Research and studies from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have increased factual knowledge of the pandemic, how it spreads, and how best to combat it.
However, the CDC’s shifting guidance regarding disinfecting surfaces and mask wearing has not made it a simple, or easy choice to decide how or when to return to work. For businesses, it is now a matter of “Yes, No, Maybe, and Sometimes” for which CDC guidelines they keep, how to fully open, or when to bring people back inside.
Yet as this pandemic’s numbers fall, there still remains a risk from this and other infectious illnesses inside commercial buildings, illnesses such as the norovirus, flu, and the common cold.
A Common Sense and Science-based Approach to a Healthy Re-Opening
Heritage Building Maintenance (Heritage) supports customers’ “Return-to-Work” plans through a combination of common sense and science.
Heritage incorporates “cleaning for health” best-practices, safe and appropriate disinfection using EPA-registered, List N disinfectants, and a surface protectant from the MicrobX™ program.
Using the MicrobX™ program, Heritage cleans, disinfects, applies surface protectant, and regularly tests surfaces to track the treatments’. Through science and data, this multi-tiered approach provides confidence to building occupants and tenants, and assurance to building managers and owners.
KEY TO A COMMON SENSE “RETURN TO WORK” PLAN
1. Documentation, Direction, & Collaboration
An effective “Return-to-Work” plan documents building policies and procedures, and helps ensure they are properly followed. It helps build confidence in occupants’ decisions to return and reaffirms the administrative teams’ commitment to the health and safety of everyone in their buildings.
The necessary procedures for a safe and healthy work environment can vary greatly from building to building. This requires administrative and leadership teams to work closely with their building maintenance providers to define a building-specific plan that addresses the health and safety of all inside.
Once a “Return-to-Work” plan is complete, it is essential to share the plan with occupants, tenants, vendors, and contractors to build their confidence in the buildings’ safety. The many ways to share the plan include via email, digital signage, newsletters, building web sites, town-halls, video meetings, etc.
2. Heightened & Focused Cleaning
A comprehensive “Return-to-Work” plan goes beyond basic cleaning to address health and safety through more frequent cleaning and disinfection of common areas. These areas include high-use touchpoints like doorknobs, elevator buttons, cafeteria appliances and furniture, bathroom fixtures, faucets, and more. Heritage helps customers safely maintain high-use touchpoints by implementing the MicrobX™ program for long-term microbial control.
3. Stay Current with Scientific Research and Studies
Beyond the physical cleanliness of buildings, a “Back-to-Work” plan also includes the latest and evolving guidelines from the EPA, CDC, and other government-approved agencies. These groups offer a wealth of recommendations and directions for cleaning products, procedures, dwell times, and protocols. Heritage provides regulatory guides and SDS documentation to customers addressing the services provided.
4. Over-Communication is King
As CDC guidance evolves and changes for businesses and employers, it is important to periodically review and update the “Return-to-Work” plan. The more detailed and current information in the “Return-to-Work” plan, and the more frequent communications are to occupants and tenants, the safer and more confident they will feel as they walk through the doors.
Heritage helps customers develop “Return-to-Work” plans and supports regular plan reviews and updates. This awareness and attention on the plan provides long-term confidence with science-based cleaning that protects health and safety in buildings.
