chic, ‘paper bottles’. With Gilchrist & Soame’s signature skin-friendly formulation, guests can indulge in a luxurious product whilst appreciating their contribution to improving the environment, and supporting a Pollination Research Program for the decimating Honey Bee population.

Today’s increasingly aware and discerning traveller will appreciate the trend towards a ‘green’ yet stylish amenity solution. The beekind Collection paper bottles are modern yet natural in design, and are an environmentally friendly alternative to rigid plastic bottles, with a comparative 59% reduction in packaging material by weight and 92% reduction in waste space.

The new beekind Collection formula is infused with a fresh lemon verbena fragrance featuring honey extracts, organic extracts of red clover, calendula, lemongrass and chamomile, and is as soothing as it is eco-friendly. As a signature Gilchrist & Soames’ skin-friendly formula, it DOES NOT contain parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA or propylene glycol.

The beekind Collection features five 30ml liquid products: Shampoo, Conditioner, Conditioning Shampoo, Body Wash and Body

International Interior Images

enjoy a healthier night’s sleep Protect·A·Bed®’s Healthy Sleep Zone Solutions™

Protect·A·Bed® from Snugfit Australia has released a comprehensive range of products called – healthy sleep Zone solutions™ -to ensure the healthiest night’s sleep possible while enhancing sleep comfort.

We spend on average one-third of our lives in bed! For us to have the healthiest sleep possible our beds need protection

from bacteria, dust mites, allergens, liquids, body fluids and stains. Many allergic reactions such as eczema, asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis can actually be made worse by our sleep environment.

The healthy sleep Zone solutions™ range of mattress, quilt and pillow protectors provide healthy and hygienic ways to help with allergies including dust mites, bedwetting and incontinence, skin disorders including eczema and psoriasis, and even pets-on-beds and expectant mothers. One product of the range is AllerZip® which is specially developed to prevent and control bed bug infestations and is scientifically proven to be bed bug entry, escape and bite proof. There is also an extensive range of pillows that cater to health needs and can be tailored and adjusted to individual comfort levels.

Protect·A·Bed® has developed merchandising point-of-sale material and a sales manual for retailers including Protect·A·Bed® Healthy Sleep Nurse demonstrations and training programs. For additional information and service, Protect·A·Bed®have introduced the Protect·A·Bed® Nurse who is available online at [email protected] to answer sleep-related and product related questions.

For a presentation on healthy sleep Zone solutions™ and merchandising options please call 1300 857 123.

Lotion. The range also includes two low weight vegetable based ‘Aloe’ soaps in 17g and 28g, designed to further reduce waste.

Gilchrist & Soames Zero Percent Collection

With zero sulfates, zero parabens, zero phthalates, zero artificial colours and zero animal testing, the Zero Percent Collection is a testament to ‘less is more’.

With an increasingly health conscious market, consumers are appreciating the finer things in life by getting back to basics and nature. Featuring the finest yet mild ingredients, and with a subtle fragrance the Zero Percent Collection offers guests a luxurious yet gentle and refreshing bathing experience. Your guests will leave feeling clean, fresh and invigorated

Presented in stylish sleek bottles, the Zero Percent Collection features 30ml Shampoo, Conditioner, Conditioning Shampoo, Body Wash and Body Lotion, and two ‘Aloe’ soaps available in 17g and 28g.

The beekind and Zero Percent Collections are now available exclusively from international interior images. For more information on these new ranges, please contact our friendly sales Team on (03) 9673 1444 or [email protected].


Product NewsThe ExecutiveHousEkEEpEr

The T2 scrubber-dryer benefits end-users by:

enhancing productivity and efficiency by cleaning •and drying small, congested areas in one pass;

ensuring superior cleaning performance with •23 kg of down pressure and 230 rpm agitation delivered through a .75 kW brush motor—the most powerful in its class;

helping facilities maintain maximum hygiene with •a fully accessible and cleanable hygienic recovery tank and debris tray;

increasing indoor environmental quality with •ultra-quiet 68.0 dBA sound level that offers anytime cleaning;

improving indoor environmental safety and •reducing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents with a “No-Hassle” Squeegee System that offers unsurpassed water recovery; and

improving operator comfort and reducing •operator fatigue with ergonomic, adjustable, safety-trigger handle design and easy operation.

