Regular Post
Written by ICP Group

How To Build Your Facility Disinfection Plans

Surface Hygiene: Epidemic & Pandemic (S.H.E.P.) Blog – Post 3 of 4

Blog Post 3 of a 4-part series. Click here to view Part 1: Protect Your People and Facilities: Before, During & Post-Pandemic, and here to view Part 2: Addressing Hygiene Theatre & Microbial Surface Efficacy.

Having multiple, actionable plans for now and in the future, is the answer for the ongoing health of the built environment. It’s also the approach recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as Health Canada (HC). There are many things to consider when you are creating your plans including typical components of plans such as the business’ needs/risk assessments, performance objectives, regulatory requirements, and the internal/external resources that are available to the organization. Identifying factors that may apply locally or to the specific industry the business serves would be good places to begin your planning.

Using external resources that are available in the particular case of COVID-19, such as the CDC, are helpful in identifying any overall regulatory requirements or suggestions for frequency of cleaning/disinfection and some of the suggested processes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html.

We will now introduce the different types of plans that should make up your S.H.E.P. plans and how to assess, build, and implement these plans in your facilities.

Types of Plans

It is important to note that there are many other types of business plans that are implemented across an organization, and there will be more than one tool in your toolkit when it comes to building S.H.E.P. plans. The three main types of plans we are going to explore include:

Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan – Used in situations that include naturally occurring outbreaks (e.g., measles, mumps), emerging infectious diseases (e.g., SARS, pandemic), and bioterrorism.

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) – Shows how all actions will be coordinated and describes how people and property will be protected in emergencies and disasters.

Customer Care Plan (CCP) – Focused on external visitors in your business/facility. Covers how to address the needs of frequent disinfection and is typically based on frequency of external customers/visitors. These plans often also note how to address & educate visitors on the importance of surface hygiene.

 

Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan

The purpose of an Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan is to have a comprehensive plan that can be used for large scale incidents to prepare an organization to deal with infectious disease threats (human and environmental). These plans are designed with a flexible and scalable framework for incident management, appropriate and timely interventions, and allocation of resources to minimize the public health consequences of an infectious disease emergency. These plans are commonly implemented in public health units, educational facilities, but are also useful in many other types of business. Every IDER plan is slightly different but typically includes some of the following activities:

  • Coordination with other city, regional, state/provincial, and federal agencies and other organizations responding to a large public health emergency.
  • Development and dissemination of information and guidance for the medical community, responders, general public, and special populations and settings.
  • Public health disease containment measures such as infection control, mass prophylaxis, isolation and quarantine, or restriction and clearance.
  • Coordination of medical care systems and management of alternate care and/or shelter sites.
  • Epidemiological surveillance and investigation activities such as surveillance, investigation, and lab testing.
  • Collection and analysis of data to inform the development of objectives and tactics.

Consider your internal and external resources when building your IDER plans, also be sure to work with these resources in building the plan so that all involved parties can be aware of the plan objectives and their designated roles in case of activation of the IDER plan.


Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Stabilizing an emergency may involve many different actions and developing an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), is crucial to ensure the business, facility and individual resources are prepared for foreseeable hazards and threats. As per the United States government website, EOP’s should “define the most appropriate protective action for each hazard to ensure the safety of employees and others within the building. Determine how you will warn building occupants to take protective action. Develop protocols and procedures to alert first responders including public emergency services, trained employees, and management. Identify how you will communicate with management and employees during and following an emergency.”

Ready.gov also offers an outline of “10 Steps for Developing the Emergency Response Plan,” which is shared below as a starting point for the Emergency Management teams to consider as they are drafting the EOP for the represented organization.

