The Standard Issue 3 2022

TITLE,
THE
STANDARD
SUB TEXT
1St Para [BOLD]
2nd Para [REG]
EDITION 3
2022
ATTRACTING
YOUNGER
CANDIDATES
TO CAREERS
IN CLEANING
WITH KELSEY
HARGREAVES
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE...
INTRODUCING
THE BICSc
AUDIT APP | P6-7
GOVERNMENT ACCUSED
OF IGNORING THE
CLEANING INDUSTRY | P8
BICSc INTERVIEWS PENNY
MOYSES - CLEANING & TIDY
SHOW | P20-21
BICS.ORG.UK
NEWS EVENTS WORLDWIDE STANDARDS
1 | 1

03 THE CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
BY LORRAINE DAVIS MBICSc
04 WELCOME TO SUMMER!
BY NEIL SPENCER-COOK MBICSc
05 INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
BY DENISE HANSON FBICSc
06 INTRODUCING THE BICSc
AUDIT APP
08 GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF
IGNORING THE CLEANING AND
HYGIENE INDUSTRY
BY JIM MELVIN
10 SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON…ROSA
QUINTANA
BY PRUE GRIFFITHS
12 BICSc MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
BY STAN ATKINS FBICSc
14 ATTRACTING YOUNGER
CANDIDATES TO
CAREERS IN CLEANING
BY KELSEY HARGREAVES ABICSc
16 THE NEED FOR CHEMICAL
FIRST AID TRAINING WITH
PARAMEDICS R US
20 BICSc INTERVIEWS
PENNY MOYSES,
FOUNDER OF THE CLEAN AND
TIDY HOME SHOW
22 RCP LAUNCHES NEW
SUSTAINABILITY VISION
AND ROADMAP, THE LOVE
SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY
24 OUR ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNEY
BY JAN MARRIOTT FROM HEATH
AND WILTSHIRE LTD
25 MAPA SPONTEX PROFESSIONAL
26 SC JOHNSON PROFESSIONAL
27 3-MOMENTS TO HELP KEEP YOUR
WORKFORCE HEALTHY
28 MY CAREER IN CLEANING
BY DARRIN MCCARTNEY MBICSc
32 THE NEED FOR KNEEPADS!
A DYING ART?
BY DENISE HANSON FBICSc
34 CHARTERED STATUS SUCCESS
WITH LYNN WEBSTER FBICSc
36 A QUICK GUIDE TO RECRUITMENT
AND RETENTION FROM
CITATION’S EXPERTS
38 PROVIDING A NEXT LEVEL
CLEAN, SUSTAINABLY WITH
VILEDA
40 DOMESTIC ABUSE
– HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
BY FIONA BOWMAN
43 WELCOMING
OUR NEW MEMBERS
CLEANING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
LEEDS FROM ARTICLE SHINING
A SPOTLIGHT ON…ROSA
QUINTANA BY PRUE GRIFFITHS
| P10-11
THE STANDARD

THE
CHAIRMAN’S
UPDATE
BY LORRAINE DAVIS
MBICSc
There are not many of us who
have not been badly affected by
the heat during the last month.
We are informed that this extreme
weather pattern is something we
need to get used to, and it is due
to global warming. Unfortunately,
even if we reduce our carbon
emissions to the recommended
levels worldwide, it is unlikely to
have an immediate effect in cooling
the planet. As a result, these
unpredictable weather cycles are
here to stay for many years before
they start to cool down.
It goes without saying, as a
cleaning industry, we need to do
everything possible to reduce
waste and be as environmentally
sustainable as we can. It is in all
our interests to make sure we are
not polluting the environment with
harsh chemicals, and we should do
everything to conserve water and
energy.
However, I would like to focus
on something we can do now,
and that is to consider its impact
on the health and safety of the
cleaning operative. Most of us
have struggled with fatigue and
discomfort recently due to the
excessive heat, and our cleaning
operatives are no exception.
Our cleaning teams worked all
through the pandemic to keep the
environment safe for us. Therefore
I believe during extreme periods
of heat, we should do everything
possible to look after their health
and wellbeing. We cannot of course
change the weather, but there are
a number of actions and initiatives
that we could do to make their lives
safer and a bit easier.
During periods of extreme heat we
should endeavor to:
• Relax the uniform protocol
• Offer flexible access time for
cleaning, cleaning earlier or later
when the building is cooler
• Ensure staff are aware of where
the water coolers are
• If the air con comes on and off
at set times – ensure it stays
on when the cleaning staff are
working - provide fans if you do
not have air con
• Insulate any hot pipes and shade
windows with blinds, make sure
these are closed during the day
• Arrange for external periodics
and window cleaning to move to
another date
• If you cannot move the date,
undertake a risk assessment and
make sure they have a break for
five minutes every hour. Don't
forget to provide water and even
sunscreen. Ensure they wear
headgear, caps & hats, etc., as
sunburn can cause skin cancer
• Tell staff not to open windows
as it prevents the air con from
working effectively
Office and other workers should be
told not to leave food lying around
– particularly communal fruit,
cake and biscuits left on the end
of desks and filing cabinets. In the
heat they decay more rapidly and
this will result in a fly infestation.
We should also issue clear
guidance to our cleaning
operatives, on what they should do
to stay safe such as staying out of
the direct heat in the middle of the
day, wearing sunscreen if outside
and to always keep hydrated.
Anyway, lastly on a positive note
– if you don’t have to go to work
or are on holiday, just enjoy the
sunshine but do it sensibly!
Best wishes
Lorraine
2 | 3

THE BICSc
BULLETIN
WELCOME TO THE
SUMMER EDITION!
BY NEIL SPENCER-COOK
MBICSc
NEIL SPENCER-COOK
Chief Operating Officer
Well for once I can say welcome
to the summer edition and it has
sure felt like summer too! In fact
with record breaking temperatures
in the UK it feels like a very
strange summer, one that has
some warmth and some sun for
absolutely everywhere in the UK.
Apologies to our International
readers who regularly experience
the high temperatures that made
us so hot and bothered, but as the
UK can regularly experience all
four seasons in one day, a period of
prolonged warmth has the majority
of us in a small amount of shock!
The Virtual Training Suite (VTS)
recently passed 20,000 online
registrations which we celebrated,
the months of May and June saw
over 2000 registrations per month
so a steady growth is showing at
the moment. Please continue to
check the website for new
courses and the most up to
date information.
We have had a number of
busy months with training and
verification trips to Ireland, Dubai,
Abu Dhabi and Qatar to establish
new ATM centres. Please check
out our new members later in this
edition as we highlight some of
their achievements.
The BICSc judges have been busy
again, this time with the excellent
entries for the September BICSc
Awards. Finalists were announced
in June and the face-to-face judging
sessions have been well underway.
Our congratulations to everyone
who entered as the standards
were higher than ever. The very
best of luck to all the finalists, we
look forward to meeting you at the
Awards in September. This year’s
Awards sees a return to the Forest
of Arden Hotel and following a vote
by BICSc council, a return to an
evening event, council stating
that the evening allows for
more of a celebration.
We hope to see a number of you
there celebrating with us.
As an industry we know that we
need to attract younger people
to our workforces and so we are
thrilled to announce that Kelsey,
our assistant technical specialist
is now a Youth Ambassador. She
will tell you more about this in a
piece explaining her role and how
everyone can get involved. The
daytime event at the awards will
feature a Q&A session dealing with
some of the issues and hopefully
the answers for how the cleaning
industry can become a more
attractive proposition for today’s
youth. If you have any questions
you would like to be considered
by the panel then please send
them to us.
Send to marketing@bics.org.uk
20,000
REGISTRATIONS!
>>
THE STANDARD

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
BY DENISE HANSON
FBICSc
DENISE HANSON
Head of Technical Services
A very warm hello to all of our
International customers. Whilst
the UK did have a very brief spell
of trying to match your ambient
temperatures, currently we are
back to our usual forecast of
mixed weather.
It has been a very busy quarter for
our verifier Pete Gowers who has
had regular trips to Dubai and Abu
Dhabi. I hope you have seen the
celebrations of the ATMs' success
on BICSc LinkedIn. I find this a
great opportunity to put some
faces to the names.
I experienced my first trip
to Qatar to carry out some
verifications and I would like to
thank all the sites for their warm
welcomes – I truly enjoyed the
experience. Sam Willson also
made the trip to meet with some
customers and she also attended
the AtoZ verification.
It was a great opportunity to meet
existing customers and explain
some of the changes to the
BICSc CPSS and the VTS offering.
My thanks to Tanzifco for their
hospitality and especially to Colin
Hanks, an ex BICSc team member,
who generously acted as our tour
guide!
It was
lovely to
meet Linc
Facility
Services
who
became
our first
ATM to
undertake
all their
training prior to the assessor
practice day by utilising the Virtual
Training Suite, there is a piece in
this edition detailing their thoughts
and feelings on the VTS option.
Their verification day ran very
smoothly, and I wish them every
success with their comprehensive
training plan.
I would also like to thank AtoZ
Services and Edgewater for their
time and it was a real pleasure
to meet all of the assessors and
see their facilities and plans for
the future. I look forward to
future visits and seeing more
of our customers in their
training facilities.
Kelsey Hargreaves has also
been busy with training days in
Dubai, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The
feedback from sites has been very
positive and we have a number
of trips planned for the next few
months to bring on more assessors
and to add to centres' skills.
So with travelling well and truly
underway again, myself and the
team say a huge thank you to
Teresa who juggles our diaries to
meet customers’ requirements
and pulls the trips together. Her
organisational skills keep us on
track and have allowed us to fulfil
the backlog of work that the travel
restrictions had created. Hopefully
with the team we can now meet
the new requests in a much more
timely manner and I know we are
currently planning further trips
to Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and
Saudi Arabia. We look forward to
meeting you in the not too distant
future.
4 | 5

