Australia has done a good job in the last few months and now the restrictions are slowly being lifted.
To keep at the same pace now businesses have to keep work environment hygiene practices.
To help you with those practices we created this list with some guidelines
How to clean and disinfect
To keep your work environment free it is important to clean first because dirt and grime can reduce the ability of disinfectants to kill germs.
Cleaning means to physically remove germs (bacteria and viruses), dirt and grime from surfaces using a detergent and water solution. A detergent is a surfactant that is designed to break up oil and grease with the use of water.
Disinfecting means using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces.
Cleaning should start with the cleanest surface first, progressively moving towards the dirtiest surface. When surfaces are cleaned, they should be left as dry as possible to reduce the risk of slips and falls, as well as spreading of viruses and bacteria through droplets.
For further information, you can access the government cleaning guideline
Which areas should be cleaned and disinfected, and how often?
Any surfaces that are frequently touched should be prioritised for cleaning. Workplaces should be cleaned at least every day. If your workplace has many customers or others entering each day, more frequent disinfection is recommended.
Which areas should I prioritise for cleaning?
Any surfaces that are frequently touched should be prioritised for cleaning. Disinfectants are usually only necessary if a surface has been contaminated with potentially infectious material. These include tabletops, door handles, light switches, desks, toilets, taps, TV remotes, kitchen surfaces and cupboard handles.
Does every surface need to be cleaned?
You don’t need to clean every surface. The virus is transmitted by breathing in droplets produced by an infected person coughing or sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces, so you only need to clean surfaces that are touched.
Do I need to clean areas or equipment daily if no one has entered the area or used the equipment recently?
Research suggests that the virus can survive on soft, porous surfaces (such as cardboard and fabrics) for up to 24 hours and hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours (three days).
What about workers’ personal items?
You should instruct your workers to clean personal items used in the workplace such as glasses and phones regularly using disinfectant wipes.
Can I use a product that claims to clean and disinfect at the same time?
Yes, some products can be used for both cleaning and disinfecting, which can save time and effort. If using these products, make sure that you read and follow the instructions on the label to ensure they work effectively.
What should my workers wear to clean?
In most circumstances, it will not be necessary for workers to wear protective clothing to clean your workplace. However, workers should use personal protective equipment (PPE) that is necessary for the products they are using. As a starting point:
- Gloves are the minimum requirements
- Medical masks should be used if cleaning an area impacted by a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case.
- Gowns and disposable suits are not required. Clothes that can be washed afterwards are suitable.
- You need to provide any PPE and train your workers on how to use it safely.
What else can I do?
- Minimise touching of surfaces; put up signs and support your workers in reminding customers
- Reduce the number of touchpoints for workers
- Provide hand washing facilities or hand sanitiser at entry and exit points if possible.
What if there is a case of COVID-19 in my workplace?
If you have a case of COVID-19 in the workplace, your state or territory health authority should provide you with advice on what you need to do in your workplace.
Your workplace will need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before people can return to the workplace.
You can consult the health authority here:
