CHICAGO — According to a survey conducted by AlturaSolutions Communications and requested by Tornado Industries Inc., cleaning contractors have mixed views about outsourcing janitorial work, according to a press release.
The survey was performed through various social media websites and includes roughly 100 respondents, the release stated.
Jolynn Kennedy, marketing manager for Tornado, said: "Instead of hiring employees, some building service contractors outsource cleaning work to independent/sub contractors. This can be a cost savings, and with the current state of the economy, we wanted to know if more building service contractors were considering this option. Interestingly, even though there are mixed feelings about outsourcing, nearly 60 percent say they believe outsourcing will play a greater role in the industry five years from now. This may be a reflection of the tight economy and hopes that building service contractors can cut costs by outsourcing instead of hiring employees directly."
Compared to five years ago, 55 percent say they are not outsourcing more janitorial work today; thirty-six percent say they are; and the remainder indicate that their use of outside contractors is "about the same," the release noted.
According to the release, nearly 42 percent of respondents say they would not recommend outsourcing janitorial work to other building service contractors — 33 percent say they would.
Nearly 67 percent indicate the key benefit of outsourcing janitorial work was "cost savings" while 42 percent say the main problem with outsourcing janitorial work is "too little control over the work performed," the release added.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Janitor dies after contracting H1N1 virus
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A janitor at Albuquerque International Sunport, the largest commercial airport in the state of New Mexico, died after contracting the H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) virus, according to KOB-TV.
Katie Francia, who suffered from emphysema, was in and out of a coma for the past few weeks before passing around 5 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009, the story stated.
It remains unclear where Francia contracted the virus, and although no other employees at the Sunport have shown flu-like symptoms, it remains possible that she fell ill while performing her janitorial tasks, the story noted.
Dan Jiron, a spokesman for the Sunport, said: "No one can be certain where she may have contracted this. We feel confident it was not here at the Sunport."
According to the story, since the outbreak first struck in April, the Sunport has posted signs asking people to cover their cough and have installed hand sanitizer stations around the airport.
Sunport officials are asking passengers with flu-like symptoms to avoid flying and are urging employees to stay home if there is a possibility they might be sick, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Katie Francia, who suffered from emphysema, was in and out of a coma for the past few weeks before passing around 5 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009, the story stated.
It remains unclear where Francia contracted the virus, and although no other employees at the Sunport have shown flu-like symptoms, it remains possible that she fell ill while performing her janitorial tasks, the story noted.
Dan Jiron, a spokesman for the Sunport, said: "No one can be certain where she may have contracted this. We feel confident it was not here at the Sunport."
According to the story, since the outbreak first struck in April, the Sunport has posted signs asking people to cover their cough and have installed hand sanitizer stations around the airport.
Sunport officials are asking passengers with flu-like symptoms to avoid flying and are urging employees to stay home if there is a possibility they might be sick, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Procter & Gamble plant celebrates 40th anniversary
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO — About 4,000 current and former employees came out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Procter & Gamble Company's Cape Girardeau plant with community and state leaders this past Saturday, according to the Southeast Missourian.
According to the story, throughout the day, children went down inflatable slides, a rock band played a few tunes, about 30 classic and antique cars were on display and hot dogs and hamburgers were served.
The 3.48 million-square-foot facility opened in 1969 and encompasses 1,311 acres, making it the largest of Procter & Gamble's 140 facilities, the story stated.
Tom Sutterer, a Procter & Gamble employee since 1985, said: "When I look back on what has taken place in the years I've been here, it makes me proud to think of how the company has benefited so many families like mine through the years. I've seen quite a few changes through the years, but the company's commitment to taking care of us has remained the same."
The Cape Girardeau plant produces three of the company's top grossing products — Bounty, Charmin and Pampers, the story noted.
Nearly 1,200 people are employed at the plant that has a combined payroll of $73 million, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
According to the story, throughout the day, children went down inflatable slides, a rock band played a few tunes, about 30 classic and antique cars were on display and hot dogs and hamburgers were served.
The 3.48 million-square-foot facility opened in 1969 and encompasses 1,311 acres, making it the largest of Procter & Gamble's 140 facilities, the story stated.
Tom Sutterer, a Procter & Gamble employee since 1985, said: "When I look back on what has taken place in the years I've been here, it makes me proud to think of how the company has benefited so many families like mine through the years. I've seen quite a few changes through the years, but the company's commitment to taking care of us has remained the same."
The Cape Girardeau plant produces three of the company's top grossing products — Bounty, Charmin and Pampers, the story noted.
Nearly 1,200 people are employed at the plant that has a combined payroll of $73 million, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Sanitizing machines give facilities the upper hand
HOWELL, NJ — To further increase its efforts to clean and sanitize surfaces, Howell Township Public Schools have purchased three decontamination systems from Zimek Technologies IP LLC, according to the Asbury Park Press.
At $54,000 each, the Zimek machines convert a hospital-grade disinfectant into a micro-mist capable of killing any bacteria or virus it comes into contact with before cleaning the area with a built-in vacuum, the story stated.
