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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is “struggling” with incentive programs that recognize employers for exemplary efforts in preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, Richard E. Fairfax, deputy assistant U.S. labor secretary, told an audience of Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) members on Tuesday.

Fairfax, speaking to TRSA’s Leadership & Legislative Conference, said limited resources have prevented OSHA from expanding these efforts after they grew significantly in recent years, particularly during President George W. Bush’s administration.

In more recent years, OSHA has concentrated on evaluating their effectiveness. “I think the world of the program,” Fairfax says of the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), but he indicated that such endeavors might need better quality control.

The VPP, Safety & Health Achievement and Recognition Program (SHARP) and other honors awarded to employers, including many in the textile service industry, are under evaluation by an OSHA team Fairfax appointed last summer. “I told them to take as long as they want, to do a top-to-bottom review,” he says.

In the meantime, he urged employers to take advantage of other compliance assistance programs, such as the free OSHA consultation service for companies with 250 workers or less. Agency personnel who visit a business and find violations don’t notify the federal office of these unless the location’s management refuses to fix them. This program saw a budget increase in 2011, Fairfax notes. Each OSHA area office employs a compliance assistance specialist who performs these inspections.

“Our senior and best compliance officers have moved into those positions,” he explains. “They’re not allowed to do anything in enforcement.” They exist for training and outreach and usually “all it takes is a phone call to the office” to involve them in a voluntary compliance effort.

Fairfax also pointed out that the agency hopes to increase its use of private-sector safety pros to help with other employers’ preventive efforts. In this special government employee (SGE) program, such an individual receives three days of free OSHA training, and then participates annually as a member of an OSHA team evaluating other companies’ safety procedures. The agency wants to increase the number of SGEs who can help permanent OSHA staff work with employers in preventive efforts.

Fairfax’s presentation included numerous statistics on the agency’s enforcement activities in 2011, such as a leveling of inspection totals from the prior year (down about 300 to 40,600) and a 6,000 decline in violations to 91,000. The textile services business had no willful or repeat violations, a rarity among industries, Fairfax says.

Those findings are consistent with TRSA’s SafeTRSA education and benchmarking program, which has logged results of improved safety practices among member companies during the past five years:

• 42% reduction in total recordable injuries and illnesses rate (TRIR)
• One-third reduction in DART Rate (days away from work, restrictions or transfers)
• Most recent annual improvement of 5% in TRIR and 2.5% in DART rate

IRVINE, Calif. — Prudential Overall Supply has added industrial uniform rental and related services to its Denver cleanroom garment service center, the company reports. 

“Through the diligent work of our Denver service team, we have positioned ourselves to grow our product and service offering to include industrial services for the greater Denver business community,” says Tom Watts, the company’s president.

He credited Prudential’s longtime cleanroom laundry clients with enabling the company to expand its product offerings.

“We have been serving some of Colorado’s largest high-tech companies for many years with cleanroom laundry services,” Watts says. “We look forward to offering our customers Prudential’s complete product line.”

FAIRWAY, Kan. — In an effort to shed light on what hospitals want from their laundry providers (and, in doing so, provide intelligence to help providers meet healthcare client needs and expectations in 2012), a 360-degree review on the subject was in order.

In addition to interviews with environmental service (EVS) managers and nurses at a dozen hospitals across the country, about two dozen laundry operators were surveyed and interviewed.

While the nature of this review is anecdotal (i.e., not a scientific study), the feedback gathered resonates true.

What Laundry Operators Think They Want

Based on a survey of operators representing all sizes and types of laundry operations, they say hospitals want (in order of importance):

• On-time delivery and sufficient inventory
• Responsiveness to client needs and requests
• Good-quality products
• Competitive prices
• HLAC accreditation

While operators ranked HLAC accreditation low as a customer priority, most agree this is changing as more and more laundries become accredited.

The primary complaints received from clients are (in order of frequency):

• Costs too high
• Stains and tears on items
• Insufficient inventory
• Poor quality
• Lost or missing goods

There were many operator complaints about clients not taking the time to communicate needs, to understand pricing issues, or to participate in inventory control and loss programs.

Of those surveyed, 71% provide service on a rental basis, with the remaining 29% providing a combination of rental and customer-owned goods (COG). Ninety-three percent of all respondents provide clients education on linen use and control; 86% provide inventory management programs.

