How Defibrillators Save Lives

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in many countries. Roughly 6.4% of people above the age of 15 suffer from either heart disease or a stroke each year.

This may not seem as bad as you think, although considering that this statistic is above road incidents and cancer diagnosis’, it’s probably worse than you’d think.

The majority of these cases happen within a business workplace. Whether they are an employee, a visitor, or a customer.

The fact is that due to the amount of time that is spent within a workplace, the risk of going into cardiac arrest while at work is significantly higher than anywhere else.

As low as 20% of cardiac arrests happen inside of a medical facility, with the remaining 80% of cases happening at home, a workplace, or out in public.

Is your workplace ready for medical emergencies? Contact Alsco for carefully sourced, hospital-grade and regularly restocked first aid kits and defibrillators.

The “Kerry Packer” Effect

Kerry Packer had fallen victim to another cardiac arrest in 1990 and was lucky enough to have been treated effectively by one of the two ambulances which had a defibrillator available within them.

If we take a look back at that time, we can compare it to the current age and day where there are AEDs placed even in public areas so that if a citizen requires the use of one, life could potentially be saved.

With that in mind, a lot of larger businesses have taken this effect into consideration and have invested in AED units throughout their business as a safety precaution.

Why Time is of the Essence in

– In the event of a heart attack, depending on the level of severity, time is vital.
– If someone who has gone into cardiac arrest hasn’t received help within the first 10 minutes, both CPR and defibrillation will be ineffective and unhelpful.
– With the previous point in mind, response times are estimated at over 10 minutes and in some areas, even longer.

However, the fact that AEDs (otherwise known as Automated External Defibrillators) are becoming an essential part of a business’s medical set up is a huge step in the right direction.

A Serious Example of Why AEDs Should Be in Place

The story that follows shows just how critical an AED unit is to save lives, especially in the workplace.

During December of 2011, the HR Advisor (and fortunately the Head Office First Aid Office) of a large business attended a Christmas lunch at one of the company’s branches, along with their National Sales Manager and their Regional General Manager. During the lunch, the HR Advisor had spotted that one of her colleagues seemed to be in distress and therefore went on to approach the colleague to provide the assistance that was necessary.

After questioning the colleague, she discovered that she had not only shortness of breath, but had been feeling pains in her arm along with feeling pressure on her chest, on her neck, and on her face. On top of that, the HR Advisor had found out that her colleague had been prescribed heart medication in the past due to heart problems, but had stopped taking the medication over 6 months prior to that day.

The HR Advisor asked another of her colleagues to instantly call Triple-O and get the AED that was in the workplace. In the meantime, she helped the colleague in distress get herself into a more comfortable position that was closer to the ground.

Fortunately, once Triple-O was contacted they arrived within minutes and were impressed due to the first aid assistance that had been offered by the HR Advisor.

Unfortunately, after the colleague had been taken to the hospital and had undergone bypass surgery, she was unable to return to her workplace due to her ongoing health issues.

Access to AEDs

Ensure that your workplace has access to high quality and fully-managed Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at all times. You wouldn’t know when you would need one to save lives. Time is very important. Enquire about our high quality, easy-to-use, and reliable portable defibrillators now!

Managed Bins vs DIY Sanitary Disposal System

Having a well maintained and clean washroom in your workplace can say a lot about your business.

Not only that, a clean washroom is important for ensuring that your employees and your customers are comfortable using them.

When you are designing a washroom that is not only comfortable and hygienic but welcoming to the users, it’s important that there is a suitable sanitary waste disposal system in place.

There are two options that you have when considering sanitary disposal in a businesses washroom. They are

They are:

• A DIY sanitary disposal system
• Utilising a managed sanitary disposal system

DIY Sanitary Disposal

The first thing to make sure when considering a DIY sanitary disposal system is that you have the right equipment available. This includes lids on the bins which seal properly, in order to make sure that there are no horrible odours.

It’s also important to make sure that these bins are emptied regularly. On top of that, it’s important to provide signs to let the users of the washroom know where they should be disposing of their sanitary items.

If this isn’t done, then you run the risk of these items being flushed and having to pay for a plumbing service.

