McGarr Services

Commercial Safety: Fire Care Survey

admin — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:36:03 +0000

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) produced a nationwide survey on employee safety in regards to fires in commercial buildings. The survey concluded that 65% of workers felt more protected from fires at home rather than in the workplace. However, recent years statistics show that 2,450 deaths and 13,900 injuries have come from residential fires. Meanwhile, 80 deaths and 1,100 injuries have come from fires in commercially run buildings. No matter what the statistics say it is extremely important to your company that employee’s feel safe at all times and understand the procedures necessary when facing an emergency situation such as a fire hazard.

EPA: Cleaning Chemicals

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:53:46 +0000

The Environmental Protectant Agency (EPA) plans to increase the number of chemicals used in cleaning products. According to the director of legislative affairs at the ISSA, Bill Ballek explains that the chemicals include “colorants, defoamers, enzymes, and other compounds that have characteristics such as not being carcinogenic, harmful to reproduction, or a cause of allergies, or being persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic.” These new chemicals will also be a part of the Design for the Environment Program (DfE) which promotes safer product labeling. The EPA is also currently working on a new logo for the DfE in order to improve its efficiency in setting a message to consumers.

School: Norovirus Children Infection Stats

admin — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:22:44 +0000

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that almost 1 million children under age 5 in the U.S. were hospitalized due to norovirus (the virus that inflames stomach lining and intestines) in 2010. Treating these patients costs nearly $273 million a year. The New England journal of medicine found out that by age five, 1 out of 278 children will be hospitalized for this infection. 1 in 14 will be sent to the emergency room, and 1 in 6 will need medical care. The CDC states that anually there 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths from this infection. Although there are new vaccines for this virus, it is important for schools and other facilities holding young children to put a significant amount of their attention into disinfecting and minimizing contamination in your building.

Security: Senate Gun Control Policy

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:40:18 +0000

The U.S. Senate plans on discussing gun control later this month. The National Riffle Association’s (NRA) task force proposed a 225 page report this tuesday that asks for armed police officers, security guards, or faculty members at all schools across the nation, and for states to lighten up on gun restrictions so teachers and superintendents can be trained and prepared. The proposition stirred up a big conversation throughout the senate. Read the article here at the NY Times.

Cleaning Trends: Cascades Antibacterial Paper Towel Succeeds

admin — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:37:47 +0000

Cascades all new antibacterial paper towel has received a 4-star Environmental Leader Review Score and is now a finalist in the 2013 Edison awards for the consumer packaged goods, cleaning solutions category. CEO Suzanne Blanchet states, “While our Antibacterial paper towel breaks new ground in terms of innovation, we’re also very excited about the positive social impact it can have on human health. Without even changing habits, everyone can now help control the spread of bacteria!”

Environmental Service Professionals: AHE Recognition

admin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:22:43 +0000

The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) is proposing a Seal of Review and Recognition Program to Environmental Service Professionals. Your organization’s education or cleaning methods can now receive the AHE’s recognition for your programs excellence. Any business participating will have their content, including documents carefully reviewed by the AHE under their guidelines for healthcare and environmental cleaning. The AHE wants businesses to know that any commercial or promotional materials will not be accepted for review.

Cleaning Guidelines: Floor Finish For Business

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:47:26 +0000

The floor of your building can make a big statement to customers, visitors and employees coming in and out throughout the week. Floor finish is applied in order to prevent scuff marks and to give a strong, shiny finish that catches the eye. The layers of floor finish applied will provide different benefits for the floors of your business. Two coats of finish will perform as a sealant, mainly applied in areas where there is not as much movement or penetration to the floor. For a nice shine in these places, apply 3-4 coats. As for the areas where people will be walking and spending the most time, applying up to 8 coats of floor shiner will be the best protection for scuff marks as well as providing an attractive shine to the floors of the building.

Cleaning Trends: New Antibacterial Paper Towel

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:46:08 +0000

The Edison Awards is an event that recognizes the most newly designed and innovative business techniques in the market. Cascades is a finalist this year with their newly designed paper towel which claims to kill 99.99% of bacteria nearly instantly. CEO of Cascades, Suzanne Blanchet states, “our Antibacterial paper towel is a groundbreaking innovation, it also makes good common sense for human health. We believe the product will revolutionize the paper towel’s role in proper hygiene because of its efficacy and because it doesn’t require a change of habits. Now everyone can help control the spread of bacteria!” Cascades plans to distribute this paper towel to businesses around the globe in hopes of sustaining a cleaner workplace. Click here to view the companies new product

Green cleaning and your business

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:11:29 +0000

Green cleaning isn’t always the most exciting topic for business owners; however it can play a huge role in having a successful business in today’s world. As it is important for your business to stay clean, it is just as important to keep track of water and energy conservation in your building. Janitors and cleaning crews are paid to clean but they can still help the business in other ways. Making sure certain resources are left on and off are just one of a few extra things janitors can do in their spare time. Having a cleaning crew around will also promote employee awareness and give them the satisfaction of working in a clean building. As well, watching a cleaning company or janitor do all the work the can lead to employee’s cleaning up after themselves which is an action most businesses strive for. This is because the employee will understand that they can make another persons life easier which in turn will make the employee feel better about themselves. It is also essential that your plans for green cleaning are part of your businesses overall sustainability plan. This way outside contacts such as contractors, occupants, or any other third party member will be able to help give your business the ultimate environmentally friendly workplace

Flu Season For Business’ – Cleaning Tips

admin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:23:38 +0000

This time of year businesses should all be using EPA certified disinfectants that demolish both influenza A and B. It is important for your janitors or cleaning company to completely wipe down all area’s and if the surface dries within 10 minutes then it is absoulutely necessary to respray the area. Surfaces such as desks, tables, doorknobs, and handrails are all key when considering the cleanliness of your building. Whooping cough is generally spread through the air so it is important for your business or workplace to have a steady system of filtering the air in your building. Janitors should wear masks if cleaning an infected area or around persons who are sick. As well, stressing all your employee’s to wash hands and keeping a suitable amount of hand sanitizer locations will help your business stay clean and healthy during these seasons.