If You're Not Sure, Don't Touch It!

It's a custodian or janitors worst nightmare.  You do your cleaning, you try to be proactive and help out when something seems amiss, and you cause millions of dollars in damages. Horrifying to say the least.  Check out this article about just such an incident whereby 25 years of research were destroyed by a cleaner that did not read the sign regarding an annoying beeping on the deep freeze freezer.  Millions of dollars down the drain and decades of research gone.  Ouch!

Read it here

A Challenge That Saddens

Custodians across the U.S. are battling a new challenge on Tik Tok known as "devious licks".  The challenge is aimed at middle, high and college schools to destroy restrooms in school buildings.  The fallout has cost schools money and custodians a lot of time to repair.  It's sad that students want to follow the suggestion of others who are only concerned with themselves and don't care about others.  Much like lemmings following each other right off a cliff.  

Happily, most students respect the school and are themselves saddened by this trend.  It's just a few who don't care who their actions hurt that make this such a senseless challenge.  Here's a more detailed article from CMM Online regarding this trend. 

Emerging From the Shadows

Custodians and janitors have always been left in the shadows when it comes to recognizing the work they do. About the only time they were noticed was when something wasn't cleaned. That perception has changed with the COVID -19 outbreak. Note the following article taken from cmmonline. It's interesting how a tiny, invisible virus can change the thinking of people around the world.

Cleaning professionals have taken on a critical new role since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic—with responsibilities extending far beyond cleaning to now include keeping Americans healthy and safe when they venture outside of their homes. Recent media coverage has noted that, in response, children are sending janitors handmade thank you cards, and a hospital patient even credited his housekeeper with saving his life. 

A new consumer survey shows that those acts of kindness and recognition are indication of a larger, widespread change in perception and empathy for cleaning industry workers. The survey, conducted by restroom products manufacturer GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific, found that 56% of respondents said they regard custodians more highly than they did before COVID-19 began impacting the U.S. Michelle Auda, senior director of Insights, GP PRO’s internal research team, said, “Historically, janitors completed their work more or less in the shadows without much notice. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, however, these hardworking men and women are now front and center, performing tasks that are critical to our wellbeing, battling threats we cannot see, and giving us the peace of mind to resume many of our regular daily activities.

“It’s encouraging that, as evidenced by our research, more than half of consumers are taking notice, stating that their perception of janitors has increased since the pandemic began. As COVID-19 continues to lead to new behaviors, threats, and related emotions, I believe it’s more important than ever to empathize with others, especially our frontline workers, to gain new understanding and appreciation. I anticipate that as we continue to navigate this pandemic, consumer empathy for and perception of janitors, who are critical frontline workers, will grow even more.”

Do People Ever Learn?

In the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, masks have become a common part of our wardrobe.  Although they are a nuisance and create real havoc for some, they do minimize the spread of the virus and help save lives, including that of the wearer. 

However, there are those who refuse to wear a mask for whatever reason.  Interestingly, this is not new.  During the 1918-19 outbreak of the Spanish Flu, there were those who formed an anti-mask league.  Yes, just over a hundred years ago, people did the same thing.  Check out this interesting article from mentalfloss.com reprinted here.

In January 1919, San Francisco residents received some bad news: The second wave of the 1918 influenza was rolling through the city, and masks were mandatory once again.

They already knew the drill. On October 24, 1918, Mayor James Rolph, health officer Dr. William C. Hassler, and other authorities had mandated protective masks to prevent the spread of the disease, and the general public had quickly recognized the practice as a matter of life and death.

“A week ago I laughed at the idea of the mask,“ local Red Cross chairman John A. Britton told the San Francisco Chronicle at the time. “I wanted to be independent. I did not realize that the cost of such independence was the lives of others.”

While most San Franciscans rose to the occasion and volunteers organized mask-sewing events, there were still some staunch dissenters. Law enforcement officers doled out $5 fines for anyone who went mask-less in public, and a couple hundred people who failed to comply were even carted off to jail.

“John Raggi, arrested on Columbus Avenue, said he did not wear a mask because he did not believe in masks or ordinances, or even jail,” an article in the San Francisco Chronicle read. “He now has no occasion to disbelieve in jails. He is in the city prison.”

