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Planthoppers are winning the war against water hyacinth with a little help from FSG
Water hyacinth – an invasive species considered the worst weed in the world, literally brings shudders to local municipalities and ordinary South Africans who are invested in preserving our dams and water sources. Originally from the Amazon Basin, this plant has spread rapidly across various water bodies in the country, particularly where nutrient-rich waters provide ideal growing conditions. Once the plant invades, it forms dense mats that completely cover the water’s surface, impacting the life of any other organisms around it. The concern about the plant is that its seeds remain viable in the soil for more than 20 years, which means it can keep propagating – we’ve seen its terrible impact on Hartbeespoort Dam and the Vaal River. There are other dams where the plant is out of control too – specifically Benoni’s Middle Lake and Civic Lake, where the fight to keep the waters clear has been going on for years. Luckily, there is a solution, and as cute as they sound, planthoppers are reducing the cover of the invasive plant significantly. What is a planthopper? Aside from being tiny superheroes, adult planthoppers (known scientifically as Megamelus Scutellaris) are small sap-sucking insects, about 3 mm long, with colours ranging from pale cream to dark brown. Reared in mass quantities during the spring, these little soldiers feed off the sap of the Hyacinth plant by piercing the plant tissue and damaging the cells, which essentially makes the plant rot and sink. Once the water hyacinth starts to rot, it has no chance of regenerating – fantastic news for dam preservation! The best part about planthoppers is that adults can be reared, so essentially we can rear as many as we need in a biological control agent rearing station and then unleash them in droves across water hyacinth to do
School Hygiene is the Foundation for a Healthier Learning Environment
School hygiene plays an important role in creating a safe and healthy environment for students, staff, and teachers. Close contact among learners with shared objects and often-overlooked cleaning routines make schools a breeding ground for germs and infections. Prioritising cleanliness and implementing effective school hygiene practices is essential to protecting everyone’s health. Why School Hygiene Matters In schools, infections spread rapidly because of shared surfaces, frequent close interactions, and inadequate cleaning and disinfection. Without a proper school hygiene program that focuses on both cleaning and disinfecting, students and staff are at risk of exposure to harmful germs each time they touch contaminated surfaces. Ensuring that every surface is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected can significantly reduce the spread of illnesses in learning environments. An Essential Step for School Hygiene Research has shown that school desks can harbour 400 times more bacteria than toilet seats. Desks, keyboards, and door handles are some of the most contaminated surfaces in educational environments. Schools should establish strict procedures for routine cleaning and disinfecting. High-touch surfaces like desks, doorknobs, keyboards, and toys should be cleaned and sanitized daily. Areas like bathrooms and food service areas, where germs can quickly spread, need special attention. Using appropriate cleaning products and following recommended guidelines will help maintain a hygienic environment. Promoting Hand Hygiene in Schools Hygiene and handwashing go hand in hand and are fundamental aspects of school hygiene. Teaching students the importance of regular hand washing can significantly reduce the spread of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Schools should establish routines for handwashing throughout the day, particularly before meals, after using the restroom, and after playing outside. Easy access to soap, water, and paper towels encourages students to maintain good hand hygiene. During periods when absenteeism due to illness increases, schools should reinforce handwashing practices and consider increasing the
Don’t Let Pests Bug Your Business: Pest Control in the Workplace
While maintaining a clean and healthy work environment is paramount for any business, effective Pest Control in the Workplace goes beyond aesthetics. It directly impacts employee well-being, productivity, and even brand reputation, and pests can disrupt this delicate balance. At FSG, we understand the importance of keeping your workplace pest-free. We offer a comprehensive range of pest control services, from rodent control to fly control and ant control to termite control. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to manage pests effectively and maintain a healthy work environment for your team. The Dangers of Pests in the Workplace Pests are more than just a nuisance. Their presence can lead to several problems, including: Health hazards: Many pests carry and transmit diseases such as salmonella, hantavirus, and Lyme disease. Allergic reactions: Rodent dander, cockroach droppings, and insect bites can trigger allergies and asthma attacks in employees. Property damage: Rodents can chew wires, furniture, and insulation, leading to costly repairs. Decreased morale: A workplace with a visible pest problem can be unpleasant and demotivating for employees. Damage to reputation: News of a pest infestation can spread quickly, damaging your brand image and deterring customers and clients. Prevention is Key The best way to deal with pests is to prevent them from entering your Workplace in the first place. Here are some preventative measures you can take: Maintain a clean and sanitary environment: Regularly clean and disinfect common areas, kitchens, and break rooms. Ensure proper waste disposal by regularly emptying lidded bins. Seal entry points: Inspect your building for cracks, gaps, and holes around pipes, windows, and doors. Seal these openings to prevent pests from entering. Proper food storage: Discourage pests by storing food in sealed containers and avoiding crumbs and spills. Minimise clutter: Clutter provides hiding places for pests. Keep storage
Benefits of Subcontracting Your Office Cleaning Services
