The document – Nema GD 4-2020: COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance for Electrical Equipment – answers common questions on how to maintain the cleanliness of equipment. It is available as a free electronic download from Nema’s Web site.
“As government social distancing restrictions are lifted, and workplaces of all types reopen, the focus will be on how to protect workers and keep facilities clean and disinfected,” says Nema’s president and CEO Kevin Cosgriff. “This may include cleaning and disinfecting electrical equipment. The first consideration is worker safety, so following documented safety procedures is essential.
“Electrical Safety Foundation International is a good source for general safety information,” he continues. “Beyond that, all cleaning and disinfecting steps must bear in mind the need to protect electrical equipment from inappropriate cleaning and disinfecting products and methods. In most cases, the original equipment manufacturer is the best source of authoritative information regarding products made by them.”
“Disinfectant solutions and solvents can harm electrical equipment and components, causing severe damage that can result in outages and potential physical injuries,” adds Steve Sacco, vice-president of safety and environment at Nema member, Schneider Electric. “We specifically caution against the use of fogging and spraying disinfectant solutions on and around electrical equipment because this can create invasive electrical hazards. When cleaning and disinfecting electrical equipment and components, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions.”
“If you have a specific question, contact the electrical manufacturer for guidance,” Sacco suggests. “While performing routine maintenance or operating the equipment, we recommend taking all possible steps to avoid contamination by following CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommendations on thorough hand washing and the use of personal protective equipment, including face coverings.”
Nema represents almost 325 manufacturers of electrical and medical imaging equipment.