THE BICSc
BULLETIN
INTRODUCING THE BICSc AUDIT APP
Audits are becoming a very
popular way to monitor cleaning
standards and provide an in-depth
report on service delivery which
is beneficial to both client and
contractor alike.
Unlike a stand-alone cleaning
inspection, an audit also focuses
on processes and procedures in
place and the results highlight
any apparent risks and areas that
require improvement.
The BICSc Cleaning & Hygiene
Audit includes an in-depth check
of processes, systems, paperwork,
policies, areas included in the
cleaning specification, staff
behaviours and appearance, and
the standard of the equipment
available to the cleaning
operatives.
In facilities where audits are carried
out regularly, it is proven that the
quality of the cleaning improves,
and, frequently, is the start of
a cycle of continuing increased
standards – the quality of cleaning
improves, which increases morale
and motivation of the cleaning
operatives, which spurs them on to
improve on the previous report and
around it goes.
For a number of years, BICSc have
been undertaking independent
cleaning and hygiene audits at
customers’ requests (and will
continue to do so), but a number
of customers have voiced their
concerns that if the cleaning
operatives know that an audit is
on the horizon they will put in
extra effort until the audit is over
rather than applying the same
standard regardless of whether
or not an audit is due.
To this end, they have said they
would like to be able to conduct
ad-hoc audits themselves, rather
than rigidly sticking with a format
of, for example, the recommended
minimum 4-a-year undertaken by
BICSc, but they want to use the
same criteria so that the results
can be comparable.
Other customers have also asked
if we can change the acceptable
quality levels (AQL) for the
inspection – maybe due to the
nature of the business undertaken
in the building they feel that the
BICSc standards that we use for
our audits are either too low or
too high.
Well, those wishes are about
to become a reality with the
imminent launch of the BICSc
Audit app!
THE STANDARD

The app will feature the same
criteria that BICSc use for an
audit, but users can set their own
overall report score that they feel
is more suited to their business
(which includes the results from
the paperwork and processes
section, combined with the results
from the cleaning inspection
section), and they also have the
flexibility of setting their own
AQLs for the room categories for
the building inspection.
There are 17 different room
categories available to assign to
the rooms used for inspection
– including the Healthcare
Functional Risk categories 1-6.
Each category has a list of default
elements assigned (including
the 50 elements as outlined in
the NHS National Standards of
Healthcare Cleanliness 2021
manual for the Functional Risk
categories) and the user will have
the ability to add elements to the
room if any are missing.
The user will also be able to add
comments and pictures to backup
their response to any of the
process and procedures questions.
They will be able to add comments
and pictures to rooms that are
inspected. They will also be able
to add comments and pictures to
elements within the room should
they wish to drill down to that
level during the inspection.
When the audit has been
completed, the user can submit
the results and generate a PDF
report that they can download*
which will calculate an overall
result by including the section
results and the inspection results.
All comments and pictures that
were added during the audit can
also be included in the report.
The report will be automatically
time and date stamped when
it is submitted to remove any
query over when the audit was
undertaken.
The app will be a free, smartphone
app available to download from
both the Apple and Google app
stores.
Whilst being designed specifically
for a smartphone (who doesn’t
carry one of those around with
them?), it will also work on an
Apple or Android tablet.
*To be able to submit and generate a
report, a small monthly subscription will
be required which can be cancelled at any
time. There is no limit to the frequency or
number of audits a subscribed user can
submit, and they can access all historic
audits they have submitted whilst the
subscription is active.
6 | 7

GOVERNMENT
ACCUSED OF IGNORING
THE CLEANING AND
HYGIENE INDUSTRY
Frustrated business leaders have accused the Government of ignoring
and overlooking one of the top ten biggest industries in the UK.
JIM MELVIN
Chairman of British
Cleaning Council
Over two years, leaders of
the £58.9bn a year cleaning,
hygiene and waste industry, have
repeatedly asked for Government
help on key issues including
recognition for staff and severe
staff shortages, but to no avail.
The BCC led the drive to set up
the All-Party Parliamentary Group
for the UK Cleaning and Hygiene
Industry and is its secretariat, but
no genuine progress has been made
towards APPG aims in a number
of key areas.
The BCC is demanding a high-level
meeting with Government to discuss:
• A short-term strategy to
immediately alleviate the current
highly significant staff shortages,
including a review of Immigration
Act requirements, as with other
industries, to allow non-UK based
workers to join the sector.
• A long-term strategy, to make
the cleaning and hygiene industry
a career of choice for young
people to enable succession
planning with a clear career-long
development process.
The BCC’s ‘We Clean, We Care’
campaign highlights the vital
contribution the industry makes.
BCC Chairman Jim Melvin said:
“Our proud and professional
industry is one of the biggest and
most important in the UK but it
THE STANDARD
has been overlooked and, frankly,
forgotten by the Government.
“We feel very let down and the
results are causing major issues
within the industry which could
result in significant hygiene concerns.
“The role of cleaning and hygiene
personnel is frontline and essential
to keeping the public healthy, safe
and well. The cleaning and hygiene
sector is one of the ten biggest
industries in the UK with skilled,
professional, and trained staff.
“The industry was a key component
and absolutely vital during the fight
against the Covid pandemic and is
vital to returning to normality safely
and hygienically, as well as being
prepared for and helping to stop any
future variant or pandemic.
“During the pandemic, the sector’s
staff bravely put themselves on
the line, going out to work to keep
others safe and well, though many
were never recognised as key and
essential workers.
“Despite this role, government
policy including the Immigration
Act now brands our industry as
‘low-skilled’ which is, unsurprisingly,
incorrect and the wrong narrative.
“As a result, parts of the sector are
suffering severe staff shortages and
while other industries are listened
to and appear to have access to
assistance, this proud industry is
simply ignored.
“Colleagues in healthcare,
hospitality, contract cleaning and
other areas have been stretched
to breaking point for months. Jobs
may well be lost which could cause
businesses irreparable damage.”
Despite the BCC raising concerns,
new immigration rules in 2021
labelled cleaning and hygiene as a
low-skilled occupation, making it
much harder for overseas staff to
enter the country.
During the pandemic, the BCC and
industry bodies also campaigned
without success for all frontline staff
to be given key worker status.
Recently, the Government simply
failed to fully respond and agree to
the BCC’s demands for a meeting to
discuss the Sue Gray report, which
highlighted the poor treatment of
cleaning staff in Downing Street.
Mr Melvin said: “We need to be
sure that the disgraceful culture has
been properly resolved and we need
reassurances that the culture and
social acceptance cleaning staff in
Government and in general will be
treated correctly in future.
“Instead, we have not had full
responses and must reach the
conclusion that all the previous
comments made in relation to
this matter were nothing more
than soundbites and sadly typical
rhetoric. We will now seek to meet
with any new government and hope
for a more genuine approach.”

SHINING A
SPOTLIGHT ON…
ROSA QUINTANA
BY PRUE GRIFFITHS
It’s been a good year for Rosa Quintana. A member of
the University of Leeds’ cleaning team since 2017 and a
professional photographer, her exhibition of portraits of her
colleagues won widespread acclaim in May. On top of all this,
in June she was named Cleaning Operative of the Year by the
British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education (BACHE).
The exhibition – ‘Unobtrusive Impact’ – showed striking
images of cleaning staff working in buildings across the
campus in 2020 to 2021. While many people were working
from home, the cleaning team – alongside others in the
university’s Facilities Directorate, including security and
maintenance colleagues – kept the campus running,
responding at short notice to changing guidelines.
“I wanted to show the quiet impact of the team, working in
every building doing essential work,” says Rosa. “This felt
particularly acute during the pandemic but we do important
work every day.
“We cover morning, afternoon and evening shifts, seven days
a week, and I wanted to put on record the different types
of jobs we do, particularly as they relate to the different
functions of the spaces we clean.
“Although in some of my photographs the architecture of the
buildings and the locations dominate the image, the most
important aspect is the person you can find if you look closely.
These are the cleaners, who make our spaces clean, safe and
more comfortable.”
ABOUT ROSA
Rosa started work at the University in
2017 as a part-time cleaning operative and
since last year has been working full-time,
combining early morning shifts with a
daytime housekeeping role.
She moved to Leeds from Spain in 2017
with her son when he started studying at
Leeds Beckett University.
As a photographer, she kept noticing
opportunities for portraits, seeing her
colleagues working against the backdrop
of the many different types of architecture
on the university’s campus. This felt
particularly poignant when the campus was
so quiet at the height of the pandemic.
“I also wanted to get to know my
colleagues better,” says Rosa, “and I wanted
to afford viewers of the photographs the
opportunity to do the same. That is why I
included detailed captions with many of the
pictures.”
These captions tell of lives outside work:
hobbies, hopes for the future, and previous
jobs. One dreams of studying to be a
nurse, others of owning their own business
or teaching in the classrooms they are
cleaning.
THE STANDARD

