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OSHA issues COVID-19 prevention guidelines for cleaning staff

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Washington — A new guidance document from OSHA is intended to help cleaning staff reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19.

Beyond the standard recommendations of wearing a face covering, staying home when feeling ill, washing hands frequently and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance, OSHA says cleaning staff should:

  • Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved disinfectants or cleaning chemicals.
  • Wear disposable gloves to clean, sanitize and disinfect common surfaces.
  • Wipe equipment before and after use.
  • Use the warmest water level that is safe and dry laundry completely.
  • Avoid dry sweeping, if feasible, and the use of high-pressure streams of water.
  • Wash their clothes as soon as they get home, if possible.
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OSHA also encourages workers to report any safety and health concerns to their supervisor.

The document is available in English and Spanish.

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Al Widdowson
January 4, 2021
I would like recommendations on Safe covid practices for employees that are required to wear cut resistant gloves while changing tooling, handling Sharpe objects, etc. They are taking them on and off multiple times a daily when tasks require dexterity such as computer entry. How do they keep them clean and covid free? How often should they be changed? And anything else that would relate to good practices to prevent the spread of covid while wearing mandatory cut resistant gloves at times throughout the day. Thanks, Al Widdowson