DIY Sanitary Disposal systems:

• Biodegradable antibacterial liner – MAYBE
• EPA approved sanitary disposal – NO
• Sanitary bins removed and replaced during servicing – NO
• Flexible servicing schedule in place based on the washroom’s traffic – NO
• Easily recognised by users – NO

Managed Sanitary Disposal

When using a managed sanitary disposal system, there is no need for you to have signs in place for a woman to know the purposes of a sanitary bin. On top of that, there are many hygienic benefits in place, for example:

• Bins are emptied regularly and cleaned if necessary, preventing odours and bacteria building up
• Sanitary disposal units are properly sanitised with an anti-bacterial liner, ensuring maximum hygiene is in place and a pleasant fragrance is provided at all times.

Most importantly, all sanitary bins are emptied on a regular basis.

Managed Sanitary Disposal systems:

• Biodegradable antibacterial liner – YES
• EPA approved sanitary disposal – YES
• Sanitary bins removed and replaced during servicing – YES
• Flexible servicing schedule in place based on the washroom’s traffic – YES
• Easily recognised by users – YES

Sanitary Bins from Fresh & Clean

The feminine hygiene service which is offered by Fresh & Clean is in place to ensure that both your female employees and your female customers are comfortable with your washrooms.

For convenience, the bins will be wall-mounted and easily recognisable. If you offer a changing facility, Fresh & Clean have a hygienic nappy disposal system in place which is equally as safe and hygienic as the sanitary disposal systems.

If you work in a school, for instance, make sure that you dispose of school washroom waste properly and that your school washroom is a safe and healthy place for all the staff and students.

Experience hassle-free waste disposals, avail Alsco’s fully-managed sanitary disposal system. Enquire now!

Do Fragrances Affect Productivity?

Believe it or not, Japanese studies have shown that fragrances affect productivity in workplaces. The study that they performed consisted of using aromatherapy among their employees, which not only energised them but increased how efficient they were.

Whether it be the smell of fresh strawberries or an intoxicating minty scent, the Japanese have managed to prove the advanced use of “smells”.

If you’re interested in this concept and are hoping to incorporate it into your workplace, contact Alsco to find out how you can improve your workplace’s air quality.

Good Smelling Air and Bad Smelling Air

“Olfactory sensitivity” is an important factor when considering how much you enjoy food, as well as when looking into certain environments.

For example, if you are looking at real estate and the property you’re looking at smells unpleasant, depending on the smell you could feel nausea, a headache coming on, or even losing your appetite. Even if the smell is ever so slight, the room can make you uneasy.

If you are uncomfortable in a certain environment, it could be the result of environmental conditions. For example, if your property is next to a busy road or a construction site, if your building has air condition (which it most likely has) then your more than likely to have an unpleasant smell filtering through your office at one point or another. Offices are often next to industrial areas, which is where these smells can be commonly found.

It’s also important to note that a lot of these smells are smells that are given off by harmful fumes, so taking care of them is in your best interests.

In case a school is your workplace, learn how to provide adequate school washroom odour control and meet all the other necessary legal requirements.

How Can You Deal With It?

There are many ways to get rid of these odours. Whether it’s through physical means or chemical means.

The most popular method that you’ll find is ventilation. While it’s often best to minimise the ventilation intake, in a lot of the hotter climates you will be tempted to increase the use of ventilation.

On the other hand, removing odours by using chemicals are generally harmful (unless they contain only natural ingredients).

Sprays such as aerosol sprays contain a variety of harmful chemicals which come with their own set of side effects such as headaches, skin reactions, or triggering an allergic reaction.

Researchers have produced a study proving that Volatile Organic Compounds have shown to cause not only headaches but depression and possibly even asthma in babies.

Clean and Go Green!

Alsco’s Odour Control systems allow you to not only get healthier air in the workplace but completely safe and green air. This product is the first-ever oxygen-based dispenser.

This means that the air freshener doesn’t use any unsafe products or toxic ingredients which can cause harm to your workers.

The refills used for this product uses only pure and concentrated fragrance oils (roughly six times more than other aerosols).

This reduces the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds that are given off by up to 90%. There are no other air fresheners that used an oxygen-based delivery system in a way like this.