BACHE AWARD
Jill Roberts, Head of Cleaning
Services at the University of Leeds
nominated Rosa for a BACHE award
in response to the exhibition.
“Like all of my team,
Rosa brings skill and
commitment to her work
and thoroughly deserved
the award.
“But the exhibition showed such
initiative. I was so pleased when
she came to me with the idea,
highlighting the essential role of
cleaning teams everywhere.
“She explained to me that she
wanted to shine a light on
the sometimes ‘invisible’ and
overlooked work of cleaners,
especially considering how
important cleaning roles had
become during the pandemic and
how they had to learn to work in
different ways.
“I supported her request and we
worked with our communications
colleagues to ensure Rosa could
carry out this project in line with
university procedures as well as
get some attention for it.
“After getting permission for
photographs to be taken from the
cleaning team and university users
Rosa embarked on her project, taking
some photos during her working day
but predominantly in her own time.”
The award acknowledges those
who have performed their role to
a high degree of professionalism
throughout the year, and who
may have shown initiative in
contributing to the student
experience and outside the normal
requirements of their role.
Such is the success of the team that
another colleague – Carol Haynes,
Operations Team Leader in Cleaning
Services – was shortlisted for a
different award. Carol had previously
been recognised by managers at
Leeds Dental Institute where she
works who nominated her team for
a GR8X NHS award for going over
and above expectations. They won.
Jill continues: “The team
comprises over 350
people, covering all
academic buildings on the
main university campus.
They are a very diverse
group, from all over the
world and of all ages.
“I’m very proud of them
and of the culture we
have created which means
that everyone, I hope,
feels included, listened to,
and recognised. Our work
helps the university to be
one of the best
in the country.”
PRUE GRIFFITHS
Communications Manager,
University of Leeds
10 | 11

BICSc
MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
BY STAN ATKINS
FBICSc
STAN ATKINS
Group Chief Executive Officer
I think we have all heard the expression “what did the Romans ever do for us”, and when you
start to analyse the benefits of the Roman invasion of Britain, generally they were plusses.
One system of government, straight roads, central heating and Roman baths.
Unfortunately, as with all
memberships, we do not
analyse the benefits often
enough, and sometimes they
are miscommunicated.
For both Corporate and Individual
Members you belong to an
Institute that promotes:
• Membership
• Cleaning standards
• Training and assessment
to these standards
You are part of the largest
independent, professional
and educational body within
the cleaning industry with
50,000+ members.
THE STANDARD
For individuals, membership
represents the start of a career
path with qualifications in the
cleaning industry. We are part of
a community who through BICSc
Council, support one another, both
professionally and individually.
Through prudent and diligent
management, individual fees have
not been increased for nearly five
years and you can access your
member benefits via our website
at www.bics.org.uk
As far as Corporate Members are
concerned, your subscriptions
help support the development
of new training and standards.
You are part of an internationally
recognised Institute and
Corporate Members play
an important part, through
Council, of the governance of
the Institute. The one exceptional
benefit that Corporate Members
have, is the ‘YOSHKI click to
verify platform’.
If your organisation uses the logo
supplied when you join or renew
on your company’s website, any
visitor who clicks on this will be
taken to the YOSHKI verification
page, which validates that you
are a paid-up member of the
Institute. Although this is vitally
important, only a small percentage
of members use this facility. The
number of spurious logos and
people who claim to be Corporate
Members are increasing yearly,
so by using our correct logo/
branding, you are protecting
your investment.
You are part
of the largest independent,
professional & educational
body within the cleaning
industry with 50,000+
members.

HERE'S A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT
YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS
YEAR'S EXCITING EVENT
Delicious three-course dinner,
accompanied by live entertainment
Enjoy the 2022 BICSc
Annual Awards Ceremony
Chairman’s Charity Prize Draw
Supporting Dementia UK
Live entertainment
from Tailor & Co
BUY YOUR TICKETS
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE

ATTRACTING YOUNGER
CANDIDATES TO
CAREERS IN CLEANING
BY KELSEY HARGREAVES
LBICSc
KELSEY HARGREAVES
Assistant Technical Specialist
There is a lot of pressure at a young age to have a picture-perfect life. Although I’m sure that’s the same for all
ages. You spend your formative teenage years working for grades in hopes that you can shine a light on yourself
even for the 2 minutes “look at what I’ve achieved”.
Even now, you see posts on social media, or you have conversations over a coffee with friends the same age
and you have an exchange of achievement, and await the praise, the excited questions, and why not, you’ve
earned it! I had the excited posts on Facebook by friends congratulating me on my entry to university, I went
for celebratory drinks when I started placements, was asked hundreds of questions about the modules I was
studying, but, the same cannot be said when I revealed that I had started working in the industry. Praise soon
turned into “why?”, Facebook status’ stopped, and believe it or not friends didn’t care to ask why I was getting so
freaked out about the red cloth being used on the restaurant table! Why was that? I was working full time, I was
providing for myself, putting a roof over my own head, I was happy.
Unfortunately, this story is a familiar one for many people. We are brought up to recognise caps, gowns and
briefcases as the attractive successful side of the working world, seldom are we taught to recognise that the
people helping keep our schools, shops, hospitals and workplaces clean have successful careers.
In the past few years there have
been many pushes in the cleaning
industry to try and attract more
young people. To try and change
the way this amazing industry
is viewed by the rest of the
world. Although the pandemic
helped raise the profile of our
industry slightly, it did not
completely raise the profile to
become widely attractive for the
cleaning industry. Many of us find
ourselves in the cleaning industry
without wanting to have been in
it, yet, we need to focus on the
reasons why we have stayed in
the industry itself.
WHY DID I STAY IN THE INDUSTRY?
I wanted to help create safer environments
I wanted to help give people opportunities
I enjoyed working alongside hard working people
I wanted a career in an industry that was trying to solve
environmental issues
I wanted a career where I could develop
I wanted to work in an industry that was diverse and vibrant
I wanted a career where I would be listened to

THE CLEANING INDUSTRY OFFERED ME ALL THESE THINGS
As a younger cleaning professional
I have been asked many times
what can be done to attract more
young people into the industry.
Now, I’m no marketing expert, I
do not profess to understand the
psyche of onboarding people,
but what I do know, is that the
industry has given me everything
that I wanted in a career.
Earlier this year I became a Youth
Ambassador at Youth Employment
UK, a group of people helping
to tackle some of the youth
employment barriers young people
experience. Youth Employment UK
hold many events and attend many
events answering the questions
of young people, in my time as
a youth ambassador I hope to
spread the news of the industry
to young people, explaining to
them about all of the differing
opportunities within the industry
as well as helping young people
overcome barriers they face in
the current climate. My first event
was in August where I spoke to
students and their parents after
their GCSE and A Level results,
offering them advice and sharing
the opportunities that our industry
has to offer. If people do not view
the careers in our industry as
worthwhile or attractive, then let’s
shout about it until they do!
Our industry is experiencing
many problems with recruitment
and a lack of people for the
new generation of cleaning
professionals, yet surprisingly,
unemployment for young people
in the United Kingdom is at an all
time high. We need people, and
young people need careers. People
will continue believing that the
industry is unattractive and careers
are ‘dead end’ if we don’t show
them that it's not.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
There are many things that you can do!
SHOW YOURSELF TO BE A
YOUTH FRIENDLY EMPLOYER
AND SIGN THE YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT CHARTER:
The Good Youth Employment
Charter was co-created with young
people and a range of partners by
Youth Employment UK in 2012.
The Charter was updated by the
Youth Employment Group in
2020 in response to rising youth
unemployment. Organisations
are encouraged to work to
the Principles of Good Youth
Employment and can sign up free
of charge to the Youth Friendly
Employer Badge & be listed on
the Youth Friendly Employer
Database to be recognised
for their commitment to the
5 principles (creating
opportunity, recognising
talent, fair employment,
developing people,
youth voice).
READ THE RESULTS FROM THE
YOUTH VOICE CENSUS 2022:
Young people aged 11-30 years
old that participated in the census,
2022’s results were released on
the 6th September. The results
show how they are navigating
the transition from education to
employment. Data will show what
is working and what improvements
need to be made with partners
across the sector, employers
and with UK Government policy
makers.
ENSURE YOU HAVE
A YOUTH VOICE:
Any younger cleaning professionals
within your organisation will know
what is attractive to people the
same age. Although young people
do not have the number of years’
experience as those who have been
in the industry for a long time, their
thoughts, knowledge and hard work
should not be diminished, as we
move forward as an industry ethically
and environmentally, let's move
forward together and ensure that the
industry continues to develop, be
successful and keep people safe.
14 | 15

THE NEED FOR CHEMICAL
FIRST AID TRAINING
Chemicals are commonly used by businesses of all sizes. Incorrect handling, or accidents can cause serious
chemical injury, which can lead to permanent disability, or death. Cleaning is the 6th most common profession
to sustain chemical injury. Roughly 10% of all chemical hospital admissions (Dong-Hee, et al. 2016). The most
common sites of chemical injury are the upper extremities and hands, with acid burns being four times more
likely than alkali. Inhalation injuries and eye injuries are also prominent.
Some household chemicals used
may have a relative low toxicity,
however, when mixed with other
chemicals, these relatively safe
substances can change state, and
become potentially fatal. Safe
systems of work and correctly
sourced and worn personal
protective equipment (PPE) can
help to mitigate some risks. But
the limitations of PPE, the effective
lifespan (the PPE’s break through
time) and its importance is often
unknown to wearers. Cleaners are
also susceptible to needlestick
injury. So, in an increasingly
litigious world, it is advisable that
companies and organisations
protect their staff, by giving them
suitable training on what to do in
case of an accident.
The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) state that where the work
involves higher level hazards
such as chemicals, or special
hazards such as hydrofluoric
acid, employers will then need
to provide additional training for
first aiders to deal with resulting
injuries. (HSE, 2018). Training
providers must show that they
are competent to deliver the
first-aid training.
Staff at PARAMEDICSRUS.COM
have experience in working in
ambulance service Hazardous Area
Response Teams. So are trained
and experienced in dealing with
casualties who are affected by
Chemical, Biological, Radiological,
Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE)
environments. These same staff
also have experience teaching
people to become Paramedics in
Higher Education.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BOOKING ONTO THE 'CHEMICAL FIRST AID'
COURSE, ALL THE DETAILS ARE ON THE NEXT PAGE.

