CM Feb'10 64+4pp 22/2/10 15:18 Page 4
News & Comment
Still waiting for a show of clean hands
We put our lives in doctors’ hands when we fall ill, yet once simple preventative measures needed to curtail contagion
again it seems we may be putting ourselves at risk by doing so. would be high, especially in the health industry.
The CSSA and BCC have drawn the industry’s attention to a I know that since I have been involved with the cleaning
recent report that states some doctors are still not following industry, the frequency of my own handwashing has probably
the most vital health procedure of thorough handwashing (see quadrupled. I think the message is definitely being put out
news page overleaf ). If those at the top of the hospital chain there, but the trouble is, some people just aren’t listening.
are not carrying out basic sanitary measures, questions must
be asked as to why the handwashing message is still not
getting through.
There are fantastic solutions from the cleaning industry, from
touchless taps and antibacterial soap to portable handwashing
units and pocket sanitisers. Most companies have also
produced leaflets and guides to remind people of the need for
frequent handwashing. After all, it’s not just hospitals where
people can become ill (!) workplaces are also major breeding
Gerardine Coyne
grounds for disease.
editor – Cleaning Matters
Following the extra hygiene precautions brought in with
Tel: 01342 333721
swine flu, one would have thought that awareness of the
email: gcoyne@progressive-media.co.uk
Looking good on improved figure
Chris the champ
Chris Evans’ interest
New figures from Keep Britain Tidy streets, parks and other areas. Tidy chief executive.“There is still has been engaged
show some improvement in the 12,000 sites were surveyed in 54 work to be done to rid our by the British
amount of litter found in Britain's local council areas to show the communities from litter, graffiti and Toilet
streets, parks and public spaces but prevalence of different forms of grime. It is up to each of us to take Association’s
there is still more work to do. litter in open spaces. The personal responsibility for our recently
The Local Environmental Quality information is used by local actions, to support councils’ efforts announced ‘Where
Survey England (LEQSE), funded by authorities to see how they are to manage our streets and to make can I go?’ campaign.
Defra, showed that in the last year performing against the national a lasting change to our local During an interview with Mike
the number of sites where non- average and to get an overall environments.” Bone, BTA director, featured on the
alcoholic drinks cans and bottles picture of how clean or dirty the www.keepbritaintidy.org Chris Evans Breakfast Show on
were found was down from 57% of country is. Wednesday 13th January, Chris also
areas surveyed to 51%, with small “I am grateful to Keep Britain Tidy agreed to become a ‘toilet
decreases in the number of sites for their efforts in gathering this
Street love
champion’.
with cigarette ends, fast food litter, information on the cleanliness of “In the run up to the general
broken glass and discarded food. our open spaces,” says Jim Londoners can now notify their election, voters will be aware of
However, there was a slight Fitzpatrick, Environment Minister. London council of the dirtiest towns and cities where they have
increase in the number of sites “It really does matter to all of us areas they encounter using their nowhere to go, or where the
where dog mess was found – up to that our streets and places where smartphones. facilities provided are inadequate to
8% from 6% last year – and we live and work are getting a little The online application meet all users’ needs,” comments
increases in the amount of graffiti cleaner – but there is much more to LoveCleanStreets.org enables Bone.
and plastic bags. do. people to load pictures of litter, “Public toilets are not an option
Keep Britain Tidy carries out the “It only takes a little effort to put vandalism or urban decay or a target for discretionary cost
survey to assess the cleanliness of our litter in the bin, but it makes a directly from their phone onto an cutting but an essential provision to
huge difference to our own online map. meet basic human needs.
wellbeing and to the environment.” Contributors to the site can “Politicians should be aware of
“The report shows us that then monitor the response of the the power of the electorate, and the
councils are local authorities’ street cleansing media, when faced with the
working teams via the site. emotional issue of toilet closures.”
hard to keep Lewisham Council, which has The first celebrity to raise the
our local areas successfully run a similar profile of public toilets was, of
clean and we borough-wide scheme since course, George Michael. CM
urge them to 2005, will develop the site across suggests ‘Where can I go go?’ might
continue their good work,” the whole of London. be an appropriate new anthem.
comments Phil Barton, Keep Britain www.britloos.co.uk
4
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68