Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection has become the primary focus of every business and property management group in this global pandemic era. Everyone might still be adapting now to the shift in safety needs. All must maintain a state of readiness and ability to act in the threat of COVID-19. Preparedness is the key to preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It all starts when we maintain a high standard of responsibility in doing safety protocols and infection control guidelines on all our premises.
As a business owner or building manager, you need permanent solutions that will protect your environment at all times. As you read this article, you will be able to adapt the high-quality standard for infection control and become successful in outbreak prevention to your environment.
Infection Control Responsibilities
Both employers and employees do have a duty of care in health and safety protocols to prevent the widespread of infections and viruses in their environment, below should be your practice at all times:
Employers
- Assess workplace exposure risk
- Continually educate employees
- Set a clear standard of safety protocols, processes, and policies
- Create a clean culture
- Ensure best practice is being implemented
- Use clear and consistent communications with all staff
Employees
- Maintain a healthy environment as well as your health
- Coordinate regularly with employer on safety matters
- Report hazards and potential risks
- Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear)
- Strictly follow safe systems of work
- Adhere to the government and local safety protocols
Infection Control Tips
- Have a normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the risk of exposure.
- Have disinfection using approved disinfectants against COVID-19 can also help reduce the risk. Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important.
- When approved disinfectants are not available, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions). Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together—this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.
- Wash your hands frequently – especially after touching doorknobs or pushing elevator buttons – and follow proper hand-washing procedures:
- Using warm water and soap, wash hands for 20 seconds.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard immediately in a lined trashcan and wash your hands immediately.
- Have a disease and infection protocol that is utilised by the local government.
Conclusion
The key factors in preparing for and responding to a pandemic is right education and proper communication for all people within your premises. In addition, businesses and property management groups are being encourage to keep a continuity plans and risk assessments. Pandemics are unpredictable – we cannot know when the next one will strike or how severe it may be. May this article help you evaluate your current policies and procedures, but pandemic planning should be an ongoing process to be revisited as your business grows and changes.
The National Brokers Network offers business brokerage services and commercial properties brokerage services in Melbourne, Victoria.
