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Case Study re-opening after COVID

Client Problem:

At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic the customer had parted ways with their cleaning contractor. When the team were looking to go back to Office working, they required a reliable, efficient & local cleaning company. Initially the client invited 3 companies to quote.

How we helped

We met with the client the same day to carry out a survey and discuss the clients needs.

Along with daily office cleaning, they required a deep clean of all areas, as the Office had been closed for over 12 months, this also included a full carpet clean.

We supplied a quotation the following day for all services.

The client swiftly accepted our quotation. One of the main reasons being we are a local company, with good references.

We then mobilised our team – carrying out the deep clean, and carpet clean prior to the contract going live.

Our services along the side of the regular schedule, includes a daily clean of all high touch points and we have also carried out an infection control clean for the client after a staff member tested positive for Covid.

The benefit

Our Field Service Supervisor carries out regular site visits, along with a monthly Service Review with the client either face to face or via teams – depending on requirements

6 months in the client is happy and will be looking to increase our services further when their second Office re-opens in 2022

 

If you would like to know more about how ServiceMaster Clean Deeland can help you with your commercial cleaning requirements, click here.

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Combatting more than just COVID this Christmas

How to minimise illnesses this winter by maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace. 

As the nights draw in and the winter months approach; as does regular cold and flu season. This is always a big concern for businesses across the globe, and due to a more vulnerable population through an overall lack of immunity to the flu, public health officials are preparing for an especially harsh winter.

During this time, it’s important to remain vigilant in protecting your workplace from the spread of diseases by continuing the good hygiene practices that most have fallen into during the pandemic. Whilst these will help to minimise staff sickness and absences, they can only do so much. Therefore, it is also important to take the necessary steps to keep your staff and workplace safe. This includes:

  • Staying home if you are feeling ill

Pre-COVID, most office-workers in the UK would likely admit to being guilty of maintaining a ‘stiff upper-lip’ and going into work despite a sniffle and a cough. And whilst the recent easing of government restrictions may make it feel safe to slip back into old habits, public health officials are urging people to steer clear of the workplace if they fall ill this winter, whether with COVID19 or something else.

  • Routinely cleaning surfaces

COVID19 and other viruses like the flu can potentially survive on surfaces for some time, ranging from a few hours, to a number of days. Luckily, both COVID and the influenza virus are fairly fragile. This means that typical cleaning and disinfecting practices should be enough to kill them, provided that this is done regularly.

  • Regularly disinfecting high-touch point areas

COVID19 and the flu can both be spread through touch, so be sure to be vigilant in cleaning any surfaces or objects in your office that are frequently come into contact with – such as desks, keyboards, chair arms, phones, door handles, taps, or bannisters. These areas should be cleaned up to three or four times a day if possible, depending on the busyness of your workplace.

  • Regularly removing waste

It may seem obvious, but you should be emptying and sanitising your bins and wastebaskets daily to get rid of items like tissues that can harbour bacteria and germs.

  • Vacuuming and cleaning carpets

Deep cleaning or vacuuming your carpets regularly helps reduce the spread of germs and also improves the indoor air quality in your office. This is especially important when dealing with airborne pathogens like COVID and influenza. You could also help this by clearing out your air-conditioning/heating systems.

If these practices feel difficult to maintain by yourself, why not get in touch with us and use ServiceMaster Clean for a regular and high quality office cleaning service? Trust us to help you get ready for winter this year, and keep your premises germ and virus free by letting us handle all your commercial janitorial needs.

Click here to find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean and learn more about our services today.

 

Another blog post you may be interested in reading is on promoting good hygiene in the workplace

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The Avril Bannister Award 2020

The Avril Bannister award, was set up in memory of a dear colleague, is awarded annually to an employee who exemplifies their high levels of commitment and service.

We are delighted to announce Hannah Ross, Communal Operations Manager is the winner of the Avril Bannister Award for 2020.

The Avril Bannister Award 2020

The runner up was Colin Barrett, Field Service Foreman.

Congratulations to both Hannah and Colin on their achievements.

If you would like to know more about ServiceMaster Clean Newbury, click here.

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ServiceMaster Clean Newbury becomes Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)

ServiceMaster Clean Newbury was established 30 years ago by Nick Dee Shapland and started as a one man and his van business, now 30 years later the thriving business employees over 350 people.

As Nick looks forward to his retirement, ServiceMaster Clean Newbury stays safely in the hands of the loyal and experienced employees as the business becomes an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

You can read more about the story in Newbury Today and in Newbury Business Today.

Nick has been a major part of ServiceMaster Clean over the last 30 year and will be missed by his employees, ServiceMaster limited and many of the other franchisees across the network.

