General Building Maintenance Corp.

In an effort to be more earth friendly, GBMC has incorporatedmore green practices, chemicals and equipment.  We are incorporatingchemicals that are "Green Seal Certified" and do not sacrificeeffectiveness.  We are using vacuum cleaners that are "Green LabelApproved" to help improve air quality.  Our new scrubbers are"Green Certified Equipment".  GBMC is proud to announce that ALL ourcarpet cleaning products are Green Seal Certified.  Using Green SealCertified product ensures the health and safety of our customers and theenvironment. Look for more advances in green cleaning in the future.

What is green cleaning?

Cleaningthat protects health without harming the environment.

Benefits of Green cleaning...

Improve indoor air quality

Promotes safer and healthier work environment Increase work productivity  

Reduce sick days and associated health care cost  

Peace of mind  

Minimizes exposure to aggressive chemicals  

Reduces water and air pollution  

Reduces waste with concentrated products 

Reduce packaging waste with recyclable packaging 

Ways to Green Your Workplace...

• Makesure that your computer and monitor are adjusted to the most energy-efficient settings.
• Turnoff the lights when you leave a room, and power down equipment at the end of the day.
• Return ink and toner cartridges to be refilled or recycled.
• When discarding old computers and other electronic equipment, keep it out of a landfill by donating it to an organization that will refurbish it and pass it on to a charitable agency, if possible, or ensure that it is recycled.
• Start a bring-your-own coffee mug policy for the break room and ditch the foamcups. 
• Your company will reduce waste & save money as well.
• Bring real plants into the office. Fake greenery might be low-maintenance, but the real thing adds beauty and oxygen to your surroundings.
• Reprogram the thermostat. Each degree warmer you leave the thermostat in the summer, and each degree cooler you set in the winter can save 6-8 percent in energy costs.
• Consider replacing aging desktop computers with laptops instead, which can use up to 70 percent less electricity and generate less heat waste.
• Unplug electrical equipment when possible.  Every computer left turned on overnight and every coffee pot left plugged in eats up electricity and costs your company money.
• Plant a Tree:  Treesprovide shade and reduce your air-conditioning costs.
• Power down:  Turn off computers at lunch and at night.
• Start a Recycle program:  In your lunchroom make a separate disposal for pop cans and paper and cardboard in your office?
• Use green stationary: Products made from recyclable materials are now more common place than ever before.
• Be a paperless office: Stop printing or photocopying emails and other computer generated materials.  Start forwarding emails and use a computer filing system.
• Use fluorescent lighting: Replace those old incandescent light bulbs today.
• Workplace upkeep: Ask that janitors and cleaners use environmentally-friendly products. Same goes forl awn maintenance workers and general contractors.
• Be water wise: If your workplace has a water cooler, ditch the disposable cups. If your workplace doesn't have a water cooler, but instead has a vending machine that sells bottled water, ditch the bottled water (we don't need more plastic). Employees can use their own cups for water.
• Create your own Green Team:Workplace green policies will be much more efficient and successful if it's employee-driven. Develop Green Teams that are put in charge of conducting a light bulb audit, reviewing janitorial practices, lawn care practices, hydrousage, products used during office parties (i.e. stop using paper plates,plastic cutlery and paper cups. Start using washable dishes, silver cutlery and washable mugs; for Christmas parties, stop wrapping gifts with Christmas paper and start using reusable gift bags), etc.
• Start Composting: Many municipalities have green bin programs for food waste. Or, if you are in the appropriate location, install a regular composter. Who knows... there may be gardeners among your employees who would love the free compost!

Going green doesn't happen overnight but every effort can make a big difference.

Hard-surface floors present a clean image for afacility.  They are often the first thing someone notices when entering anestablishment.  Portraying the right image for stores, shopping centers,medical facilities, banks, schools, and fitness areas or just about anywherehard-surface floors are found can be achieved through cooperation betweenjanitorial companies and their customers.  

Today there are some of the mostinnovative and productive floor care products, chemicals, and equipmentavailable.  So why is the appearance of floors on the decline? It's allabout using the right equipment, cost, a plan and setting goals.

