At the recent World Federation of Building Service Contractors Congress, OCS received the first JohnsonDiversey Sustainable Cleaning Award for demonstrating commitment to health, safety and the environment through its revolutionary cleaning programme CleanSmart™. OCS beat off stiff competition from international rivals to win the award created by JohnsonDiversey to commend business service contractors (BSCs) who reduce the environmental impact of FM services and improve human health through green cleaning practices and other sustainable initiatives.
The CleanSmart™ system is process driven using engineering methodologies and is proven, in buildings with an internal area greater than 100,000 square feet, to deliver dramatic improvements in cleaning consistency and efficiency through better use of resources. Wasted time and movement are reviewed using the principles of lean manufacturing, such as the Toyota Production System, coupled with Six Sigma management principles. JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan congratulated OCS saying, "This award recognises the best of the best. It recognises a BSC that has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability by performing services that meet the highest standards of health, safety and environmental responsibility in facility care."
The use of MicroFibre cloths and flat mops which minimise chemical use, effective waste elimination and the streamlining of staff which results in fewer journeys to work all have a positive impact on the environment. Higher employee esteem, team purpose and competition and wage increases created by the CleanSmart™ system result in improved working conditions, lower staff churn and absenteeism. OCS has also introduced a dedicated CleanSmart™ Academy to promote a wider understanding of lean engineering and efficiency.
"OCS stood out from an impressive slate of nominees for its deep, long-term commitment to sustainability," said WFBSC President Norberto Peluso. "As OCS demonstrates, sustainability is about measurable outcomes in reduced environmental impact, increased health and safety for workers and building occupants, and solid economic returns on investments for BSC companies."
Chris Cracknell, Chief Executive of OCS, emphasised the Group’s commitment to supporting clients through sustainable working methods, “By embracing new technologies and innovative practices, we continue to achieve improvements in quality and efficiency, as well as cost savings which are passed on to our customers. We’re also using new technology to reduce our environmental impact as part of our commitment to conserving the planet’s natural resources.”