Albany latest

New cleaning resources help reduce cross infection in school toilets

Professor Hugh Pennington has called for local authorities to set up a programme of audits to ensure that all schools have adequate toilet and hand washing facilities. The recommendation comes in his report into the September 2005 outbreak of E. coli in Wales and has been welcomed by hygiene consultant Mike Burton.

Professor Pennington’s report acknowledges the vital role that good hand hygiene and appropriate school toilet facilities play in preventing the spread of infection. Yet many schools have inadequate toilets that lack toilet paper, soap and hand drying facilities. Standards of cleaning by contactors were also variable.

Mike Burton said: “We have developed a set of national cleaning standards designed to help schools ensure that toilets are cleaned appropriately,” said Mike. “These standards have been produced on behalf of Bog Standard, the campaign that promotes better toilets for schools, and will be available by the summer. They clearly set out acceptable standards of cleaning, the frequency of cleaning and a detailed description of how toilet facilities should be cleaned in schools.

“We have also produced a short free film, entitled Hidden Dangers, that is being used as a training resource in schools and demonstrates how cross infection can be spread with the wrong cleaning materials and techniques.”

Mr Burton added: “I have been working with schools for many years and it is clear that good design, maintenance and hygiene education are key to helping schools reduce cross infection rates and provide the sort of facilities that are necessary to maintain children’s health.”

New film helps improve standard of school washrooms

A free new film resource to help schools and colleges improve the cleanliness of their washrooms and reduce hidden dangers is now available.

The short three minute film uses brightly coloured paints to demonstrate how poor hand hygiene and inadequate cleaning and maintenance can lead to cross contamination in washrooms.

The film has been developed by Albany Washroom Services as a training resource and comes as a number of schools throughout the country have been forced to close due to outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug.

Albany’s managing director, Mike Burton, explained: “Washrooms are a breeding ground for germs that thrive in unclean environments. These hidden dangers can’t be seen and semi-enclosed places such as schools face particular problems in trying to reduce infection rates.

“It’s vital that washrooms are effectively cleaned and maintained. Properly designed and specified washrooms can reduce days lost through illness by up to 50 per cent. Children and teachers also need to pay particular attention to their hand hygiene and ensure that they wash their hands properly.”

Albany has also developed some dos and don’ts to help schools to stay healthy.

Do

1. wash hands properly after visiting the loo and before eating
2. educate children on how to wash their hands properly
3. dry hands thoroughly to further reduce the risk of cross contamination
4. ensure cleaning staff are properly trained and use the correct cleaning materials and methods
5. deep clean washroom facilities regularly – three times / year is optimum
6. ensure that hand washing and drying facilities and toilet flushes are non touch to reduce the spread of bacteria where possible
7. involve pupils in checking toilets throughout the day and record checks visually within each washroom facility
8. seek specialist advice about adopting the most hygienic products, services and solutions
9. ask for help and specialist advice when designing new facilities

Don’t

1. be reactive and wait for an outbreak to hit
2. wait for parents to point out that there is an issue
3. neglect washroom facilities – this looks like you don’t value pupils’ health and welfare. Uncared for facilities are a health hazard and a magnet for anti-social behaviour

Beware the Hidden Dangers

A new video uses brightly coloured paints to demonstrate how poor hand hygiene and inadequate cleaning and maintenance can lead to cross contamination in washrooms. The three minute video was launched at the Loo of the Year Awards by headline sponsors Albany Washroom Services to highlight the hidden dangers that lurk in our washrooms.

Mike Burton, MD of Albany, said: “Good washrooms are good for business. In 2006 it cost the UK economy £4 billion in lost productivity through illness, according to the Confederation of British Industry. On top of that billions of gallons of water are wasted in poorly designed and maintained washrooms.

“Washrooms are a breeding ground for germs such as protozoa and parasitic worms, which can be transferred by hand to hand contact. Coliforms found in faeces, contain germs that thrive in unclean environments. Crucially, washrooms also need to be effectively cleaned and maintained. Properly designed and specified washrooms can reduce days lost through illness by up to 50 per cent.”

