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Executive Report
The Power of Association Ownership
Associations and many other nonprofit organizations often get a
bad rap because they are not considered “real” businesses. Really?
So what is it that makes a business “real”?
Some say the profit motive makes an entity “real” and
physically being out in the trenches fighting the competition.
However, associations have competition too, and as with “real”
businesses, the risk of losing marketshare to a competitor makes
them more conscious of their need to deliver value to their
customers or risk losing them. Sounds like real business to
me.
Others believe it is the risk of failure that defines a
business. Again, the same rules apply. Associations can fail just as
many businesses have. Is a company that fails not a business, or is
a successful association a business just like the companies that
succeed? Clearly success or failure do not define a “real”
business.
The main reason associations are real businesses but different
from traditional companies is that the owners of associations cannot
take out equity from the association. The association cannot provide
any service targeted towards an individual member or group of
members unless that investment can be leveraged to the
benefit of the entire profession represented by the association. In
the tax code this is called “inurement of benefit” and it can cause
a nonprofit to lose its coveted tax exemption.
So why have an association? How does your investment pay off
for your business? That’s an easy one to answer: Associations are
formed by companies or professionals to do for them what would be
impractical, impossible, or too costly for any one…or even
several…of them to perform on their own. Government relations is an
excellent example. Lobbying costs a lot, and those costs, when
spread over a large number of companies, become more manageable
while giving the industry a voice at the table where laws and
regulations are made. Another benefit allows companies or
individuals to show that they are associated with a recognized group
of professionals.
Of course, we then come back to the powerful difference of an
association. Things that benefit an industry must be equally owned
by all of the members of the association, even if the benefit cannot
be equally distributed. This is why associations have volunteers.
Volunteers make a contribution towards the common good of the
industry. In return for their contribution, they receive recognition
and elevated prestige in their profession, but they are not paid in
cash, goods, or services. To do so would be an inappropriate taking
of association property owned in common by all of the association’s
members. And such a taking could jeopardize the association’s tax
exemption.
It is something to think about. Associations are the one place
where one can find that collective ownership and effort actually
deliver an economic value that benefits the many instead of a few.
Don Manger
Executive Director
Restoration Industry
Association
RIA NEWS
RIA
NEWS
Toolbox
Tips
Marketing Savvy
Product
Spotlight
On Press
Now
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Playing
it Safe: 'Safety Flooring' Makes Strides in Commercial"
"Senate
Environmental Panel Approves Meth Labs Cleanup Bill"
"Fitch: U.S.
Insurers Brace for Above-Average Hurricane Season"
"Trends in
Carpet Cleaning Chemicals"
"NIOSH Blasts
Air Quality at Interior Department"
"Louisiana Sets
Deadline for Storm Damage Claims"
"Do Health
Dangers Lurk in Greensburg Debris?"
"For the First
Time, New York Links a Death to 9/11 Dust"
"Study: Climate
Change Models Overstate Droughts"
"Evolution of
Encapsulation Cleaning"
"Steam Vapor
Sanitation: A Better Method For Hard Surfaces"
"Florida Storm
Losses May Run $3.5 Billion a Year"
"Pregnant Woman
Discovers Home Was Meth Lab; County Leaves Her to Clean Her
Belongings"
"Without a
Trace: Blood Stains, Bone Shards, and Bullet Holes"
"CAUTION! Handle
With Care!"
"Mold Damage Is
More an Issue for Owners, But Designers Can Be Proactive With Their
Materials"
RIA NEWS
Breaking News
CIRI RELEASES SYMPOSIUM WRAP-UP
The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) has just
released a summary “wrap-up” report regarding its symposium held
April 30 to May 2, 2007, at the University of Nevada. The
symposium’s primary goal was to identify science-based solutions
that can be applied to the cleaning industry. The summary, written
by Dr. Michael Berry, one of the presenters at the conference, is
based on attendees’ survey responses, as well as Dr. Berry’s own
observations.
The issues noted as most significant included:
- The lack of a recognized definition of “clean” and “cleaning.”
Oftentimes, “clean” and “cleaning” are subjective. Appearance
remains the hallmark of the clean condition.
- The public does not recognize the value and benefits of
cleaning, or the industry is not properly raising awareness.
- Effective cleaning is not widely recognized as a form of
“health” insurance.
- Cleaning performance is not measured, especially in terms of
environmental quality.
- High-performance, science-based, quality management cleaning
programs are extremely rare throughout the building services
contracting industry.
- Building-related health complaints remain substantially high.
Health effects, such as asthma and allergies, associated with
indoor environmental exposure, continue to grow at an alarming
rate in the absence of effective cleaning.
SBA Urges Disaster Preparation
With above-average activity predicted for the 2007 Atlantic
Hurricane season, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is
urging homeowners, renters and businesses across the country to
start taking the needed steps to protect their lives, property, and
businesses. Preparing for the worst case scenario will ensure a
quicker and less costly recovery. Hurricane season disaster
preparedness for homes and businesses should include:
- A solid emergency response plan
- Adequate insurance
- Making copies of important records
- Backing up data on computer hard drives and keeping it at
offsite locations
- Proper protection of windows, doors, and roofing
- An onsite “Disaster Survival Kit”
SBA and BSA Partner to Educate Small
Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and
the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an organization dedicated to
promoting a safe and legal digital world, announced a partnership to
educate nearly 100,000 small businesses on proper software
management and the risks associated with the use of unlicensed
software. Coined “Software Strategies for Small Businesses,” the
multi-year partnership will provide small businesses and SBA
resource partners with a set of software asset management tools and
educational materials that will help them establish, communicate and
enforce policies that ensure copyright compliance in the workforce.
SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston said, “This exceptional
partnership with the BSA will help small businesses be smart about
software use, and protect themselves against the risk of unlicensed
software.”
OSHA Declares Inspections on 4,150 High-Hazard
Sites
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
announced that 4,150 high-hazard worksites will receive surprise
inspections to comply with its 2007 Site-Specific Targeting (SST)
Plan. The worksites’ locations are retrieved from the agency’s Data
Initiative for 2006, which focused on facilities reporting 11 or
more injuries and high illness rates. In addition, the primary list
of suspected candidates will also include 100 randomly selected
workplaces with records of low injuries and illnesses in order to
further examine the actual degree of compliance.
OSHA Unveils New Pandemic Guidance
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has
partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to
provide new safety and health measures to protect healthcare workers
who are at risk for influenza. The “Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare
Employers” will aid in employee preparation if an outbreak were to
occur and act as a widespread resource offering additional support
to the industry. Furthermore, the new guidance increases employers’
knowledge in properly preparing for an outbreak, relays diagnostic
advice and safety methods, and provides technical information on
topics such as risk reduction and worker readiness.
Printing Error Costs State Farm
$6.8 Million
State Farm has been accused in a class-action lawsuit of
under-compensating more than 12,000 Florida policyholders for the
cost of screen damages from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. To resolve
this issue, State Farm has agreed to pay the $6.8 million costs.
Their willingness to comply comes from the recent discovery of a
printing error in the homeowners' policies regarding the coverage
and reimbursement of damaged screen enclosures. State Farm spokesman
Phil Supple said, “It was our error, and we’re owning up to
it.”
Australian Storm Causes Havoc
A flood in Sydney, Australia, resulted in more than 20,000
claims filed with Insurance Australia Group Ltd. (IAG) and
Suncorp-Metaway Ltd. The nation’s largest home and car insurer, IAG
estimated funds from the damages to register around $169 million.
Suncorp, the second largest home and car insurer, already received
11,500 in claims, but these figures will continue to fluctuate over
the next few days. The brutal Australian storm also took the lives
of nine residents in Hunter Valley and towns north of Sydney.
Thousands spent the weekend evacuating from their
homes.
Hurricane Season Predicted to be Above-Average
Friday, June 1, marked the beginning of the 2007 Atlantic
hurricane season with predictions of dangerous storms and costly
damages. Colorado State University and Ronald Reagan National
Airport have already forecasted 17 storms to hit the coasts, with
nine being potential hurricane threats and five with circulating
winds of 111 mph. Florida Insurance Council’s executive vice
president, Sam Miller, believes over the next 30 years, the storm
damages will cost Florida around $104 billion, not only hurting the
land but the insurance industry. Mother Nature’s costly price tag
could result in insurers cutting back or leaving a state after the
storms attack. On a positive note, the National Research Initiative
Act was recently introduced in the House of Representatives to
provide hurricane researchers with $4.35 billion in funding for
further research.
Claims for World Trade Center Settled
A recent settlement entitled Silver Properties, Inc.,
leaseholder of the World Trade Center in New York, to $2 billion
from insurers to settle the dispute from the buildings that were
destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The compliance by the
seven insurers: Allianz Global Risks U.S. Insurance Co.; Employers
Insurance Co. of Wausau; Industrial Risk Insurers, which is now
owned by Swiss Reinsurance Co.; Royal Indemnity Co.; Swiss Re;
Travelers Cos. Inc., and Zurich American Insurance Co., will end
roughly six years of legal disputes. The actions from this
resolution create what New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer called “an
enormous step forward” towards the site’s reconstruction.
Leslie Atiyeh Accepts Presidency of Atiyeh Intl.,
Ltd.
Leslie Atiyeh has been appointed president of Atiyeh Intl.,
Ltd. Atiyeh Intl., Ltd’s former president, Tom Atiyeh, will continue
his work with the company as executive vice president, while taking
on the role as executive director for Opal Creek Ancient Forest
Center. Atiyeh Intl., Ltd, located in Pinot Noir, Oregon, is a
wholesaler and importer of Oriental rugs. In 1985, Leslie Atiyeh
helped co-found what originally began in 1900 as the A. Atiyeh and
Bros. family Oriental rug business. Now as president she hopes to
move production from China to India, adding an additional marketing
focus. Leslie says, “I look forward to continuing Atiyeh’s
commitment to high-end rug production.”
Insurers $8 Billion Swindle of National Flood
Insurance Program Resolved
Eight insurers and five adjusters have been accused of
deceiving the National Flood Insurance Program of approximately $8
billion by charging homeowners’ policies for unnecessary damage
costs from Hurricane Katrina. The companies being held accountable
for setting exceedingly high and fraudulent prices for flood damage
are Allstate in Northbrook, Ill.; State Farm in Bloomington, Ill.;
Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance, Boston; Fidelity National Insurance
Company and Fidelity National Property and Casualty Insurance
Company in Jacksonville, Fla.
