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It’s easy to imagine that the only companies who need to keep their premises spotless are those linked to cleanroom processes and who carry a heavy Health & Safety burden.

While juggling all your other weekly tasks and obligations, keeping on top of commercial ‘housework’ can seem a low priority. Especially if visitors to your premises are now rare, thanks to the digital age. A bit of dirt around your site, office and factory is not going to hurt, right?

This suggests you’re not giving enough attention to passive marketing, and the importance of first impressions.

What’s passive marketing?

To survive – and thrive – you’re presumably investing in aggressive sales and marketing activities. ‘Passive’ marketing is the impression you are giving without actually trying! It’s the more low key, everyday things that can either build or undermine your reputation.

The way you answer the phone, staff uniforms and the signage to your premises are all examples. So is the state of your business environment.

Put it this way, a building site or head office that looks neglected, cluttered or dirty is not doing you any favours. It’s sending out the message that you don’t really care, or you have poor control and attention to detail.

A clean-up could send the opposite ‘brand message’. It could show you’re an ambitious, careful and well-organised company.

First impressions and target audiences

Passive marketing is not just important when it comes to customers either. What your premises ‘says about you’ as a company is also significant for prospective staff and suppliers.

To be taken seriously, and earn respect and interest, regular basic clean-ups and having clear windows can matter. People gain first impressions within a few seconds, and a mucky façade can put you on a back foot before first-time visitors step over your threshold.

Think of your existing staff too. Neglecting the appearance of your building – such as fogged and grimy windows – flies in the face of modern HR demands. Ambitious companies show employees that they are caring, empathetic and forward-looking. A rather seedy outlook from your office window is not giving that message!

Going the extra mile to give staff a clean, fresh and pleasant working environment can boost morale, and possibly even reducing work absences.

This is not just due to dust, dirt and other allergens being breathed in by your team. Providing a smart and well-looked after workplace makes staff feel more valued, and they take more pride in their contribution.

What message is your workplace currently sending out, and how can Associated Cleaning Contractors help you to clean-up your passive marketing?

A building sit can often be a stressful and busy environment, particularly when the building is being completed to a strict deadline. It is important, however, that building site safety is always made a priority to prevent accidents that adversely affect workers’ health and the overall quality of the project.

Below we explain how professional cleaning services can benefit building site environments.

1. Clear visuals

Rubbish, debris and other materials can gradually build up over time on a building site. While discarded packaging can seem relatively harmless, it can be left in places that compromise the safety of a building site by blocking important signs and exits. A professional cleaning service can help maintain the cleanliness of a building site and remove excess materials, ensuring all workers have a clean, safe and clutter-free environment to work in.

2. Safe workplace

Depending on the nature of the project, building sites can create a plethora of debris and endless dust. Thus, you should consider engaging construction site cleaning services regularly. A clean work site ensures safety by removing scraps and other materials that may cause falls, cuts, and respiratory problems. It is unsafe for the health of your workers to allow them to work in dusty, dirty environments, making regular building site clean-up essential.

3. Sales tactic

For many construction projects, their end goal is to be sold. Whether the entire building will be for sale or individual units, it is essential the construction site maintains a clean, professional appearance in order to entice investors and complete early sales. No one wants to imagine themselves living or working in an unsafe and unhygienic environment which is why cleaning before all tours and sales meetings is essential.

Associated Cleaning Contractors have the expert skills and materials to improve the look, cleanliness and the health and safety standards of workers in building sites. You can trust us to clean your construction site to prevent everyday health and safety problems, for more information do not hesitate to contact us.

Whether you’re running a corporate office or are a project manager on a building site, it’s imperative that you’re aware of your firm’s responsibilities when it comes to health and safety. Over the years, the government has passed a number of legislation to ensure that businesses of all types meet the stringent requirements set out to protect workers and customers. One of the best ways to help make sure that your working environment is meeting the relevant health codes is to opt for a specialist cleaning company to visit your premises. Here are the top issues to consider when selecting such a firm:

Opt for a company that offers a managerial service

With so many aspects to consider when running a company, it helps to be able to delegate your cleaning requirements to a company that provides you with a dedicated manager. This way, you can check in with one specific individual who can keep track of all of your needs and requirements. With this kind of service you can also opt for organisational tools such as a telephone timekeeping system, as well as ongoing preventative measures that include risk assessments and an audit monitoring program. At ACC, we offer a convenient and responsive managerial service that meets all of your needs.

