Rink

KEEP YOUR LOCKER ROOMS CLEAN & DRY Suggestions for Safe Cleaning • Always wear gloves when using any disinfectants. • Hard surfaces and equipment such as floors, drinking fountains, light switches, door handles, handrails, tables and desks should be cleaned routinely. • Locker rooms, including any shower areas, should be cleaned daily, if used. • If soap is furnished, it should be accessible from a wall dispenser. • Ensure that locker rooms and restrooms all have separate cleaning mops and buckets, and that all mops (use washable microfiber heads or disposable mop cloths) and buckets are cleaned regularly. • Consider making spray bottles of disinfectant available for patrons and staff to clean frequently touched surfaces of shared equipment between uses, and provide instruction (e.g., new user orientation or posters) for the safe use of disinfectant. Facility Maintenance – Laundry • Wash shared linens (e.g., towels, sheets, blankets or uniforms) in detergent and water at 160°F for at least 25 minutes. • Use a mechanical dryer on hot temperature cycle (i.e., avoid air drying). • Distribute towels, uniforms, etc. only when they are completely dry. Keep it Dry! Keeping the locker room areas dry and the humidity levels down has become more important then ever. Many skating facilities have addressed the humidity concerns in the ice surface area, but what about the locker room areas? If you are unsure of the levels, install a low-cost electronic hydrometer so you can monitor the area. If you do find high humidity levels, you should look at ways to increase airflow and ventilation in the area. Some facilities have installed ductwork that incorporates the dedicated dehumidification system for the ice area to include the locker room area. Depending on the type of dehumidification (desiccant or mechanical), this can be an effective way to help keep this area dry. In addition to dehumidification systems, many architects also recommend installing fans in locker rooms to increase airflow. The more air movement, the quicker the areas will dry, reducing humidity and the potential for mold, mildew, germs and bacteria. Also, the addition of radiant heat systems that have been installed in some newer facilities by running heated pipes under the floors of the locker room areas has gone a long way toward keeping these areas clean and dry while using free waste heat from the compressor system. Floor drains and sloped floors should be used to prevent standing water in any locker room or restroom area. Proper drainage aids in the cleaning of the areas by allowing the use of sprayers and hoses to wash down the areas. For buildings that may have a serious problem with bacteria, fungi and odors from athletic equipment and locker room areas there is a new treatment available from CleanZone. It can sanitize locker rooms and workout facilities, freshen and purify the air by using their unique, patent-pending Ozone Generators. This treatment uses UV light to produce the high concentrations of natural ozone necessary to kill bacteria, viruses, molds and other allergens residing in the air and on all surfaces, wet or dry. For more information go to: www.cleanzonesystems.com/ Commercial-Facilities_Athletic.asp Awareness for Your Skaters Hockey players in your facility need to be aware of their part in prevention of staph as well. Dr. Eric Weinstein is an attending emergency physician at Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro, S.C., who recently said in USA Hockey Magazine: "Parents, players, and coaches should be aware of the signs of infection on the body and any concerns should be taken to a physician or team doctor. 22 R INK MAGAZ INE MArch/April 2008 Color-code your rags: A red cloth or tool might be designated for the restroom, while blue could be used for the snack bar. STOCK.XCHNG

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