Waste Water Woes - Custodians to Blame

In Marblehead, Massachusetts, custodians have been dumping waste water from floor cleaning and stripping projects into the organic garden instead of down the drains made for such waste.  This has resulted in the vegetables in that garden having to be discarded and the top 18 - 24 inches of soil being removed.  The EPA has been called in to test the soil.

This is just another reminder that WASTE WATER should NEVER be dumped outside.  It should always be emptied down the custodial floor sink or even into a toilet where it can be processed at the sewage plant. 

This Would Save Time!

Check out 3M's new 2-1 Clean & Shine pad.  Reduces burnishing, useable on multiple surface types, simple. 

Not All Carpet Fibers React the Same Way

When it comes to spots and stains, carpet fibers react in various ways depending on their construction.  Nylon, polyester, olefin, mixed blends and so on all absorb different substances based on their affinity for or against what's been spilled on them.  Identifying the substance and knowing the type of fiber will go a long way to potentially removing the problem. 

The article linked here has great suggestions on the above information.

Restroom Stalls - Checking Them Thoroughly

The restroom stall is a scary place. When people finish their business, they still have to wash their hands.  So, when they leave the stall, they are touching a lot of surfaces, including the door latch.  How can you be sure you are cleaning all surfaces and doing so thoroughly? 

This article had some insightful suggestions on what to look for in a restroom stall.

Toilet Plume

Leaving the lid open when you flush the toilet allows aerosolized particles of fecal spray to fill the room and can easily reach heights of 15 feet. Imagine if your toothbrush or other items are nearby? The best thing to do is close the lid before flushing. Here's the full article from the European Cleaning Journal.

If you usually leave the lid up when you flush the toilet, you may want to reconsider. Because it has been revealed to Business Insider that "when you flush a toilet, the swirling water that removes your waste from the bowl also mixes with small particles of that waste, shooting aerosolised faeces into the air".

This unfavourable phenomenon is known as 'toilet plume'. Microbiologist Philip Tierno told Tech Insider: "It is a good idea to lower the seat, especially if the bathroom is used by multiple people."

This is because aerosol plumes can actually reach a height of 15 feet when the toilet is flushed. And these potentially infectious bacteria and viruses can reach far across the room and even contaminate places such as the nearby sink, the floor and even your pot of toothbrushes.

Business Insider says: "The microbes also remained on the toilet bowl's porcelain surface after multiple flushes, and while the number of microbes decreased after the first few flushes, the population levelled out and remained until it was scrubbed off (with or without a detergent)."

Microsoft, Mosquitoes and Mammals

When you think of Microsoft you think computer software. But how about Microsoft and the possible prevention of disease? Really?

Yes!  Below is an article by Microsoft on how they are using mosquitoes and the Microsoft Cloud to study and possibly limit or eliminate disease outbreaks.  Fascinating stuff!

Many disease outbreaks start from viruses found in animals – but viruses in animals are very difficult to study. A Microsoft research project called Project Premonition aims to monitor these viruses using mosquitoes as natural field biologists that collect blood samples from animals.

It works like this: When mosquitoes bite animals, they obtain a small amount of blood containing genetic information about the animals that were bitten and viruses present. That information could be used to detect pathogens before they cause outbreaks.

Microsoft and its partners aim to utilize these insects’ work to identify where diseases come from and how they spread – and ultimately prevent outbreaks of new viruses – by using smart traps, drones and gene sequencing to capture mosquitoes and study the DNA they’ve collected.

To efficiently find and capture mosquitoes, the Project Premonition team has designed smart mosquito traps that use machine learning to selectively capture important species based on distinguishing wing-beat patterns. The traps also record environmental factors such as light, temperature and humidity – data that could be important in understanding how viruses are spreading. The team is applying drone technology to find mosquito hot spots and guide the placement of traps.
The system provides “a plethora of data we never had before about the behavior of the insects,” said Ethan Jackson, the Microsoft researcher who is leading Project Premonition.

