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Public Awareness

SWINE FLU FACTS:

The US Centers for Disease Control has complied the most thorough and factual information about the current Swine Flu outbreak…  Click here to read more.

MRSA STRIKES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GYM

“WASHINGTON - The gym that is used as a workout and recreational facility by some of Washington’s most powerful and influential people has been invaded by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to InjuryBoard.com…”  Click here to read more.

MRSA – INFORMATION & SUGGESTIONS
FOR FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is not easily treated with common antibiotics. MRSA can cause skin infections that may look like spider bites, infected turf burns, impetigo, boils or abscesses. It is spread by touching the infection/drainage or by touching surfaces that have come in contact with the infection/drainage…”  Click here to read more.

SWINE FLU FACTS:

The US Centers for Disease Control has complied the most thorough and factual information about the current Swine Flu outbreak. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

The Swine Influenza is identified as an Influenza A H1N1 virus. Among other cautionary actions, the CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces in homes and areas where known cases of Swine Flu have occurred. The CDC does not recommend any specific products. However, it is important to use an EPA-registered disinfectant. Simple Green d Pro 3 is EPA-registered to kill Influenza A, H3N2. Simple Green d Pro 5 is EPA-registered to kill Influenza A H1N1, and Avian Influenza H3N2 & H5N1.

The CDC recommendations for precautionary actions and care of a swine flu infected person in the home can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

 

MRSA STRIKES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GYM

From Cleaning Maintenance Management Online
Thursday, April 16, 2009
WASHINGTON - The gym that is used as a workout and recreational facility by some of Washington’s most powerful and influential people has been invaded by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to InjuryBoard.com.

As a precautionary measure, the House of Representatives gym has been thoroughly disinfected with Simple Green D Pro 3 disinfectant and anyone who frequents the facility has been provided with literature about the infection, the story stated.

The House Chief Administrative Officer said: “A House employee has reportedly contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). That House employee is also a member of the House Staff Fitness Center (HSFC).”

Some lawmakers often sleep in their offices and use the gym facilities to shower, the story noted.

It remains unknown how or where the employee contracted the infection, the story added.

Simple Green d Pro 3 has a current EPA-stamped label that authorizes use for killing MRSA. This label is federally registered, and is currently going through full States registration - once all are complete, new labels will go onto product and it will start to replace the prior label in the marketplace. Therefore, product exists in the marketplace that is not labeled for MRSA, but the product as it is currently sold has been tested and verified effective against MRSA. This information was presented to the decision makers at this gym. The BRAND name is Simple Green, (product name is d Pro 3) but there are no “green claims” made for this product - that is against the law. If anyone has questions about our product or its applicability to this very serious situation, please call 800-228-0709, or visit our web site at www.simplegreen.com Although we strive to create the most environmentally responsible cleaners possible, we take public health VERY seriously, and do not play around with the claims for killing things such as MRSA. —The Simple Green Technical & Regulatory Department.

 

MRSA – INFORMATION & SUGGESTIONS
FOR FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is not easily treated with common antibiotics. MRSA can cause skin infections that may look like spider bites, infected turf burns, impetigo, boils or abscesses. It is spread by touching the infection/drainage or by touching surfaces that have come in contact with the infection/drainage.

MRSA can stay alive on surfaces for weeks, even months. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent MRSA. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that may have come in contact with the MRSA bacteria is necessary to keep the environment healthy.

Cleaning not only makes facilities look nice, it also helps make a facility or community a healthy and safe place. Removing “dirt” we can see by cleaning is the first step. Once the dirt we can see is removed, disinfect, or remove germs, by treating surfaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant. Germs (bacteria and viruses) are removed and killed during routine cleaning and disinfecting activities. Allergens (mold, pollen, dust mites and other irritants) are removed during cleaning activities like vacuuming, sweeping and mopping.

Please keep in mind that proper use of cleaners and disinfectants is of the utmost importance. This not only insures safety but the best performance of the cleaner and germ killing efficacy of the disinfectant. Following label instructions on disinfectants is mandatory (per Federal EPA regulations).

General Consideration When Using Disinfectants

  1. Check the product label to ensure that the disinfectant is suitable for the type of surface being treated (e.g., vinyl, cloth, plastic, or wood).
  2. Check that the product label specifies Staphylococcus aureus.
  3. Ensure that the disinfectant is prepared to the proper use concentration and that this working solution remains on the surface for the recommended contact time.
  4. Unused working solutions of disinfectant can be poured down the drain. Disposable wipe cloths can be discarded as a routine solid waste.

Except when sanitizers and disinfectants are required for health reasons, cleaning products should be nontoxic and biodegradable (able to break down quickly in the environment). You can do this by using Simple Green® All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green®, or Simple Green Clean Building® All-Purpose Cleaner, which is also Green Seal Certified.