CHEMICAL FIRST AID AT WORK
This four-hour course will be delivered by registered paramedics who teach Paramedic
Sciences in Higher Education. The staff delivering this course also have experience in
working in Hazardous Area Response Teams, so are trained, and experienced in dealing
with casualties who are affected by Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and
Explosive (CBRNE) environments.
Chemical First Aid at Work course (CFAW) suggested content:
• Understand the epidemiology of chemical injuries.
• Identify scene danger and keep yourself safe.
• Immediately manage chemical injuries to the skin.
• Immediately manage chemical injuries to the eyes.
• Immediately manage the inhalation of chemicals.
• Immediately manage needle-stick injuries.
• Understand the value and limitations of your organisations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Report adverse events and understand the follow up process.
Following successful completion of the course, attendees will be assessed, and presented with a Chemical
First Aid at Work certificate which is valid for 3 years.
The content of this bespoke chemical first aid programme can be tailored to address the most
commonly used chemicals in your organisation. Also, to address the PPE that is available in
your organisation. For example, if you use hydrofluoric acid – we will cover this. If you use
liquid nitrogen, we will cover this. If your staff wear respirators – we can cover them specifically.
Tailor made courses are by far the best way to protect your staff.
PARAMEDICSRUS.COM has exceptional feedback,
which can be viewed in the testimonials section of our website:
www.paramedicsrus.com/testimonials/
PRICE FOR THE ENTIRE COURSE IS £865 PER COURSE
UP TO 15 PEOPLE (EXCLUDING VAT)

EXCELLENCE
IN TRAINING
It is vitally important that we provide a clean and safe environment for our patients, members, visitors and staff.
This is achieved by delivering cleaning excellence within our hospitals and gyms, with our Housekeepers and
Clean Teams playing a major part in changing our patients’ and members’ perceptions of the service offered by
Nuffield Health.
During 2018, Nuffield Health introduced a new Environmental Cleaning Policy which requires all 37 of our
hospitals to follow a standard operating model, bringing a “One Way of Working” approach across our estate.
During the development of our new cleaning policy, it was clear we would need a robust cleaning training
programme for all our Heads of Housekeeping and housekeeping staff. Following discussions with the BICSc
team it was agreed that the BICSc training programme was a perfect fit and met our objectives and vision
moving forward.
Nuffield Health worked closely with BICSc to develop a four-day training programme which would see our
Heads of Housekeeping achieve an assessor level accreditation and all housekeeping staff would receive a
Licence to Practice and various module accreditations.
In September 2018, we began our ambitious BICSc training programme rollout with the first assessor training
session at our skills hub at Leeds Hospital, which was attended by five of our Heads of Housekeeping who had
been selected to be Nuffield “BICSc Cleaning Champions”. Four years on, we can proudly say that all Nuffield
Health housekeeping staff (over 600) are trained and certified.
ABOUT US
Our purpose is to build a healthier nation through connected services which focus on both physical and mental
health. We do this through our network of hospitals, fitness and wellbeing centres and workplace wellbeing
facilities, as well as our flagship programmes to address unmet health needs and increase accessibility for
communities.
We have been working for over 60 years to make the nation fitter, healthier, happier and stronger. As the UK’s
largest healthcare charity, we invest all of our income back into achieving our purpose.
Our connected health services support our patients, members and customers range from providing mental
health support or hospital care and treatment to personal training, health assessments, GP services and
physiotherapy. We work together as a team to help people achieve their health and wellbeing ambitions.
Our patients and members have access to a range of services from hospitals, gyms, physiotherapy and mental
wellbeing. Nuffield Health hospitals provide a complete health and wellbeing service, throughout which
cleanliness and infection prevention is fundamental to patient and customer safety.
THE STANDARD

BICSc INTERVIEWS PENNY MOYSES,
FOUNDER OF THE CLEAN
AND TIDY HOME SHOW
We are delighted to announce that
we are proud partners of the Clean
& Tidy Home Show.
Taking place at ExCeL London
on 8th & 9th October 2022, the
Clean & Tidy Home Show features
celebrities, influencers and experts
(including BICSc), whilst showcasing
the latest cleaning, organising, home
and self-care products and bringing
together a growing community
of homemaking enthusiasts. We
all know how critical it is that
workplaces are clean and hygienic
in light of Covid - but what about in
our own homes? We interviewed
founder of the show, Penny Moyses,
to find out more:
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I have worked in events for more
than 15 years in B2B and B2C
markets. I am passionate about
people, introductions, kindness, and
believe that anything is possible if
you bring the right people together.
I live in Hertfordshire with my DIY
enthusiast husband, two young sons
and two dogs.
HOW IMPORTANT IS CLEANING
AT EVENTS?
I have worked with some amazing
cleaning teams at exhibition and
conference centres, hotels, pop-up
venues and disused buildings. The
cleaning teams are just as important
as the main contractors, logistics,
health and safety teams and others
in terms of opening an event on
time, ensuring it is a safe and
pleasant environment for our visitors
and indeed when breaking down the
event!
THE STANDARD
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO
CLEANING LIKE?
In my early career, I was often in the
office 60+ hours a week and away
for long periods of time delivering
events. Renting with friends, it was
easy enough to close the door on a
messy room and avoid slots on the
cleaning rota. When I was at home,
I was overwhelmed by different
products, not knowing what I
should use for different surfaces and
becoming frustrated when I didn’t
see the results I expected. When I
became a wife and mother, I thought
the homemaker in me would me
would suddenly surface – but this
wasn’t the case! Over the last few
years, I discovered tips and tricks
on social media and started to gain
some knowledge and confidence
when it came to cleaning my home.
WHY DID YOU LAUNCH THE
CLEAN & TIDY HOME SHOW?
I lost control of my home during
lockdown. Working and parenting
full-time, weaning my first born
and being in the house 24/7
meant that, like so many others,
I just couldn’t keep up. I turned
to social media, and it was at this
point I really started to uncover
the online community of people
with similar challenges to me, and
a support network of people who
could offer advice. I discovered
that there was a need to bring
this growing community of home
enthusiasts together in real life and
on a large scale. I also identified a
gap in the market for an inclusive
and accessible home show – an
alternative to existing consumer
events where home owning and
interior design take precedence
over making where we live, be it
a studio, flat share with friends,
rented accommodation, large
renovation project or otherwise, the
wonderful, calm and functioning
sanctuary we want it to be,
regardless of space or budget.
WHY DID YOU APPROACH BICSc?
After reading Stan Atkins’
“Confessions of a Cleaning Operative”
in the last issue of The Standard,
certain things struck me – hearing
how Stan had had no formal training
at the start of his career but still took
pride in his work and did the best he
could, and saying that “Anyone can
clean, but only those who have been
trained can clean correctly”, I came to
realise that, in anything in my life I am
skilled at, I have had both training and
practice. So assuming I’d be highly
skilled at cleaning without the correct
training was an unreal expectation.
In his article, Stan recounted a
story about the dangers of mixing
hydrochloric acid and bleach,
something that has been in the press
recently as consumers have made
the same mistake, and I realised that
commercial training can translate to
domestic cleaning. I want us to learn
from each other in an enjoyable way
– but also to ensure that the advice
we are giving is safe, practical and
easy-to-follow. Working with BICSc is
the ideal fit!
HOW DO YOU THINK BICSc CAN
HELP YOUR AUDIENCE?
I hope that much of the training
and advice offered to commercial
cleaners will translate to a consumer
audience. Things like standard
operating procedures, colour-coding,
dosage, contact time, shelf life and
manufacturers’ instructions are all
applicable to the home. I also believe
an understanding of how long it
takes for professional cleaners to
become qualified is both important
and reassuring – we shouldn’t expect
to know it all, especially as everyone
has different ideas, experiences
and a varying degree of skill. That
said, if we all have access to the
right knowledge, everyone can take
incremental steps to improve the way
we clean our homes.