The captured mosquitoes are turned into data by gene sequencing, producing more than 100 million pieces of small DNA sequences. These sequences are compared against the genomes of hundreds of thousands of organisms, from viruses and bacteria to reptiles and mammals.

This requires trillions of genetic comparisons, which can now be completed in just 12 hours using the computing power of the Microsoft Cloud. In the past, that data analysis took 30 days. The time savings of the Project Premonition system could help researchers detect new infectious diseases before they spread, enabling healthcare workers to get ahead of the curve in preparing responses.
The project benefits from recent developments in gene sequencing and computational biology that allow researchers to quickly search through samples for possible viruses, including specific diseases such as Zika, as well as ones that haven’t been discovered yet. It also helps researchers figure out which animals may be the sources and carriers of diseases.

“If we can detect these new viruses before they spread,” Jackson said, “we may someday prevent outbreaks before they begin.”

Read more at https://blogs.microsoft.com/transform/video/technology-turns-mosquitoes-into-allies-instead-of-enemies-in-the-fight-against-deadly-viruses/#euKlimPSwC3B53zY.99

Great Help When Diagnosing Building HVAC Issues

Do you deal with HVAC issues in your school or building?  Heating/cooling issues?  Stuck dampers? Difficult to find sensor problems?  Bad construction?

Here's a link to a tool by Betterbricks.com which provides a list of potential building problems and then a list of possible solutions.  For the person dealing with building issues and tenants, this tool is invaluable.

Check it out here.

Good Training Results in Great Results!

Here's a link to a great article on training of custodial teams to make your building even better.  Five points of discussion in the article are 1) Safety, 2) Appearance, 3) Health, 4) Efficiency and 5) Organizational Success.  The article comes from Cleaning and Maintenance Management. You'll find the information beneficial and useful in working with your team.

Once Again - Don't Mix Bleach and Ammonia

Here's another news item about what happens when the wrong chemicals are mixed.  Always be safe and know what you're doing!

Wisconsin Custodian Accidentally Mixes Toxic Gas While Cleaning

A custodian at the Department of Corrections in Madison, WI, accidentally combined cleaning chemicals to produce a dangerous gas while cleaning Tuesday.

The custodian was cleaning restrooms when she mixed lemon bleach and toilet bowl cleaner, creating a toxic gas that can be deadly. The custodian then poured the mixture down a slop sink drain and vacated the building, according to a story on channel3000.com.

Facility management called the Madison Fire Department and paramedics to the building to assess the situation after a building occupant reported having difficulty breathing. The fire department determined that while there was a slight chlorine odor in the building, the hazard was already under control.

The custodian declined to be taken to the hospital, but officials advised her to seek medical treatment.

Gloves

Here's some good reminders as mentioned on cmmonline.com regarding the use of gloves when cleaning or doing other tasks.

While many cleaning workers use gloves while performing cleaning tasks, simply wearing the gloves might not be enough.

In a recent press release, Impact Products LLC has shared a number of best practices for wearing gloves while cleaning:

• One “size” does not fit all. Most gloves are designed to be used in specific cleaning situations, or to protect the wearer from chemicals, bodily fluids, etc.
   
• Selecting the proper glove is important when working with powerful chemicals such as degreasers, acids, or caustics.
   
• Wearing long-sleeve gloves can offer better protection.
   
• Change gloves between cleaning tasks, or when moving from one part of the facility to another, to prevent cross-contamination.

Anionic, Cationic, Nonionic and Amphoteric Surfactants - What Are They?

Have you ever heard the terms mentioned in the title of this post?  Most likely some or all of them have drifted past your mental pathways in the course of your cleaning.  But what are they and how do they differ?  Check out this article to learn more.

Quick Answers to SDS Questions

Here's a great quick glance at five commonly asked questions regarding the new SDS format.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) have been replaced by Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), which have inevitably given rise to a number of questions about the change.

To clear up any confusion, Tobi Colbert, business development manager for National Service Alliance (NSA), a group purchasing organization for contract cleaners, has highlighted some of the most frequently asked questions about this change, along with the answers.

