young woman with learning language during online courses using netbook

BSCAI has introduced a new online training course that instructs building service contractors on how to clean and disinfect properly to mitigate the effects of the viruses and bacteria that cause COVID-19. Developed around the needs, availability and budgets of building service contractors, the course helps ensure properties are as healthy and safe as possible as business and society work to rebound from the pandemic.

“We are extremely excited to introduce this new training offering at a time when both our members and their customers are placing the highest priority on cleaning for the sake of health,” says Christopher Mundschenk, BSCAI executive director. “From a content, convenience and cost perspective, we believe this offering will immediately equip cleaners with leading-edge functional knowledge to ensure healthy, productive environments for their customers. Moreover, attending this course demonstrates that a BSC is taking steps to ensure both employee safety and customer care.”

The course, officially titled "COVID-19 Disinfection and Safety," is based on the guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for COVID-19 disinfecting. The program is tailor-made for frontline cleaning and janitorial professionals, including cleaning supervisors, area and site supervisors, facility maintenance professionals, and property managers. The course requires approximately three hours for a student to complete and is presented in five distinct modules:

1. The Science Of Cleaning And Disinfecting

2. The Basics Of Infection Control And COVID-19

3. Worksite Safety Precautions

4. Procedures For Proper Disinfecting

5. Communication And Documentation

“This training course answers the needs of building service contracting companies who are looking for ways to keep employees safe while meeting the needs of customers for clean work environments,” says Todd Hopkins, BSCAI president.

The cost for the course is $30 per student for BSCAI members and $75 per student for non-members, with significant discounts available for organizations that purchase multiple registrations for their employees.

The course instructor is Steve Ashkin, a renowned expert in the global janitorial industry with a long history as a highly regarded technical expert, trainer, educator and thought-leader. Ashkin possesses decades of experience working throughout the entire janitorial and building maintenance supply chain. He has formulated cleaning and disinfecting product and served on EPA’s Workgroup on safer/greener disinfectants, as well as standard development committees for the US Green Building Council, ASTM, Safer Choice, UL/EcoLogo and Green Seal.

“It is my pleasure to work with BSCAI and its members to provide training that follows the various guidelines on COVID-19, addresses effective cleaning and disinfecting, and does so while protecting the health and safety of our front-line workers,” says Ashkin.

For more information about the course, including rates, curriculum details and registration, visit www.bscai.org/Education/COVID-19-Disinfection-and-Safety-Course.