Commercial Cleaning Re-Opening Guide for Property Managers

Commercial Cleaning Standards

Preparing your facility to re-open requires proactive planning to achieve commercial cleaning standards and coronavirus disinfection.

The most common way the coronavirus spreads is through human contact.  As the pandemic has unfolded, we have also learned that the virus can remain active on surfaces for hours and even days.  Following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on healthy practices such as social distancing and hand washing, help prevent the virus from spreading. However, the CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting as part of the preparation to reopen public spaces. Therefore, deep cleaning and commercial cleaning should be part of your coronavirus disinfection plan.

Prepare Your Facility for Re-Opening

There are several factors you should consider as you prepare to re-open. 

Implement Social Distancing Controls

Facility layouts may need to be redesigned to accommodate social distancing practices, especially in lobbies and common areas. Property managers should also consider restricting access points into the building and limiting occupancy. 

A policy should be established on how deliveries will be handled and how outside vendors will perform work when on the premises.

Review Engineering Controls

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that could threaten health and safety.  OSHA also requires employers to comply with safety and health standards set by OSHA and state plans.

Engineering plans for COVID-19 include:

  • High-efficiency air filters
  • Increased ventilation rates
  • Installing physical barriers, such as plastic sneeze guards or panels to increase separation
  • Drive-through customer service windows where applicable

Review Cleaning Needs

This is a good time to review your cleaning needs and make sure your commercial cleaning service is taking the proper coronavirus disinfection precautions.  Property managers should review CDC recommendations and update cleaning and disinfecting requirements and routines.

The steps you take to maintain your facility can inspire confidence in workers, customers, and tenants.  It should include a commercial cleaning solution, deep cleaning, and coronavirus disinfection.  Here are some of the factors to consider when evaluating a commercial cleaning partner.  Make sure your commercial cleaning company follows these procedures.

Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures

Cleaning and disinfecting need to be two distinct processes.  Cleaning with soap, water, and other cleaners will remove dirt and germs.  It should occur first to prepare surfaces for disinfecting.  Any disinfectants used should be on the EPA’s approved list of disinfectants for use against SARS-Cov-2 (COVID 19).

Cleaners should use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow operating procedures based on CDC and ISSA standards. This includes protocols to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on exposed surfaces.  Commercial cleaning providers should be fully trained in safety and OSHA procedures, including the use of PPEs, the hazards of cleaning chemicals, and disposal of regulated waste.  They should also be certified in Blood Borne Pathogens and Global BioRisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Disinfection.

Your facility may house industries that have specific compliance regulations. So you also need to ensure your commercial cleaning provider can certify compliance.  They should always be fully licensed, insured, and bonded. These are measures that will help protect you in case there is a problem.

You should also ask about deep cleaning, frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, and how they treat high-touch areas. The CDC recommends daily disinfecting of high-touch areas, such as tables, desks, doorknobs, elevator buttons, toilets, faucets, and sinks. High traffic areas may require disinfecting more frequently

Review Your Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan

Facilities should have an infectious disease response plan in place. This should cover areas where proactive measures may help prevent infections and a response plan in case of a confirmed coronavirus case.

Proactive Measures

  • Provide hand sanitizer stations, disinfectant wipes, and other DIY cleaning products.
  • Consider safety training and protocols for employees.
  • Post reminders about social distancing and cleaning protocols.
  • Stay current on state and local guidelines for re-opening.
  • Consider health screening, including monitoring and self-assessments before entering your facility
  • Communicate building protocols in an obvious manner, such as floor markings for social distancing, face masks requirements, and healthy practices.

Response Plan

In case of a positive COVID-19 result, you should have a plan ready to go, including:

  • Quarantine procedures for sick employees.
  • Notification of those that may have come in contact with the infected person.
  • A designated area where an ill person can go until they can receive treatment.
  • Procedures for lockdowns, cleaning and disinfecting of exposed areas.
  • Have your commercial cleaning service on-call for coronavirus disinfection.

To Learn More, Download the Free Workplace Readiness and Re-Opening Guide

We have assembled a Workplace Readiness and Re-Opening Guide that shares best practices developed in alignment with recommendations from:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA)

OpenWorks Provides Trusted Cleaning & Disinfection for Property Managers

OpenWorks is the preferred commercial cleaning service provider for more than 4,000 facilities nationwide. In an industry that typically has retention rates lower than 60%, OpenWorks has an exceptional 98% customer retention rate.

We pride ourselves on delivering our TotalWorksTM Comprehensive Commercial Cleaning Service approach to provide superior top-to-bottom cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitation solutions.

Let us show you how we can provide you with a safer, healthier, and cleaner environment for your properties. Contact OpenWorks today for a quote.

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