BCC publishes industry-backed guide to cleaning and hygiene terms

Since the pandemic began, the British Cleaning Council (BCC) has received many enquiries about cleaning applications, processes and procedures from a variety of organisations that are reopening premises or seeking to design cleaning regimes that will ensure staff, visitors and the public stay safe and well.

The BCC has consulted member organisations from across the sector in order to compile an agreed guide to ensure informed decisions are made, good standards are reached and people are reassured when it comes to cleaning and hygiene in the current environment.

Key advice in the guide includes:

• When cleaning within the healthcare sector, standard operating procedures should be referenced in conjunction with the latest advice from Public Health England and the World Health Organization
• A two-stage process is needed when employing methods such as ‘fogging’, ‘misting’, ‘spraying’, ‘fumigation’ and ‘bug-bombing’ – cleaning to remove the soil is essential before disinfecting to remove the pathogenic micro-organisms
• When employing a contractor or planning a cleaning and hygiene regime, it is essential that a current, robust risk assessment is designed acknowledging the various environmental factors that may be encountered
• When engaging external providers to carry out specialist cleaning/disinfecting activity it is important to review their credentials in terms of:

1. Reputation and credibility
2. Operator training
3. Credibility of the product intended for use, preferably that which has undergone efficacy testing and has a unique EN number
4. Result evaluation process – how is the outcome measured?

BCC chairman Paul Thrupp said: “Outside the cleaning and hygiene industry, there is some confusion about what is needed in terms of cleaning and disinfecting to ensure people stay safe and well in light of the risk posed by coronavirus.

“This has been aggravated by entities which have sprung up, aiming to capitalise on the public’s fears by offering cleaning products and services which may not do all that they claim.

“Our guide aims to bust these myths and offer an industry-agreed source of reliable, evidence-based information.

“It will help ensure that the high standard of cleaning and hygiene that are crucial for defeating coronavirus as the UK economy unlocks can be achieved and it will help provide the reassurance that people need.”

Cleaning terms

In response to many enquiries regarding cleaning applications, processes, and procedures the BCC has compiled the following information as a guide to ensure informed decisions are made when cleaning in COVID-19 situations or preparing to return to safe spaces and healthy environments.

Social media, publications and indeed the grapevine, are fascinated with the term ‘decontamination’ although this term is being linked to numerous other terms such as ‘fogging’, ‘misting’, ‘spraying’, ‘fumigation’ and ‘bug-bombing’ with insufficient attention to the clear need to engage a two-stage process which is cleaning and disinfecting.

In order for surface decontamination to be achieved the first stage is for the soil to be removed – known as cleaning, and the second stage is for the pathogenic micro-organisms to be removed – known as disinfecting.

When cleaning within healthcare establishments process and product guidance will be detailed in the Cleaning and Disinfecting policy. Standard operating procedures should be referenced in conjunction with information from Public Health England – PHE and the World Health Organisation – WHO.  It must also be noted that several other cleaning terms not covered in this guidance paper are used in healthcare environments

When undertaking cleaning services in commercial environments it is led by the customer requirements, usually by means of a cleaning specification. Cleaning specifications are broadly divided into two types - input cleaning specifications and output cleaning specifications. The requirements of each are frequency driven in different ways. Neither type of specification specifies the cleaning requirements in terms of chemicals, materials or equipment. The assumption of the client is that the cleaning organisation will deploy the most economical and efficient methods available. This obviously is not always the case the old adage of buyer beware tends to be put to one side until there is a service delivery problem.

Without exception it is essential that a current robust risk assessment is designed acknowledging the various environmental factors that may be encountered. However, the risk must be monitored frequently in line with emerging guidance, changing landscapes and trends enabling the required adaptions to be embedded.

When engaging external providers to carry out specialist cleaning/disinfecting activity it is important to review their credentials in terms of:

• Reputation and Credibility
• Operator Training
• Credibility of the product intended for use, preferably that which has undergone efficacy testing and has a unique EN number
• Result evaluation process – how is the outcome measured?

