Should You Care About Hand Hygiene In Your Restaurant? 5 Crucial Tips

Did you know that washing hands with soap and water can reduce diarrhoea associated deaths by 50%?

In short, a million people can be saved in a year, by the routine action of handwashing.

Hands are one of the main pathways of germ transmissions. This makes handwashing a critical practice in restaurants.

Handwashing education reduces:

• The number of diarrhoea infections by 23-40%.
• Diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58%.
• Respiratory illness like colds by 16-21%.

Here are 5 crucial tips on why you should promote high hand hygiene standards in your restaurant.

How to Properly Wash Hands

A high number of people understand the importance of handwashing, yet not all practice proper hand hygiene.

Most people wash the palm of their hands and forget key areas including nails which hide germs.

Missing out on the critical steps will not help. It is also equally important to dry your hands after handwashing. Damp hands are 1,000 times more likely to spread bacteria compared to a pair of dry hands.

Handwashing is an easy process that will help keep germs at bay.

In restaurants, handwashing is key, particularly in the kitchen where harmful bacteria lurk.

Actionable Steps for Handwashing

1. Wet your hands with clean running water. Turn off the water and properly apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing the soap onto your hands.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Use a clean towel or an air dryer to dry your hands.

Important Supplies Needed for Handwashing

Customers want to know that they are dining in a restaurant with high hygiene standards.

To prove yourself in the restaurant business, provide important supplies needed for handwashing. These include:

Soap

Soap is a cleansing and emulsifying agent made by treating a fat with an alkali. Handwashing with soap is critical as it helps in the removal of germs from your hands.

Using soap with water is more effective than using water alone. The surfactants in soap help in lifting microbes form the hands. The lathering abilities of soap also help in making it easier for you to scrub your hands.

Water

Clean running water should be used for handwashing. Use of stagnant water is dangerous as the water could easily lead to recontamination.

Scrubbers

Scrubbers are particularly useful in removing dirt from the fingernails when it comes to handwashing.

Sanitisers

A Sanitiser is a liquid, gel or foam used to decrease infectious agents on the hands.

Using a sanitiser is not as effective as washing your hands with soap and water. Sanitisers should only be used when there is no soap and water.

When to Wash Your Hands

Proper handwashing is a vital food safety step.

Restaurant employees and particularly food handlers should wash their hands before handling food.

The Food Safety Standards stipulate that food handlers are to wash their hands:

• Before handling ready-to-eat food and after handling raw food.
• After touching the open parts of your body including nose, ears and mouth.
• After using toilet facilities.
• After handling or caring for any animals.
• After sneezing, coughing, using a handkerchief, smoking, eating or drinking.
• After handling soiled equipment or utensils.
• During food preparation to avoid cross-contamination.
• Before wearing gloves to work with food.
• After any activity that contaminates the hands.

Germs That Spread With Your Hands

Many diseases spread from dirty hands with millions of germs passing through them in a day. It is therefore important that we keep our hands clean and germ-free.

Germs get onto your hands after you use the toilet or handle raw meats which have germs.

Additionally, one can also get germs through touching contaminated objects.

Germs that can spread through your hands include:

• Salmonella
• Ecoli
• Norovirus
• Adenovirus
• Coxsackievirus
• Hepatitis A
• Shigella

4 Steps to Encourage Hand Hygiene in Your Restaurant

Actionable steps include:

• Installing handwashing stations at key points and stocking them with necessary supplies.
• Integrating handwashing in training to orient new employees on the importance of handwashing.
• Reinforcing proper food handling by training on best practices like wearing gloves.
• Putting up proper signage in common languages on the importance of handwashing.

4 Common Handwashing Myths Debunked

Handwashing may seem easy and obvious. However, a rather harsh truth is that many people do not know how to wash their hands properly. Indeed there are some handwashing misconceptions often peddled as the truth.

To separate misconceptions from the truth, here are 4 common handwashing myths that you might have heard of debunked.

Myth 1: Hand sanitiser is as effective as soap and water.

Good hand sanitisers contain at least 60% alcohol. They are a great option to use when water and soap are not available but they are not as effective.

In truth, all sanitisers do not eliminate all types of germs. This includes norovirus, a highly contagious disease which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

Myth 2: Handwashing with warm water is more effective than with cold water.

This notion is wrong. Indeed hot water can irritate your skin making you more vulnerable to infections.

Myth 3: So long as you’re using soap, it won’t matter how long you wash your hands.

The World Health Organisation has recommended a specific length of time for handwashing. Singing the birthday song twice is long enough when handwashing with soap.

Myth 4: Hot air dryers are more effective than paper towels.

Both methods of drying hands are effective. The most important thing is to dry your hands completely as damp hands can spread germs.

Encourage Hand Hygiene with Alsco New Zealand

Hand washing is an important step in keeping your customers and communities healthy.

It prevents illness-causing germs from spreading through our hands.

Useful Tips:

• Wash your hands with soap and running water.
• Wash your hands during key times.
• Only use hand sanitiser when water and soap are not available.
• Always dry your hands after handwashing.

Clean hands are your first line of defence in protecting your business.

If you are wondering where to start, worry no more as we at Alsco New Zealand have got you covered.

We provide you with top of the range handcare and hand drying products for your restaurant.

The beauty of it is our products are affordable and tailored to meet all your business needs. Contact us today.

28 Plants To Bring Your Office Back To Life

Making your employees feel good at work shouldn’t be too hard if you are determined to do it.

As a matter of fact, there are so many ways in which you can improve workers well-being – and most of them don’t even include giving them additional money at all!

Plants are an often neglected way to improve the atmosphere in the office.

Apart from looking great, there are also a couple of other benefits that you can get when you decide to introduce some flora in the office.

For example, some plants are able to:

• Reduce work-related illnesses
• Reduce noise which means reduced distractions
• Improve the air quality inside the office
• Remove impurities
• Add a focal point to your work environment.
• Increase creativity
• Reduce work-related stress
• Enhance productivity by 15%
• Reduce absenteeism
• Lower O&M (Operations and Maintenance) costs

In this article, we will provide you with a list of some great plants you should consider introducing to your office:

1. African Violet

The African violets, or Saintpaulia, are great plants to add colour and cheer to any area. While these flowering plants require a bit more maintenance than others, they’re only going to take up very little space, making them perfect for desks.

2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Now, if you’re interested in something a bit more tropical, then we suggest you get yourself a Peace Lily. Not only are they beautiful, but peace lilies are also easy to keep since they can grow in very low lighting conditions. This makes them ideal for workspaces and offices that are a bit short on windows (or hat have very small windows.

In fact, you should keep these away from direct sunlight. Keep them in low light places with lots of humidity.

3. Azalea

Azaleas are flowering shrubs that thrive in cold environments and can filter the air to combat formaldehyde.

4. Bromeliads

Now, if you prefer pretty and ornamental plants, then Bromeliads are the way to go. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and even in different colours. They have rigid and thick leaves that really help out with the atmosphere in the office.

5. Jade Plant

Next, the jade plant is a succulent that has very small flowers. Also, it really doesn’t need to be watered as often as other plants should. Also called money plant, the Crassula Ovata is fabled as to bringing financial success to its owner.

6. Walking Iris (Neomarica bicolor gracillis)

This plant has hardy leaves that look like they are swords. Also known as Apostle plants, the Walking Iris has an orchid-like flower that blooms at the upper end of its stem. These flowers last only for a day, but that day truly is special. Now, while very pretty, they need constant and regular watering.

