Just imagine where we would be today without removing the harmful substances and unwanted contaminants from our buildings. Contaminants like bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi can adversely affect human health. Common dirt, dust and soils can be contaminated with pesticides and other chemicals.
Undoubtedly, cleaning is enormously important to protect our health as well as the buildings in which we live and work.
“Healthy High Performance Cleaning” take the traditional cleaning beyond appearances with procedures designed to make your building the safest, healthiest and cleanest it has ever been. The first step is understanding that cleaning plays an important role in the health and safety of a building’s occupants. Cleaning also directly affects the asset value of a building. The next step is putting what you know into practice.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM
Cleaning is the process of locating, identifying, containing, removing and properly disposing of an unwanted substance from a surface or environment. Healthy High Performance Cleaning is a process that reduces any negative impact of cleaning on health and the environment. While product selection also is important, procedures for a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program are equally important, and perhaps more so.
Below section elaborates on those important procedures in 14 key areas which are pertinent to implementing the program:
- People with Special Needs
- Dusting and Dust Mopping
- Entryways
- Floor Care
- Carpet Care
- Restrooms
- Food Areas: Cafeterias, Break Rooms, Etc.
- OSHA Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard
- Measuring / Diluting Concentrated Cleaning Products
- Indoor Plants
- Integrated Pest Management
- Recycling
- Spills
- Trash
It is not about the selecting the good new products versus old traditional products, rather the issue is beyond defining the opportunities to reduce impact on health and the environment.
When addressing procedures for a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program, the same approach must be followed. It also brief about the source of reduction and pollution prevention strategies in addition to specific opportunities to modify traditional procedures to reduce impact on health and the environment. With the use of any cleaning chemical or janitorial equipment, it is important that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) be used and product directions followed. Furthermore, proper disposal of all cleaning wastes is required.
SPECIFIC PROCEDURE MODIFICATIONS
The first issue to be addressed is modifying the cleaning program to accommodate people with special needs within the building. This issue not only emphasizes the focus on protecting health, it also epitomizes the focus of a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program. This includes the need to identify the most vulnerable population and the method for designing programs to create the healthiest environment.
1. PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Actionable Items:
1. Identify those building occupants with individual needs and sensitivities.
2. Develop a plan to address the individual needs of people with sensitivities.
3. Modify procedures and / or cleaning schedules as necessary to accommodate their individual needs.
4. Address ventilation requirements to help mitigate the problems with airflow.
5. Communicate cleaning plans to building occupants.
One of the primary goals of a “Healthy High Performance Cleaning” (HHPC) program is to protect the health of building occupants. This is done in many ways including the identification and removal of harmful contaminants, such as particulates and adhesive dirt, mold, spores, bacteria and viruses. And while the cleaning process can reduce the exposure to these and other harmful contaminants. Unfortunately, the process of cleaning and the cleaning products themselves can adversely affect the health of building occupants.
This is especially true for those who are very sensitive to odors, those with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and allergies, those with reduced immune systems such as those recovering from cancer, and other health conditions.
For certain individuals, accommodations must be made relative to cleaning activities, noise levels, dust, etc. Some occupants may be very sensitive to the fragrances of cleaning products. Reported sensitivities may not even be caused by cleaning products but rather sensitivities to pet allergens. When relocating the individual or reconfiguring the workspace is necessary, this should be addressed by building management.
In many situations these issues cannot be resolved by the cleaning service provider, but requires everyone, including the affected individual, to work together to achieve the best outcome.
2. DUSTING, DUST MOPPING AND VACUUMING
Traditional dusting and dust mopping techniques frequently move dust and other contaminants from one area to another, such as from a ceiling, bookshelf to the floor. It is important to recognize that moving the dust from one place to another wastes labor and reduces efficiencies. Dusting and dust mopping activities that do not capture soils completely stir them into the air where people can then be exposed to the particles. Thus HHPC requirement is to appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to effectively remove the dirt from various surfaces.
3. ENTRYWAYS
Entryways are the first line of defense in limiting contaminants from entering buildings. Therefore, special effort should be focused in these areas to keep the contaminants out of the building. Proper maintenance of entryway systems can increase the life of the flooring systems (carpet, stone, resilient tile, etc.). From a socio economic and safety standpoint, a proper entryway maintenance program stops dirt at the door and will reduce floor care labor used to maintain floor finishes and sealers. Appropriate walk-off entry mats reduce liability and costs associated with people slipping and falling as a result of wet, dirty floors particularly during inclement weather or from excessive amounts of dirt and grit build up.