When Rolph declared that the worst had passed and lifted the mask ordinance in November, people jubilantly tore off their various face coverings and tossed them into the air. By the time Rolph reinstated the rules in January, everyone was used to breathing freely and many were reluctant to return to a masked existence. Thus, the Anti-Mask League was born.

The league was chaired by Emma Harrington, a lawyer who also happened to have become San Francisco’s first female voter in 1911. Two thousand people attended the inaugural meeting, but city officials weren’t intimidated by the size of the opposition.

“We cannot in this matter pay any attention to any public agitators against the mask for the obvious reason that the question is one of public health and not of like or dislike of the mask,” Arthur H. Barendt, president of the San Francisco Board of Health, told the press.

Though the Anti-Mask League continued to meet throughout the month, participants never really landed on a common, actionable goal. According to The Washington Post, some people wanted to organize a petition to repeal the mask mandate, while others were simply demanding that Hassler be fired. Meanwhile, the masks did seem to be helping the city flatten the curve. On January 15, 1919—the day before health officials issued their second decree—there were 510 new flu cases and 50 deaths. On January 26, those numbers had plummeted to 12 and four, respectively.

At the league’s last gathering, having accomplished nothing, members replaced Harrington with a new chairwoman, and the meeting devolved into a state of such chaos that William Scott, who had rented the hall, simply shut off all the lights. The Anti-Mask League never recovered from that ill-fated assembly, but they didn’t need to—on February 1, city officials did away with the mask requirements for the second and final time.

BY ELLEN GUTOSKEY 

MAY 15, 2020

Drink, Sniff, Mist and Wash - NOT!

When people get scared they do some very unsafe things.  Common sense seems to fly out the window.  Sometimes it's because of ignorance or because they were never taught otherwise.  Still, if in doubt, ask someone who knows. 

The following article was found in CMM Daily News online.  Check out the statistics of things people have done during the COVID 19 pandemic in an effort to rid themselves of germs.  Scary, to say the least!

Cleaning professionals are well trained in the safe use of cleaning chemicals, such as following dilution instructions and wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). However, not everyone is as careful with cleaning products. With the coronavirus pandemic leading to an increased awareness of hygiene, some consumers who are not accustomed to deep cleaning and disinfecting practices are putting their health in danger.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers analyzed data from an online survey of more than 500 U.S. adults about their general knowledge and practices related to cleaners and disinfectants. Nearly two out of five adults surveyed (39%) said they used these products in non-recommended, often dangerous ways to prevent themselves from contracting COVID-19.

Among the respondents who reported they had engaged in these high-risk cleaning product practices:

• 19% applied bleach to food items, including fruits and vegetables
• 18% used household cleaning and disinfecting products on their hands or skin
• 10% misted their body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray
• 6% inhaled vapors from household cleaners or disinfectants
• 4% drank or gargled diluted bleach solutions, soapy water, or other cleaning and disinfectant solutions.

Most of the respondents (77%) didn’t know they should use only room-temperature water to dilute bleach solutions, and 65% were unaware that they shouldn’t mix bleach with vinegar.

One-quarter of the respondents reported experiencing at least one adverse health effect, which they believed resulted from the use of disinfectants or cleaners. Among the effects they experienced:

• 11% reported nose or sinus irritation
• 8% reported skin irritation
• 8% reported eye irritation
• 8% reported dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache
• 6% reported upset stomach or nausea
• 6% reported breathing problems.

Fear and Concern Over Cleaning of Offices When Employees Return

As COVID-19 wanes to some degree, more and more people are returning to work.  This means there is the possibility that the coronavirus could begin to sicken people again.  Some who are greatly concerned about this are custodians and janitors that clean office buildings.  Note the following article regarding this concern from bizjournals.com. It behooves all of us to be vigilant in using PPE and common sense to avoid contracting or spreading this deadly virus.

Janitors across the Twin Cities are calling for workplace protections as office towers begin to welcome employees back after months of working from home.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26, which represents over 4,000 janitors who clean commercial buildings, is asking for increased training, time to regularly wash hands, immediate notification of potential exposure and daily sanitization of uniforms.

"Our members have born the brunt of the virus. As more people are venturing out, we demand safety," said Local 26 President Iris Altamirano on a conference call Monday.

