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Hingham Public Schools 

COVID-19 Emergency Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols 

Revision Date: August 25, 2020 

I. Introduction 

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection is critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19 at Hingham Public Schools. These protocols have been developed to provide consistent practices for enhanced cleaning and disinfection in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health, CDC recommendations and DESE guidance.  

It is expected that all employees, students, visitors and contractors will follow these protocols to protect their own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of other members of the Hingham community. 

These procedures are in effect until further notice and are subject to change at any time as additional guidance becomes available. 

II. Custodial Department Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols 

The following protocols describe the cleaning and disinfection procedures to be followed by the custodial department. 

A. Routine Cleaning  

Routine cleaning of occupied areas shall be continued according to departmental standards and includes actions such as:  

  • Cleaning high-contact surfaces that are touched by many different people, such as light   switches, handrails and doorknobs/handles  
  • Dust- and wet-mopping or auto-scrubbing floors  
  • Vacuuming entryways and high-traffic areas 
  • Removing trash  
  • Cleaning restrooms  
  • Wiping heat and air conditioner vents 
  • Spot cleaning walls  
  • Spot cleaning carpets  
  • Dusting horizontal surfaces and light fixtures  
  • Cleaning spills  

Note: the frequency of routine cleaning standards may be relaxed, as needed, in order to allow for greater focus on high-risk locations. Cleaning measures such as vacuuming, removing trash, sweeping, or cleaning walls may be performed less frequently to allow for increased cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces. 

B. Disinfection of Frequently Touched Surfaces 

Frequently touched surfaces in common use areas of occupied buildings are cleaned and disinfected daily by the custodial department using products found EPA’s approved disinfectant list as effective against COVID-19. When such products are temporarily not available, disinfectants labeled for effectiveness against human coronaviruses must be used. A fresh 2% chlorine bleach solution (approximately 1/3 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water) or 70% alcohol can also be used for disinfecting, if surfaces are compatible.  

Examples of frequently touched surfaces include: 

  • Breakroom tables and chairs 
  • Breakroom refrigerator and microwave doors and handles 
  • Door handles and push plates  
  • Stair handrails 
  • Kitchen and bathroom faucets and fixtures 
  • Light switches 
  • Handles on equipment  
  • Buttons on vending machines and elevators 
  • Water fountains 

Particular focus should be paid to the areas of higher traffic such as lobbies, bathrooms, and any academic spaces in use. These higher-use areas should receive cleaning of restrooms and water fountains and disinfection of high touch surfaces at least once every hour. 

One portable electrostatic sprayer is being used on a rotating schedule to provide a quicker disinfection of surfaces throughout a building. This unit is being used on a rotating basis to clean and disinfect several areas per night.   

C. Custodial Department Personal Protective Equipment 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and practices for routine enhanced cleaning and disinfection: 

Hands: Custodial employees should wear disposable nitrile or latex gloves while removing trash, cleaning restrooms, hand-cleaning any surfaces and using any chemical products.  

When wearing gloves, care should be taken to avoid inadvertent exposure or spreading of contamination. Hands should be washed before putting on gloves; touching the face or uncontaminated surfaces while wearing gloves should be avoided; gloves should be changed or disinfected with hand sanitizer after coming into contact with a potentially contaminated surface; gloves should be disposed of in the trash and hands washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after removing. When removing gloves, it is important to avoid touching bare skin with the contaminated part (outside surface) of the gloves. 

Face: A face mask is required to be worn when cleaning, when working within six feet of anyone else and when in common areas or shared spaces. While face coverings may not prevent the wearer from becoming infected, they might help prevent the spread of COVID19 from people who have the virus and are unaware. The school district will provide three face masks to all employees, or employees may choose to bring their own mask or cloth face covering that covers the mouth and nose. 

When wearing a mask, employees should: 

  • Make sure that it fits snugly and cover the nose and mouth 
  • Avoid touching the mask surface. Try to handle by the straps only. 
  • Store in a clean, dry place when not in use 
  • Wash cloth face masks frequently, especially when soiled or wet. Masks can be washed in warm water and tumbled dry on the high setting. 
  • Replace disposable surgical-style face masks when torn, dirty or wet. Please note that supplies are limited and replacements may not be readily available. 
  • Do not become complacent with other protective measures:  
  • o Do not touch the mask or face 

o Continue to be vigilant with thorough and frequent handwashing
o Practice respiratory etiquette and cover your coughs or sneezes  
o Frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared equipment 
o Practice social distancing – even when wearing masks 

If an employee is not able to wear a face mask for medical reasons, they should contact the Maintenance and Custodial Supervisor. If supplies permit and if there are no medical restrictions, the employee will be issued a face shield to be used instead of a mask. No additional documentation is required. 

