Labs and research facilities
5. Cleaning the workplace
In this section

5.1 Before reopening
5.2 Keeping the workplace clean
5.3 Hygiene: handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets
5.4 Changing rooms and showers
5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and on-site vehicles

5.1 Before reopening
Objective: To make sure that any site or location that has been closed or
partially operated is clean and ready to restart, including:

an assessment for all sites, or parts of sites, that have been closed, before restarting work
cleaning procedures and providing hand sanitiser, before restarting work

Steps that will usually be needed:


Checking whether you need to service or adjust ventilation systems, for example, so that they do not automatically reduce ventilation levels due to lower than normal occupancy levels.


Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment, however where systems serve multiple buildings or you are unsure, advice should be sought from your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.


Positive pressure systems and extractors can operate as normal.


Restarting and testing specialist equipment which may have been unused for a longer than usual period of time.


5.2 Keeping the workplace clean
Objective: To keep the workplace clean and prevent transmission by touching
contaminated surfaces.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Frequent cleaning of work areas and equipment between uses, using your usual cleaning products.


Determining the required cleaning process for expensive equipment that cannot be washed down, designing protection around machines and equipment.


Frequent cleaning of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, such as door handles and testing surfaces and making sure there are adequate safe disposal arrangements.


Clearing workspaces and removing waste and belongings from the work area at the end of a shift.


If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of COVID-19 then you refer to the guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings


5.3 Hygiene: handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets
Objective: To help everyone keep good hygiene through the working day.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Using signs and posters to build awareness of good handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing frequency, avoid touching your face and the need to cough or sneeze into your arm.


Providing regular reminders and signage to maintain hygiene standards.


Providing hand sanitiser in multiple locations in addition to washrooms.


Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets to ensure they are kept clean and social-distancing is achieved as much as possible.


Enhancing cleaning for busy areas.


Providing more waste facilities and more frequent rubbish collection.


Providing hand drying facilities – either paper towels or electrical driers.


5.4 Changing rooms and showers
Objective: To minimise the risk of transmission in changing rooms and showers.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Where shower and changing facilities are required, setting clear use and cleaning guidance for showers, lockers and changing rooms to ensure they are kept clean and clear of personal items and that social distancing is achieved as much as possible.


Introducing enhanced cleaning of all facilities regularly during the day and at the end of the day.


5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and on-site vehicles
Objective: To reduce transmission through contact with objects that come into
the workplace and vehicles at the worksite.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Cleaning procedures for material and equipment entering the site.


Cleaning procedures for the parts of shared equipment you touch after each use.


Cleaning procedures for vehicles.


Encouraging increased handwashing and introducing more handwashing facilities for workers handling deliveries or providing hand sanitiser where this is not practical.


Regular cleaning of vehicles that workers may take home.


Restricting non-business deliveries, for example, personal deliveries to workers.


[HVAC]: heating ventilation and air conditioning
  [COVID-19]: coronavirus