skip to main content
Travelers Home Page
  • CONTACT US
  • FIND A BROKER
  • Travelers atLloyd's
Log in
  • Industry Solutions
    • Industry Solutions
      • Automotive
      • Financial Institutions
      • Hotels
      • Legal Sector
      • Manufacturing
      • Multinational
      • Real Estate
      • Technology
      • Warehousing and Distribution
  • Products & Services
    • Products
      • Cyber
      • Management Liability
      • Professional Indemnity Combined
      • eTrade Cargo
      • eTrade Office
      • Corporate
      • Liability
      • Legal Expenses
      • Property
      • Office
    • Services
      • Claims Services
      • Risk Control Services
      • SME Insurance
  • Why Travelers
    • Travelers Advantage
    • About Us
      • Travelers' History
      • Leadership Team
      • Financial Strength
      • Global Capabilities
      • Brexit
  • Brokers
    • Working With Travelers
      • Know Our Appetite
      • Schemes
    • Resources
      • Documents and Forms
      • MyTravelers®  Broker Portal
  • Claims Centre
    • Claims Centre
      • Make a Claim
      • Claims Forms
      • Claims Support
  • Contact Us
  • Find A Broker
  • Travelers At Lloyd's
Main Navigation
  • Industry Solutions
      • Industry Solutions
        • Automotive
        • Financial Institutions
        • Hotels
        • Legal Sector
        • Manufacturing
        • Multinational
        • Real Estate
        • Technology
        • Warehousing and Distribution
    • Technology Sector

      Helping the Technology Sector Innovate

      To help our clients' manage their quickly evolving priorities, we underwrite technology products individually and study the sector’s current and emerging exposures.

      Learn more
  • Products & Services
      • Products
        • Cyber
        • Management Liability
        • Professional Indemnity Combined
        • eTrade Cargo
        • eTrade Office
        • Corporate
        • Liability
        • Legal Expenses
        • Property
        • Office
      • Services
        • Claims Services
        • Risk Control Services
        • SME Insurance
    • Cyber Threats

      A Shield from Cyber Threats

      Customer data is a critical asset for businesses – and an attractive target for criminals. As cyber crime becomes more complex, businesses need to have up-to-date protections in place.

      Learn more
  • Why Travelers
      • Travelers Advantage
      • About Us
        • Travelers' History
        • Leadership Team
        • Financial Strength
        • Global Capabilities
        • Brexit
    • About Us

      About Us

      Our local experts are backed by the support of a global team.

      Learn more
  • Brokers
      • Working With Travelers
        • Know Our Appetite
        • Schemes
      • Resources
        • Documents and Forms
        • MyTravelers®  Broker Portal
    • Broker Portal

      Access the MyTravelers® Broker Portal

      We designed our online broker portal with your business requirements in mind.

      Log in or Register
  • Claims Centre
      • Claims Centre
        • Make a Claim
        • Claims Forms
        • Claims Support
    • Claim

      Making a Claim

      Our dedicated team of skilled claims professionals is available 24/7 to guide you through the process of making a claim with Travelers.

      Learn more

Cleaning and Disinfecting During and After a Pandemic

cleaning a table cleaning a table

This guidance is intended for facilities outside the health care industry.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to review and update policies for cleaning and disinfecting your facility, equipment and vehicles. It is recommended that you increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, which may include door pushes, handles, touchpads, elevator buttons, taps, sinks and electronic devices, as well as common areas, such as entryways, lobbies, hallways and restrooms. The European CDC offers guidance for properly cleaning and disinfecting in non-healthcare settings.

If persons presenting symptoms have been in your facility, consider the following:

  • Where visitors have presented symptoms, wait 24 hours, or as long as practical, before beginning cleaning and disinfection.
  • The minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn for cleaning an area is disposable gloves and an apron. Hands should be washed with soap and water for 20 seconds after all PPE has been removed.
  • Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas and high-touch surfaces.
  • Additional cleaning/disinfecting may not be necessary if more than seven days have passed since the infected persons have visited your facility or used vehicles.
  • Remember waste (used paper towels, disposable mop heads, etc.) should be stored safely and ideally not put in to a communal waste area for at least 72 hours.

Cleaning and Disinfecting:

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

  • Non-porous surfaces should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection, the Irish Government advice suggests: Use of a viricidal or a combined detergent disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million available chlorine.
  • Use of a household detergent followed by disinfection (1000 ppm av.cl.). Always follow manufacturers’ instructions for dilution, application, use of PPE and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants.
  • Ensure employees are properly educated on how to safely use and remove PPE.
  • Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least one minute and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date and never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. The mixture can create hazardous vapors.