8 - 9TH OCT
WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR CONSUMERS
TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING
OF COMMERCIAL CLEANING BEST
PRACTICES?
The more knowledge the consumer
has of commercial cleaning best
practices, the more they can
appreciate and demand standards
in the workplace, restaurants, shops
and more. We are committed to
raising the profile of cleaning both
as a profession and in the home –
which are both often unseen and
undervalued - and are an advocate
for cleaning teams. Hopefully
we can go some way to help the
unprecedented shortage of staff in
the UK.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT
FROM THE SHOW?
The Clean & Tidy Home Show is
an unprecedented opportunity
for commercial cleaners to unite
with consumers and brands. BICSc
will have a stand to promote their
services and meet our community,
and BICSc members will join a
panel session about the science
behind cleaning. It’s set to be a great
weekend with participating brands
such as Unilever, Reckitt, Vax,
Minky Homecare and Scrub Daddy
(to name a few!).
The show is far from a lecture
or training day, but a face-toface
community where there is
something for everyone – whether
it’s learning tips about cleaning,
decluttering, organising, caring for
your things – or making the most
of our Community Hub, browsing
our exhibition stands, getting hands
on with workshops and ultimately
having a great weekend with likeminded
people to improve your
home and lifestyle.
HOW CAN OUR MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED?
As mentioned, The Clean & Tidy
Home Show is a community of
homemakers, professional organisers
and cleaners – so BICSc members
are an essential and welcomed
part of the event! Be sure to follow
us for the latest tips and insights
on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok,
LinkedIn and Twitter, buy yourself a
ticket and invite your peers to come
along too!
@cleanandtidyhomeshow
@cleanandtidyhomeshow
@cleanandtidyhomeshow
clean-tidy-home-show
cleantidyshow
To find out more, please visit
WWW.CLEANANDTIDYHOMESHOW.COM
or get in touch with Penny at
PENNY@CLEANANDTIDYHOMESHOW.COM!
PENNY MOYSES
Founder of the Clean
& Tidy Home Show
20 | 21

RCP LAUNCHES NEW
SUSTAINABILITY VISION
AND ROADMAP, THE LOVE
SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY
Rubbermaid Commercial
Products LLC (RCP), part of the
Newell Brands global portfolio
of brands, has launched its brand
sustainability vision with a roadmap
outlining global, tangible pledges
the organisation is making as
it continues its journey toward
operating as sustainably as possible.
As of 2019, 59% of businesses
claimed to have internal
sustainability initiatives in place.
Pressured by their customers and
staff into being demonstrably
‘green’, without transparency
and clear definitions of ‘green’,
confusion about which practices are
actually sustainable can frustrate
businesses and consumers alike.
Scientists are increasingly focusing
on what effect humans are having
on extinction rates, the legacy
of acid rain is manifest in acidic
oceans and particles of plastic can
now be found in human blood.
People see these news stories
every day and are pressuring
businesses to do more.
Through its Love Sustainability
Journey, RCP is creating
transparent conversation around
sustainable practices and goals.
The Love Sustainability Journey
charts a plan for progress.
“Our Love Sustainability
Journey is the first step to
engaging our customers,
regarding everything that
Rubbermaid Commercial
Products is doing globally
to ensure we operate
as sustainably as we
can,’’ explained Mike
McDermott, CEO of the
Commercial Group at
Newell Brands.
RCP is dedicated to being part
of a concerted sustainability
effort across the business world
not just through its products,
but through vital education
and sustainability tools.
As a global leader in the design,
manufacturing and delivery of
cleaning, hygiene and waste
management products, RCP has
a significant sustainability role to
play at both ends of the process:
protecting resources and
reducing waste.
Mapping a path
across five key areas
– Products, Certification
and Innovation,
Packaging, Operations,
Culture and Education
– the Sustainability
Journey begins the
important process of
outlining how RCP and
other businesses can
make incremental gains.
FURTHER READING...
DELOITTE
ARTICLE
RESEARCHGATE
ARTICLE
CLIMATE KIDS
ARTICLE
SCIENCE DIRECT
ARTICLE
REED MORE
REED MORE
REED MORE
REED MORE
THE STANDARD

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNEY
BY JAN MARRIOTT - ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGER HEATH & WILTSHIRE LTD
When we look around us, we see
companies, big and small, that
are well into their environmental
journey. As an SME, we were
aspirational about introducing
more eco-friendly practice into our
business plan but were unsure of
how to get started.
I became involved with our family
business in January following my
departure from teaching. It was
audit time for our ISO14001 and it
was clear that we needed someone
to take this on as a standalone job,
in order to give it the necessary
focus. I had no experience of
working with environmental issues,
however it was something that I was
interested in and I felt inspired by
our Operations Director’s passion
for moving the company forward
with sustainable values. I absorbed
myself in the stages of 14001 and
we sailed through our audit; we
now had a taste for pushing our
environmental values forward.
We agreed my involvement would
continue and that I would assist
in helping to push us forward
on our environmental journey.
However, we needed structure
and greater understanding. We
immediately began to review our
practice and made some changes;
working with our main janitorial
supplier we found that there were
some quick fixes we could make
with products and chemicals. We
focused more closely on recycling
THE STANDARD
and packaging and made sure we
employed locally where possible to
reduce commuting. We could have
stopped there and patted ourselves
on the back but knew this was just
the start. We now needed a clear
strategy to move forward for longer
term planning.
I signed up for a six-week online
course on ‘How to calculate your
carbon footprint’. This course was
not only informative but helped
me to understand the processes
involved. I became familiar with
environmental jargon and learnt
about some of the strategies
and pitfalls of calculating carbon
footprints, reducing emissions
and offsetting. As with almost
all businesses, our biggest area
or carbon footprint is our Scope
3 emissions and the area that is
hardest to tackle. When calculating
footprint, the majority of scope 3
emissions are worked out using a
spend based approach, basically the
more you spend, the greater your
emission count. This is the way most
carbon footprints calculations are
arrived at. However, this system
leaves us with a quandary. We all
know that moving over to Ecofriendly
products is not cheap, be
it uniform made from recycled
materials, paper products from virgin
pulp or eco-friendly equipment;
they all cost more. And that’s fine.
Except, it isn’t fine because it then
puts the Scope 3 emissions up even
further. Another fly in the ointment
is business growth. When we are
talking about the service industry,
growth equals more employees,
and more employees equals more
emissions. Consequently, this
also increases the overall carbon
footprint, despite attempts to
improve practice. So how do we
overcome these obstacles? There is
an alternative to the ‘spend based
approach’ which should provide a
more accurate result. As a company,
we have not tried this approach
yet but I hope that when we do it
will give a more accurate reflection
of our efforts. With regard to the
increased growth, resulting in an
increased absolute carbon footprint,
the answer here is to show an
intensity value, thus showing
actual signs of progress. A report
of carbon footprint ‘per employee’
will demonstrate that, although
your overall (absolute) carbon
footprint has gone up, the intensity
value has reduced, again reflecting
true environmental efforts.
The good news is that as more
companies really start to focus on
reducing emissions, this improving
environmental practice feeds into
each other’s businesses, enabling
even more overall progress.
This is the story so far of our
environmental journey. It is just
the start and as a company, we are
learning that it is not just about
carbon footprint data but making
the right choices for our planet,
our customers and employees
and our business.
JAN MARRIOTT
Environmental Manager
Heath & Wiltshire Ltd

MAPA SPONTEX
PROFESSIONAL:
ECO-FRIENDLY AND
EFFICIENT INNOVATIONS
MAPA SPONTEX PROFESSIONAL is
a worldwide leader in the production
of cleaning tools and hand
protection products, committed to
offering innovative and effective
solutions. With more than 80
years of experience, the company's
expertise covers the production of
cleaning tools for wiping, scouring,
washing and floors.
Innovation and guaranteed hygiene
have always been the focus of
Spontex. But today, the company’s
goal is also to disseminate
and share its environmental
commitment with its customers.
Customers who, without wishing to
renounce the effectiveness of the
products, are increasingly attentive
to their green credentials.
Sustainability is becoming an
essential part of the cleaning
industry, companies and users
are increasingly mindful of the
impact operations have on the
environment. It does pose the
question of what sustainability
means to the cleaning industry?
People have differing views on what
this means to them and what counts
as being sustainable. What does it
take to be green, what does being
green even mean?
From our perspective sustainability
encompasses the green element,
sustainability should cover all
aspects of a product from the way in
which products are produced, how
raw materials are sourced,
the ethical approach to sourcing and
most importantly the environmental
impact. We firmly believe that all
our efforts, no matter how big or
small, once combined and multiplied,
will have a positive impact.
Bertrand Genuyt, Mapa Spontex
president & CEO, affirms that:
“Manufacturing everyday products
on an international scale is a huge
responsibility and we must do our
part to protect our surroundings.
Since every effort matters, we make
sure that our actions are focused
on protecting our users, our teams
and nature.
To aid organisations push towards
sustainable cleaning solutions, we
launched a range of cleaning tools
which are ethically sourced, using
natural and recycled materials
with zero or limited colourants.
By using natural materials, our
Sponrex 100 sponge scourer is both
biodegradable and compostable -
reducing the impact on our planet.
We use recycled materials in our
MF Pro Recycled Microfibre Cloths,
plastic has been repurposed from
plastic water bottles which would
otherwise be sent to landfill or
incinerated. Extending the life cycle
of single use plastics and reducing
total emissions is just one way
we can reduce our impact on the
plant. Delivering the benefits of
needing less energy to repurpose
and emitting less carbon emissions
compared with virgin plastic
production. All of this is designed
to have a positive impact on the
environment without compromising
the efficiency of our products which
professionals expect.
We all need to do our bit to reduce
our impact on the plant. Mapa
Spontex is committed to continuous
improvement, developing further
responsible sourcing, reducing
our environmental impact, and
improving social standards.
We support this with concrete
actions with specific objectives
set for 2025.
24 | 25

SC JOHNSON PROFESSIONAL
DENBY SITE AWARDED GOLD MEDAL
SUSTAINABILITY RATING
THE AWARD PUTS US IN THE TOP 5% OF PEER COMPANIES RATED
BY ECOVADIS BASED UPON OUR WORK AT THE DENBY SITE
SC Johnson Professional’s
sustainability performance at our
Denby, UK site has been awarded
a Gold Medal rating for 2022
by EcoVadis, an evidence-based
corporate social responsibility
(CSR) and sustainability ratings
framework designed to measure
and report on these factors. The
rating puts us in the top 5% of
peer companies rated by EcoVadis
across 160+ countries for our
efforts at the Denby, UK site.
We were required to demonstrate
evidence which showed our
commitment to key EcoVadis
environmental, social and ethical
factors. The measurement of
these factors is supported by
a methodology which draws
from international sustainable
development standards, including
the United Nations Global
Compact, the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI), and ISO 26000.
You can find out more about these
factors and EcoVadis’ assessment
methodology by visiting
EcoVadis.com.
Katja von Raven, SC Johnson
Professional CEO commented:
“We are delighted to receive
this EcoVadis Gold medal for
sustainability, which reflects our
ongoing hard work and dedication
to continuously driving for more
sustainable activities, in our own
world and beyond. The SC Johnson
Professional team worked together
to gather the evidence needed,
which was required by EcoVadis
as part of the very thorough and
stringent measurement process
to demonstrate our sustainable
credentials.
“The outstanding
achievement also
allows us to enhance
the link between CSR
and sustainability,
something we all have
a responsibility to work
hard to improve. As
we continue to work
towards a better world,
the Gold Medal EcoVadis
rating helps show that
SC Johnson Professional
has a true long-term
commitment to its people,
the environment and the
communities in which
we operate.”
Use less.
Recycle more.
Be responsible.