In simpler terms, this is not only safer, healthier, and environmentally-friendly, it is also beneficial to your employees. Giving them better health and a productive day.

A healthier workplace means healthier workers and furthermore, less sick employees. An air freshener like this can help you reduce the carbon footprint of an office and even better, it can help you achieve LEED building certification.

Why Wait, Get it Now!

We are very confident in ourselves when we say that an Alsco Odour Control system is the answer to improving the air quality within your workplace. After you have experienced it for yourself, you’ll agree with us!

Keep your workplace smelling good and healthy, send us an enquiry. Our friendly and informed staff are waiting to help!

Image Courtesy: Flickr Image by Flower Factor

What You Don’t Know About Heart Attacks

Heart attacks are usually the leading cause of accidents around the world. AEDs (portable defibrillators) can help save lives during a heart attack.

But prevention is always better than cure.

People are encouraged to reduce the risk of having a heart attack and prevent ever becoming a victim of one. It’s important to learn what contributes to a heart attack and the different factors to consider when preventing one.

Is your workplace at risk?

With the use of both clinical studies and statistical studies, a variety of risk factors have been put together and split into two separate groups. The major risk factors, and the preventable risk factors.

Major Uncontrollable Risk Factors of  Heart Attacks

Major uncontrollable risk factors are those which you can’t change and are therefore out of your control.

• Age. The majority of those who die from either heart attacks or suffering from heart disease are above the age of 65, and as we know, unfortunately, age isn’t a factor that can be controlled.
• Race. While this is unusual and is something not many people would consider, it’s true. Studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure which is a contributing risk factor of heart disease.
• Hereditary. If other members of your family have suffered from either heart disease or heart attacks, then there is a higher chance that you too will suffer from these things.
• Sex. Statistical studies have shown that men are more likely to suffer from heart attacks than women, and it the risk of a heart attack can start while men are younger too.

Preventable Risk Factors of Heart Attacks

These risk factors are those which you are able to have an influence on, however, a few of them can aren’t completely in your control.

• Diet and nutrition. As an add-on from diabetes, making sure that you have a healthy diet that provides you with the nutrition your body needs is just as important. These things have an immense effect on your body, including your heart’s health. It’s important to make sure that you have a diet which is full of fish that’s rich with Omega-3, nuts, low-fat foods and antioxidant-loaded berries.
• Tobacco smoking. Smoking has been shown to have dramatic effects on your body, not just heart disease and heart attacks.
• Stress. This contributes to heart attacks a lot. If you are constantly stressed, you’re at risk of having a heart attack. It’s important that you learn to deal with stress or cut whatever is causing the stress out of your lifestyle.
• Physical inactivity. It’s important for preventing heart issues and keeping yourself healthy that you find a way to fit physical activity into your lifestyle. It will not only sustain a healthy blood flow, but it can contribute heavily to preventing heart issues.
• High blood cholesterol. Those who have high blood cholesterol are more likely to suffer from heart disease, especially if it is accompanied by smoking and having high blood pressure.
• Obesity. People who are either overweight or are obese are more likely to suffer from heart attacks or heart disease, as well as other health issues (including strokes). This is due to the increase in pressure that fat puts on the heart and how obesity increases blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Diabetes. Diabetes is common among those who are overweight or obese, however, healthy individuals can be at risk too. If you have an unhealthy diet and don’t take care of yourself, you’re setting a welcome mat for diabetes. Diabetes has an influence on your chance of a heart attack, as well as having a stroke.
• Alcohol. Alcohol contributes to your blood pressure, the more that you consume the higher your blood pressure is. As we said above, this can not only lead to a heart attack, but it can also cause a stroke among other health issues.
• Illegal drugs. Illegal drugs aren’t produced in sterile and safe labs which are run by professional chemists. They are made by people who just want to make a quick buck by selling drugs to people. A lot of illegal drugs contain unhealthy and unsafe chemicals which can contribute to triggering spasms in your heart and arteries, which can go on to cause a heart attack.

