Audrey Hinchcliffe | Cleaning and sanitisation critical after Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa’s disastrous effects on people, homes, businesses and communities heighten our awareness of the need for cleaning and sanitisation as an integral part of recovery.

Foremost on our minds are health and safety. In this recent experience, it is safety first for those in the midst of the disaster, and, further afield, the long arms of the flood rain and its effect, requires similar consideration.

The impact on body, mind and soul is to be determined as information – real and fake – reaches into spaces near and far.

While safety is important, there is also an immediate risk that injuries and infections could make chronic diseases worse.

It may be overwhelming to determine where to begin, but cleaning and sanitisation - not to be confused with sanitation, although this is also a critical area for consideration - must be in the mix against the background of ensuring that our surroundings are structurally sound for safety, and, as much as possible, letting in air and sunlight.

The next step is to inspect items for flood exposure and decide whether to discard or keep them.

What are the requirements?

GOODS AND SUPPLIES

- Safety gears such as gloves, masks (N95) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) including goggles, hard hats, coveralls – suited to the specific task, and water boots or other types of safety footwear should be selected depending on the condition of the surfaces/work areas, whether work is being done at ground level or above.

- Water: must be available for cleaning, hygiene and drinking for personal hydration while working.

- Chemical cleaning agents: soap, all-purpose cleaner, bleach, sanisizer, disinfectant.

- Equipment, machinery and tools: In addition to both hands, choose mechanical or electrical options depending on the availability of power and fuel. A generator will be beneficial to power machinery and tools, for example, a pressure washer, depending on the work to be done.

- Labour: Skilled and experienced workers may be in short supply. On the other hand, some may be availab,le as their place of employment may not yet be ready for their return to work. Training will be necessary.

- Food and beverage must be provided as workers will have to be fed while working away from home base and at locations where food cannot be prepared.

- Transportation: This is essential, as people and products must be transported to affected locations where the services will be carried out.

PROCEDURE

The procedure(s) for cleaning and sanitising will commence following site inspection, to determine first, the safety of the work location, whether a home, office, business place, such as supermarkets or manufacturing space, warehouse or other hard surface areas.

Decide on the contents that came in contact with floodwater or were damaged by the wind that must be discarded before freeing up the areas to be cleaned, disinfected or sanitised - like hard surfaces including walls, floors, countertops and appliances.

Flood damage to surfaces should be evaluated in relation to the water source, particularly if it is contaminated by sewage, bacterial agents, agricultural or industrial waste, oil and gas, or has been lodged in mud or other carrying agents.

Hard surfaces

- Remove debris.

- Remove stagnant water.

- Wash with water (hot or cold) using any type of detergent or soap.

- Apply chemical disinfectant or sanitiser at the dilution ratio specified by the manufacturer.

Porous surfaces and items

Walls, partitions and furniture must be treated in adequately ventilated spaces to allow for drying after cleaning and sanitising in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction (where applicable).

Agreement would already have been reached on what porous items may have to be discarded.

Non-porous items

Treat items exposed to floodwaters as you would hard surfaces.

MOULD AND MILDEW GROWTH

Mould and mildew are features of long-standing moisture in walls, upholstered furniture, wall coverings, books, foam rubber items, among other materials susceptible to dampness. Therefore, items soaked in floodwaters are likely to develop mould and mildew, which can be hazardous to health.

Cleaning and sanitising for mould and mildew begins with safety first, hence, always wear personal protective gear.

For the elimination of mould and mildew, the common chemical cleaning and sanitising product is bleach (diluted according to the manufacturer’s guidelines) but there are now other approved products specifically for cleaning mould and mildew.

Hurricane Melissa’s impact on the cleaning and sanitising industry is reminiscent of the unique challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic … ‘a time like no other’ … triggering perspectives on Jamaica’s experience.

It echoes Charles Dickens’ famous opening lines in A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. It was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair … .”

For some, this is the worst of times, but, together, the citizens of Jamaica will endure, and the role of the cleaning and sanitising industry is under the spotlight as again it is turning off the lights, relying on technical expertise and policy measures as the need arises to clean, sanitise and restore homes, critical business and service delivery sites.

Much like COVID-19, Hurricane Melissa will have its long-lasting effects and cleaning and sanitising will be part of the long haul.

M. Audrey Stewart-Hinchcliffe is chairman of Manpower & Maintenance Services (MMS) Limited Group. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com