3-MOMENTS TO
HELP KEEP YOUR
WORKFORCE HEALTHY
Here at SC Johnson Professional,
we know that you need to
be able to create safe and
healthy environments for your
workforce, as they may come
into contact with contaminants
and conditions which might be
harmful to their skin on a daily
basis. These conditions can
include colder weather and UV
radiation from sunlight, with
irritants ranging from occupational
chemical products to everyday
contaminants. These contaminants
can lead to an impaired skin
condition – a potentially invisible
threat to health, safety and
efficiency that largely goes
underreported in the workplace.
Impaired skin conditions range
from dry skin which may cause
your employees minor discomfort
whilst working, through to
dermatitis which carries more
severe health and wellbeing
consequences. We conducted skin
condition tests which found that
93% of workers had dry skin, with
72% having visual signs of skin
damage to their hands. [1] Further
research has found that 10-15%
of industrial workers suffer from
dermatitis at any one time, [2] with
each case having the potential to
cost an employer up to £6000. [3]
Where protective supplies such as
hard hats, hi-vis workwear and PPE
are clearly provided to protect your
workers from everyday risks, skin
protection may not be as visible.
Regular compliance with best
practice when it comes to work
skin safety creams is estimated
to be less than 10% [4] and your
employees may accept their skin
condition as part of the job, not
viewing skin care as a priority
at work.
A coalition of world leading
occupational dermatologists agree
that hand washing is not enough
to protect skin at work and have
created the 3-Moments for Skin
Care best practice guidance. The
guidance defines the 3-Moments
when your workers should apply
skin care products, to help
significantly reduce the risk of
occupational skin disease and
help keep skin in good condition.
These products include protective
skin creams, appropriate hand
cleansers and restore creams.
[1] SC Johnson Professional Skin Health Assessment Report 2017 with 417 workers at four companies across eight separate sites
[2] Luckhaupt et al; American Journal of Industrial Medicine 56-623-634 (2013)
[3] Diepgen TT.L. et al; Contact Dermatitis 2013; 69-88-106
[4] Independent Research Commissioned by SC Johnson Professional, 2017
HERE IS AN OVERVIEW OF EACH OF THESE 3-MOMENTS:
PROTECTIVE SKIN CREAMS used prior to and during work help to reduce direct skin
contact with workplace substances and environmental conditions. Use of protective
creams can make the skin quicker and easier to clean with milder hand cleaners, whilst
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PROPER HAND CLEANING throughout the working day using the appropriate cleansing
product helps prevent contaminants from becoming ingrained into the skin. Using hand
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thoroughly cleaned.
RESTORE CREAMS at the end of the working day then help to maintain good skin
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MY CAREER IN CLEANING
DARRIN MCCARTNEY
MBICSc
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
– CLEANING &
HYGIENE SERVICES
(MITIE SCOTLAND)
I can honestly say that cleaning
has been my life, never having
been a lover of school or all things
academic, I could not wait to leave
and get a job.
At the age of 16, I walked into my
local hospital where my mum, who
was a cook, had got me a summer
job as a catering assistant. What
a catering assistant did, I had no
idea. I thought perhaps, “Oh I’ll
be helping the cooks and chefs
make some lovely food”, how
wrong was I. I was taken into a
very small room with no windows.
In the room were two very large
sinks piled high with dirty pots
and pans. I was told for the rest
of the week I would be in the pot
wash. Not quite the start to my
working career I had imagined, but
now that I look back on it, it was
a great learning curve for a first
timer to the workplace. However,
by the end of the day I had every
pot and pan spotlessly clean and
shiny, I had all the shelves tidied
and labelled, all the walls washed
down, and floor scrubbed clean.
In the back of my mind was always
my parents work ethic ‘If you’re
going to do a job do it right’. I took
great pride in my work in the pot
wash and asked could I stay there.
I later found out that the reason
they put you in the pot wash for
your first week was to make or
break you. I asked my supervisor
at the end of the week could I stay
in the pot wash, the look of shock
on her face said it all, she quickly
realised my abilities to clean
and had me moved around the
workplace gaining experience in
cleaning in all types of areas.
And so began my nearly 40-year
journey in the cleaning industry.
Even at that young age the
driving factor for me was that
satisfaction of being able to see
the achievement of your work at
the end of each day. I still get that
feeling each day from my own job,
simply because this industry has
many challenges daily and you
need to have the ability to meet
those challenges head on and
then sit back and reflect on
what you have achieved – not
many careers give you that.
This was the start of very many
happy years in hospital cleaning
and then getting the opportunity
to progress to a Senior Catering
Assistant role by the time I was 20.
It was a few years later and after
a gap year break to Australia, I
got an opportunity to take a
position as an Area Manager
for Cooper Cleaning looking
after building societies,
this still let me keep on
my cleaning side
by doing
cover
THE STANDARD

cleaning but being mobile and
working all over Northern Ireland
I did not mind that, and I was
gaining new skills in management
which was great. It was at this
time in 1998 that I had my first
experience of BICSc Training, I
was put through and certified on
all my BICSc skills, for me this was
amazing as I was then able to go
out and set up my contracts to
BICSc standards. My takeaway
and something that has always
stuck in mind was the phrase
“systematic overlapping passes”.
From getting that start within
commercial cleaning and the
opportunity to progress to
management levels my whole
life has been spent within the
cleaning industry working across
many sectors. It has been this
wealth of working experience
that has given me the diverse
knowledge of the cleaning
industry that I have today.
Working across so many different
companies and industry areas,
I have managed national cleaning
contracts for many blue-chip
companies like Tesco, Sainsbury,
B&Q, specialist cleaning of
aircraft and large police and
government contracts also
events and healthcare and
even catering contracts. I have also
had the opportunity to work within
so many very diverse cleaning
organisations, from the large
global multinationals to the smaller
and medium sized companies and
family run businesses. Having
worked across so many industry
sectors and for all these different
organisations in my career, it
has let me understand the huge
challenges that both commercial
cleaning operatives and
cleaning operatives face
in trying to deliver a
quality cleaning
service.
“We must find time to stop
and thank the people
who make a difference
in our lives”
Continued on the
next page....
28 | 29

I am always at my happiest when
I am out on the ground with
my cleaning teams, talking and
engaging with them and helping
too. I have worked many cleaning
shifts both night and day over the
years and had to respond with
my teams to many emergency
situations, and I feel that when
they see you're ready and willing
to roll up your sleeves with them
it creates a lot of mutual respect.
I also class myself as a bit of a
trouble shooter! It's not the first
time I have been out shopping
and maybe a cleaning operative
is using a scrubber dryer and hear
a sound that I know is something
not working quite right, I always
get that look of astonishment
when I say to them about the
noise and have the checked their
filters or hoses or their blades
and then got the machine opened
up or got down on the floor to
assist, much to the amusement
of other customers. But the
overriding thing that I always
try to do when on site is to
meet with the staff and say
thank you. People in general
do not realise that to cleaning
operatives who traditionally
did not get a lot of praise,
thankfully that is changing,
that those two words mean
the world. In the words of
John F Kennedy: “We must
find time to stop and thank
the people who make a
difference in our lives.”
For me, another very important
key to all of this has been my
involvement with BICSc, in my
view by training our cleaning
staff to BICSc standards we are
ensuring that we have highly
trained cleaning operatives across
our industry and giving back to the
cleaning operative a recognised
accreditation that they can take
with them through their career.
Like the old saying “what if we
train our staff and they leave
and what if we don’t and they
stay”. Well, if they do leave, they
are taking with them accredited
training no matter where they go
and are taking and retaining best
practice within this great industry
of ours. By not training them, well
that’s kind of a statement that
perhaps you do not want industry
best practice in your business, and
you do not want to further your
staff and promote a career
within the cleaning
industry.
I have been
involved in
the setup
of several
BICSc
Training centres and it has been
one of the most worthwhile parts
of my career, seeing cleaning
operatives get the opportunity
to develop and learn and learn
the proper ways of carrying out
the jobs they probably have
been doing for years, and the
smile on their face when they get
their BICSc certifications. Also,
lately with the introduction of
the BICSc Cleaning Supervisor's
Certificate course I have been able
to put forward members of my
own team who have such great
management skills and giving
them the opportunity to partake
of this great industry qualification
being a cleaner they thought
they had no future. As Nelson
Mandela once said: “Education is
the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world."
I have the privilege of being a
BICSc council member now, I am
delighted to be part of the council
and to be able to help this great
organisation plan and shape their
future, its also great to be working
with some amazing industry
colleagues where we all have the
common goal of bettering the
cleaning industry.
People ask the question: "Is there
a career in the cleaning industry?"
Yes there is, I am the live example
of that, but you also must have
people around you who you can
learn from and who want to
give you that opportunity
to succeed in your
career. I have
been very
lucky that
THE STANDARD

there have been several people within
this industry who have given me
those opportunities and support.
So, what I would say to those young
people who perhaps like myself were
not so academic and to all cleaning
operatives, you have a wonderful
opportunity to have a lifetime career
in one of the world’s oldest and
most satisfying vocations, and one
that is now getting the long overdue
recognition that it deserves.
Where would we be today without
the cleaning operatives? Over the
past 2.5 years so many have worked
continuously through the pandemic,
cleaning in very many difficult
situations and at times potentially
putting themselves at risk. Why do
they do it? Because they are the most
dedicated people, because they know
their companies and their clients
need them to be there and because
they want to be there. To each and
everyone who I have had the pleasure
to work with and those operatives
across the world thank you for all that
you do.
DARRIN MCCARTNEY MBICSc
Head of Operations
Cleaning & Hygiene Services
(Mitie Scotland)

