Washroom solution providers report on public washrooms
August 1st 2003

Unfortunately, if respondents to Unger Enterprises latest Unger SmartSurvey are correct, finding good quality toilet facilities in a service station is rare indeed. The survey, distributed to more than 3000 people worldwide, found that more than 36% would most often avoid using a service station toilet, considering them unclean and unsanitary. Following service station toilets, respondents indicated they would most often avoid bathrooms in the following facilities:

Public Park Toilets: 26%

Hospital Toilets: 18%

Airport Toilets: 16%

Restaurant Toilets: 4%

One of those taking part in the survey commented that service station toilets are by far the worst of the worst. I suspect that the people employed at many service stations are untrained and lack the knowledge or proper equipment and supplies to adequately maintain a public washroom. Another said, As a travelling salesman, when Im on the road I stop at hotels and office buildings with public toilets. I have even stopped at police stations, but I steer clear of service station toilets if I can.

Though the cleanliness of service station toilets has long been an issue, the outbreak of SARS and other infections has heightened the publics awareness about the importance of personal and environmental hygiene in all areas, especially washrooms, said David Frank, an industry cleaning expert. It is only prudent and simply good business that service stations as well as all public facilities take steps to improve cleanliness and minimise potential health risks,he added.

To do this, Frank suggests business owners and facility managers:

Become more aware of the health risks involved with unsanitary washrooms

Improve employee training

Implement a washroom cleaning system

Use colour-coded cleaning tools to reduce communication barriers and facilitate training.

The survey was conducted by AlturaSolutions Communications and the results tabulated from more than 3000 questionnaires distributed to cleaning industry members around the world, June 2003.

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