Here is the schedule for June and July classes in any one of the four GEM Supply/Academy classrooms. Classes in Orlando may be available via remote learning. Check the online schedule, as dates and times may change.

A short course with a step-by-step video demonstration of basics for initial cleaning, prepping and finishing of new vinyl composition tile (VCT) after construction is over and before traffic starts.

This video course is narrated by the instructor of the Academy as you watch him use the equipment, chemicals and tools in the process.

ORLANDO, FL, December 11, 2020 — This week individuals on the island of Bermuda advanced their professional knowledge by attending a 9 hour, Accredited Cleaning Technician certification course, via remote learning.

The sessions were facilitated by the Department of Workforce Development, Government of Bermuda, (Allen Richardson), Atlantic Cleaning & Maintenance, LTD. (Allen Ferreira), and Connectech Coding (Coral Wells) in conjunction with the Academy of Cleaning Excellence (ACE).

These highly engaging, professional learning modules were taught over 3 afternoons, 3 hours each via LIVE remote instruction led by a 45 year veteran of the commercial cleaning industry and director of ACE.

Students asked questions, engaged in quizzes, and received numerous live demonstrations of professional practices and procedures designed to provide safe, healthy outcomes within the facilities they will service.

Each learner then passed a 30 point exam on their way to earning an Accredited Cleaning Technician certification from the Academy of Cleaning Excellence.

For more information about this initiative in Bermuda, please contact; Allen Richardson, Training & Assessment Officer, Government of Bermuda. Department of Workforce Development, Hamilton, Bermuda

The Academy of Cleaning Excellence provides professional development education to the cleaning industry, through motivational sessions, eLearning and engaging LIVE classes throughout the U.S. and around the world.

“The most valuable asset an operation has is an engaged employee.“

If you would like more information about this topic or the Academy, please call David Thompson at 321-205-6448, or email dthompson@academyofcleaning.com.

BCWG S4:E51 Dr. Aaron Buchko talks about the void in behavior we are all going through at this stage of the pandemic.

BCWG S4:E52 Bill Fellows is back talking the pH chart, strength of chemicals and safety.

BCWG S4:E53 Kevin Stoller talks with us about what is happening now and in the coming months in K-12 schools.

BCWG S4:E54 Sean DeVore and Dave talk about signs taped to carpet, residues, masks and handwashing stations.

BCWG S4:E55 Dr. Buchko talks about marketing, information and perceptions in this episode.

BCWG S4:E56 Bill Fellows talks about the SDS and the Globally Harmonized System.

BCWG S4:E57 Joseph Barone on with Dave talking collaborative cleaning in churches.

BCWG S4:E58 Sean DeVore talks about the challenges of maintaining rubber tile floors.

BCWG S4:E59 Dr. Greg Whiteley is a back talking biofilms, MRO’s and school openings.

CWG S4:E60 Vanesa Gandolfo with VEPPA Cleaning talks about ACE education, challenges and technology.

BCWG S4:E61 Bill Fellows and Dave talk about mental, emotional and operational challenges and cleaning technicians.

These are just some of the questions the general public are asking when it comes to the health of indoor environments when it comes to the terms that the majority of organizations and individuals within them are using in their marketing during this COVID pandemic.

For professionals in the cleaning industry, it is very clear that one and in some cases, all of the above questions are applicable. During this time there are numbers of people who are making statements about what they are doing, making comments about what others say or just plain don’t care about what they say, are of which are misleading to the general public they are speaking to.

So let’s look at some terms so that you might be educated, informed, or set straight before this goes any further. Here are a few to learn first.  

FIT FOR PURPOSE:  In other words, the purpose of the surface in which the control measures are being applied. The floor in the entrance of an office requires a different level of contaminate removal than that of a handrail on a patient’s bed.  

PROCESSING: The act of using a cleaning agent and physical removal followed by a sanitizing or disinfecting agent on an item or area.

There are several levels of microbial control measures, all of which can be the right level depending on the purpose of the intended surface within an indoor environment. 

For reference, these levels are considering the surfaces are environmental hard surfaces outside of foodservice/preparation areas.

