Appendix P - Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol

Definitions

Cleaning: refers to the physical removal of foreign material (i.e. dust, soil) and organic material (i.e. blood, secretions, microorganisms). Cleaning acts to remove, rather than kill microorganisms. Warm water, detergent and mechanical action (i.e. wiping) is required to clean surfaces. Rinsing with clean water is required to complete the cleaning process to ensure the detergent and debris is removed.

Disinfecting: refers to the process completed after cleaning in which a chemical solution is used to kill most disease-causing microorganisms. In order to be effective disinfectants must be left on a surface for a period of time (contact time). Contact times are generally prescribed by the product manufacturer. Depending on the specifications of the disinfectant in use, items children may come into contact with may require a final rinse after the disinfectant contact time is observed. Disinfectant wipes may also be used; specified contact time for the product must be observed. Any disinfectant used must have a DIN.

DIN: A Drug Identification Number (DIN) is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada that confirms a product is approved for use in Canada. Any disinfectant used must have a DIN.

Hand Hygiene: refers to the process of hand washing or use of hand sanitizer. See Hand Hygiene Procedures for a detailed description of hand hygiene practices.

High Touch Surfaces: refers to any surfaces that have frequent contact with hands (e.g., light switches, handrails, door knobs, sinks, toilets, etc.). These surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected at least twice per day and more often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty or contaminated with body fluids).

Low Touch Surfaces: refers to any surfaces that are reachable, but are likely to have minimal contact with hands (e.g. walls near high touch points, doors). These surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected at least once per day and more often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty or contaminated with body fluids).

SDS: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document that contains information on the potential health effects of exposure to chemicals, or other potentially dangerous substances, and on safe working procedures when handling chemical products.

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, goggles, masks, gloves or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. See use of Personal Protective Equipment Policy and Procedures for additional detail.

1. Cleaning and Disinfecting

Protocol

Facilities Services is responsible for the training of custodial and maintenance staff and for the supervision of cleaning procedures and requirements. Daily and weekly cleaning plans will be developed for each school facility. Custodial teams at each facility will pay special attention to high touch surfaces.

A supply of sanitizing wipes will also be provided in each classroom so that all Board staff may conduct additional sanitizing of surfaces, as desired and as supply availability permits.

Hand sanitizer as supply availability permits, will be placed at the front entrance of every school and in every classroom where other hand washing facilities are not readily available.

When carrying out any cleaning or disinfecting appropriate PPE must be worn in accordance with SDS information for the particular product in use. Products selected for use in disinfecting must have a DIN. Hand hygiene must be completed before and after use of PPE, and upon completion of cleaning and disinfecting routines.

All staff must refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for use and contact time and must ensure the instructions are followed.

Expired cleaning and disinfection products are not to be used.

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfecting Routine Practices

Upon Entry to BGCDSB Facilities:

• Staff are encouraged not to bring personal items into the classroom area or unless the item will be needed throughout the day (e.g. a water bottle, keys etc.);

• All hard surface personal items brought into the classroom area by any individual (staff or student) must be cleaned and disinfected by the individual upon their arrival.

Common Areas:

• All high touch areas, such as door knobs and light switches must be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum, twice daily and as often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty, or contaminated with body fluids);

• All low touch areas, such as noted elsewhere in this document must be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum, once daily and as often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty or contaminated with body fluids).

Classrooms:

• All fabric items, such as pillows, stuffed animals, puppets, and dress up clothes should be removed from the classroom environment or placed into a plastic bag and removed from use;

• Ensure all toys and play materials in use are made of materials that can easily be cleaned and disinfected;

• Ensure that any electronic devices shared between staff and students are disinfected between users;

• All high touch areas must be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum twice daily and as often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty, or contaminated with body fluids);

• High touch areas include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • door knobs

  • handles

  • push buttons

  • handrails

  • light switches

  • counters

  • toilet handles

  • sink taps

  • sinks;

• All low touch areas must be cleaned and disinfected minimum once daily and as often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty, or contaminated with body fluids);

• Low touch areas include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • walls in proximity to high touch areas

  • Student desks & chairs

  • door surfaces

• Any carpeting or upholstered furniture in the room must be removed if possible

• Area rugs should be removed from the occupied space and stored away wherever possible; Please refer to the Checklist of Items to be Removed from Classrooms

• Tables, chairs and countertops used for food service/meal routines must be cleaned and disinfected immediately prior to use and again after food service has ended;

• Waste bins shall be located in a supervised location near the front of the classroom and placed in close proximity to the sink or hand sanitizer station

Washrooms / Life Skills Room:

• All washroom countertops, sinks, taps and toilet surfaces are considered high touch surfaces and must be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum twice daily and as often as necessary (e.g. when visibly dirty, or contaminated with body fluids);

• A Public Health Hand washing poster must be posted in a conspicuous location near all sinks;

• If there is a change table located in the washroom, a Public Health Diapering Routine poster must be posted in a conspicuous location near the change table;

Suspected COVID-19 Individuals:

• Should a suspected / confirmed case of COVID-19 be identified in the school, the School Administrator shall determine the impacted areas and provide the Custodial staff with directions as to the areas requiring cleaning;

• Items that the individual has used and surfaces which were within 2m of the individual shall be cleaned and disinfected;

• Areas through which the individual has passed only require cleaning (i.e. hallways and rooms they have passed through);

• Where possible, disposable cleaning equipment shall be used by Custodial staff for the cleaning and disinfecting of the spaces; and

• Items that cannot be cleaned (e.g. Papers, books, etc.) shall be placed into a plastic bag, sealed and stored for a minimum of seven (7) days.

Outdoor Play Equipment:

• At this time all outdoor play structures are closed for use.

Program Supplies and Toys: (Please see Protocol for Cleaning and Disinfecting Toys and 5S Checklist)

• All fabric items, such as pillows, stuffed animals, puppets, and dress up clothes should be removed from the classroom environment;

• Ensure all toys and play materials that remain in use are made of materials that can easily be cleaned and disinfected; and

• Custodial staff are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting of school buildings, while program staff shall be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting program materials, toys and/or play materials that remain in use.

Training:

• Training on the cleaning and disinfecting of schools shall be provided by Facility Services and Health & Safety to all custodial staff prior to re-opening of our schools to students;

• Training on the proper use of and disposal of PPE shall be provided through the Manager of Facility Services and Supervisor of Health and Safety; and

• Training documentation and records shall be maintained by Facility Services

PPE:

• When physical distancing of at least 2 metres cannot be maintained between staff and other staff or students, PPE consisting of mask and eye protection shall be worn;

• When there is potential contact with bodily fluids, disposable gloves shall be worn by custodial staff; and

• When cleaning (where there is no potential contact with bodily fluids), disposable gloves shall be worn by custodial staff, as required

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