What Hospital EVS Managers Say

While some EVS managers might not rank having its laundry HLAC-accredited top of the list, it is a must-have criteria for others. “Our laundry provides excellent service and works closely with me and my administrator on any issues that arise,” says Kent Miller, CHESP, director of environmental services for Jackson Hospital & Clinic in Montgomery, Ala.

“I believe a healthcare laundry should be HLAC-accredited,” adds Miller, who is also president of the Association of the Healthcare Environment (AHE), an HLAC founder. “My laundry provider is accredited, and they made sure I received a copy of the accreditation certificate.”

When asked how their laundry provider could improve its service, EVS managers say they need:

• Better-quality goods/fewer stains
• Better communication on product changes and service options
• Help in enforcing appropriate linen usage among staff/controlling losses
• Training programs for staff in each unit (along with spot audits)

When asked what their laundry provider does right, EVS managers stated:

• On-time delivery
• Responsive to requests
• Good fill rates

Overall, the EVS managers interviewed were happy with their laundry providers. Those happiest with their service have a close relationship with a customer service representative from the laundry.

But one issue remains difficult to resolve.

“I have great laundry service, but the biggest gripe I get from staff is about stains on linen, especially on our knit sheets,” says Wes Thiss, CHESP, EVS director at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Va. “I realize that part of the stain issue is our fault. The iodine cleanser commonly used in hospitals stains terribly. But the perception among staff is that if there is a stain, it’s not clean.”

The Nursing Perspective

Nurses want the linen they need right now. “If it has hair or a stain on it, we put it straight in the soil bin,” says RN Copp.

In general, nurses say they need:

• Clean linen without stains, tears or holes
• Patient gowns with snaps that work
• An adequate supply of items
• A better understanding of their needs (listen to what they say and follow through!)
• An appointed hospital linen liaison or advocate for each unit

A survey taken of 42 nurses during a Practice Greenhealth webinar¹ in February 2011 revealed that 40% rated their laundry service as “good,” 30% rated it as “fair,” 20% rated it as “poor,” and only 10% rated their laundry service as “great.”

“In my 17 years as an RN and administrator, I have observed that most linen services do a decent job,” says Brenda Willis, RN, Tonganoxie, Kan. “But if there is no one appointed on the unit floor to oversee linen use and advocate on behalf of the laundry, there are more problems and greater linen losses.”

One nurse noted that staff hated getting patient gowns with snaps that didn’t snap. Because the perception was that gowns with broken snaps kept being returned to them, nurses started throwing them away.

“The most common mistake operators make in serving hospitals is not communicating sufficiently with hospital staff,” says Deborah Lark, COO of Portland Hospital Services Corp., Portland, Ore. “It’s critical to communicate with and educate end-users about linen and the laundry operation.

“Unless we educate the end-user, there is a tendency for clients to take linen for granted. Hospital staff can wind up making assumptions about the laundry operation that result in unrealistic expectations.”

The Challenge — Will You Meet It In 2012?

Does your laundry operation have customer service reps that regularly visit with the client contact and floor staff?

Do you provide training for staff on appropriate linen usage?

Do you insist that each hospital unit have an appointed linen advocate?

The successful execution of these tactics can make the difference between happy customers and your profitability in 2012.

But Thiss acknowledges that it’s hard to get nurses to participate in any type of linen committee. “We need help getting our nurses to want to participate in training and committee work.”

“The most important thing hospital staff can do is be open-minded and willing to form quality and linen committees that can then set realistic goals and par levels,” says Kelly Jefferson, vice president of customer support services for Reino Linen Service, Gibsonburg, Ohio. “We also need to coax staff to talk openly about fill rates and returns.

“Until you have a true relationship and partnership established between the laundry and end-users, there will always be questions of fill rates, quality, costs and customer satisfaction.”

Click here for Part 1.

Consulting Services: Ron Evans, RJ Evans and Associates

I am president of RJ Evans and Associates, a consulting firm for the industrial laundry industry. My firm primarily focuses on strengthening customer management programs within textile rental service departments, but has expanded into working with and strengthening full-time sales programs.

