Benchmarking service Sitemark has launched a programme to support operators of business premises in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Designed to highlight risks that might not be detected by common cleaning standards which often rely exclusively on visual inspection, the programme is targeted at facility managers in sites which remain operational, as well as the owners and managers of premises that are currently closed but will be reoccupied when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The programme focuses on identifying areas and features of a building (including common/high-traffic areas, door handles, lifts and stairway railings), where the risk of contamination to building users is high, so they can be cleaned more frequently or by applying techniques more suited to combatting the pandemic's spread.
A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on 'High Intensity Touch Point' indicators that remind building users to wash their hands after passing through a high-risk area, and prompt cleaning operatives to pay extra attention in deep cleaning high-risk areas.
The programme is suitable for all types of sites, can be used in conjunction with an existing cleaning specification and can be adapted over time as building usage changes.
Implementing the system is a simple 3 stage process:
Step 1: Categorise every area type within your building
Step 2: Determine the 'Touch Point' cleaning frequency for every area type
Step 3: Apply the 'Touch Point' indicators at appropriate locations
Mike Boxall, Sitemark managing director, says:
"There is understandably a lot of focus on keeping buildings safe now.
"We need to think about how to keep them safe when offices, shops and schools reopen.
A lot of people might want assurances that their workplace is fit for purpose.
"Through the use of the workplace hygiene programme, building managers can point to the programme as evidence of the steps they are taking, and the indicators will act as daily visual reminders to everyone of how to stay safe and hygienic.
Companies will need a thorough cleaning programme that is well communicated to staff in order to get back to business as smoothly as possible."
Enrol by visiting the Sitemark's workplace risk assessment tool which can be download at no cost.
The programme includes the provision of:
Enrol by visiting the Sitemark's workplace risk assessment tool which can be download at no cost.