We wish wish nick a very happy retirement.

If you would like to know more about ServiceMaster Clean Newbury, click here.

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ServiceMaster Clean Newbury in The Parliamentary Review

ServiceMaster Clean Newbury is celebrating its 30th Year in Business and the exciting prospect of moving to an Employee Ownership Trust. Nick Dee Shapland reflects on the companies history, it’s business philosophy and it’s future, in an article: Highlighting best practice published in:

“The Parliamentary Review”

You can read and download the article here (PDF)

https://servicemasternewbury.co.uk/blog/thirty-years-in-business/

If you are not completely happy with your current cleaning provision or require further information on Infection Control Services please do not hesitate to contact ServiceMaster Clean Newbury today .

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Disinfection of surfaces between cleans

A regular schedule of cleaning and disinfection is crucial for protecting employees, customers, patients, and visitors. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of other dangerous pathogens, maintaining constant disinfection is more important than ever. Maintaining this disinfection in between major cleanings can help protect your business from potential outbreaks caused by these dangerous pathogens.

Benefits Of Regular Cleaning And Disinfection

A professional cleaning and disinfection treatment isn’t a one-time thing. It may be tempting to think of professional cleaning as a chance to “catch up” to a place where your own employees can take over. The truth is that you get the most mileage out of regular professional cleaning and disinfection long term.

  • You protect yourself from compliance issues. Professional cleaners stay up to date on the latest government guidelines, because it’s their job to do so. If you want to ensure compliance, hiring experts is the simplest way to do so.
  • You get a more thorough cleaning. Trained professionals know how to keep a work environment safe and know where viruses are likely to thrive. They know where to pay extra attention and know which cleaners are approved by the HSE to tackle which pathogens. They know how long to leave a disinfecting agent on a surface for complete disinfection.
  • You benefit from professional-grade equipment and training. To reduce the spread of dangerous pathogens and protect the health of others, cleaning professionals use HSE-approved disinfectants and the training that ensures appropriate, thorough disinfection for the business you own.
  • You can get long-term disinfectant protection between cleanings. SaniMaster disinfection services may include an antimicrobial barrier that lasts up to 90 days to help fight bacteria, mould, and fungi. This barrier provides extended surface disinfection protection as part of our preventive disinfection services to provide peace of mind for your business.

Routine professional cleaning and disinfection from trained, well-equipped experts can provide long-term cleanliness and peace of mind in any situation where you’re worried about infectious diseases taking root and spreading. It’s a great way to keep your facility functioning without breaking the bank on stockpiling cleaning equipment or educating staff in combating each of the unique pathogens that can spread in a healthcare environment.

The Importance Of Disinfecting Surfaces

Beyond just regular cleaning and disinfection, keeping certain high-touch and at-risk surfaces disinfected on an ongoing basis is key. Simple, quick wipe-downs with soap and/or with surface disinfectants can help you maintain a safe and healthy environment. In addition to protecting staff and patients, frequent disinfecting can:

  • Fight against antibiotic-resistant (AR) pathogens by taking regular action to completely wipe them out.
  • Help remove pathogens from surfaces that may come into contact with bodily fluids
  • Help combat long-lasting pathogens, including AR pathogens and HAIs that can linger on surfaces for days or even months.
  • Help kill and/or remove pathogens from surfaces that are often neglected in casual cleanings, such as floors and walls.
  • Allows onsite cleaning staff to focus on emergencies and simplifies the regular cleaning process, without having them shoulder the burden (timewise or materially) of disinfection for the entire facility.
  • Even “noncritical” surfaces that aren’t frequently touched can become a factor in the cross-transmission of diseases.

Disinfection Guidelines To Follow Between Cleanings

As important as it is to regularly clean and disinfect your place of work, there are also many steps between cleanings that you can take to make sure that you’re keeping your workplace as sanitary as possible.

  • Have employees wash their hands regularly, for the full recommended 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitiser before or after interacting with customers or clients, when handwashing is not immediately available. Hand sanitisers should be at least 60% alcohol.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch areas and items such as computers, phones, desktops, testing equipment, touchscreens, tables, and more.
  • Make sure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn properly. This includes wearing masks over both the nose and the mouth, as well as disposing of masks, gloves, and gowns properly as required.
  • Take advantage of a protective antimicrobial barrier that can help combat bacteria, fungi, and mould.
  • Be mindful of how often you replace your cleaning cloth, so that your disinfection attempts don’t become a vector for cross-contamination.

