Categories: Commercial and Industrial CleaningResidential Cleaning

Hiring a Janitorial Service to Cleanup COVID-19 Could Do More Harm Than Good

According to Chain Store Age (CSA), janitorial services are on the rise, especially among big-box retailers, grocery stores and office buildings. But have you considered what qualifications are necessary when you need a ‘deep clean’—especially for something as serious as COVID-19? You might be surprised to learn that most janitorial companies aren’t experienced in infectious disease cleanup and aren’t trained to dispose of biohazardous materials.

Lack of Training to Combat Infectious Disease

Janitorial companies, while highly effective in basic cleaning regimens, do not undergo rigorous training like a company that specializes in biohazard cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. Frankly, some cleaning methods are ineffective but are still practiced. For example, simply “fogging” an area with a disinfectant does not meet EPA-registered label requirements without proper pre-cleaning and may be a violation of federal law. No disinfectant will be effective unless the surface is first cleaned with soap and water or with an appropriate detergent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more research is also required to clarify the effectiveness and reliability of fogging, UV irradiation, and ozone mists to reduce environmental contamination.

Not Using the Right Disinfectants for the Job

Not only are there very specific chemicals that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be used and deemed effective against SARS-Cov-2, cure times must be strictly adhered to. Aftermath Services is proud to be one of the only companies that use EPA-approved chemicals with efficacy against SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Our products have undergone rigorous scientific testing and have been officially approved by the EPA to inactivate the novel coronavirus.

A Step Above a Mop & Bucket

Customers are paying attention to how cleanliness is being handled in the workplace and put their trust (and dollars) where they feel most comfortable. The reality is that most janitorial services are not equipped to handle a COVID-19 cleaning from start to finish, which could leave your business open to liability; especially if a resurgence should occur or if waste is not disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Insignificant protection measures, such as applying hand lotion under surgical gloves to protect against pathogens, are not actually effective when cleaning up after this novel, aggressive virus. Each case needs to be
treated as highly infectious. As a consequence of this, full personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be worn when cleaning and disinfecting COVID-19.

Not Equipped to Complete Verifiable Surface Testing

Verifiable surface testing is critical in curbing the spread of COVID-19. It is an extra layer of measurability and accountability, making it imperative to both proactive controls and the efﬁcacy of containment measures. This process can be done pre or post-disinfection and is recommended to be performed on a regularly scheduled basis after preventative disinfection. Specialized training and equipment are required to complete surface testing for SARS-CoV-2, the viral cause of COVID-19.

Read, ‘Not All Surface Testing is the Same.’

Professional Commercial COVID-19 Cleaning & Disinfection

Aftermath Services has years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis. Our biohazard professionals are trained to perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility/structure disinfection using our proprietary disinfectants coupled with verifiable surface testing.

Every infectious disease case is a biohazard situation, and every biohazard situation can include infectious disease. COVID-19 is an extremely serious situation and we understand that the health and safety of you, your family, and employees are on the line. Don’t take any chances; call in the professionals. Contact us at 877- 695-7054 today to discuss our COVID-19 cleaning methods or to schedule an appointment.

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