NEWS UPDATE UK TSA’s new training course puts microorganisms in the spotlight


The Textile Services Association (TSA) has launched an innovative new training course focused on providing managers working in the healthcare, food care and pharmaceutical laundry sectors with a deeper understanding of microorganisms and harmful pathogens. The first course will take place at the Crowne Plaza at the NEC in Birmingham on 9–10 April. Unlike some training courses which can be boiled down to a list of dos and don’ts, the new initiative aims to give delegates a grounding in the science behind microbiology and how this knowledge can be applied within laundries to ensure best practice is maintained. The course will deliver knowledge of basic concepts of microbiology such as the morphology, physiology, growth and transmission of microorganisms, as well as decontamination on textiles and within laundries. This includes understanding the differences between bacteria, viruses and fungal spores, and how their growth can be influenced by different textiles


and common laundry processes. It will also provide information on bioindicator testing methods and infection control and decontamination practices. David Stevens, CEO of the TSA said: “This course gives context to the reasons why decontamination and microorganism controls have been established, and how to use this information to maintain standards in laundries serving industries where hygiene is critical. It breaks down a lot of complex science into understandable and actionable information, and we know it’s going to be useful throughout the laundry sector.” The course will be led by Dr Katie Laird a Professor of Microbiology, Chartered Biologist and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Professor Laird has over 10 years’ experience of conducting research within the industrial laundry sector and her research is extensively published and recognised internationally. The course costs £320 for TSA


members and £640 for non-members. Lunch on days 1 and 2 is provided, but


ACADEMIC INSIGHT: Dr Katie Laird, who will lead the. microorganisms course for the TSA, is a Professor of Microbiology, Chartered Biologist and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy


accommodation is not included. Interest in the course has already been strong so early booking is recommended.


SCANDINAVIA Swedish and Danish associations score high in authorisation control project


Setting the highest standards for best practice, the Swedish Textile Services Association (Sveriges Tvätteriförbund) together with Danish colleagues Brancheforeningen for Vask og Tekstiludlejning (BVT), and especially recognising the input of Lasse Rafiq Hangaard, has run a two-year project with


a focus on training and development of each country’s authorisation control. The project received a score of 92 out of 100 possible points in the final assessment. The minimum for full approval was 60 points.


When the report has received at least 80 points, the project will be marked as ‘Good practice’ in the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform – an award given to projects that demonstrate particularly high quality and relevance.


A project for inclusion and sustainability


The project has focused on developing and supporting future authorisation controls and training materials for the laundry and textile services industry. The aim has


been to promote professional development for industry employees with a particular focus on inclusion and sustainability. The developed material is flexible and can be easily adapted for different actors in the industry.


International dissemination at Texcare Forum


One of the highlights of the project was the presentation of the results at Texcare Forum on November 6 in Frankfurt. This international event brings together leading players in the industry and our project was given a central place as an example of innovation and sustainability. The presentation was well received and helped spread knowledge about our work to a wider audience.


ALL TOGETHER: Sweden and Denmark, together with Norway, are unique in linking membership in the national industry association for textile service companies with quality controls. Here, Swedish TSA CEO Daniel Karrholt, explains how the new Scandinavian Quality Control model works. Photo credit: Peter Havéus


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