Rely On A Trusted Disinfection Company To Support Your Business’s Health

Having experts clean, disinfect, and protect your business from pathogens is the best way to ensure thorough, rigorous, regular protection. From training and education to target problem areas to the gear and cleaning agents necessary to tackle pathogens, ServiceMaster Clean couples short-term emergency disinfection with long-term preventive care.

Protecting your employees and clients from pathogens (and helping to protect your own reputation) can be as simple as calling the nearest ServiceMaster Clean location. Placing your trust in a cleaning and disinfection company lets you rest easy. You can be assured that your partner in cleaning has the knowledge and experience needed to help protect the health of your customers and employees. Learn more about our disinfection services and how our COVID-19 cleaning services can help your business be prepared to reopen.

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ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Kent join Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Kent are delighted to say, we have now joined the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

We look forward to working with the Chamber and other members to grow and develop our business and work on new initiatives to exceed our clients expectations.

Find out more about Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

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ServiceMaster Clean working with customers through the Covid Pandemic

Under the current COVID restrictions, not everyone is in lockdown, with essential services remaining open, even though infection levels of the virus are on the rise.  ServiceMaster Clean Newbury explains how the infection control measures they have implemented has enabled their customers to carry on operating their business!

ServiceMaster Clean’s abilities in providing both Cleaning and Infection Control measures has been the key to delivering a safer working environment. ServiceMaster Clean Newbury continues to provide ongoing infection control measures to all it’s Daily Cleaning Contracts,  including disinfection services for new customers who have experienced COVID infections on their premises.

All Infection Control Measures provided by ServiceMaster Clean Newbury is based on  Stringent Health & Safety Procedures throughout it’s  business. This is supported with ongoing Health and Safety Bulletins to both Customers, ServiceMaster Clean  Administrative and Operational Staff to ensure safety measures are achieved and maintained at all times. This has continued throughout the current lockdown, keeping regular communication remains vitally important!

Infection Control information

To help ensure customers have access to up to date information, an Infection Control page was also added to the ServiceMaster Clean website making sure relevant information was just a click away if needed.

Adaptability

A Fogging System was also introduced, further enhancing the range of infection control services available from ServiceMaster Clean Newbury.  ServiceMaster Clean Newbury have three Service Divisions which has allowed them to remain open throughout the COVID Pandemic, delivering Cleaning, Sanitising and Disinfection Services to Housing Associations, Schools, Medical facilities and Manufacturing sites. For these Customers, it is vitally important that ServiceMaster Clean Newbury continues to operate its full range of services, in order to Keep Staff, Visitors, Clients, Customers, Pupils, Residents and others Safe.

Not all Customers have remained open i.e. those who do not offer essential services and are able to offer services and support remotely. These customers have either reduced requirements or do not require cleaning services at this time. This means it is important for ServiceMaster Clean Newbury to manage and monitor it’s customers  closely in order to meet its changing needs. This is achieved by daily communication with our Contracted Customers by our Contract Management and Field Management Team.

During these very uncertain times, ServiceMaster Clean Newbury ensures that on a daily basis it is delivering a Safe Working Environment to its Customers and staff.

If you are not completely happy with your current cleaning provision or require further information on Infection Control Services please do not hesitate to contact ServiceMaster Clean.

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How we have managed through Christmas & COVID

With the ups and downs COVID-19 is bringing to both individuals and businesses ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Guildford have had to adjust frequently in order to meet the changing needs of their clients.

The Christmas period, in particular, has had significant challenges which ServiceMaster Clean Guildford have faced head-on. The big challenge faced as with many other businesses was sickness and self-isolating over the festive period. With cleaning operatives off, it is still as important as ever that the client’s needs are met.

This challenge was resolved with intelligent use of staff and shift changes, as several clients closed their doors temporarily, cleaning operatives and supervisors were issued alternative work allocation. This meant that not only staff that wanted work had it but clients also received continuity of service.

It was noticeable that many offices were closed over the festive period but there was a significant increase in requests for one-off deep cleaning and sanitisation. These requests were brought about by businesses wanting to utilise down time to ensure a thorough deep clean and sanitisation for when they could return to work but also following positive COVID cases. In these instances, it was possible to utilise cleaning operatives that would otherwise be furloughed.

All in all, December was reasonably successful for ServiceMaster Clean Guildford considering Covid and the Christmas break. Clients are happy and no issues have been reported. Considering the impact of Christmas & COVID ServiceMaster Clean Guildford still have 50% growth from December 2019 and over 10% from November 2020 which highlights how they have managed continuity of service in such difficult times.

Despite the success of this challenging period so far, ServiceMaster Clean Guildford are not resting on their laurels, planning is still as important as ever and both client service levels and staff levels will be closely monitored. It is important that the business remain strong, effective furloughing of cleaning operatives and management will be used where necessary but the aim is to keep enough provision to ensure continuity of service for valued clients.

