Enhanced sanitizing and disinfecting protocols are in effect on Mercer University’s campuses to help keep students, faculty, staff and visitors safe.
National Management Resources, the company with which Mercer contracts custodial services, has been strictly following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the COVID-19 pandemic began, said Ben Smith, National supervisor for the Macon campus.
“At National, we understand that students and their families want to come back to a safe and healthy campus,” Smith said. “We are cleaning in accordance with the CDC guidelines. That means cleaning of frequently touched surfaces using EPA-registered disinfectants. We are also following Mercer’s safety guidelines, which includes wearing face coverings on campus.”
Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all campus buildings in Macon and Atlanta. They can be found at every entrance and exit as well as in some common areas, said Daniel Hoppe, director of housekeeping and events for National on the Atlanta campus.
Every common surface is cleaned each day, Hoppe said. Eighteen employees perform custodial services on the Atlanta campus. On the Macon campus, about 40 employees work during the day and 30 at night, and 10 more employees were hired in May for daily disinfecting of high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches, handrails, tables and chairs, Smith said.
In addition to routine daily cleaning, common areas such as hallways, lounges, break rooms and classrooms are being given extra attention. Residence halls are being prepared for students returning for the fall semester.
National employees are taking extra precautions too. They participate in daily pre-work health screenings that include temperature checks and questions to monitor for symptoms. They stay home if they or anyone in their household exhibit symptoms.
Employees don’t work in groups and practice social distancing, and start times and shifts are staggered. They wear gloves and masks, wash their hands and use hand sanitizer frequently, and vehicles they travel in are disinfected regularly. Employees also wear safety glasses when the situation calls for them and can request additional personal protective equipment if they desire.