Simple Green d Pro 5® (a quaternary ammonium compound) is an EPA Registered Disinfectant and Sanitizer. Simple Green d Pro 5® offers a high level of active ingredient which provides killing efficacy against a large list of virulent pathogens, including MRSA. It is a concentrated cleaner, disinfectant and sanitizer that, when used according to directions, proves to be absolutely effective on the bacterial, viral and fungal threats that can invade our lives.

The following pages contain guidelines for janitorial and maintenance staff as well as general safety information to protect individuals in community settings.

The key to safely and effectively cleaning and disinfecting is to educate maintenance staff and personnel on proper technique. The following recommendations may refer to policies that are already in place, as well as policies that should be developed or adopted.

GENERAL GUIDANCE

  1. Hard surfaces and equipment such as floors, light switches, door handles, hand-rails, tables and desks should be cleaned routinely and disinfected daily.
  2. In an office setting, phones, keyboards, desks and vending machines should be routinely cleaned and disinfected daily when more that one person will come into contact with the surface.
  3. If during a sporting event there is a release of bodily fluids (blood, pus or drainage) cleaning and disinfecting should be completed before the activity is allowed to continue.

PERSONAL HYGIENE

  1. Wash hands using liquid soap and water upon entering and exiting the premises and before and after any hands on contact with other persons. Alternatively, an alcohol based hand rub can be used according to label instructions. Visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water rather that an alcohol based hand rub.
  2. Dry hands with disposable paper towels or blowers (e.g. avoid sharing towels).
  3. Keep skin lesions (e.g., boils, insect bites, open sores, or cuts) covered with a clean, dry dressing.
  4. Limit sharing of personal items (e.g., towels, clothing, or soap).
  5. Use a barrier (e.g., a towel or a layer of clothing between the skin and shared equipment*.
  6. Shower if there has been substantial skin on skin contact with another person.
*use of sports gloves is an option for barrier protection of the hands, provided that this is consistent with safe use of gym equipment.

SHARED EQUIPMENT

  1. Use a towel or clothing to act as a barrier between surfaces of shared equipment and bare skin.
  2. Wipe surfaces of equipment before and after use, especially if the surface has become wet with sweat.
  3. Schedule regular cleanings for sports equipment: balls (football, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, and volleyballs), racket grips, bats, gloves, pads, etc.
  4. Clean and sanitize sports equipment that comes in direct contact with the skin of players, such as wrestling headgear, football helmets and fencing equipment (including wires) after each use.

ATHLETIC AREAS

  1. All hard surfaces that may come in contact with body fluids should be cleaned1 and disinfected2 daily with an EPA-approved disinfectant, including benches, weights, workout machines, etc.
  2. All floors/wall padding in athletic settings should be washed daily (if room is used).
  3. Locker rooms, including any shower areas should be cleaned daily, if used.
  4. If soap is furnished, it should be accessible from a wall dispenser.
  5. Ensure that athletic areas, locker rooms and restrooms all have separate cleaning mops and buckets, and that all mops (washable micro-fiber heads or disposable mop cloths preferred) and buckets are cleaned and sanitized after each use.
  6. Use “dedicated” mop heads to clean mat surfaces. Wash these mop heads on a regular basis. Disposable mop heads are an appropriate alternative.
  7. Clean and sanitize mats before and after practice and matches. When mats are rolled up, all sides of mats should be cleaned and dry before they are rolled up.
(1 Clean all visibly soiled areas, using friction. 2 Disinfect or sanitize “clean” areas to remove bacteria. Always wear gloves when using disinfectants.)

LOCKER ROOMS/SHOWER ROOMS/STEAM ROOMS & SAUNAS

  1. Use a towel or clothing to act as a barrier between benches and bare skin.
  2. Allow steam rooms/saunas to dry at least once a day (this will help minimize the development of a bacterial bio-film).
  3. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Sanitizing shower doors, walls, fixtures and floor is recommended after each use.

LAUNDRY

  1. Wash shared linens (e.g., towels, sheets, blankets, or uniforms) in detergent and water at 160° F for at least 25 minutes.
  2. Use laundry additives according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Use a mechanical dryer on hot temperature cycle (i.e., avoid air drying).
  4. Distribute towels, uniforms, etc. only when they are completely dry.

Facility staff should be instructed in and encouraged to:

  1. Make spray bottles of disinfectant that are correctly diluted and mixed daily.
  2. Clean shared equipment and hard surfaces daily to remove soil.
  3. Disinfect shared equipment and hard surfaces with an EPA registered disinfectant.
  4. Check with equipment manufacturers for recommendations on the appropriate maintenance of their products.
  5. Repair or dispose of equipment and furniture with damaged surfaces that cannot be adequately cleaned.
  6. Clean and disinfect large surfaces (e.g., floors and tabletops) daily.

Please refer to the following links for more information about MRSA:

http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=6936Back to top