Is your current cleaning provider meeting the mark when it comes to your cleaning requirements? Or are gaps starting to emerge?

If you want reassurance with your cleaning so you can focus on your business get in touch with ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Guildford for a free no-obligation quotation today.

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ServiceMaster Clean Franchisee is Finalist for The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Guildford has been shortlisted for The Give A Grad A Go Employer of the Year Award at the prestigious 2020 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards. Previous winners include fitness sensation Joe Wicks, Timpson CEO James Timpson OBE, DPD UK, Hotel Chocolat, dementia newspaper Daily Sparkle and online fast fashion success story Missguided.

“I feel incredibly proud to be recognised by the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards and to be shortlisted as a finalist. I always strive to be the best in what I do and feel it is important to provide a positive workplace for all of my employees. I have been delighted to be able to offer opportunities to graduates and non graduates and this award would be a validation of our efforts to become a first class employer.

Compared to some businesses we are a small company but with our commitment to providing a first class service to our clients as well as investing in development of our team we have grown rapidly over the last few years, I am so proud to be in the list of finalists and competing against national businesses. Being able to take my team to the awards ceremony to celebrate the success together would be the icing on the cake as we wouldn’t be where we are without them.” Siva Kugathas, Franchisee.

“When it comes to business recognition, the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards are the ones to win. They allow any successful organisation to tell their story, from large private and public companies, to thriving entrepreneurial businesses, promising start-ups and established SMEs,” said Sarah Austin, Awards Director.

“Winning a Lloyds Bank National Business Award comes with significant business benefits, including increased brand awareness and reputation among customers and partners, valuable insight into best practice and employee recognition and retention.”

Siva Kugathas and ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Guildford, Bracknell, Thames Valley, Luton & Watford have already won several business awards and proud of their commitment to providing excellence in the commercial cleaning industry.

Find out more about Siva & the team here – ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Guildford.

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3 reasons why professional healthcare cleaning is important

Cleanliness is essential for every healthcare setting, as it is tasked with protecting the health of millions of people every day. Part of maintaining patients’ well-being is protecting them from bacteria that may be present in a facility that provides medical treatment. Regular cleaning is important to most businesses, but it’s absolutely essential for any healthcare setting, whether it’s a small doctor’s office or a large hospital.

Working with professional janitorial providers focused on meeting environmental cleaning standards for healthcare facilities can provide many benefits for employees and patients. The patient-centred healthcare cleaning programs from the experts at ServiceMaster Clean were designed to help your business achieve three critical goals:

1.Meet environmental cleaning standards

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) mandates that healthcare settings in the UK, follow specific healthcare cleaning standards. Healthcare businesses that don’t comply may be subject to fines and even closure. Facilities that don’t prioritise compliance may also be held legally liable, should serious health issues occur for patients or employees because of an unclean setting.

Before hiring a commercial janitorial provider for your facility, make sure its procedures are based on the above regulatory requirements to provide adequate, patient-centred cleaning.

2. Maintain a professional appearance

A messy or unsanitary healthcare business is unlikely to be a profitable one, patients aren’t going to want to return to medical settings that aren’t professionally maintained. Healthcare businesses should not only keep the medical side of their offices disinfected, but also thoroughly clean the public areas of their facility. Dirty seat cushions in the waiting room, filled waste cans, or visible dirt or grime on floors and furnishings suggest that the facility does not take the responsibility of maintaining a safe, healthy environment seriously.

To maintain a professional medical setting, routine cleaning is essential. Whether the business concerned is a busy outpatient facility or a small dental practice, professional environmental cleaning services can help ensure your patients’ expectations are being met every day.

3. Keep staff and employees safe

Healthcare facilities depend on skilled employees with extensive training and qualifications, and due to the high costs of medical malpractice claims, licensed physicians and nurses are unlikely to stick with a healthcare business that does not meet environmental cleaning standards and regulations. In addition to retaining staff, strict cleaning standards can help improve the healthcare work environment and help increase productivity and worker satisfaction.

Healthcare workers come into contact with countless germs, that’s where professional healthcare cleaning services help protect both staff and patients from potentially serious and even deadly infections. When choosing a cleaning service to maintain your healthcare environment, select a provider committed to meeting the standards and expectations for healthcare environments.

ServiceMaster Clean is a leader in healthcare cleaning services, routinely adopting updates to applicable laws, as well as healthcare cleaning standards recommended by industry regulators. Our experts are trained on the proper cleaning protocols for specific healthcare settings to keep every environment we enter safe for both patients and employees. Contact us today for help maintaining the health of your facility.

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