7. Chinese Evergreen

Next, the Chinese Evergreen, also known as Aglaonema. These are great since they require very little maintenance, don’t need a lot of light, and they even remove and disperse toxins in the air.

8. Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria)

These can reach almost seven feet in height. With upright leaves and a specific look, these gorgeous plants will really brighten up your office. They can last for years if you take care of them properly and can thrive almost anywhere.

9. English Ivy

The English Ivy is also known as Hedera helix. It’s a clinging vine that can reduce airborne fecal matter particles and filter out formaldehyde.

As disturbing as it is to know those airborne particles exist, it’s good English Ivy can take care of it. This is another plant ideal for those stale office environments lacking a lot of fresh air circulating.

10. Gerber Daisy

Aside from being attractive decors to your office, Gerber Daisies, also known as Gerbara, are also great at filtering toxins like benzene (a substance that can be emitted by some printing systems.)

11. Parlor Palm

If you want something really tropical, we suggest you get some Chamaedorea elegans – or, better known as a Parlor Palm. Called so because they, well, look like palm trees, these plants are a great fit for any office. Also, they don’t really need as much light as you would think they would.

12. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The leaves of a snake plant can grow fairly tall. They come with shooting dark green leaves that have bands of a bright yellow-green on the outside. These plants are great as natural partitions in the workplace.

13. Cacti

These plants come in different varieties, sizes, and shapes. They look great on desks but take note that they require a lot of sunlight. So, if your office is dimly lit, make sure they are placed near a window so they still get a lot of sunlight.

14. Warneck Dracaena (Dracaena reflexa)

These shrubs can grow tall enough to be perfect dividers for different office areas. They help combat pollutants from varnishes and oils. This plant is ideal for offices with hardwood floors.

15. Fiddle-leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle-leaf Figs also have a tropical look with their long stems and large glossy leaves. They are actually one of the trendiest plants to have right now. These plants are best placed where there is plenty of light as it tends to stretch in low light conditions.

16. Weeping Fig

The weeping figs are large plants that can filter pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as other pollutants found in carpets and furniture.

17. Ming Aralia

Also great for offices that require privacy between workstations. The Ming Aralia or Polyscias fruticosa are also tall, bushy plants that doesn’t require too much maintenance. Just water it every couple of weeks.

18. Spider Plant

Spider plants are also known as Chlorophytum comosum. They are often displayed in hanging baskets and are one of the easiest plants to grow indoors, making them great office space decor.

19. Aloe

These plants are usually small in size so they easily fit on desks. Their air-filtering qualities also have the ability to remove pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Aside from purifying the air, Aloe also has a gel inside the plant that can be used to treat wounds and burns.

20. Philodendrons

If you would like to add some height to small areas in the office, get these large climbers. The best part is, these plants can survive even with very little maintenance.

21. Umbrella Tree

Umbrella Trees can grow to be quite tall, making them perfect for creating office privacy. They also come in smaller dwarf versions you can put on desktops.

22. Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis)

These plants come with dark green, glossy leaves and can thrive even in low light conditions. Just make sure to place them in a corner where they won’t get damaged by passing traffic.

23. Pothos

The Pothos or Epipremnum aureum is flowering plants perfect for desktops. They may require occasional trimming but aside from that, these plants are very low maintenance and can be left on a desk for long periods without needing much care.

24. Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

Madagascar Dragon Trees have tall snake-like trunks and green and pink leaves. They can grow up to 3 meters high and they look best in a well-lit space to maximize leaf coloring.

25. Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Zanzibar Gems grow even in dry, shaded areas, making them perfect office plants because they can survive an amazing amount of neglect. During winter, just water them less and clean the leaves by wiping them with a damp cloth.

26. Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)

Yuccas are one of the most versatile indoor plants. They have long woody stems and large strappy leaves, perfect for offices. While they prefer high levels of light, yuccas usually survive neglect rather well so they would definitely make great additions to your office.

27. Fittonia

Sometimes referred to as the nerve or mosaic plant, Fittonias can thrive on the fluorescent light so they work well in offices.

Plus, the oversized, inside-out look on the leaves of the Fittonia can serve as quite a focal point in your office space.

28. Mixed Garden

A mixed garden is always a great idea. If you can’t decide what to get, you get multi-grouped planting. These plants are intended for desktops or any other place in the office that has lots of light.

Your office will look so much better with those plants around, and they will make your employees feel a lot more motivated to work. These plants alleviate stress, and will even energize and motivate your employees.

Now, adding plants to your office really will spruce things up, but, you should also consider taking care of workplace hygiene. So, let the next step of going green be a focus on cleanliness.

Alsco offers high-quality solutions for your green workplace. From mats to odour control, from the washroom to hand hygiene, Alsco offers services that can be tailored to any particular needs your business may have.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash Images by Ellyot

How Many Toilets Do You Need?

So, what is the total number of toilets you need for your school or workplace?

According to the regulations from New Zealand Building Code Clause G1 Personal Hygiene, ‘sanitary fixtures shall be provided in sufficient number and be appropriate for the people who are intended to use them.’

So, the total number of toilets required by the law depends on the purpose of the building and the number of people who are going to use them. Let’s dig deeper now and see the regulations for different intended toilet uses.

How Many Toilets Should a School Have?

How Many Toilets Should There Be in a Workplace?

How Many Toilets Are Required in a Commercial Building?

How Many Toilets Should a School Have?

New Zealand Government doesn’t set strict law regulations for the number of toilets required in schools, but a kind of guidelines for school washrooms:

• 1 toilet and washbasin for every 10 students under the age of 5 (pre-school),
• 1 toilet and washbasin per 20 students aged 5-11 (primary school),
• 1 toilet and washbasin per 20 students aged over 11 (secondary school).

However, according to health and safety legislative requirements for schools, students should be provided with toilets of 7sqm or larger near their classrooms, with the access to a wash-hand basin with a hot and cold water supply in schools where there are more than 61 students.

Image from: Flickr by Ironchefbalara

Here are the general requirements for the exact number of toilets according to the number of students:

And here’s the allowed ratio for male toilets combining urinals and WC pans, where every compartment must have a separate door:

The following are general requirements for wash-hand basins stating that every unit must be provided with a supply of warm water, soap dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, as well as adequate hand-drying equipment.

The study, by researchers from Otago University and Public Health South, concluded that “a significant number of New Zealand children do not currently have access to high-quality hygiene facilities at school”.

(Source: schoolnews.co.nz)

Changing and shower areas are necessary only for secondary schools, mainly where children attend PE classes.

For more detailed information on other school washroom requirements in New Zealand, check our School Washroom Guide.

How Many Toilets Should There Be in a Workplace?

According to the Guidelines for the Provision of Facilities and General Safety and Health in Commercial & Industrial Premises, every employer should provide enough male and female sanitary conveniences based on the number of employees. The minimum requirements are:

• 1 toilet per 15 or fewer employed females,
• 2 toilets for up to 20 employed females and 1 additional toilet for each additional 20 employees,
• 1 toilet per 20 or fewer males,
• 2 toilets for up to 30 employed males and 1 in addition for additional 30 male employees,
• 1 urinal for up to 15 males,
• 2 urinals for 15 to 30 males and plus 1 for each 30 male employers in addition.

Adequate conveniently accessible washing facilities, hot water supplies and other washroom hygiene necessities go without saying.