My career started more than 35 years ago with a national uniform company in its management-training program. The next 12 years were spent on the operator side of the business in sales, service and general management positions.

An opportunity arose to join an international supplier to the global textile industry as its director of training. This enabled me to visit hundreds of industrial laundries around the world for 15 years and train personnel in product knowledge, sales skills, and service growth. I learned hundreds of techniques and practices that expanded my own knowledge and learning base.

As a result of this exposure to so many companies and their diverse methods in achieving success, I was often asked to participate in textile industry meetings, conventions and workshops as a committee member and speaker.

I became an instructor at the prestigious Executive Management Institute (EMI) for nine years, the executive director of the Independent Textile Rental Association (ITRA), and a training instructor with the Central States Network (CSC) and Universal/UniLink Purchasing Association (UPA). I can say, without doubt, that I have worked with and trained more people in our industry than any other consultant over the past 20 years.

The biggest challenge my team and I have to address is how to successfully assist clients and the textile industry to establish customer management programs that consistently maintain and grow their customer bases. Changing needs require changing customer-service programs that reignite customer satisfaction and loyalty.

2011 was a year of accomplishments. We expanded our training workshop schedule, developed a webinar program to reach a greater number of our clients’ employees, expanded our client list, and improved our database of training information. We also added several new programs to our list of training seminars.

I am looking forward to contributing to this excellent Panel.

Commercial Laundry: Tom Gildred, Emerald Textiles

It is an honor to join the Panel of Experts. I am an entrepreneur and the CEO of Emerald Textiles, headquartered in San Diego County, Calif. Prior to Emerald, I founded FMT Consultants, a business management firm and Microsoft Partner where I am chairman of the board. Prior to founding FMT, I worked for Ernst & Young in its audit and consulting practices for five years. I am also chairman of the board of Gildred Companies and president of the board of the San Diego Museum of Art.

Operational just over a year, Emerald Textiles has quickly become a leading provider of healthcare linen to Southern California and now serves many of the major healthcare systems in the area, including Sharp HealthCare, Scripps Health, UC San Diego Medical System, Eisenhower Medical Center and Kaiser San Diego.

Emerald operates a technologically advanced and environmentally responsible commercial healthcare laundry facility, and saves San Diego County more than 700,000 therms of natural gas and approximately 40 million gallons of water annually.

Its goals include delivering innovative, higher-quality products; increased infection control and energy efficiency; and delivering substantial savings to our customers through new, lighter products and superior linen management.

One of our primary challenges this past year was acquiring sufficient linen supplies to keep pace with our growth. Some of Emerald’s accomplishments in 2011 include extreme energy savings and establishing our position as provider to the major healthcare systems in our area.

I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with this panel.

Uniforms/Workwear Manufacturing: Steve Kallenbach, American Dawn

I’m a three-decade veteran in the textile rental, garment resale and wholesale textile segments of our industry. Starting as a route driver in the 1970s, I earned promotion into service/sales/production management, general management and finally group general management with two of the industry’s largest uniform and textile rental companies (Todd Uniform, later purchased by ARAMARK Uniform Services).

After 13 years on the laundry side, I moved to vendor with the largest apparel maker in the industry, VF Imagewear. That career spanned 11 years and included selling and managing many nationally licensed image apparel programs – still serving the industry.

I then founded and operated a direct sale company (Image Apparel – Brand Identity Solutions) and a garment manufacturing company (Basic Apparel), and subsequently sold them to my partners.

In 2004, I joined American Dawn Inc. as regional sales manager for California. American Dawn services this segment of the industry with toweling, linens, aprons and specialty garments.

I have been a featured speaker at many industry conventions and national sales meetings, and have consulted to some of the largest companies in the industry as a trainer/teacher in sales and marketing. I now regularly instruct at EMI (TRSA’s Executive Management Institute) and PMI (Production Management Institute), plus make regular appearances at Pepperdine University as a guest lecturer in strategic marketing.

I’m proud to be considered an expert in this segment, including sales, marketing, service, administration, production and procurement; and I’m excited to have been chosen to serve this well-read and important publication in our industry. I love this business!

Tuesday: Introductions to representatives from the textiles, linen supply, and hotel/motel/resort laundry sectors.

Click here for Part 1.