Also, the American National Property & Casualty Company
in Springfield, Mo.; Scottsdale Insurance Company in Scottsdale,
Ariz. and St. Paul Travelers Cos in Saint Paul, Minn. Along with
Pilot Catastrophe Services, Inc., in Mobile Ala; Crawford &
Company in Atlanta; NCA Group, Inc., in Indianapolis; Simsol
Insurance Services in Niceville, Fla. and Ailied Claims, Inc. in
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The damages were related to wind not flood damage and were
already covered in the homeowners’ insurance policies. One apartment
complex was paid $96,000 in flood insurance when no flooding had
occurred. As a result, the government has paid millions in
fraudulent flood insurance claims.
President Bush Signs Bill to Help Small
Businesses Comply With Federal Regulations
Small businesses will now have better access to compliance
guides for federal regulations, due to Senator Olympia Snowe's
(R-ME) amendment contained in the "U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans'
Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act,
2007." Amendment 103, co-sponsored by Senators Michael Enzi (R-WY),
Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Harry Reid (D-NV), John Kerry (D-MA), John
Sununu (R-NH), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) strengthened section 212 of
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
(SBREFA).
Section 212 requires federal agencies to publish a small
business compliance guide for each final rule that has a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Amendment
103 strengthens those requirements and further mandates that federal
agencies annually report to Congress on their efforts to comply with
Section 212.
Eight Insurers Join Fla. Market
Eight new insurance carriers have joined Florida’s
property-insurance market since January 1, 2007, arriving just in
time for the beginning of hurricane season. Together, these carriers
represent $1.2 billion in investments and individually represent
surplus lines, alien, foreign, and domestic property and casualty
insurers. The new insurers include Delaware-based Praetorian
Specialty Insurance Company, who will write commercial multiperil
and allied lines; United Kingdom-based Arch Insurance Company
Limited, which will focus on the energy risks of oil companies; and
known as “the most dramatic entrant,” Bermuda-based Ironshore
Insurance Ltd, will cover commercial risks that deal with wind
exposure in catastrophe-prone coastal states.
Other carriers include: the Homeowners Choice Property
& Casualty Insurance Company; Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal
Exchange Inc.; Modern USA Insurance Company, which will deal with
mid-to-upper level homeowners insurance; Olympus Insurance Company,
who will write homeowners policies; and American Keystone Insurance
Company, writing the values of homeowners insurance.
Technological Advances Dampen Vacations
The long awaited break from a hectic work environment is
becoming harder to take advantage of due to busy work schedules
following employees on their vacations. Increases in communication
technologies with laptops, cell phones, and other devices, make it
possible for employees to log into their work email or check their
voicemail from just about any destination, taking enjoyment out of
the “non-work” work week.
According to the annual vacation survey from the
Chicago-based site, CareerBuilder.com, 20% of Americans will
continue to check in at work this year while on vacation. The survey
also concluded that 40% of employees were not satisfied with paid
vacation time, and 69% felt time vacation time should be increased
to three weeks. Regardless of how much time is spent away from the
office, some employees still feel an unspoken pressure to touch base
periodically at work.
"There are a host of reasons why employees feel compelled
to forgo a vacation or obsessively check in," says Rosemary Haefner,
CareerBuilder.com's vice president of human resources. "Some may
fear if they are gone and things go smoothly, it will send a message
that they aren't needed. [But] if you prepare in advance and
anticipate issues, it can positively reflect on your management and
organization skills."
From staff and wire reports.
RIA Briefs
Greenwald, Krznaric, and Stone Join RIA
RIA welcomed three new employees to its staff last month. Erik
Greenwald, Membership and Marketing Director for RIA, will oversee
all external marketing communications for the association and its
related products. His responsibilities include managing RIA’s
membership retention and growth, market planning, channel strategies
and product releases to ensure consistent communication and
messaging exists across all channels.
Prior to joining RIA, Greenwald gained 10 years of
marketing and sales experience from several successful product
launches and marketing campaigns in his role as the marketing
manager at Smartpants Media, Inc., marketing representative for
Computer Packages, Inc., and marketing database administrator for
BlueCross BlueShield. He received his Masters of Science in
Management ‘01 from the University of Maryland University College
and earned his Bachelor of Arts ‘96 from the College of
Wooster.
Jessica Krznaric, Communications Specialist for RIA, will
monitor the timely processing of documentation related to all RIA
publications, printed and electronic, by maintaining effective
communication channels with advertisers and production contractors.
Krznaric will also assist in providing editorial support for
Cleaning & Restoration magazine, as well as NewsBreak,
the association's website, and other marketing materials.
Previously, she interned with CYNTOMedia Corporation, Robert Morris
University’s Public Relations Department, WHIRL magazine, and served
as features editor of “The Sentry.” Krznaric graduated from Robert
Morris University ‘07 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Jill Stone, Membership and Marketing Assistant for RIA,
will maintain membership records and programs in addition to
communicating with members and prospects. Her duties include
coordinating new member assimilation programs, generating reports
pursuant to membership missions, and creating membership features
for the company’s website and Cleaning & Restoration.