All cleaning work is physical, but floor care is some of the most labor-intensiveand therefore expensive.  In many circumstances as much as 70 percent to90 percent of the cost to strip, clean and refinish a floor is for labor. How can we reduce the cost of labor?  One factor is the machine.Substituting the inexpensive mop and bucket for a floor scrubber may seem likean expensive jump. However, the annual cost savings can be dramatic because thefloor machine can clean the same area is less than an hour. The use of theright floor care machine can reduce cost in labor by 75 percent. 

The right machine isn't the only way to increase productivity when it comes tofloor care and maintenance.  One of the most effective ways to keep floorslooking their best while minimizing labor costs at the same time is prevention- preventing floors from becoming soiled, marred and discolored in the firstplace.  This can be accomplished with an effective matting system. Mats should be at least 15 feet long. Such mats allow enough space for shoes tohit at least three times, removing as much as 90 percent of soils.  Matsshould also have a high level of scrapability. The scrapability of the mat itsability to remove soil is determined by the coarseness of the mat's fibers.Finally mats should have a high level of absorbability. Absorption isdetermined by the thickness or denseness of the mat. The thicker the pattern,the more it will absorb contaminants and the less soil will enter yourfacility.

To reduce cost GBMC works with the customers and building occupants. This means we must:

• Determine just how much time, effort, and money the customer wants to invest in floor care
• Evaluate the cost- and productivity-effectiveness of the floor care products and equipment currently used compared to what else is available in the marketplace
• Develop an effective and ongoing floor maintenance program

GBMC and our customers who have been most successful at keeping their floorswell-maintained on a consistent basis and in a cost-effective manner have done so by setting goals considering such issues as

• The budget to be designated just for hard-surface floor care
• The appearance level the facility wants for its floorsThe floor traffic conditions
  
• The equipment necessary or now available for floor care
• The floor care skill and training of staff.

Customers with asuccessful floor care programs view their floors as an asset. They recognizethe importance of appearance, safety and health (since well-maintained floorslessen the possibility of slips, trips and falls) and minimizing the chancesfor contaminants from being transmitted from one area of a facility to another.

Whether you are thinkingof changing janitorial companies or deciding to outsource cleaning serviceshere are a few things you should think about before you make either decision.Keep in mind that companies pay higher than average wages to inside cleaningworkers, and spend higher training cost.  Most companies will also payhigher prices on cleaning products and supplies.

Of course you want thebest possible service for the money you will be spending.  To ensure youwill be getting consistent, impressive results without compromising quality youmust examine a janitorial company from the inside out.

First, you should lookfor a company with experience.  A new or small company may not be able tooffer the same services that a larger, well-established company can bring toyour facility.  Seasoned employees and managers with years of experienceare certainly more reliable and efficient.  An experienced janitorialcompany can offer advice and suggestions for improving your facilities healthand appearance. A janitorial company that has been around will more than likelyhave a reputation and references.  Always take the time to call or visitjanitorial company's references.  A company with a good reputation willalmost always be the right company to choose.  Check the Better BusinessBureau to make sure the company is legitimate, if the company has any complaintsagainst them, and if they have a good rating. 

Second, look into ajanitorial company's employees.  Do they use their own employees orsubcontract?  Subcontractors may not be covered by insurance and may notbe getting a fair wage.  Companies using subcontractors may not be coveredby worker's compensation insurance and that means you can be held liable andfinancially responsible if any injury occurs at your facility.  Also, makesure the janitorial company is fully licensed, insured and bonded.  If ajanitorial company is not insured or under insured you may be liable which canend up costing your company an enormous amount in legal and medicalbills.  Another good indicator is when looking at a janitorial companiesemployees are whether or not the company does background and drug tests.

Third, how is thepotential janitorial company's communication?  Do they have an informativewebsite?  Do they offer sufficient contact information?  Are theyavailable to you 24/7?  If the answer is no to any of these questions youmay want to reconsider your options.  You should be able to find outeverything you need to know about the janitorial company from their companywebsite.  Contact information should be listed on their website, on theirbusiness card, brochure and contract or bid.  If you don't have sufficientcontact information how will you reach them should an emergency arise?  Areliable janitorial company should be available to you not only during businesshours but also after hours and on weekends.  Not all of your janitorialneeds can be accommodated during regular business hours. 

