DISINFECTING METHODS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

4th February 2021


This article provides advice from the ‘HSE’ on the variety of systems used to disinfect premises during the pandemic. It explains the legal requirements and provides the latest information, including joint advice from public health bodies on the risks to health that can be created by using walk-through spraying or misting systems.

We have also included some of our services that we can provide at BSA to assist you and more information about these can be found at the bottom of this article as well as our contact details, we are always here to help so please contact us today!

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This information from this article has been taken from the ‘HSE’ website.#

Risks from Walk-Through Disinfecting Systems

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The Health and Safety Executive and public health bodies in England, Wales and Scotland have agreed the following joint advice for duty holders who are considering using walk-through spraying or misting disinfecting systems to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
The walk-through disinfecting systems use a tunnel, portal or booth and have been designed to apply disinfectant to people as they pass through it. The HSE & the World Health Organisation have said spraying people with disinfectants is not recommended under any circumstances and that it could be harmful and will not reduce the spread of the virus. The reason for this is because transmission of the virus is usually through droplets or contact with someone, so the effectiveness of these systems is likely to be minimal. If an individual was infected with COVID-19 and passed through a disinfection device and then were to start speaking, coughing, or sneezing they can still spread the virus.

If disinfectants are used in this way, they are potentially harmful and could cause health effects including respiratory and eye irritation.

The standard control measures should be used to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission which include social distancing, frequent cleaning, adequate ventilation, and regular handwashing.

Disinfecting Methods
The HSE have said Fog, mist, vapour, or UV (ultraviolet) treatments may be suitable options to help control the spread of coronavirus by cleaning and disinfecting a larger space or room.

When disinfectants are applied as a fog, mist or vapour they may reach harmful levels during delivery and UV systems may cause eye/skin damage if people enter an area when it is undergoing treatment.

  • People should not enter the rooms when this process is being implemented.
  • During the treatment it is advised to lock rooms during the treatment as this will help to contain the emissions required.
  • Good ventilation will also help clear the disinfectant after the treatment. 
  • If using fog, mist or vapour, you should ensure the correct concentration of the active chemical is used to achieve disinfection. 
  • Disinfectants dispersed by fog, mist, or vapour may not result in even application to all surfaces. Hidden surfaces, or the surface underneath objects, may not be disinfected. The use of these methods in rooms of complex design with multiple surfaces may not be suitable.

 The HSE advise that you should seek advice from your supplier on what treatment is appropriate for the environment.

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UV Method
The UV treatment of a surface normally leaves no chemical residue behind. However, UV may present a risk for injury to unprotected skin and eyes if operators do not take necessary precautions. In very small spaces some UV treatments may not be suitable if the units need to be placed at a minimum distance from walls etc to be deployed safely.
Some sources of UV light can only destroy micro-organisms where the light can fall on surfaces for a sufficient time. The HSE recommends that you should seek advice from your supplier.

If you are using any of these treatments for these purposes, they should form part of your COVID-19 risk assessment. The users of these disinfectant methods should be competent and properly trained. If you choose to use any other these methods as a way of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces you should discuss your requirements with your manufacturers to help you decide if a product/system meets your needs.

Large Outdoor Spaces
Large-scale spraying or disinfecting in outdoor spaces, such as streets or open marketplaces, is not recommended by the HSE for COVID-19. This is because you cannot control dispersion of the chemical hazards and possible unintended exposure to people. Streets and pavements are not considered as routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be dangerous to people’s health and cause eye, respiratory or skin irritation or damage.

Brief Summary of The Law on Disinfectants

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It is advised by the HSE is that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you are using the product safely and effectively. Where units/machines are used in a workplace, under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) employers must make sure substances which may be harmful to people’s health from their work activities are identified and assessed, and processes are put in place to eliminate or control risks.

COSHH also requires employers to provide information, instruction, and training for all their employees who use hazardous substances such as disinfectants in their work, including the appropriate precautions and actions employees must take to safeguard both themselves and others in the workplace.

Disinfectants used in this way to control and kill harmful organisms such as bacteria and viruses are biocides and they need to comply with the Biocidal Products Regulation. Only the HSE can authorise biocides under the Biocidal Products Regulation in the UK. Even where products are not specifically labelled as hazardous, dispersing them in mist, fogs or vapour increases the risk that they can enter the lung. In some individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, this may provoke their symptoms.

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