Porous Surfaces Including Laundry

When cleaning and disinfecting soft (porous) surfaces like carpets, curtains and other woven fabrics, first clean these surfaces with soap and water or other suitable cleaners. Avoid shaking dirty laundry, drapes, etc., to make sure you do not make the virus airborne. Then, if possible, launder these items following the manufacturer’s directions. When laundering items, use the warmest water setting appropriate for the items and dry completely. Clean and disinfect anything used for transporting laundry in line with the cleaning guidance above. Where items cannot be laundered, wash and use a suitable disinfectant or consider steam cleaning at 70c+ to help prevent infection. Dispose of any items that are heavily contaminated with bodily fluids and cannot be cleaned by washing.

Electronics

Clean and disinfect electronics regularly. Electronic devices may include cell phones, tablets, touchscreens, keyboards, remote controls and ATMs. Remember to focus on frequently touched surfaces. When cleaning and disinfecting electronics – both shared and personal – follow the manufacturer’s instructions on appropriate products to use. If there are no cleaning and disinfecting guidelines provided by the manufacturer, consider using disinfectant products such as wipes or sprays with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Non-Emergency Vehicles

Develop and consistently follow cleaning and disinfection procedures for vehicles, with a focus on commonly touched surfaces. Conduct these procedures at the beginning and end of each driver’s shift. Maintain adequate ventilation of the vehicle while cleaning and disinfecting. Refer to the sections on PPE and hand hygiene below.

  • Where visible dirt is present, first use a soap and water solution to clean hard non-porous surfaces within the vehicle. Examples of these surfaces include seats, armrests, door handles, seat belt buckles, light and air controls, doors, windows and grab handles. Following the cleaning, utilise disinfectant products that have qualified for use against COVID-19, and that are suitable for the material. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding concentration, application method and contact time for all disinfectants.
  • For seats and other porous materials, first remove visible contamination, clean and disinfect with appropriate products indicated for use.

Hand Hygiene

Wash or sanitise hands immediately after cleaning and disinfecting, removing gloves, other PPE or contact with others. To thoroughly wash hands, use soap and water for 20 seconds. When washing hands is not possible, and as long as hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer made of at least 60 percent alcohol. Other key times to clean hands are after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or using the restroom, prior to preparing or eating food, or after public visits or interactions.

PPE

It is important to develop and implement procedures and policies that address the use of PPE.

  • Require cleaning staff to wear disposable gloves and, in some cases, disposable coveralls/clothing for cleaning and disinfection processes, including handling waste.
  • Ensure PPE materials are compatible with the disinfectant and/or cleaning products being used.
  • Follow manufacturer recommendations for additional PPE requirements.
    • For example, wear goggles or face shields in addition to safety glasses if there is a splash risk.
  • Remove gloves and disposable clothing carefully and dispose of them properly to prevent contamination of the wearer or surrounding areas. Perform hand hygiene following the removal of gloves.
    • Coveralls, aprons or work uniforms can be worn if disposable clothing is not available. Launder washable (reusable) clothing following use and frequently perform hand hygiene after handling laundry.

Additional Considerations for Employers

  • Follow any government and Department of Health guidance to ensure you are following appropriate guidance and protocols for COVID-19.
  • Prior to conducting cleaning or disinfecting tasks, develop policies and provide training to staff. Training should cover topics including when to use PPE, what PPE is needed, how to properly put on, remove and dispose of PPE.

 

Dublin

More Information

  • Coronavirus Claim Guidance
  • Latest updates, including extended periods
  • Business Resiliency at Travelers

Risk Control

  • Remote Working factsheet
  • Construction Site Safety During Temporary Shutdown

Returning to work

  • Resuming Projects After Temporary Shutdowns
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures During and After a Pandemic
  • Preparing Your Property for Employees, Tenants and Patrons After a Pandemic
  • Resuming Building Operations After a Shutdown — Maintaining Critical Building Components
  • Considerations and Resources for Public Entities During and Following a Pandemic or Other Crisis
  • Reopening Your Shop After the COVID-19 Crisis

  • COVID-19 home page
Travelers logo

© 2023 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.

  • Travelers on LinkedIn
  • Travelers on YouTube
Offerings
  • Industries
  • Products
  • Services
  • For Brokers
  • Claims
Why Travelers
  • The Travelers Advantage
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Leadership Team
  • Financial Strength
  • Global Capabilities
  • Travelers' History
  • Sustainability
Connect
  • Contact Us
  • MyTravelers®
Legal & Compliance
  • Cookies & Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Brexit

The information provided in this document is intended for use as a guideline and is not intended as, nor does it constitute, legal or professional advice. Travelers does not warrant that adherence to, or compliance with, any recommendations, best practices, checklists, or guidelines will result in a particular outcome. In no event will Travelers, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, be liable in tort or in contract to anyone who has access to or uses this information for any purpose. Travelers does not warrant that the information in this document constitutes a complete and finite list of each and every item or procedure related to the topics or issues referenced herein. Furthermore, federal, state, provincial, municipal or local laws, regulations, standards or codes, as is applicable, may change from time to time and the user should always refer to the most current requirements. This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers, nor is it a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law.