  1. Review performance objectives for the program.
  2. Review hazard or threat scenarios identified during the risk assessment.
  3. Assess the availability and capabilities of resources for incident stabilization including people, systems, and equipment available within your business and from external sources.
  4. Talk with public emergency services (e.g., fire, police, and emergency medical services) to determine their response time to your facility, knowledge of your facility and its hazards and their capabilities to stabilize an emergency at your facility.
  5. Determine if there are any regulations pertaining to emergency planning at your facility; address applicable regulations in the plan.
  6. Develop protective actions for life safety (evacuation, shelter, shelter-in-place, lockdown).
  7. Develop hazard and threat-specific emergency procedures using the Emergency Response Plan for Businesses.
  8. Coordinate emergency planning with public emergency services to stabilize incidents involving the hazards at your facility.
  9. Train personnel so they can fulfill their roles and responsibilities.
  10. Facilitate exercises to practice your plan.

The types of emergencies covered by the EOP in relation to workplace hazards can vary but typically can include six areas of emergencies to consider including: biological, chemical, physical, safety, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. There are also external hazards to be considered such as natural disasters and environmental hazards. Boiled down to the four main steps; write the plan, establish a training schedule, assign responsibility for training, and coordinate your plan with outside organizations.


Customer Care Plan (CCP)

A Customer Care Plan (CCP), or a Customer Safety Plan, is important to develop & implement particularly during a pandemic, so there are plans and protocols in place to keep staff, clients, and customers’ safe. As we shift our attention in the current climate from facility closures and restrictions to layered mitigation, including strategic reopening, it is imperative that every business has a plan in place to address customer needs, as they have evolved over the course of the pandemic to be more safety focused.

There is a very real need in strategic reopening to reflect on and potentially reorient the customer-experience effort to meet the customer’s new priority needs including things such as safety, security, and everyday convenience. McKinsey & Company have developed seven actions to demonstrate empathy for customers to consider as your Emergency Management teams begin to develop or redevelop CCPs.

Things to consider when building CCPs include providing a different format for customer engagement to minimize physical interaction and to allow for social distancing, providing personal protective equipment and have visible barriers and signage available to provide customer safety, and transitioning customers to online channels and eCommerce.

Also, consider threats and risks assessed in your EOP and/or IDER plan and account for the customer impact in those types of emergency scenarios. Reference these documents and ensure that internal and external resources implementing the CCP are cross trained in the existing emergency plans. Another resource to consider when building your CCP is OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. References should also be made in your CCP to surface cleaning & disinfection, frequency and expanded hygiene measures that will be implemented to provide increased customer and employee protection.

At ICP Building Solutions Group, we want to help you build your plans. Do you have some plans started but have questions? Not sure if your plan covers all infection control considerations? Our team is here to help you specify products for your facility based on your needs, and work with you to build your comprehensive plans. Reach out to Cole Stanton, our Director of Education and AED Specification for ICP Building Solutions Group. He can be contacted via specifications@icpgroup.com. Learn about how to measure your success and the potential future paths of the pandemic in Part 4 of our S.H.E.P. blog series, coming soon.

 

Resources

https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/connecting-with-customers-in-times-of-crisis
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3990.pdf
https://www.ready.gov/business/implementation/emergency

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Written by ICP Group

How to Spot Authentically Botanical Disinfectants

How to spot authentically botanical disinfectantsAdministrators must continue to put health and safety first

COVID-19 introduced parents and faculty to a new level of cleanliness protocols that they might not want to see go away – ever. With flu, the potential for COVID case spikes and this desire for aggressive disinfection measures, schools are not able to let their guards down. Consistent and regular disinfecting must remain top of mind when class resumes in the fall, and beyond.

But what is the best way to keep students and the environment safe?

Authentically botanical disinfectants in the classroomSafety and Efficacy: The Benefits of Botanical Disinfectants

While generally 99.99% effective, common synthetic chemical-based disinfectants are hazardous, poisonous, are not environmentally sustainable and can lead to antimicrobial resistance because bacteria adapt to the chemicals when they encounter the same formulations repeatedly. And those who apply these products = are warned to take special precautions, including the use of personal protective gear.

People with certain immune system disorders and other health issues can be particularly sensitive to these chemicals, which can lead to adverse events and negative reactions. Like the protocols schools put in place to protect people with peanut or latex allergies, those who have chemical sensitivities need special considerations when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting.

Authentically botanical disinfectants provide that same level of effectiveness –99.99% or more – yet they do not come with the warning labels and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Harsh chemical ingredients are replaced with natural essential oils that have been used for thousands of years for their antimicrobial properties.

