Open Access News Health & Social Care News Cleaning protocols for infection prevention July 22, 2024 Image: ©fatido | iStock Delia Cannings, Chair of the British Cleaning Council, discusses the importance of implementing and respecting robust cleaning protocols across different settings and why the UK Government must do more to make cleaning and hygiene a core part of the national agenda The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is the authoritative voice of the UK cleaning, hygiene, and waste industry. This sector is worth nearly £60bn and employs 1.47 million people, making it one of the ten biggest industries in the country.
The council’s membership consists of 21 trade and membership associations from across the sector. One of our key aims is to fight for recognition of industry staff who perform a skilled and professional frontline role, protecting the safety and wellbeing of others and contributing to the nation’s health and wealth. A number of infections can spread via surfaces, including flu, hepatitis A, Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia Coli (STEC), and norovirus.
Cleaning, along with other measures such as regular handwashing, is an important tool for helping control these infections. To be effective, all cleaning staff need to know the differences between cleaning and disinfection, which products they should use and how to measure, dilute and dispose of solutions correctly. Policies, procedures, risk assessment and cleaning schedules must be up to date and reviewed.