Albany is on a mission to improve the standard of Britain’s washrooms. The company has recently teamed up with the Bog Standard campaign which promotes better toilets for school pupils and the Max4Health campaign which aims to improve children’s hand hygiene. Albany will be working with both campaigns to help raise awareness of the issues and improve hygiene education for children.

Mike added: “Research shows that only three out of every 100 people wash their hands properly after visiting the toilet. Each year more than 600,000 people contract diseases such as the winter vomiting bug due to poor hand hygiene and cross contamination. We believe that if we can teach people about good hand hygiene we can keep people healthier.

“Our message is clear: good washrooms are good for everyone.”

To view the video or to join Albany’s mission please click here to find out more or call 0870 366 5777.

Washroom efficiency cuts costs

Albany Washroom Services is offering companies the opportunity to cut costs and save money with its new recession–beating package.

Managing Director Mike Burton said: “As the credit crunch bites deeper more and more companies are looking to their washrooms to make savings. We have advised a number of businesses in recent months on how they can save many thousands of pounds through effective water management systems, eradicating paper towels and using the new generation of hand dryers which are far more energy efficient.”

Spiralling costs have seen wholesale energy prices increase by 50 per cent since February this year and inflation busting water price rises are on the way. The cost of paper has increased by more than 10 per cent and landfill costs continue to rise.

Mike Burton added: “The state of a company’s washrooms say a lot about a business. When times are tough companies need to be smart about the solutions they use. Albany offers a free consultation service and cost savings analysis so we can advise customers on the most cost effective and sustainable way forward. We also offer a comprehensive rental package which means that there is no initial outlay – a particular benefit in the current economic climate.”

Albany provides its customers with hygiene consultancy services nationwide, offering advice on sustainable washroom design, maintenance and education. For further information please visit www.albanyfacilities.com or call 0870 366 5777

Designing the washroom of the future

Where do you put your baby when you need to use the loo in a public washroom? Where do you place your luggage – to keep it safe and clean - when using an airport washroom? How do you create a light and refreshing environment in a public lavatory?

These were just some of the questions considered by product design students from the University of East London (UEL) when they competed to design the washroom of the future.

Six teams of first and second year students took part in a competition, supported by Albany Washroom Services, to design a washroom that meets the needs of its users.

Mike Burton, managing director of Albany, said: “Understanding the needs of consumers is vital. The teams spent time engaging with the public to establish their views on how to create a positive experience within ‘away from home loos.’”

Two teams shared first place with innovative designs for leisure centres and parkland spaces. Their prize is to exhibit their designs at the largest gathering of decision makers in the design, provision and management of washrooms – the British Loo of the Year Awards in December.

Mike Burton added: “The British Loo of the Year Awards recognises the highest standards in the provision of away from home toilets, whether it’s a public loo or toilets provided by key industries for staff and visitors. Designing and maintaining public toilets that are hygienic and sustainable are key challenges for both the private and public sectors. The designs that the students came up with were exciting and made use of materials with a low environmental impact.

“Albany is instrumental in sponsoring a number of these students to visit Japan to look at their approach to washroom design which is very different to that in the UK. We have also recently commissioned the University of East London to undertake a clinical study into hand hygiene to consider how to minimise the risk of cross infection so that we can advise commercial and public toilet providers on best practice.”

UEL Senior lecturer Alison Prendiville, said: “Working closely with businesses like Albany provides students with a greater understanding of the commercial realities of product design. It also gives them a clearer understanding of the needs of consumers.”

Albany provides its customers with hygiene consultancy services offering advice on sustainable washroom design, maintenance and education.

Albany and Dyson partnership offers outstanding value

Albany Washroom Services has teamed up with Dyson to offer customers a cost effective, hygienic hand drying solution – the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer.

Albany’s platinum service is a comprehensive rental package with a fixed cost that includes installation and a five year guarantee on parts and labour. Customers also benefit from free consultancy which demonstrates the reduction in their carbon footprint and cost savings.

Mike Burton, managing director of Albany, said: “We are delighted to be working with Dyson and our aim is to offer flexible rental options for the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer. The Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer uses 80% less energy than warm air hand dryers and eliminates paper waste going to landfill, meaning it costs less and is better for the environment. It takes just 10 seconds to dry hands making it the quickest and most hygienic hand dryer available – something that we at Albany are particularly interested in and an area in which we have commissioned our own research.

