Return To Work After Covid: Duty of Care & Sanitation

/in , /by

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s been a range of different rules and recommendations for the workplace. It was often difficult to make concrete plans until the government released their own plans and recommendations at different stages. But many business owners and managers are already thinking about how it might work and what procedures they’ll want to keep for the long term.

Duty of Care in the Workplace

What is apparent is that employers will have a duty to provide a safe working environment in which their team feels confident. This will be done through a combination of staggered work times, distancing in the workplace, strict sanitation rules and enhanced cleaning programmes.

Infection Control and Sanitation at Work

As infection control specialists, we have supported the medical and care sectors for decades, with advice, cleaning schedules and high level cleaners and disinfectants. We are a tried and tested partner in the prevention and containment of infection.

More recently this has extended to businesses, and we’ve been using our expertise to keep things moving pre-lockdown and now getting them back to work.

Cleaning Products for Viruses in the Workplace

You’ll want to ensure the cleaning products you use in the workplace are adequate and able to disinfect surfaces effectively and with long-lasting protection. Our virusidal, microbial and sporicidal Virusolve+ products are independently lab tested and proven to be effective against a wide range of common viruses, bacteria and even superbugs. This includes COVID-19, ‘Flu, Norovirus, MRSA, C.Diff, Hepatitis, E.Coli, Salmonella, and many, many more.

Not only that, in its ready to use form Virusolve+ is non hazardous. It is Defra approved for use in food preparation areas, and CQC approved. It also has a residual effect which can continue to work for up to seven days. It is the ideal product to use in a workplace to keep staff safe and comes as a liquid, spray or in a wipe format.

Installing Hand Sanitiser in the Workplace

Now workers are back in the office, hand sanitiser will be a crucial way to help stop the spread of viruses and bacteria in the office. The Virusan hand sanitiser we recommend comes as a liquid or gel and these products will be vital in workplaces to ensure good personal hygiene practices. Again, businesses can rest assured that these are hospital grade products, and of the correct standards to safeguard staff.

As government plans unfold and change, new requirements will become apparent, but for businesses planning now, please contact us for infection control advice and guidance.

Email: info@cairntechnology.com Tel: 0845 226 0185

 

Controlling the Spread of the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus

/in , /by

As the number of deaths caused by the Wuhan novel coronavirus (WN-CoV) continues to rise, more and more measures are being taken to try and control its spread.

According to the BBC News website, not only have 132 people died from the virus in China, there have now also been reported cases of it in 16 other countries.

The new virus was identified by Chinese authorities on 7th January. According to the World Health Organization, it was of immediate concern because as it was not known how it would affect people.

Temporarily named “2019-nCoV” and now referred to as WN-CoV, the virus is part of the family or coronaviruses. This family includes the common cold, as well as viruses such as SARS, which infected thousands of people between 2002 and 2004 and claimed 774 lives.

Whilst there is no specific cure or vaccine for Wuhan novel coronavirus, the UK government has only just made the decision to start quarantining people coming to Britain from Wuhan.

Fortunately, according to the Department of Health, of the 97 people already tested for coronavirus in the UK all have been confirmed negative. However, it is still possible that people with the virus may present themselves at hospital A&E departments or doctors’ surgeries over the coming weeks.

So how can hospitals tackle the spread of WN-Cov?

Public Health England has put together comprehensive guidance for healthcare professionals and facilities that may be involved in the investigation or management and care of possible cases. Just click here to see this coronavirus infection prevention and control advice.

Covering everything from patient isolation to environmental decontamination, waste disposal and more, this guide is packed with useful advice for protecting patients, staff and visitors.

For example, it advises that “After cleaning [patient rooms/environments] with neutral detergent, a chlorine-based disinfectant should be used, in the form of a solution at a minimum strength of 1,000ppm available chlorine.”

You might also want to try using Virusolve+. This high level cleaner and disinfectant has been proven in an independent EN14476 test to be effective against Feline Coronavirus (human surrogate for SARS).

Whilst it has obviously not yet been possible to test its effectiveness against WN-CoV, at least it has already been shown to be effective against another dangerous virus in the coronavirus family.

If you are interested in finding out more about Virusolve+.

Allaying public concerns about Wuhan novel coronavirus

You can also help members of the public that visit your hospital or surgery by directing them to useful online advice from the World Health Organization at this link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

It has some great tips on hand hygiene and how to stay safe when out and about or travelling.