Did you know that some experts now recommend that HVAC systems be turned off before cleaning and disinfecting surfaces? We rarely heard of such cleaning protocols being recommended in facilities before COVID-19. But examined more closely, especially in light of the pandemic, we can see why this is being advised as it’s one of many COVID-19 cleaning lessons learned.
When we clean and disinfect surfaces, vapours from the cleaning and disinfecting agents can be released into the air. These vapours can prove harmful if inhaled. But there’s more to it than that. The entire cleaning process can also release potentially health-risking contaminants into the air.
Remember, one of the critical components of professional cleaning is agitation. We are scrubbing surfaces to loosen and remove soils and contaminants. If the pathogen that causes COVID-19 is on those surfaces, it may become airborne. If so, we may inhale those pathogens, and inhalation is the primary way the virus is spreading from person to person. By turning off the HVAC, cleaning professionals reduce the risk of inhaling harmful fumes and pathogens.
What other cleaning lessons do we need to learn from the pandemic? Mike Sawchuk, a Canadian-based coach who helps facility managers improve their in-house cleaning operations, says there are not so much new lessons to be learned as old and proven lessons that must be more closely adhered to.
“For instance, cleaning professionals were taught for years to clean surfaces first before disinfecting and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to dwell time,” says Sawchuk. “But before the pandemic, these instructions were all too often overlooked. Now, they can’t be. If the job of cleaning professionals is to keep people healthy, all the proven lessons we have been taught over the years to ensure effective cleaning and keep building users safe must be followed.”
Some of the other old but proven cleaning and disinfecting lessons Sawchuk says need following closely are:
Read the label
Disinfectant product labels provide a wealth of crucial information, such as how long the disinfectant should dwell on the surface before removing, what pathogens the disinfectant is engineered to kill or eliminate, and whether the disinfectant must be rinsed off surfaces after use.
Understand threat levels
We are often aware of the level of risk that different pathogens present and how this knowledge can impact which disinfectants we should select. But understanding threat levels is much more important now, due to the pandemic.
Ideally, cleaning professionals should generally use a broad-spectrum disinfectant engineered to eliminate most bacteria, viruses (including coronavirus), protozoa, fungi, and other pathogens – ensuring all pathogens of concern are listed on the label. These broad-spectrum disinfectants normally are used when there is a low to medium threat level.
However, if there has been an outbreak of disease in a facility or concerns have been elevated, a more powerful, high-level disinfectant may be necessary. Again, be sure the disinfectant’s efficacy against the pathogen(s) of concern is clearly listed.
Review SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
So often, cleaning professionals turn to the SDS after there has been an accident. In an emergency, that can be the worst time to first read the SDS. When a new product is introduced for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, along with the label, read and understand the SDS. Further, make sure it is readily available at any time.
Mix things up
Whether in-house staff or cleaning contractors, many cleaning professionals select the same products repeatedly. They may even be encouraged to do this by distributors who may offer price discounts for bulk purchases of the same product.
However, pathogens can become immune to the active ingredients in those products, similarly to antibiotic resistance. This is when pathogens become immune to antibiotics, and the medicines no longer work. Using different types of disinfectants can prevent this.
Surface testing
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) monitoring and testing systems have been around for years. These systems were first used in facilities within industries concerned about contamination in work and storage areas, including foodservice. They were introduced into the professional cleaning industry nearly two decades ago; however, their use has been sporadic. ATP monitors should be used regularly to test surfaces before and after cleaning as they are a proven scientific system and we must assess cleaning’s effectiveness. The results can be used to provide better training of cleaning workers, evaluate products and procedures used, as well as the tools and equipment used for cleaning.
A new lesson
Although it appears true that we can help ensure effective cleaning and protect the health of building users by simply following cleaning lessons and practices we already know, Sawchuk says there is one new lesson that has evolved as a result of COVID-19: conducting a site assessment or site evaluation.
“Essentially, a site evaluation provides a fresh and different perspective,” he explains. “It helps identify high-touch and other surfaces in a facility that need cleaning attention but may be overlooked by facility managers and cleaning professionals working in the facility every day.”
However, Sawchuk adds that a professionally conducted site evaluation goes even further. In addition to identifying high-touch and other surfaces that may need effective cleaning, such an evaluation should:
- Suggest cleaning frequencies. Some surfaces may need to be cleaned and disinfected more often than others, or at different times.
- Help with product, procedure, tools, and equipment verification and validation. Some cleaning solutions and disinfectants have been proven to work more effectively on certain types of surfaces than others. The site evaluation will likely make recommendations.
- Observe and evaluate the custodial skills of the cleaning workers. Cleaning workers should be not only well-trained on products, procedures, and cleaning frequencies, but also educated on the key role they play in keeping the facility safe and healthy.
“The pandemic has left us no room for error,” concludes Sawchuk. “Professional, well-trained cleaning workers are needed more now than ever before. They help save lives.”
Robert Kravitz is a former building service contractor and now president of AlturaSolutions Communications, a jansan thought leadership marketing agency founded in 2002. He can be reached at robert@alturasolutions.com.
This article was also published in the Spring 2022 issue of FC&M magazine.