4. FLOOR CARE
The procedures for floor care in a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program are similar in most instances to those of a traditional program. Beyond the traditional issues, floor care in a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program addresses the selection of the procedures themselves. The life cycle assessment of the selected finish should factor in the durability and the frequency of stripping and recoating. In a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program the primary effort should be a pollution prevention strategy, or one that minimizes the need to strip and recoat a floor. Thus, a specific focus should be on preventative measures, such as:
- Keep outside entryways clean to prevent soils from being tracked into the building. This may include sweeping, use of a power sprayer, etc.
- Use matting systems at all entrances to capture soils and moisture from shoes. It is preferable that the mats be large enough for each shoe to hit the mat two times
- Frequent vacuuming of entryway mats and grating systems.
- Frequent dust mopping of resilient tile floors or vacuuming, especially close to entryways and other sources of particulates (i.e. near copier rooms).
- Periodically clean under floor mats to reduce the potential for moisture to lead to bacterial and fungal growth. When floor mats get wet, replace them with clean dry mats.
- An intensive cleaning and frequent cleaning of the entryways to capture soils at the entryway rather than to remove it after it has spread throughout the entire building.
5. CARPET CARE
Carpet care in a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program addresses the selection of the appropriate Process, products and equipment. The program includes certain modifications of the typical procedures, and pays special attention to moisture and ventilation. In a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program, the primary effort should be a soil prevention strategy, or one that minimizes the need to extract a carpet.
HHPC Requirements
- Keep outside / outdoor entryways clean to prevent soils from being tracked into the building. This may include sweeping, use of a power sprayer, etc.
- Use entry mats to capture soils and moisture from shoes. It is preferable that the mats be large enough for each shoe to hit the mat two times
- Frequently vacuum entryway mats and grating systems.
- Frequent dust/damp mopping of resilient tile floors, or vacuuming of carpeted surfaces, especially close to entryways and other sources of particulates (i.e. near copier rooms) reduces soiling on surrounding carpeted areas.
- Establish a process of daily routine for cleaning carpets.
- Develop a program of occupant education to inform tenants on how to handle small spills or who to call so that spills can be removed quickly by the cleaning personnel.
- Establish an interim cleaning process to address the needs of high traffic areas.
- Minimize the needs for large scale extracting.
- Use cleaning chemicals as recommended in the Janitorial Selection Guide
6. RESTROOMS
Because of their heavy use and moisture, restrooms must be cleaned frequently using appropriate cleaning products and procedures. Make sure that cleaning is done thoroughly, including hard-to-reach areas such as behind toilets and around urinals. Periodically machine scrub or deep cleaning in restroom floors with a cleaner disinfectant. Make sure products are diluted appropriately as per recommendation, and sufficient contact times are allowed for thorough germ-killing activity. Contact time for many disinfectants is ten minutes. Be sure to follow the label instructions closely.
Some products used in the restroom can be hazardous, such as drain cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners. Make sure that appropriate PPE is used and appropriate ventilation is provided for cleaning personnel.
Never mix cleaning products.
7. FOOD AREAS: CAFETERIAS, BREAK ROOMS, ETC.
HHPC Requirements:
Clean and sanitize floors, tables, etc.
Separate recyclables from trash and make sure recyclable areas are kept clean (i.e. rinse soda/beverage cans) so as not to attract pests.
Make sure that occupants understand how to properly separate trash and recyclables and the proper disposal of each.
Make sure that waste containers are covered and emptied at least once daily. Particular attention should be paid to food waste, trash receptacles containing food debris, recyclables such as soda cans, and other objects that contain food residue that can attract pests.
Making every effort to eliminate those things that attract pests is critical to protecting occupant health by reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides inside the building.
8. OSHA BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGEN STANDARD
HHPC Requirements:
Use safety cones or other means to make sure that occupants do not come in contact with a biological spills. Use proper personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves, goggles).
Disinfect area with appropriate solution following OSHA’s Blood-borne Pathogen Standard.
Dispose properly in a biohazard bag.
OSHA required procedures and training on the Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard is not changed in a Healthy High Performance Cleaning program as the requirements. Follow process as per the local regulations approved products which has equivalent label claim.
9. MEASURING / DILUTING CONCENTRATED CLEANING PRODUCTS
HHPC Requirements:
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment when mixing concentrated cleaning products.
- Follow manufacturer’s dilution directions. Do not under- or over-dilute concentrated cleaning products.
- Make sure that spray bottles (secondary containers) have appropriate labels.
- Never mix different cleaning products together.
Highly concentrated cleaning products reduce environmental impact from packaging and transportation, and typically reduce actual use cost compared to less concentrated alternatives. However, to gain the environmental benefits and to protect workers exposed to these more highly concentrated products during mixing, extra care should be taken.