If there are no more than 15 employees in your company, separate washrooms for men and women are not mandatory. Providing your employees with access to one unisex washroom with a locking door would suffice in that case.

Image from: pixabay by myjanitors

How Many Toilets Are Required in a Commercial Building?

A commercial building is any building with a business purpose such as amusement parks, shopping centres, libraries, transport terminals and other similar places. We’ve already addressed workplaces, but let’s see how many toilets other commercial buildings should have.

Generally speaking, the minimum requirement for washroom facilities is one toilet and one washbasin per 15 women and men in restaurants, nightclubs, coffee bars, tea rooms and the like.

The following requirements are in compliance with the New Zealand Building Code document:

Here are the NZ requirements for sports venues such as swimming pools, gyms, sports stadiums and other places of active recreation.

The recommendations for entertainment venues such as theatres, cinemas, concert halls and others are as follows in the table below.

As far as shopping centres, amusement parks, libraries and transport terminals are concerned, here are the basic washroom requirements.

The requirements for the number of WC pans, urinals, and washbasins for people with disabilities differ. Check the full compliance document for more details.

Bear in mind that proper washroom hygiene says much more about your business than the number of facilities. Don’t let your neglected washroom spoil your business impression. Don’t hesitate to Contact Alsco should you need any help or advice.

5 Mystifying Types of Urinals From Around the World

Did you know that the average human should visit the washroom six to seven times a day? To some, this may be a dreadful task, especially if the washroom available lacks what you need.

Well, the great news is that you no longer need to fear. The global rise in ‘’urinal art’’ gives an aesthetic and hygienic option to relieve yourself.

The revolution of urinal art began in 1917 with Marcel Duchamp. He turned a urinal up-side-down and named it ‘’Fountain.’’

There are now diverse urinal designs found all over the world.

Going to the washroom is no longer a trivial matter. These unique urinal designs will amaze you.

Looking to upgrade your workplace washroom decor? Look no further. Have a glance at these quirky depictions and you’re sure to find one that tickles your fancy.

1. Resourceful Urinals

As with any other washroom appliance, urinals come with their downfalls. One distinct problem is splashback. This is when some of the waste splashes onto your clothes while using a urinal.

Splashbacks are detrimental to your washroom appearance and your workers’ health. The acidic nature of urine forms a stain which attracts dust and dirt. It makes your tiles appear off-white, which isn’t pretty.

The urinal designs below help in eliminating this problem for good!

Urinals that protect your shoes from the splashback. Image: Reddit

The above urinal has a protective shield, which is like a urinal screen. It curves outwards at the bottom to prevent water or waste from getting on your shoes or trousers. Your workers can use the washroom with this innovation.

Next, this urinal interior has a mini-soccer game for its users. What’s it good for?

  Urinal with a miniature screen. Image: Imgur

For one, it relieves your employees from work-related stress. Going to a workplace washroom shouldn’t be a nerve-racking activity.

Besides, it serves as a conventional reminder to aim well when using a urinal.

Couple this with wet area mats to absorb any waste that may splash from the urinal. Together, these efforts serve to control malodour and prevent the formation of stains.

There are also urinals with headrests. How convenient!

Urinals with headrest. Image: Flickr

After a long day, this may be helpful to unwind.

This next prototype involves a rather bold combination of a toilet and sink. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you think it is.

Toilet sink combination. Image: Homedit

To conserve water in your workplace, this stylish combination is the way to go.  It recycles the water from the sink to flush the toilet.

2. Artistic Urinals

Without a doubt, these urinals are gorgeous. Not only are they colourful, but also display an array of creativity.

First, some urinals glorify all things music and take the form of musical instruments.

Recycle abandoned musical instrument urinals. Image: Pinterest

Are your employees music lovers? If so, then this is the best choice for your workplace washroom.

The unique shapes of these urinals make it easier to maintain hygiene. You can place a urinal cake at the bottom of the urinal. It isn’t out in the open, but your urinal hygiene always prevails.

Remember to handle urinal tabs using gloves to ensure you place them well.

If you thought you had seen it all, well it’s not over yet. This golden urinal found in Hong Kong is fit for a king and a real tourist attraction.

Golden toilet. Image: Pinterest

Not to mention, it is comprised of real gold gems and is valued at $4.8 million.

What’s more, it’s counterpart is this glass toilet. Although it only exists in theory, it would be a suitable addition for a classy touch to washrooms.

See-through, a toilet glass. Image: Pinterest

There are plenty of elegant urinals located globally. Oftentimes, these are on display for urinal art fanatics who travel across the globe to see them.

Unique artwork urinal. Image: Pinterest

1890 Victorian Polychromatic Urinal. Image: Pinterest

Borrowing these ornamental urinal concepts is not new. They can now feature in washrooms from offices to museums.] Urinal Veneta, Austria 1895. Image: Designboom

This urinal is on exhibit in Austria, in collaboration with the Harvard School of Design.

3. Urinals for Plant Lovers

Offices don’t always need to be dull with a white and grey colour scheme. Your workers will begin to dread the office.

Flowers and plants are the solutions to your decor problems. They are a beautiful accessory to include in your workplace.

Did you know that plants have many benefits for your employees? Have a look at the following advantages:

• Decreases the number of sick days taken
• Reduces stress levels
• Office appearance becomes tasteful and pleasing
• Reduces the effects of background office chatter
• Decreases the risk of respiratory illnesses

Include a potted plant or two, and while you’re at it, why not transform your urinals into plants, too?

Flower urinals design. Image: Pinterest

This category of urinals are designs inspired by a love for the environment. They imitate different kinds of flowers and trees and are a real sight for sore eyes.

The shapes of plant-like urinals make it easier to carry out hygiene maintenance. Don’t let your ceramic urinals collect dust and grime.

Alsco’s Deep Clean Services eliminates all mould, mildew and fungi.

Opt for deep-cleaning services to maintain the high-grade condition of your urinals.

This is why a routine deep clean is important:

• Retains the high-quality of your urinal ceramic
• Destroys mould and mildew spores
• Disinfects all washroom surfaces

Indulge in five-star maintenance services to keep your urinals exquisite both inside and out.

4. Tech-Savvy Urinals

Today, technology is growing at the speed of light. The current number of tech start-ups is around 1.35 million. Yet, it is shocking to see technology in washrooms.

Recently, there has been an incorporation of tech-savvy urinals. They either solve a problem or celebrate the developments of science.

For instance, this urinal with a microscope creates a fun washroom experience.

Urinal with microscope design. Image: Reddit

Other urinals aim to enhance the washroom experience. Here’s a design named ’’The Vertebrae.’’

Vertebrae washroom design. Image: Cool Things

This Swiss Army design is the ultimate solution to washroom space. This all-in-one design has all washroom amenities in this single rotating module.

It saves on the time-consuming process of standing in line to use urinals or washbasins.

Another fantastic idea is a urinal fit with a television. Bathroom breaks become a source of joy for your employees and relieves some tension.

Besides being able to watch their favourite show, they can also play video games. This prototype has a sensor that detects movement, which assists in playing the games.

[ Video gaming urinals. Image: BBC

As you can imagine, this category of urinals will involve constant maintenance.

What you need to do is invest in high-end cleaning products that will sustain your urinals’ shine. The presence of eco-friendly products will attract like-minded individuals to your business.

