NATIONAL REPORT—Landscaping is a great way to make your property aesthetically pleasing and attract more guests. But while it seems like a great endeavor, landscaping can also pose dangers for your workers, especially since they may be at risk for occupational hazards like harmful chemicals, dangerous equipment, and even heat exhaustion. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,072 work-related fatalities in the landscaping industry were recorded from 2011 to 2021. Before amping up your property’s scenery, be sure to prioritize your workers’ safety and well-being. There are many ways to help landscapers stay safe while working. By getting landscape...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life, announced the successful sourcing of enough clean electricity to power 100 percent of its European operations, thanks to the completion of a windfarm project with the global renewable energy company, Low Carbon. In 2022, Ecolab and Low Carbon entered into an agreement to develop the Mörknässkogen windfarm, located on the west coast of Finland near the city of Vaasa. Now, the windfarm has reached full commercial operation, and its 30MW capacity will generate approximately...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Interplay Learning, a leading provider of online and VR training for the essential skilled trades announced that Sonesta International Hotels Corp., a globally renowned hotel company with 1,200+ hotel properties worldwide, selected Interplay to increase engineer training adoption and advance safety initiatives for 500 impacted employees. Since implementing Interplay’s innovative training solution in the latter half of 2023, Sonesta has already observed a 50 percent increase in training adoption over the previous year. Focused on a safety-first approach, Sonesta prioritized launching quarterly core safety courses and emphasized OSHA compliance within its training programs. Intending to modernize training delivery and...

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—UMF|PerfectCLEAN announced its third consecutive year as a Strategic Partner of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) for 2024. With more than 15,000 infection preventionist (IP) members and over 100 chapters, APIC is the largest association for infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals. The APIC Strategic Partner Program is a formal partnership between APIC and industry leaders united in the common goal of advancing the science and practice of infection prevention and control. “We are thrilled to join forces with our 2024 APIC Strategic Partners,” said APIC CEO Devin Jopp, EdD. “In partnership with Strategic Partners, we continue to...

HARTFORD, CONN.—In a development that further illustrates the company’s steady market expansion, iCleanse announced that fifteen Swift UV units have been installed throughout Mohegan Sun, which is one of the largest entertainment, gaming, dining, and shopping destinations in the United States. iCleanse is a place-based startup that offers high-definition advertising screens coupled with chemical-free Swift UV (ultraviolet light) devices that disinfect smartphones, a known nexus for COVID, RSV, influenza, and other pathogens. The Swift UV units have been installed throughout Mohegan Sun, just in time for the peak of the cold and flu season. Swift UV’s technology disinfects potentially infectious diseases...

Water consumption is a significant but often overlooked source of global carbon emissions. Large amounts of energy are required to treat and transport clean, safe water—an essential but limited, scarce resource. In the United States alone, water treatment and delivery accounts for 13 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption, releasing up to 290 million metric tons of carbon every year—approximately 5 percent of total U.S. emissions and equal to the carbon output of more than 60 coal-fired power plants. In California alone, water-related consumption of electricity, natural gas, and diesel fuel results in carbon emissions equal to 7 million passenger...

One of the hottest topics in foodservice is the electrification of the kitchen and there are numerous organized and even legislative efforts to push businesses to go all-electric and eliminate natural gas. The aim is to decarbonize food and beverage operations. To help guide hoteliers, restaurateurs and others toward all-electric kitchens, the William J. Worthen Foundation included a very helpful volume (volume 5) in its “The Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.” The volume title: All-Electric Kitchens: Residential and Commercial, 2nd edition. I highly recommend reading through this section. It builds a very strong case for eliminating natural gas. “Kitchens present superb opportunities...

Bradley Company Sustainable & Touchless Handwashing Solutions Bradley’s versatile lavatory systems deliver a beautiful, sustainable and touch-free handwashing solution. Made of highly durable and maintainable Terreon® Solid Surface or Evero® Natural Quartz, these nonporous and seamless lavatories are hygienic, easy to clean and GREENGUARD-certified. Pair any lavatory system with Bradley’s popular all-in-one WashBar® models with touch-free soap, faucet and dryer—look for the unique angular bar shape for authentic Bradley quality and craftsmanship. Or select from an array of matching Verge™ soap dispenser and faucet sets. All of these touchless solutions provide advanced sensing operation and enhance the look and functionality of today’s...

BRANSON, MO.—Three Jefferson County, Missouri, families are suing Grand Plaza Hotel in Branson, claiming the luxury hotel negligently shocked the pool, a process where strong chemicals like chlorine are used to destroy contaminants, two times while kids and adults were swimming in it. The incident transpired over Mother’s Day weekend in May 2021 when a hotel employee used a commercial-grade pool cleaner with a warning on the label: “no one can be in the pool when chemicals are being added directly to the pool,” according to the complaint. The suit states that because of the hotel’s safety failures, several children required medical attention,...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—According to the Healthy Handwashing Survey conducted by Bradley Company, Americans implement handwashing on an “as needed basis.” Case in point, 74 percent wash their hands more frequently or more thoroughly in response to seasonal virus outbreaks and 54 percent increase their handwashing activity when they’re sick. In addition, 77 percent make it a point to wash up when on a road trip or in an airport and 67 percent wash more when they have travel coming up. Public restroom usage is another handwashing occasion. Respondents said they suds up 89 percent of the time after using a public facility. The majority of those who skipped...