Stone graduated from McDaniel College ‘06 with a Bachelor’s degree
in English and a minor in journalism. Before joining RIA, she worked
as a freelance reporter for Carroll Magazine and
studied in the online graduate library science program (MLS) at
Drexel University. This fall, Stone will become a part-time student
at the University of Maryland, College Park to conclude her
studies.
RIA Files Trademark Infringement
Suit
The Board of Directors of the Restoration Industry Association
(RIA) has filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court in Idaho
against the Certified Restorers Consulting Group (CRCG) in an effort
to protect the CERTIFIED RESTORERSM trademark. The
complaint, filed May 18, 2007, in Boise, Idaho, seeks to enforce
RIA’s rights to exclusive use of the “CERTIFIED
RESTORERSM” designation, which has been a core credential
of RIA for nearly 30 years.
“Taking legal action against members is something no board
of directors ever wants to do,” Dooner concluded. “However, when RIA
attempted to rectify the situation without litigation, CRCG chose
not to comply. At that point, failure to act would send a message of
weakness and indecision that is contrary to RIA’s ethical standards
and to the principles of the professionals who uphold the high
standards embodied in “CERTIFIED RESTORER.”
Colorado Governor Signs Consumer Freedom of Choice
Bill
A bill that was actively supported by the Restoration
Industry Association (RIA) was signed by Colorado Governor Bill
Ritter (D) earlier this week. Rep. Dorothy Butcher (D) successfully
sponsored the consumer rights bill – HB 1104, the Insurance Consumer
Freedom of Choice Bill, which the association hopes will set a
precedent nationwide for consumer freedom of choice in property
restoration. The bill, which easily passed both the Colorado House
and Senate, prevents insurance companies from dictating which
restoration company must be used in a covered property repair
insurance loss.
The bill states: “competition is
fundamental to the free market system and that the unrestrained
interaction of competitive forces will yield the best allocation
of…economic resources, the lowest prices, the highest quality
commodities and services.”
Both the House and Senate concurred that
passage of this bill would safeguard the public against monopolies,
trusts and market barriers; as well as foster and encourage
competition by prohibiting unfair and discriminatory practices that
impede fair and honest competition.
2007 RIA Fall Conference Gearing UP!
RIA is showcasing an expanded slate of education for its Fall
Conference Series, which is scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007,
through Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency in Garden
Grove, CA. The five-day forum kicks off with the debut of RIA’s
National Institute of Rug and Carpet Cleaning’s (NIRC) first-ever
one-day conference followed by the 2nd RIA Environmental
Conference, and wrapping up with the RIA’s 4th Disaster
Restoration Conference. Special education bonuses include two
in-depth workshops geared towards marketing and project management
scheduled on Saturday.
NIRC’s hands-on and product application training of the
“Better Your Best: Add-on Services to Boost Your Bottom-line”
Conference will spill the number one secret to money-making in the
rug, carpet and textile industries. RIA’s Environmental Conference
will home in on the “Risks vs. Rewards of Specialized Environmental
Cleaning.” Topic highlights include learning how to prepare for a
crisis and expanding your knowledge on cleaning techniques in the
aftermath of an emergency at “Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup.” Also
get the latest updates on biocides in “The Use of Chemicals Debate.”
Following the other two topic specific conferences will be the
Disaster Restoration Division’s 2-day Conference, which was designed
with fast-paced, high-energy sessions focused specifically on drying
and restoring issues and “grill sessions” allowing participants to
“Feel the HEAT” of the sessions at “Debate the Heat Damage.”
The comprehensive educational event will also feature an
Exhibit Hall with over 45 vendors displaying their products and
services geared towards all facets of the restoration industry.
Attendees will be able to register for one or all of the conferences
in the series. Full details will be available on RIA’s website on or
around July 1, 2007. Also, don’t miss out on the Oriental
& Specialty Rug Seminar in Chicago on June 21-23. Spaces are
still available but are going fast. To see a listing or sign-up for
RIA’s other education courses, visit http://www.restorationindustry.org/. Return to
Headlines
Toolbox Tips
Make Your First Aid Kit Even Safer
By Jessica Krznaric
To be ready for disaster, having the right first aid kit for
the right situation requires careful planning. Today’s kits are
crafted for specific emergencies. The “first aid kit family” extends
to disaster supply kits, disability supplies kits, pet supplies
kits, and car supplies kits. However, the father figure of first aid
will always be the basic first aid kit. An essential for every
household, first aid kits should be placed in your home and
business, as well as your truck or car.
In addition to the basics – thermometer, gloves, working
batteries, flashlight, blanket, tweezers, scissors, etc., the
following are ways to make your first aid kit even safer.
- Pack an American Red Cross First Aid Instruction Booklet. The
guide will provide quick information during a stressful situation.
- Make sure medications are not expired.
- Create a list of emergency phone numbers to have on hand.
- Have an outside source of communication. 911 is the only
number still able to be dialed on a cell phone no longer in use.
- Save and store old items such as glasses.
- Stock up on assorted sizes of bandages and gauze pads to be
prepared for any type of wound.
- Include common items – e.g., A child’s whistle can be an alert
mechanism to call for help.
- Store sanitation products such as soap, antibacterial cleaner,
paper towels and toilet paper.