Products should always be diluted accurately according to manufacturer’s directions. This can be achieved through a variety of methods including measuring cups, dispensing pumps and automated dilution equipment. Dilution control equipment is highly recommended because it minimizes the potential for human error and reduces the chance of chemical exposure to concentrates. Dilution equipment should be periodically checked for accuracy. If using manual dilution, e.g. measuring cup or pump, cleaning personnel should understand that by adding extra chemical concentrate beyond recommended dilutions that the product will not necessarily perform better. In fact, surfaces can become slippery and / or take on a cloudy or streaked appearance due to chemical residue.
Finally, never mix cleaning products together. Some cleaning chemicals can react when mixed to give off dangerous by-products. Rinse containers after use.
10. INDOOR PLANTS
HHPC Requirements:
Educate occupants on appropriate care guidelines for indoor plants.
Ensure that plants are not in direct contact with carpets and unit ventilators. Indoor plants are a wonderful addition to any building. While the cleaning service provider is typically not responsible for watering and caring for office plants, they frequently are called upon to address spills from watering, mold growth in carpets from dampness, pests, and other problems. Furthermore, occupant use of pesticides and fertilizers should be managed with care because these products can impact health. Thus, occupants should be educated on the proper and appropriate care for plants. If plants are on carpets, they should be slightly elevated to keep moisture from building up in carpeting. Unit ventilators should not be used as plant stands.
11. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
HHPC Requirements:
Continually monitor the building for signs of pest infiltration.
Cleaning, structural repairs, mechanical repairs, biological controls, and other non-chemical methods should be used to prevent pests from entering the building and to reduce the availability of food, moisture, harborage and nesting areas.
If non-toxic options are unreasonable and have been exhausted, only then should pesticide be used and it should be the least toxic.
Occupants should be provided notification of the integrated pest management system including their role in preventing pests.
Pests of all kinds can be very harmful to the building itself and can serve as vectors of disease that can affect occupant well-being and productivity. The misuse of many traditional pesticide products can present risks to the occupants, especially in buildings occupied with infants, small children and the elderly. Thus, developing strategies that prevent pests from entering the building and maintaining an indoor environment that is not welcoming to them by eliminating food, moisture, habitats and routes of entry, can minimize the necessity of pesticide use. Before any pesticide is applied, notification should be given to building occupants so that those especially sensitive to pesticides, pregnant women, or anyone with a pre-existing health condition can plan accordingly.
12. RECYCLING
One of the primary keys to making the recycling effort work, especially in a way that is efficient for both cleaning personnel and occupants, is to develop some clear building goals and procedures. To accomplish this, it is important to work with building management to support education and other efforts to engage the occupants in this effort. It is important to enlist the occupants to sort their recyclables and to make it clear which recyclables are to be collected and where they are to be placed (the use of signs, pictures, labels, stickers, etc., can be helpful). Recyclables that contained food, such as soda or soup cans, should be rinsed out by the occupants prior to being placed in collection bins to minimize the potential for attracting pests. Cleaning personnel should not be required to separate recyclables from trash. It is important that building management work to support the recycling efforts and especially to address the issue of non-compliance by individual occupants or those that frequently contaminant the mix.
HHPC Requirements:
- Ensure that the building collection meets the guidelines from the local recycling procedures.
- Ensure that occupants understand what can be recycled and how it needs to be separated. Ongoing occupant education is the key to a successful recycling program.
- Food containers such as soda/beverage cans should be rinsed clean by occupants before placing in recycling containers so as to not attract pests.
- Track recycling results.
Recycling is a very important pollution prevention activity to reduce our burdens on the environment as a result of both solid waste disposal and the extraction of the natural raw materials. Check with local waste recyclers to determine what materials are picked-up and the best sorting strategies.
13. SPILLS
HHPC Requirements:
- Clean spills while still fresh.
- Use the proper cleaning solutions and use only what is necessary.
- Dispose properly.
- Ensure that occupants know whom to contact in case of spills.
Generally it is preferable to address spills as soon as possible to minimize impact on both health and the environment. Work with building occupants to pick-up spills themselves or to communicate quickly so that cleaning personnel can quickly address the spill.
14. TRASH
HHPC Requirements:
- Ensure that trash especially that which contains food waste, is removed frequently and is not left in buildings over an extended period of time.
- Dispose properly and ensure that trash does not attract pests or create litter.
- Make sure that trash and recyclables are being separated properly.
- Make sure occupants know how to separate recyclables.
If it is not disposed everyday it should be disposed before weekends and holidays to minimize the opportunity.