FMJ.CO.UK CLEANING FOCUS
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JUNE 2020 29
COVID-19. Says Ponniah: “Prior to the
arrival of the virus, increasing numbers
of customers were shi ing to night-time
cleaning; now we are seeing the reverse.
Instead of sending 10 cleaners to manage a
night-time shi , for example, we have had
many requests for a team of three cleaners
throughout the day. Employers want to
reassure sta that they are taking hygiene
seriously, and increased cleaning – and
visible evidence of increased cleaning – is
the first step.”
He warns that mobilising sta will be a
challenge for cleaning firms which have
furloughed people during lockdown. Since
employees are not permitted to work while
on furlough, bringing them back to work for
just one of maybe three of their usual jobs
has huge implications for their finances.
Another important area to consider is
how o en it will be necessary to carry out
a deep clean and how can this be managed
when the building is occupied? Andrew
Broderick, Group QHSE and Sustainability
Director, Churchill, believes this will vary
depending on o ice size, COVID-19 cases
and the number of occupants, but as long
as COVID-19 still presents a risk, every
o ice, workplace and building will require
regular deep cleans.
He says: “High-risk touchpoints such as
door handles, IT equipment and taps will
need thorough cleaning multiple times a
day. Occupants should be discouraged from
keeping too many personal items on their
desks, and can be provided with cleaning
spray and wipes to clean their desks at the
end of each day.”
Lee Hatwell – Director at Munday +
Cramer warns there is varying evidence
in terms of the depth of clean required,
but certainly a daily regime should be
instigated as a minimum, with anything
‘touched’ cleaned down with suitable antibacterial
surface cleaners.
He says: “This could be enhanced with
the use of an ionisation spray used at the
end of the day, that will improve cleaning
over larger surfaces. Getting sta to take
responsibility with hand-washing and the
cleaning down of surfaces more regularly
will also enhance protection.”
COMMUNAL SPACES
Another major issue for FMs is to lessen the
risk of contamination in communal spaces,
including li s, entrances/receptions and
break-out areas. Broderick advises that
the first step is to conduct a workplace
risk assessment and then isolate o any
communal areas that don’t need to be in
use.
“Some businesses may be able to close
li s and ask people to use the stairs only.
At the same time, a one-way system can
be implemented to avoid people passing
each other on the stairway.
“Of course, it may not be possible to
close o every communal area so the
next step is to identify high-risk areas
and touchpoints and ensure that the
cleaning regime pays extra
attention to them. Certain
sta can be allocated to
tasks or equipment
to reduce the risk
of transmission.
For example, one
person on the FM
team might take
responsibility
for switching the
lights on and o
each day. A simple
action like that
goes a long way to
reducing transmission.”
Hatwell adds that
automated doors are an obvious
quick-win, although costly. A slightly
simpler solution, although not viable for
all doors, would be to add handsfree door
openers.
The easiest way to remedy the potential
problem of li s is to take them out of
service, but as this can pose DDA-related
issues, it might be worthwhile restricting
use of li s to those with mobility issues.
He says: “At the very least, due to the
confined spaces, operating a one-in,
one-out policy would be beneficial. The
provision of hand sanitisers stations
throughout facilities is an obvious addition.
Equally, again this applies everywhere,
but every step should be taken to get
individuals to follow best practise
in terms of hand-washing and
maintaining hygiene to avoid
further cross-contamination.”
The easiest way to remedy
the potential problem of lifts is
to take them out of service, but as
this can pose DDA-related issues, it
might be worthwhile restricting
PROTECTING WORKERS
“If you are looking to use
your own workforce to
undertake the cleaning
process”, says Jones, “ensure
you follow the government
guidance COVID-19: cleaning
in non-healthcare settings(2). The
guidance covers topics such as personal
protective equipment, surfaces to focus
on, what chemicals / substances to use
and what to consider before placing used
cleaning equipment in the waste.”
And when it comes to protecting their
cleaning sta , cleaning firms need to
ensure individual protection such as
providing all members of sta with fabric
use of lifts to those with
mobility issues.”