The Covid emergency has made us familiar with terms that we were not used to hearing before. Covid, sanitation, disinfection and sanitation. What differences? Knowing the exact meaning of these terms can protect us from fines and penalties.
Does a workspace need to be sanitized or sanitized?
Do the workshops have to sanitize or sanitize them before returning the repaired cars to customers? Not knowing the differences between these terms is equivalent to taking insufficient measures with respect to what the law requires. Often in the articles we read those terms are used interchangeably, but by law they are not. The concept of workplace sanitation did not originate with Covid. The legislation is contained in Law no. 82 of 25 January 1994, with the implementing Decree 07.07.1997, n. 274. This is the basic discipline for companies specializing in cleaning, disinfection, disinfestation and sanitation.
Let’s see what changes now for individual sectors, after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Covid, sanitation, disinfection and sanitation. What differences?
Cleaning activity. The decree 274/1997 defines “cleaning activities as those concerning … .. procedures and operations aimed at removing dust, unwanted material or dirt from surfaces, objects, confined spaces and areas of relevance”.
So cleaning simply means, even by law, washing surfaces with water, soap or chemicals. The distinction concerns the products we can use for cleaning.
Difference between sanitizing and disinfecting
According to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, there is a difference between sanitizers and disinfectants. Chemical products with action against germs and bacteria, which do not have a specific authorization from the Ministry of Health, can at most be classified as detergents with sanitizing action. They are not, however, disinfectants. If the law requires you to use a disinfectant and you simply use a sanitizing detergent, you are punishable.
We suggest a useful reference to Covid Report No. 7/2020 of the National Institute of Health.
Difference between sanitizing and disinfecting
Disinfect is a commonly used term. It means cleaning with the use of disinfectants. Sanitizing is a more technical term. According to the law the activities sanitation consists of procedures and operations that are able to make certain environments healthy through cleaning and / or disinfection and / or disinfestation. Making the environment healthier means improving its internal microclimate, with regard to the parameters of temperature, humidity and ventilation.
If current regulations require you to sanitize it will not be enough to choose a good detergent or disinfectant. Instead, you will have to implement plans and take measures that modify and make the microclimate in the workplace healthier. Sometimes it will be necessary to contact specialized firms. Some, for example or, propose treatments with ozone, which obviously cannot be carried out independently and by hand.
For intellectual honesty we must also tell you that according to some studies it is not certain, to date, the effectiveness of these treatments against Coronavirus. However, efficacy is considered likely on the basis of the data available today.
And finally the disinfestation
Again a familiar term. We are in fact used to pest control and against mosquitoes, insects in general or rodents. The law, in fact, defines disinfestation as those procedures aimed at “destroying small animals, […] parasites, vectors of infectious agents […]”. No doubt that Coronavirus pathogens are carriers of infection.
A useful final lineup
Covid, sanitation, disinfection and sanitation. What differences?
– the use of simple detergents, even if it is written with “sanitizing effect”, but without the indication “Surgical Medical Device” is like cleaning or at most sanitizing;
– cleaning with disinfectants, which contain authorized active ingredients and which are therefore “Medical Surgical Devices” can be defined as disinfection;
– true sanitation, on the other hand, involves more complex disinfection procedures, which also include control over ventilation, humidity and healthiness of the work environment.
Therefore, pay attention to the differences and the real meaning of the procedures that the law requires you to adopt, depending on the type of activity carried out.
–
