With the Omicron variant quickly taking the world by storm, the need for consistent and effective industrial decontamination services in workplaces has become more important than ever.
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Omicron Variant (B.1.1.52) a variant of concern, following Delta, and it’s been spreading rapidly ever since. This makes the field of industrial cleaning services and disinfection services more important now than ever before.
How long can Omicron live on surfaces?
While Omicron’s survival rate on and infection rate from surfaces – known as fomite transmission – is still unclear, the CDC states that the ability to contract the virus from a surface may still be a possibility. Several researchers have studied the length of time that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on both porous and non-porous surfaces; they found that while the virus was undetectable on porous surfaces within minutes, it could be detected for days to weeks on non-porous surfaces. With the uncertainty surrounding this strain and its quick explosion into our lives, one thing is for certain: we must remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts to mitigate its spread.
What surfaces should be disinfected to prevent Omicron transmission?
The surfaces that should be cleaned and disinfected to protect against Omicron are the same surfaces that must be cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of any COVID variant, including the new Omicron subvariant (BA.2). This includes cleaning all surfaces first and then disinfecting high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas. In the industrial cleaning world, our focus is on what the naked eye misses. As has been made very clear during the pandemic is that what can’t be seen can still hurt or even worse, prove hazardous to the general public.
How does this affect your facility or business?
Understandably, the rapid spread of Omicron has many employees feeling uneasy about the cleanliness and safety of their workplaces. Every customer wants a clean space, but there is an elephant in the room when it comes to personal protective equipment for health and whether the cleaning services for COVID-19 have been done at the highest standard.
To put things more clearly, let’s explore a study conducted by the Cleaning Coalition of America (CAA), which found that nearly half of its participants were worried about returning to the workplace.
cleaning practices before returning to work.
3% of respondents would change jobs due
to improper workplace cleaning.
62% of employees would feel safer by regularly
seeing cleaning professionals at their workplace.
Trust the Leader in Industrial Cleaning Services and COVID Cleaning Services
As the leaders in developing proactive responses to the ever-changing circumstances surrounding COVID-19, TEAM Group has helped many businesses remain open and safe through our comprehensive cleaning program.
Our Incident Response TEAM consists of trained experts in the field of hazardous and infectious response. As we continue to coordinate additional efforts to ensure that our services remain available to you throughout Canada and the United States, we can also help you to develop a customized program for your facility and crew. Through the use of electrostatic sprayers, fogging equipment, and manual disinfecting methods, our TEAM has been highly effective in reducing the risks associated with the spread of COVID-related viruses in industrial workplace settings.
Omicron Decontamination Areas of Focus
It is important to be aware of the basic omicron decontamination and cleaning methods and principles that should be conducted/adhered to by your industrial cleaning services provider. Make sure your provider follows the procedures below to ensure your facility remains safe.
- Cleaning comes first.Surfaces should always be cleaned prior to disinfection to ensure any dirt and debris are removed. This will allow the disinfectant to reach and kill the virus more effectively.
- Use a proper disinfectant. Industrial cleaning services providers should use a disinfectant that is listed on the EPA List N, which have all been proven to be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Top to bottom strategy.Surfaces should always be cleaned from the top—higher shelves and counters—to the bottom—baseboards and floors. This prevents the recontamination of already cleaned surfaces.
- High-touch surfaces.High-touch surfaces, such as light switches and doorknobs, should receive special attention and be disinfected several times a day.
- PPE and social distancing. Regardless of vaccination status, wearing the proper PPE and maintaining physical distancing should always remain a top priority among cleaning staff.
Having these basic cleaning procedures in place may make all the difference between remaining open for business or having to close your doors when positive COVID cases begin to spread in your facility.
How can you reduce the risk of Omicron after your facility has been professionally cleaned?
Once the facility has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by an industrial decontamination services provider, high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas should continue to be disinfected throughout the day. Additionally, the FDA recommends frequent hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water or frequent use of hand sanitizer. Placing sanitizer dispensers throughout your workplace, especially near doors and other high-touch surface areas, can be extremely helpful. The CDC also recommends more frequent testing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
What Should I Continue to Do to Reduce my risk at the Workplace?
Things we do habitually these days – wearing a mask, social distancing – were not always part of our routine. We all want a safer, healthier environment and we followed the health recommendations to do so. However, are there COVID-19 myths that you aren’t sure about? Understanding these will help you reduce your risk of exposure at work, even after a professional cleaning.
Want to learn more? Check out TEAM Groups COVID-19 Myth Busting Blog Post here.
What happens if Omicron strikes?
If your facility has a confirmed or suspected case of Omicron (or any other COVID-19 variant), immediately contact an industrial decontamination cleaning services provider with knowledge and experience in Omicron decontamination and prevention protocols.
Is your business looking for a safe and effective industrial decontamination services provider?
At TEAM Group, we have years of experience in providing cleaning, disinfection, and decontamination services. The safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and the greater community is always our top priority.
Transitioning to commercial COVID cleaning services and disinfecting has been a seamless process for our team. Our operators have been on hazardous cleanup jobs for decades. Our knowledge and experience from asbestos to hazardous decontamination has been extremely helpful to our clients looking for COVID-19 cleaning companies.
Don’t allow Omicron to impact your facility’s productivity or your employees’ safety. TEAM Group’s elite COVID cleaning services will leave your facility clean, healthy, and safe.
Contact us today for COVID-19 disinfection and decontamination services.