According to the story, the Zimek, recently made available to the public, was designed as a federal government in-house product and later was retrofitted to handle most pathogens.
The cost of the machines will be financed over five years and will add approximately $32,000 to the district's annual budget, the story noted.
The cleaning and disinfecting chemicals used in the machine will cost an additional $1,750 annually and have a two-year shelf life, the story added.
According to the article, custodians will be trained hands-on by disinfecting nurse's offices once the school year is under way.
Click here to read the complete article.
At $54,000 each, the Zimek machines convert a hospital-grade disinfectant into a micro-mist capable of killing any bacteria or virus it comes into contact with before cleaning the area with a built-in vacuum, the story stated.
According to the story, the Zimek, recently made available to the public, was designed as a federal government in-house product and later was retrofitted to handle most pathogens.
The cost of the machines will be financed over five years and will add approximately $32,000 to the district's annual budget, the story noted.
The cleaning and disinfecting chemicals used in the machine will cost an additional $1,750 annually and have a two-year shelf life, the story added.
According to the article, custodians will be trained hands-on by disinfecting nurse's offices once the school year is under way.
Click here to read the complete article.
Sixteen sickened by norovirus
ORLANDO, FL — Just over a week ago, an outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, struck an assisted living center, according to WESH-TV.
During the outbreak, 16 residents at Emeritus at Crossing Pointe fell ill and several required hospitalization, the story stated.
According to the story, the Orange County Health Department confirmed yesterday that norovirus was the culprit that caused the residents to become sick.
The facility, which was closed for several days so it could be properly cleaned and sanitized by cleaning and maintenance crews, is open and operating again, the story noted.
It remains unclear whether or not the state of Florida will conduct a follow-up inspection of the nursing home, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
During the outbreak, 16 residents at Emeritus at Crossing Pointe fell ill and several required hospitalization, the story stated.
According to the story, the Orange County Health Department confirmed yesterday that norovirus was the culprit that caused the residents to become sick.
The facility, which was closed for several days so it could be properly cleaned and sanitized by cleaning and maintenance crews, is open and operating again, the story noted.
It remains unclear whether or not the state of Florida will conduct a follow-up inspection of the nursing home, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
The Binghamton University Downtown Center is LEED-certified
BINGHAMTON, NY — The Binghamton University Downtown Center (UDC) has been Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified at the Silver level, according to WBGH-TV.
According to the story, this is the first building in downtown Binghamton to be certified green by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Home to the College of Community and Public Affairs, the $29 million UDC has been honored for its design by the American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter (AIASNY), the story stated.
During construction, 11 percent of the building materials used for the UDC came from recycled sources, 16.5 percent of materials were sourced from the region and 262 tons of waste was kept out of the landfill, the story noted.
Binghamton University President Lois DeFleur said: "We're proud of this recognition and will continue our commitment to protect our environment and conserve natural resources in future building projects. All new building or major renovation projects will be built to at least LEED-Silver standards or the equivalent including our current construction projects for Science 5, the Engineering and Science Building and the East Campus Housing project."
LEED certification serves to protect and save precious natural resources while also making good economic sense by verifying environmental performance, occupant health and financial return, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
According to the story, this is the first building in downtown Binghamton to be certified green by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Home to the College of Community and Public Affairs, the $29 million UDC has been honored for its design by the American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter (AIASNY), the story stated.
During construction, 11 percent of the building materials used for the UDC came from recycled sources, 16.5 percent of materials were sourced from the region and 262 tons of waste was kept out of the landfill, the story noted.
Binghamton University President Lois DeFleur said: "We're proud of this recognition and will continue our commitment to protect our environment and conserve natural resources in future building projects. All new building or major renovation projects will be built to at least LEED-Silver standards or the equivalent including our current construction projects for Science 5, the Engineering and Science Building and the East Campus Housing project."
LEED certification serves to protect and save precious natural resources while also making good economic sense by verifying environmental performance, occupant health and financial return, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
California debuts LEED-certified energy plant
SACRAMENTO — Earlier this week, the state of California unveiled its new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified "central plant" in downtown Sacramento that will provide heat and cool air to about 20,000 state workers, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
Designed and constructed by Skanska USA Building Inc., the new LEED Gold-certified facility uses cooling towers to release heat from state buildings, a 95 percent reduction in water usage compared to the former plant, the story stated.
The $181 million project replaces the original, inefficient plant that dates back to 1968, the story noted.
According to the story, demolition of the old energy plant will begin in October.
Construction of the plant that will heat and cool the California State Capitol Museum and 22 other office buildings required as many as 375 full-time workers each day for more than two years, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
Designed and constructed by Skanska USA Building Inc., the new LEED Gold-certified facility uses cooling towers to release heat from state buildings, a 95 percent reduction in water usage compared to the former plant, the story stated.
The $181 million project replaces the original, inefficient plant that dates back to 1968, the story noted.
According to the story, demolition of the old energy plant will begin in October.
Construction of the plant that will heat and cool the California State Capitol Museum and 22 other office buildings required as many as 375 full-time workers each day for more than two years, the story added.
Click here to read the complete article.
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