Building owners or managers are encouraged to follow MOH’s Guide on Infection Control Measures for Workplaces (non-Healthcare):
· Environmental/frequently touched surfaces (e.g. chairs, door knobs, windows, sofas, etc) should be washed/wiped with 1:50 diluted (i.e. adding 1 part of bleach to 49 parts of water) household bleach (i.e. sodium hypochlorite 0.1% or 1000 parts per million).
· 70% alcohol can be used to wipe down surfaces where use of bleach is not suitable e.g. metal.
· Soiled surfaces should be cleaned with water and detergent before applying alcohol or bleach.
b) Toilets
· Clean toilets regularly, paying attention to areas with high human contact such as water taps, cistern handles, seats and cover flaps, wash basins, door knobs, buttons and switches.
· Provide adequate supply of toilet paper, paper towels (if provided) or hand dryers and liquid soap at all times.
· Ensure toilet-flushing apparatus is functioning at all times.
Owners or operators of public toilets in these buildings are also encouraged to participate in the ‘Singapore’s OK’ (SOK) campaign for public toilets. Details on SOK-Public Toilet are available at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/SOK2009.aspx.
c) Refuse Management
· Bag all waste properly before disposing in bins with tight-fitting lids.
· Wash all refuse bins, bin chambers and bin centres after refuse collection, and disinfect where necessary.
· Ensure no refuse spillage when transferring refuse from chute chamber to bin centres.
d) Sanitary Pipes
· Check your sanitary pipes, especially at the joints. Call a plumber to fix any leaks or defects, and to clear any chokes immediately.
· As a further precaution, disinfect the area in the vicinity of the leak with household bleach after the repair.
e) Pest Control
· Keep premises free of food scraps to keep pests away.
· Look for signs of pest infestation such as rodent droppings, cockroaches and stagnant water. If necessary, call a pest control company.
f) Ventilation System
· Clean, inspect and maintain all ventilating systems and air-conditioning systems regularly, particularly in small, confined areas such as lifts and toilets.
· Clean and disinfect cooling towers regularly. [Refer to the Environmental Public Health (Cooling Towers and Water Fountains) Regulations 2001]
g) Swimming/Spa pools
· Ensure residual chlorine level in the water is maintained between 1 and 3 ppm at all times.
· Ensure entire pool area, spas, steaming rooms and cooling berths are free of litter and vermin.
· Remind pool users to shower before entering the pool.
· Have lifeguards and pool attendants look out for any swimmer or visitor who is sick or not feeling well.
h) Gymnasium
· Clean and disinfect exercise equipment regularly.
· Ensure that area is kept clean and free of litter and vermin.
· Increase rate of ventilation to allow as much fresh air as possible into the gym.
· Require club members to sign in before they are allowed to use gym facilities (to allow easy contact tracing if required).
· Caretaker should look out for users who are sick or not feeling well.
i) Personnel
· Ensure that personnel (e.g. cleaners, security workers) who are unwell seek proper medical attention.
· Ensure cleaners put on proper protective attire (e.g. gloves) during work
· Remind personnel to wash hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet and after handling rubbish
· Remind cleaners to cough, sneeze or blow nose into tissue paper and throw the used tissue into a litter bin and wash hands immediately
4. Section 60 of the Environmental Public Health Act requires the owner, occupier or lessee of any building to which public has access, to regularly clean, keep clean and keep the building free of such conditions as may endanger the lives or health of his employees, members of public and other users. The Director-General of Public Health will require the owner, occupier or lessee to carry out these measures if they fail to do so by way of Notice under section 60(2) of the Act. Failing to comply with the Notice shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 under section 85(1) of the Act.