CHTMAG.COM EDUCATION FEATURE HEALTH Schools and colleges are like Disneyland for germs and if the premises aren’t kept perfectly clean then you are likely to see half the faculty and student body absent. Public Health England recommends the environment, including toys and equipment, should be cleaned frequently, thorough and follow national guidance. “For example, use colour-coded equipment, COSHH and correct decontamination of cleaning equipment. Monitor cleaning contracts and ensure cleaners are appropriately trained with access to PPE.” Other expert advice columns also point out that the younger a person is the more likely they are to get ill and suffer from disorders like asthma. The type of chemicals employed by your cleaning operatives could play a key role in keeping pupils, not to mention the operatives themselves. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also have plenty of recommendations: 1. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLEANING, DISINFECTING, AND SANITISING Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Sanitising lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. 2. CLEAN AND DISINFECT SURFACES AND OBJECTS THAT ARE TOUCHED OFTEN Follow your school’s standard procedures for routine cleaning and disinfecting. Typically, this means daily sanitizing surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles, phones, and toys. Some schools may also require daily disinfecting of these items. Standard procedures often call for disinfecting specific areas of the school, like bathrooms. Immediately clean surfaces and objects that are visibly soiled. If surfaces or objects are soiled with body fluids or blood, use gloves and other standard precautions to avoid coming into contact with the fluid. Remove the spill, and then clean and disinfect the surface. 3. SIMPLY DO ROUTINE CLEANING AND DISINFECTING It’s important to match your cleaning and disinfecting activities to the types of germs you want to remove or kill. Most studies have shown that the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for only 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on a surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to close schools to clean or disinfect every surface in the building to slow the spread of flu. Also, if students and staff are dismissed because the school cannot function normally (e.g., high absenteeism during a flu outbreak), it is not necessary to do extra cleaning and disinfecting. Flu viruses are relatively fragile, so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them. Special cleaning and disinfecting processes, including wiping down walls and ceilings, frequently using room air deodorisers, and fumigating, are not necessary or recommended. These processes can irritate eyes, noses, throats and skin; aggravate asthma; and cause other serious side effects. 4. CLEAN AND DISINFECT CORRECTLY Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants. Wash surfaces with a general household cleaner to remove germs. Rinse with water, and follow with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill germs. Read the label to make sure it states that EPA has approved the product for effectiveness against influenza A virus. JUNE 2016 15 CLEANING HYGIENE TODAY
Cleaning & Hygiene Today June 2016
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