M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Spring Preview —April 24 - May 14, 2020 — 7C
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E nvironmental E ngineering
By Heather Shoemaker and Marianne Payne, GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. What to consider when responding to the Coronavirus
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a subcontractor is recom- mended. Ask for their insur- ance and to ensure there are no exclusions which could void coverage for disinfecting due to a viral agent. Inquire about their cleaning protocols, what proposed cleaning agents will be used, and how they will assess compliance with gov- ernment guidelines. Request their health and safety plan. A good plan should include steps to ensure their workers do not become infected. Ask where the waste will be taken for disposal. Waste from the disinfection process should be
handled properly and sent to a permitted disposal facility. Currently, there is no widely available standardized field or laboratory media testing available to identify the pres- ence or absence of Coronavi- rus; therefore, the cleanliness of the space is based upon the thoroughness of the cleaning contractor. To meet these challenges, consider utilizing a third-party consulting firm with environmental regula- tion and industrial hygiene acumen. They can guide the subcontractor vetting process and provide oversight of the
disinfection process. Finally, ask for help. The world is adjusting, and everyone is looking for best management practices. Heather Shoemaker , LEED AP, is a senior proj- ect manager with GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., specializing in environ- mental compliance and site investigation. Mari- anne Payne, CPEA is an associate principal with GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., specializing in envi- ronmental compliance and permitting.
ARS-CoV-2, commonly known as Coronavirus, has brought us one of
their goods. This would likely initiate the need to thoroughly clean the workplace. Several
the greatest cha l l enges w e c o u l d have f ore - seen in in- dustry. Our lives across the country have had to a d a p t o n
environmen- tal remedia- tion firms in our regi on have estab- lished clean- ing protocols for coronavi- rus contami- nation. Un-
Heather Shoemaker
Marianne Payne
the fly, managing day-to-day operations as normal in a not so normal world. Unless you are running a medical facility, your emergency plans likely did not prepare you for a global pandemic. This article explores the workplace prac- tices that essential business companies are employing to keep their employees safe and discusses how facilities can effectively direct a cleaning process. The reality is that many of our members are running facilities that are considered essential with employees that cannot perform their job re- motely. So how are you cop- ing? Many employers have created internal pandemic teams to manage the com- pany’s response. Most com- panies have put practices in place to ensure the health and well-being of their work- ers during this crisis. Typical work practices include social distancing to the extent pos- sible (use of portable office trailers, staggering workers in an assembly line, use of visual cues to maintain 6-foot sepa- ration, employee tracking, making personal protective equipment available when separation is not possible, and eating in vehicles), taking the temperature of each employee upon entering the workplace, directing employees to notify their supervisor and to self- quarantine for 14 days if they show signs of illness, and aggressive cleaning strate- gies. Additionally, companies have developed policies that outline the steps to be taken if a worker appears to be symp- tomatic for Coronavirus, and policies that outline the steps to be taken if a worker tests positive for Coronavirus. What if someone who has been in your workplace tests positive for Coronavirus? This could be an employee or an outside party such as a delivery person who has to enter your facility to deliver
like a routine cleaning service, these firms have experience in emergency preparedness and clean-up of hazardous sites. Proper vetting before hiring
GZA SUPERVISES: Our national COVID-19 response team—guided by a unique combination of epidemiologists, hazardous materials specialists, certified industrial hygienists, and toxicologists—supervises and directs the cleaning and application of disinfectants, using vetted partners from the industrial cleaning industry and in conformance with CDC and EPA-recommended means and methods. GZA VALIDATES: GZA applies fluorescent powder to mark surfaces prior to cleaning and then uses ultraviolet lights post-cleaning to evaluate completeness. • 40+ years delivering industrial hygiene, environmental remediation and related services • Rigorous health and safety protocols • In-depth knowledge of regulatory, CDC, EPA guidelines GZA OFFERS SUPERVISED AND VALIDATED CLEANING SERVICES
For more information about this customized cleaning service or any of GZA’s services:
Southern NJ/Philadelphia John J. Oberer, LSRP John.Oberer@gza.com 267.464.3616 Northern NJ David Winslow, Ph.D., PG David.Winslow@gza.com 973.774.3307 Central NJ Eugene Gallagher, P.E. Eugene.Gallagher@gza.com 732.356.3400 Melick-Tully, a Division of GZA
Known for excellence. Built on trust.
www.gza.com
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