CLEANING AND HYGIENE
KEEPING IT CLEAN: OUTSOURCING IN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
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he fast-paced nature of today’s facilities management world has seen the list of responsibilities for industry professionals grow ever longer and more complex, and the pressure on them to be competitive has kept pace alongside this. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that tasks which can be easily and cost-effectively outsourced are increasingly being, and cleaning and hygiene is one such an area. Paul Langham, Managing Director of Go Plant Ltd, the UK’s leader in the provision of operated and self-drive specialist road sweepers, explains how calling in the experts can save much more than simply time and manpower… “For most organisations, regular
cleaning isn’t on the wish list, it’s an essential
to ensure the safe operation of a site, plant or location, and to ensure that workers, commuters, pedestrians and the wider community are able to access and use the site safely and with ease. It’s a responsibility which is not simply enshrined in best practice – and law in some cases – but one which organisations take on in recognition of the impact a poorly presented site can have on its reputation and brand. Of course all environments will see waste materials accumulate over time, and the extent and nature of these depend very much on the site itself. A construction site, for example, is likely to gather more organic and materials based debris than a supermarket or superstore car park, which may see more litter and cigarette stubs. A good cleaning routine is essential to provide a safe and hygienic public and working environment, and to protect against the risk of contamination. Roadway pollutants such as metals and hydrocarbons can attach to fine particles of dust and waste, for example, however thorough and regular cleaning can mitigate the risk of contamination of air or waterways and removing these can reduce or remove bacterial risk and hazards too. The very real risk of contamination from site waste and poor site hygiene has been highlighted in a growing number of prosecutions and legal cases brought over the last few years alone, and the Health and Safety Executive takes a dim view of sites which can’t evidence proactive planned cleaning as part of their due care practices.
Good cleaning habits are important for your in-house workforce too of course, with effective housekeeping able to reduce the risk of worsening existing health conditions such as asthma and respiratory issues, or of developing health issues at all. And happier workers, who take less time off, can only be a positive for a business’s bottom line. Another threat could come in the form of a fine or levy charged, with some councils taking a harder than ever view on those who don’t maintain basic levels of cleanliness around their premises. Birmingham City Council, for example, is implementing a clean-up initiative to ensure
PUBLIC SECTOR ESTATES MANAGEMENT • JULY/AUGUST 2014
that shops and businesses in the borough keep the area in front of their premises free from any litter dropped by customers, clients, staff and visitors, and they are threatening potential fines of up to £2,500 if standards slip. We advise that companies don’t just focus their cleaning schedules on patterns of waste, rubbish and debris though, but also consider less obvious causes of build-up, such as car emissions, cross fertilisation of waste spread from one part of site to another, and even the weather. To best combat issues related to these, companies should put in place an ongoing regular schedule of cleaning and run regular visual assessments which can and may lead to prompt ad hoc sweeps too.
So where does this extra work leave many smaller facilities management firms and teams? We recognise that it’s increasingly important to streamline processes and more companies than ever are looking at outsourcing but is this the right way to go? The core benefits of outsourcing include in-house personnel being freed to focus on alternative tasks or fee-generating activities, removing the requirement to invest in expensive and sophisticated equipment, and removing the subsequent need for costly maintenance and staff training to operate. Facility managers are also often faced with the challenging task of saving money where possible, and so choose a company to work with that offers services at a competitive price. The best cost, however, doesn’t necessarily provide the best end result so it’s crucial to choose a recognised company and one which are members of professional bodies or associations. Also make sure that your contracts build in the flexibility that you need, as well as the regularity and specific cleaning schedules that suit you, your business, and your site. At Go Plant, we’re privileged to work alongside a number of both large and small companies where we assist them in drawing up specifications of work to meet their commercial, environmental, and individual company aspirations. We’re committed to working as they need, and anyone interested in learning more is welcome to get in touch.
www.go-plant.co.uk
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