23/07/2020
HCS Chemical Exposure During COVID-19 Cleaning & Disinfection of Surfaces:
As a person responsible for your workplace health and safety the chances are good you either have already or will likely in the near future be faced with a COVID-19 positive case within the workplace. I have outlined a few key items below which may be useful in selecting and/or auditing your dedicated and specialized cleaning task team. Kindly note, this list is not exhaustive.
Upon selecting a service provider always ensure that you make use of a reputable company with a good track record and credentials in specialized cleaning services. The contractor should be able to give you a detailed health and safety plan, including all info about the cleaning process, HCS used, methods of application, HCS contact times as well as MSDS’s. They should be clear on their strategy for cleaning the different types of surfaces, i.e. porous and non-porous. Do they know where your "high risk/high touch" areas are and how will they addressed these specifically? Most important are they using a 2 step cleaning process as a minimum, (sometimes a third step/rinse off may be required depending on the industry/chemicals used).
The first step is vital and involves the cleaning/scrubbing all surfaces with soap and water (not just a damp cloth). Only after all organic matter/dirt/debris have been removed from the surface the second step, disinfection should be done. A suitable sanitizer should be applied and the correct contact times should be allowed for in order to ensure its effectiveness. The EPA has released a list of HCS which has been proven effective in killing various types of viruses, and coronaviruses are also on this list. Make sure to check out the list - https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19 and cross reference it with the MSDS from the HCS used by your contractor. How is the contractor protecting their own employees health and safety before, during and after using these approved EPA chemicals? Is the workplace adequately ventilated?
Finally, inspection and testing should be done for verification purposes.
Another alternative would be to simply evacuate the premises and return after a suitable period of time has lapsed allowing for the virus to naturally die off. However, this is a very debatable subject as clear and proven guidelines based on scientific data & evidence is needed relating to the coronavirus survival rate on various surfaces which may be effected by a number of different variables (i.e. type of material/surface, the temperature, humidity, etc.).
**Important Note**: Currently, for both indoor workplaces and outdoor spaces the routine application of disinfectants to environmental surfaces by fogging (also known as fumigation or misting) is NOT recommended for COVID-19 by both the CDC and the WHO. Furthermore, the whole body spraying of individuals with disinfectants (such as in a tunnel, cabinet, or chamber) is NOT recommended under any circumstances. Especially, children (education sector) and sensitive individuals may be at an increased risk to chemical exposure. Remember, even if the service provider claims a chemical is natural/safe/organic, remember it is still a chemical. In any case, if the chemical is totally safe for human whole body application then how can it be proven effective in destroying the COVID-19 virus (refer to the EPA list of HCS approved against viruses). If it is not a scientifically proven effective method for destroying the COVID-19 virus, then why do it at all? In any case, the virus will still be active inside the infected person ready to be expelled with the next cough or sneeze. This method does not make sense.
Overall, the personal exposure to HCS should be avoided as far as reasonably practicable and chemicals should always be used with extra caution. You should know the HCS you are working with and are exposed to, the possible short & long term health effects, the expected dose, duration, etc. Where in doubt, consult a professional for advice and guidance. Remember, HCS can enter the body by various routes such as inhalation, ingestion, absorption through the skin & eyes. Wearing suitable disposable gloves can help protect the hands from frequent use of hand sanitizers (especially for dry or sensitive skin types). Remember a cloth mask won't prevent the inhalation of a HCS vapour or fume. The skin & eyes should also be protected.
In the end, be realistic. There are millions of bacteria and viruses all around. Both inside the human body and on our skins as we need the "good" bacteria for vital functions and survival. We don't live in a sterile environment and it is not realistic to expect that. Be careful of contractors who claim their products or services can make the impossible possible.
Stay Safe!
Search EPA’s list of registered disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
