COVID-19 - Workplace Cleaning Guide
Background
The current outbreak is 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), which is a new respiratory disease in the coronavirus family, with the source currently unknown. Past coronavirus outbreaks include SARS, which came from civet cats, and MERS, which originated from camels.
The symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It is thought that the incubation period ranges from 2-14 days after exposure.
Although not confirmed, it is thought that COVID-19 can spread from person-to-person, likely through exposure to respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. SARS and MERS generally occurred between close contact. It is also possible for droplets to settle on objects in the environment.
The Coronavirus does not live long outside of the body and generally won’t survive on a surface for more than a few hours.
Workplace Prevention
To help prevent the spread of the virus AIM Commercial Cleaning recommend the below minimum protocols are adopted by all clients, contractors and employees (based on advice issued by the ISSA):
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 second. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. THIS IS AN EFFECTIVE AND THE EASIEST METHOD OF PROTECTION.
- Where feasible strategically place Alcohol hand-sanitizers around the workspace near bathroom and kitchen facilities and for visitors use.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- High frequency touch points should be cleaned and wiped down daily with a bactericidal/sanitizer cleaner or disinfectant.
- Seek medical treatment immediately if symptoms appear.
High Level Disinfection Protocol
Where an employee or visitor has been sick, there is a suspected COVID-19 case, or if the Government raise the concern level then Clients should consider adopting an additional Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol throughout the working day, which could include;
- Wipe high frequency touch spaces every 2 hours with disinfectant or sanitizer.
- High frequency touch spaces include; reception desks, door handles, huddle rooms, conference rooms, shared telephones, common switches, elevator buttons, break room surfaces, hot water pots, faucets, refrigerator door handles, microwaves, mail rooms
- Wellness and Fitness Centers; place reminders for employees to wipe down equipment before and after they use the equipment. Follow same schedule with high frequency touch spaces: lobby, towel bar, shared equipment, mats, water fountains
- Bathrooms: toilets, stall handles, wash basins and other daily use items.
Products used should include:
- Disinfectant alcohol wipes provide a good level of hygiene whilst being single use, however content must be above 70% alcohol solution in water.
- A suitable pre-diluted cleaning disinfectant/sanitizer used in conjunction with a clean microfiber cloth has been effective on previous virus types.
The above is not exhaustive and cannot guarantee control/spread of the new Coronavirus, it is simplified information based on currently available info issued by WHO and the Public Health England and is provided as a guide only.
Published: 06/03/2020
Sources: Public Heath England, World Health Organisation
