Decontamination steps for essential workers

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Many essential workers are especially worried about bringing COVID-19 home with them after working. If you fall in to this category, there are certain things you can do to lessen the chance of bringing the virus in to your home. Below are some of the effective practices that have been implemented by essential workers;
  • Leave all non-essential Items, like backpacks or suitcases, at home. Bring only what you need to the workplace to decrease the risk of transmitting the virus when you return home.
  • Take a shower as soon as you get home from work. Just as hand washing with soap prevents transmission via touch, scrubbing in a hot shower will help get the virus off your body.
  • Disinfect phones, pens, credit cards, or anything else that you brought to work. For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
  • Put a clothes hamper lined with a garbage bag just inside your home’s entrance. Clothes worn outside which may have come in contact with the coronavirus should be placed inside the garbage bag. Throw them directly in the wash (on hot or warm) if you can.
  • Leave work shoes in a designated place (Ideally the Car or Garage). Clean them weekly with a strong disinfectant.
  • Door handles and light switches near the entrance should be disinfected.
  • Eliminate miscommunication. Explain to all family members that you need to wait until you disinfect your items and shower before you spend time together.
Post provided by: Steve Nixon, Occupational Safety Manager
For questions, please contact safety@appstate.edu. 


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