CLEANING is the first level of contamination control on indoor environmental hard surfaces. 

CLEANING:  Cleaning occurs after contaminants have entered the indoor environment. Cleaning, therefore, is the removal of contaminants from these environments and putting them in their place. In cleaning we find, identify, capture, contain, remove, and dispose of contaminants. The two basic principles of cleaning a balance of pH and physical removal. Cleaning decreases the number contaminates and therefore reduces the risk of spreading infections.

Now, that we have a basic understanding of what cleaning is, it has been proven repeatedly that up to 90% of all contaminates can be physically removed by the use of water and a quality microfiber (pad or wiper). Here is a video clip from a recent LIVE remote class showing the process of cleaning and ATP measurement of the process.

Simply spraying a chemical agent and wiping is at best, ONLY cleaning.

However, this first level of contamination control can be the only level required for based on “fit for purpose”. IE: cleaning may be the appropriate level for a floor.

SANITIZATION is the next level of contamination control on many indoor environmental hard surfaces.

SANTIZATION:  The process of removing contaminants from environmental hard surfaces and then the use of EPA registered sanitizer to further reduce the number of bacteria on said surfaces. General surface sanitization processes can produce a 99.9% reduction/kill of registered pathogenic organisms on a product label.

This level of contamination prevention is typically not a level used for processing most environmental surfaces. However, this level generally does not have the same dwell times as disinfectants. Thus, when the service technician uses general “spray and wipe” procedures, the surface is typically sanitized.

DISINFECTION is the highest level of contamination control on many indoor environmental hard surfaces.

DISINFECTION: The process of using cleaning agents to remove contaminants followed by the use of disinfectants that satisfy strict efficacy performance standards before being registered by the EPA for use.Disinfectants destroy or irreversibly inactivates 100% of the infectious pathogens on the product’s labeling, but not necessarily their spores to a level which is “fit for purpose”.

All disinfectants are regulated by the EPA. Thus the EPA registration number on the product’s label. These chemical agents are registered as “pesticides” under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  Because disinfectants are classified as pesticides, these products should always be used in strict accordance with product labels.  

RINSING: The process of removing previously used cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents via the use of water. While this step may not be required by the manufacturer of the chemical, it is a “best practice” measure to render the surface free of contaminants, including chemistry.

This is just a quick, shortlist of some of the detailed terms that many individuals and operations have either misunderstood, gotten wrong, or otherwise don’t want to pay attention to. However, missing the details may cost someone their life, negating the purpose of the process altogether.

Saving the life of another individual is one of the highest callings in our existence. Providing the professional subject matter for infection prevention is the goal of the Academy of Cleaning Excellence. Please consider attending an upcoming, Accredited Infection Prevention Expert course soon. CLICK ON PICTURE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE COURSE.

“To say that a building is clean does not mean it is healthy, but if a building is healthy, it is clean.”

BCWA S4:E42 Mike and Dave talk about what clients want to see when going back to a restaurant.

BCWA S4:E43 Sean and Dave talk cleaning, floors, carpet, social distancing and gardening.

BCWA S4:E44 Dr. Whiteley talks about COVID and international response via the cleaning industry.

BCWA S4:E45 Steve Hanson talks about residential vs commercial cleaning.

BCWA S4:E46 Christian Harris, located in London, England is here to talk about slippery, grimy floors and hygienically cleaning them.

BCWA S4:E47 Douglas Henley has a few words on how a BSC excels during challenging times.

BCWA S4:E48 Bill Fellows is back talking about COVID, disinfectants and Safety Data Sheets.

BCWA S4:E49 Chris Tuff helps us understand how to effectively recruit, retain and motivate Millennials.

BCWA S4:E50 Sean Devore is back and the topic of masks and disinfecting floors is on our minds.

BCWG S4:E27 Joel Craddock from Docs Facility Services is talking about staying safe at home and work.

BCWG S4:E28 Dave does a review of the questions/conversations of the week.

La Academia de excelencia en limpieza ahora tiene una serie de cursos disponibles en línea en español.

Haga clic aquí para ver la lista creciente