Reduce the Risks of  Heart Attacks at Your Workplace

If you look above, you can see that there are many risk factors you should consider when taking care of yourself and preventing a heart attack. While there are many of these risks that are out of our control (such as age, sex, etc.), there are just as many factors that are under our control (such as high blood pressure, stress, alcohol consumption, etc.).

Below you can find some tips that will help you reduce the risk of suffering from a heart attack as well as increase your productivity at work.

• Acknowledge the risks of a heart attack. It’s not a simple task to pull off, but the first step that you need to do is acknowledge the risks that contribute to a heart attack and support your employees during the changes you hope to make.
• Plan your intentions. It’s important that before you even make changes, you plan out the changes you hope to make. Putting together a healthier workplace isn’t the easiest task to pull off, take your time and allow your employees to contribute to the planning.
• Make changes to the cafeteria. If you have a business which offers vending machines or a cafeteria, change up what they offer. Rather than an unhealthy menu, switch to a healthier menu.
• Introduce an exercise program. Whether you’re an employer or an employee, this is simple and easy to implement ideas. A lot of people are hoping to keep healthy and get in shape, and what better way to do so than at work! There are no costs in place either unless you take a step further and hire a trainer once or twice a week, so there are no reasons to not do so!
• Make break time changes. Increase the number of break times that your employees receive and increase the length of them too. This will allow them to get some downtime and not be as stressed out, allowing not only for them to stay calm, but be more productive while working.
• Have AED’s and first aid kits installed in your workplace. While a lot of people think, “The chances of them ever being used is very small so what’s the point?”, this is the wrong angle to look at it. Instead, think of how it could one day save someone’s life.

In the unfortunate situation where a heart attack occurs, it’s important for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to be installed in your workplace. They are one of those things in life that we don’t realise how important they are to have around until we have to use them.

Don’t risk a worker’s life, contact Alsco now and get an AED installed within your workplace.

Let Your Linen Do The Talking: Finding a Good Linen and Laundry Service

There’s no look more re-assuring than the appearance of clean, fresh and bright linen in your facility.

Hotels, restaurants, clinics, and day spas are businesses that deal with a lot of laundry. Thus, they usually partner up with a good provider.

Hiring a company to handle your laundry and linen is one way to provide your guests with the maximum comfort they deserve.

Alsco’s trusted service is one of the most recognized in the said industry.

If you want to impress guests with crisp, clean, quality linen, contact ALSCO now.

The Benefits of Hiring a Laundry Service

If we talk about the businesses on hospitality, catering, and care, all of them demand great assistance for cleaning and washing their linens. There are numerous benefits of availing professional laundry services.

• Efficient and timely. The sooner the linens are returned to the facility, the better. It provides convenience to business owners and customers. Alsco regularly cleans, replaces, and supplies fresh, crisp linens to your doorstep.
• Proper handling. Professional laundry services use right equipment and expertise to clean your linen perfectly. The process is done by a trained personnel who takes all the necessary steps to clean the clients’ items.
• Competitive rates. A high price may not always mean quality service, and cheap rates may lead to unsatisfactory results. Alsco guarantees the best price for their linen and laundry service which is worth every dollar you pay.
• Preserved fabric quality. Trained laundry personnel are familiar with the ways of washing a particular material. This is necessary to ensure that all the items are kept in good condition, making sure that fabrics will look its best.
• Variety of services. The ability to supply laundry services to various clients indicates that a company already has a lot of experience. They can clean different items from accommodation linen, tea towels, wipes, and more.

Qualities of a Good Linen and Laundry Service

Alsco makes sure that your items are treated in the best way possible. We value client satisfaction. There are a few things that you need to consider when you are looking for a good linen and laundry service.

1. Do they have a good reputation? Choose a partner that has a great reputation for delivering excellent and professional services. Do some research in your local area and ask for referrals from other businesses in your field. You can also check for online reviews.
2. Do they use the right equipment? A good laundry service should be equipped with the right machines to wash linen effectively. You can always talk to their representatives about the washers and the other equipment that they are using.
3. Do they offer a high-quality service? Choose a provider that offers high quality services. Go for a company that has been in business for a long time and has mastered their product range. This means that they will be flexible enough to meet your needs.
4. Do they provide pickup and drop off? The laundry service should not be a cause for delay when it comes to business operations. Find a provider that is able to schedule pickups and drop off on a regular basis. Linens should be delivered straight to your doorstep.
5. Do they follow green practices? A laundry service uses large quantities of water and detergent. So, look for a provider that follows eco-friendly practices. They should use efficient washers and dryers, and avoid the use of harmful chemicals.
6. Do they have the right certifications? You may go to the local authority to check the certification of a company. If the company is providing insurance for any damage made by them, then it is a very good service company. A money back guarantee can be a good sign.