BEIJING, China — The growing China laundry services industry is in the market for high-production equipment, so a Texcare Asia show that traditionally has featured smaller laundry machinery “grew” this year to include seven tunnel washers in the exhibition.

Demand for high-quality, energy-efficient equipment is on the rise, thanks in part to the Chinese government’s push to reduce the country’s CO2 emissions by 45% by 2020.

And as China’s middle class grows more affluent and the country becomes a more desired international tourist destination, the hospitality industry is capitalizing by building more hotels. For example, Marriott recently announced plans to open one hotel in China each month for the next three years.

“There are so (many) people and so (many) needs, so they look for bigger machines,” says Bengt Bruce, president of laundry equipment manufacturer B&C Technologies, Panama City, Fla. “That’s why you see tunnels here.” Bruce was on hand to assist Accurate Technologies, the Thailand-based manufacturer for which B&C is a distributor in the United States.

“I’m amazed about the interest for our products,” says Bruce. “In general, I see a trend in the industry that you would see more quality out of the Chinese manufacturers. Overall, in the last three years, I have seen a big change. Overall, it’s a very good exhibition.”

Tony Regan, senior vice president for sales and marketing for American Dryer Corp., Fall River. Mass., took note of the increased number of China-based companies exhibiting equipment here this year.

Will their stronger presence make it more difficult for foreign companies to compete for business here?

“I’m going to say no, because as the market opens up even more and there is growth going on, we just have to approach it differently, we being the Americans, Europeans and the other parts of the world coming to China,” Regan says. “I think there still is potential for everybody.”

In September, the Jensen Group opened a large manufacturing facility in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, as its new base in China. The 91,000-square-foot plant includes a sales and servicing center.

“Our machine systems are more than a match for future laundry requirements, a fact that is entirely in line with our promise to offer sustainable laundry automation,” says Kai Anderson, Jensen’s regional business director. “We are extremely pleased with the number of visitors and are confident that we have the right solution for every laundry requirement.”

Consultant Glen Phillips of Minnesota-based Phillips & Associates attended Texcare Asia to meet with several Chinese manufacturers interested in participating in projects with his firm, as well as to visit with American and Canadian vendors attempting to gain a foothold here.

“China today is 40 to 50 years behind the Europeans and Americans in the delivery of quality laundry service,” says Phillips, whose firm has advised several Chinese national entrepreneurs in laundry projects. “Some of the international in-house hospitality laundries are acutely aware of the quality aspects of delivering quality linen service, but most are ambivalent about the benefits that service brings, particularly if the general managers don’t demand better service.”

Of the seven reported tunnel manufacturers on the floor, three were from Europe/USA and the remaining four were “copycat” Chinese manufacturers, Phillips says.

“Close inspection of these (Chinese) machines revealed welding flaws and errors, wiring irregularities that violated UL (Underwriters Laboratories) codes, and under-designed drive and safety features.”

He believes the Chinese-made machines were designed and built to meet certain “Chinese price points” without regard to good design and safety features.

Chinese manufacturers are “very naïve in the technical aspects of the laundry industry, particularly in the proper use of chemicals when dealing with contaminated healthcare textiles.”

David Tingue, CEO of Georgia-based Tingue, Brown & Co., attended the show in support of his company’s Hong Kong operation, now in its third year. Tingue, Brown supplies a variety of flatwork ironer products.

“It’s a very full conference hall, but it’s very easy to see this show, the way they have it laid out,” Tingue says. “I’m impressed by how many ‘big equipment’ guys are here vs. what I saw a few years ago. You’ve got all kinds of different manufacturers that, frankly, I’d never heard of.

“We need to see their business grow, so we can get the (orders for) after-market supplies they need to buy from us,” Tingue says. “It’ll trickle down to us soon.”

MISSION, Kan. — The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) has made two new healthcare marketing tools available to every operator in the textile services industry. There is no charge to download the print-quality documents.

“ARTA is pleased to share these one-page sales sheets with everyone in the industry,” says ARTA President Steve Tinker. “Our goal is to help create greater awareness of the benefits of reusable textiles by arming our members with resources that help them market to and educate clients.”

