When there is a confirmed infection outbreak, BICSc recommends that yellow equipment and consumables are used. Disposable items are best suited for occasions where outbreaks are active.
Waste disposal
There's a legal requirement for waste to be correctly handled, segregated, and disposed of depending upon its type. Legislation requires the classification of waste based on hazardous characteristics and point of production.
The Hazardous Waste Regulations introduced new definitions of hazardousness for infectious wastes. Wastes that contain substances containing viable microorganisms or their toxins, which are known or reliably believed to cause disease in humans or other living organisms, are designated hazardous wastes.
Waste that poses an infection risk should be considered as hazardous infectious waste, too. This includes blood and other materials that may contain blood, such as dressings, swabs etc.
Soiled waste such as sanitary products and plasters (from minor first aid treatment) are not considered to be infectious, unless specific advice is given to the contrary by a healthcare practitioner.
Offensive wastes are non-infectious but may cause offence to those coming into contact with it. These include wastes previously described as human hygiene waste. Always check with your local authority for localised arrangements.
Maintaining a clean environment
As with any task undertaken by a cleaning operative, it’s essential that the necessary risk assessment is in place. In the case of any outbreak, this is even more important, and the associated risks from infection where an operative may come into contact with infectious micro-organisms within the workplace must be identified and communicated.
All employees need to be made aware of key factors:
• Where the organism may be present, e.g. animal, person or environment.
• How they may be exposed, for example by direct skin contact and/or inhalation.
• What effects it may have, like infection or allergies.
• What is the level of exposure, i.e. the frequency of contact considering the systems of work and what protective measures are in place?
• Who is at risk, the operatives, employees, visitors and/ or building users.
•
Identify any employees who may be at greater risk or more vulnerable.
The risk assessment will provide real-time information and allow for the right decisions to be made around the actions required to help prevent and control the risk.
Correct chemical choice
There are numerous manufacturers and suppliers within the industry that can help you to source the right
58 | INFECTION CONTROL & PREVENTION
chemical products to aid your requirements. Dependant on the type of building you work within, you may need to cease using your current chosen cleaning product and use a product more suited for the type of infection you may be dealing with.
Manufacturers will provide specific guidance on what type of disinfectants are the most effective and advise on dilution rates and contact times for the type of infection. It’s important to liaise with your approved suppliers and seek professional guidance. Training may be required for any new products and operatives should undergo this training before using them.
During an outbreak, the generic specification may need to be reviewed, depending on building type. There may be a need to increase the frequency of cleans and focus on targeted disinfection of touchpoints like door handles, push plates, switches, keyboards and telephones. Touchpoints are any surface that is likely to be in contact with bare skin, so this can be an extensive list.
There may also be a need for additional cleaning processes depending on local requirements. Effective cleaning and disinfection of surfaces are paramount in infection control, and the cleaning processes should be regularly assessed to ensure the process is being delivered in compliance with any infection control policy.
Guidelines provided by Public Health England will detail any advice on increased frequencies and levels of clean required to deal with COVID-19.
Effective communication and the provision of timely and accurate data is paramount in setting up and establishing the correct levels of service delivery, and continual reinforcement of the right control measures. Dependant on outbreak severity, it may also be necessary to set up health surveillance in order to monitor exposure.
Training
Staff training is imperative for effective operatives, as it provides the right attitude, skills and knowledge to operate effectively and efficiently, ensuring service delivery and high standards are met and achieved. Training must cover the whole range of tasks any operative is asked to carry out.
Toolbox talks provide a method for getting key information to staff and dealing with current issues through short presentations to all operatives involved. Reinforcement is key and refreshes the operatives on exactly what is expected from them.
The current pandemic is something that has not been experienced in our lifetime, and how we as an Industry react and deal with this situation will have lasting effects for many people. Public Health England and the WHO are constantly updating their websites, BICSc are monitoring these for any information that we can share.
Please keep yourselves up to date with the advice. Stay safe and keep well.
www.bics.org.uk twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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