Keep disinfecting safe at your health club

Disinfecting your health and fitness club has never been more important. There are various products available to support your efforts to do so. You can gain a full list of approved “Disinfectants for Use against SARS-CoV-2” by visiting this EPA link. In addition to commercial products, another disinfecting alternative includes a homemade bleach solution. The following is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Diluted household bleach solutions may be used, if appropriate for the surface:

• Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection, and ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Some bleaches, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing or for whitening may not be suitable for disinfection.
• Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
  Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
  Leave solution on the surface for at least one minute.
• To make a bleach solution, mix:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
    or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
  • Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.

Proper identification of disinfecting and cleaning solutions is important. Commercial products are typically easy to identify because of their packaging; while generic containers can easily be confused. To reduce the potential of confusing one container for another, mark containers used for cleaning so they can be easily identified. The American National Standards Institute has established rules governing what specific colors mean. Red is the color used to identify “danger, high risk of injury or death”. Use a red marker to write “Bleach solution” on the bottle, or wrap the container in red tape so it is easily identifiable. 

Educate your staff on your process for marking hazardous liquids. If you have not already, as soon as practicable, it is important that you add OSHA compliant labeling to any bottle used for disinfecting and cleaning. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard regarding container labeling; Section 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii) requires that workplace labeling include “product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.”

References:

“The Color of Safety”www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/the-color-of-safety-2.   Safety+Health magazine. The National Safety Council.2011

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Section 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii). www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2017-06-20