The New York State Department of Labor on Tuesday published its Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan (AID) under the recently enacted New York Health and Essential Rights Act, which requires the state to create various industry-specific model plans for the prevention of airborne infectious disease.
Accordingly, by August 4th, all New York employers with worksites (of any size) located in New York must either adopt the applicable Model Plan provided by the NY DOL or establish an alternative plan that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements set forth in the published Exposure Prevention Standard.
Every plan must include appropriate exposure controls for activities performed at the worksite, including cleaning and disinfecting worksites per the following:
Cleaning and Disinfection per AID
- The employer shall determine and implement an appropriate plan for cleaning and disinfection that includes the methods of decontamination based upon the location, facility type, type of surface(s) to be cleaned, type of material present, tasks or procedures being performed in the area, and as otherwise directed by State Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the disease outbreak.
- Surfaces known or believed to be contaminated with potentially infectious materials shall be cleaned and disinfected immediately or as soon as feasible, unless the area and surfaces can be isolated for a period of time prior to cleaning.
- Surfaces contaminated with dust or other loose materials shall be wiped clean prior to disinfection, and the cleaning methods used should minimize dispersal of the dust or loose materials into the air.
- Frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, doorknobs, and elevator buttons, shall be disinfected throughout the workday and/or as recommended by State Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as applicable.
- Shared tools, equipment, and workspaces shall be cleaned and disinfected prior to sharing and/or as recommended by State Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as applicable.
- Common areas, such as bathrooms, dining areas, break rooms, locker rooms, vehicles, and sleeping quarters, shall be cleaned and disinfected at least daily or as recommended by State Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as applicable.
To read the full requirements under the new AID requirement, please download: The Hero Act
How can Emergency DECON Services Help?
- EDUCATE – We can help you understand all that is required under the new AID requirements.
- PLAN – We can develop a comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting program, utilizing DECON7, that conforms to the new mandates.
- EXECUTE – We can provide the most effective products that enable you to clean and disinfect yourself or, we can provide the service on a scheduled plan.
Call us for more information, 631-563-2744, ask for Rich.
