For Employers

As you start to return to work, you need to think about the regular cleaning of your facilities and workplaces. To stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace and to limit your exposure to employee risk, you’ll need to consider the role effective cleaning will take and what effective cleaning might look like.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person through small droplets, aerosols and through direct contact. Surfaces and belongings can also be contaminated with COVID-19 when people with the infection cough or sneeze or touch them. The risk of spread is greatest when people are close to each other, especially in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and when people spend a lot of time together in the same room.

At Urban-RD Facilities Management, we offer bespoke advice for your cleaning solutions. We can help you, and this would comprise of a site visit and conversations to understand your particular needs and then provide a tailored plan to support and assist you.

What do you Need to Clean?

Frequently touched surfaces
Tabletops
Door handles
Light switches
Desks
Toilets & doors
Taps
Kitchen surfaces
Cupboard handles

Cleaning and Disinfection

Regular cleaning plays a vital role in limiting the transmission of COVID-19.

Reducing clutter and removing difficult to clean items can make cleaning easier. Increase the frequency of cleaning, using standard cleaning products such as detergents and bleach, paying attention to all surfaces but especially ones that are touched frequently, such as door handles, light switches, work surfaces, remote controls and electronic devices.

As a minimum, frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down twice a day, and one of these should be at the beginning or the end of the working day. Cleaning should be more frequent depending on the number of people using the space, whether they are entering and exiting the setting and access to handwashing and hand-sanitising facilities. Cleaning of frequently touched surfaces is particularly important in bathrooms and communal kitchens.

When cleaning surfaces, it is not necessary to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or clothing over and above what would usually be used.

Kitchens and Communal Canteens

It is very unlikely that COVID-19 is transmitted through food. However, as a matter of good hygiene practice, anyone handling food should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before doing so. Crockery and eating utensils should not be shared. Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly.

Office Toilets

Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly. Ensure suitable hand washing facilities are available including running water, liquid soap and paper towels or hand driers. Where cloth towels are used, these should be for individual use and laundered in accordance with washing instructions.