Understanding Key Points of LEED’s Cleaning and Disinfecting Pilot Credit Program
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is now beta-testing a new credit program specifically designed to address COVID-19.
The goal is to ensure effective cleaning and disinfecting are taking place as facilities reopen and people return to the workplace.
The pilot program, LEED O+M v4.1, is authored by Stephen Ashkin, the professional cleaning industry’s “leading expert” and the “go to” person on Green Cleaning. The credit covers several items all centered around the following:
Creating, implementing, and using Green Cleaning best practices to meet the CDC's and the EPA's guidelines relative to COVID-19 and preventing the spread of this disease.
According to Ashkin, some of the key points and best practices covered in the pilot credit program are the following:
Using EPA N-List disinfectants, proven effective at eliminating the pathogens that cause coronavirus.
Working with cleaning solutions certified by the EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, and UL Ecologo programs.
Verifying the performance of cleaning technologies such as ionized water, electrolyzed water, and aqueous ozone, and ensuring they meet Green certification standards.
Procedures for quantitatively testing the cleanliness of surfaces.
Developing strategies for promoting and improving hand hygiene, including prioritizing soap-and-water hand washing over the use of hand sanitizers where possible.
Proper and regular use of personnel protective equipment (PPE), including eye protection, masks, gloves, and gowns for all cleaning personnel.
Realizing the potential hazards of disinfectants and other chemical products and the need for proper disposal of these products.
Training custodial workers on the basics of infection control, the science of cleaning, and being able to answer occupants’ fundamental questions about infection control, prevention, and Green Cleaning procedures.
“I wanted this last point included in the program because our customers are coming to us for answers, we are their go-to people,” says Ashkin. He is also asking for the industries help.
"Because this is a pilot program, I am eager to hear from those in our industry about the program, what more should be added, and their own experiences addressing the challenges COVID has presented us."
Steve can be reached at: SteveAshkin@AshkinGroup.com
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About The Ashkin Group and Stephen Ashkin
The Ashkin Group, LLC, is an internationally recognized consulting firm working to Green the professional cleaning industry. Their expertise is utilized by governments, policy makers, advocates, building owners, property management companies, labor unions, trade and professional associations, manufacturers, service providers, and janitorial product distributors worldwide.
Stephen P. Ashkin, founder of The Ashkin Group, is known as the “expert” and “go to person” when it comes to Green Cleaning. An author and a frequent public speaker, Steve’s commitment to Green Cleaning is more than a business: it is a passion, a calling, a mission in life—to transform the professional cleaning industry.