Choose Alsco’s Linen and Laundry Service

Alsco is a known and trusted name in the market when it comes to linen and laundry service. The company now serves over 48,000 satisfied customers across Australasia. They provide high quality fabrics linens as well as a reliable pickup and delivery laundry service.

For all your laundry queries, visit the website www.alsco.co.nz now! Get in touch with us for a regular supply of fresh, quality linen.

Photo: Pixabay

8 Tips to Ace Washroom Etiquette in the Workplace

Washroom etiquette plays an important role in creating a happier, safer, and cleaner working environment.

These practices are designed to show respect and reduce the level of bathroom contamination that may render you and your workmates ill.

Inconsiderate individuals can make the toilet a disgusting destination. A clean and hygienic washroom begins with proper washroom etiquette from those who use it. So encourage fellow staffers to be respectful when utilizing this shared space.

For washroom etiquette solutions tailored to your business, contact ALSCO now.

What Poor Washroom Etiquette Can Do To Your Health

Poor etiquette may even set off a chain reaction wherein others don’t try as hard to keep the washroom clean. This can present a health risk to the entire workplace. A dirty bathroom becomes a breeding ground for germs that spread illness.

Harmful germs that can breed in the bathroom include:

• Gastrointestinal viruses. These harmful germs can explore your toilet seat and remain on the surface for as much as a week. They can cause stomach ailments that are easily transmitted.
• Enteric pathogens. These are organisms can spread by contaminated foods or through the oral-faecal route. E. coli and salmonella fall under this category, which causes severe diarrhoea and bloody stools.
• Skin organisms. The bathroom is an ideal environment for the spread of staphylococcus aureus via hands, damp surfaces, towels, and face cloths. It can cause a range of illnesses including skin infections.
• Respiratory viruses. Cold and flu viruses also love damp areas like the bathroom. They can be easily spread through coughing, sneezing and nose-blowing by an infected person.
• Residual fungi. Airborne fungi which enter the bathroom can colonise moist surfaces. It can release spores or substances which trigger or aggravate respiratory allergies such as asthma.

The spread of these pathogens can be prevented with good washroom etiquette and hygiene practices, which is of most importance at crowded workplaces such as schools or restaurants.

Send a positive message to workmates and help ensure their working environment is kept hygienically clean too. Our School Washroom Guide gives you all the necessary guidelines on how to do it if you work in a school, for example.

Greenroom’s Tips On Bathroom Etiquette In The Workplace

Are you aware of the dos and don’ts associated with workplace bathrooms? Remember, you are not the only person using the restroom in the office. So we have listed helpful tips to help you ace good bathroom etiquette.

1. Always wash your hands

Hand washing is an essential part of proper workplace bathroom etiquette. This simple act can prevent millions of germs from spreading. It’s an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to keep employees healthy.

A 2008 SCA Hygiene Report, which involved over 4,800 participants in 9 countries, revealed that the biggest concern over hygiene was firmly set around toilets and bathroom etiquette. Around 47% were concerned about insufficient hand hygiene in connection with toilet visits.

2. Clean the spaces as you go

Imagine visiting the bathroom only to come face to face with a mess. No one wants to be greeted with an unflushed bowl, a toilet seat used for target practice, or floor used as an open landfill site. Always clean as you go.

After flushing the bowl, it would help to wipe down the seat with a little toilet paper from the dispenser next to you. If you drop some paper on the floor, pick it up. It’s simple as that. This etiquette shows respect to your co-workers.

3. Do not conduct business transactions

Bathroom chitchat should be kept to a minimum. No more than the occasional ‘hey’ should be exchanged in most situations. Save the ‘nice to meet you’s’ after you exit the bathroom door. Be sure to wash your hands.