Authentically botanical disinfectants are considered ideal for these at-risk populations with ultra-low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as skin and eye safe. And there is no need for extra protective gear when applying botanical disinfectants because of the pure essential oil ingredients that are still effective against germs.

When considering a product for your school, it’s important to note that not all botanical disinfectants are created equally – and some claims might be misleading.

Botanical vs. authentically botanical disinfectantsKnowing the Difference: Botanical vs. Authentically Botanical

To understand the difference between botanical and bio-based disinfectants, we first need to look at the difference between old organic carbon and new organic carbon.

Old organic carbon comes from the remains of organisms, such as plants or animals, that have decomposed over millions of years and have been exposed to forces of heat and pressure. Petroleum and coal are examples of old organic carbon that we take from the earth and use as fossil fuels. These resources are not renewable.

On the other hand, new organic carbon comes from live plants and trees that are harvested for use. New organic carbon is considered renewable in that it can be used repeatedly and does not run out because it is naturally replaced.

The term bio-based content refers to how much new organic content there is in an object or substance compared to how much old organic content is used. When it comes to disinfectants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tests the ratio as part of its BioPreferred® Program.

This is relevant to botanical disinfectants because a product that is labeled botanical might contain as little as 25% bio-based content with a portion of the remaining content coming from petroleum-based synthetic botanicals – meaning that those “botanical” disinfectants and cleaners will not provide the same level of gentleness on surfaces and benefits to the built environment, as those with 100% bio-based content.

Teacher disinfecting classroom with botanical disinfectantsUnderstanding How Authentically Botanical Disinfectants Work

Authentically botanical means that the product is derived from all bio-based content. One of the most common active ingredients in this type of cleaner is thymol, an essential oil that is derived from thyme, oregano or ajwain – all highly renewable resources.

Thymol has naturally strong antiseptic properties and has been used for centuries as incense to purify air, as a natural pesticide and to heal skin infections. Farms have used the same process for centuries to steam and extract the oils for a variety of uses.

That process is still intact and in use today as the basis for disinfectant cleaners, supporting farms of all sizes. From the farm to the shelf, authentically botanical products offer a sustainable way to protect people without the risk to human health of the environment.

Botanical disinfectants in classroomsWhen Safety and Efficacy Matter Most

Schools need to ensure that they are using the safest, most effective disinfectant solutions to help protect vulnerable populations from harsh chemicals – while still providing maximum protection against the germs that make us sick.

There are ways to discern which “botanical” cleaners are authentic and which contain harsher ingredients:

  • Look at the effectiveness. The disinfectant should show 99.99% efficacy against viruses and bacteria.
  • Watch for the warning signs. Authentically botanical cleaners with 100% bio-based content will not include special symbols or warnings on the label, such as flammability or the need for personal protective gear during application. If there are warning signs on the bottle, chances are, it is not truly botanical.
  • Reference the USDA website. The USDA has a program where disinfectants are rigorously tested to detect the percentage of bio-based content that is used. Look at the USDA website to ensure you are choosing safe and effective products– for both people and the environment.

So, as schools prepare for the next year and potentially new surges of COVID-19 and the flu, they should take the time to ensure they are using only the purest botanical cleaners to protect the health of students and staff.

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Three Things You Might Not Know About Botanical Disinfectants

Three things you might not know about botanical disinfectants

Authentically botanical disinfectants allow hospitals to take a holistic approach to ensuring health and safety of patients, visitors

Hospitals and health care facilities have always had some of the strictest cleanliness protocols, but never more so since the onset of the pandemic. Every aspect of surface disinfectant has been heightened.

With the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and the threat of an active flu season ahead, facility managers must constantly evolve their disinfectant practices to ensure both the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff. They must look at every aspect of the commercial disinfectants they choose to not only ensure efficacy, but also to protect vulnerable populations and those with a weakened immune system from harsh chemicals.

