AircrewHealth.com

Suspected Communicable Disease

General Guidelines for Aircraft Cleaning Crews:

The following are general guidelines for Cleaning Crews who have to clean an arriving aircraft with a suspected case of communicable disease.  During an outbreak of a specific communicable disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) or member states may modify or add further procedures to these general guidelines.  However, these general guidelines provide a basic framework of response to reassure the cleaning crews and help them manage such an event.

1. Wear impermeable disposable gloves.
2. Remove and discard gloves if they become soiled or damaged, and after cleaning.
3. Use only cleaning agents and disinfectants that have been approved by aircraft manufacturers at recommended concentrations and contact times.
4. Begin the cleaning at the top (light and air controls) and proceed downward progressively, working from clean to dirty areas.
5. Surfaces to be cleaned*:  Affected seat, adjacent seats same row, back of the seats in the row in front):
• Light and air controls
• Adjacent walls and windows
• Seatbacks (the plastic and/or metal parts)
• Individual video monitor
• Tray tables
• Individual video monitor
• Armrests
• In the lavatory(ies) used by the ill traveler: door handle, locking device, faucet, wash basin, adjacent walls and counter and toilet seat.
6. Disinfection of upholstery, carpets, or storage compartments is only indicated when body fluids have soiled them.  In such cases, use absorption agent first if required, clean any visible soil and disinfect before vaccuuming to eliminate the risk of re-aerosolization.
7. Wash hands with soap and water immediately after gloves are removed.  An alcohol based hand sanitizer can be used if the hands are not visibly soiled.
8. Dispose of soiled material and gloves in a biohazard bag if one is available.  If not, use a sealed plastic bag and label it as biohazard.
9. Do not use compressed air.  It might re-aerosolize infectious material.

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