Avoiding Norovirus - Tips for Your Cleaning Staff

Keeping your cleaning staff healthy is a key objective for your cleaning operation. That is especially true during the winter months when cleaning staffs are more likely to be exposed to various forms of germs, bacteria, and virus. The norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in the United States. Avoiding norovirus should be a priority for any cleaning operation. Some tips on how to protect your cleaning staff....

Understanding Norovirus Transmission

The norovirus lives within the vomit or stool of those individuals that have become infected. The transmission of the virus from one individual to another can occur in numerous ways; including, but not limited to:

• Contact with contaminated surfaces: Virus transmission occurs when we touch a contaminated surface and then placing our hand in our mouth prior to washing our hands.
• Consuming food or drink that has been contaminated: This common method of transmission occurs when we consume food or drink that has been contaminated by infected restaurant or cafeteria workers.
• Contact with the vomit of an infected individual: Every year thousands of people become infected during the process of cleaning up after a sick person.

Avoiding Norovirus - Practical Tips

Pay Special Attention to Norovirus "Hot-Spots"

Cleanliness is the key to avoiding norovirus. Areas that you should pay special attention to...

• Door handles and push plates
• Light switches
• Elevator buttons
• Kitchen equipment and surfaces
• Common-area counters and tables
• Restrooms (toilets, paper holders, sinks, handles)
• Drinking fountains

All of the above areas are prime transmission points for norovirus. Your maintenance routine should include regular cleaning and disinfection of each of these "hot-spots". Your cleaning and disinfection frequency should be based on traffic and use levels. For some areas a weekly routine may be sufficient while others may require daily treatment.

Proper Sickness Cleanup Procedures

The norovirus causes vomiting. Your cleaning staff will often bear the unpleasant responsibility of cleaning up that vomit. That task is not only unpleasant but it can also expose your staff to the virus. Techniques for cleaning and handling that will help protect your staff:

• Wear protection: Make sure that your staff wears disposable rubber gloves. A disposable plastic apron is also recommended.
• Cover the area: Cover the vomit with paper towels to soak up excess liquid.
• Clean: Remove the vomit using a disposable dustpan or other type of scoop. Wash the entire area with hot water and detergent.
• Decontaminate: Decontaminate the entire area with 0.1% bleach solution. Properly dispose of all materials used during the cleanup process as well as all liquid residues.

Following the above tips and procedures will help protect your cleaning staff as well as the residents of the facility you service. Avoiding norovirus will also protect you against the loss of productivity that comes with a cleaning staff that is constantly battling illness.