1. Why was the change made? The SDS was designed to make the information on labels consistent around the world.
    
2. Are SDSs on every cleaning solution? An SDS is required for any product that will be used, handled, or stored in a workplace and is classified as “potentially hazardous.”
    
3. Do the new SDS look different from the old MSDS? Yes. A key difference is the use of pictograms in place of words.
    
4. How will I know if it is updated? The SDS will have a revised date.
    
5. When should a cleaning worker use an SDS? Before working with any new cleaning solution. Workers should make sure the SDS matches the name of the product; review the hazards; understand the safe handling and storage procedures; and know what to do in an emergency.

For more information on safety label changes and deadlines for implementation, check out Cleaning and Maintenance Management's article from August 2015, called "The 411 on GHS." 

Information taken from cmmonline.com.

How Can Teachers Work With Custodians?

Here's some great information for custodians and teachers taken from the PSE website.  

Cleaning for Health in the Classroom

Best Practices for Teachers

School Environmental Health and Safety Program

If students are helping:
 They should only use soap and water.
 Fragrance-free baby wipes could be used for quick cleaning.
 Most store-bought cleaning products are not safe for children to use. School custodial staff is responsible for cleaning schools. Some teachers choose to do additional cleaning. Here is how to ensure those efforts tackle dirt and germs safely and effectively.
Teach good handwashing habits - the #1 way to keep germs from spreading.
Use plain soap and water for handwashing – before eating, after using the bathroom, after recess, etc. Antibacterial soap is not recommended. Use plain fragrance-free soap. When there is no access to a sink, as on a field trip, alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol, dye-free and fragrance-free) hand sanitizer or alcohol-based sanitizer wipes can be used. Hand sanitizers are not a substitute for handwashing. They are not effective when hands are dirty or greasy.
Know the difference between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting.
Use the right product for the task:
 CLEANING removes dirt and most germs. Use soap and water. A third
party certified green cleaner is preferred. In the classroom, cleaning is
the focus.
 SANITIZING reduces germs to safe levels, for example in food service environments. Food code regulations have specific requirements for sanitizers in the cafeteria and kitchen.
 DISINFECTING kills most germs, depending on the type of chemical, and only when used as directed on the label.
 In schools, custodial staff use disinfectants and sanitizers regularly only in high-risk areas – nurse’s office, bathrooms, cafeterias, kitchens, drinking fountains, sink and door handles, and athletic facilities; preferably, when students are not present. Overuse does not provide any additional protection and can expose students and staff to harmful chemicals. Teachers can rely on basic cleaning to remove dirt and germs in the classroom.
If staff, besides trained custodial staff, needs to assist with classroom cleaning, they should use a school or district provided basic cleaner. A third party certified green cleaner is preferred.
 Custodial staff can make a simple all-purpose cleaner for classrooms. Mix one teaspoon of fragrance-free dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water. Spray on surface and scrub with paper towels or a microfiber cloth. Rinse and wipe dry to remove any residue.
 Microfiber cleaning cloths improve cleaning – the removal of dirt and germs. Dampened with water they are great dust removers. With soap and water, they remove most germs.
 Disinfecting is the responsibility of school custodial staff. They are trained to use disinfectants in a safe and effective manner and to clean up potentially infectious materials and body fluid spills – blood, vomit, feces, and urine. Contact your custodian or school nurse if students are ill and your classroom needs cleaning and disinfection. IF teachers use disinfectants, the district must provide training and supply the appropriate cleaner and sanitizer or disinfectant.
Cleaning for Health benefits all
 Lowers absenteeism
 Increases productivity
 Improves indoor air quality
 Reduces asthma and allergy triggers
Good to know:
 Kids are more vulnerable to chemical exposures.
 Many common cleaning products have ingredients that can harm health, especially the lungs.
Students should never use disinfectants. Disinfectant wipes should not be used to clean hands. This includes Clorox wipes.

