This document outlines health and safety protocols for maintaining a healthy environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses preventing cross-contamination, complying with signs, supporting cleaning and disinfection, proper disposal of used items, modified layouts and barriers, handling shared objects, limiting visitors, and reporting environmental concerns. The goals are to understand how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through environmental controls and maintaining hygiene.
2. Module Outline
I. Cross-Contamination
II. Complying with Signs and Messages
III. Supporting Cleaning and Disinfection
IV. Disposal of Used items
V. Modified Layouts, Physical Barriers and Communal Spaces
VI. Shared Objects, Equipment, Devices
VII.Visitor Limitations
VIII.Reporting Environmental Concerns
3. Goals for Module #3
● Understand definition of Cross Contamination and how to prevent it
● Be familiar with and attest to compliance with signs and messages
● Understand how to support the cleaning and disinfecting process
● Understand how and where to properly dispose of used items
● Be familiar with HMS Modified layouts, physical barriers and changes to
communal spaces
● Understand how to properly handle shared objects, equipment and
devices
● Be familiar with visitor limitations
● Understand how and when to report environmental concerns
5. I. Cross Contamination
● Cross Contamination is defined as the unintentional transfer of
bacteria or other contaminants from one surface to another
because of unsanitary handling procedures or lack of proper
handwashing
○ As defined by: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20contamination
● You Can Prevent Cross Contamination by:
○ Washing hands and Surfaces Frequently
○ Avoid Touching Your Face at all times
○ Using Gloves only when appropriate
○ Discarding PPE properly
8. Signs and Messages
● It takes a team to stop the spread of COVID-19 and have a successful
return to HMS School, do your part by staying up to date on all messages
and communication
● Check emails regularly for up-to-date information
● Comply with All signs in and around school property in regards to health
and safety of students, staff and family
9. III. Supporting Cleaning and Disinfecting
● Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently
touched. This may include cleaning objects/surfaces not ordinarily
cleaned daily (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles,
countertops).
● Clean visibly dirty surfaces with soap and water prior to disinfection.
● Use an EPA-approved disinfectant against COVID-19, and read the label
to make sure it meets your needs.
● Always follow directions on the label: The label will include safety
information and application instructions. Keep disinfectants out of the
reach of children.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
16. V. Modified Layouts, Physical Barriers & Communal
Spaces
● Modified Layouts
○ Space seating/desks at least 6 feet apart when possible.
○ Turn desks to face in the same direction or have students sit on only one side
of tables, spaced apart.
○ Create distance between children on school buses (ex. seat children one child
per row, skip rows) when possible.
● Physical Barriers
○ Abide to physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions, particularly
in areas where it is difficult for individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart.
○ Follow physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls,
to ensure that staff and children remain at least 6 feet apart in lines and at
other times (e.g. guides for creating “one way routes” in hallways).
17. V. Modified Layouts, Physical Barriers & Communal Spaces
● Communal Spaces
○ Stagger use of shared spaces such as dining halls and clean and disinfect
between use
○ Pay attention to physical barriers, such as plastic flexible screens, between
bathroom sinks especially when they cannot be at least 6 feet apart
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
18. VI. Shared Objects, Equipment & Devices
● Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect.
● Keep each child’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled
containers, cubbies, or areas.
● Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the
extent possible (ex. assigning each student their own art supplies, equipment) or
limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and
clean and disinfect between use.
● Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
19. VII. Visitor Limitations
1. Visitors should seek approval for the visit from HMS.
2. Arrive wearing a mask.
3. Sanitize hands upon entry.
4. Submit to a temperature check.
5. Comply with social distancing norms.
20. VIII. Reporting Environmental Concerns
● Staff members should notify school administrators of any concerns
regarding inadequate PPE, inefficient cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces
and objects, and/or suggestions for improvements on physical distancing
● In accordance with state and local laws and regulations, school
administrators should notify local health officials, staff, and families
immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality
21. Knowledge Check
True or False?
It is appropriate to ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high
touch materials or to limit use of objects to one group of children at a time.
22. Answer
True!
Each student should be assigned their own supplies and/or equipment when
available or the use of supplies and equipment should be limited to one group of
children at a time so cleaning and disinfecting between use can properly occur.
23. Questions or Comments? Please fill out the form below:
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tNUSAJGXEDDRm_xWQSK51z-gIy3KA/viewform?usp=pp_url
Thanks for your Participation!
