There’s no question that if you’re a company owner, you noticed the paralyzing effects of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. These tragedies now serve as a tool for business preparedness, however.

Erin Streeter, acting director for the Ready Business Campaign, Washington, D.C., says these unforeseen disasters are commonly known as “teachable moments” in the business community.

“When something like that happens, it makes business owners aware that they might not be prepared,” she said. “They then know they need to take action.”

For example, Hurricane Katrina forced companies to shut down their operations completely, due to the lack of emergency preparedness planning. Thousands of employees were left jobless and many businesses weren’t able to be restored. Most vulnerable in particular were small to medium-sized businesses.

The Ready Business Campaign, launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Advertising Council in September of 2004, provides small- to mid-sized companies with the proper business preparedness tools to transition smoothly in the event of an emergency.

Streeter said the campaign has been successful in helping raise the business community’s awareness on the need to implement emergency planning.

“Our goal is to help owners and managers of small- to medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, their operations and their assets in the event of an emergency,” Streeter said.

The Ready Business Campaign is structured around three main considerations:

• Plan to stay in business by knowing what kind of risks exist both internally and externally and making sure owners are applying that information to their plan.

• Talk to employees to make sure that owners are involving co-workers from all levels in the emergency planning process and that they’re practicing that plan.

“You can have the best plan in place, but if you’re not practicing it, if something should happen, then it’s not going to go as well as it looks on paper,” Streeter said.

• Lastly, make sure business owners are protecting their investment by taking steps to safeguard their company and secure their assets.

“For example, business owners should look at their insurance coverage, meet with their insurance provider to review their current coverage, and look at what is actually in that plan,” Streeter said. “Most people assume that they’ve got flood coverage in that plan, but it may not be there. They need to make sure they know that ahead of time.”

For business owners looking to implement an emergency preparedness plan, the Ready Business Campaign’s Web site, www.ready.gov/business, provides practical steps and easy-to-use templates that include information on creating an evacuation plan; fire safety; including employees throughout the planning process; considering people with special needs; and protecting business investments by securing facilities and equipment and reviewing insurance coverage.


ISSA Asks DHS To Revise “Chemicals Of Interest”
ISSA has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revise its list of “Chemicals of Interest” to more narrowly focus its Anti-Terrorism Standards on facilities that present a potential security risk.

Bill Balek, ISSA director of legislative affairs said, “As currently drafted, the DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards casts a far too expansive net that will needlessly ensnare thousands of formulations, distributors and commercial cleaning service providers in its regulatory scheme.”

On April 9, the DHS issued its interim final rule that imposed, for the first time, comprehensive federal security for “high-risk chemical facilities.” The DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards require facilities that possess certain quantities of “Chemicals of Interest” to complete a preliminary assessment — a “top-screen,” that determines the level of risk associated with the facility.

The DHS then reviews the preliminary assessment information and makes a determination as to whether a facility presents a “high level of security risk.” If so, it is labeled a “covered facility” and must undergo a Security Vulnerability Assessment and ultimately develop and implement a Site Security Plan.

The DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards become effective June 8. However, the obligations of the standards do not become operational until the “Chemicals of Interest” list is finalized.

Industry experts argue that the chemicals list fails to address whether it is applicable to the chemicals in their pure form or whether it applies to chemicals in mixtures or end use products. Experts also indicate that the lack of clarity would require thousands of formulators, distributors and providers of cleaning services to unnecessarily complete the rigors of the top-screen and open them up to full coverage under the regulations.

In the meantime, DHS must first review the comments submitted on the “Chemicals of Interest” list, make appropriate revisions, and publish the final list. Facilities that possess the requisite quantities of listed chemicals must complete a top-screen within 60 days of the publication of the chemicals list.


Demand For Jan/San To Increase
The U.S. demand for janitorial equipment and supplies (excluding chemical products) is expected to rise 3.3 percent annually through 2011 to $7.6 billion.

Of the major product segments, automated floor cleaners are projected to see the fastest gains though 2011, according to a new study, “Janitorial Equipment and Supplies,” conducted by The Freedonia Group Inc., Cleveland.

Expected gains in commercial construction expenditures, an increase in commercial floor space, gains in resident population, and a rising number of business establishments will all support demand.

Product advancement in all segments is projected to be influenced by increasing concerns pertaining to ergonomics, the environment, indoor air quality (IAQ) and health issues.


NFIB Releases Small Business Healthcare Survey Results
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy group, in a briefing today released its Small Business Healthcare Survey. The survey of small business owners identified cost as the single most important problem facing the health system today.

The new survey, which polled NFIB members, is the latest healthcare research measuring the awareness, attitudes and beliefs of the small business community.

Small business owners responding to the survey indicated they believe the price mechanism could work to reduce healthcare costs. Seventy percent of NFIB members believe that making consumers more aware of health care and health insurance costs will encourage them to become better healthcare consumers.

Additionally, small business owners indicated they are wary of modifying the tax structure significantly even if it may ultimately work to their benefit. However, respondents do favor equalizing the tax structure for those obtaining health insurance, regardless of its source.

Other highlights from the survey include:
• 79 percent of NFIB members believe the overall quality of health care available to most Americans to be “excellent” or “pretty good.”
• 95 percent believe that everyone who benefits from financial assistance for health care should be required to pay some portion of their health care or insurance.
• 57 percent indicate a preference for individuals above a reasonable income level to be required to have health insurance or be able to prove financial responsibility.
• 71 percent think all healthcare providers who expect reimbursement from insurers should be required to have computerized records.


NEWS MAKERS

Study Rates Vacuum Cleaning Effectiveness
A study conducted by the Australian-based Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, vacuum cleaners with rotating brushes in the head remove more dirt and allergens from carpets than those without. However, rotating brushes may kick dust into the air if the vacuum’s suction is not strong enough or not operating properly.

Vacuums with two or three layer bags also performed better than those with a single layer bag, according to the study.

There were mixed results for facilities that need to consider people with allergies. While vacuums with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration are recommended, the study concluded that vacuum cleaning is largely an ineffective allergy avoidance measure because it removes dust mite allergens from carpets in an inconsistent and incomplete manner.

Buildings Can Earn LEED Points Through C2C
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that “Innovation in Design” points can be earned towards Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by using the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) program for building products, including the use of some cleaning products.

Facility managers can help buildings earn LEED points by instituting green cleaning program elements.

The C2C program is administered by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry.

Deadline For SDSI Feedback Looms
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment Program is seeking comments on the Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI). The Federal Register published the information for review and public comment at www.regulations.gov. All comments must be received on or before July 9, 2007.


MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Americo Mfg., Co., Inc., Acworth Ga., recently acquired Hanover Textile Graphics, a Wilmington, N.C.-based manufacturer of custom logo floor mats. The Hanover plant will close operations in June of this year and transfer all manufacturing to Acworth.

The von Drehle Corp., Hickory, N.C., recently acquired Laurel Hill Paper Co.’s assets in Cordova, N.C.

Kelsan Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., recently acquired C&G Supply, Columbia, Tenn.

CPAC Inc., Leicester, N.Y., and Buckingham Capital Partners II L.P., New York, recently announced they have merged.

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd., Cleveland, recently acquired the Hoover floor care business from Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor, Mich. Techtronic Industries is combining Hoover with its existing Dirt Devil and Royal operations in Glenwillow, Ohio, to create TTI Floor Care.




POSTED ON: 6/1/2007