Cleaning for Health in the Classroom

Frequently Asked Questions

School and Indoor Air Quality Program

How does cleaning reduce germs?
Cleaning works by removing dirt and organic matter that contains and protects germs. Soap breaks down oils and allows dirt, contaminants, and germs to be more easily removed. Cleaning with soap, water, and a microfiber cloth will remove most germs.
Why is handwashing better than hand sanitizer?
Soap and rubbing hands together under running water removes oil, dirt, and harmful surface germs. Hand sanitizer does not remove dirt in which germs hide and only kills a few easy-to-kill ones.
Why use plain soap for handwashing?
Antibacterial ingredients, in particular triclosan and quaternary ammonia compounds (quats), only kill a few types of germs and are unnecessary when washing hands. It doesn’t matter if germs are alive or dead when they are washed down the drain.
What about non-alcohol hand sanitizers?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommends hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Non-alcohol ones are even less effective than alcohol hand sanitizers.
How does this guidance affect fall classroom supply request lists? Okay to Request  Fragrance-free baby wipes.  Paper towels (recycled content preferred). DO NOT Request  Disinfecting wipes.  Non-alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
What are the issues with disinfecting wipes?
 Disinfecting wipes are often overused. They are not appropriate for general cleaning when an all-purpose cleaner or soap and water would suffice.
 Disinfecting wipes (e.g. Clorox, Lysol) usually contain quats and fragrance chemicals. These ingredients can trigger asthma and are associated with adverse health effects.
 Disinfectants can give a false sense of security because when they are not used exactly to label instructions, they don’t work properly. Most disinfecting wipes require the surface to be cleaned first, and then remain visibly wet 4-10 minutes (dwell time) to be effective, requiring multiple wipes.
Why is it important to use fragrance-free products in school?
Fragrance is one of the most frequently identified allergens, can irritate the respiratory system, cause headaches, and exacerbate asthma.
What’s so great about microfiber cloths?
Their split fibers create more surface area and are superior for removing dust, dirt, and germs. They are reusable and can be laundered or washed by hand.
Why should teachers not bring common cleaning products (including bleach) from home into the classroom?
 Some common cleaning products are dangerous when mixed. Never mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other disinfectants. An example: Comet, containing bleach, would react with Windex, which contains ammonia, to form poisonous vapors.
 Common household cleaners and disinfectants may not be appropriate for schools and may cause allergic reactions or have other health impacts.
 Schools and districts must have a Safety Data Sheet for each chemical used in the school.

Marmoleum versus Linoleum

You've heard of linoleum, but have you heard of Marmoleum?  Both are touted to be environmentally friendly and very recyclable, but what's the difference?  Here's a quick read that explains the difference in about one minute.

Student Attendance Correlates to Cleaning

How much does cleaning, age of buildings, upkeep, neglect of necessary building repairs and so on have on student learning in school?  The answer is A LOT!

The article I've included below from cmmonline.com details studies done and the importance of good cleaning.  This appears in the April edition of Cleaning and Maintenance Management.

The Attendance Gap Flares Up

The cleaning industry’s impact on student absenteeism

By Stephen Ashkin

March 28, 2016

According to a 2015 study, Mapping the Early Attendance Gap: Charting a Course for School Success, an estimated 5 to 7.5 million American students miss about one month of school each year, which has a serious impact on their academics.

The problem starts early, with an estimated 10 percent of kindergartners and first graders missing that much school. This is a critical time for young students, because it is typically during these early school years that they begin to learn how to read. Missing school at this important juncture can result in them falling behind their peers.
Absence rates can then spike again as children enter their teen years. This is another critical time because many teenage students, especially from low-income families, begin to question if they want to finish their schooling. If they are frequently sick, quitting school may seem like a practical decision.
But, the study warns, poor attendance is a warning sign “a student has missed the on-ramp to school success and is headed off track for graduation.”
We should note, these kids are not “skipping” school. The study, produced by an organization called Attendance Works in conjunction with the Healthy Schools Campaign, reports the reasons these students are missing school can be tied directly to a number of factors—but the first one noted is health-related, and links to asthma. This is an issue American schools and the professional cleaning industry have grappled with for decades.

