Hygiene and Infection Control
Issue 17
CLH Digital
29
Creating a Safe Washroom When Re-Opening After the Coronavirus Pandemic Astreea - The Pedal Hospitality businesses across the country were naturally excited by the Prime Minister’s announcement that pubs, cafes and restaurants could re-open on July 4th. No doubt most want to get back up and running as quickly as possible and are busy working to ensure they comply with the government guidance. One area that cannot be ignored is the washroom. It’s already been reported that anxiety surrounding public washrooms could be holding some people back from enjoying the activities they could do prior to lockdown and this potentially isn’t an unfounded concern. Washrooms represent one of the greatest hygiene challenges following the pandemic, as they are spaces in which social distancing could be difficult to maintain. They also contain many shared touchpoints and hard surfaces on which Coronavirus can survive and become vectors for transmission. But there are many practical steps businesses can take to eliminate the fear and anxiety that people may have around using
By Jamie Woodhall UK Technical and Innovation Manager, Initial Washroom Hygiene: washrooms after the lockdown. It all starts ing facilities is vital to help give consumers social distancing. Electronic display systems with identifying the key hygiene hotspots peace of mind. To maximum control over such as Initial’s Rapid>Count accurately within the washroom and developing a cross contamination risks, opt for no-touch counts how many people are in the washstrategy to maintain best practice hygiene soap dispensers and hand dryers with High room, and gives users a green or red light as well as reducing, where possible, the Efficiency HEPA filters, which trap airborne if it is safe to enter. This helps to eliminate number of shared touchpoints. Key areas microbes during filtration, helping ensure queues near the washroom and it also to focus on are the cubicle, washbasin, that clean air is provided. helps identify cleaning activities and schedshared facilities (such as the circulating air Hand sanitiser provides a vital third step in ule reports. Hand sanitiser stations should and door handles) and the immediate vicin- hand hygiene. Dispensers should be installed be placed just outside the washroom proity outside of the washroom. vides users with an opportunity to sanitise in the washroom to provide ongoing hand protection for users after they have finished before returning to their tables. THE WASHROOM CUBICLE washing and drying their hands. FINAL THOUGHTS People expect the washroom cubicle to be a personal space, even if it is within a public facility. It also contains several shared touchpoints. We recommend providing surface disinfectant or toilet seat cleaner in every cubicle to provide patrons with some peace of mind. You should also look to provide a toilet paper dispenser that seals away the paper so that people can’t touch the entire roll and a no touch FHU with a modesty flap that is sensor activated, ensure there is no need for users to touch the unit. Removing waste from the cubicle is also a vital consideration. Best practice is to safely remove washroom waste and sterilise washroom equipment in-situ rather than swapping out units and risking units being contaminated as they are transported to site or carried to the washroom.
SHARED AREAS
Providing surface disinfectant dispenses near critical touchpoints – including baby changing stations is a key step in reducing the risk of cross contamination in shard areas. Also consider installing air steriliser units to remove potentially harmful germs from the air and reassures users that the air being circulated is clean. You could also install contactless vending solutions to distribute products such as face masks, PPE or sanitiser. Where possible, use urinals with automatic flushes to remove the need for communal touchpoints. Urinals may also breach physical distancing guidelines, and therefore some may have to be closed to maintain social distancing measures.
OUTSIDE THE WASHROOM
AT THE WASH BASIN
The area outside the washroom is an Providing adequate handwashing and dry- important consideration in the context of
Businesses will be very busy in the coming weeks as they prepare to create a safe and pleasant experience for their returning customers. While the washroom has to be one area of focus, it is important to remember that consumers have an important role to play too. The simple act of thoroughly washing your hands can significantly reduce the risk of cross contamination, so be sure to provide consumers with the facilities they need to play their part in reducing risk. Based on over 100 years’ experience, Initial Washroom Hygiene has developed a plan to help create a safer washroom experience for pubs and hospitality businesses, that is rooted in latest government guidance and HSE directives on Coronavirus. For more information about Initial Washroom Hygiene and how it makes washrooms safer, visit: www.initial.co.uk/?utm_source=PR
Innovative Managed Tech Solutions for Covid-19 Launched tomers in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Utilising technology most often seen in acute healthcare settings, the THOR UVC® terminal cleaning device kills viruses quickly and efficiently. The remotely operated system uses ultraviolet to decontaminate both the air and A first-of-its-kind suite of smart tech surfaces in a room, killing 99.9999% of solutions has been launched by Contrac pathogens. An entire room is cleaned in IT to help businesses in the hospitality minutes and the network-connected sysindustry protect their workforce and cus- tem provides certification. Nanoclave cab-
inets use the same UV technology to clean smaller items such as menus, remote controls, equipment or uniforms. To ensure social distancing is maintained within the workplace, Contrac IT has also worked with partners to bring together a range of wearable tech. Available as a lanyard, wristband or vest, the technology alerts the wearer when they get too close to a colleague. A third piece of technology can moni-
tor people as they enter premises with thermal imaging cameras, detecting anyone experiencing a higher than normal temperature. All the devices, which are GDPR compliant, can be monitored by Contrac IT to enable corrective action. For more information: www.contracfm.com/covid-response / info@contracfm.com
Hand Sanitiser
As the 4th July reopening date has been confirmed, businesses need to plan and implement strategies to keep their visitors and employees safe. Where cleanliness and efficiency are key for the hospitality trade, a simple and safe way of sanitising is the way forward. Introducing the Astreea® pedal hand sanitiser. Touchless, fully mechanical and made entirely from medical stainless steel, this revolutionary dispenser requires no assembly, electrical outlet, or maintenance. It’s designed for both indoor and outdoor use, making it ideal for any public space. The Astreea® dispenser is different from typical plastic wall or post-mounted products. Its seamless steel body and mechanical operation make it almost indestructible. Units are maintenance-free, arrive fully assembled, and use any hand sanitiser product, making them an ideal solution during these uncertain times. Astreea®'s many virtues have made it an easy choice for businesses as lockdown eases. • 12 month warranty • Anti-theft • Hands-free • Genuine usage increase where installed • Medical stainless-steel construction • Developed in an aerospace factory • No electrical outlet needed • Visitors see you are proactively making site safe • Highest quality materials • Universal use, can be filled with any hand sanitiser To learn more, visit www.astreeauk.co.uk or contact info@astreeauk.co.uk.
Innovative Managed Tech Solutions to Help Hospitality Businesses Protect Employees and Customers from Covid-19
Hand sanitising just got simpler and safer with the Astreea® touchless pedal operated stylish sanitiser dispenser.
• Revolutionary dispenser • 12 month warranty • Anti-theft • Hands-free • Genuine usage increase • Suitable Indoor or Outdoor • Medical stainless-steel • No electrical outlet needed • Use any hand sanitiser
astreeauk.co.uk | info@astreeauk.co.uk
• THOR UVC® terminal cleaning device safely kills viruses in the air and on surfaces in minutes • Nanoclave cabinets use UV lights to disinfect items such as menus, remotes and shared equipment • Wearable tech alerts colleagues if they breach social distancing – available as lanyards, wristbands and hi-vis vests • Thermal imaging camera detects higher than normal temperatures
www.contracfm.com/covid-response For more information contact: info@contracfm.com