Ensure that the firm presents itself professionally

These days, it’s important to know and recognise the people that are visiting your office space, which is why it’s crucial that your specialist cleaning firm provides professional workers who wear uniforms with designated forms of ID. When you’re selecting a cleaning company, ensure that their workers are also required to have enhanced DBS checks. This measure can give you peace of mind as it provides reassurance that the workers visiting your workplace are all thoroughly checked and vetted beforehand. As many companies have valuable commercial property and provide services in sensitive fields, such as the medical sector, it’s important to select a specialist cleaning firm that values security highly.

Check the level of company training

One of the most crucial elements to consider when selecting a specialist cleaning company is that their staff are all highly trained. In particular, you want to make sure that their employees have completed their GNVQ education so that they are thoroughly prepared for the tasks at hand. Take a moment to also verify that the company has been accredited by the appropriate bodies. At ACC, we are registered with the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS), as well as a number of other organisations.

If you would like more information about how specialist cleaning services can benefit your workspace, contact ACC today and speak to a member of the team.

Having a good health and safety record is a major consideration for most businesses here in the UK. Protecting your workforce from being injured or developing conditions and illnesses detrimental to a worker’s well-being has several advantages.

It means fewer days lost by members of staff having to take time off; less risk of being taken to court and incurring financial penalties, while it also helps to breed employer loyalty. But shortcomings in companies’ health and safety records are not confined to matters affecting staff. It can also cause problems when employing contractors to work on a business’s premises.

The importance of the C.O.S.H.H. regulations

Improving a company’s health and safety ethic is something that the C.O.S.H.H. (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) rules and regulations are very good at promoting. When it comes down to employing contractors to do something in the workplace, (even something as simple as cleaning), the H.S.E. (Health and Safety Executive) have specific recommendations.

The value of risk assessments

Under the C.O.S.H.H. regime, the most basic consideration when anybody undertakes a task at work is that the employer or contractor should work together to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out prior to work taking place. Any risks highlighted during the assessment phase must be rated and mitigated.

Risks that have been identified have to be clearly communicated to those it could affect, and it is always recommended that only people that have been adequately trained in the task to be performed should be allowed to carry out the work.

Awareness of your health and safety responsibilities

To make sure that there are no grey areas in terms of responsibility, companies must communicate effectively with any contractors they employ. One area that is common to many businesses in all sorts of industries is office, factory and window cleaning. But the same things apply to other industry sectors, such as building sites in the construction industry, which is where project managers need to be fully aware of their responsibilities.

The first thing that businesses should do is to select a suitable contractor with care. Check out their safety record and see whether or not they belong to any safety bodies or institutions.

ACC’s health and safety credentials

Here at Associated Cleaning Contractors, we take our own health and safety responsibilities very seriously indeed. But we don’t stop there. We also take our clients H&S duties seriously too. That is why we are happy to share any relevant risk assessments with our clients.

We operate a policy of transparency and we are pleased to advise our customers that we are members of the British Institute of Cleaning Science and the Federation of Window Cleaners; and we are S.M.A.S. work-safe approved, as well as being gold members of Constructionline.

So, whether you need a cleaning contractor for office, window, building site or specialist cleaning, call Associated Cleaning Contractors today on 01204 495 22 or message us using the form on our “contact us” page here on our website.

Health and safety is vital for project managers to prioritise within any business, factory or office. Ensuring that you conduct a safe environment by utilising a specialist cleaning team is an imperative factor to avoid any injuries or illnesses that could lead to claims, complaints or, in the worst-case scenario, even death.

Here are three reasons why you should use a professional building cleaning company within your business

1. Specialist cleaning keeps the environment safe

Ensuring that you have a safe environment for workers and staff will minimize any health and safety risks. Your business will be continually managed and audited by a specialist team to ensure you receive the best possible service. An unclean work environment is an excellent breeding ground for numerous germs, allergens and hazards.

2. Reduces time and finances

As a business, it’s better monetarily responsible to hire professionals who can clean quickly and comprehensively. No matter how effective staff daily cleaning routines may be, specialist clean-ups are personalised to suit your individual needs. By keeping your work environment clean you can ensure that your employees are healthy, productive and dynamic.

3. Ensure a high standard of service

You should project a confident and positive company image before your potential clients even step through the door. By employing a specialist cleaning business, you can instil confidence and create trust, leaving employees and clients with the impression that you are an organised, smart company. Investing in a dedicated clean-up signifies a level of professionalism within your business.

Here at Associated Cleaning Contractors (ACC), we have earned an excellent reputation for providing a consistently high standard of service for not only our after build clean-ups, but for window cleaning, and commercial cleaning. All of the materials we use are also controlled by our rigorous C.O.S.H.H (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) protocols.

If you would like to know any other information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01204 495 222 or send us a message using the form on the “contact us page” of our website.

