The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in
New Orleans, LA
February 27 - 29, 2012
at the Ernest Morial Convention Center
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The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in |
Recommending a “Green” Cleaning Service? Look for GS-49 Certification by Nana Wilberforce, PhD, Environmental Scientist, Green Seal Green Seal’s GS-49 Standard -- scheduled for official launch in Spring 2009 - establishes criteria for professional green cleaning of homes and residences (with the exception of specialty services such as carpet cleaning or mold removal.) GS-49 spotlights unhealthy types of products and processes, and identifies healthier ones in an effort to green the cleaning of homes by professional maid and home cleaning services. Below are highlights and excerpts from the proposed new standard. Requirement:
GS-49 Certified residential cleaning service providers must not use products containing the following ingredients or those with these attributes:
Requirement:
GS-49 Certified residential cleaning service providers shall use equipment that at a minimum, meets the following specifications:
GS-49 requires a phase-out of equipment that does not meet the above criteria.
Other considerations
Requirement:
Vulnerable populations. The cleaning service provider shall identify whether a vulnerable individual resides in the residence being cleaned and if such an individual is present, all of the following criteria shall be conducted or applied:
Accident Management. The cleaning service provider shall have an appropriate accident control policy governing the procedure to be followed in case of an accident. Accident report records shall be kept on all cleaning crew and accident report forms shall be readily accessible to all staff. A basic first aid kit shall be provided for each cleaning crew. GS-49 site-specific cleaning procedure requirements include those for:
Floors
Kitchens
Requirement: Waste Reduction
Requirement: Training In addition, upon hiring, all cleaning personnel are required to undergo initial training on the company’s Standard Operating Procedures, the proper sequencing of cleaning steps, and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), in addition to regulatory requirements. As part of initial training, all personnel are to be given standard safety training including focusing on reducing and preventing ergonomic injuries and exposure to hazardous materials encountered by cleaning service providers and their personnel. Specifically, staff should be trained in the proper handling of equipment and chemicals, special considerations for any hazardous chemicals used, accessing and understanding information on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and job-specific protocols for personal protective equipment. Employees should also receive instruction on cleaning, rinsing, re-use, and recycling of used chemical applicators. New hires should receive their initial training in the company office and then continued or advanced training may be conducted at the site, before personnel are assigned to clean independently. The training of each employee must be documented to fulfill the staff training requirement. GS-49 Certification & Labeling Rules Wherever the Green Seal Certification Mark appears, there must be a description of the basis for certification. The description shall be in a location, style, and typeface that are easily readable by the consumer. Unless otherwise approved in writing by Green Seal, the description shall read as follows: “This cleaning service meets the criteria of Green Seal’s Environmental Standard for Residential Cleaning Services for reduced toxicity, waste, and exposure.” For use at residence, unless otherwise approved in writing by Green Seal, the description shall read as follows: “This residence is cleaned by a service that meets the criteria of Green Seal’s Environmental Standard for Residential Cleaning Services for reduced toxicity, waste, and exposure.” For more information about GS-49, visit www.greenseal.org. Green Seal Definitions Disinfect. A process for hard inanimate surfaces undertaken to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi, bacteria, and other microbes, but not necessarily their spores. Disinfection is performed using only EPA-registered disinfectants or EPA-registered disinfection devices. Microfiber. Products made from synthetic fibers that measure less than one denier. The most common types of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides (nylon), and or a conjugation of polyester and polyamide. Microfiber is used in the manufacture of non-woven, woven, and knitted textiles. The shape, size and combinations of synthetic fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including: softness, durability, absorption, wicking abilities, water repellency, electrodynamics, and filtering capabilities. Optical Brighteners. Additives designed to enhance the appearance of colors and whiteness in materials by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and emitting blue radiation; including but not limited to fluorescent whitening agents. Ozone-Depleting Compounds. Any compound with an ozone-depletion potential greater than 0.01 (CFC 11=1) according to the EPA list of Class I and Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances. Reproductive Toxin. A chemical listed as a reproductive toxin (including developmental, female, and male toxins) by the State of California under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 2, Subdivision 1, Chapter 3, Sections 1200, et. Seq., also known as Proposition 65). Sanitize. A process intended to reduce, but not necessarily eliminate, microorganisms from the inanimate environment to levels considered safe as determined by public health codes or regulations. Toxic. A product is considered toxic if it falls under the labeling requirements as a toxic or highly toxic product, as defined by Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations found at 16 CFR Chapter II, Part 1500. Volatile Organic Compound. A chemical with a vapor pressure greater than or equal to 0.1 mm Hg at standard conditions. Vulnerable Individuals/Populations. A vulnerable individual or population represents people who are more susceptible than the general population to chemicals and products that might pose a risk to human health. These populations include but are not limited to children, pregnant women, the elderly and infirm, people sensitive to chemical exposures (e.g., fragrances), and other occupants, customers, or employees that may have a higher susceptibility to cleaning operations. What’s an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP)? A product certified as such by a Type I (i.e., third-party) environmental label that was developed in accordance with the ISO 14024 Environmental Labeling Standard. Alternatively, a product may be designated as environmentally preferable by an established and legitimate, nationally-recognized program developed with the purpose of identifying environmentally preferable products. The program must not have any financial interest or stake in sales of the product, or other conflict of interest. Such designation must be based on consideration of human health and safety, ecological toxicity, other environmental impacts, and resource conservation, as appropriate, for the product and its packaging, on a life cycle basis. Product criteria must constitute market leadership for the product category, and be publicly available and transparent. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, April 2009 |