BCC Adds Suppliers and Support Staff to Key Worker Pledge
The British Cleaning Council has expanded on its initiative to achieve “key and essential worker” status for all support employees in the cleaning and hygiene...
Read Full ArticleThe Chair of the British Cleaning Council is asking the public to respect the “hands-face-space” guidelines to protect cleaners working at the forefront of the battle against COVD-19.
As most of the UK is now in another COVID-19 lockdown, the important role of the cleaning and hygiene industry in ensuring the UK recovers is once again under the spotlight.
Such workers are still not recognised as key or essential workers, an issue that the British Cleaning Council (BCC) has campaigned about since the first national lockdown in March 2020.
“Most cleaning and hygiene workers have to go out to work, often getting there by public transport, and are more likely to be exposed to the virus in the process.”
–Paul Thrupp
Chair, BCC
“They help keep key industries like hospitals and health centres, food production and retail, transport, essential public services and our justice system going.
Paul Thrupp, BCC Chair, commented after another “stay at home” order was issued by the governments of England and Scotland, with Wales and Northern Ireland already in lockdown:
“I urge people to respect the rules, protect yourselves and others and help the country to recover from this terrible pandemic.
“Please only leave home for essential reasons, and when you are around other people, ‘Hands – Face - Space’ is more important than ever.
“Washing your hands regularly, using a mask and keeping socially distanced from other people are vital to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Thrupp also praised the many cleaning and hygiene operatives who were acting as key workers keeping essential parts of the economy going during the pandemic.
“Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen the bravery of the many cleaning and hygiene people who play a vital role, protecting the health and safety of others, putting themselves at the very front of the battle against this virus.
“As we go into lockdown, many people are now working from home in a safe environment, but most cleaning and hygiene workers have to go out to work, often getting there by public transport, and are more likely to be exposed to the virus in the process.
“They help keep key industries like hospitals and health centres, food production and retail, transport, essential public services and our justice system going.
“Without cleaning and hygiene operatives keeping the NHS and other workplaces free of coronavirus, people would get sick and these essential industries would grind to a halt. They deserve recognition for this incredible contribution.
“But ten months on from the start of the pandemic, some of our people are still not classed as key or essential workers.
“We have called for this repeatedly since March last year and it is high-time all cleaning and hygiene operatives were recognised as key workers and, as important, these people should be prioritised for the vaccine so that they may be safe when delivering cleaning and hygiene solutions.”
Picture: a photograph of a cleaning sign, stating "caution, wet floor"
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 06 January 2021
The British Cleaning Council has expanded on its initiative to achieve “key and essential worker” status for all support employees in the cleaning and hygiene...
Read Full ArticleJoin the Editorial Team for their February FM review. Daisy, Bailey and Ella discuss the key worker vaccination debate, in light of calls for cleaners to...
Read Full ArticleThe proposed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the cleaning and hygiene sector has been inaugurated. A total of 53 MPs and three Members of the...
Read Full ArticleA proposed All-Party Parliamentary Group for the cleaning and hygiene industry will push for key worker status for cleaners, for the vital work they are doing in tackling...
Read Full ArticleMPs are recommending a series of measures to prepare the UK for future public health emergencies, resulting from an inquiry into the role of cleaning during the COVID-19...
Read Full ArticleThe British Cleaning Council’s annual report gathers statistics on the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector – revealing that the industry as a whole remains one...
Read Full ArticleCleaning and hygiene sector employers, training operatives, providers and assessment organisations are being urgently encouraged to have their say on proposals for an...
Read Full ArticleThe British Cleaning Council research report for 2021 shows that the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is one of the UK’s top ten industries. The...
Read Full ArticleA resignation note from an HSBC cleaner has led to several messages of support on social media for the nation’s cleaning staff, including a personal thanks from the...
Read Full ArticleThe Director of Churchill Group, one of the largest independently owned soft service providers in the UK, has been invited to join the cleaning industry's...
Read Full Article