The risks posed by the emerging COVID-19 pandemic are significant, and every day the challenges facing our nation appear to be increasingly daunting. However, there are several critical planning and prevention measures that may be implemented by our businesses, institutions and public entities to mitigate our level of risk.
At True North Consultants, we have been helping our clients assess and manage the risks associated with bacterial and fungal contaminants on the indoor environment for over a decade. More recently, we have adapted our state-of-the art equipment and prevention programs to meet the unique challenges posed by COVID-19. Our targeted programs incorporate the guidance of leading authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and Restoration Industry Association (RIA).
Without proper planning, the public health risks posed by this novel pathogen may be further compounded by associated economic, business and legal risks. Regardless of your building environment, the following planning and prevention measures should be considered to mitigate risks to human health and the built environment.
Emerging Pathogen (COVID-19) Prevention, Mitigation and Control Plans
True North can help develop your emerging pathogen prevention, mitigation and control plan as a proactive means of preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among employees, staff, and other building occupants. True North’s plans contain important information regarding COVID-19, preventative control measures, and incidence response that can be implemented to reduce the potential for exposure within the built environment.
Critical elements that are provided in these plans include:
- Background COVID-19 Information
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Communication and Notification Policies
- General Prevention Measures
- Cleaning and Disinfection Program Elements
- Personal Protective Equipment and Hygiene Practices
- Triggers and Response Measures
These plans are based on hazard control methodologies and recommendations provided by CDC, WHO, EPA, OSHA, amongst others and are targeted to specific building operations and occupancies.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Facilities Maintenance and Cleaning Awareness Training (2 Hours)
In accordance with the recommendations of the CDC, training should be provided to custodial staff engaged in preventative cleaning and disinfection activities, as well as for staff performing routine cleaning tasks where residual viral agents may be present.
Critical elements contained within True North’s training curriculum include the following:
- Background COVID-19 Information
- CDC Recommendations and Guidance Documents
- General Prevention Measures
- Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures
- Personal Protective Equipment and Hygiene Practices
- Disposal Practices
- Applicability of OSHA Standards including Hazard Communication,
- Respiratory Protection, and Bloodborne Pathogens
The scope of this approximate 2-hour training curriculum can be provided in-person, web-based instruction, or on-line training format (English or Spanish) and is structured based upon existing CDC, WHO and OSHA guidance in order to provide facilities management and custodial personnel with the information necessary to recognize the hazard and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Individuals will receive a certificate of training indicating their attendance of the training session as well as the contents of the training curriculum.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Incidence Response and Viral Pathogen Mitigation Training (+6 Hours)
While prevention measures should be the primary means of combatting the spread of disease, this add-on module is targeted for those professionals responsible for implementing and performing incidence response activities related to confirmed or suspected viral pathogen mitigation.
Critical elements contained within True North’s training curriculum include the following:
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29CFR 1910.134)
- OSHA HAZWOPER Awareness Standard (29CFR 1910.120)
- CDC Cleaning and Disinfection Best Practices
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection and Use
- Decontamination and Disposal Procedures
The scope of this approximate 6-hour add-on module can be provided in-person, web-based instruction or on-line training format and is structured based upon existing CDC, WHO, and OSHA guidance in order to provide workers with the information necessary to identify and protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19 during cleaning and disinfection activities. Attendees receive a certificate of training indicating their attendance of the training session as well as the contents of the training curriculum.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cleaning, Disinfection and Verification Protocols
True North can develop comprehensive cleaning, disinfection and verification protocols which will identify the means and methods to be used by internal or external resources as part of efforts to effectively mitigate the potential spread COVID-19 within the built environment.
Critical elements contained within these protocols include the following:
- Criteria for the Identification of High-Frequency Touch Points
- Preventative (Routine) Cleaning Procedures (Level 1)
- Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures (Level 2)
- Incidence Response Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures (Level 3)
- Personal Protective Equipment and Hygiene Practices
- Decontamination Procedures
- Disposal Practices
The cleaning, disinfection, and verification procedures incorporate existing CDC, WHO, and FDA
guidance and existing best practices utilized in sensitive work environments.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cleaning Verification Services
True North provide preliminary assessments and clearance examinations on an as needed basis at the request of our clients. Clearance verification procedures utilize a combination of visual examination methods (including UV light) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay screening to evaluate the level of cleanliness and presence of biological material present on surfaces. Screening methods can be confirmed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) utilizing laboratory analysis or mobile onsite PCR test kits.
True North Consultants remains committed to mitigating risk for our clients and are immediately available to discuss your needs during these challenging times. Beyond our direct services, we’re also offering an educational in-depth white paper on COVID-19 in an effort for you to become better educated on the virus risks and the importance of contingency planning .