It’s just as important for project management within construction to focus on regular clean-up services from professional builders’ cleaning companies

One of the primary reasons for this is to minimise health and safety risks, both for site workers and visitors. If you’re managing a construction site just some of the potential site risks include:

– Trip hazards which can cause dangerous accidents
– Unsanitary areas, where grime and worse build-up and could potentially ruin or damage finishes of new buildings
– Build-up of waste

Why use a professional builders’ cleaning company?

When you opt for a pro cleaning service for your construction site, you’re signing up with a provider that only supplies cleaning operatives in possession of valid CSCS cards and with all appropriate training. Supervisory teams hold SSTS certificates and understand risk management and the requirement to provide constant audits of construction site cleaning services.

How Associated Cleaning Contractors can minimise the health and safety hazards on your construction site

When you partner with ACC for your pre-build cleaning, after construction cleaning, or for ongoing cleaning throughout the building process you are teaming up with a reliable provider, with the ability to mobilise a professional cleaning team anywhere in the UK at short notice. Your cleaning service will be continually managed and audited to ensure you receive the pro building clean-up needed.

Construction cleaning does not just entail the removal of dirt and debris from sites, our cleaning teams:

– Remove tape from windows and frames, to ensure your building windows are sparkly clean and create an attractive appearance in the neighbourhood
– Precise cleaning reaches all those difficult areas, to ensure all your new build elements are cleaned after installation
– On-site supervisors ensure any trip hazards and debris are removed throughout construction cleaning to improve safety for construction site workers and site visitors
– ACC construction cleaning is fully customised to client needs and we work with you throughout the construction process to ensure your requirements are met in full
– Regular health and safety checks are conducted at all our sites
– Full deep cleans take place when construction is complete to ensure all properties are immaculate and attractive to potential buyers and leaseholders

Get in touch today to discuss your construction site cleaning needs in detail and find out more about our affordable and professional cleaning services for the building industry.

When any construction project comes to an end, there is always a mess left behind. It doesn’t matter how efficient the builders are at clearing up after themselves. You will need professional cleaners to make sure the site is not only clean and tidy but also that it is free from any hazards to health and safety.

What the scope of works involves

Cleaning after builds and making the area completely safe requires not only the right knowledge, skills and experience, it also necessitates the use of professional industrial cleaning equipment. Examples include high-performance vacuum cleaners, pressure washers and automated scrubbing machines.

Specialist cleaning products

It’s not just specialist equipment that is needed either. Construction sites and after builds require specific types of detergents. They are not usually available from your everyday stores, and in themselves can be quite hazardous if not used and stored carefully. That’s why you must ensure that the cleaners you employ have the right health and safety qualifications.

Getting the right quotation for a professional clean

Although the cleaning of after builds is an exact science, the condition the site has been left in isn’t. For any cleaning company to be able to carry out its duties properly, they will require running water and a supply of electricity. No two after builds are the same, so before you let the cleaning process get underway, you should get a quote for the scope of works first.

More than one quote ensures a competitive price

It is always a good idea to get more than one quote. Just so you have something to compare and to make sure that you are not being over or undercharged. Beware of low quotes; it may mean that the cleaning firm you are using is either scrimping, will not do a thorough job, or they may not even know what the complete scope of work involves.

Check out the company’s health and safety ethic

When you think you have got the right company and the right price, the next thing you should check out is their approach to health and safety. Remember that you can be held responsible for any failings the cleaners may bring about. You are hiring their services, after all.

Here at Associated Cleaning Contractors (ACC), we are not only experienced with cleaning after builds, but we have the right credentials. We are corporate members of the BICSC, and we also have SMAS Worksafe approval. We have a rigid C.O.S.H.H. system in place, and we carry out health and safety work assessments prior to accepting any project.

If you would like to know more about the cleaning services we offer, please call us today on 01204 495 222 or send us a message using the form on the “contact us page” of our website.

Post-construction clean-up is often filled with harmful material and debris, elements which may cause harm to cleaners if left unattended to. Cleaning supervisors need to follow health and safety precautions to ensure that their clean-up crew are always safe. If you work in a building site and are looking for safety tips to keep your cleaners safe, the following is a list of things that will ensure your employees are protected.

Sort out the construction debris

Construction materials such as metal, wood and hazardous chemicals are some of the waste debris that is left lying around in building sites, posing serious harm to your workers. These should always be sorted out before cleaning and safely stored away to prevent spillage and contamination with your cleaning agents. Safely dispose of them after the clean-up is complete to ensure your site is free from dangerous substances.

Use appropriate safety warnings

Using safety warnings is another way that you can keep your cleaners safe and protected while working in after builds. Have safety signs close by to indicate areas that have slippery surfaces or those with hazardous vapour that may cause health risks if inhaled. You should also clearly define access routes to ensure that your workers are in the know about any work in progress to ensure a safe working environment.

