COVID-19

DOING OUR PART IN SLOWING THE SPREAD OF INFECTION

Task-co Building Maintenance works daily in the battle against COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  In event of an epidemic, proper hygiene and cleaning are the first line of defense against the spread of infection. As a leader in the cleaning community, Task-co takes this responsibility seriously.

‘Clean Safely’ isn’t just about commitment to environment but extends to our efforts to provide the tools to help reduce the risk of infection and the spread of pathogens.

OUR PLAN OF ACTION FOR MANAGEMENT/PREVENTION, CONTROL & INFORMATION – COVID-19

Task-co implements measures to prevent and control any possible contamination of COVID-19 by performing a deeper disinfection of hard surfaces and human touch points.

Task-co Management personnel will tour facilities with cleaning staff to point out touchpoint areas requiring a deeper agitation using a disinfectant, to agitate away germs and viruses.  Staff will be “how to – instructed” and provided with ongoing training to provide a deeper disinfection for all touch point surfaces.

The difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting:

  • Cleaning involves use of soap and water to remove germs and soil;
  • Sanitizing kills or removes germs sufficiently that they are no longer a threat;
  • Disinfecting is the use of chemicals to kill germs.

Fogging – Machine:

Task-co recommends the use of a disinfecting “FOGGING UNIT” when larger areas of deeper/broader disinfections are required.

The coronavirus COVID-19 has changed what it means to clean.  If COVID-19 is the enemy then Task-co Building Maintenance is on the front lines of the battle and it’s all about having the right tools to win the battle very quickly for people and businesses because it is what is needed to be able to remain open “E.G. essential services” during the epidemic or if they are planning on reopening their businesses once the epidemic has dispersed.

The COVID-19 virus is highly contagious and commonly spread through touching contaminated surfaces and can also infect people through close contact with another infected person.

Covid-19 infection occurs most frequently in closed and crowded environments such as hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, family homes, offices, factories, warehouses, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare centers, schools and cruise ships, and it can be passed on through sneezing and coughing within 3 meters of another person regardless of environment – indoors or out.

Task-co has weapons in our disinfecting arsenal, which includes a “FOGGING MACHINE”. This machine ensures that the disinfectants coat every nook and cranny of affected surfaces.

A Fogging Machine, or Fogger as it is sometimes called, is a versatile piece of equipment that uses a fine spray to apply a chemical solution for odour control, however, it can, amongst other things, also be used for sanitizing, disinfecting or for restricting the growth of mould and more particularly, virus associated germs or pathogens such as various types of the “noroviruses” or “crononavirus” E.G.: COVID-19.

A fogger uses pressure to create a fine spray which is applied using a specialized wand to the targeted area. The spray density is typically moderated by a manual valve to ensure the optimum effect.

Chemicals should be used with care as the spray or mist can linger in the air, so time should be allowed for the solution to settle and do its work. Keeping an area clear when treatment is underway protects any operatives from inhaling any unpleasant chemicals.

A fogger can provide a really good deep clean. Depending upon the requirements, the complete treatment process can consist of two or more steps.

Step One: requires that workers disinfect and sterilize the area by dry fogging. By mixing vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and distilled water together, it’s put into a machine that disburses the concoction. This is what breaks down the virus.

When pathogens are exposed to the vapors created from the solutions, their cell wall or membrane ruptures, killing the cell.  Not only does the fog not leave a residue or makes anything in the area wet, but it’s similar to the liquid grocery stores spray on fruits and vegetables.

COVID-19 is an enveloped virus. This means that the virus does not have the classic outer membrane of a typical virus that is normally treated, instead, it has a thin lipid covering, which is substantially easier to melt away with this process than the harder shell of non-enveloped viruses.

Step Two:  Use of an antimicrobial coating. By performing this step on the already sterile surface, the coating makes it difficult for bacteria and viruses to survive on.

The antimicrobial application creates a protective layer on surfaces by adding microscopic spikes that are about 1/1000th the width of a human hair,

These spikes pierce the viruses and bacteria membranes that land on them. This makes it so they cannot survive to potentially infect people who touch them.

After treatment is complete, it continues to fight against COVID-19 for upwards of 90 days or more.

The treatment process gets everything down to a zero baseline and then helps to keep the area cleaner.

