Substantiating the efforts of Clean India Journal, the special seminar organized in Panaji in October on professional mechanized cleaning solutions generated impressive response.
Goa, a place that believes in the motto of ‘Clean and Green’ saw a very vibrant and diverse set of people – from Jalgaon, Secunderabad, Vadodara, Goa and other places that converged at the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Panaji. The seminar was fourth in the string of similar events conducted by Clean India Journal preceding the 10th edition of Clean India Show — Clean India Pulire.
The assorted crowd not only consisted of professionals engaged in the cleaning industry like CEO, DGM and Proprietor of FM companies but also delegates responsible for sanitation and hygiene in other sectors, like housekeeping manager, sanitary inspector and housekeeping attendant. They were pleased to be part of such knowledge sharing platforms, with one of them describing the Clean India Journal seminars held across the country as “Cleaning awareness on wheels”.
Delegates from manufacturing segment including, pharma, food, chemicals, electronics, water treatment were 37%, the services segment comprising of FM companies and facilities were 23%, the hospitality segment comprised 21% and the others comprising of healthcare, retail and schools were 19%.
Chief Guest Arvind Bhagania, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospitals, Panaji inaugurating the seminar, spoke about the importance of cleanliness, “The art and science of cleaning is in knowing how to use the equipment and chemicals effectively and efficiently so as to gain the maximum benefit from mechanisation.”
“Proper benefit of mechanization can only be understood if the art and science behind the operations is known.”
– Arvind Bhagania
Emphasizing the importance of cleaning in healthcare sector, he added, “Sanitation and hygiene is a priority as the health and safety of the patient is paramount. Disinfection and sterilization has to be thorough, with no room for lapse in cleaning operations. It is the responsibility of the hospital to see that patients coming to the hospital are healthy while leaving the premises. A contaminated surrounding can make a person sick and then the purpose of finding health back in the hospital becomes counter productive.”
The Directorate of Economics & Statistics in its 2008 report has the estimated gross state domestic product for Goa at $3 billion in current prices making it one of India’s richest states with the highest GDP per capita – two and a half times that of the country as a whole – and one of its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average 1990-2000). The state though famous for tourism also boosts strong growth in various industries, including, manufacturing, fisheries, mining, chemicals and pharma. The seminar was organized to reach out to the growing hospitality and industrial sector in the State.
Sensing the need of hygiene and maintenance in the growing industrial and services sector and its benefits in improving employee productivity, RS Kamat, Director-General of GCCI was very enthusiastic in hosting the seminar and extolled the gains reaped for the industries operating in the State through the seminar. Acknowledging the financial aspect of cleaning, he said, “Cleaning, above all, is a business. The cleaning industry though in the nascent stage has undergone its own growing pains and now has come forth as a formidable player that can boast of sizeable contributions to the economy. Hygiene & sanitation has no boundaries as it is an essential part of every sector in an economy.”
Mohana M, Managing Editor, Clean India Journal spoke on need of innovative tools to increase awareness on professional mechanized cleaning. “Clean India Journal has always championed the cause of consolidating the segmented Indian cleaning industry. We aim to provide a common platform through our magazine, newsletters and our trade shows to bring together the professionals in the industry. The seminars being conducted across the country is an extension of the consolidated efforts to incorporate global standards in the industries and support it towards its journey in becoming an internationally recognized sector.”
“Awareness on the cleaning industry will allow budding entrepreneurs to take advantage of its growth.”
– RS Kamat
The opening session with speakers from Karcher Cleaning Systems Pvt Ltd – Sunil Kapoor, National Sales Manager (Industrial), and Tony Chazhoor, National Sales Manager
(Commercial) focused on the usage of cleaning equipment in facility services.
The session focusing on washroom hygiene was conducted Vijay Korgaonkar, National Head-Key Accounts & Training, Best Washroom Practices. The seminar session drew to a close with Sudhir Mani, Business Manager, Forbes Facility Service Pvt. Ltd speaking on the benefits of outsourcing cleaning operations from a financial aspect.
Mechanised Cleaning Operations
The speakers spoke about the fundamentals of cleaning activity – a combination of four approaches; mechanical action, temperature, time and cleaning agent. A right mix of these approaches helps in giving good cleaning results.
The seminar was a perfect platform to receive personalized solutions for problem areas. The food processing industry faces a challenging task of maintaining reactors and other tanks that have to be sanitized after every use. Sunil Kapoor recommended the use of a pump with attached spray heads along with food grade solvents to finish the job. With automated systems performing at a push of a button a 1kl reactor can be cleaned in over four minutes.
Tony Chazoor gave a very vital clue in keeping the indoor of a facility, especially those in the hotels and hospitals clean. He reasoned that instead of cleaning the indoors, the flow of contaminants should be restricted from the outdoor. Deploying sweeping machines and other cleaning equipment outdoors would remove the contaminants and make the maintenance of indoors easier.
“Mechanization for cleaning operations can be enhanced by using varied accessories that can perform multiple tasks.”
– Sunil Kapoor
A new technique of encapsulation was introduced by Karcher in carpet cleaning that not only decreases the standing time of the carpets for cleaning operations to as low as 20 minutes but also increases the life of the carpets. This product will be showcased at the Clean India Pulire Show 2013. It has also been nominated for the Clean India Awards.
The seminar even saw new avenues for the expansion of cleaning industry- educational and academic institutions. Educational and academic institutions now take serious notice of the need for clean and hygienic environment for their young pupils to study. Since children are vulnerable to infections and other nuisance that can be caused by the bacteria and virus hiding in unclean and filthy surroundings, cleaning and especially mechanized cleaning has taken precedence. Sumati Arora, Manager Facilities, Delhi Public School, felt that the seminar answered the growing need for mechanized professional cleaning services in academic institutions. The presentation on various cleaning equipment struck a cord with her.