Your trendy washroom needs to stay in the best shape. So, wipe down metal surfaces using an antibacterial disinfectant. Then, rinse it off with a damp cloth, leaving behind a fragrant smell.

5. Awe-Inspiring Urinals

Do your workers fancy ghosts and ghouls? This category involves thrilling designs which inspire Halloween office decor.

Gothic urinal design. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Because of their unique shapes, these urinals’ drains need special care. The best way is to disinfect drains quarterly through biological treatment. This process keeps away bad odours that may repel your workers.

It also prevents insects from hovering around your urinals.

Focus on This

Install our amazing wall-mounted Air Fresheners in your washroom.

Today’s business environment is competitive, and thus, your workplace should aim to stay ahead.

Holding high workplace hygiene standards is mandatory. It’s a sign of valuing your employees and your business.

Take the first major step in hygiene maintenance and contact the experts to take over.

Your local branch of professionals will:

• Clean your washrooms at your convenience.
• Charge affordable prices.
• Replace diminished products.

Get in touch with Alsco New Zealand for a fast and free quote. Begin your workplace urinal transformation journey today.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Demystifying the Hand Hygiene Battle: Paper Towels And Hand Dryers

The road of technology is paved with good intentions.

In the hand drying arena, there might be a popular notion that newer and shinier technologies reign supreme over the old school way of doing things.

The truth is, throwing away the traditional paper towels in favour of the jet air dryers is not always the best course of action.

Hand drying may well be considered an art that may equally benefit from both traditional and cutting edge methods.

There are numerous factors that can tip the scales to the favour of modern hand dryers or traditional paper towels. Depending on your organisation’s priorities, here is the lowdown on some of these crucial factors that will aid you in your decision-making process.

Counting the Cost of paper towels vs hand dryers

When it comes to calculating the cheaper option, it’s the jet air hand dryers and warm air hand dryers that win the hand hygiene battle. Continuously using paper hand towels entails excessive paper consumption. This is something that jet air or warm air hand dryers eliminate completely.

Indirect costs like manpower requirements are also factors to consider. If you use traditional paper hand towels for your organisation’s hand drying needs, you will also expect more trash bins to be emptied that will require more janitorial services. Some bathroom users also foster the unhealthy habit of clogging toilet bowls with tissue paper even with religiously posted reminders to use the trash can.

Photo courtesy: Flickr Image by Simon Fraser University – University Communications

The Drying Motion

Another chief consideration is the mechanism by which drying is introduced. Traditional hand paper towels make use of the friction of vigorously rubbing the surface of the skin with an absorbent material. On the other hand, modern dryers use the element of air to simulate the drying action.

The artificial air movement introduced by jet air and warm air hand dryers can present a problem. This air circulation that can go as fast as 400 mph can promote contamination. It can easily take bacteria from one user up to a 2-meter radius or the entire bathroom facility.

Photo courtesy: Flickr Image by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious

The Bacteria Risks

Much research has already established that there are greater risks from automated air dryers to spread bacteria compared to traditional paper hand towels. It spreads germs in the bathroom by as much as 1,300 times compared to paper towels.

Warm air dryers, in particular, can be a prime breeding ground for bacteria because of its temperature. Paper towel users were recorded to have a bacterial count within the range of 85.2% to 91.5%, quite a stark contrast to the 41.4% to 47.8% range observed from users of warm air hand dryers.

Because of this controversy on bacterial spreading tendencies, experts have weighed in their opinion that modern hand dryers may not exactly be the best solution for bathrooms that run a higher risk of spreading diseases.

Some examples include laboratories, diagnostic clinics, and hospital settings where there is a greater percentage of extremely sick people who will be using the jet air or warm air hand dryers.

Photo courtesy: Flickr Image by Congreso de la República del Perú

Environmental Footprint Considerations

Going green is becoming a mainstream consideration for organisational facility solutions like hand drying options. If you are keen on saving the environment, that’s a point taken in favour of warm air and jet air hand dryers.

A consultancy firm on environmental resources management claims that paper towels require 64% more electric power when compared to power requirements of warm air hand dryers.

This may seem counter-intuitive considering that paper towels do not really require electric power when it is being used for hand drying. However the manufacturing of the paper towel products to supply bathrooms globally has an accumulated power cost requirement.

In addition to this, public schools in Kansas were selected as a venue for a global dryer study. Of the 102 hand dryers observed in the schools, the study found some astounding savings in a span of one year: approximately 700,000 water gallons, close to 600 trees, and 34 tons of solid waste.

Photo courtesy: Flickr Image by ABDUL HAFIZ ABDUL MUHIMIM

Besides selecting the best hand-drying option for schools, this School Washroom Guide deals with other major health and safety concerns, so you may want to read through it carefully if education is your industry.

Actual Cleaning and Drying Power

A University of Westminster study has proven that paper hand towels are more hygienic and effective in drying the hands. Given the propensity of automated hand dryers to proliferate bacteria, the paper towels’ individualised and disposable quality makes them immune from transmitting germs from one user to another.

Aside from this, drying the hands took 30 seconds faster when using paper hand towels. Drying with paper hand towels takes 10 seconds and using a jet air dryer requires 40 seconds.

Photo courtesy: Flickr Image by Ambernectar 13

Regardless of your ultimate decision on who wins the hand hygiene battle, it is important to find the optimum solution to your organisation’s unique handwashing and drying needs.

While you can opt for DIY, professional services or opinions may also help give you a more informed decision. Take advantage of Alsco’s commitment-free workplace audit and contact us today to get some expert opinions on your predicament.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Image by Newtown grafitti

Waterless Urinals: How They Save You Money and Water

Did you know that the average person in New Zealand uses 227 litres of water a day?

Specifically, 86 litres per day is used for flushing, 68 litres for bathing and hygiene purposes and another 73 litres for laundry and kitchen purposes.

More than 70% of this water is used in the bathroom. More than 20% is used in the kitchen and for laundry.

So, how many litres of water does it take to flush a toilet?

Toilets manufactured in the 1980s use 13 litres per flush, and models manufactured prior to that use between 19 and 26 litres per flush.

The average person flushes five times a day!

This accounts for a considerable amount of water usage.

Now, do the math for a business that has over 15 employees. That is a lot of water and money wasted.

What Can You Do to Make It Better?

Urinals are highly common in men’s bathrooms of the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors of society. Today, there are models for women being developed and installed all over the world.

Personal homes are not left behind either!

Builders, plumbers, and federal agencies need to ensure that urinal fixtures are water-efficient and that the most appropriate fixture is chosen for specific applications.

Toilets and urinals can account for nearly one-third of a building’s water consumption. Inefficient or poorly-maintained toilets and urinal fixtures can be a nuisance.

Flush urinals, over time, can use more water than what they were designed for, especially if the flush handle has frequently needed repair or the urinal was subjected to some form of vandalism.

Luckily, innovative advancements have made it possible for a new wave of urinals to see the light of day.

Waterless Urinals

Urinals come in two types:

• Flushometer urinals: These send pressurised water straight from the supply line via a flush valve directly to the urinal fixture to create the flush.
• Nonwater/waterless urinals: No water is required to flush, but a cartridge in the bottom contains a sealant that allows waste to flow through into the drain line.

There are some contemporary waterless urinals that have a kind of self-cleaning property due to small pressure differences that ‘flush’ the valve clean with each use.

Urinals that have liquid sealed valves allow urine to seep through the oil blocking outlet, utilising the different densities of the two fluids.

