The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has included it in a list of recommended certifications for organizations responsible for cleaning and decontaminating commercial passenger aircrafts that may have transported an Ebola infected traveler. Developed in response to last year’s outbreak, the guidance includes a list of best practices for cleaning aircrafts suspected of carrying infected persons. The full recommendation is available here.

“IICRC prides itself on establishing industry-leading best practices for the cleaning, restoration and remediation of contaminated property,” said Tony Wheelwright, IICRC chairman. “Having our certification recognized by the CDC further validates the integrity of our certification programs for creating clean and safe environments.”

CDC guidance was issued for airlines, airline employers and contract cleaning companies responsible for cleaning, disinfecting and removing contaminated waste from passenger aircrafts that may have transported travelers with Ebola. The recommendations were developed to help guide personnel in cleaning and disinfecting the aircraft after a flight.

The guidance exceeds guidelines established by Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) and includes recommendations for certification through two other organizations, the National Institute of Decontamination Specialists (NIDS) and American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA), or complete training as outlined in the OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER).

IICRC offers a variety of certification courses and certification tracts, including Health and Safety Technician (HST), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and many others. For a full list of IICRC courses and approved schools, click here.

IICRC is also currently in the process of developing an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard BSR-IICRC S540 Crime Scene Clean Up Standard and Reference Guide for Trauma and Crime Scene Biological and Infectious Hazard Clean Up.