The Impact of Asthma

According to the study, asthma, asthma attacks, and other serious respiratory problems account for about 14 million school absences each year. The more serious and frequent the attacks, the more likely the student will be absent from school and the longer those absences will be.
We know that even effective cleaning cannot prevent some asthma triggers. Some schools, due to age, neglect, or poor upkeep, have mold, mildew, and other problems that can cause asthma and respiratory problems.
This is where the professional cleaning industry comes in. The report specifically points out that “harsh cleaning chemicals” can negatively impact student health and trigger asthma attacks. Other studies going back more than 25 years have pointed this out as well, and it is not just students who are affected. A California organization called the Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP) reports custodial workers also have high rates of occupational asthma, which has been linked to the traditional cleaning solutions they work with in schools.

What We Need to Do

Our industry has made tremendous gains in transferring school districts around the country from traditional to environmentally preferable cleaning products and procedures; however, this study points out that we still have much to do.
One of the things we should consider is replicating what we started during last year’s Green Apple Day of Service. Working with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association; the Healthy Schools Campaign; and The Ashkin Group, nearly 800 school custodians who serve nearly 311,000 students in seven different  school districts throughout the United States were taught state-of-the-art techniques and procedures to clean more effectively and efficiently using green cleaning solutions.
However, one single day each year is not enough. I would encourage those in our industry to become more involved with their local schools and school districts throughout the year. Reducing chronic absenteeism in our schools is every American’s problem, and it is a problem the professional cleaning industry not only can help to address, but one that students, teachers, and parents will expect us to address to help turn this situation around. 

Peroxygen to the Rescue

Have you heard of "peroxygen"? Probably not. But its use on fabrics often considered "uncleanable" can produce wonderful results.

Check out this information as provided by Pemberton's ECleanAdvisor.com.  The information is useful and handy to have on hand.

Restroom Tools Explained

Dual-Chamber Mop Bucket

Color-coded microfiber rags.  Color-coded mop buckets and mops.  Dual-chamber mop buckets. What do these have in common?  Proper tools for efficient and proficient restroom cleaning.  This article has some useful information to help keep restrooms and the tools used to clean them in good working order. As a cleaner, you'll appreciate the tips provided.

Restroom Reflections on Residents on the Rise

Read this from cmmonline.com.

Study Finds Rise in Public Restroom Neglect

March 02, 2016

Almost 70 percent of Americans have encountered an unpleasant experience in a public restroom due to poor conditions—a 20 percent increase since 2012, according to a recent study conducted by Bradley Corp.

Bradley Corp.’s seventh-annual handwashing survey queried more than 1,000 American adults about their hygiene experiences in public restrooms. According to respondents, the most common restroom complaints were foul odors, clogged toilets, broken door latches, and an overall dirty appearance.
The study also found a majority of respondents (91 percent) felt a business that provides high-quality goods or services should have an equally high-quality restroom. Additionally, 88 percent stated a restroom’s condition is a reflection on how that business values its employees.  

So, how does your restroom add up?  Did you notice the last sentence?  "88 percent stated a restroom's condition is a reflection on how that business values its employees."  It is also a reflection of the business, school, restaurant or otherwise.  And really, when you think about it, restrooms are not that hard to clean.  The steps listed below were shared in an online article last week about how to properly clean a restroom.  Read the entire article for some great suggestions.

1. Gather supplies on a cart or caddy and proceed to the first restroom.
    
2. Place safety/wet-floor signs when directed.
    
3. Always announce yourself before entering a restroom of the opposite sex.
    
4. Pick up loose litter, sweep, or dust-mop the floor. Remove any floor mats/pads.
    
5. Apply disinfectant product to toilets/urinals, sinks, faucets, and counter tops. Be sure the product meets the prescribed dwell/contact time (usually 5-10 minutes wet) before removing it.
    