Waterless urinals are designed to be compatible with already existing urinal infrastructure. The only difference is the lack of flush handles and no need to attach a water inlet pipe.

Waterless urinals take away the physical interaction with handles, creating a ‘touch-free’ environment.

That’s pretty cool.

Just as with other toilet fixtures, a full range of designs (and prices) are available for installation in both private residences and public buildings.

What Makes Waterless Urinals so Great?

There are a number of reasons waterless urinals are an obvious choice for your business or home.

1. Cost

This is always what it boils down to at the end of the day.

A switch to waterless urinals can pay for itself in as little as one year in municipalities that offer rebates for their installation.

They also end up being a cheaper option for new bathroom installations. Regular flushing urinals often incur substantially higher installation costs than waterless urinals due to their pipework and flushing devices.

Keep in mind that urinals now being used in your facility will cost you for water, sewer and maintenance.

Why not convert these costs to purchase waterless urinals? Your retrofit can pay its own way.

2. Maintenance

Maintenance on waterless urinals is different than that of a flushometer urinal and takes up less time!

All that is required is daily spray-and-wipe cleaning of each fixture and occasionally replacing the cartridge, which you will know to do when the blue sealant seeps through the top of the cartridge.

Typically, a cartridge will last about 7,000 uses, depending on the frequency of use.

As part of Alsco’s managed rental service, we will install, maintain and replace dispensers on a schedule customised to your business’ needs.

3. Hygiene

The hypothesis that waterless urinals decrease bacteria compared to water-based urinals is proven to be true.

How?

Water in toilet bowls is the perfect environment for bacteria growth, and the flushing of these urinals often sprays the bacteria into the air and onto nearby surfaces.

If this happens, it breeds cross-contamination, which can be very serious in a busy manufacturing facility.

In fact, in a study published in August 2003, Dr Gerba states, “Waterless urinals would result in a significant improvement in public restroom hygiene.”

Gerba studies “filth, pestilence, and disease,” with an emphasis on the bathroom, and says he has done more field studies on the toilet than anyone else in academia.

4. Environmentally Friendly

The most renowned benefit of using waterless urinals is the amount of freshwater saved, energy conserved, sewage eliminated and carbon emissions avoided.

Because no water goes down the drain, additional wastewater requiring treatment is not generated.

The special drain cartridges and inserts used in some models are recyclable. The sealant liquid composed of natural oil is also biodegradable.

How awesome is that? You get to contribute to saving the planet, too!

5. Odour Control

Air Freshening and Odour Elimination Services

Controlling odour was actually one of the main problems in the development process of waterless urinals.

But not anymore…

Some restroom fixtures develop odour problems that can be corrected by cleaning professionals such as Alsco New Zealand.

We offer odour control services created with your washrooms in mind.

While the Alsco sanitisers work as your first line of defence and kill off odour-causing bacteria before they get the chance to spread, your air fresheners will add to your air quality by scenting it.

You can choose sanitisers or air fresheners, but they work best in combination.

Both of Alsco’s sanitising and air freshening units have dispensers that release their products on a regular basis, so you don’t have to worry about activating or replenishing them.

That’s Alsco’s job.

Why It Matters

Many innovators have diverted their attention towards developing low-flow urinals and shower heads to meet the demand for freshwater.

Such endeavours in environmental and economic conservation have seized the curiosity of some government agencies.

The U.S. Army’s Facilities Policy Division and Installation Management Agency specified that waterless urinals be installed in all new construction and major retrofits effective October 2006. Since 2010, all-new U.S. military facilities have only used waterless urinals.

According to Annette L. Stumpf, an Army architect at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Lab in Champaign, Illinois, the decision to install only waterless urinals is based on the following reasons:

• They can save up to 170,000 litres of water per year.
• Waterless systems require no freeze protection.
• Electrical requirements for pumps are eliminated.
• There is no need to provide an infrastructure for fresh (potable) water.
• Septic loads and water treatment time are reduced.
• The waterless systems require no installation or maintenance costs for flush handles, valves, sensors, or water supply piping.
• No batteries, transformers, or other electronics are necessary.
• The units are environmentally friendly.

The plethora of advantages of waterless urinals is worth the switch and an essential component to future building projects.

Don’t Let Your Waterless Urinals Be Your Achilles Heel

Get in touch with the experts and they will handle the upkeep for you!

Quality providers like Alsco will continually replenish all the consumables from your urinals and, if you wish, even deep clean all your toilets and showers.

Contact Alsco for a best-price quote today, and you are sure to leave a lasting impression on your clients, employees and the environment!

Photo: Nelo Hotsuma

A Quick Guide to Urinals: What You Need to Know

Before today’s workplace urinals, Andrew Rankin was the pioneer of older designs in 1866.

Now, they are common all over the world and are a washroom necessity for relieving ourselves.

Unfortunately, managers often overlook workplace urinals. This shouldn’t be the case, as they play a major role in washroom hygiene.

This ultimate guide to urinals will lead your washroom experience to the next level.

Types of Urinals

To know which urinals suit your washrooms, you need to know the types that exist.

Urinals are under 3 major categories:

1. According to Flushing Mechanisms

Flushing is vital because it eliminates microorganisms found within the urinal.

To select a suitable urinal, you need to understand the different flushing mechanisms.

• Manual Flushing

  Handy, accessible wall-mounted units Toilet Seat Sanitiser

  This is a popular method. Workers press a button or pull on a lever to flush. This pushes the water from the cistern and into the urinal to flush waste. Flush handles are a common touchpoint. So, there is a high probability of spreading illnesses.

  Make sanitiser available in washrooms so that workers can clean their hands after. But, there is an easier way out. Take the safe route for your workplace and avoid this flushing mechanism. Instead, select from the modern options below.

• Automatic Flushing

  This method prevents the need for physical contact. An infrared sensor detects movement and activates the flush.

  If your workplace washrooms have the standard flushing handle, don’t fret. You can upgrade the urinals to this functionality.

  Your workers benefit and feel more comfortable using washrooms. In turn, this boosts their morale and productivity.

• Timed Flushing

  Flushing occurs automatically within set intervals. This method ensures urinals remain clean and fresh-smelling.

  Once the cistern water has reached its tipping point, all urinals flush together.

  Link the flushing system to the washroom light switches to avoid wasting water.

• Door-Regulated Flushing

  Maintaining washroom hygiene is easier as urinals flush after the main door opens.

  This mechanism saves water as flushing doesn’t occur when the doors stay shut at night.

• 2. According to Water Use

Some urinals use water, while others don’t.

• Waterless Urinals Versus Flushing Urinals

  Place Alsco Air Fresheners on your walls and stop worrying.

• Waterless urinals have been in existence since the 19th Century. They aim to eliminate the use of water while flushing.

  The waste passes through a cartridge and into the drain without the need to flush. There’s no need to worry about pungent smells, as the cartridge absorbs them. Waterless urinals are the in-thing, and this is why:

• They are eco-friendly. They save between 57,000 and 170,000 litres of water per urinal, per year.
• Installation in high-populated areas is possible.
• Prevent the release of bad odours. Plus, provide the best brand of air fresheners to maintain a fresh-smelling workplace washroom.
• Proper installation leads to fewer problems.