THE NEED FOR
KNEEPADS!
A DYING ART?
BY DENISE HANSON
FBICSc
One of the most thoughtful
presents I received when I was
a contract cleaner was a pair of
roofers kneepads, now as I have
the most awful fear of heights
this wasn’t to see me enter a
new career!
No this slightly odd, but very
thoughtful present was provided
at the start of the summer holidays
and one of the contracts I was
responsible for had 105 schools
where stripping and sealing was
due to be carried out. Given the
amount of time I spent on my
knees, hand working edges and
difficult to reach areas there wasn’t
a lot left of these kneepads by the
end of summer.
Discussions with a number of
colleagues and customers recently
though, has left me wondering
whether floorcare skills are a
requirement for the future or will
the new flooring surfaces with
their low maintenance finishes
see an end to the stripping and
resealing of resilient floors.
THE STANDARD
I understand that the labour
intensive processes involved in
stripping and resealing can be cost
prohibitive, additionally the time
that the areas need to be placed
out of service can be an issue.
However, the joy of taking a floor
from a scuffed, dirty and dull finish
to one that gives the true colours
of the floor with an even reflective
sheen is one that I find most
rewarding.
The technicalities though are
considerations for when we
look at the floors requiring
renovation how do we know
where to start? Often the initial
information on the floor care
regimes is long gone leaving it
to the operative to determine
the type of flooring and
therefore its suitable product
range. So is the floor linoleum,
vinyl or resin and why do we
need to know. Well for anyone
who has used the wrong type of
stripper on a floor to see all the
colours bleed out this can be a
very expensive mistake.
When BICSc refurbished the
training suite, we considered
floorcare needs and ensured that
we have the most common flooring
types in situ so that identification
and relevant treatments can be
taught safely. I’m hoping that I
can break out the replacement
kneepads and share some of the
floorcare knowledge I have been
fortunate enough to gain over
my career.
DENISE HANSON FBICSc
Head of Technical Services

CHARTERED
STATUS SUCCESS WITH LYNN WEBSTER
FURTHER AWARDS AND REWARDS
The Chartered Practitioner
is gaining further momentum
with a second cohort of senior
personnel from the cleaning
industry achieving their
Chartered Status.
THE AWARD
There are two routes to follow.
If an individual already holds
Chartered status in another
profession or has a degree
(in any subject) then they can
take the Standard route. This
involves presenting themselves
in an interview (held virtually)
with the CPR Committee to
demonstrate how they meet the
criteria across the five elements;
their competence in General
Knowledge, Practical Skills,
Communication, Leadership and
Professional Commitment.
THE STANDARD
This is the opportunity to
recognise this and demonstrate
those worthy of such accolades. It
is worth remembering that this is
not only applicable to operational
managers but also for all senior
For others, and probably the
majority, there is the Individual
pathway where they produce a
submission of up to 10,000
words providing evidence of
how they comply with the various
statements across these same
five elements. This is a story of
personal achievements which
many have found the hardest part
when writing about themselves
as ‘I’ and not ‘we’..!!
managers and colleagues in
support services roles with a desire
to be acknowledged, those in allied
professions in the supply chain;
manufacturers and distributors.
This recognition of experience and
professionalism allows individuals
to display the post nominals C.Env.
Cln for their achievement.
It was a delight to see BICSc Head
of Technical Services, Denise
Hanson and Council Member
Yvonne Taylor among this group.
They were joined by Kevin
Meighan, Sales Director, The
Exclusive Services Group Ltd; Louis
Beaumont, MD of Hive Cleaning;
Joanne Gilliard, CEO of Jangro, and
Robbie Sutherland, MD of BICSc
Corporate Member OF Rams Ltd.

SOME
THOUGHTS
ON THEIR
EXPERIENCE
LYNN WEBSTER
Consultant
KEVIN MEIGHAN
SALES DIRECTOR, THE EXCLUSIVE SERVICES GROUP LTD
When I talk to my non cleaning
industry friends about my award,
they are impressed with what the
WCEC has achieved.
I believe over time the award
will become a bench mark for
the future leaders of our
great industry.
The process of obtaining the
award is also self-rewarding,
as you are forced to remind
yourself of your activities over
your career, the highlights and
also the great people I have
had the pleasure to work with.
I felt honoured being
presented with an award
from the Lord Mayor at
the Mansion House.
YVONNE TAYLOR
GLOBAL HEAD OF CLEANING, OCS
Recognition in any profession
is an honour, and the last 2
years have really shown that
the cleaning industry played
a large part in protecting
nations across the globe,
in my role it was important
for me to look at where my
journey started and what
I have achieved in my 27
years within the FM industry,
and how I can continue to
support the industry I am
passionate about. The process
for applying for Chartered
Practitioner status was easy
to understand; the hard part
was trying to remember all
the things you have achieved
over 27 years which was
quite a cathartic experience!
When you have not had a
job interview for more than
6 years the thought of facing
an interview panel after
completing my 10,000-word
submission was daunting
but the panel made me feel
reassured, were very engaging
and also had a passion for
the cleaning industry. I would
recommend anybody within
the cleaning industry to
challenge themselves, review
your career and acknowledge
your achievements in this way.
Please contact CPR@wc-ec.com
for more information, to register
if you would like to attend and
to find out more how your own
achievements and experienced
can be recognised.
34 | 35

A quick guide to recruitment and retention
From Citation’s experts
The recruitment and selection
process can be challenging for
any cleaning business, especially
facing changes created by the
pandemic and Brexit. But people
are a business’s biggest asset.
If you focus on hiring the right
people then you’re going to be
providing a better service,
which will naturally result in
more business.
Let us help you recruit smarter,
engage and motivate your
workforce, and retain the
wonderful people you’ve
recruited and invested in.
RECRUITMENT:
When you’re recruiting, you’re
looking to do two main things
– properly advertise your role
so that you’re attracting the
right people and properly
advertise your business, so
candidates can view it as a place
they’d like to join
and stay with.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
As your business grows, so will
your need for specific skill sets.
Do you have a gap in certain
skill sets that you need to fill?
What kind of experience and
personality traits would your
ideal candidate have?
MANUAL SKILLS
Do you have a skills gap or are
you missing specific roles in your
business?
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Do you need someone who is
super-organised and is able to
manage people effectively?
SECTOR-SPECIFIC SKILLS
Do you need someone who
has previous experience in your
industry, who can hit the ground
running? Are there any specific
qualifications and training the
ideal candidate must have in
the cleaning sector?
JOB DESCRIPTION AND
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Building your candidate profile
should help you be clear from
the outset what you’re after.
Don’t sell the role as something it’s
not – this’ll only end in a new recruit
leaving down the line when they
realise they’ve been mis-sold. When
you’re writing your job description
there are a couple of things you need
to be really clear about:
• The exact skills required for the
position and any desirable but
not absolutely required skills
• Whether the position is
temporary or permanent
• Do you need a unique skillset
for one part of a specific job, or
do you need to fix a long-terms
skills gap in your business?
• The background a preferred
candidate will have
• Do they need specific experience
or are you hiring for a position
with transferable skills?
• Qualifications or accreditations
required – does your ideal
candidate need specific
educational or professional
credentials?
It might also be worth touching
on where you see the role leading
in your job description. That way,
candidates will know that you invest
in your staff and they can start to
imagine a future working for you.
For your person specification,
really think about what kind
of characteristics are needed
for candidates to gel with your
existing team and culture.
RETENTION:
Did you know the average cost
of recruitment is £30,000? The
price tag includes factors like
loss of productivity, recruitment
costs, training and time spent
interviewing, to name just a few.
It’s an outgoing we’re sure you
could do without.
So, let’s take a look at how you
can better your retention with
effective HR tactics…
DEVELOP A PROPER
INDUCTION PROCESS:
- Make sure your new starters
have all the relevant information
they need (transport, parking,
work hours etc) before they
start. Introduce them to the team
they’ll be working with and try to
enable different members of the
team have a chance to properly
meet with your new hire so they
can understand how they’ll be
working together.
- Make sure your induction
process is thorough and try to
mix policies with positives and
perks. This is your opportunity to
enhance their excitement for the
journey ahead and embed them
into the team.
RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION CAN BE TOUGH,
AND THAT’S WHERE
WE COME IN.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO CHAT
MORE ABOUT HOW
CITATION'S SERVICES CAN
HELP YOUR BUSINESS
CALL US ON
0345 844 1111
AND QUOTE BICSc TO ACCESS
PREFERENTIAL RATES.

