MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT ORDER

Web Access: http://mtsc.usps.gov/pdf/mmo/2009/mmo10909.pdf

This Maintenance Management Order (MMO) supersedes MMO-087-07. This MMO contains
updated information reflecting the latest guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) regarding methods to reduce the spread of infection during the current
2009 to 2010 Influenza (Flu) season. This includes seasonal and H1N1 influenza. The CDC
has updated their previous issued guidance on workplace cleaning during an influenza
pandemic, reducing the requirements for the use of bleach and other harsh disinfectants in
managing the spread of the influenza virus.

The CDC is currently recommending routine cleaning of surfaces in common areas that are
frequently touched by numerous individuals. Adhering to the cleaning requirements contained
in Handbook MS-47 will ensure a safe and healthful work environment under normal
circumstances. However, during the current flu season with H1N1 circulating, certain cleaning
methods must be adopted to protect the safety and health of postal employees and postal
customers. Given the concern regarding the spread of influenza through contaminated objects
and surfaces, measures will be required to minimize the transmission of the virus from
frequently touched common surfaces. These cleaning requirements must be performed until
the flu season (Fall of 2009 to April 2010) has ended, unless otherwise notified.

The latest CDC recommendations require the use of routine cleaning agents (e.g. detergents,
spray cleaners, and sanitizers) used in normal cleaning processes and not bleach and other
harsh disinfectants that were required in MMO-087-07. Attachment 1 provides information on
the cleaning requirements and other infection control strategies. The table in Attachment 2
provides a list of surfaces that require cleaning and the frequencies to perform these cleaning
tasks.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER / MAINTENANCE POLICIES & PROGRAMS
ENGINEERING / UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

Maintenance Management Order

SUBJECT:

Influenza Cleaning Contingency

September 24, 2009
MMO-109-09

DATE:

FILE CODE:

TO:

1.  Maintenance Capable Offices
2.  Plant Manager, Maintenance Capable Offices
3.  Manager, Maintenance Support, Area Offices
4.  Manager, Safety & Health, District Offices
5.  Safety Specialist, Plant
6.  Human Resource Analyst/Safety Area Offices
7.  Manager, Safety & Health, Headquarters
8.  District Homeland Security Specialists
9.  Manager, Western Services CMC
10. Area Emergency Preparedness Manager
11. Additional distribution locally as needed

pwel:mm09116ac

TO:

NO:

Maintenance Technical Support Center

MMO-109-09

Attachment 1

1-1

ATTACHMENT 1

INFECTION CONTROL STRATEGIES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Influenza viruses may live up to 48 hours on hard surfaces. To control the spread of influenza
viruses in postal facilities, the actions in this section are required. These actions include
cleaning tasks and the use of strategically placed disinfecting surface wipes and hand
sanitizers. Evidence shows that the spread of influenza is increased when employee’s hands
touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their nose, mouth, and eyes. To reduce the
transmission of the flu virus from contaminated surfaces, sites must address the requirements in
the following sections.

CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

During the current flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends cleaning frequently touched surfaces and commonly shared items at least daily
and when visibly soiled, using routine cleaning agents (e.g. detergents, spray cleaners, and
sanitizers). Bleach and other harsh disinfectants are not required and should not be used.

To address the CDC’s current recommendations, priority should be given to surfaces in
locations where there is the most human traffic, e.g. cafeterias, lunch rooms, break
rooms/areas, meeting rooms, and lobbies. Attachment 2 contains a list of frequently touched
surfaces in theses areas that must be cleaned. Attachment 2 also provides the frequency of
cleaning for these areas and surfaces. Depending on a facility’s normal cleaning schedules,
these surfaces and frequencies may already be addressed. If they have not been addressed,
this cleaning is necessary. MS-47 cleaning routes usually specify either a detergent or a
disinfectant be used; while policing routes do not necessarily specify anything beyond damp
wiping. For the duration of these cleaning requirements, it is recommended that a detergent be
used when performing policing routes that require damp wiping.

A concern in reducing the spread of influenza viruses is the use of used cleaning solutions.
Cleaning solutions, usually a cleaning agent mixed with some portion of water, should be freshly
mixed on frequent occasions. Using highly soiled solutions can unknowingly spread viruses and
bacteria. Detergents, sanitizers, and disinfectants loose their cleaning capabilities as the
mixtures become more soiled. Do not reuse used cleaning solutions. Disposal of used and
unused cleaning products should be done in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and
local regulations.