The Tennant T2 scrubber-dryer offers a 430 mm cleaning path, has

a 26 L capacity solution tank, and a 36 L

capacity recovery tank. Its superior engineering provides consistent reliability that

reduces the cost of labour, maintenance, service, and parts while

increasing uptime and productivity for a lower total cost of ownership.

The T2 Walk-Behind Automatic Scrubber-Dryer is the smallest and lowest-cost battery scrubber-dryer in Tennant’s T-Series of scrubber-dryers, which also includes the T1 Walk-Behind Cord-Electric Scrubber-Dryer, the T3e and T3 Walk-Behind Automatic Scrubber-Dryer, the T5e and T5 Walk-Behind Automatic Scrubber-Dryer, the T7 Micro-Rider Automatic Scrubber-Dryer and the T15 ride-on Scrubber-Dryer.

About Tennant

Engineered by Tennant Company, Tennant-branded products help cleaning professionals be leaders in creating healthy, safe, and attractive environments. Tennant

is recognised as a world-leading manufacturer of indoor and outdoor cleaning solutions and specialty coatings. Tennant’s industrial and commercial sweepers, scrubber-dryers, coatings, detergents, carpet cleaning equipment, vacuums, floor machines, burnishers and more deliver award-winning cleaning solutions to a number of industries, including education, health care, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, warehousing, and government. For more information on Tennant, visit www.TennantCo.com.

Another industry standard from hotelhome

“Dura Fleece” Blankets

The original Fleece Blanket with a genuine “Anti Pill” finish

The “Dura Fleece” Blanket has already been tested and introduced into a number of 4 and 5 star Hotels and Resorts in Australia, providing satisfaction not only to their guests with its Warmth and Comfort properties, but also the House Keeping team because of the Durability and Easy Care that “Dura Fleece” offers. The colours available in the “Dura Fleece” range include Camel, Fudge, Sable and Charcoal.

Anti-Pill Finish•Fully washable•Durable, Robust•Warm•100% Polyester•Heavy duty Stitching•

HotelHome “Dura Fleece” blankets have all the features required by any Accommodation Property no matter what the conditions or Star Rating. The “Dura Fleece” is soft, warm, robust, anti-pill and fully washable without an expensive price tag. Dura Fleece is the only commercial quality Fleece Blanket manufactured with heavy duty stitched side hems.

The subtle yet strong stitching gives the “Dura Fleece” blanket a long lasting durability even under the tough conditions that Commercial Blankets must endure, e.g. continual machine laundering, rough treatment by guests etc.

Strength is not the only advantage of “Dura Fleece” Blanket. The Soft and Smooth surface offers a non-irritating, comfortable touch on the skin.

The “Dura Fleece” has been specifically designed for Hotel use and there is no Satin Binding, which deteriorates over a short period. This type of binding should only be used for Domestic Blankets.

www.hotelhome.com.auPhone : 1300 733 737

email : [email protected]

Compact, Affordable Tennant® T2 Automatic scrubber-dryer brings Performance and safety to small spacesThe Tennant T2 is the smallest and lowest-cost battery scrubber-dryer in Tennant’s T-Series of automatic scrubber-dryers

Tennant Company recently announced the international introduction of the Tennant T2 Walk-Behind Automatic Scrubber-Dryer. The 43 cm scrubber-dryer quickly and easily cleans and dries small, congested spaces in one pass to deliver increased cleanliness and environmental safety.

“The T2 scrubber-dryer was designed specifically to meet the unique needs of the international market,” said Karel Huijser, vice president of International with Tennant Company. “It offers a superior combination of performance, ergonomics, safety, and convenience in a very compact size and at a low price point. We believe customers within the health care, retail and hospitality industries will especially benefit from the T2’s capabilities, size and price.”

A U S T R A L I A

The Executive Housekeeper 13_2

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