At ABM, the safety of our team members, our clients, and the public is always of primary importance in everything that we do. In light of the fluid situation regarding COVID-19, ABM remains vigilant in monitoring the most up-to-date safety, infection control and cleaning protocols recommended by global experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) and others.

We are actively engaged with our Safety, Service Delivery and Operations teams globally to ensure the appropriate information is shared and the needs are met of clients and team members.

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Clients

Many ABM clients are asking whether we offer an enhanced cleaning option beyond current service levels. The answer is "yes."

Step One: Return Safely

A comprehensive site assessment produces a framework for wellbeing that helps build occupant trust. A one-time deep cleaning of your site readies your facilities for occupancy.

Step Two: Frequent High Touch Disinfection

A recurring cleaning and disinfection program further instills occupant confidence. Occupant communications reiterate mutual social contracts.

Step Three: Disinfect Broadly

Electrostatic spraying that goes beyond high touch point disinfection resets facilities. Broader disinfection at periodic intervals based on your facility’s risk profile.

If you'd like to learn more about EnhancedClean, please click below, contact your local ABM representative, or call 866-624-1520 and select option 3.

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Team Members

If you are notified by health officials that a person has been positively diagnosed or is being tested for COVID-19 that has recently been in your facility, please immediately contact your manager and Safety Partner, and please follow the CDC guidelines.

If you have questions about cleaning, safety or scheduling, please speak with your manager, Safety Partner or HR Partner. For general questions, please call 1-866-624-1520 and select option 3.

We recently sat down with ABM's in-house infection prevention expert Cathy Campbell to talk about COVID-19. See the Q&A

Prevention of COVID-19

According to the CDC, there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. However, we all play a role in helping to prevent the spread of viruses. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of any respiratory disease – be it COVID-19 or the flu – including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Cleaning

Routine Environmental Cleaning

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.

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection

Outside of the healthcare context and other special settings, in areas where people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 have visited, CDC recommends the cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection. For offices and other facilities where people are not housed overnight, CDC recommends that:

  • Areas used by ill persons be closed off, doors and windows be opened and, if possible, cleaning and disinfection not occur for up to 24 hours.
  • Cleaning staff clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the ill persons, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
  • Disinfection occurs with most common EPA-registered disinfectants, diluted bleach solutions (if appropriate for the surface), or alcohol solutions with at least 70 percent alcohol. Porous surfaces should be disinfected with products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims.

If any of these tasks is outside your current scope of work and contract, and you would like to add these services, please contact your local ABM representative or contact us.

Best Practices During Building Closures

When buildings are closed or minimally staffed, we recommend procedures for staying on top of HVAC maintenance, air quality improvements and ensuring power systems are operating properly.

  • Keep HVACs running - Even if buildings are unoccupied, insufficient temperature and humidity control can lead to mold growth
  • Reprogram HVAC systems to match changes in occupancy or operational needs to avoid unnecessary spend
  • Maintain building temperature between 55 and 80 degrees and a maximum humidity of 60%
  • Switch to high-efficiency filters; preferably HEPA (MERV 17 or higher)
  • Clean air ducts and coils
  • Perform preventative maintenance now (HVAC, power, and lighting assets) while buildings are unoccupied
  • Exercise your emergency backup power systems to ensure uptime when needed
  • Augment staff for increased connectivity to suppliers and reduction of potential down time

If you would like to speak with one our technical services experts, please either contact your local ABM representative, or call 866-624-1520 and select option 3.

Informational Resources

WHO
CDC
OSHA
NHS (UK)

Find out how ABM can help you with COVID-19.

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