New Circular on: “Instructions for cleaning and disinfection of outdoor areas in towns and villages affected by the Flooding Phenomena”

The new Circular D1d/GP. οικ. 46748/8-9-2023 concerns measures to ensure Public Health after severe weather and flooding events.

Main points

The Circular sets out the protective measures and instructions to be followed by workers and residents during clean-up after flooding:

Any contact without protective equipment with flood water and surfaces or objects exposed to contaminated water should be avoided. In the event of dermal exposure to the contaminated water, washing with soap and water in the area should follow and immediate contact with a physician.

Read the following advice carefully in case of cleaning:

Remove people and animals from the area to be cleaned and disinfected.
Apply personal protective equipment.
Cleaning of outdoor areas.
Use of all protective equipment and all protective clothing.
Removal of personal protective equipment at the end of the work.
In case 1, it must be certain that occupants and animals have been removed from the area where cleaning and decontamination is planned.

In case 2, appropriate protective equipment must be ensured for all personnel working. Staff must be familiar with the use of protective equipment.

In addition, the protective equipment applied prior to entry shall include:

Eye protection (appropriate goggles and face shield)
Respiratory protection (N95/FFP2 respiratory protection masks. If only goggles are used without a respirator, a waterproof mask is provided.
Protective rubber gloves for heavy work.
Waterproof rubber boots or galoshes.
Protective clothing (long-sleeved and waterproof clothing. In the case of a full body suit, this must be waterproof).
In the case of outdoor cleaning:

Waste, dirt and objects must be removed from the cleaning area.
Roads must be cleaned with water and chlorine or other disinfectant where available. Hose-type water drainage pipes should be used. Aerosol and inhalable micro-droplets should be avoided as far as possible.
In the case of outdoor disinfection:

Disinfect with chlorine solution (sodium hypochlorite)
The solution must be in contact with the surfaces for at least 30 minutes.
After cleaning has been carried out, allow access to the area.
If personal protective equipment is removed, the instructions in the Annex must be followed.

You can read more in the Circular document:https://bioximiki.eu/Oδηγίες for cleaning and disinfection of outdoor areas in towns and villages affected by flooding.pdf