Botanical disinfectants have grown in popularity for this reason – they are considered both safe and effective. But do you understand the science behind botanical disinfectants? Do you know what to look for to get the maximum benefits? What botanical products are best for keeping patients, staff and the environment safe?

Authenitcally Botanical Disinfectants are 99.9% effectiveHere are the three things you need to know about botanical disinfectants to help you make the best decisions.

  1. Authentically botanical disinfectants are 99.99%+ effective and do not carry the same threat of antibiotic resistance as chemical-based cleaners.

While generally 99.99% effective, some common synthetic chemical-based disinfectants are not environmentally sustainable and can lead to antimicrobial resistance because bacteria adapt to the chemicals when they encounter the same formulations repeatedly – which can be of particular concern to hospitals. And those who apply these products are warned to take special precautions, including the use of personal protective gear.

People with certain immune system disorders and other health issues can be particularly sensitive to these chemicals, which can lead to adverse events and negative reactions. Like the protocols hospitals put in place to protect people with peanut or latex allergies, those who have chemical sensitivities need special considerations when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting.

Authentically botanical disinfectants provide that same level of effectiveness – 99.99% or more – yet they do not come with the warning labels and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Traditional chemical ingredients are replaced with natural essential oils that have been used for thousands of years for their antimicrobial properties.

Authentically botanical disinfectants with ultra-low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered ideal for at-risk populations and are considered skin and eye safe. There is no need for extra protective gear when applying botanical disinfectants because of the pure essential oil ingredients that are still effective against germs.

  1. Not all botanical disinfectants are created equally – some are chemical-based.

To understand the difference between botanical and bio-based disinfectants, we first need to look at the difference between old organic carbon and new organic carbon.

Old organic carbon comes from the remains of organisms, such as plants or animals, that have decomposed over millions of years and have been exposed to the forces of heat and pressure. Petroleum and coal are examples of old organic carbon that we take from the earth and use as fossil fuels. These resources are not renewable.

On the other hand, new organic carbon comes from live plants and trees that are harvested for use. New organic carbon is considered renewable in that it can be used repeatedly and does not run out because it is naturally replaced.

The term bio-based content refers to how much new organic content there is in an object or substance compared to how much old organic content is used. When it comes to disinfectants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tests the ratio as part of its BioPreferred® Program.

This is relevant to botanical disinfectants because a product that is labeled botanical might contain as little as 25% bio-based content with a portion of the remaining content coming from petroleum-based synthetic botanicals – meaning that those “botanical” disinfectants and cleaners are not as gentle on surfaces and do not benefit the built environment like those with 100% bio-based content.

  1. Authentically botanical disinfectants should be 100% bio-based.

Authentically botanical means that the product is derived from all bio-based content. One of the most common active ingredients in this type of cleaner is thymol, a constituent component of essential oils that is derived from thyme, oregano or ajwain – all highly renewable resources.

Thymol has naturally strong antiseptic properties and has been used for centuries as incense to purify air, as a natural pesticide and to heal skin infections. Farms have used the same process for centuries to steam and extract the oils for a variety of uses.

That process is still intact and in use today as the basis for disinfectant cleaners, supporting farms of all sizes. From the farm to the shelf, authentically botanical products offer a sustainable way to protect people without the risk to human health or the environment.

The USDA rigorously tests and identifies bio-based disinfectants

How to tell the difference when selecting botanical disinfectants.

There are ways to discern which “botanical” disinfectants are authentic and which contain harsher ingredients:

  • Look at the effectiveness. The disinfectant should show 99.99% efficacy against viruses and bacteria.
  • Watch for the warning signs. Authentically botanical disinfectants with 100% bio-based content will not include special symbols or warnings on the label, such as flammability or the need for personal protective gear during application. If there are warning signs on the bottle, chances are, it is not truly botanical.
  • Reference the USDA website. The USDA has a program where disinfectants are rigorously tested to detect the percentage of bio-based content that is used. Look at the USDA website to ensure you are choosing safe and effective products – for both people and the environment.

So as you continue to research and evolve your disinfectant practices in the face of emerging strains of COVID-19, flu and more, be sure to remember these simple tips for making the best decision for your hospital or health care setting.

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