The new resources are:

• Summary of 2011 AORN Standards — ARTA has distilled the information relevant to healthcare linen processors in this one-page summary of the 2011 Standards, published by the Association for periOperative Registered Nurses. ARTA Vice President Barb Fordyce of Foussard Montague Associates helped to develop this summary.
• The FACTS About Reusable Medical Textiles — Providers of disposable healthcare items make various claims that are typically unsubstantiated by research, ARTA says, and this document states the facts on reusable textiles with supporting research. Operators should consider using this information to help educate clients and increase their use of reusables.

To download, visit www.arta1.com; click “Marketing Tools.”

DENVER, N.C. — Bringing new products to market is never easy. It’s an undertaking that typically requires a tremendous amount of resources and capital. But what about reviving a once-popular piece of machinery that was no longer being produced?

This was the task for manufacturer Leonard Automatics, a company best known for producing steam tunnels that saw an opportunity to revive production of the Challenge Stack-N-Store multi-lane draping stacker.

The machine was once highly successful, is still widely used, and is known for being reliable, durable and cost-effective, Leonard says.

But the company also knew that in times of a slowly recovering economy and obvious uncertainty in world markets, any capital expenditures require careful consideration.

What’s more, Leonard had never ventured into the flatwork side of the laundry before.

“The decision was really pretty easy once we did the research behind the product,” says President Jeff Frushtick. “We are not going to sit back and worry about tomorrow; we are going to evaluate our opportunities just like we always have, and if it makes sense, we will commit the resources to make it happen.”

Daunting Task

Leonard acquired the product assets in March. The goal was to put the initial project into production as quickly as possible, with the Clean Show to be the unveiling platform.

Leonard’s personnel had the daunting task of going through thousands of files, including engineering drawings, technical data and miscellaneous information.

Through the staff’s diligence and experience and the company’s entrepreneurial spirit, a fully operational Stack-N-Store was on the floor ready for display when the Clean Show opened.

The stacker accepts napkins, bib aprons, towels and other small pieces up to 22 inches wide right from an ironer and automatically stacks and counts them. Each lane stores up to five stacks of up to 250 pieces for a total capacity of 1,250 pieces.

Its automated efficiency means that one operator can easily handle 5,000 small pieces per hour and still have time for other duties, Leonard says.

The machine was a big hit with many attendees, the company says, and Frushtick says it will help Leonard to grow into other segments of the laundry industry.

Not only is the company filling a void left by the departure of Challenge, it is now able to assist laundry operators with technical support, parts, and new-project sales.

“Thankfully, the opportunity that was recognized at the beginning of the year and the amount of capital and energy expended has already proven to pay off,” he says.

Purchases were made on the show floor, and there has been additional sales and interest in the months since, says Dan Farnsworth, vice president of sales and marketing.

Not only has Leonard revived a missing piece of equipment, it has established the parts stream, technical support service, and a rebuild program for the many laundry companies that invested in the Stack-N-Store over the years.

“Instead of staying the course, this is the best time in years to be reaching out and investigating how to make all of our companies function better, more efficient, use less energy, and improve quality,” Frushtick says. “Sometimes you have to spend a little to gain a lot.

“Leonard Automatics decided this was a great time to invest in our company, in a new line of equipment, to firmly position ourselves for growth and the future.”

NAUGATUCK, Conn. — Goudkuil Laundry Machinery, Apeldoorn, Holland, has acquired the assets and business operations of Lavatec Inc., President Albert Goudkuil announced via press release. He says the acquisition brings the U.S. company out of bankruptcy.

“The group will continue doing business with the same name and out of the same facilities that Lavatec Inc. has operated from during the past 24 years,” says Goudkuil, who will serve as company president.

When asked to elaborate on the acquisition, Bruce Burmann, vice president of sales and marketing for Lavatec Inc., replied, “The purchase was for assets sold free and clear of debt without assumption of liabilities, approved by the bankruptcy court of New Haven, Conn.”

For clarification, it should be noted that the company is not related in any way to Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH or its U.S. affiliate, Lavatec Laundry Technology Inc.

The Lavatec Inc. facility in Naugatuck includes more than 42,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 17,000 square feet of office space and parts storage, according to Goudkuil. More than $2 million in parts inventory is ready to be shipped overnight, he adds.