Although not everybody will be able to have their businesses and homes take part in this treatment process, it is recommended that people clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, they should clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Clean/disinfect surfaces that are touched often:

Surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, countertops, and anything else that is often touched will be routinely disinfected.

Step 1: Best method of cleaning touch point surfaces:

  • Use of microfiber cloths and a hydrogen peroxide mixture diluted with warm water;
  • Submerge the microfiber cloth into a bucket of chemical;
  • Wringing out the microfiber cloth by hand;
  • Wipe/agitate all touch point surfaces including all other washable s
    urfaces.

Step 2: Task-co will implement a deeper method of disinfection, In addition to Step 1 above:

  • Instruct cleaning staff on how to locate touch points requiring disinfection. “SANIBLEND 64 CONCENTRATED Lemon” will be used;
  • Perform additional agitation using a back and forth method, scrubbing touch point areas a few times with pressure to remove any potential COVID-19 or any other germs;
  • Focus on areas and surfaces that are touched most often and which require more disinfection:  IE: doorknobs, desks, countertops, light switches, keyboards, telephones, handrails and other often touched items/areas to be routinely disinfected.

Stick to a cleaning/disinfecting routine:

  • Even in the case of an outbreak, it is not necessary to clean/disinfect all surfaces.
  • Other processes for example the use of deodorizers and wiping down walls are not recommended.

Make safety a priority and Follow proper cleaning instructions:

  • Read and follow label instructions/directions including hazard warnings on product labels;
  • Do not mix products unless labels indicate it is safe to do so;
  • Wash and rinse visibly dirty surfaces before applying disinfectant;
  • Use regular products that clean and disinfect for normal surfaces that are not visibly dirty;
  • Use appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

Properly handle waste:

  • Discard disposable cleaning items after use;
  • Avoid contact with waste;
  • Use appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when handling and emptying bins;
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling waste.

Stay informed:

  • Visit the CDC website to stay informed;
  • Access resources on slowing the spread of infection and for information on the flu virus. cdc.gov/flu.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES (ACCORDING TO ISSA) \\ TASK-CO RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Precautionary Measures:

Prevent getting and spreading the Wuhan coronavirus–and other respiratory illnesses – by following these steps:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20-seconds;
  • Use 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick;
  • Cover coughs/sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not with hands;
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces: I.E. toys, doorknobs (especially if someone is sick);
  • Stay at home when sick.
  • Surfaces disinfected must be wet wiped and left to air dry for the disinfection kill time to work.

Task-co Recommendations:

  • Task-co Building Maintenance recommends that Clients, where possible, have their own staff work from home during a “pandemic”;
  • Clients may consider performing virtual meetings rather than having visitors visit their place of business;
  • Task-co recommends that if clients have any work vehicles or fleet(s), they may want to consider that there are many touch points in the vehicle(s) and that we also offer vehicle disinfection services.  This service can be performed by hand or by using our fogging unit.
  • Mandatorily, in order for Task-co to keep our staff safe, it is requested that clients should pass on any information regarding any of their staff getting sick with COVID-19 or if there are any types of flu symptoms at which time Task-co would recommend a more thorough disinfection including fogging (using a fogging machine) of all surfaces;

Task-co Responsibilities:

  • Staff will be required to quarantine at home if experiencing flu like symptoms;
  • A Wellness Check will be required by a medical facility before returning to public/work in order to avoid the spread of the virus/flu or cold.
  • Management will require that employees participate in hand washing using warm soapy water before eating and before or after leaving a facility.
  • A daily disinfection of all cleaning equipment and work vehicles.

PROTOCOLS

Monitoring all workers and use of the following:

  • Implementation of protective gear
  • Use of “SafeBlend Saniblend64” to disinfect
  • Use of QT-San Waterless Hand Sanitizer which helps prevent the spread of germs • No Water or Towels Needed.
  • Continuing to focus on all touch points in all facilities using our two-stage cleaning process with pressure and agitation;
  • Clean surfaces;
  • Disinfect surfaces and touchpoints;
  • Implementing a cleaning/disinfecting regime of all equipment and work vehicles on a daily basis;
  • Mandatory to have all employees wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment);
  • Preparation for higher risk areas with use of full respirators and disposable coveralls;
  • Management working on a rotational basis alongside Task-co employees monitoring, training and educating to lower the risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus while working on the job.

SAFEBLEND – “SANIBLEND64” – PRODUCT AND SDSHEET INFORMATION

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