The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Metro Boss and Contractor Allegedly Used Soiled Cloths to Sabotage Zoono Cleaning Trials

Zoono Cleaning Trials Allegedly Sabotaged by Contractor and Metro Boss
13 April 2021
 

A rail provider in Melbourne is facing accusations of planning to sabotage trials of Zoono’s antimicrobial products, discovered via a series of tapped phone calls.

Alongside the Metro’s cleaning contractor Transclean, Metro manager Peter Bollas allegedly colluded to contaminate trials of Zoono’s cleaning product, because its efficacy threatened to cut Transclean’s revenue in the contract.

Zoono is calling for a fresh product trial in light of this.

 

“If you put too much on it, it’ll be obvious. And they do tests all the time, so they know what’s in a normal range.”

–Steve Kyritsis

Company Employee, Transclean and Transclean boss George Haritos' nephew 

 

 

Reducing Frequency of Deep Cleans

 

One of Zoono’s selling points is that it has internal global laboratory test data and evidence to show that Zoono can help protect surfaces for up to 30 days, although this is a claim that was withdrawn from the UK market in August 2020.

According to Melbourne news service The Age, this germ protection claim means the deep clean of trains that is currently required on a nightly basis in Melbourne would only need to occur once every three weeks, cutting 70 per cent of cleaning costs overseas.

 

Tapped Phone Calls Urging the Use of Cleaning Cloths from Bins

 

Tapped phone calls played to an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) hearing, detail Transclean boss George Haritos, his nephew Steve Kyritsis who also works for the firm, and Peter Bollas discussing how to use dirty serviettes from bins to sabotage Zoono’s trials and to ensure Transclean’s cleaning hours were not at risk.

Haritos said: “Like from the rubbish bin, just a serviette, just bang, bang, touch four, five points as she’s going.” 

Kyritsis added: “If you put too much on it, it’ll be obvious. And they do tests all the time, so they know what’s in a normal range.”

IBAC investigates corruption in the public sector throughout Victoria. 

 

Misleading Reports

 

The pandemic has meant increased pressure on the reporting of cleaning processes, arguably to a new and unprecedented standard.

It is claimed that, in other phone calls, Bollas gave advice to Transclean about upcoming audits, and instructed them on how to amend timesheets to make it look like more staff were working than were in reality.

IBAC's investigation and set of public hearings, known as Operation Esperance, continues. For further details, including a summary of the scope and purpose of the hearings, visit the Operation Esperance page on IBAC's website.

Picture: a photograph of the interior of a train, showing a person wearing a mask collecting rubbish in a black bin liner

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 13 April 2021

Share



Related Articles

Suppliers Named on £1.5 Billion Decarbonisation Framework

40 suppliers have been appointed to a new national decarbonisation framework, worth up to £1.5 billion over four years. The companies, 42 per cent of which are...

 Read Full Article
New Rating System Will Rank Cement and Concrete Based on Carbon Footprint

The Global Cement and Concrete Association is driving the procurement of more sustainable cement and concrete with a first-of-its-kind global carbon rating...

 Read Full Article
FM Suppliers Named on £700m Framework 

45 facilities management suppliers have been appointed to a new framework worth up to £700 million over four years. 40 per cent of the firms appointed to the...

 Read Full Article
What Does the Procurement Act 2023 Mean for Social Value?

Ahead of the Procurement Act going live in February 2025, Ian McKinnon from Veriforce CHAS looks at where social value fits in relation to the act. Ian McKinnon, Chief...

 Read Full Article
First Australian Building to Generate its Own Electricity Through Solar Panel Façade

550 Spencer in West Melbourne is the first Australian building to generate its own electricity through a solar panel façade. The technology, which replaces...

 Read Full Article
New Database Shows Environmental Impact of Construction Materials

Construction professionals now have access to the industry’s largest dataset of eco-friendly materials, featuring over 250,000 products.  The resource,...

 Read Full Article
New £800m FM Framework Invites Bids 

A four-year workplace and facilities management framework worth up to £800 million is inviting bids from interested suppliers. Fusion21 is looking for both...

 Read Full Article
New £814m Facilities Management Framework Opens for Bidding

Framework provider Pagabo is inviting facilities management companies to bid for its newest framework offering. The “Total Facilities Management Framework”...

 Read Full Article
Sunbelt Rentals Becomes Mitie’s Preferred Equipment Rental Supplier

Equipment rental supplier Sunbelt Rentals has signed a multi-year preferred supplier agreement with Mitie. Sunbelt Rentals will supply rental equipment across all...

 Read Full Article
Five Social Sustainability Questions Every Business Must Ask Their Supply Chains

Ensuring a commitment to health and safety is a well-established practice. But companies are increasingly being held accountable for their suppliers' sustainability...

 Read Full Article