Key Lavatec employees that have sold and serviced Lavatec equipment and parts in the past will remain with the new Dutch employer.

Goudkuil Laundry Machinery—formed in 1910—is best known for rebuilding a broad range of used laundry equipment for worldwide distribution, but the company also offers new washer-extractors and dryers under the Goudkuil name.

“In the near future, we will be able to supply to the American market complete ironing lines and remanufactured tunnel systems of European quality,” Albert Goudkuil says.

Lavatec Inc. originally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2009.

“I know that my laundry operation is due to be inspected sometime soon, but I’m not sure how to get ready for it. Where should my focus be? In what areas are we most likely to get nailed if our operation is deemed substandard?”

Equipment Manufacturing: Chuck Anderson, Ellis Corp., San Diego, Calif.

They say procrastination is a universal human behavior and I have to agree, since I procrastinated in writing this article. But one area we must not procrastinate in is having our laundry ready for inspection at any time. Here is an abbreviated pre-inspection checklist:

OSHA — Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Bloodborne Pathogens — Make sure a documented exposure control plan is in place and reviewed at least yearly with employees. Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is in good condition, clean, and being worn in areas of occupational exposure. Check that engineering controls (e.g., sharps containers, shields, etc.) are in place and sterile.

Hazard Communications — Transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard-communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and employee training.

Confined Spaces — Tunnel washers, chemical tanks, boilers and wastewater pits are all examples of confined spaces. The employer shall inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means.

Lock Out/Tag Out — Establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections. Ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative. Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical and thermal are all examples of energy sources.

Machinery Guarding — Ensure guards are in place and function correctly. Guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, etc. Barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc., are examples of guarding methods.

HLAC — Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council

Soil Sort Area — Items to check include employee training for BBP, functional separation between soil and clean processing areas, cleanliness that is maintained and documented, proper hazard communication in affected work areas, the provision and wearing of PPE, and cart-washer utilization schedule and functionality.

Wash Aisle — Check to see that wash temperatures and times are maintained, and machines are being loaded properly and documented. Prevent cross-contamination of clean and soil in this area. Wipe down machinery frequently with a good quat disinfectant cleaner.

Finishing Area — Proper blow-down schedule and cleanliness, workflow patterns to prevent cross-contamination, preventive-maintenance documentation, linen-inventory management and proper lighting are the keys here.

Staging and Storage Areas — Make sure these areas are uncluttered, cleaned frequently, and protected from lint blow-down.

Fire Department

General — Are address numbers for the building clearly visible from the street? Is exterior fire department access unobstructed? Is combustible vegetation removed so as to not create a fire hazard? Is a minimum 3-foot clearance maintained around fire hydrants?

Egress — Are the exits and doors easily recognizable, unobstructed and functional? Are the exits and exit enclosures free from combustible materials? Are doors with self-closing hinges maintained in the closed position (not blocked open)?

Electrical — Are all electrical outlets, switches and junction boxes properly covered with cover plates, and is the electrical system safe from any apparent shock and/or other electrical hazards?

Are circuit breakers/fuses labeled? Is the area maintained clear at least 30 inches in front of the electrical panel(s)?

Fire Alarm System — If the building is equipped with an alarm system, has a qualified fire alarm company performed the required annual service?

Fire Extinguishers — Is there access to fire extinguisher(s) rated minimum 2A-10BC? Is the travel distance from all portions of the building less than 75 feet to an extinguisher? Are all extinguishers visible and accessible (not blocked)? Have the extinguisher(s) been serviced and tagged by a fire extinguisher company within the last 12 months?

Fire Suppression Systems — Is the top of storage maintained a minimum 18 inches below head deflectors in fire-sprinkler areas?

Storage of Flammable, Combustible Liquids, and Compressed Gas — Are quantities in excess of 10 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids used for maintenance purposes and the operation of equipment stored in liquid-storage cabinets? Are cylinders of compressed gas, such as helium, argon, oxygen and acetylene, chained securely to prevent them from tipping over?

Local Agencies/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

State and local agencies may visit to check for valid permits such as boiler operating licenses, business licenses, worker documentation, etc. The Environmental Protection Agency may visit to see that you comply with air cleanliness measures or wastewater discharge limits.

