Professional Cleaning Operations
“Time-motion study of a facility will help in analyzing the perfect man-machine combination for cost effective cleaning operations.”
– Tony Chazhoor
The main problem faced by customers aiming to outsource their cleaning operations was to get that magical combination which would allow them to get quality results in a time and cost bound manner. Addressing the problems Tony Chazoor said, “To gain a proper understanding on the division of labour and machines to effectively maintain a facility, it is necessary to gather all the facts of the facility, including the area, frequency of cleaning, contamination and time. These facts will help in time-motion study of the cleaning operations for the facility. The study will help analyse proper combination of man and machine for time and cost effective cleaning operations.”
FM companies present there agreed that cost is a big factor in the industry. Though the industry is attentive to sanitation and hygiene in addition to health concerns, the cost cutting and curtailment is yet to come down. There is a need for the industry to freely invest in maintaining sanitation and hygiene with a view on the profits that can be reaped through increased productivity, one of the many benefits that come through outsourcing. The cost curtailment puts the FM companies in dock as the clients demand quality services at the lowest price, which is not viable for the FM companies. But , the approach is slowly changing and now companies realize that for quality service, good price has to be paid.
Echoing the sentiment, Sudhir Mani said “Outsourcing allows the clients to focus on their core competency, leaving other verticals like housekeeping to professionals. This arrangement works in favor of the client as their employees focus solely on their responsibilities leading to increase in productivity and leaving non-core operations to the professionals provides efficient and effective services.”
The attrition rate, lower supply of skilled manpower and the inconsistencies associated with them, are pushing the industry towards mechanized cleaning solutions. For delegates making a transition to mechanized cleaning, Sunil Kapoor’s advice: “Periodic basic cleaning by equipment is very important while using the equipment initially. Primary usages will require slightly more energy and effort to get rid of accumulated grim so that the surface reaches a maintainable level. Thereafter, regular usages of maintenance machines can provide good results.”
Keeping the most important part of any facility in mind, the session on washroom hygiene provided clues on maintaining them. Vijay Korgaonkar said, “Washrooms are the infection hub in any
facility. An unclean washroom can put the health of the employees in danger decreasing the level of productivity. A hygienic washroom is not only clean and smells fresh but also helps in building a brand image of a company. From ambience, increased productivity and enhanced brand image, everything can be achieved through a clean and hygienic washroom.”
During demonstration, the science behind the innovative designs of the equipment was explained to the delegates.