Maintaining a clean and healthy office is paramount in any business environment and can easily be achieved with office cleaning services. The demands of daily operations often leave little room for managing ancillary services like cleaning. This is where subcontracting your office cleaning services comes into play. By outsourcing these tasks, businesses can reap numerous benefits, ranging from cost efficiency to enhanced workplace productivity. Let’s explore the benefits of subcontracting your office cleaning services and why it can be a game-changer for your business. Improved Focus on Core Business Activities One of the primary advantages of subcontracting your office cleaning services is the ability to focus more on your core business activities. Cleaning tasks, although essential, can be time-consuming and distract you from your business’s main objectives. By outsourcing these tasks to specialised service providers, your team can concentrate on what they do best, fostering innovation, customer service, and growth. Access to Professional Accredited Cleaning Expertise Professional cleaning companies bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. They are equipped with the latest cleaning technologies and follow accredited best practices that ensure your office is not just superficially clean but also hygienic and free from harmful bacteria and viruses. This level of cleanliness is often challenging to achieve without professional help, especially in areas that require deep cleaning and specialised industry-related attention. Cost Efficiency Subcontracting can also lead to significant cost savings. Maintaining an in-house cleaning team involves expenses related to hiring, training, salaries, benefits, and purchasing cleaning equipment and supplies. Outsourcing eliminates these costs, as the cleaning company manages its staff and equipment. Moreover, cleaning companies can often procure supplies at a lower cost due to their bulk purchasing power, savings that can be passed on to you. Flexibility and Scalability Outsourcing your cleaning services offers flexibility
What Does El Niño Mean for South Africa?
With temperatures soaring above the average and rainfall falling below normal levels, what does El Niño mean for South Africa? South Africans have recently experienced an unusually warm and wet winter. Still, climate experts are now sounding the alarm, warning that this summer could be one of the hottest and driest on record. The culprit? El Niño – a naturally recurring climate pattern marked by the warming of the Pacific Ocean, leading to significant shifts in weather patterns across the globe. Understanding El Niño The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is one of the most influential climate phenomena. Its ability to affect global atmospheric circulation makes it a topic of great interest for climate researchers. ENSO encompasses two main phases, El Niño and La Niña, representing the warm and cool phases of a recurring climate pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Currently, experts are closely monitoring the development of a moderate-to-strong El Niño in 2023. At a recent El Niño 2023 Summit held at the University of Pretoria, CSIR senior researcher and Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science director, Neville Sweijd, emphasised the need for early preparation in South Africa. He pointed out that global average sea surface temperatures reached unprecedented levels in May and June 2023, with record-breaking air temperatures in the northern hemisphere for June. This indicates that the El Niño expected this year might be unusually strong. Sweijd emphasised the unpredictability of the event, saying, “Although we are certain that an El Niño is manifesting, we are uncertain about its impact at this stage. In the past, the impact was severe, and although we cannot say yet that this season will be equally affected, we must pre-empt the potential impact.” More Frequent El Niños? As El Niño is yet to peak, its impact on the
Access Control and the Importance of POPIA Compliance
In today’s digital age, businesses should be aware of their outsourced security services, such as Access Control and the importance of POPIA compliance. Data security has become a critical concern for many companies and individuals. As the volume of personal information being processed and stored grows, the need to protect data privacy and maintain trust with clients has become paramount. In 2013, South Africa introduced the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) to address these concerns; landmarking legislation aims to regulate the processing of personal data and enforce strict data protection measures across all sectors. The Importance of POPIA Compliance While some businesses may view POPIA compliance as a mere legal requirement, it is far more than that. POPIA embodies ethical business practices, respecting individuals’ fundamental right to privacy. As responsible professionals, we must acknowledge the significance of handling personal information securely and with the utmost confidentiality – it is our duty! Beyond being a legal requirement, POPIA holds much more profound implications for businesses. It embodies ethical business practices, emphasising the importance of upholding individuals’ fundamental privacy rights. As responsible professionals, we must recognise the criticality of securely handling personal information with the utmost confidentiality. The Impact of Non-Compliance Non-compliance with POPIA can have far-reaching consequences, affecting businesses and their clients. The Act empowers the Information Regulator to impose fines, penalties, and sanctions on organisations that violate the legislation. These financial repercussions can significantly impact a company’s bottom line and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, a data breach resulting from inadequate security measures can lead to a loss of customer trust, damage to brand reputation, and potential lawsuits, which can prove disastrous for any business. Access Control and Data Security At FSG, a Facility Services Group, we fully understand the significance of data security, particularly regarding access control and handling personal information.