6. Inspect and refill all paper and soap dispensers, hygiene products, and odor control devices.
    
7. Using a treated cloth, spray/wipe toilets and urinals, giving special attention to side panels and splash areas.
    
8. Using a separate (different color) microfiber cloth, wipe down sinks, faucets, and counter tops.
    
9. Clean mirrors with an all-purpose or glass cleaner, wiping with the grain.
    
10. Wipe down all soap and paper dispensers.
     
11. Starting in the back of the restroom, damp-mop your way out, using care not to splash the baseboards.
     
12. Leave wet floor signs and proceed to the next restroom.
     
13. Note that if the restrooms are small and close together, you may perform steps 2–5 in each to allow for sufficient dwell time.

You can adjust most of these steps to fit your own needs; however, make sure to always apply the disinfectant as early as possible so it will have sufficient dwell (contact) time to do its job. Simply employing a spray-and-wipe technique is not effective in true disinfection. Read the specific product label carefully so that you are truly disinfecting the key touch points. This one point can go far in reducing the spread of contagion.

There may also be some quadrant cleaning or irregular tasks involved. You may have to:

1. Inspect and clean air vents on a weekly basis before sweeping or mopping floors.
    
2. Pour mop solution or enzyme solution down floor drains on a weekly basis, or even more often based on how quickly the drain dries out.
    
3. Wash mirrors from top to bottom.
    
4. Perform any other necessary tasks as described in specifications.

World Toilet Day Aims to Flush Away A Lack of Toilets in Other Countries

Tomorrow, November 19, is World Toilet Day. Backed by the UN, World Toilet Day aims to help the some 2.4 billion people around the world that don't have access to proper sanitation.  Many of them have to defecate and urinate in the open. This poses a risk of rape and abuse for women and creates unsanitary conditions for all humans in those areas.

This link to the UN website highlights more details on World Toilet Day and also how you can get involved with #wecantwait.  Sit down, take a break and read a little about World Toilet Day.

Feminine Waste Receptacle Reminders

The following reminders regarding feminine waste receptacles are from cmmonline.com.

1.   Wear protective gloves.
    
2. Empty the receptacle contents by removing the liner bag, sealing it, and placing it in a lined cleaning cart trash receptacle or lined trash pickup container.
    
3. Use extra caution when handling the liner, which may contain sharps, such as needles.
    
4. Visually inspect the inside of the receptacle, cautiously remove debris remaining in the bottom, and discard it in the trash. Contact a supervisor immediately if you find evidence of sharps or a pool of liquid.
    
5. Clean to remove any visible soiling of the inside and outside of the receptacle; only use paper towels or other disposable wipes.
    
6. To properly disinfect, apply (via disposable wipes/spray bottle) an appropriate disinfectant to the interior and exterior of the receptacle, including to the lid, even when there is no visible soiling.
    
7. Consult with your supplier to ensure you use an appropriate disinfectant.Appropriate disinfectants include a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered tuberculocides, sterilants registered by the EPA, products registered against HIV/HBV, or sterilants/high-level disinfectants cleared by the FDA.
    
8. In order to be effective, follow the recommended dwell time on the manufacturer's product label.
    
9. To dry receptacle surfaces, only use paper towels or other disposable wipes, and discard them when saturated.
    
10. To comply with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, line the clean receptacle with one bag that will completely cover the inside surface and totally enclose discarded sanitary products. This protects the janitorial staff from coming into direct contact with materials containing blood or body fluids.
     
11. Check the dimension of the stall receptacle to choose the correct size bag. The liner should reach all the way around the sides and to the bottom of the receptacle.
     
12. Use one liner bag only; do not place multiple paper bags in the receptacle.
     
13. Carefully handle the filled trash disposal container; keep in mind that sharps and blood borne pathogens may be present. Do not sort through or compress trash, even with gloved hands.
     
14. Inspect your work to ensure you meet visible and hygienic cleaning standards; ATP measurement can help to verify organic soil removal.

Many of the above tips on proper disinfection and handling of feminine waste receptacles were previously published by ISSA and Cleaning and Maintenance Management magazine.