Like any other device, waterless urinals have cons:

• They need constant maintenance because odour control is costly. Curb this by inquiring which odour controlling mechanism is long-lasting.
• The urinals should be compatible with your workplace building plumbing system. So, contact professionals to guide the way forward.3. According to Urinal Design

Urinal design is one of the best ways to understand your workplace washroom needs.

Not only does this give you the chance to spruce up the decor, but also, provides a sanitary option.

There are 3 main types of urinals designs:

• Trough Urinal (TU)

  This is an affordable urinal design that is shaped like an animal feeding trough. But, because of this, the little space available creates some awkwardness.

  The plumbing leads to one drain and feeds from one cistern. Hence, this design is a common sight in public areas.

• Bucket Urinal (BU)

  As the name suggests, this urinal resembles a bucket.

  It is a go-to choice for its plumbing variations. It is easier to adapt to your workplace washroom design to accommodate for it.

• ‘’Wee-Against-The-Wall’’ (WAW)

  The name may not reflect the true aesthetic beauty they have. When put up by professionals, it can make a great conversation starter.

  Unfortunately, this isn’t the best design to look to when saving costs. Installation on a tight budget makes it looks undesirable for your workers to use.

Buy the Right Urinals

After identifying the best design for your workplace washroom, you need to know where to buy it from.

With advances in technology, purchasing items is a piece of cake.

So, commercial online and physical bathroom stores are the way to go. A few local stores to choose from include:

• Macdonald Industries Limited.
• Paterson.
• Robertson Bathware.
• Archipro.

First, understand that stores sell urinals to meet different customers’ needs.

Thus, consider the following factors before purchasing your workplace urinals

Water Use

• If you want your workplace to ”go green”, then you need urinals that conserve water. So, waterless urinals are an excellent choice

• Flushing Mechanism

• Select a urinal with sensors to track flushing frequency in the workplace washroom

• Urinal Design

• Washroom layout and design contribute to the productivity of workers. Select a design that promotes privacy and hygiene of your workers.

  It should have enough space between washroom users to avoid a cramped up appearance.

• Gender

• To promote gender equality, there are both male and female urinals in the market. Conduct workplace surveys to understand the needs of your workers in this respect.

  With these factors in mind, you can select the urinals that suit your workplace best. From this, there is a question about cost.

  Instead of doing guesswork, have a look at this toilet calculator. It assists business owners in planning construction of washrooms.

  Yet, the typical price range for urinals is between 199 to 900 Nz Dollars.

How to Install Urinals

Like any other appliance, you can install urinals yourself.

Consider these DIY installation tips before beginning your project:

• Ensure there is a steady water flow.
• Avoid tampering with electrical wires.
• Weld with care to prevent accidents.

Unfortunately, this option is not the best way to go for a professional job. Instead, trust the experts to do the job for you.

The benefits of hiring experts are:

• 5-star plumbing services are a phone call away.
• Knowledge and experience in local plumbing that your washrooms will.
• Facilitates the creation of a long-lasting relationship with the business.

Maintain Clean Urinals

Clean your washrooms with Biological Treatment

After all, urinals are a major part of the washroom. Without proper care, the state of your workplace washroom deteriorates.

For starters, splashbacks are a common incident in the urinal area.

In turn, bad odour and poor cleaning methods attract flies. This creates an unhygienic environment that may damage the reputation of your business.

Investing in urinal tabs is one of the surefire ways to deal with these problems. They consist of a chemical that controls odour and bacteria formation.

Urinal tabs are heavy-duty products that also repel silverfish and moths. All you have to do is place the tab at the bottom of the urinal and replace them often.

Additionally, consider hiring cleaning professionals that offer the following services:

Deep Cleaning

• This is a 4-step process that involves the elimination of dirt from hard-to-reach areas.

  Deep cleaning is suitable for washing the outer area of urinals

• Biological Treatment

• This treatment is a permanent solution to smelly and clogged urinal drains.

  According to the experts, this is an effective option that removes the build-up of uric acid.

Consider using a combination of these 2 services for extraordinary results. As a result, the maintenance of washroom hygiene is a piece of cake.

Plus, install wet area mats nearby urinals to absorb any splashback that may occur. Clean and replace them to upkeep the washroom appearance.

In the long run, high-quality and sanitary urinals are a great workplace asset, as:

• It upholds your business’ reputation and reflects its core values.
• It enhances your workers comfort at work.
• This contributes to people’s general satisfaction with the workplace

Workplace Hygiene: 3 Major Areas Where Flu Germs Hide

As a business owner, you aim to build a team of hard-working individuals to propel you to success.
Imagine their disappointment when they need to miss out on work because of the flu.

As Richard Branson once said:

‘’Your employees are your greatest asset. If you take care of them, they will take care of your clients.’’

This powerful quote rings true.
Studies show that employees admire clean workplaces and this makes them more productive.

Do your employees fall sick more than usual? If the answer is yes, you need to assess how clean your office is.

You don’t need to be a medical expert to do this and here’s why:

Source: businesswire.com

Researchers identify workplaces to be a key area where flu-causing germs hide. When you don’t clean your office environment well, your employees aren’t safe. Their well-being is at risk and this may cause them to be unproductive and unmotivated.

There’s good news! This article is a positive step in the right direction. This workplace hygiene guide informs you how to clean these areas and prevent the flu for good.

So, there’s no need to worry. With the best hygiene systems and products, you can sniff out these bacteria and put an end to them in no time.

What’s in it for you? Maintaining great office hygiene translates to:

• Creation of a positive brand image
• Reduction in employee absenteeism
• Rise in employee welfare and morale
• Improvement of client satisfaction

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get into it!

Why Is It Easy to Catch the Flu Anyway?

Imagine suffering from the flu and trying to gather the strength to go to work as well. It’s hard but this is what your employees go through sometimes.

If you’ve ever wondered how they catch the flu in the first place, here’s a breakdown:

• When someone with the flu coughs or sneezes near another person, they inhale the germs. This enters their system and makes them sick.
• Flu-laden droplets may also land on surfaces and remain infectious for 48 hours. Any person who touches these unclean areas and doesn’t wash their hands may fall sick too.

Source: singlecare.com 

Since an office is a high-traffic area, this means that flu germs can hide anywhere. On the bright side, medical experts break it down to the following key areas to watch out for:

• Workspaces and desks
• Kitchens and break rooms
• Office washrooms

Think of this as a cheat-sheet to workplace hygiene. You don’t need to go through a trial and error process to get to the real source of the germs. If you’re wondering how to get these areas germ-free, you’re in the right place. Here are incredible solutions that you probably didn’t think of.

1. Workspaces

How clean is your work desk?

Scientists confirm that an average desk can house 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. This confirms that your employees can catch the flu from their desk alone.

In the workspace, germs hide on common touchpoints such as door handles and buttons. After touching infected surfaces, flu germs enter through the nose, mouth and eyes.

If you think about it, you can’t go a day without touching these things.

What do you notice here? The sense of touch plays a key role in germ transmission. This means that keeping your hands clean is the solution to preventing the flu.

Make antibacterial wipes available in your office. Your employees will find it liberating to be able to control their workspace hygiene. They can wipe down their desk items as often as they please. This creates a feeling of confidence and boosts their work performance.

Besides this, install hand sanitising stations at office entry and exit points.

Interesting fact: Alcohol-based sanitiser kills bacteria and prevents it from developing resistance. So, sanitisers don’t lose effectiveness with continued use.

