Category Archives: Safety

Protecting Pets from Illness and Germs: How Clean is Your Vet Office

Veterinarian Office Cleaning Services Make a Big Impact

Did you know that Americans spent $58 billion in 2014 on their pets?

Yes that’s billion with a “B!” It’s true, our pets are treated as family members, if not better!

After food, keeping pets healthy is the number two area of money spent. Vet visits raked in $15 billion!  Protecting our pets from illness and germs is important to us and I’m sure all agree the cleanliness of the vet office plays a big part in fighting viruses.

Did you know Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that could bring about a life threatening illness to your dog?

How is it transmitted? This virus is transmitted by people, other animals or even objects like shoes or floors that come in contact with an infected dog’s feces.  The virus has the ability to live for months, there are different strains (like the flu) and as of now, there is no medication available that can kill the virus.  The best protection is not only preventative, through vaccines but proper cleaning and disinfecting, and it’s uber important in places where several dogs congregate, such as a veterinarian’s office, or doggie day care.

It’s important that products used to clean these areas have no dwell time. Meaning they don’t have to sit on the surface for 10 minutes before they are effective. Products containing Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP) technology are germ-killing disinfectants, excellent cleaners, non-toxic and safe for people and pets. This cleaner instantly kills harmful viruses such as Norovirus, Parvovirus and Poliovirus. It’s ideal for use in cleaning vet front and back office areas and boarding facilities, and keeping instruments, exam tables, lobby flooring and general areas clean and healthy. It  supports infection control and helps create a healthy, safe environment for pets and their owners.

Keeping a healthy facility also includes keeping it free of fur and dander. We all know animals shed but they can shed even more when they are nervous. Does your vet office have little tumbleweeds of dog or cat hair collecting in the corners of their examination rooms? Ew! What about dander? Those little flakes of animal skin that fly through the air and stick to many surfaces.

Rooms should always be wiped down with disinfectant and swept between patients and thoroughly vacuumed after hours with a HEPA-filtration machine.

Why use a HEPA filtered vacuum you ask? Because they are the bomb! Did you know they capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as .3 microns and that makes it extremely efficient at removing allergens such as dust mites and animal dander and with some brands  you can empty the recepticle after every use. With continued use the HEPA filter can help improve air quality and reduce dust.

AQC loves pets and we take special care in cleaning Veterinarian clinics!

If you notice your pet’s special clinic is not as clean as it should be, mention it to them and let them know you would like to refer AQC, a cleaning company that cares and can make a big difference in the health of their patients! Your best friend will thank you, woof, you’re welcome!

Bacteria, Viruses and Mold, Oh My!

Bloodborne Pathogens Are Scary Things… Let the Pros Handle Them!

Cowardly_lion2Well, lions and tigers, and bears would be much easier to manage then the bloodborne pathogens of bacteria, viruses and mold. These pathogens are found virtually everywhere, and some are pretty benign but others carry nasty stuff you probably don’t want on you or near you. It’s important that you have a professional cleaning service like AQC on the job to help you clean them away the right way.

They’re Everywhere!

Pathogens are bacteria and viruses found on touchpoints like door handles, light switches and keyboards… but they can also be located in leaky ceiling tiles or the ever so common and hardy athlete’s foot! Think about that next time the shower at the gym looks like it’s been a while since it’s been cleaned.

So if your office has door handles, light switches, keyboards, ceiling tiles or showers available for employees, then this applies to you! All of AQC’s Cleaning Technicians are trained and certified in Bloodborne Pathogens… and that directly benefits the health of your office or facility and everyone in it!

CLICK HERE to download a presentation that gives you all the gory details of how the pros at AQC Cleaning are trained to keep your facility clean and clear of pathogens

A Clean Background Means Safety

Here at AQC we pride ourselves on doing a multi-state background checks on all our employees!

I know it seems like common sense but, seriously, many commercial cleaning companies don’t bother with background checks. Why? It can be a big added expense they don’t want to invest in because of the high turnover rate that comes within the commercial cleaning industry.

This is how we see it:

Though a potential employee might seem perfect for a job based on his or her qualifications, there are a wealth of other factors that an employer or hiring manager must consider. The qualifications provided by an employee are often questionable until verified, and other information such as honesty, credibility, or even legal issues may come into play during the hiring process. As a result, an increasingly high number of businesses and employers find that performing employee background checks are an essential aspect of the employee hiring process. As an employer or hiring manager, employee background checks ensure that you are hiring who you think you are hiring.

We clean in many high profile or highly proprietary businesses.

Here are some of the main reasons AQC conducts employee background checks:

Negligent Hiring – Employers are concerned about lawsuits that might arise if they do not check an applicant’s court or criminal record. By not performing an employee background check, many employers run the risk of assuming too much liability for the health and safety of the workforce.

Be in the Know – Think about it… It’s a new world and safety needs to be a primary concern. It’s critical to know if potential employees have a background of child abuse or abduction, are a registered sex offender or have a warrant out for his or her arrest; and yes, even if they are on a terrorist most-wanted list. Beyond all of those horrible things, the potential employee might also have been a part of a scandal in another company or have a long list of Worker’s Comp claims. Here are some of the things a background check will uncover:

  • Driving records
  • Financial records
  • Social Security number
  • Court records
  • Credit records
  • Personal references
  • Property ownership
  • Sex offender lists
  • Criminal records
  • State licensing records
  • Educational and certificate verification
  • Worker’s compensation records

False Information – Since the economy went south and is in a rebuilding stage jobs have been in short supply, many potential candidates are willing to commit resume fraud in order to boost themselves above the competition. Employers need to uncover false information, such as a false salary or job position, before the person is hired.

State and Federal Law Requirements – Depending on the nature of the business, many state or federal agencies require that employers perform background checks on all job applicants that reach a certain level in the hiring process. Consult with your attorney to find out what your business is required to do.

Here at AQC we’re not just focused on delivering the best cleaning services in the area, but we hold your safety (as well as ours) as a priority. That’s why we conduct a multi-state background check on all employees before they are in your facility!

Ah, now this actually makes sense, right?

As an AQC customer you have the peace of mind that our team members are fully vetted before they go to work. If you’re not, make sure that the company that is cleaning your facility is doing a comprehensive background check – you want to be sure the people you are letting in to your business after hours don’t pose any type of threat. And take the time to vet your vendors thoroughly as well – make sure all of their employees are background checked for your safety. Sure that other bid might be cheaper, but ask yourself what they’re cutting corners on. Safety should never be one of them.

If your cleaning company doesn’t do background checks, give us a call so you’ll not only benefit from a clean space, but from a team with with clean backgrounds!