- Consider who will be using the kit. Could a baby, small child,
or pet need assistance? Include a leash, a small game, or a bottle
to accommodate other users.
- DO NOT include candles. They act more as a danger than a
protector, causing fires after a disaster has taken place.
- Always stay up-to-date on the basics.
Jessica Krznaric is the Communications Specialist for
RIA.
Marketing Savvy
Using Media Exposure to Grow a Successful Business
By Erik Greenwald
You may be delighted when you receive consumer testimonials,
positive media coverage, or feedback from a successful marketing
campaign, but what are you doing with this information? Are you
simply filing the testimonial, media coverage or campaign success
away? Your answer should be “NO. We are using this information to
further drive the success of our business.” I find that many
companies treat these successes as a one-time event. However, to
manage your marketing expenses, you should make a concerted effort
to maximize the exposure of these events. The key here is to
leverage as much of your past successes to grow your future
business.
The next time you receive a consumer testimonial, media
coverage or a high market response from a campaign, consider the
following:
- Are you making the market aware of this event?
- Are you posting this event on your website and including it in
your business’s promotional materials (i.e., brochures,
advertisements, Yellow Page listing, chatrooms and blogs)?
- In the case of media exposure, has this event opened the door
for your business to become the local subject matter expert for
future industry inquiries?
- How can you use this event to increase the exposure of your
company?
If you are already leveraging these events to
help mitigate the cost of your marketing expenses, great! If not,
ask yourself these questions to explore ways that you may begin
using these events to your advantage.
Erik Greenwald is RIA’s director of marketing and
membership.
We want your feedback! RIA has made many changes, but we want
to make sure we're meeting our members' needs. Please take a few
minutes to answer this short online survey. Responses will be kept
confidential.
Return to
Headlines
RIA Consumer Flyers
Give your customers valuable information on a variety of
cleaning and restoration topics. Written by RIA’s technical
advisors, each flyer identifies a specific problem, explains why it
occurs and provides prevention tips.
Titles available (Please specify titles):
|
Abrash
Animal Stains
Backing Separation
Benzoyl
Peroxide
Carpet Installation
Cellulosic
Browning
Chewing Gum Removal
Code of Ethics
Color
Changes
Corn Rowing
Custom Made Rugs
Drapery
Damage
Dry Rot in Rugs and Furnishings
Dye
Bleeding
Flatwoven Rugs
Forgotten Spills |
Haitian Cotton
Latex Decay
Leather
Upholstery
Mildew Myths About Oriental
Rug Cleaning
New Furnishings
Odors
Odors and Color
Problems
in Area Rugs
Painted Rugs/Bleeding Rugs
Protein Fires
Pulled Wool is Bad Wool
Reappearing Stains
Ripples
Rug Fringes
Rug Shrinkage
Sewer Backups
Shading
|
Shedding & Pilling
Silk Textiles
Smoke Damage
Soil Filtration Lines
Soils
Spot Removal
Static
Stubborn Stains
Sunlight Damage
Textile Insects
Texture Change
Thank You*
Vacuuming
Water
Stains
Yellowing | *Designed
for distribution for residential and commercial customers, this
flyer addresses health and safety issues related to carpet cleaning.
Now available in Spanish.
Same Title
RIA Members: 100/$30
Non-Member: 100/$65
Thank You Flyers
RIA
Members: 1000/$200
Non-Members: 1000/$400
Tips! On the Care and Maintenance of Your Carpet, Rugs,
Drapery and Upholstery
Use RIA’s Tips! On the Care and Maintenance of Your Carpet,
Rugs, Drapery and Upholstery as the perfect leave-behind for your
clients. It explains fabric care, answers to frequently asked
questions and has an index of common stains with step-by-step
instructions for their removal.
RIA Members: 1,000/$225
Non-Members: 1,000/$450
RIA Members: 500/$150
Non-Members: 500/$300
Return to
Headlines
Here’s a look at what’s coming in the July 2007 issue of RIA’s
award-winning publication, Cleaning & Restoration.
Engineering Controls on Small Mold Projects
By David Mason
Without a universally accepted standard of care method for mold
control, understanding proper assessment and control techniques are
mandatory. See what the experts have to say.
Inter-Laboratory Variability in Spore Trap
Analysis
By Bob Brandys, Ph.D.
Discover the incredible findings revealed through two different
spore trapping research projects. The first focused on analysis
error and the other on sampling error and the collection efficiency
from different spore trap devices. With variability so high, learn
how to select the most accurate lab results.
Improving Carpet Drying Times for Health
The Effective Use of Air Movers
By Dawn Shoemaker Understanding the drying process to
its fullest will allow for a decrease in health risks. Learn the
latest carpet cleaning techniques and become aware of the benefits
from using properly positioned air
movers.
Columns
Technical Topics
Vacuuming Rediscovered
Just in Case You Were Wondering...
Marketing Notes
True Freedom
Business Briefs
So what is this Green Stuff? Not a subscriber?
Then visit http://www.restorationindustry.org/buyersguide/index.cfm. Return to
Headlines
INDUSTRY NEWS
"Playing it Safe: 'Safety Flooring' Makes
Strides in Commercial"
Floor Covering News (06/11/07) Vol.