Consider the following benefits of hand sanitiser in the workplace:

• Reduces cross-contamination of germs. There’s no need to touch automatic sanitiser dispensers for them to operate.
• Kills germs within seconds. It takes a short amount of time to disinfect your hands.
• Convenient in the absence of sinks. This is the best option for your workers as they go about their daily tasks.

Source: who.int

Encouraging exceptional hand hygiene is as simple as that!

Providing these products gives them the extra nudge they need to keep their hands clean.

Couple this up by informing them of flu season etiquette to reduce the spread of the illness. This includes teaching them the importance of staying at home when they’re sick.

On the upside, this will lower the rate of presenteeism and reduce the exposure of your staff to the flu.

Remember, that a healthy employee is a happy employee.

2. Kitchens and Break Rooms

The kitchen is a hot-bed for the flu virus. Scientists state that flu germs can survive for 24 to 48 hours on hard surfaces. From the washing sponge to the coffee mug – everything in this area is a potential home for germs.

The best solution is to ensure your kitchen surfaces stay clean at all costs. The dirty little secret to achieving this is through surface sanitation. You should attack flu germs by using exceptional anti-bacterial cleaning products. Apply a small amount of the product onto a damp cloth and wipe down every surface to disinfect it.

It’s essential to also maintain a clean washing sponge to prevent cross-contamination. After washing the dishes, soak it in bleach for 10 minutes to kill any germs.

Pro tip: A sterilising cycle is the most effective way to dry dishes and keep them sanitary. Using a dishtowel is least effective.

When was the last time you cleaned the office refrigerator and microwave? You should know these two are the most germ-laden kitchen gadgets.

So, remember to throw out any old food containers and disinfect the interior surfaces. This involves cleaning out cupboards and washing coffee mugs often.

These sure-fire tips will keep you vigilant of your workplace hygiene.

3. Office Washrooms

Without a doubt, this is one area that deserves your undivided attention. To begin with, our fingertips have 2 to 10 million bacteria. Surprising enough, this number doubles after you use the washroom. This increases your chances of contracting the flu.

What you need to do is focus on washing your hands with soap and water.

Source: ucihealth.org

Instead of going for the conventional soap bar, install automatic soap dispensers. Here’s why you need these tools:

• Soap and water is the first line of defence in protecting yourself from the flu.
• Handwashing plays a key role in boosting your immune system.
• Your chances of getting the flu reduce by 21%.
• Handwashing reduces your chances of catching 80% of communicable diseases.

“Thorough handwashing with soap and water remains the best way to reduce the spread of disease-causing microorganisms’’

-Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., Professor of biology

As for the washroom surfaces, flu germs often hide in hard-to-reach areas. To get rid of them, hire your local deep cleaning experts to disinfect areas you may overlook.

This 4-step process leaves no stone unturned and creates a sanitary washroom environment.

To supplement your efforts to end the spread of the flu, you should use washroom posters.

These are subtle reminders that personal hygiene contributes to protection from the virus.

Master the Art of Flu Prevention in Your Workplace

Did you know that up to 20% of the New Zealand population contracts the flu each year? All these tips point to one fact: the flu ends with you. Encouraging your employees to take care of their well-being protects the society too.

You need to try out these tips and kill the flu virus before it attacks your workforce.

Maintaining workplace hygiene has never been so easy!

What’s more, Alsco New Zealand is always ready to take the burden off your shoulders. Through their professionally managed cleaning services, your workplace can enjoy 5-star treatment.

Give us a call today for a fast and free quote that fits your business needs.

Photo: Wikipedia

6 Steps To Train Your Employees To Become Deep Cleaning Pros

There is no doubt, as a restaurant owner you understand the importance of hygiene.

You may even argue that you carry out scheduled cleanups several times a day.

Yet, a huge upcoming event can throw you into disarray and may expose how much more you need to be cleaning.

What do you do when you discover cobwebs on the roof, wall splatters and grime in the areas you never imagined?

Washrooms are also a key area that should not be forgotten in your cleaning schedule. Due to the high numbers of visitors, washrooms are prone to develop dirt and grime.

Washrooms carry dirt that is not always visible to the naked eye. Yet this can maim your image and lower your hygiene ratings.

Food establishments should be more vigilant when it comes to maintaining hygiene standards.

Did you know unsafe food causes more than 200 diseases? These range from diarrhoea to cancers.

Foodborne illness affects people all over the world:

• Almost 1 in 10 people fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420,000 die every year.
• Every year, contaminated food causes illness in 550 million people and deaths in 230, 000.

Research indicates there are more than 250 foodborne diseases.

Hand washing is important in preventing the spread of germs and disease. Hand washing:

• Reduces the number of people who get diarrhea by 23-40%
• Reduces related illness in people with low immune systems by 58%
• Reduces respiratory illnesses in the population by 16-21%

Your staff members are the front line in the implementation of a good hygiene policy.

They are the forebearers in maintaining the cleaning standards set for your business.

Employees cannot do it alone. They need your support and commitment through training.

No matter what your business is, training your employees on cleanliness has benefits:

• It provides employees with confidence in their quality of service
• Makes employees efficient, more productive and happier
• Reduces the spread of infections and diseases
• Creates a safer, healthier environment
• Training gives your company an edge over others
• In the long run, training helps in cutting cost

Steps Involved in Training Your Staff:

Are you looking for a sustainable solution to cleaning problems?

How about getting experienced experts to clean and train your employees.

• They will offer you the highest quality cleaning service.
• They will customise their services to meet your needs.
• They will provide you with environmentally friendly cleaning products.

1. Establish Hygiene Standards to Be Adhered to in Your Restaurant

Alsco’s Deep Clean Services eliminates all mould, mildew and fungi.

Customers are very specific on the kind of restaurant they chose to step in to. Restaurant hygiene plays a major role in determining their decision.

Establishing hygiene standards help in keeping your staff and your visitors safe. It is also important in maintaining a positive perception of your restaurant.

Hygiene standards provide a sense of direction for both trainers and trainees. Trainers can identify blind spots and help your employees improve these areas.

Trainees are fast learners and will quickly adapt to areas they were previously missing out on.

Examples of hygiene standards include:

Personal Hygiene Practices and Cleanliness Standards

1. Food handlers must do their best to avoid food contamination.

   They should:

• Dress in proper workwear
• Follow special handwashing rules
• Report to their supervisors when they feel sick

Instead of encouraging staff to come to work when they are feeling unwell, to avoid being short-staffed. Create an environment where staff feel comfortable to call in sick. No one likes a sneezing server or runny-nosed chef.

2. Food Hygiene

   Food handlers have a huge responsibility in enhancing food safety.

   An effective way of meeting hygiene standards is by ensuring staff are well trained on:

• Proper handling
• Storage
• Cleaning techniques

3. Washroom Hygiene

   Your washroom hygiene speaks volumes about the way you run your business. It also impacts on the morale of your workers and your visitors.

• Schedule a regular cleaning routine
• Enforce washroom etiquette
• Hire deep cleaning service experts

4. Proper Handwashing

   Dirty hands can lead to the spread of germs and diseases.

   Proper handwashing entails the use of water and handwashing soap. It also means that you have to provide the best hand drying options for your staff and customers.

   2. Provide All the Necessary Equipment and Supplies

Use of practical skills ensures your trainees understand how they should conduct business.

Better knowledge and skills can also help in boosting employee morale. Happy employees are likely to stay longer at your company.