“We believe our packages for the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer will help businesses reduce costs, improve profitability, demonstrate their commitment to the environment and deliver enhanced user health and satisfaction. Our work with customers, professional bodies and a leading university has helped us gain a thorough understanding of consumer needs and hand hygiene. We can tailor solutions to our clients needs so customers interested in the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer should talk to Albany to see what we can offer.”

Albany Marathon Heroes

Anne Burton and Sarah Kingham completed this year’s London marathon and raised thousands of pounds in the process.

Anne and Sarah ran for Haven’s Hospices and finished the gruelling 26.2 mile course in a very respectable 4 hours 47 minutes.

Anne said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Albany for sponsoring me. The money will go towards an excellent cause.”

Albany sponsor the Loo of the Year Awards 2008

Albany Washroom Services has agreed to be Headline Sponsor of the 2008 Loo of the Year Awards – the annual competition to find the best places to ‘go’ throughout the UK.

Mike Burton, Managing Director, said: “Albany is delighted to be associated with the Loo of the Year Awards. It is important to recognise organisations which take the provision of high standard washroom facilities seriously and reward the unsung heroes who work hard to maintain those standards.

The message from previous Award winners is clear – good toilets are good for business. Albany understands this, which is why our hygiene consultancy service offers its customers advice on sustainable washroom design, maintenance and education aimed at improving the health of their consumers and their business.”

Albany has also signed up as a Corporate Champion member of The British Toilet Association, the campaigning body promoting the Loo of the Year Awards, which has had a major impact in helping raise standards of ‘away from home’ washroom hygiene over the last twenty one years.

The 2008 Loo of the Year and associated Attendant of the Year Awards are now receiving nominations and entries via the Awards website www.loo.co.uk which also contains a range of information relating to the 2008 Awards scheme.

Nominations and entries can be submitted up until the end of July and every entry receives an unannounced visit from an authorised Loo of the Year Awards Inspector.

The main 2008 UK Awards Presentation is being held at The National Motor Cycle Museum, near Birmingham on Friday 5th December.

Staff to share in business success

Albany Washroom Services has launched a share scheme designed to reward and incentivise all of its employees.

Managing Director Mike Burton explained: “Our staff are our most valuable asset, indeed we refer to them as partners. Anyone can make a profit but long term success depends on customer satisfaction and that is where our partners make all the difference.

“We believe this share scheme is unique because it is for all partners not just managers or senior staff. Everyone at Albany plays a part in the business and I want to reward their commitment.

“Albany has always tried to raise the bar – we offer set service days and a money back guarantee. We cannot deliver on those promises without well trained, motivated staff. I am proud to say that our staff retention rate is 95 per cent.

“We have always endeavoured to achieve high standards and giving our partners real ownership in the business is a continuation of that investment.”

Albany Washroom Services is an independent company that employs more than 50 staff. Over 3,000 business customers throughout London and the South East of England benefit from Albany’s hygiene solutions. Albany is committed to working with the local community and supports environmental sustainability in its operations.

The Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme is approved by the Inland Revenue and allows companies to offer shares to staff in a tax efficient way.

To view examples of media coverage for the Albany share scheme, click on the links below

www.cleaning-matters.co.uk

www.thecleanzine.com

Building & Facilities Management

New independent study reveals latest findings about hand hygiene

In order to provide up to the minute impartial hand drying advice, Albany commissioned an independent clinical study which compared the effectiveness of different hand drying methods in reducing bacteria on the hands after hand washing.

The study undertaken by the School of Health & Bioscience at the University of East London compared new generation hand dryers, premium warm air hand dryers, paper towels and cotton roller towels. The results of the study throw new light on hand drying best practice.

Contact our relationship team today to share the study findings. Telephone 0870 366 5777 or email enquiries@albanyfacilities.com

In addition to sharing the latest information on hand drying best practice, our relationship team can also explain how your hand drying solution can reduce running costs and utility bills whilst impacting positively on your carbon footprint.

Contact our relationship team today for your free hygiene survey and cost savings analysis. Telephone 0870 366 5777 or email enquiries@albanyfacilities.com

Albany – your logical solution for hand drying best practice