“Very few educational institutes have a separate vertical solely addressing the housekeeping requirements of the facility. In our schools we take sanitation and hygiene very seriously. The health of our students hinges on the better and clean facilities. Mechanised cleaning is actually endorsed by our top management, as keeping a campus clean with 3500 students is not an easy task. Rigorous schedule is followed to ensure that the campus is always clean. The equipment showcased and the techniques shared at the seminar will allow us to enhance our cleaning operations.”
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.”
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.”
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.
Customized solutions
Many of the delegates came to the seminar in search of solutions for their particular challenges. Unique challenges:
Manoj Morajkar, Housekeeping Supervisor, Hotel Baia Do Solhad a particular challenge in keeping the hotel sand, dust and other contaminants free with the hotel being situated by the beach. He found the solution at the seminar: “Using cleaning equipment on the outside areas will lower the level of contaminants entering the hotel and then using a high power vacuum with increasing number of filters will help in maintaining the indoor air quality. Using the techniques learned here, I can be rest assured of the sanitation levels at my facility.”
Sanjay D. Sawant, Jr. Manager – Food Division, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd has automated cleaning operations at his facility for a long time and was on the search for high pressures that could be used indoors, and also sturdy vacuum bags that could withstand the pressure of minute dust particles. At the seminar he was introduced to high pressure jets with accessories that could be used indoors and suctions that could easily take care of any water spillage. The self cleaning mechanism of filters in vacuums cleaners was also demonstrated.
“Outsourcing allows the clients to focus on their core competency, leaving other verticals like housekeeping to professionals.”
– Sudhir Mani
“The seminar provided solutions to many challenge areas and also gave techniques for cleaning activities in food processing industry; it was a very educating experience.”
Sylvia D’souza, Executive Housekeeper, Breach Candy Hospital, had problems pertaining to time efficient washroom cleaning solutions for different types of tiles and stain removal in addition to noiseless vacuum cleaners. Her concerns were addressed through small scrubber-dryers that could be used in washrooms, low decibel vacuum cleaners and tips on floor cleaning.
“Maintaining a hospital is very laborious, there are many challenge areas that have to be tackled with utmost accuracy. The information that I received here would help in handling the task more effectively.”
“Cleaning operations in any facility should always begin at washrooms, as unclean washrooms can negate the benefit of cleaning practices elsewhere.”
– Vijay Korgaonkar
Delegate response
“Conventional vacuum cleaners are being used in our facility, so the information on new vacuum cleaners will definitely benefit us. Also knowledge on various techniques in handling the cleaning equipment was helpful. The seminar imparted knowledge on right usage of right equipment for right applications for augmenting the cleaning results.” – Debasish Chakraborty, Manager- Housekeeping, Sodexo-MacLellan.
“The small cleaning machine used to maintain washrooms were something novel and very interesting, we plan on sourcing those machines to better maintain our washrooms.” –Jairam Navade, Administration, Venture Hospitality.
“The equipment used to clean oil stains and grease deposits in kitchen areas like the novel foam machine was really fascinating. Mechanised cleaning is undertaken in our premises, but the techniques given on better approach towards cleaning are a valuable addition to our knowledge.” – Swati Bala, Team Leader, The Leela Goa.
“I handle the additional charge of housekeeping in our manufacturing facility. The seminar was a learning experience. Manufacturing tyres require very clean and hygienic surroundings as no contamination can be allowed to mix with the end product. Indoor air quality is a major challenge as we aim to have a dust-free environment akin to pharmaceutical companies. We are undergoing a revamp at the facility with a shift towards mechanized cleaning.” – Devidas karpe, Senior Executive-Production, MRF Ltd.
“The right process, right approach and the right application of cleaning equipment were ably explained by the speakers. Mechanisation has been part of our operations for a long time, making optimal use of equipment will help in raising the hygiene level and help in time and cost management. As a FM company the SOPs of clients has to be followed so challenges are abound, the client relies on us to provide with cost effective solutions for their problems.” – Prashant Darbare, Operations Head, KVR Best Property Management Pvt Ltd.
“The Railways provides cleaning consumables, and majority of the cleaning operations is done manually. Attending this seminar allowed me to gain information on various cleaning equipment, and practices to maintain hygiene in a hospital. I will definitely relay on this information to my superiors so that the cleaning practices at our hospital can be revamped.” –Nitu kumar, Chief Health Inspector, Western Railway.
Sagar Shitole, Production Officer, Merck Ltd India: “We aim to increase productivity in cleaning operations, information on time effective equipment that can replace manual cleaning in the sessions will definitely help us.”
Pravin Palav, Manager Administration, Infiniti Retail Ltd:“I was looking for equipment that could be used in smaller areas and with electronic equipment in place, the smaller scrubber dryers shown at the seminar will definitely assist us in our cleaning operations.”
Describing the seminar in a concise manner, Philip Monterio, Executive Admin, Pentair Water (I) Pvt Ltd said, “the content shared and the interactive sessions along with equipment demonstrations made attending the seminar worthwhile.”
The only grouse that the delegates had was limited time of the sessions. Loretta Fernandes, Housekeeping Manager, Hotel Neo Majestic,said, “the sessions were informative but the one day set aside for the seminar was not enough. Hope next time the seminar can be extended into two days.”
With a lively and enthusiastic
audience, engaging speakers and a chance to interact with delegates from diverse sectors involved in the cleaning industry, the seminar provided a perfect setting to kick start the countdown for Clean India Pulire-2013.
Vanita Nair