The workplace bathroom exists for specific purposes. It would be inappropriate to conduct business deals in a space made for evacuations. Those involved will only feel uncomfortable and worst, the deal will be lost completely.

4. Doing the courtesy flush

Courtesy flush refers to a ‘flush’ administered midway through the toilet-sitting process. The purpose is to remove odour as quickly as possible. If you let the smell linger, it can make the trip to the toilet extremely unpleasant for your co-workers.

There are some issues against courtesy flushing in terms of eco-friendly principles. As much as 22.7 litres of water is used with every flush, according to EPA. However, modern toilet models now use lesser with just 6.1 gallons.

5. Don’t hang around

This unwritten rule may seem strange but to hang around and wait for your turn may trigger a ‘shy bladder’. In fact, it is now a recognised medical condition known as paruresis wherein the sufferer is unable to urinate in the presence of others.

No one likes to feel rushed, so when it comes to performing either on the throne or at the urinal. Your co-worker may feel slightly embarrassed, but more than likely annoyed. Give them sufficient space by waiting at your desk or workstation.

6. Flush with the lid down

Did you know that bacteria are sprayed around 25 centimetres above the toilet bowl with each flush? This was revealed by a study from Leeds General Infirmary. It was also found that the presence of the bacteria was 12 times greater in open bowls.

Apparently, flushing with the lid up ‘aerosolizes’ bacteria that can spread disease like the diarrhoea-causing Clostridium difficile. This can be found abundantly in workplace bathrooms.

7. No executive privilege

Even if you hold a high position in the company, you are not entitled to skip any aspect of hygienic bathroom etiquette. Do not expect lower-ranked employees to give way to you. People from all walks of life share the same ‘washroom needs’ after all.

You are also not exempted when it comes to flushing the lavatory seat down, as well as washing and drying your hands adequately. Do the same rule in terms of conducting business transactions inside the washroom.

8. Do not release resentments

There is no executive privilege in the workplace bathroom, but if your boss expects you to stand aside, then just do so. There are more diplomatic ways to get the etiquette message across to them.

If your boss tries to strike up a conversation, do not ignore him. Instead, make your answer short and shrift. If you have a company suggestion box, why not suggest to have bathroom etiquette posters displayed inside?

Alsco’s Hygiene and Washroom Services

Alsco’s dedicated team will help keep your business clean, organised and professional. Their trusted services include affordable washroom and hand hygiene solutions and eco-friendly options for the workplace.

Through Alsco’s own workplace hygiene branch, Fresh & Clean, our clients can successfully enhance the degree of workplace bathroom hygiene significantly. Services and products provided include feminine hygiene, odour control, soap dispensers, and hand-drying systems.

Now is the time to promote good washroom etiquette in the workplace! Get in touch with us for hassle-free solutions.

Image Courtesy: kittenfc

Alsco’s 4 Quick WHS Solutions for the Lazy Facilities Manager

Summary: A safe and healthy work environment is a goal everyone shares.

Employers help in achieving that goal by complying with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) requirements specific to their industry.

Regulatory compliance will be handled by your Facilities Manager. What if WHS procedures become too complex?

If you want a quick solution to WHS compliance, contact ALSCO now.

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Maintaining a green working environment will result in having a healthy, clean, and happy workplace for your staff to work in. A clean and green workplace adds value, making it an excellent marketing tool to help you impress prospective clients.

Now the question is, where should we start?

It all depends on your Facilities Manager, and how we can meet his or her requirements. Facilities Management is defined as an important function in a business that coordinates space, infrastructure, people, and organization. In other words, it keeps the facilities in proper working order.

The Facilities Manager handles everything from the company’s floor plans to compliance with health and safety regulations. He is also expected to find cost-effective solutions to maintain workplace safety and regulatory compliance.

Why Should You Choose Alsco?

Facilities Manager are mainly concerned with two areas — quality and cost-efficiency. This is where Alsco can help.

In Alsco, products are rented by the client and not purchased. They only charge a single, affordable annual fee. When you rent from Alsco, their team takes care of legislation and restocking, so you don’t have to.

