Cleaning paramount as sterile offices now a must for health
THE First Minister has told workers to keep working from home where possible. In fact, the Welsh Government has set a new post-pandemic target of 30% of the workforce to remain working from home.
That does still mean 70% of staff are likely to return to the office, if they haven’t already. This will mean businesses, with a duty of care to keep their staff safe, must ensure offices and workplaces are cleaned to a high standard, meaning cleaning firms have had to adapt to this new working environment.
Now it is more important than ever for businesses to take cleaning seriously, says Rachael Flanagan, CEO Mrs Bucket.
“For the first time, the industry has an opportunity to get the recognition it deserves,” she says. “Before the pandemic, cleaners were the first cost to cut but now everyone, from offices to manufacturing sites, realise that good cleaning partners are important to keep society safe and well.”
Clean Sweep had a headstart in adapting to this new normal as they purchased five fogging machines in January.
“Even though we provide a full sparkle clean before handing over any property, by offering a hygienic deep clean we knew that all the buildings had been left not only gleaming but also 100% bacteria free,” explained Helen Williams, the managing director of the Swansea-based company.
“When the outbreak of Covid-19 hit our shores you could see that not only was hygienic cleaning important for containing the virus by leaving workplaces sterile, but also giving workers the assurance and peace of mind that all the measures were taken to ensure their safety at their workplace.”
This meant cleaning firms had to adapt, and adapt quickly.
Ms Flanagan says that over the past six months her firm took the decision to invest in the business, rather than cutting costs.
“We have focused on our people, services, equipment and tools to ensure we are set up to help other businesses in the fight against Covid19,” Ms Flanagan said.
Early on in the pandemic Mrs Bucket invested £35,000 in chemicals proven to defend against the Covid-19 pathogen for 30 days.
Clean Sweeps’ Ms Williams researched products that were proven to kill the virus and found a team of scientists who had created a product called Hybrisian in Port Talbot.
“They met with us and provided us with all the reassurances that by using Hybrisian, which was one of the first products to be proven to kill Covid-19, we had the right product and equipment to meet any demand,” Ms Williams explains.
Both Clean Sweep and Mrs Bucket set up emergency response teams to deal with the increasing cases of building sites and workplaces having a positive Covid-19 case.
“With the increased testing introduced in Wales there have been several positive cases where a worker has become unwell or had symptoms during working hours,” Ms Williams explained.
“We have been able to respond to this anywhere in Wales and the south of England within three hours. We can decontaminate a site quickly, ensuring work can continue and the contactors, staff and customers have piece of mind the areas are fully Covid-19 free.”
Ms Flanagan said that at the height of the pandemic they became a 24/7 service to help clients prevent the spread of the virus.
Businesses are liable to keep their employees safe while they are working.
“Any employer who has been seen to skip steps when it comes to hygiene will be held accountable,” says Ms Flanagan.
“This will not only damage their employer brand, but it will also dent their external reputation and could dissuade others from using their services or buying their products in future.
“Protecting your reputation should be of utmost importance, especially during this turbulent time.”