PROVIDING A NEXT LEVEL CLEAN,
SUSTAINABLY
r-MicronSolo is Vileda Professional’s
single use cleaning cloth made from
35% recycled materials. Due to its
advanced micronfibre technology,
it offers an effective and rapid
cleaning action of high-risk areas.
The highly absorbent cleaning cloth
especially suits demanding mechanical
cleaning tasks in hygienically sensitive
areas due to its proven ability in
removing bacteria and viruses by
99.99% on all surfaces.
r-MicronSolo also helps you
to avoid the risk of crosscontamination.
The colour coding
system R/B/G/Y allows a simple
differentiation of the wipes and
therefore accommodates a cleaning
process according to hygiene
standards and HACCP principles.
The very high absorbency function
of r-MicronSolo allows you to
clean big spills in one wipe and
furthermore removes even grease
and dirt from delicate surfaces like
ceramics or glass.
BENEFITS OF THE
R-MICRONSOLO AT ONE GLANCE:
• 99.99% virus and bacteria
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• Superior micronfibre mechanical
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• Made from 35% recycled PES
• High absorbency properties
for enhanced spill pick up in
one wipe
Use r-MicronSolo with cleaning
detergent or with just water,
depending on the dirt you want to
remove these cloths deliver superior
mechanical cleaning performance
combined with sustainability.
r-MicronSolo is labelled with our
“Love It Clean” logo. This label
highlights our products made from
recycled materials and helps our
customers to follow our ambitions for
reducing waste, and our commitment
to increase recycling and safety.
The focus of our ambitions lays
hereby on three main areas, we
want to create products that last,
while using recycled materials and
designing out waste altogether.
As a global leader in cleaning
solutions, we firmly believe that
every product we develop must
contribute to a sustainable future.
We constantly strive for superior
systems and services that make
our customers’ daily work easier,
more efficient and support
global sustainability.
“Why do we support the institute? VINCI Facilities has been
an Accredited Training Member since 2011 and uses BICSc
training as a solid foundation to implement a cleaning
methodology used consistently throughout the business.
It provides the safety knowledge as an inclusive step by
step instruction on how to clean correctly resulting in an
externally recognised qualification for our operatives.
We continue to support the Institute as we believe
BICSc to be the industry standard to be followed
to ensure safe consistent cleaning.”
Melanie Richardson, Head of Cleaning

DOMESTIC ABUSE – HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
BY FIONA BOWMAN, EIDA AMBASSADOR
ECONOMIC
FORCED
MARRIAGE
PHYSICAL
ABUSE
HONOUR
BASED
EMOTIONAL
COERCIVE
DIFFERENT KINDS
OF ABUSE
SEXUAL
STALKING
VIOLENT OR
THREATENING
BEHAVIOUR
Continuing the series of
articles about domestic abuse,
Fiona Bowman, a Facilities
Management Consultant and
an Independent Domestic Abuse
Consultant, highlights some of
the kinds of domestic abuse that
may occur and also outlines some
of the circumstances in which it
may happen.
Some of you will have more
knowledge than others about
domestic abuse, but let’s just
look at different types of
domestic abuse that occur.
The middle three in this graphic –
violent or threatening behaviour,
physical abuse and sexual abuse
– these are types of abuse you
may be aware of, domestic abuse
incidents you will have heard of
on the news, on social media or
in your communities.
The others – they are ones
you may know less about. So
here are some explanations to
help you recognise some of the
different types of abuse. I have
also included some links to
organisations who will be able
to give support and advice.
THE STANDARD
ECONOMIC ABUSE
Economic abuse is a legally
recognised form of domestic abuse
and is defined in the Domestic
Abuse Act. It often occurs in
the context of intimate partner
violence and involves the control
of a partner or ex partner’s money
and finances, as well as the things
that money can buy. It includes
exerting control over income,
spending, bank accounts, bills
and borrowing. It can also include
things like controlling access to
and use of things like transport
and technology, which allow us to
work and stay connected, as well
as property and daily essentials like
food and clothing. It can include
destroying items and refusing to
contribute to household costs. This
type of abuse is a form of coercive
and controlling behaviour and can
continue long after leaving and
have lifelong effects.
Some of the examples are:
• Prevent you from being in
employment or education
• Limit your working hours
• Take your pay
• Refuse to let you claim benefits
• Take children’s savings or
birthday money
• Refuse to let you access
a bank account
• Control when and how
money is spent
• Make you ask for money
• Dictate what you can buy
• Check your receipts
• Insist all economic assets are in
their name
• Build up debt in your name,
sometimes without your
knowledge
If you need help or think that someone you know might need
help, look on the www.survivingeconomicabuse.org website.
They have a fantastic range of advice and support available.
www.survivingeconomicabuse.org
@SEAresource

STALKING
What is stalking? It is a pattern of
unwanted, fixated and obsessive
behaviour which is intrusive and
causes fear of violence or serious
alarm or distress.
It may occur where a relationship
has ended and one partner refuses
to accept the situation. Post
separation stalking may occur and
this can significantly disrupt the
victim’s life, especially at work.
Stalking is a crime and should be
reported to the police.
CYBER STALKING
Cyber stalking can occur alongside
physical stalking and the usual
behaviours of cyber stalking are
(but not limited to)
• Creating fake profiles to
monitor/contact you
• Hacking into your accounts and
restricting access
• Hacking into your smart devices
from 3rd party apps or if they
know your login details e.g.,
Amazon, Alexa, wi-fi Hub etc
• Using location trackers to
monitor you e.g., Find my
Phone, Snapchat location map,
tagged images, etc.
• Receiving direct threats via
social media or emails
• Using your image/information to
create false accounts.
The National Stalking Helpline
0808 802 0300 offers a free advice
service if you think that you are
being stalked or harassed or if a
friend or colleague needs advice or
assistance. It is open on weekdays
from 9.30am till 4pm. You can also
go on to the suzylamplugh.org
website for advice and support.
HONOUR-BASED ABUSE
Honour-based abuse is a crime or
incident committed to protect or
defend the “honour” of a family
or community. If your family or
community think you’ve shamed or
embarrassed them by behaving in
a certain way, they may punish the
victim for breaking their “honour”
code. People who carry out honourbased
abuse are often close family
members but also extended family
or community members.
There isn’t one specific crime of
honour-based abuse. It can involve
a range of crimes and behaviours
such as:
• Forced marriage
• Domestic abuse
• Sexual harassment and sexual
violence (rape and sexual assault)
• Threats to kill, physical and
emotional violence and murder.
• Pressure to go or move abroad
• Being kept at home with
no freedom
• Not being allowed to use the
telephone or internet or have
access to important documents like
your passport or birth certificate
• Isolation from your friends or
members of your own family
If you need help or think that
someone you know might need
help, you can contact the national
charity – Karma Nirvana
www.karmanirvana.org.uk
for confidential advice and support.
They also have a helpline
0800 5999 247 which is available
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Or you could contact the
Halo Project –
www.haloproject.org.uk
another Honour Based Violence
Charity.
EMOTIONAL OR
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
Psychological abuse involves
the regular and deliberate use of
a range of words and non-physical
actions used with the purpose to
manipulate, hurt, weaken or frighten
a person mentally and emotionally;
and/or distort, confuse or influence
a person’s thoughts and actions
within their everyday lives, changing
their sense of self and harming
their wellbeing.
At the beginning of their
relationships, 96% of survivors
said their partner was charming
and affectionate, 93% said they
expressed love for them very quickly
and 92% wanted to spend a lot of
time together. Abusive behaviour
is interspersed with warmth and
kindness, slowly desensitising the
victim to the behaviour.
Perpetrators use a wide range
of hidden tactics to maintain
control and brainwash their
victim, presenting insults as a joke,
gaslighting, and presenting different
versions of events.
Nearly half (48%) of survivors
reported regularly being told they
were mentally unstable, and over
half regularly experienced control
in who they could speak to, meet
socially or spend time with.
Perpetrators take advantage of
victims’ vulnerabilities; those
with mental health illnesses were
threatened with being sectioned,
whereas those with precarious
immigration status reported
citizenship being used to keep them
dependent upon their abuser.
Does your partner repeatedly say
things like this to you? Do you
often start questioning your own
perception of reality, even your own
sanity, within your relationship? If
so, your partner may be using what
mental health professionals call
“gaslighting”.
This term comes from the 1938
stage play Gas Light, in which a
husband attempts to drive his wife
crazy by dimming the lights (which
were powered by gas) in their home,
and then he denies that the light
changed when his wife points it out.
It is an extremely effective form
of emotional abuse that causes
a victim to question their own
feelings, instincts, and sanity, which
gives the abusive partner a lot of
power (and we know that abuse is
about power and control. Once an
abusive partner has broken down
the victim’s ability to trust their own
perceptions, the victim is more likely
to stay in the abusive relationship.
40 | 41

DOMESTIC ABUSE
CONTINUED
AND COERCIVE CONTROL
Coercive control creates invisible
chains and a sense of fear that
pervades all elements of a victim’s life.
It works to limit their human rights
by depriving them of their liberty
and reducing their ability for action.
Experts like Evan Stark liken coercive
control to being taken hostage.
As he says: “The victim becomes
captive in an unreal world created by
the abuser, entrapped in a world of
confusion, contradiction and fear.”
Some common examples
of coercive behaviour are:
• Isolating you from friends
and family
• Depriving you of basic needs,
such as food
• Monitoring your time
• Monitoring you via online
communication tools or spyware
• Depriving you access to support
services, such as medical services
• Taking control over aspects of
your everyday life, such as where
you can go, who you can see,
what you can wear and when
you can sleep
• Repeatedly putting you down,
such as saying you’re worthless
• Humiliating, degrading or
dehumanising you
• Controlling your finances
• Making threats or
intimidating you
REMEMBER : If you are in fear of violence or are being stalked and are in danger call Police on 999
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