As shelter in place orders take effect across the country, many businesses--deemed essential--remain open amid risks of facility contamination and occupant exposure.
Preventing COVID-19 Exposure
For businesses that remain open during the state-wide quarantine, protecting employee health is of paramount concern.
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers should:
- Assess any hazards occupants may be exposed to.
- Evaluate the risks of the exposure, and;
- Implement controls to prevent exposure, including physical barriers, protective equipment, cleaning, and personal hygiene.
Further, all employees and building occupants should:
- Wash their hands regularly with soap and water--scrubbing for a minimum of twenty seconds.
- Use a minimum sixty percent alcohol solution hand sanitizer after drying their hands, or if soap and water are not immediately available.
- Practice hand awareness in public places and avoid touching their nose, eyes, mouth, or face, and;
- Avoid close or direct contact with anyone known to be sick.
Source:
Cleaning Up After COVID-19 Exposure
Ideally, a business could shut down all of its operations once someone who has used the building tested positive.
However, that's easier said than done.
For those who have to clean a facility still being used after it has been exposed to the virus, the best way to start is by tracking the movements of the infected person.
In the unlikely event that your facility is exposed to the COVID-19 virus:
- Identify the areas where the infected person traveled through the facility.
- Isolate and lock down those areas for a minimum of 24 hours before moving in to clean and disinfect.
- Open doors and windows, where possible, within those areas to improve airflow and ventilation.
- Use regular cleaning detergent or soap and water to remove any obvious dirt or soil from the room.
- Disinfect the room with a 70% alcohol-based disinfectant, or any household disinfection product, including diluted bleach.
- If available, and preferably, use a no-touch cleaning system and electrostatic disinfection appliance to avoid direct contact.
- Make sure that all service personnel wear disposable gloves, and that they are removed and disposed of safely.
- Wash your hands immediately after removing safety equipment.
- Launder contaminated linens on the warmest setting and sanitize the washer and dryer, inside and out, after the laundry has been removed.
Preventative Cleaning for Health
COVID-19 is susceptible to standard cleaning and disinfection practices.
The same methods recommended for preventing the spread of influenza are applicable, including:
- Regular surface deep cleaning with soap and water, including floors.
- Routine surface disinfection with bleach, ammonia, or any other commercial disinfectant.
- Daily hot spot wipe-downs, especially in high traffic areas, and;
- Increased airflow to improve ventilation.
References & Resources
- How To Prevent Employee Exposure To COVID-19
- Cleaning Up After a Coronavirus Exposure
- Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
Takeaway
COVID-19 fears have swept the country--compounded by a significant level of incorrect and misinformation.
The virus can and should be dealt with in the same manner as an influenza outbreak--the same precautions, cleaning and disinfection products, and contamination response methods apply.
If you are concerned that your facility has been contaminated, do not send your regular staff into the space to clean and disinfect it--contact a trained and experienced service provider that has the correct safety equipment and the ability to safely dispose of any contaminated materials and waste once the area is cleaned and disinfected.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale CA, or Lancaster CA, call (661) 371-4756