Provide all the necessary equipment and supplies needed in the deep cleaning training.

Effective training must ensure that trainers and trainees are well equipped. From brushes and scourers to gloves, all these resources have an impact on training.

For trainers, a supply of all they need ensures that the training runs smoothly and is productive. It also enables them to monitor the progress of the trainees.

3. Request for Feedback From Your Trainees

Feedback is valuable information that can be used to implement future improvements. As a restaurant owner, it is important to request feedback from your trainees.

Check for the knowledge gained by your employees by gauging how much they are able to share.

Go through activities performed in training to see how much they actually learnt. How much are they sharing with the junior staff?

Reviewing training helps identify any grey areas trainees may not be satisfied with.

It also helps you know how the trainees reacted to the training. If they found it valuable, you can learn how to improve future learning experiences.

Feedback is also important for trainers. It can help them look for ways to improve on future engagements.

4. Evaluate Training Results

The best way to test training results is to see if what was trained is being adhered to. Can you identify any changes after training is complete?

The way to tell that training has been effective is by measuring its impact on your staff.

Training that is impactful leads to improvements in cleanliness. It also leads to a change of attitude amongst workers and an increase in productivity.

How About Starting That Deep Cleaning Training Today?

Employee training is key in meeting hygiene standards set out by the government.

Providing proper training is essential in getting the job done safely and efficiently.

Training your employees helps in improving their capabilities and boosting their morale.

A well-trained employee is an important asset of the company.

While many companies offer deep cleaning training services, be sure to enlist the right company for the best results.

Photo: Sean Mulgrew

How to Keep Your Office Washrooms Looking Professional All Day Long

Let’s be honest, an employee working for eight hours is likely to visit the office washrooms at least three times in a shift. And the number of visits could increase depending on individual needs.

This could be a person who needs a touch up before an important meeting or a moment away from all the workplace madness. It’s true. Some people use the washroom area to find peace and quiet.

They also use their phones in the washroom. Only 32% of people interviewed in a study found it impulsive to use a phone during a bathroom break.

Another study indicates that some people can spend up to 28 minutes in the bathroom while at work.

Workplace hygiene is of utmost importance. Health and safety regulations stipulate that employers must provide suitable toilet facilities. And the government of New Zealand has extensive guidelines. Employers must also provide:

• Tissue
• Running water
• Soap
• Clean towels or other effective means of drying hands

Source: pinterest.com

Productivity in the workplace is a joint effort between employers and employees. The two parties must work together in establishing a great working environment.

Maintenance of your restrooms has an impact on your employees. Employees feel valued and appreciated when employers provide washrooms with excellent hygiene standards.

Whether it’s replacing the paper towel or refilling the handwashing soap, every effort made is a plus. It makes your workforce happy and more productive.

Here Are 4 Ways to Keep Your Washrooms Looking Professional All Day Long

1. Regularly Clean and Sanitize the Washrooms

There’s nothing as horrible as a stinking office bathroom.

Nobody wants to go in and it is unsettling to think that germs could be making their way to your work desk. What’s worse, unclean washrooms harbour dangerous bacteria which can spread disease.

Lack of access to basic sanitation and poor hygiene cause nearly 90% of all deaths that result from diarrhoea. 87% of the world’s population has access to improved water sources. Yet 39% still lack access to improved sanitation.

Cleaning and sanitising your bathrooms will leave them sparkling and smelling fresh.

Cleaning once a day is adequate for a small office. Yet, high traffic washrooms may need to be cleaned several times a day.

Here are a few reasons why you must clean and sanitise your office washroom:

1. Improve Hygiene

   Washrooms attract a lot of dirt and grime. Shared office washrooms are bound to have a build-up of dirt carrying all sorts of germs and bacteria. This can lead to diseases such as influenza, Norovirus and COVID-19.

2. Eliminate Bad Odour

   Unclean washrooms tend to emit bad smells. This can affect employee productivity.

   Quality products can get rid of such smells, and leave the place smelling fresh and clean.

   Getting professional help is also a great idea. Experts know the best ways to deal with washroom odour in a matter of minutes.

3. Saves Time and Money

   Regularly cleaning washrooms prevents the build-up of dirt. The longer you take to clean up the mess, the more difficult it becomes.

   Dirt that has clung to surfaces for long periods of time may be difficult to clean. It may also cost you money as you involve experts and buy more aggressive products.

   Additionally, some washroom fixtures may get damaged in the process. To avoid all this, keep your office washrooms hygiene in check at all times.

2. Refill Hand Soap Dispensers

Employers should ensure office washrooms have hand soap dispensers.

Germs can be passed by touching various surfaces including work desks. Washing hands with soap limits the spread of germs that lead to microbial diseases.

It also helps protect you from the flu and other viruses at work. Proper handwashing is one of the many preventative actions against the spread of the flu virus at work.

Some washroom soaps are contaminated and this makes them unhygienic to use.

Sealed soap dispensers are a better option in maximising office hygiene. They come covered to limit the spread of germs and other bacteria.

Providing hand care facilities encourages employees to wash their hands properly and with soap. This is because they feel assured that touching the soap isn’t more risk than it’s worth.

There is a wide array of handwashing soaps available on the market. They come in different sizes and the different fragrances that also add to your range of options.

Scented handwashing soaps can also help keep your office washroom smelling fresh.

3. Install Automatic Fresheners

Source: pinterest.ph

It is no secret, bad-smelling washrooms will send your clients away. They may also slow your workforce, as they look for other options such as a coffee run.

Having a great smelling workplace is an indicator of how much value you place on your employees. Additionally, it also creates a good impression of your business on your visitors.

Automatic air fresheners are a good investment for your office. They release different scents which help in keeping the office environment happy. A nice smelling washroom increases the likelihood that visitors will stay to properly wash their hands.

Automatic air fresheners are convenient and release the perfect amount of product at intervals. They are also cost-effective, making them a better option than manual air fresheners.

4. Offer Hand Drying Options

Hands that aren’t dried properly are almost as bad as hands that aren’t washed.

Proper hand drying is an important step in handwashing. It prevents the spread of germs through surfaces that people touch. Bacteria thrive in the moist environment wet hands offer.

Washrooms offer two primary drying options:

• Paper towels
• Hand dryers

And the supremacy battles between the two options continues.

Good managers should ensure that their employees have a hand drying option available that suits the employees and the workspace.

Alsco’s excellent service offers multiple hand drying options. No matter the option you chose, the main goal is to keep germs at bay.

Alsco’s hand drying options are:

• Environment friendly
• Available in a variety of ranges
• Elegantly designed
• Extra quiet
• Ultra-fast at drying hands

Get Started: Schedule Proper Washroom Maintenance

Planning is important in ensuring office washrooms are maintained as they should be. Staying up-to-date is a difficult task that you probably don’t have time for. You need to:

• Schedule a duty roster and ensure it is adhered to.
• Implement a daily routine upkeep plan to maintain the standards that you want for your company.
• Introduce a hygiene policy to ensure that the staff know what is expected of them.

Wondering if there is an easier solution?

If all this sounds a bit too heavy for you, do not hesitate to reach out for professional help.

Alsco New Zealand provides excellent washroom hygiene standards to keep your office safe.

With experienced members of staff, they’ve got you covered on all aspects of washroom hygiene.

From replacing consumables to providing excellent hygiene systems they will transform your washroom with care and attention to detail.

Contact them today.

Photo: WikiMedia