III. Departmental Disinfection of Frequently Touched Surfaces (Non-Custodial Employees) 

A. Administrative Spaces  

Building occupants should use disinfectant wipes or spray provided by Facilities to frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces in their own workspace or shared spaces such as: 

  • Shared telephones  
  • Shared desktops 
  • Shared computer keyboards and mice
  • Service counters
  • Light switches 
  • Break area refrigerator and microwave handles 
  • Vending machine buttons
  • Copy machine controls 
  • Shared tools and equipment 

1. Disinfecting Wipes 

The following steps should be taken when using disinfecting wipes: 

  • If surface is visibly dirty, use one wipe to wipe it clean and then discard. 
  • Use a second wipe to wipe the surface to be disinfected. Use enough wipes for surface to remain visibly wet for the amount of time specified on the label. 
  • Discard all wipes in trash. 
  • Wash hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Let the surface dry before using it. 

2. Disinfecting Spray 

The following steps should be taken when using PhQ7, Vital Oxide or RTU Fight Back disinfecting spray: 

  • If needed, pre-clean to remove visible dirt 
  • Spray disinfectant liberally to thoroughly wet surfaces. Leave for 10 MINUTES to allow disinfectant to work properly. Wipe off any residual disinfectant remaining on surface. 
  • Dispose of used paper towels in trash. 
  • Wash hands thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

B. Academic Spaces 

Each teaching or administrative staff member will be given a bottle of diluted disinfectant. The bottle will be properly labeled identifying the product it contains. Staff members are encouraged to use these in their spaces to supplement cleaning provided by the custodial staff, particularly in high-touch areas. The disinfectant will be replenished as requested by the teacher. Students will also be encouraged to clean their own work space as well. Spaces to disinfect include: 

  • Desks 
  • Chairs 
  • Instructor console 
  • Computer keyboards and mice 
  • Light switches 
  • Doorknobs and handles 
  • Shared tools and equipment 

Instructions provided in the previous section should be followed when using disinfecting supplies. A Classroom Cleaning and Disinfection Log should be posted in each learning space and completed by the faculty member following each disinfection.  

C.  Personal Protective Equipment 

Gloves are not required to be worn by employees and students wiping down their own spaces or common spaces with disinfecting wipes unless the safety data sheet (SDS) or label advises the use of gloves to protect against the chemicals in the wipes.  

Individuals may choose to wear gloves while using disinfecting products, especially if soap and water are not available in the area. When wearing gloves, care should be taken to avoid inadvertent exposure or spreading of contamination. Hands should be washed before putting on gloves; touching the face or uncontaminated surfaces while wearing gloves should be avoided; gloves should be changed or disinfected with hand sanitizer after coming into contact with a potentially contaminated surface; gloves should be disposed of in the trash and hands washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or hand sanitizer used after removing. When removing gloves, it is important to avoid touching bare skin with the contaminated portion (outside surface) of the gloves. 

IV. Cleaning and Disinfection Logs

Cleaning and disinfection logs listing the date, time, location, scope of cleaning and name of person cleaning must be maintained.   

  1. A general log should be kept for each building by the custodial department 
  2. A log should be posted in each restroom and completed by the custodial department 
  3. A log should be posted in each department and completed by the custodial department 
  4. A log should be posted in each classroom and completed by faculty using the room and the custodial department 

V. Other Protective Measures Provided

  • Each entrance door has a sanitizing dispenser as well as any room that does not have a sink.
  • All staff have available to them paper bags for students to put masks in during mask breaks.
  • Hallways have been marked with 6’ spacing.
  • Signage will be posted in bathrooms, classrooms and halls.
  • All classrooms have been setup with 6’ social distancing. Desk locations have been marked.
  • All bubblers have been disconnected.
  • All bathroom doors will be propped open during the day.
  • All staff will have germ barriers available to them as they arrive.
  • Plastic walls have been installed in Nurses Suites and Isolation Rooms.
  • Level 1 gowns are available to any staff with a need.  They can be obtained at the Nurses Office.

Appendix B 

Department-Specific Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures 

Certain departments and locations conduct additional cleaning and disinfection. These procedures should be performed in compliance with any guidelines specific to their operations and the requirements of this procedure. At a minimum, department-specific procedures must specify the cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces and the use of products meeting the EPA criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2. When such products are temporarily not available, disinfectants labeled for effectiveness against human coronaviruses must be used. 

Any department-specific procedures should be provided to the Environmental Health and Safety Department for inclusion in this Appendix. 

Health Services (Health Services Staff) 

  • Clean and disinfect health cots regularly (after each student use)  
  • Cover examination tables with paper. Pap
  • er is removed, table disinfected and paper replaced after each patient encounter. 
  • Pillows are used only as needed. Pillows are covered with a disposable plastic cover and changed after each use. 

Athletics Spaces (Athletics Department) 

• Once athletic spaces reopen, department cleans and disinfects mats, benches, equipment handles and other high-use equipment at least daily using spray products with an EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims against SARS-CoV-2 or labeled to be effective against human coronaviruses. 

Fitness Rooms (Health, Physical Education and Exercise Studies Department) 

• The department cleans and disinfects mats, benches, equipment handles and other high-use equipment at least daily using spray products with an EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims against SARS-CoV-2 or labeled to be effective against human coronaviruses.