Appendix B.docx

Appendix B COVID-19: Facilities Cleaning Guidance

The guidance below is based on the most currently available information and guidance from official government sources. It is subject to change as official information and guidance is updated.

Overview: Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings. Preventive cleaning and disinfecting and rapid response to potential contamination is essential to help curtail the spread of the disease.

The following guidance it provided to help NOAA Facilities managers ensure Fisheries facilities remain as COVID-19 free as reasonably possible.

General Cleaning Guidance for all Facilities during the COVID-19 Emergency

NOAA recommends implementing additional cleaning procedures to disinfect high touch point common areas three times per day.

At the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute Those high touch areas include lobby areas, restrooms, break room kitchens, elevator call buttons, and stairway hand rails, The cleaning vendor should specifically wipe down and spray surfaces with an EPA registered disinfectant product (or other products containing the same active ingredient(s) in the same or greater concentration as one on the list). The vendor will specifically wipe down:

Door handles Hand rails Water fountains Faucets Urinal and toilet handles/buttons

Cleaning Guidance for Facilities with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

1. In these instances, above-standard cleaning is required.

2. As soon as possible after becoming aware of the confirmed individual/case in a facility/building, per CDC recommendation, the area(s) used by the confirmed individual(s) shall be isolated as long as possible, up to 24 hours, before beginning cleaning and disinfection (to allow any airborne droplets to settle prior to cleaning).

3. It is important to note that you do not have to disinfect the entire building, just the immediate vicinity where the individual(s) has been and where they circulated.

This includes focusing on common areas where staff/others providing services may come into contact with the confirmed individual(s). These areas include their path into and out of the facility, and the common areas—bathrooms, kitchenette/pantry, water fountain, mailroom, and copier room, etc. The POC for this contract will notify thecontractor of those areas to be cleaned.

4. The contractor will follow will follow CDC guidelines for cleaning these spaces:

a. The contractor performing this work must be experienced in performing microbial-related remediation or similar work (e.g., crime scene cleanup, mold abatement, etc.). Contractor staff shall at minimum have current training in blood-borne pathogens, as defined by OSHA (29 C.F.R. 1910.1030).

b. Have the contractor submit to the COR or other designated official for review and approval, any proposed disinfectants, prior to use.

c. The contractor must follow procedures for wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the specific cleaners and disinfectants used. At a minimum, contractors will wear nitrile, latex or similar non-cloth disposable gloves.

d. Clean any visible dirt or debris from all surfaces using cleaning or detergent products compatible with the surfaces being cleaned.

e. Following cleaning, the contractor shall disinfect all solid, high contact surfaces with either a product (see EPA registered product list) or other products containing the same active ingredient(s) in the same or greater concentration as one on the list.

i. Solid, high contact surfaces include but are not limited to: handrails, doorknobs, key cards, light switches, countertops, water faucets and handles, work surfaces, computer keypads and mouse, exposed shelves, cabinet doors, elevator buttons, sinks, toilets and control handles, restroom stall handles, toilet paper and other paper dispensers, door handles and push plates, water cooler and drinking fountain controls.

ii. Apply sufficient disinfectant on solid, high contact surfaces such that the surfaces are visibly damp. The disinfectant shall be left to air dry on the Surfaces.

f. For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:

i. If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.

ii. Otherwise, use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.

6. Disinfectant fogging or ionizing spray applications are not required, but may be used under the following conditions: the disinfectant meets the requirements just described, the application is performed according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, including worker protection, and the application will not damage surface materials in the area.

7. When cleaning and disinfecting the area is complete, remove and dispose of clothes, gloves, any other PPE and other cleaning and disinfecting waste materials and dispose of in a sealed plastic trash bag. Trash may be disposed of as ordinary waste.

8. Questions regarding appropriate cleaning standards and vendor qualifications should be directed to the Fisheries LESCO, Michael.Walterschied@noaa.gov, (202-631-5553) who will coordinate with NOAA SECO.