From mandatory first aid kits to washroom appliances, Alsco includes regular quarterly servicing, maintenance, and restocking. Their managed rental services offer the highest quality products there is.

Before laying down tailored solutions for your company, Alsco and the Facilities Manager will look into these key areas:

Health and Safety

Laws for health and safety apply to all businesses. These laws are there to protect you, your employees, and the public from workplace dangers. The approach to take should be proportionate to the size and nature of your business.

Assessments of risks, first aid codes of practice, management of hazardous chemicals – health and safety regulations set by the industry is quite extensive and detailed. Failure to adhere can lead to a host of costly consequences.

Fire Safety

Fire is not only the highest risk to life in the workplace but also the biggest threat to workplace destruction. Every employee should be able to describe the emergency procedures for their facility in case of fire.

Apart from keeping fire safety documents up-to-date, the Facilities Manager should conduct regular inspections, ensuring that extinguishers and sprinkler systems are properly working.

Hygiene Levels

There should be careful monitoring of hygiene levels in the workplace. For instance, frequently touched surfaces are a breeding ground for germs. Keep washrooms, kitchens and canteens bacteria free to reduce the risk of illness to personnel.

Employees should be provided with the right sanitation supplies. There should be a clear schedule of cleaning hours and re-stocking of cleaning products like hand soap, paper towels, and toilet papers.

Maintenance and Inspections

The Facilities Manager will be in charge of maintenance schedules. Regular inspection should be drawn up to check whether stocks are adequate, or the equipment is working.

What Are Alsco’s 4 Quick WHS Solutions?

Here at Alsco, we are committed to helping businesses make a difference. It is our goal to keep workplaces cleaner, greener, and safer. It’s a mistake to view commercial cleaning as a cost — it’s an investment.

1. Low-cost rental fees

Alsco’s managed rental services tailor their deals to your business. For a company on a budget, the cost for new equipment like electric hand dryers, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), or parts washers for engines can get pretty high.

Alsco can help you save on expenses by letting you rent. They charge a single, affordable annual fee with no extras. Rental services are also tax-deductible, so that’s additional savings for you.

Alsco provides fully managed rental services in:

Floorcare – Alsco offers mats for all situations and applications. This service aims to help protect floors from dirt and premature wear and reduce the risks of slips and trips in slippery surfaces.

Uniforms – Alsco offers industrial workwear, uniforms for the food and catering industries, as well as pharmaceutical workwear. Their affordable rental program takes care of all laundry, inventory, repair, and delivery of the garments.

Washroom Services – A clean and hygienic bathroom is an essential requirement for all workplaces. Alsco’s products include no-touch dispensers, hand dryers, baby changing tables, and more!

Linen – Alsco offers a comprehensive range of linen with products including tablecloths, table linen, tea towels, HACCP food and glass wipes, bedsheets and towels. They can also supply hospitality workwear.

First Aid Systems – First aid kits are a legal requirement for your business. From motorist kits to regular, wall-mounted cabinets, Alsco can offer the right kit for your workplace, business and industry.

Ecosafe washer – This automotive parts cleaning solution promotes green cleaning by a process called bioremediation. It reduces the use of harmful chemicals and uses a powerful water-based degreasing fluid called OzzyJuice.

2. Full and easy compliance

Failing to comply with health and safety regulations can lead to some hefty fines. Alsco helps you comply with complex, confusing WHS guidelines. They keep up-to-date with any changes to WHS rules, so it can be dealt with immediately and full compliance is assured.

3. Reliable maintenance services

It is Alsco’s job to keep their products in proper working order. For instance, consumables are checked for their expiry date on a regular basis and replaced at no additional cost. They also check if your AED is faulty, or if your electric hand dryer is safely mounted on the wall.

Alsco’s managed rental services include scheduled inspection of equipment, maintenance programmes, and cleaning if necessary. This system gives you peace of mind since your company complies with relevant regulations.

4. Restocking services

There’s a reason why Alsco has become the first choice when it comes to First Aid Kits. Their wide range of rental services not only offer the highest quality medical supplies and products. Alsco is also relentless in maintaining and replacing stocks.

Restocking keeps you prepared. When there is an accident in the workplace, Alsco ensures you’re equipped with the right supplies to deal with the crisis.