Terms	Definition	Outcome	Evidence Based
Cleaning	The removal of soil followed by safe disposal	Prepares surface for disinfection if required	If cleaning operatives    are trained and provided with appropriate cleaning equipment and soil removal product, the process is safe and efficient.
Enhanced Cleaning	Where the frequency of cleaning has been increased to support the reduction of a specific or contamination problem. Sanitary areas and touch points are the priority	Areas are cleaned more often therefore reducing the risk factor associated with cross contamination.	Product knowledge  is essential. If cleaning operatives    are trained and provided with appropriate cleaning equipment and soil removal product, the process is safe and efficient. Colour coded equipment, disposable cloths and mops are recommended. Spent solutions disposed of as contaminated waste. All waste matter bagged and disposed of in line with contaminated waste policy.
Disinfecting	The reduction of micro-organisms to safe levels	Renders the surface safe through the reduction of micro-organisms	Product knowledge  and contact time crucial. If cleaning operatives are trained the process is safe and efficient.
Decontamination	Cleansing an object or substance to remove contaminants such as micro-organisms	Involves cleaning and disinfecting	Product knowledge  and contact time crucial. If cleaning operatives    are trained and provided with appropriate cleaning equipment and soil removal product, the process is safe and efficient.
‘Deep Cleaning’	The removal of soil accumulations	Renders surfaces free from soil build up however the surface is not disinfected	Product knowledge  and contact time crucial. If cleaning operatives    are trained and provided with appropriate cleaning equipment and soil removal product, the process is safe and efficient.
Periodic Cleaning	Non-routine cleaning where access may be difficult	Scheduled cleaning maintenance to support and preserve longevity of surfaces fixtures and fittings.	Manual handling training vital since items will be moved. Product knowledge   and contact time is  crucial. If cleaning operatives    are trained and provided with appropriate cleaning equipment and soil removal product, the process is safe and efficient.
Spraying	The dispersion of liquid based fungicides, pesticides, chemicals	For best results, should follow thorough cleaning	Inhalation concerns as droplets vaporise. Residues may impact  on fixtures and fittings. Environmental impacts must be    considered. Trained cleaning operatives are essential to ensure     the process is safe and efficient.
Misting	A condensed vapour settling in fine droplets on a surface	For best results, should follow thorough cleaning	Inhalation concerns as droplets vaporise. Residues may impact  on fixtures and fittings. Environmental impacts must be considered. Trained cleaning operatives are essential to ensure the process is safe and efficient.
Fumigation	Reduces micro-biological agents largely used where micro-biological cleanliness is required	For best results, fumigation should follow thorough cleaning	Trained operators required to carry out      the process. The fumigation process can have consequences if inhaled as the many substances used are extremely toxic. After  the process, the area requires airing and       a thorough after-clean is recommended. Environmental impacts must be considered.
Phase Fogging	A fine spray of chemical solution, used as a means of sanitising surfaces used in advance of cleaning then again after cleaning	First phase 1 is suggested as preparing the area for the cleaning team to enter safely. Area is then cleaned	Room should be sealed. May be out of action for a period. Environmental impacts must be considered. Process takes a    much longer period. Trained cleaning operatives are      essential to ensure the process is safe and efficient.
Fogging – Dry	Preferred where electrical equipment is in place. Room is filled with a mist of ultrafine droplets that do not settle easily on surfaces.	For best results, should follow thorough cleaning	Room should be sealed. May be out of action for a period of time. Environmental impacts must be   considered. Trained cleaning operatives are essential to ensure     the process is safe and efficient.
Ultraviolet Light	Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short wavelength ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to regenerate vital cellular functions.  UVGI is used in a variety of applications, such as food, air, and water purification.	The UV light must fall directly on a surface to disinfect effectively.	If a UVC robot is used to irradiate space with UV light the room must be clear of all human and animal  life forms. It will be 10 to 20 minutes before the room can be entered   again! Trained cleaning operatives are essential to ensure the process is safe and efficient.
Steam Cleaning	Water is heated past the boiling point and forced out as pressurised steam through a nozzle, brush, or other attachment. The vapour loosens dirt and kills dust mites, mould, other allergens, and some harmful bacteria. No suction is required, since the high-heat moisture dries quickly.	For best results correct equipment, temperatures and manufactures training are required.	Product knowledge  and contact time is  crucial. Electrical sockets and electrical  items and smoke detectors must be protected. Trained cleaning operatives are essential to ensure the process is safe and efficient.
Thermal Disinfection	Thermal disinfection is a method of disinfection which relies on moist heat to kill bacteria and viruses by exposure to a specific temperature for a set amount of time. The high-temperature Thermal Disinfection process can destroy the proteins in viruses and bacteria and render them as dead or inert.	For best results, should be followed by thorough cleaning.	Room should be sealed. May be out of action for a period. Environmental impacts are minimal Process takes a much longer period (eg: an average hotel rooms treatment will take five to six hours to complete. Trained cleaning operatives are essential to ensure the process is safe and efficient.