The Hidden Powerhouse of Organisations: Facilities Management
In today’s corporate landscape, a phrase that often echoes through the corridors is “Facilities Management.” However, its meaning and the scope of its implications aren’t as widely known. What does it entail, and why is it so crucial for an organisation’s smooth operations? Facilities Management is a behind-the-scenes hero, an integrative discipline linking the physical workplace to the people and the tasks performed within. It is a multifaceted approach to ensuring the built environment’s functionality, comfort, safety, and efficiency. Imagine every single element of your organisation – the buildings, services, infrastructure – all functioning optimally, paving the way for a secure and productive workspace. That’s what effective Facilities Management accomplishes. The Pivot Point: The Facilities Manager At the heart of this seamless operation sits the facilities manager, a role that plays an integral part in the overall functioning of an organisation. This position is as complex as it is critical, a dynamic blend of strategic foresight and practical proficiency. Facilities managers are the architects of tomorrow, given their responsibility for strategic planning. They develop projects for new facilities and anticipate the ever-evolving needs of the organisation. Simultaneously, they’re firmly rooted in the realities of the present. Their practical duties are vital in ensuring the organisation’s building systems function optimally and securely. To pull back the curtains a little further, what do these practical duties involve? It’s all about coordination and supervision. Think of maintenance schedules that keep the workplace in tip-top shape. It’s about managing budgets, making sure every penny is accounted for and spent wisely. And it’s about supervising contract services, ensuring every external contribution aligns perfectly with internal requirements. In essence, facilities managers are the orchestrators of harmony in an organisation’s physical space, ensuring every element comes together to play its part in a beautifully synchronised symphony. Core
“Winter is Coming”: A Pre-Winter Facilities Management Checklist
As the colder months start approaching, it’s essential to begin preparing for the winter weather, which is why we’ve prepared a pre-winter facilities management checklist. To ensure that your commercial property is ready for winter, follow a checklist that covers essential areas such as the heating system, roof and gutters, doors and windows, and more. Proper maintenance and checks are crucial to maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for employees, visitors, and customers. By starting early and following the pre-winter facilities management checklist, facilities managers can avoid potential downtime, safety hazards, or energy inefficiencies that may arise during winter. A well-prepared commercial property can help maintain a positive image, ensure safety, and improve the bottom line. So, take the necessary steps to prepare for winter and keep your facility running all year round smoothly. Check your heating system You should check that the heating system is fully operational and working efficiently before the cold weather arrives. It’s essential to have the system checked by a professional, including cleaning, servicing, and replacing worn or faulty parts. Inspect the roof and gutters The roof and gutters need to be inspected to ensure they can handle the weather winter brings. Check for any damage, blockages, or leaks, and have them repaired or cleaned as needed. Test backup generators Backup generators are essential, especially during winter when power outages occur. Ensure backup generators are in good working condition and have enough fuel to last through any potential power outages. Inspect doors and windows Doors and windows need to be checked for any drafts, cracks, or gaps that let cold air in and warm air out. This can cause the heating system to work harder, leading to higher energy bills. Seal any gaps and cracks and improve energy efficiency. Inspect and service fire safety systems
The Importance of Effective Facilities Management
Effective facilities management is a critical aspect of any organisation’s operations. It involves coordinating and maintaining all physical assets, including buildings, equipment, and grounds. Facilities management ensures that these assets are well-maintained, safe, and functional, ultimately improving the organisation’s overall productivity and efficiency. However, many organisations need to pay more attention to the importance of facilities management or implement it effectively. Ignoring this can lead to costly repairs, safety hazards, and decreased productivity. This article will discuss the importance of effective facilities management and how it can benefit your organisation. The Costs of Poor Facilities Management Poor facilities management can lead to several costly issues for an organisation. For example, a lack of regular maintenance can result in equipment breakdowns, which can lead to expensive repairs or replacements. Additionally, inadequate safety measures can result in accidents or injuries, leading to costly legal fees and employee downtime. Furthermore, poor facilities management can lead to an overall decrease in employee productivity and morale. For example, dirty or poorly-maintained facilities can lead to an unhealthy work environment, leading to employee absenteeism. Additionally, inadequate lighting or ventilation can lead to discomfort and decreased focus among employees. The Benefits of Effective Facilities Management Effective facilities management, on the other hand, can lead to many benefits for an organisation. For example, regular maintenance can prolong the lifespan of equipment and prevent costly repairs or replacements. Facility tasks include regular dusting, vacuuming, and sanitising surfaces, as well as routine maintenance and repairs of equipment and infrastructure. Additionally, proper safety measures can help reduce the risk of accidents or injuries, which can decrease legal fees and employee downtime. Another important aspect of facilities management is the implementation of energy-efficient practices and technologies. This can help reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint and lead to significant cost savings on energy