Posts Tagged ‘office cleaning service’

Why You Mustn’t Overlook Duct Cleaning

Monday, December 21st, 2009

As winter approaches and we start thinking about keeping the workplace nice and toasty, we must not overlook the benefits of having air ducts cleaned and ready for an efficient heating season.  If you have a commercial cleaning contract, you should check with them to see if they offer this service, and if not, ask if they can recommend you to a reputable company.  The good health of employees is paramount to a productive workplace and the most important aspect to consider is the air we breathe.

Here are some important facts to consider before you make a final decision on duct cleaning.

Duct cleaning generally refers to more than just the duct work but also includes all the components of heating and cooling systems including registers, vents, coils, drain pans, humidifiers and housing units for all the systems.  Many of these parts are not visible so it is hard to see dirt, mould and moisture that might be hiding there.

Contaminants that are not cleaned out of the duct work get blown back through the system and float in the air we breathe.  This is not healthy for anyone but people prone to allergies or asthma can suffer a lot from breathing in this polluted air.

If you are uncertain whether a duct cleaning would benefit your office, you can have a pre assessment done to determine the state of your system.  Not all ducts need cleaning if the system has been properly installed and maintained and is running efficiently.

An average duct cleaning will most likely run the company anywhere from $500 to $1000, depending on the size of your office space.  When searching for a company to perform the cleaning, be certain that they are registered with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.

There is no EPA certification for duct cleaning as actual health benefits have not been studied and documented.  They will not endorse the cleaning of ducts as a benefit to the air quality of a workspace.  They do however, recommend against having chemicals of any kind added to the heating and cooling systems as part of a duct cleaning process. These chemicals that are supposed to keep your air clean and fresh can actually be very detrimental to good health so it is recommended you refuse this service if the duct cleaning company recommends it.

Whether you decide to have the job done or not, just be sure you are adequately informed on all the pros and cons.  In either case, there are some things you can do to make the air in your workplace healthy.  Change any filters as necessary and be sure they are installed properly.  Vacuum the office often to remove dust particles. By staying on top of the cleanliness game, and hiring professional janitorial services, you will help maintain a greener more efficient office, and save more money too!

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Office Security Tips

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

No matter how much trust you have in your office cleaning service, there are still some security procedures all staff should follow on a daily basis.  Theft and loss can happen from persons other than employees or members of the cleaning staff.  A clever thief can organize entrance to the office during cleaning hours when they feel their entry might go unnoticed.  An office can be made more secure for everyone just by taking the time to do these few simple things. Not only will these tasks help to keep work and personal items and information safe and secure, they will also make the job of the janitorial services easier.

One of the essential rules of office security that should be implemented is a clean desk policy.  Employees should leave their desktop organized and clear of files, folders and papers that contain private information, either work related or personal.

Any items of value that are not taken home at night should be locked in desk drawers or cabinets.  If cleaning takes place during the daytime hours, purses and wallets should also be kept under lock and key.

Accidents can happen and things can get broken.  Encourage staff to leave decorative items of sentimental or monetary value at home.

Be sure to also put away items that don’t seem obviously private such as postage stamps, cheque books, rolodex files and even company letterhead.  These can all be used in a fraudulent manner if someone were to set their mind to it.

Lock any petty cash that may be kept in the office in a secure drawer or cabinet.  The location should also be changed from time to time as well.

If laptops are used in the office instead of desk top computers, they should be placed in cabinets that can lock.

Make certain that all computers are password protected and programs closed down before employees leave the premises.

Keep keys to other areas such as storage rooms, file rooms, and even the first aid station in a secure location and set up a sign in and sign out system for their use.

Make certain that all employees are informed of the name of the cleaning service company and the usual time of arrival and departure of cleaning staff, as well as their general procedures.  This way, staff that is working late or coming in to the office during evening hours will know what and who to expect.

For the most part, maintaining office security really just means using common sense.  If in doubt, lock it away.  This way, both employees and cleaning staff will be better able to do their jobs.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!

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