Ask any manager who’s dealt with a major incident or received a fine - nothing is more expensive than regret. Unfortunately, it can be hard to convince decision-makers to invest in new equipment to prevent accidents.
Understandably, managers are focused on improving profits. Shrinking budgets and (what can seem like) competing priorities can cause conflict between EHS managers and other decision-makers, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Industrial floor cleaning machines offer protection against fines and worker injuries and can pay for themselves through reduced labor costs. Commercial cleaning equipment is like an insurance policy that also improves the bottom line.
Read on for more ways to get buy-in for an industrial floor cleaning machine purchase. Keep in mind, we can bring any equipment to your location for a free demo - including ride-on and walk-behind sweepers and automatic scrubbers. Toyota Material Handling Northern California (TMHNC) serves the Bay Area, Salinas and The Central Valley from Sacramento to Fresno.
How to Get Buy-In for an Industrial Floor Cleaning Machine Purchase
First, consider what matters most to the decision-maker(s):
- Efficiency and cost savings?
- Company reputation?
- Safety?
Next, consider what statistics or real life examples can help build your case. Choose a problem your company faces, such as labor costs, and show how a cleaning machine is a cost-effective solution. Lastly, seek support from other people the decision-maker trusts.
When possible, include stats from your own operation. For example: cleaning a 4,000-5,000 square foot space takes about an hour with a mop and bucket, but a small autoscrubber can clean almost three times that amount (13,000 square feet) in the same amount of time. Use historical data to show how that autoscrubber will pay for itself in reduced labor costs.
Here are some additional statistics you can use:
- Labor costs typically represent about 90 percent of the total cost to maintain floors
- In California, slip-and-fall accidents are the number one workplace injury; Cal/OSHA receives more than 20,000 slip and fall injury reports each year
- 85 percent of worker’s compensation claims were attributed to employees slipping on slick floors
- 22 percent of slip/fall incidents result in 31+ days away from work
- Injury settlement payouts from slip and fall lawsuits range from $40,000 to more than $12 million
Emphasize the benefits of the solution as opposed to a specific piece of equipment. An auto scrubber won’t necessarily increase sales, but it will help ensure revenue doesn’t go right back out the door as a fine paid to the government. Also, a safe workplace is just good business. Being short-staffed or paying to replace damage product costs valuable time and money
Industrial floor cleaning equipment is a proven way to avoid:
- Fines for not adhering to OSHA silica dust standards - $62,000 or more
- Facility damage due to combustible dust fires - Imperial Sugar received an $8 million fine
- Slip and fall hazards - OSHA issues nearly $2 million in fines each year
- Getting shut down by the FDA for FSMA non-compliance.
- GMP fines (for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities)
Fines are just the beginning. There are also injury claims, facility damages and other costs. Compared to all that, commercial floor cleaning equipment is a small investment.
Remember: timing is everything
The ideas in this article are proven strategies others have used to help decision-makers understand the value of clean floors. But keep in mind, even the most well-presented, thoughtful approach can fail if delivered at the wrong time.
- Don't approach a decision-maker when they’re dealing with a difficult issue or when they’ve been asked to cut back on spending.
- Find out when the next budgeting or planning cycle begins and start your pitch early on.
- Keep an eye on industry news and share news articles (or save them for later) that support your idea.
Let us know how we can help build your case. Our experienced team can do an on-site demo customized to your operation and provide examples of how other customers saved money and gained a competitive advantage after purchasing a floor sweeper or autoscrubber. Toyota Material Handling Northern California (TMHNC) serves the Bay Area, Salinas and The Central Valley from Sacramento to Fresno.
We also have used industrial floor cleaning machines for sale. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just give us a call or contact us online and let us know what you’re looking for.
SF Bay Area - Livermore (510) 473-8151
Fresno (559) 834-9500
Sacramento (916) 376-0500
Salinas (831) 757-1091
Further Reading
Sweeper Scrubber On-Site Northern California
FSMA Requirements: Why Clean Floors are Essential for Food Processing Plants Advantages of Floor Cleaning Machines vs. Manual Cleaning
