How to re-open sports venues (2)

Clean and Disinfect

As we approach the next stage of the Government’s response to COVID-19, sports stadiums must put in place a strategic and effective programme in order to ensure they can re-open safely. In yesterday’s post, we explained the five stages required to establish a Bio Secure or virus clean area (namely Assess, Blueprint, Clean, Disinfect and Evaluate Continually) and we explained some of the work required for the first two stages of Assess and Blueprint.

In today’s post, we’re going to look in more detail at the two separate stages of Clean and Disinfect. The cleaning stage must not be confused with the disinfect stage and when the two elements are combined, they should create a venue that is free from any traces of COVID-19 and any other viruses present.

The approach we recommend is for ‘behind closed doors’ opening and is relevant for sports facilities and stadiums. It remains important to bear in mind that our recommendations are sourced from UK Government, PHE and WHO information and is current as per the date of publishing. However, that advice is subject to change. Please keep in touch with us for the most recent advice and recommendations.

C.  Clean

The clean stage involves the normal cleaning processes undertaken by the cleaning team.  However, the cleaning programme will need to be enhanced to incorporate more attention and focus on touch points which include:

• Door handles / door push plates

• Light switches and lift buttons

• Stair banisters / handrails

• Desks, tables and chairs used for office staff, meetings and food

• Meeting room or waiting room chairs

• Computer keyboards and phones

• Communal waste bins

• Kitchenette work surfaces, fridge handles, microwave handles, kettles

• Toilets and washrooms, including sinks, cubicle locks, toilet flush handles

• Showers, steam rooms, saunas, changing room facilities

• Gym and fitness equipment

The recommended basic cleaning principles for public venues include:

• Always clean from the cleanest area / item to the dirtiest area / item.

• Always clean from the highest part of the room / area to the lowest part of the room.

• Always clean towards the door, from the furthest part of the room finishing cleaning when exiting the area.

• Always clean areas where public or staff members require access by allowing a dry area for people to walk.

• Always use the correct colour cleaning cloth and mop for cleaning in each area.

• Always use one cloth per zone and change to a new / clean cloth prior to moving to the next space.

• Always use one mop head per area, changing before moving into the next area.

• If using a disinfecting chemical, ensure the solution of chlorine is at 1000ppm.

• Always change mopping or scrubbing water in traditional cleaning methods for each room or area.

• Always ensure that any signage is used and visible when cleaning is taking place and that the signage is removed when the area is opened for use.

• Always follow the correct procedure for cleaning each area and carrying out each task as per agreed RAMS.

• Never mix cleaning chemicals and always use the correct chemical for the job.

• Never use a chemical or piece of equipment that is not intended for its purpose.

As there is a need to ensure that the staff can clean whilst maintaining social distancing, certain cleaning tasks may take longer than usual in order to cover the site without putting the cleaning teams at risk.

It is recommended that the cleaning operatives wear the following items of PPE:

• FFP2 certified face mask

• Uniform (to be washed above 60 degrees which kills the virus)

• Disposable gloves

D.  Disinfect

The second part of the deep clean involves the thorough disinfection of rooms.  This does not clean the surfaces in the traditional sense but is a far more effective way of ensuring the venue is disinfected with all traces of the virus removed.

The disinfectant spray clean will occur in all parts of the Bio Secure Green Zone of the venue in order to maintain the status of this zone, plus the following Amber Zone areas:

• Entrance points

• Staff accreditation / sign-in facilities

• Logistical areas / vehicles

Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray

The recommended disinfection of the venue involves the process of spraying a disinfectant chemical across surfaces via an electrostatic sprayer. This ensures hard to reach places are cleaned even if the mist is only sprayed from one side due to the charge maintained within the spray particles. As the spray is applied, the chemical agent works to disinfect the covered surfaces.

The spray is left to dry and work on killing the virus and is safe to use on nearly all surfaces, including food preparation areas. It can be adjusted to a fine mist which does not harm electrical equipment, such as computers and phones.  It is also safe for the majority of soft furnishings.

The system of application is fast, allowing effective cleaning and requires minimal set up.  The process of spraying to ensure coverage is:

• Top down

• Left to right

The sprayer is to use disinfectant chemical, with the recommended chlorine-base of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) concentration, that is safe for human contact.

It is acknowledged that other alternatives are available, such as chemicals that use mono-molecular layers to bond with the surface and keep providing antimicrobial protection over a period of multiple days.  Considerations as to which process to use include:

• Cost – the microbe shield chemicals are expensive.

• Visibility – the use of more frequent spraying of disinfectant reassures users of the cleanliness of the facility. Reassuring staff is important.

• Frequency – a more frequent regime of spraying disinfectant means that the likelihood of all areas being treated is increased especially in active, busy environments.

• Operational ease – other processes of disinfection utilise fogging equipment, however time and set-up requirements often make this process difficult to action.

The Deep Cleaning Process

Some consideration needs to be given to the order of the two deep cleaning processes.  For the Go Live it will be normal to undertake stage C, followed by Stage D as close to Go Live as practical.  This would enable the venue to open with the confidence that the no virus is present.

Consideration may be necessary to undertake stage D first to safeguard cleaners undertaking stage C and then repeat stage D to close out an area as ‘clean’ prior to opening.  This may be necessary in areas such as entrances, receptions and the such that may have some activity already occurring within them.

The current suggestion is that Disinfection would be made 4 days before the Go Live to make the venue safe for final set up and again the night before the Go Live date.

This two part cleaning schedule needs to be built into the Pre-Opening Timeline with an allowance for both parts of the deep clean – disinfection and cleaning.  The duration of the deep clean will be determined by the volume of area that requires cleaning.

It is recommended that the trained operatives carrying out the process of disinfecting from a ‘dirty’ to ‘clean’ environment wear the following items of PPE to protect against any residue virus:

• FFP2/3 certified face mask/respirator for work with a spray gun

• Long sleeved hooded overalls (to be disposed of or washed above 60 degrees which kills the virus)

• Eye protection (to be disinfected after use)

• Disposable gloves

Contact us

This post should not be read in isolation and should be read in conjunction with Parts 1 and 3. In tomorrow’s Part 3 post, we will explain the ongoing requirements as your approach you Go Live date and thereafter what is required to ensure your venue stays both clean and open.

However, if you would like more information about stadium re-opening measures or anything discussed in this post, please contact us.