22, No. 6,
Aesthetics has fallen behind safety in the commercial flooring
market, mainly because safety flooring no longer has an industrial
appearance. Advancements in polymer technologies, for instance, have
translated into slip-resistant rubber tiles in an assortment of
colors. Some manufacturers are offering safety flooring with the
appearance of such woods as beech, chestnut, pine, and cherry.
Safety flooring also has gained popularity as facilities look to
reduce liability, given that the White House Conference on Aging
reported in 2005 that most accidental deaths among senior citizens
are due to falls. Additionally, experts point to the environmental
benefits of safety flooring, as rubber is long-lasting, recyclable,
made from salt and oil, and consumes less energy during the
manufacturing process than other flooring materials.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Senate Environmental Panel Approves Meth Labs
Cleanup Bill"
Congressional Quarterly Weekly (06/09/07)
Hunter, Kathleen
A bill requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
to create voluntary methamphetamine lab cleanup guidelines cleared
the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee on June 6. With
assistance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
the EPA would establish the science-based guidelines, intended to
aid state and local governments in the development of cleanup
policies. Additionally, the legislation--sponsored by Sens. Max
Baucus (D-Mont.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.)--aims to spur the
development of new technologies to uncover former meth labs and
calls for a study of the long-lasting impact of meth labs. According
to Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), "Law enforcement
is worried when they have to clean up these labs because of the
dangers they entail." As much as five pounds of lye, red phosphorus,
hydriodic acid, and other hazardous chemicals are created for every
pound of meth, reports the Drug Enforcement Administration. A
similar bill was approved by the House in February.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Fitch: U.S. Insurers Brace for Above-Average
Hurricane Season"
Claims (06/07)
Fitch Ratings predicts the 2007 hurricane season could hit
insurers hard, with Senior Director Don Thorpe expecting primary
insurers to shoulder much of the losses in the event of numerous
small to moderate storms and reinsurers to be the most affected if
the season brings several major storms. In 2006, reinsurance prices
were at an all-time high; and hurricane-prone areas maintained high
primary insurance prices. Thus, Thorpe states, "Fitch expects a
subtle shift towards relatively more quota share reinsurance in
2007, which may increase the reinsurers' exposure to multiple
storms." Prism, Fitch's stochastic insurance model, demonstrates
that coastal property coverage companies are among those with
considerable capital exposure. According to Thorpe, if insurers
cannot "convince regulators of the value of their products, then
pricing is unlikely to achieve the levels needed to sustain high
financial strength ratings."
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Trends in Carpet Cleaning
Chemicals"
Cleanfax (06/07) Vol. 22, No. 6, Warrington, Scott
Green cleaning involves more than using biodegradable products or
those with eco-friendly packaging, according to experts who believe
the entire cleaning process should take the health of the
environment and the building's occupants into consideration.
Cleaners are urged to hold off on spraying cleaning solutions if
children are in the room and make sure spaces are ventilated
adequately. Also recommended are pre-sprays with high dilution
ratios and large-tipped sprayers, which along with keeping the
sprayer below the knees, minimizes the amount of chemicals released
into the breathing zone. Other green cleaning techniques include the
use of high-efficiency vacuum filter bags and strong vacuums to
adequately extract chemicals, water, and soil. Water also should be
heated to at least 130 degrees, as per guidelines from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; and waste water should not be
dumped into storm drains.
(Web Link)
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Headlines
"NIOSH Blasts Air Quality at Interior
Department"
Occupational Hazards (05/31/07) Cable, Josh
Several employees of the U.S. Department of Interior's Main
Interior Building (MIB) at its Washington, D.C., headquarters have
complained of foul odors, dust, asthma, allergies, eye irritation,
and respiratory problems since the department began renovating the
MIB in 2002, according to National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) senior industrial hygienist Eric Esswein. NIOSH
evaluated the work area in August and now believes positive air
pressure between the work area and adjacent offices, as well the dry
sweeping of debris, have contributed to poor indoor environmental
quality (IEQ). NIOSH made several recommendations to improve IEQ,
including the establishment of negative pressure between the work
area and nearby offices during construction and for a period after
construction is completed. Additionally, contractors have been urged
to put up sealed barricade walls between the work area and offices
that remain in use; ensure vacuums used to clean construction debris
have HEPA filters; and seal hallway return air grilles for HVAC
systems in the work area with polyethylene sheeting.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Louisiana Sets Deadline for Storm Damage
Claims"
New York Times (05/31/07) Eaton, Leslie
Louisiana's Road Home program, which provides residents with up
to $150,000 to repair or rebuild their hurricane-devastated homes,
could face a $2.9 billion shortfall. The program had about $7.5
billion in federal funding, but the number of applicants surpassed
regulators' expectations; and in order for officials to determine
the total cost of the program, regulators opted to set an
application deadline of July 31, 2007. Residents contend the
government is abandoning them; but officials note the number of
applicants, even two years after the storms hit, is astounding and
indicates the number of damaged homes was underestimated. Moreover,
some state officials say they had hoped insurance carriers would
have covered more of the damages than they did, but some officials
believe homeowners applied for the grants rather than fight legal
battles with their insurers.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Do Health Dangers Lurk in Greensburg
Debris?"
