WASHROOM
A WINTER WONDER WASHROOM
How can washroom providers cope with winter and festive pressures, asks Paul Mulready, Marketing Manager at Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd.
For facilities managers, the winter season always brings additional challenges. With colder weather, seasonal bugs like norovirus, Covid-19, and, of course Christmas, FMs must be vigilant in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene to protect people’s health.
Stocking up is vital for FMs to ensure they have enough essential washroom supplies, such as paper and towels.
Fighting winter viruses One of the greatest challenges during the winter months is preventing infection as viruses are more prevalent at this time.
The norovirus sickness bug, for instance, is particularly nasty at this time of year. Nearly four million people are infected by the bug every year, with 12,000 people being admitted to hospital with it. The financial cost to the NHS is estimated to run to £100m annually. Older adults and vulnerable people, such as care home residents, are the most susceptible, but healthcare workers, childcare providers, school children and parents often fall ill too.
Winter bugs and viruses can transmit easily though coughs and sneezes, but also through hand-to-hand contact and by touching contaminated surfaces, so it is essential to promote a diligent hand hygiene programme at this time.
Outbreaks of infection don’t just have an impact on the health of visitors, they can also leave a long-lasting impression on people, meaning that the reputation of the establishment can be negatively affected, particularly if it is a healthcare, retail or hospitality setting.
The washroom plays an integral part in hand hygiene, so FM planning should ensure that washrooms are frequently monitored to ensure that soap, toilet tissues and hand towels are topped up and the area is clean and hygienic.
Preventing run-outs Soap, toilet paper and hand towels can deplete very quickly in washrooms during the winter and if they run dry, then
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good hand hygiene becomes impossible. Providers should therefore look for high-capacity, controlled-use dispensers that restrict the use of consumables and prevent over-use. Units that prevent run-outs also help to minimise the need for staff to visit between maintenance visits.
Providers should also opt for dispensers that are quick and easy to replenish and wipe down, which helps to reduce the time and cost of maintaining a washroom. Units with clear inspection windows, for example, enable the maintenance team to see at a glance if they need refilling.
Sustainable hygiene Solutions like the high-capacity North Shore premium proprietary system of washroom dispensers and consumables from Northwood, can help to maintain good winter washroom hygiene.
North Shore, for example, delivers zero waste and volume in use and its range offers users a choice of three wipe- clean hand towel dispensers, as well as the 5,000-sheet capacity Orbit four roll infinity toilet dispenser and the compact 2,500 sheet capacity Side-by-Side toilet roll dispenser. Both toilet roll dispensers prevent ‘free rolling’ and only allow access to the next roll once the current one has been used.
North Shore delivers strong green credentials as well. All North Shore packaging (including cardboard cores, cardboard cartons and paper and plastic wraps) is fully recyclable. Furthermore, more than 90% of North Shore products sold are made from 100% recycled material with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Clean and well-maintained washrooms are vital to public health and are a reflection of the venue itself too, which is really important during the festive season. Effective washroom solutions promote hygiene and help to ensure that people are protected from winter illnesses as much as possible.
www.northwood.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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