Commercial Cleaning Standards for Disinfection in Distribution Facilities

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way we think about cleaning. It is no longer enough to clean facilities, we now need to make sure we are providing the best protection against viruses to create a safe and healthy workplace for employees and visitors.

Distribution centers are particularly vulnerable because employees often come in close contact with each other. This is probably why nearly 10% of employees at Amazon’s 519 U.S. distribution centers contracted coronavirus (also known as SAR-CoV-2). If a distribution center records a positive case, it might need to shut down some operations, which will hamper its ability to fulfill orders.

If you want to disinfect to eliminate flu or coronavirus germs and bacteria or simply want to maintain a safe and healthy environment typical cleaning and janitorial services are not enough to safeguard your team members. You need a commercial cleaning company that can provide deep cleaning and is trained in disinfection techniques.

Cleaning Standards for Disinfection in Distribution Facilities

It is difficult to recruit, hire, train, and retain warehouse and distribution facility workers. You also need to consider that there are typically more than 900,000 cases of injuries and illnesses that lead to lost work hours per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The coronavirus is another threat to add to the list, and another reason why keeping your team members safe and healthy needs to be a priority.

Regular cleaning will help cut down the number of germs and bacteria in the workplace, but it will not eradicate them or provide peace of mind for your staff. The best way to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is frequent disinfection of surfaces and high-touch areas using EPA-approved disinfectants. Disinfection deactivates or kills infectious agents, such as bacteria, germs, and viruses.

Every warehouse and distribution facility needs regular a deep cleaning from a commercial cleaning company to make sure hard-to-reach areas and high-touch areas are being cleaned. This will include extra attention to common areas, entryways and lobbies, and those high-touch areas, such as door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, phones, and vending machines. This will get rid of dirt, dust, and grime, but it will not provide coronavirus disinfection or protect your employees from infectious illnesses.

A deep cleaning by a commercial cleaning company that can also disinfect your facility is the best way to ensure a healthy environment. Choose a commercial cleaning service provider, such as OpenWorks, with trained professionals certified on the use of advanced cleaning protocols, coronavirus disinfection practices, and EPA-approved disinfectants.

Best Practices for Disinfection in Distribution Facilities

Your commercial cleaning company needs to use the right equipment and follow best practices for disinfection. Gloves and gowns, uniforms, and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn by all commercial cleaning staff.

Compliance and Training

Your commercial cleaning crew should be trained in infection control and certified for bio risks from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) and be able to comply with state and local health regulations. They should follow all OSHA rules and be trained on techniques for applying EPA-approved disinfectants.

Commercial Cleaning Disinfecting Services

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that disinfecting is the “best practice measure” for the prevention of coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory illnesses. The industry “gold standard” is to use broad-spectrum hard surface disinfectants that have been proven to be effective against other similar viruses, such as Human Coronavirus, SARS-associated Coronavirus, Rotavirus, and more, as outlined in the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides.

Electrostatic Spraying

You may wish to use electrostatic spraying for advanced coronavirus disinfection. This is a highly effective process where the operator uses a device to electrostatically charge disinfecting agents before disbursing them. This causes the disinfecting agents to stick to surfaces and provides a long-lasting protective coating. It also reduces germs and viruses in hard-to-reach places.

OpenWorks Provides Disinfection for Distribution Facilities

OpenWorks is the preferred commercial cleaning and facilities services company for over 4,000 facilities nationwide. For more than three decades, OpenWorks has provided the best service in the industry using the most effective and innovative processes delivered by an elite network of service providers. In an industry that typically has retention rates lower than 60%, OpenWorks has an exceptional 98% customer retention rate.

We apply our total facilities management approach to provide top-to-bottom cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitation solutions. Let us show you how you can create a safer, healthier, and cleaner environment for your distribution facility.

Contact OpenWorks today for a quote.