Even though offices emptied out in mid-March to slow the spread of the pandemic, over 100 SEIU members have been diagnosed with Covid-19. SEIU member Armano Solis, a janitor at U.S. Bank Plaza, died from Covid-19 in April.

"Imagine what will happen once these office buildings are filled up again," Altamirano said.

A survey of hundreds of SEIU members found 73% of workers are nervous about going to work. Furthermore, 1 in 5 don't have gloves, 2 in 5 don't have masks and 45% reported receiving no training around Covid-19 protection.

Altamirano said the union has given out thousands of masks and gloves, "because employers have failed miserably in providing protection."

Ernesto Garnica, a SEIU janitor who recovered from Covid-19 said it's scary thinking about office workers returning to the buildings he cleans.

"We have seen so many people get the virus even with the buildings having been mostly empty," Garnica said. "Now if the buildings begin to fill up, unless changes are made, it will be dangerous for not only us, but the people working in the buildings."

Julia Castillo, an SEIU member for 10 years, said the pandemic is pushing janitorial workers to the limit.

"We used to do a lot of work before. Now we’re working like never before, doing double if not triple more than normal," Castillo said.

By Carter Jones  – Digital Producer, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Preventing Coronavirus Spread

Here's some great information from cmmonline.com regarding limiting and preventing the spread of the coronavirus outbreak which is encircling the globe.

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in the United States, infection control specialists may be afraid the disease’s spread through health care facilities is inevitable once they start treating patients with COVID-19. A new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology will give hope to these specialists. Researchers from Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong reported than none of the hospital workers contracted COVID-19 and no hospital-acquired cases were identified, even though the hospital tested 1,275 suspected cases and treated 42 active cases, Health 24 reports.

Out of 413 healthcare workers who treated confirmed cases, 11 had unprotected exposure and were quarantined for 14 days. None of the 11 became ill.

Researchers studying the hospital credit vigilance in hand-hygiene, the wearing of surgical masks in the hospital, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as key in preventing hospital transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Queen Mary Hospital was among Hong Kong’s 43 public hospitals that widened screening criteria to determine if patients may have come into contact with the coronavirus. When the screening process identified a patient at risk, the hospital immediately isolated the patient in an airborne infection isolation room or in a ward with at least a meter of space between patients.

Each hospital put strict infection control measures in place, including training on the use of personal protective equipment, staff forums on infection control, face-to-face education sessions, and regular hand-hygiene compliance assessments.

Learn about the latest recommendations to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus such as tip sheets on appropriate PPE and disinfectants.

One Month to National Cleaning Week

The cleaning industry helps keep the world clean.  Often, the work of those invovled goes unnoticed.  Voila'. Not to fear.  National Cleaning Week is coming up March 22 - 28.  It's a time to think about, implement and above all else, clean!  CMMonline had a short article highlighting this upcoming event.  Check it out! 

World Toilet Day - 2019

November 19 is World Toilet Day, a day dedicated to focusing on providing toilets for every human on earth.  Many people do not have access to clean toilets, let alone a toilet at all.  This day draws attention to this fact and endeavors to get people to think about and work toward a solution.  Check out the website highlighting this special day.

Microfibers, Microbeads and Mayhem

By Akroti - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1504615

For years the damaging effects of microbeads on the environment has been heralded.  In fact, in 2016, I posted about this danger to the planet.  Measures have been taken to slow down the production of these and to help save the environment.  Now, microfibers are taking a blow.  The damaging effects of this material are showing up as well.  In fact, the damaging effects of microplastics has become pervasive. According to Wired.com, "Bits of synthetic fiber like polyester have been blowing to the tops of mountains and into the Arctic and washing into watersheds like the San Francisco Bay, which collects 7 trillion microplastic particles every year. You’re drinking a good amount of the stuff, in fact."  Although these new products make life easier, they also wreak havoc on the planet we live on. Check out the full article in Wired.com and learn what's happening and what's being done about it. 

National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day

Today, October 2, is National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day.  It's a day to remember custodians in whatever building they work.  Custodians keep the buildings clean and running efficiently.  They don't just clean, they maintain buildings, run HVAC and lighting systems, do repairs, paint, plumbing, electrical and so much more!  Custodial work is labor-intensive, but necessary.  Thank your friendly custodian the next time you see them.

