How to Clean and Disinfect Business and Community Settings

HOW TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS

Perform routine environmental cleaning and disinfection:

  • Routinely clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs.
    • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
    • For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available here. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
  • Discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.
  • Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks, other work tools and equipment) can be wiped down by employees before each use. To disinfect, use products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2, the cause of COVID-19, and are appropriate for the surface.

    Cleaning and Disinfection Considerations for Employers:

     
    Perform enhanced cleaning and disinfection after persons suspected/confirmed to have COVID-19 have been in the facility.  CDC established recommendations for community, business and facilities for rooms and areas occupied by individuals with suspected or with confirmed  Coronavirus (COVID-19):
     

    Everyday cleaning and disinfection information for community, business and facilities

    Disinfectants: 

    Safety Data Sheets

     

    Safety Data Sheets (SDS) (formerly known as material safety data sheets MSDS)  

    Hazard Communication Standards: Safety Data Sheets Quick Card describes the Sections 1 through 8 contain general information about the chemical, identification, hazards, composition, safe handling practices, and emergency control measures (e.g., firefighting). This information should be helpful to those that need to get the information quickly. Sections 9 through 11 and 16 contain other technical and scientific information, such as physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity information, toxicological information, exposure control information, and other information including the date of preparation or last revision. The SDS must also state that no applicable information was found when the preparer does not find relevant information for any required element.

    The SDS must also contain Sections 12 through 15, to be consistent with the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), but OSHA will not enforce the content of these sections because they concern matters handled by other agencies.

    A description of all 16 sections of the SDS, along with their contents, is presented in the Hazard Communication Standards OSHA publication

    Ohio is under federal OSHA jurisdiction which covers most private sector workers within the state. State and local government workers are not covered by federal OSHA.  OSHA Ohio Offices

    The easiest means to find a particular SDS is to search the internet using the Company name and the product.  For example when using Clorox bleach a search will produce this page https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/brands/safety-information/sds/.

    Additional information