Guest Speakers from ERG Environmental Services
Terry Atkins and Karl Verity
ERG Environmental Services
989-280-2435
tatkins@ergenvironmental.com
ERG coverage area
Facilities in Livonia, MI, Bowling Green, OH, and Markham Ontario
Terry Atkins services North of Flint including UP
Basic overview of recommendations
Applications kill the virus for up to 6 days (foggers, hand towels, etc.)
Preventive maintenance weekly
Can dispatch “emergency” cleaning crew within 24 hrs
How is ERG taking care of parts (corrugated, plastics, metals, etc,)?
Depends on customer’s needs and expectations
Currently cleaning weekly (every 6 days)
Virus lives on Cardboard – 24 hrs, Stainless – 2-3 days, Plastics – 3 days
Recommend doing general cleaning before and after shifts
In the event that there’s an outbreak in a facility, what should be done?
ERG North has not had accounts with positive cases
Procedure doesn’t change, still sticking with weekly deep cleaning
ERG Southeast has had some cases
Detailed cleaning in office areas, high traffic, high touch areas
Using misters and foggers
Mostly cleaning is contained below 7′
What are some of the materials used to accomplish the cleaning?
Bleach and water for food grade (ratio of bleach to water is much lower when using in food grade application)
Approved disinfectants by the CDC
When dealing with food grade, EPA suggests wash down after using any chemicals (needed ratio of bleach to water to kill the virus is much higher, which is the reason for the wash down)
What are the requirements for the facility after a cleaning? What’s the impact to the business?
Normally, would like the place empty while cleaning is taking place (people can be in other rooms, but prefer to have it empty)
After application, ERG suggests a 12-24 hour drying period to kill the virus (virus surrounded by a fat cell, which needs to be dissolved before the virus is killed).
Cleaning products set for 5 minutes, then 24 (ideal) drying period
Most cleaning is done over the weekend
What cleaning recommendations for intermittent cleaning between deep cleaning?
Disinfecting wipes (if available) are helpful to wipe down surfaces
When wearing gloves, it’s important to change them out after each contact (it’s almost better to not wear gloves if not familiar with the usage)
COVID stays on gloves longer than on skin
When possible try to keep employees 6′ apart, disinfect between shifts
Splitting shifts into teams to ensure continuity of business in the event someone from a team is contaminated
What other things (flu? Periodic cleaning? Other services?) can ERG do to support organizations?
Can disinfect seasonally for flu and other illnesses
Other environmental services offered
Hazardous, non hazardous waste disposal
Roll offs
Totes
Oil absorbent
Contaminated soils
Confined entry space cleaning
PCBs
Parts washers
Recycle batteries (including Alkaline)
Household Hazardous Waste
Also can perform training for organizations
HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)
RCRA/D (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
Regulatory Compliance
Fork Truck