Subway Sandwich Shop is Floored by Counter Cleanup

Picture By Tomwsulcer - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43447814

A Subway sandwich shop in Chicago was closed down by the health department after customers took pictures of an employee mopping the counters with the same mop used on the floor.  The restaurant had been cited previously for other health violations in 2017.  Customers were asked to leave after a surprise inspection and the restaurants doors were locked.  Common sense dictates you NEVER clean upper surfaces with a floor mop. That's as bad as cleaning sinks and counters with the same rag you cleaned your toilet with!  Talk about unsanitary! 

Ruin Your Toilets by Cleaning

A sleeper train in Europe ended up with ruined toilets and piping issues because they were being cleaned with the wrong product.  A cleaning solution containing bleach was used and over time it ruined the toilets and pipes.  This affected all the train cars and when high ranking officials rode the train it was not good advertising.  Check out the blurb found on cmmonline.com regarding this situation. 

Stop Norovirus Before It Starts!

Norovirus. That nasty bug that rears its ugly head frequently.  Although often associated with the "flu", it is different.  According the the article Norovirus in the September, 2019 issue of cmmonline.com, they stated that, "according to the CDC, norovirus is sometimes called the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," but it is not related to the flu, which is caused by the infuenza virus.  A person will typically develop symtpoms anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after exposure, which can last for approximately one to three days." 

Five steps when cleaning due to norovirus and five steps to to keep in mind if you contract it are found in this article.  Stopping it from the start is the key to a healthy environment.  Check out the article here. 

Exploding Johns! Watch Out!

Flushmate II 501-B pressure-assisted flushing systems were installed in toilets between 1996 and 2013.  Several of these have exploded over the years causing injury to 1,446 people and $710,000 in property damage.  It might be wise to check the serial numbers provided in this article regarding these dangerous latrines. 

Global Handwashing Day - October 15

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease is by washing your hands. Many people do not do this regularly or at all and it contributes greatly to the spread of disease and sickness. 

Today is Global Handwashing Day.  It's a day to remember the importance of washing hands and to encourage others to do the same to prevent them and you from getting sick.  So, spread it around.  Wash your hands and minimize disease!

Hand Sanitizer Benefits

Here's an interesting study that was done in Spain regarding hand sanitizers.  It appeared on commonline.com.  Read on.

Children who use hand sanitizer to clean their hands  have less sick days and fewer respiratory infections than those who use soap and water according to a recent study in Journal Pediatrics.

Researchers in Spain split 911 day care-aged children into three separate groups – one which used only hand sanitizer, one which used only soap and water, and a third control group which followed its usual hand washing protocols. All three groups attended a hand hygiene workshop at the beginning of the study, with the first two groups receiving additional followup sessions throughout the eight-month study, CNN reports.

During the study period, 5,211 respiratory infections and 5,186 missed days of day care were recorded amongst the 911 children. The hand sanitizer group was absent for 3.25 percent days of day care, while the soap and water group missed 3.9 percent and the control group missed 4.2 percent.

Researchers also found a 23 percent reduction in infections among the group that used hand sanitizer while the group using soap and water saw a 21 percent increased risk of contracting an infection.

National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day

October 2nd is National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day. Each year, this day is set aside to recognize the work custodians do behind-the-scenes in schools, hospitals, churches, museums and other places. 

Custodians, unlike janitors, do more than just clean.  They are the caretakers or custodians of a facility or institution. They not only clean, but they also make sure the buildings are maintained, the HVAC is kept running, repairs of all kinds are completed, the occupants are cared for and so much more.  Custodians are really like the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz, running the show but hidden from view. Although not seeking recognition, custodians this week across the nation will be pulled from behind their curtains of obscurity to be viewed for a brief time and recognized for all they do.

Eye-Opening Stats

Here's some eye-opening statistics regarding toilets, clean water and hygiene in schools around the world as reported on by UNICEF.  Be glad if you're not affected.

Crow Cleaners

The Puy du Fou theme park in France has enabled the help of trained crows to clean up cigarette butts and trash from the park.  These sometimes misunderstood but intelligent birds are setting a great example of how humans, the supposed "masters of the living world", should be taking care of the planet.  The New York Times ran this fascinating article about these avian creatures.  We can all learn something from them.