Maintain clear records about anything in the workplace that carries inherent risks, especially if there is a history of accidents with that particular object or situation.

If you have an employee manual, it should be up to date with the most recent laws and regulations regarding health and safety.

Keep the working area clean, free of dangerous surfaces or items that can cause injury, and make it easy to access in case of an emergency or accident. Make sure emergency exits are clearly marked and first-aid kits and fire extinguishers are readily available. While these may seem like minor details, they are, in fact, the areas where most companies fail to comply with OSHA regulations.

Long-Term-Care Laundry: Gary Clifford, Pines of Sarasota, Sarasota, Fla.

Due to be inspected “sometime soon” is really waiting until it is almost too late to do anything about getting ready.

The best time to get ready for your next inspection is immediately after your last inspection. However, if you have waited and are feeling unprepared for an impending inspection, get to work now on improving your chances of passing your inspection.

Take a good look around your facility and honestly evaluate what you are seeing.

A lot of times, we look through things we see every day without actually seeing them. Fight that tendency and you will often spot areas that need improvement.

You may find it helpful to get someone from the outside to evaluate your operation. If you know other laundry managers or feel comfortable with one or two laundry vendors, ask them to check things out.

Soiled and clean linen must be separated and not come in contact with each other at any time during processing. Remember to keep everything—soiled and clean—covered to eliminate contamination. And your staff needs to use standard precautions (PPE) when handling soiled linen.

Cleanliness is something that all inspectors will look for. Not only does it appear clean today, do you have a policy (doesn’t have to be in writing) for keeping things clean? This is especially true when it comes to lint removal. Every member of your laundry staff must be able to tell the inspector when and how they keep things clean.

Schedule a few extra staff meetings to make sure everyone is educated and on the same page. As often as you can, ask the questions you would ask if you were an inspector. And look up the results of any past inspections to make sure you do not repeat mistakes.

If you had a specific problem during a recent inspection, you can be sure the inspecting party will be looking to make sure you corrected that problem!

Don’t wait until “sometime soon” is here to get ready for the next inspection. The facilities that do the right things all the time and are best prepared have the most successful inspections. Make sure your facility is one of them.

Click here for Part 1.

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Continental Girbau recently presented the Girbau Industrial Distributor of the Year awards to Laundry Pro of Florida Inc., Lakeland, Fla., and Laundry Systems of Tennessee, Sevierville, Tenn. The honor recognizes excellence in distribution and sales.

Led by Ron Jansen, Laundry Pro is a full-service vended, on-premise and industrial laundry equipment distributorship. “Ron Jansen is a great supporter of Continental and took the challenge of being the first to embrace Continental’s new Girbau Industrial brand,” says Continental President Mike Floyd. “He exceeded with flying colors, having installed the first Girbau Industrial TBS-50 Batch Washing system, complete with conveyors, press and ST-100 Drying Tumblers.”

Laundry Systems of Tennessee, led by President Jeff Large, is a well-established full-service vended, on-premise and industrial laundry distributorship. “For years, Jeff Large has been among our most technically equipped distributors in North America,” says Floyd. “He embraced our Girbau Industrial brand from the beginning. His installation of two Girbau Industrial ironing systems in Nashville proved a huge success for all involved.”

Girbau Industrial products include the TBS-50 Batch Washer, SPR-50 Press, ST-100 Drying Tumblers, several models of high-capacity washer-extractors, drying tumblers and finishing systems, as well as feeders, folders, stackers and conveyor systems.

NEW YORK — Trade shows are great for bringing together the industry’s most important players and prospects. But all that product-seeking and hand-shaking comes at a cost. Airfares, hotels and restaurant meals represent a hit to your bottom line.

Uncle Sam does offer some respite for the trade-show traveler, however. Prudent and thorough deductions of travel expenses on your income-tax returns can help soften the financial blow.

As attractive and necessary as these deductions are, though, you must be careful how you proceed. Experts advise deducting only those expenses permitted by law.

“Travel expenses are red-flag audit triggers for the IRS—particularly in the areas of meals and entertainment,” says Suzette Flemming, president of Flemming Business Services, a financial-management company based in Great Falls, Mont. “Unfortunately, the burden of proof for these deductions is on individuals, not the IRS. And the proof must be in the form of documentation.”