After a shutdown, hygiene controls matter.
During a disaster or other emergency event, businesses may elect – or be required – to shut down. Afterward, certain steps should be taken during re-entry to ensure a safe workplace for employees, contractors and visitors. This guide will help identify appropriate resources for cleaning, sanitising and maintaining a safe, healthy work environment.
Know the Hazards
From water and smoke damage to emerging biological hazards, businesses may face a variety of clean-up and maintenance challenges when it is time to reopen their doors.
By understanding potential physical and health-related hazards, employers can take appropriate steps towards hygiene controls.
- Conditions and guidance may change as data and research evolves, so be sure to use the most recent information from reliable sources including the UK Government, HSE, ECDC, EU Science Hub and BOHS.
- Execute a formal hazard assessment process to help understand the scope of employees or property affected by the hazard, and focus recovery efforts on the areas of greatest need.
Recovering Your Workplace
Following a shutdown, it’s imperative to keep your safety and health program flexible. Depending on the hazard that closed your operations, a variety of cleaning, disinfecting and decontaminating actions may be warranted before re-entry. The efficacy of the disinfectants in use should be reviewed, along with the COSHH risk assessment in the UK. Details on the disinfectants, which are indicated as effective for COVID-19 are available to view here.
- Clean-up efforts should begin at a time appropriate for the known hazards. Some hazards, such as viruses, typically die within a few days. Others, such as mould, may grow rapidly within days.
- Focus cleaning, disinfecting and decontaminating activities on high-touch, high-traffic areas.
- When disinfecting, the fogging and misting method can be used – most common in food preparation areas, in warehouses, animal housing and garden centres.
- Review all labels to confirm the product utilised is the right choice for the right space.
- Always check safety data sheets when selecting cleaning supplies, and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) based upon that guidance. Use of gloves when handling cleaning and sanitising agents is recommended.
- Where possible, clean during non-occupied times and evaluate any new exposures related to the cleaning and disinfecting processes.
- Confirm that these cleaning and disinfecting processes do not create a greater occupational hazard for employees.
Personal Hygiene/Protection Plan
Once doors have reopened for employees and visitors, the best way to limit re-exposure or new hazards is through proper personal hygiene and other personal protective measures.
- Basic handwashing can be an effective means of reducing the transmission of contaminants.
- In addition to the Environmental Protection Agency, the UK Government provides guidelines for how to protect employees from blood borne pathogens and other infectious diseases.
- PPE is only effective if worn and utilised properly. Follow manufacturer guidance on use, maintenance and care, and train employees in these components.
- Respirator use comes with its own hazards. Take precautions and confirm the proper selection, use, type, care and maintenance of respirators.
Important Reminders
After any natural disaster or wide-scale emerging hazard, businesses may look to specialised servicing companies to assist in clean-up and recovery efforts. It is important to watch for red flags, as emerging or unique hazards may not have established guidance and procedures. Some items to consider include:
- Beware of companies promising to completely remove the hazard. Organisations may be able to provide some level of cleaning or disinfecting, but should focus only on recognised methods.
- Recognised verification testing methods may be available to determine effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting procedures. However, this is not always available, especially for emerging hazards. If the servicing company offers verification of their work, confirm that both pre- and post-testing will be completed, and which standards they’ll be using for comparison.
- When purchasing and selecting PPE, confirm that all items have been labelled and approved by country-specific performance standards. Product quality standards should marked with the appropriate CE marking in Europe.
- Product labels of cleaning agents should reference the EPA’s Registered Disinfectants List “List N,” which identifies products effective against emerging viral pathogens.
Additional Workplace Hygiene and PPE Resources
Respiratory Protection Resources (3M) - https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/company-uk/3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Safety/Worker-Health-Safety/Respiratory-Protection
Handwashing & Hand Sanitiser Tips (CDC) - https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf
https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/hand-hygiene/resources/
http://www.bohs.org/
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l25.htm
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/disposable-respirator.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-infection-control-in-the-built-environment
To learn more about managing your risk and increasing efficiency, contact CNA Hardy Risk Control at Risk Control at [email protected] or visit https://www.cnahardy.com/business-capabilities/risk-control .