Custodians and others doing the cleaning should wear the appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) as required by the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the cleaning
solutions used. Custodians emptying trash receptacles must be advised to wear impermeable
gloves. Trash should be bagged and disposed of according to normal routines. Custodians
should remove the gloves by pealing away from the wrist to fingers, avoiding touching the
outside surface, and should immediately wash their hands after completing cleaning activities.

MMO-109-09

Maintenance Technical Support Center

1-2

Attachment 1

DISINFECTING SURFACE WIPES AND HAND SANITIZERS

Infection control starts with maintaining good personal hygiene. This is the most effective way
to prevent catching the flu. CDC recommends frequent hand washing to reduce the spread of
influenza. This recommendation is especially important if employees are required to frequently
touch items that are also frequently touched by others. However, having employees frequently
leaving their work areas to wash their hands can put a strain on workplace productivity. Other
options can be utilized to control the spread of influenza viruses in place of employees washing
their hands. These options include the use of disinfecting surface wipes and/or hand sanitizers.

Disinfecting surface wipes should be used by all employees to clean shared items in the work
space such as phones, computer keyboards/key pads, copiers, and etc. They should also be
available in lunchrooms and break areas to clean items such as refrigerator door handles,
microwave door handles and buttons, and vending machine buttons. Window clerks should
also have access to disinfecting wipes to clean their individual counter areas after serving
customers, who appear to be experiencing flu-like symptoms. Disinfecting wipes should also be
strategically placed in service lobbies for customer use.

Hand sanitizer provided through strategically placed bottles or hand dispensers, can be used
when the employees need to clean their hands and use of soap and water is not feasible.
Suggested areas for placement include near time clocks and outside of restroom doors and
workroom floor areas distant from rest rooms; however, there may be additional areas identified
locally. The goal is to provide a substitute when washing with soap and water is not feasible.

Disinfecting surface wipes and hand sanitizers are available through the Grainger’s and
Cleanwise’s national contracts. Below are the recommended items. However, Grainger and
Cleanwise may offer other similar appropriate items for order.

Disinfectant Surface wipes

Grainger - Disinfectant Wipe – Item number – 1AU21

Cleanwise - Disinfecting Wipe – Item number – 88420

Hand Sanitizer

Grainger:

Touch-Free Dispenser, W.W. Grainger SKU# 1PKP9 to be filled with Purell TFX Foam

Sanitizer 1200 ml refill, W.W. Grainger SKU # 1PKP6

Purell Original Gel, 3 Oz Military Snap-Cap Bottle, W.W. Grainger SKU # 2RA54

Purell Original Gel, 8 Oz Pump Bottle, W.W. Grainger SKU# 5FZ19

Cleanwise:

Purell Dispenser, (Starter Kit w/2 Refills), Cleanwise SKU # 58600, to be filled with Purell

Instant Hand Sanitizer 1000 ml, SKU # 55293

(Cleanwise, LLC) Stoko Gel Instant Hand Sanitizer, 4 Oz Flip-Top Bottle, Cleanwise

SKU # 43448

Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, 12 Oz Bottle, Cleanwise SKU # 55296

Maintenance Technical Support Center

MMO-109-09

Attachment 2

2-1

ATTACHMENT 2

CLEANING TASKS REQUIRED DURING A PANDEMIC

Common Area

Items to be Cleaned

Frequency

Cafeterias/Lunch rooms and
Break rooms

Door knobs or handles
Paper towel dispenser

knobs or handles

Refrigerator door handles
Microwave

door

handles

and buttons/keypads

Vending machine buttons
Table

tops

Drinking

fountain

Faucet

handles

EACH

OPERATING

TOUR

Work Room Floor

Door knobs or handles
Employee

entrance

turnstiles

Drinking

fountain

Time

clock

buttons

Elevator call and operating

buttons

Handrails (frequently used)
Telephones

(shared)

DAILY

Lobbies

Door knobs or handles
Table

tops

Handrails
Vending machine buttons
Automated

Postal

Centers

(APC)

Scales

DAILY

Rest Rooms

Door knobs or handles
Paper towel dispenser

knobs or handles

Faucet

handles

DAILY

Locker Rooms

Door knobs or handles

DAILY

Meeting Rooms

Door knobs or handles
Table

tops

DAILY

MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT ORDER

Maintenance Technical Support Center

MMO-109-09

Attachment 3

3-1

ATTACHMENT 3

RESOURCES AND LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MTSC Clean

http://www.mtsc.usps.gov/equipment/clean/

USPS Safety Resource Page

http://safetytoolkit.usps.gov/resources/resources.aspx

CDC - Influenza (Flu) Avian Flu

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm

HHS Pandemic Flu Page

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/