Train and supervise

An informed employee is always an added advantage while doing any clean-up work on a building site. Train your team on the health and safety precautions of working in the construction industry. You should also define the best practices for cleaning operations for new builds. In addition to this, inform your cleaners of aspects such as personal protective equipment and proper use of cleaning appliances.

Even with high-level training, supervision is critical while cleaning a building site; follow up on your team’s activities and ensure that they follow the appropriate procedures.

If you are looking for cleaning experts that guarantee health and safety, ACC has you covered. Contact us to clean up your construction site safely and professionally.

Clean-ups in construction

There is an almost indefinable moment when a building site transforms into a completed building and this is the point when the clean-up crew is called in. Clean-up on a construction site is vital to whisk away dusty footprints, mud and other detritus of a building that might otherwise be overlooked. But it is not enough to simply call in the cleaners, there are several steps that must be taken first.

Planning the clean-up

The cleaning supervisor should visit the site with the construction project manager and go around every room that needs to be cleaned. This serves a dual purpose, ensuring that the cleaners know in detail what is expected of them and giving the cleaners an idea of how much cleaning will be needed so they can draw up an accurate quotation.

Consider Health and Safety

Next, a method statement and health and safety risk assessment must be drawn up. These pieces of documentation are vital, protecting both the cleaners and the construction company from any risk of injury, and also providing proof of commitment to legal compliance.

The method statement is at core a plan for the cleaning job, laying out how the job will be completed, the tools and appliances needed, and any chemicals or cleaning materials that will be used.

The health and safety risk assessment examines the minutiae of the method statement, pointing out where training must be given (for example, in the use of certain appliances), where there is risk to the cleaner on the job (for example, if windows are still being glazed, there is a risk of falling, and if cranes are still on-site, a hard hat may need to be worn), and also the hazards of using certain chemicals, and whether ventilation machinery is needed to remove harmful fumes. The risk assessment will also detail any PPE (personal protective equipment) that must be worn by the cleaner. This can include hard hats, high-visibility clothing, dust masks, safety boots and more.

Agreeing the plan

Once these two documents are drawn up, they should be signed by both parties and then distributed to the cleaners who will be working on the job. This process should not take longer than a few hours (although arranging training where necessary could take a little longer) and should not delay the smooth and expedient hand-over of a beautifully built, immaculately clean property to the new owners.

Need a site clean?

Here at ACC, we offer full builders cleans with cleaning specification plans – whether scheduled or at short-notice. Simply get in touch with our team to arrange.

As with many things in life, it is often necessary to make compromises. But there is one thing that you should never compromise on, and that is the health and safety of yourself, your employees, and other users of your site. Nobody should ever be injured, become ill, or die because someone, somewhere, was willing to compromise on their well-being.

This is where commercial and industrial cleaning companies can help, ensuring your site is in tip-top condition. But of course, even cleaning can pose risks. Below we explore how a professional cleaning company can help manage that risk to keep your premises clean and safe at the same time.

Best practice with everyday cleaning operations

Slippery floors are a well-recognised danger when cleaning is underway or has just been completed. This type of danger is not only present for the cleaners themselves, but for anyone, including members of the general public, who walk across these areas.

Sections of flooring undergoing cleaning must be clearly identified and carefully cordoned off, while surfaces should be completely dry before safety cones and warning signs are removed. It’s not just about slips or trips either. Any cleaning products used should be safe for the immediate environment and its users and should be kept out of the way. This is standard best practice and will be followed by any professional cleaning company worth their salt.

At-height cleaning operations

Floor cleaning is a relatively low-risk operation, but what about cleaning windows at height? For anyone who is inexperienced, falls from height are one of the most common causes of death or serious injury in the workplace, as is the risk of objects being dropped onto passers-by from on high. That’s why we would never recommend that you attempt to clean windows or other parts of your property that are difficult to reach; not only could you be left with poor results, but it could also result in an injury. Always enlist the services of the professionals who have the best equipment for the job.

Fulfilling your health and safety obligations

If you hire cleaning contractors, it is important to check that they have the proper health and safety regimes in place. Here at Associated Cleaning Contractors (ACC), we give health and safety top billing. All of the operations we carry out are meticulously pre-checked by going through professional risk assessments. All of the materials we use are also controlled by our rigorous C.O.S.H.H (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) protocols.

We are members of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) and are accredited members of the Federation of Window Cleaners. The health and safety of not only our own employees but yours and that of the general public is our prime concern.

When you choose ACC as your cleaning contractor, you are fulfilling your health and safety obligations in all circumstances. Contact us today for peace of mind.