Fourth, when collectingprice quotes there are a few things you should keep in mind.  Are thepotential janitorial companies willing to make an on-site visit?  Youshould never consider a company that is not willing to come to you and providea free quote.  Companies that do not make on-site visits usually pricesbased on square footage and often overcharge. Plus do you really want to use a company too apathetic to visit yourfacility?  Another important aspect of the price quote is the terms of thecontract.  Janitorial companies should offer you no more than 30 daysnotice in order to cancel a contract and there should be no extra cost if thecontract is broken.  A contract should not be difficult to read andunderstand. 

Finally,every facility has different janitorial needs.  Evaluate your company'sindividual needs and select a janitorial company that offers all the servicesyou require at an honest, reasonable price.

A lot happened for GBMC in 2009. Tim Corbett took a larger leadership role in the company. As Vice President of Sales and Operations, Tim has become second in command at GBMC. It was also the year we said "Thank you & Goodbye" to Rosemary Little who retired after almost 20 years of service. We welcomed Lisa Butzer to our Sales staff in October. And welcomed back Jennifer Deal-Rougeux who worked in the office while her husband was deployed to Iraq.

We were sad to announce the unfortunate cancellation of the Christmas party due to Jessica Corbett's illness and prayed with our customers and employees as the end of 2009 saw Tim Corbett in the hospital. Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. A special thank you to Mitzi Crawford and Lisa Butzer who kept the office running smoothly.

In an ongoing effort to be greener, GBMC incorporated new products and procedures including the purchase of new scrubbers that cut the stripping time in half making it possible to do larger areas in less time and using less chemicals. We also purchased several new Green Label Certified vacuums.

GBMC has been working hard to keep current. As part of this effort we have purchased new computers and began a major revision of our company website (www.gbmcjanitorial.com). GBMC now has a presence on the Internet. Check out our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

In 2010 GBMC hopes to continue the efforts of 2009. We will be updating our timekeeping system and employees will need to keep an eye open for further instructions. Please continue to keep Tim & Jessica in your thoughts and prayers. Jessica will be undergoing surgery early this month for brain aneurisms.

GBMC wishes to thank our employees for a job well done in 2009!

Listen to your Mom….Wash Your Hands!

How important is washing your hands? The CDC and Prevention states that “hand washing is the single most important method for preventing infectious disease”. Your hands can easily be infected by the inadvertent contact of a contaminated surface (desk top, chair, doorknob, counter top, drinking fountain, faucet, handle, etc.). In 2009 "The British Medical Journal" published a study which combined 50 other independent studies, and concluded that washing the hands at least 10 times daily is necessary to prevent disease.

December 6 th – 12th is National Hand Washing Awareness Week. The goal of National Hand Washing Awareness Week is to reduce the spread of transmittable diseases by empowering individuals to educate and help protect their communities. In order to accomplish this goal, you need to promote Hand Awareness (hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and cross contamination) in your home and place of employment!

General Building Maintenance Corp believes that through education and cooperation between customers and their custodial service provider we can reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

4 Principles of Hand Awareness

1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating.

2. Do not cough into your hand.

3. Do not sneeze into your hand.

4. Do not put your fingers in your mouth, nose or eyes.

Mom used to tell you to wash your hands, well mom really does know best.

Everyday our janitorial staff target harmful germs that are commonly found in offices, restrooms, medical facilities, athletic facilities, schools, etc. The newest strain of influenza, H1N1 has forced many cleaning companies to step up protecting their customers. It is important to clean and disinfect high traffic areas such as doors, handles, telephones, kitchen and restroom areas. Touching infected surface areas can cause the virus to be transmitted to hands where it easily spreads to the mouth and eyes. Using hand sanitizer, washing hands, and cleaning and disinfecting of home and workplace is more important than ever. Businesses play a key part in the protecting of their employees health. By having a qualified cleaning company, businesses can limit the negative impact the H1N1 epidemic has on their employees and the productivity. Maintaining a clean and sanitized building can eliminate the spread of infection in work environments.