Workplace Cleaning and Disinfecting During COVID-19
Limiting the spread of COVID-19 is at the top of everyone’s priority list. In the workplace, you can help keep your employees and customers healthy and safe by ramping up your facility cleaning. Find out how to revamp your facility’s cleaning protocols with Dustbane’s Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections guide. Don’t miss the top 7 tips that’ll help keep your facility cleaner, healthier and safer:
1. Know the Difference: Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting
While these terms are often used interchangeably, it’s important to understand the difference between them when designing an effective cleaning protocol for your facility. Here’s a quick overview of each term:
Cleaning refers to removing visible dirt from surfaces through friction, and should always be done before sanitizing and disinfecting
Sanitizing involves using a cleaning chemical to significantly reduce the number of germs on surfaces
Disinfecting refers to completely eliminating germs from surfaces
2. Establish a Cleaning Plan for your Business
Designing a cleaning protocol is a big job. Start by determining the areas of your facility that require more attention – like high-traffic areas that need additional cleaning, or areas with equipment that might require specialized training for cleaning teams. Once you know the scope of your facility’s cleaning requirements, you can look at how to address them with specific cleaning practices. Contact us to get help from our Cleaning & Hygiene experts on your facility’s cleaning plan.
3. Prioritize Proper Handwashing
It just takes 20 seconds with soap and water to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Remind employees and customers to follow proper hand hygiene with posters that show step-by-step instructions on how to wash hands. If proper handwashing isn’t possible, ensure your employees have access to hand sanitizers. Check out our Healthy Workplace Communications Kit for free posters and guides you can download to use in your facility.
4. Know the Risk Level of Surfaces
Surfaces can be divided into two categories – those with minimal contact (low-touch) and those with frequent hand contact (high-touch). Simply put, high-touch surfaces are high-risk surfaces. High-touch surfaces have a greater likelihood of transmitting germs between people and require more frequent cleaning.
5. Clean According to Surface Risk Level
A surface’s risk level should dictate its required cleaning frequency. Here’s a quick guide on how often to clean:
Low risk: Clean according to a fixed schedule and additionally as required
Moderate risk: Clean and disinfect or sanitize at least once daily and additionally as required
High risk: Clean and disinfect or sanitize after each use, at least twice per day, and occasionally as required
6. Choose the Right Products
Using the right disinfectants for your facility’s needs is key to helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. Ensure disinfectants have a Health Canada registered Drug Identification Number (DIN) for best results.
Download the guide for more information on Dustbane’s disinfectants including UniTab, Vangard, Triple Action, Quat Plus and Oxy-Q! Our Cleaning & Hygiene reps can help you find the best solution for your facility.
7. Don’t Forget About Floors!
Floor can spread viruses, too. Use disinfectants and innovative cleaning equipment for your floors to help reduce the spread of germs and keep floors looking their best.