Construction Cleaning Inside Hospitals, Food Plants and Secure Sites

Healthcare: infection control comes first

• Get the project's Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) and permit class before pricing. Higher classes add barriers, HEPA requirements and cleaning steps.
• Use HEPA-filtered vacuums inside containment and at the exits from it.
• Follow the hospital's rules for cleaning at the barrier and for when containment can come down. Often the hospital's environmental services staff do a terminal clean after the construction clean.
• Use disinfectants approved by the facility, and keep safety data sheets on site.
• Expect after-hours work and routes through the building that avoid patients.

Food and beverage plants: follow the plant's GMPs

• Get the plant's GMP and visitor rules: hair and beard nets, no jewelry, captive footwear, hand washing.
• Bring only chemicals the plant has approved, especially near food-contact surfaces.
• Follow the glass and brittle-plastics policy. Some plants restrict glass bottles, spray bottles or plastic tools.
• High dusting over production lines may need a line shutdown, covers over equipment or a sanitation shift.
• Plan around the plant's audit calendar.

Federal and secure sites: badging takes time

• Start badging and background checks early. Base access can take weeks.
• Confirm escort requirements, vehicle passes and restricted areas.
• Check whether Davis-Bacon or another prevailing-wage determination applies, and plan for certified payroll.

Pre-start checklist for any operating facility

1. Facility rules received and reviewed (ICRA, GMP or security)
2. Chemical list approved, with SDS on file
3. Crew training and badges complete
4. Work hours and routes agreed with the facility
5. Containment and handoff process agreed
6. Facility contact named for day-of issues

Where we've done it: CGH Medical Center's SPD addition, a Fair Oaks Foods production facility and Building 110 at Rock Island Arsenal.