Kansas City Star (05/29/07) P. A1; Dillon, Karen
Since the tornado that ravaged Greensboro, Kan., on May 4,
experts believe the 961 damaged homes could be exposing residents to
asbestos. Asbestos--a carcinogen that is hazardous when inhaled or
ingested--was a common construction material prior to 1980, a period
during which most of the homes were erected. Cleanup crews are
wearing masks and other protective gear while sifting through
debris, but it is uncertain if asbestos levels are high enough in
private homes to warrant other safeguards. For instance, stringent
remediation rules have been imposed by the government for several
commercial structures and schools known to contain asbestos, with
the area blocked off to protect residents. Given that air samples
taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 18 and 19
came back negative, the agency does not have the legal authority to
force homeowners to undertake asbestos removal projects. However,
some experts are calling for tests of the debris to supplement the
air tests. "Really the risk is going to be to the people rummaging
through the debris and what they are breathing there," says George
Washington University public health policy researcher Celeste
Monforton. To reduce risks, Bill Wood of California-based Alliance
Environmental Group says cleanup workers should be wetting down
debris sites to keep the asbestos particles from getting into the
air; and while the Kiowa County Health Department has been handing
out dust masks, Lenexa, Kan.-based asbestos abatement consultant
Leland Sumptur says special respirators provide better protection.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"For the First Time, New York Links a Death to
9/11 Dust"
New York Times (05/24/07) DePalma, Anthony
New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Charles S. Hirsch
recently changed the death certificate of civil rights attorney
Felicia Dunn-Jones to indicate her death as not only related to the
dust at Ground Zero, but to acknowledge her homicide. According to
Hirsch, there is no doubt the dust created by the collapse of the
twin towers in 2001 contributed to Dunn-Jones' death; she died five
months after she first had trouble breathing and began coughing.
Critics have long urged the city to re-examine the deaths of many
subsequent victims of the attacks, but Hirsch has no plans to
re-open other cases to determine if dust caused their deaths as
well. However, the New York State Department of Health and the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health continue to
study the deaths of rescue and recovery workers and volunteers in
the World Trade Center area after the terrorist attacks. Attorneys
are hopeful other victims of the dust--including fire fighters,
police officers, and volunteers--will be able to receive medical
compensation as a result of Dunn-Jones' case. Hirsch stated,
"Accumulating evidence indicates that in some persons exposure to
W.T.C. dust has caused sarcoidosis or an inflammatory reaction
indistinguishable from sarcoidosis."
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Study: Climate Change Models Overstate
Droughts"
USA Today (05/31/07) Vergano, Dan
NASA weather satellite measurements found that current climate
change models were flawed. The study, published in Science,
indicates that precipitation projections for the next several
decades could be up to three times higher than originally predicted,
but rainfall will not rise faster than temperature hikes. Remote
Sensing Systems' Frank Wentz reports that the current models failed
to take into account increasing humidity, which can produce more
rain clouds, but measurements also suggest that droughts and drier
climates will still be the norm in the coming decades. The National
Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado noted that the latest
NASA measurements will help improve the climate change models now in
use.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Evolution of Encapsulation
Cleaning"
Cleanfax (06/07) Vol. 22, No. 6, Warner, Mark W.
New third-generation encapsulation chemistries involve solvents
and surfactants that do not require additives in order to form dry
powders, and they dehydrate soils and residues from previous
cleaners that can be vacuumed out of carpets at the same time. These
chemicals use "dehydration phase cleaning"--indicating that cleaning
is ongoing as moisture is sucked from the residues--and lack
perfumes and other components that hinder the drying process.
Because dehydration phase cleaning makes residues an active part of
the cleaning process, some experts believe third-generation
encapsulation chemistries can be used effectively in hot-water
extraction, foam shampooing, low-moisture, and other methods of
carpet cleaning. Unlike other carpet cleaning methods, the chemicals
take care of the cleaning, with tools used solely for agitation.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Steam Vapor Sanitation: A Better Method For
Hard Surfaces"
Cleaning & Maintenance Management (05/07)
Vol. 44, No. 5, Hoverson, Rick
According to Rick Hoverson of Edmonds, Wash.-based Advanced Vapor
Technologies, steam vapor systems that use 15 pounds per square inch
to 20 pounds per square inch of steam at upwards of 230 degrees are
effective in cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing hard and porous
surfaces. Hoverson cites research from the University of Sioux Falls
showing that moist heat kills germs and eliminates protective
coatings that make them resistant to certain disinfectants. Hoverson
has found steam especially useful in cleaning grout and caulk,
providing up to eight weeks protection against mold infestations by
deeply penetrating the surface. He also touts the lack of toxic
chemicals emitted by such systems. Other benefits include improved
indoor air quality, reduced liability for multiple chemical
sensitivity, lower water consumption, and a drop in equipment and
labor costs.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Florida Storm Losses May Run $3.5 Billion a
Year"
Business Insurance (05/18/07)
Florida Insurance Council Executive Vice President Sam Miller
stated at the recent 2007 Governor's Hurricane Conference,
"Hurricane-free 2006 enabled private insurers and Citizens to begin
rebuilding their cash reserves. They had an opportunity to rest and
