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CLEANING
SERVICES
GECA
37-2008 Standard (PDF) |
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Rapid Response Property
Services
Rapid Response is a progressive commercial cleaning company delivering responsive and environmentally responsible cleaning services to Victorian businesses. |
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Product Marketing Name:
Rapid Response Property Services Use and Application: Cleaning
Services
Date of Certification: 17
July 2009
1.
Description of the
Technology.
Rapid Response is a progressive commercial cleaning company delivering responsive and environmentally responsible cleaning services to Victorian businesses.
Founded in 2004, the Rapid Response mission is to maintain clean, healthy built environments, providing a responsive, efficient, safe and environmentally responsible service to deliver the best possible cleaning outcomes for our customers.
2. The Products
General Cleaning Services
Carpet
Maintenance Programs
Resilient Floor Programs
Waste Removal & Recycling
In house waste management
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General waste
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Paper
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Recyclables
Toilet Consumables
Sanitation & Hygiene
Window cleaning
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Interior/ Exterior
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Glass partitions
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Single & Multi storey
High Pressure Washing
Core Environmental Criteria Tested:
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Environmental Requirements |
Core Environmental Performance Characteristics |
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Operational Requirements |
Rapid Response have incorporated company-wide standard operating policies and procedures. They incorporate meeting legal requirements, are included in the training of all new staff, and are readily available to all staff upon recruitment and at later request. |
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Standard Operating Procedures |
Rapid Response have implemented a
Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) documentation
system that includes direction on storage and use of chemicals,
procurement of environmentally preferable cleaning products,
equipment inspection and maintenance, communication protocols,
training requirements, quality assurance procedures, and record
keeping. |
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Hazard Control |
Rapid Response have incorporated
procedures for dealing with hazards as they may arise on a work
site. These procedures include working in:
• Schools, around young
children, or any other sensitive populations
• Potentially hazardous
environments, such as building sites
• Environments containing
hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos)
• High traffic areas, such as
corridors and entrances
• Special conditions that may
affect the frequency of cleaning or negatively impact human
health or the environment. (i.e., public areas, hospitals) |
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Accident Control |
Rapid Response have an accident
control policy governing the procedure to be followed in the
case of an accident. Accident report forms are made available on
all work sites and are readily accessible to all staff. An
operational requirement includes providing a first aid kit at
each work site. |
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Equipment Use |
The use of powered cleaning
equipment is governed by a framework of:
• Vacuum Cleaners meet the
requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label
Program.
• Powered floor maintenance
equipment (i.e., polishers) are equipped with controls or other
devices for capturing and collecting particles and operate at an
average sound power level less than 70 dB when measured at a
distance of 10 m.
• Propane powered or other
combustible fuel burning floor equipment are not used
• Powered scrubbing machines
are equipped with a control mechanism for varying the dispensing
rate of cleaning fluids in order to optimise their use.
This plan incorporates a
minimum quarterly logged maintenance plan for powered cleaning
equipment, or as recommended by the equipment manufacturer. All
powered equipment is used in a way that is energy efficient, and
be switched off when not in use. |
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Vacuum Cleaner Use and Maintenance |
Vacuum cleaners are equipped with
controls for capturing and collecting particles and operate at
an average sound power level less than 70 dB when measured at a
distance of 10 m. Vacuum cleaners are equipped with filters, and
are changed or cleaned as per the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Precautions are taken to minimise worker
exposure to dust and other particles when cleaning or replacing
bags and filters. This may include providing workers with dust
masks. Workers using vacuum cleaners must be provided with
hearing protection. |
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Hard-flooring Maintenance |
Rapid Response ensures
arrangements to ensure adequate ventilation both during and
after the procedure, minimising spray application when restoring
floors using chemicals, giving notice to the building manager
prior to the commencement of non-routine floor maintenance
operations, and adequate signage is placed around the work area
to alert building occupants to the hazards associated with the
work being carried out. |
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Transport |
All company vehicles are serviced
regularly and log books maintained according to the vehicle
manufacturers recommendations. |
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Requirements for Cleaning Products
and Supplies
Procurement System |
Through the Quality, Health,
Safety and Environment (QHSE) documentation system, a
procurement policy is in place that conforms with the “GECA
Green Procurement Guidelines in Brief” |
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Chemical Use Requirements
Chemical Record Keeping |
A register of all chemicals and
cleaning products is maintained for each work site. This
register includes material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all
listed chemicals and is freely accessible to workers at all
times during cleaning operations. |
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Chemical Use |
Rapid Response Property Services
provides training for all staff in the proper handling of
chemicals, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), if
required, easily understandable instructions on the dilution of
cleaning chemicals, provides a system for diluting chemicals
that minimises worker exposure, provide appropriate applicators
for all cleaning chemicals that do not result in
over-application of cleaning products, provide instruction on
cleaning, rinsing, re-use and recycling of used applicators, and
instructions on rinsing, recycling or disposal of used chemical
containers. |
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Disinfectant Use |
Response Property Services use
GECA certified disinfectants. |
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Restricted Chemicals |
All chemicals used by Response
Property Services are GECA certified. |
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Water and Waste Requirements
Waste Requirements |
Rapid Response Property Services
minimize waste generated through optimising purchase amounts of
chemicals and packaging. Cloths are utilised to prevent waste
generation. A waste recycling system is in place to recycle the
maximum amount of waste generated. |
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Specific Waste Collection |
When a hazardous waste stream
occurs on a specific client site, an arrangement with a
registered waste recycler and hazardous materials handler
service provider is engaged. |
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Water Use |
Rapid Response Property Services
have included a policy governing efficient use of water in
cleaning operations, including the non-use of hoses for cleaning
pathways |
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Staff Training |
Rapid Response Property Services
have instigated a formal training system, which states the
training policy and use of the Staff Training Declaration. The
system is Records staff training and the schedule of all
training documents. |
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Ethical Activity Requirements |
Environmental Assurance is
confident in the Ethical Activity of Rapid Response Property
Services. Through observing the activities and operations, and
through direct contact with executive officers, it is apparent
that they are committed to improving environmental and social
aspects of their operations. |
 View
Rapid Response Property Services EPD
3. Environmental and Social Regulatory Obligations:
GECA also found the Rapid Response
Property Services range to
be fully compliant with their obligations under Labour,
Anti-Discrimination, and Safety Regulations. The company
has not been the subject of prosecution in relation to
compliance with labour, anti- discrimination, safety
regulations and environmental regulations.
Additional Information
Good Environmental Choice Australia
recommends these products to green purchasing officers,
specifiers, and every day Australians seeking to
purchase products and services on the basis of
functional and overall environmental and human health
performance.
For more information contact Rapid
Response Property Services directly:
Rapid Response Property Services
Contact Name: Paul Cacopardo
Address: 191A Heidelberg Rd, Northcote, VIC 3070
Ph: +61 (03) 9482 5996
Fax: +61 (03) 9482 5995
Web: www.rapidresponse.net.au
E-mail: pcacopardo@rapidresponse.net.au
You can go to the company's web site here:
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