Coronavirus Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Workplace

David Whan • 12 April 2021

Coronavirus cleaning and disinfection to stop COVID-19

There is no doubt that the Coronavirus has changed every aspect of working life in the last 12 months, and whether your workplace has been empty, half-full, or still fully occupied, as an employer you now have a duty to design and implement strict new health and hygiene procedures, as restrictions are lifted and working life begins to return to normal.

Of course, this involves many different procedures relating to social distancing, hand hygiene, health monitoring, wearing of PPE, and work-flows around the premises. Fundamentally, workplace cleaning has become a high priority, and is the key starting point as you prepare to open up the workplace again. After all, reducing the risk of infection and having adequate procedures and controls in place, could be the critical difference between being able to open the business or not. So, what is involved in this new regime of post-COVID workplace cleaning?

Understanding your new cleaning requirements

There is a vast difference between the infrequent workplace cleaning you used to pay for in commercial premises, and what is required now. And whilst a periodical deep clean was always recommended for commercial organisations, it is now an essential starting point in combatting the spread of COVID-19 and creating a safe and hygienic workplace for your employees.

It is important to start this process with a thorough deep clean of all areas of the workplace, and to decontaminate areas where there is a risk of infection spreading. This includes areas and surfaces that are regularly touched or occupied, as well as ‘dead’ areas that are not, but are still open to germs settling and spreading.

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

The difference between cleaning and disinfecting is a very important distinction that you need to understand. Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces, but it doesn’t kill germs, it just removes them. But by removing these germs you are reducing the risk of them spreading and infecting people. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs outright, but it doesn’t necessarily clean the surface or remove the germs. Therefore, it is best to use both processes in tandem to ensure an effective programme of hygiene. Ideally you should clean first and then disinfect.

Where should I undertake workplace cleaning and disinfecting?

Basically, this needs to take place in any workplace where there is a risk of contact with someone with COVID-19, and therefore the infection spreading. Many workplaces such as healthcare and in the food industry, already have specialist cleaning procedures and standards, but non-healthcare settings should also now undertake deep cleaning and disinfecting prior to re-opening, along with frequent repetition when buildings begin to be more regularly occupied.

These kind of workplaces include offices, schools, retail, hospitality and all public buildings.

What cleaning and disinfecting procedures should I put in place?

Deep Cleaning: Ideally you should start with a deep clean of your premises to ensure that all areas initially have the same standard of cleanliness. This will also ensure that non-occupied ‘dead’ areas get the same treatment as regularly touched or occupied areas.
Touch Point Cleaning: This is a programme of cleaning which identifies key locations and areas that are most frequently touched and therefore present a high risk of carrying infection. These can be light switches, door handles, telephones, hand rails, bannisters etc. and can be frequently cleaned and disinfected.
Fogging: You should consider fogging large areas of the workplace which is a practical method of comprehensively disinfecting large areas safely and quickly. This is ideally done after touchpoint cleaning for the best effectiveness.
Frequent Cleaning: Daily cleaning of surfaces, floors and equipment as normal.

What are the benefits of cleaning and disinfecting my workplace?

Reduce the spread: Fundamentally we all have a duty to reduce infection rates of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our colleagues safe.
Practical: Following these guidelines and using a professional commercial cleaning company will allow this to be done in the most practical and least disruptive manner.
Visual: These new procedures are a visual sign that different standards are in place and need adhering to.
Specialist: Peace of mind that you are using the specialist materials and techniques to bring effective results.
Professional: High standards of cleaning and resulting hygiene from a dedicated and professional cleaning company.
Safe and able to operate: Your workplace will be left clean and hygienic and with procedures in place which, when followed, will enable your business to open, operate and get back to normal.

For expert coronavirus cleaning and workplace disinfection across Harrogate, Leeds and York, call It’s Clean today on 01423 566785.

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