Alsco Rental Services

Alsco’s dedicated team, together with your Facilities Manager, will satisfy the key areas of your business. Over the years, Alsco’s managed rental services have evolved to maximize cost-efficiency and convenience.

From restocking to maintenance, Alsco has got it covered so you can focus on running your business. Alsco’s dedicated teams will help keep your business clean, organised and professional.

Have unique requirements or one-off emergency requests? Enquire now.

Why Use Alsco Uniforms and Workwear?

Few managers dispute the fact that a quality uniform is the number one way to protect employees from heavy soil, grease and grime, or to present a crisp, clean, dignified image to customers.

Today Alsco has literally millions of customers of all sizes around the world who have come to rely on us to make them look better and operate more efficiently with a Managed Workwear Program.

Here are a few of the reasons why securing uniform services from Alsco makes such good sense.

Economy and Value

With Alsco’s managed workwear program there is no costly initial investment. Our systems allow you to reduce uniform and image wear to a convenient, predictable budget item. Alsco takes care of the day to day management including washing, repairing and presentation, eliminating this time-consuming task from your staff and management. We get your new employees into a clean, fresh uniform from virtually day one.

Quality and Flexibility

Our workwear comes in a wide selection of fabrics, styles and colours, from tough overalls to smart corporate image wear, cotton drill for hot humid environments to polyester/cotton blends for stain resistance and lighter weight requirements.

We offer you the expertise of our in-house design department, and a guarantee of superior, quality garments, personalised company identity and short lead times on additional uniforms.

Service and Support

We will repair, maintain and replace your uniforms, size your people (or teach you how to size workwear), install secure locker systems, soiled garment bins and provide standard operating procedure wall charts, assign specific individuals to manage accounts and regularly meet with customers to ensure the best solution is always achieved.

The bottom line is:

Alsco can tailor an effective program to suit your specific needs.
We do the work while you maintain total control. Contact us now to get started! 

Does Your Business Meet New Zealand OH&S Guidelines?

To meet the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act (1992):

1.3 – “All practicable steps” should be taken by employers (and others) to provide properly maintained first aid equipment
9.0 – First aid equipment is suitably marked and easily accessible
9.1 – Marking used should be a white cross on a green background
9.2 – There is at least one kit on each floor of a multi-level workplace
9.2 – An additional kit should be provided where there are more than 50 employees and every 50 employees thereafter
9.3 – It is essential that first aid equipment be checked regularly
9.3 – Items are to be replaced before the expiry date on the packets
9.2 – Each work vehicle should be provided with a first aid kit

Why Buy When You Can Rent Your First Aid Kit?

Alsco’s Managed Rental Program for First Aid Kits gives you and your employees instant peace of mind. We follow through and check your kits on a regular basis for out of date items, and replenish when necessary. There are no additional charges. You can have total peace of mind.

8 reasons to use Alsco’s Managed Rental Program

Sometimes’ isn’t good enough. In 2014, there were 226,100 claims of work-related injuries* in New Zealand. This is an injury occurring every 9.4 hours worked. With Alsco’s Managed Rental Program for First Aid Kits, you can be sure that you’ll have the first aid supplies you need, specific to injuries, on hand every time.

An Alsco Managed Service has many advantages:

• Agreed maintenance schedule by our friendly, professional team with a proven service record
• High quality “hospital grade” first aid supplies that are never out of date
• Peace of mind knowing that all your first aid kits are auditable to OH&S guidelines
• Sturdy, highly visible, wall-mounted cabinets for immediate identification and ease of access
• Proven method of documenting usage and “outages”
• Service record on the kit that is easily visible for auditing purposes
• Value for money and easy budgeting with a set fee inclusive of consumables

What makes Alsco’s First Aid kits better than the rest?

• Each item in Alsco’s first aid kits are colour coded for specific injuries, ensuring you select the correct first aid kit for your required situation.
• A removable door liner is exchanged each service.
• Well labelled, transparent packaging allows you to find the right supplies when you’re in a hurry.
• A service card in each cabinet is used to log service dates.
• Each kit has a logical, standard layout that makes it simple and easy to use.