In view of the continuous and rapid spread of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) and its alarming effects on infected persons, facility management professionals need to be well-positioned to tackle the dangers of coronavirus-related issues head-on. It’s of utmost importance that they learn how to prevent it in their buildings and then contain it swiftly in the case of infection.
About COVID-19
COVID-19 belongs to a large family of corona viruses (CoV) that manifest in humans in varying forms of severity from the common cold to more severe diseases, pneumonia, and death.
COVID-19 is a new strain that was first identified in humans in December 2019.
It is generally believed that this group of viruses is transmitted through droplets when a carrier coughs or sneezes. Uninfected persons can also get it by touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.
So, how exactly can a facility manager proactively keep their premises unaffected in these trying times? And, what role does a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) play in all this? Keep reading to learn more.
How CMMS Can Help Fight COVID-19
Every action that facility managers will take now will be based on strategies for prevention and containment. Doing that will require that they focus on the following:
1. Cleaning and Disinfecting
Fighting this pandemic requires that cleaners are properly trained and monitored while at their various posts. Surfaces, especially high-touch ones, must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent the virus’s spread.
It’s important that you know that your cleaning processes are strictly following regulatory compliance, if not, your facility could be risking cleaning liability issues. Several states in the US, such as Pennsylvania, and bodies like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are coming up with regulations to enforce specific cleaning routines especially in larger buildings (up to 50,000 sq ft) like warehouses, airports, factories, stores, offices, government buildings, residential buildings with up to 50 units or more, and hotels.
This sounds like a lot of responsibility, but with a CMMS, scheduling cleaning activities even for the largest and busiest facilities is simplified.
Just include each cleaning task as part of a Planned Maintenance program, automate the issuing of work orders and associated alerts at specific intervals to remind your cleaning staff, and include detailed instructions for step-by-step disinfection. Even better, they can receive this information right on their phones through mobile CMMS.
2. Reducing Proximity and Concentration of Staff
This is the era of remote work. You want to run the facility with minimal staff strength. However, not all your staff can work remotely. To manage the situation, try reducing the concentration of personnel on location at any time. Consider adjusting their shifts, get them to multitask without overworking them, and experiment with other flexible work arrangements.
In addition, while on the premises, they should avoid handshakes, use PPE always, avoid horseplay, and other forms of physical contact.
Again, a CMMS allows you to get more done with much less staff and it empowers you to monitor the facility from remote locations. You can check vital information such as inventory levels, monitor energy consumption, track assets, and so much more without physically visiting the facility.
3. Keeping everyone informed
Educate your staff, vendors, and visitors to get medical attention immediately if they are experiencing signs of sickness immediately. Put up COVID-19 warning signs and posters at different points, especially areas like the reception, concierge, elevator areas, recreational points, etc.
Ultimately, only safe and infection-free maintenance teams and their managers can keep residents and other users of a building safe.
Each of us has a part to play in ending this global challenge. Even if you have to work with a skeleton crew for now, our CMMS solution will help you identify any operational loopholes and close any safety gaps.
Make no mistake; COVID-19 is deadly. Don’t try to do this all alone. Make us your partner during this period and beyond. Contact us today for a free demo.
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