retrain adjusters and develop computer and internet enhancements to
claim processing." However, in spite of faulty predictions issued by
forecasters in 2006, many believe that the 2007 hurricane season
will be rough. Florida could experience losses up to $3.5 billion
annually for the next 30 years, according to some estimates. While
state-run Citizens has about $9 billion in reserves to pay for
claims this year, Miller noted that residents will bear the brunt of
hurricane losses. Meanwhile, the state's legislature is forcing
residents to become more responsible for protecting their homes
during storms. Recent legislation requires homes insured for
$750,000 and over in high-wind risk areas to add shutters to their
windows and other protections by January 2009.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Pregnant Woman Discovers Home Was Meth Lab;
County Leaves Her to Clean Her Belongings"
WLWT Channel
Cincinnati (06/08/07)
While many states require former methamphetamine labs to be
cleaned by certified decontamination companies--which are paid by
property owners--Ohio leaves cleaning tasks to tenants. Cynthia
Wilson, a mother of three who is pregnant with another child, was
forced out of her Cincinnati home by the Hamilton County Health
Department in April after workers from the National Institute of
Occupational Health and Safety found unsafe levels of meth
contamination. "My biggest concern is there are no guidelines for
how to properly clean the stuff in the state of Ohio, and they're
just telling me to wash it down with soap and water, and it'll be
fine," says Wilson. However, Hamilton County Health Commissioner
Timothy Ingram denies Wilson's claims that she was told to handle
the cleanup herself, noting that he recommends hiring a professional
or finding another place to live. A bill presently under
consideration by state lawmakers would make Ohio the 14th state to
impose meth lab cleanup guidelines.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Without a Trace: Blood Stains, Bone Shards,
and Bullet Holes"
Los Angeles Magazine (06/07) Vol. 52, No.
6, P. 96; Corwin, Miles
Made popular by CSI and other television dramas, the number of
crime-scene cleaning companies in California surged from a handful
in the 1990s to over 150 today. State law imposes minimum safety
requirements and forces companies to contract with a medical-waste
treatment facility approved by the state, register with the state
Department of Human Services, and obtain liability insurance.
Families and building owners typically contact crime-scene cleaners
after hearing about them from police and emergency crews. Depending
on the situation, cleaners charge anywhere from several hundred
dollars to several thousand dollars, with the most expensive jobs
involving decomposed bodies. Ben Mihm, a former homicide detective
who now owns Emergency Response Crime Scene Cleaning, says he
informs clients that insurance or the state Crime Victims Fund will
reimburse the cleanup costs. Cleaning a trauma scene involves more
than getting rid of blood and contaminated furnishings, and Mihm
urges people not to enter the industry solely to make money.
According to Mihm, "You have to clean the chemical bases left behind
by the crime-scene techs. You sometimes have to do full restorations
of floors and walls. And you have to be experienced enough to deal
with the families--the emotional side of the business."
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"CAUTION! Handle With Care!"
Cleanfax
(06/07) Vol. 22, No. 6, Roach, Timothy J.
People should not assume that the substances used by commercial
carpet and furniture cleaners are safe. Strong acids typically are
not used by carpet cleaners because they are not good at removing
greases and oils, and they can cause metal parts in truckmounts and
portable extractors to corrode. However, many use pre-sprays, which
are bases with high pH levels and the ability to remove the outer
layers of skin on contact. Meanwhile, some dry solvents, like
perchloroethylene, can cause cancer. Perchloroethylene and other dry
solvents--namely Benzin, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and glycol
ethers--require the use of protective gear to minimize direct
exposure. Precautions also must be taken when reducing agents--such
as sodium metabisulfite--are used, mainly because the chemical
reactions that enable them to remove stains also take place in the
user's throat and nasal passages if inhaled. Cleaning chemicals
deemed safer include citrus solvents, sodium percarbonate, enzyme
powders, and bacterial liquid cleaners. Cleaners should check
material safety data sheets to determine whether a particular
chemical is hazardous and how it must be handled. They also should
familiarize themselves with the Hazardous Materials Identification
System, which uses a numeric rating to gauge a chemical's toxicity.
(Web Link)
Return to
Headlines
"Mold Damage Is More an Issue for Owners, But
Designers Can Be Proactive With Their Materials"
Contract
Magazine (05/07)
The development of energy-efficient structures has pushed mold to
the forefront, as tighter building envelopes make it harder for
moisture to escape. Drywall is most prone to mold, as its
paper-facing is made from cellulose, providing a food source for the
fungus. Commercial building owners spent an average of $450,000 in
2003 to eliminate mold, and liability settlements averaged $1.7
million the same year. Charles Perry of Hartford, Conn.-based
Environmental Assurance Group is promoting the use of mold-resistant
drywall and adhesives, among other materials, in the hopes that
being proactive about preventing mold will prompt insurers to offer
mold coverage. A new drywall from Georgia-Pacific replaces
paper-facing with fiberglass, which does not soak up water or serve
as a food source. However, Perry underscores the importance of using
urethane adhesives instead of those containing cellulose to
safeguard against mold growth. Urethane adhesives are also useful in
bonding hardwood floors to concrete, another mold-prone process.
(Web
Link)
Return to
Headlines
© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION,
INC.
NewsBreak is another valuable service of Restoration
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June
2007
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RIA NewsBreak is an executive
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