Restoration Industry & COVID-19

The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is sharing the following resources for restorers related to dealing with COVID-19 hazards. These include the COVID-19 Pandemic Report for Professional Cleaning and Restoration Contractors, COVID-19 Industry Briefings, EPA registered disinfectent products, and more. RIA encourages restorers to continue to monitor guidelines and information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other authorities.

The COVID-19 Pandemic, A Report for Professional Cleaning and Restoration Contractors

Fifth Edition - October 26, 2020
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) are working to help the members of our industry provide essential services in this rapidly evolving and ever-changing landscape. This document has been prepared by a wide range of experts from the cleaning and restoration industry to assist contractors in managing the risks arising from efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the report HERE.

COVID-19 Industry Briefings

RIA held a series of Industry Briefings to provide restorers with critical information on COVID-19. The briefing recaps can be viewed below.

View the RIA COVID-19 Industry Briefing Part 1 Recap

RIA Industry Briefing COVID-19

View the RIA COVID-19 Industry Briefing Part 2 Recap

RIA Industry COVID-19 Briefing 2

View the RIA COVID-19 Industry Briefing Part 3 Recap

RIA Industry COVID-19 Briefing 3

View the RIA COVID-19  Industry Briefing Part 4 Recap

RIA Industry COVID-19 Briefing 4

EPA-registered disinfectant products

On March 5, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

“Using the correct disinfectant is an important part of preventing and reducing the spread of illnesses along with other critical aspects such as hand washing,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “There is no higher priority for the Trump Administration than protecting the health and safety of Americans. EPA is providing this important information in a public and transparent manner on disinfectant products to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

Products appearing on EPA’s list registered disinfectant products have qualified for use against COVID-19 through the agency’s Emerging Viral Pathogen program. This program allows product manufacturers to provide EPA with data, even in advance of an outbreak, that shows their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses than SARS-CoV-2. It also allows additional communications intended to inform the public about the utility of these products against the emerging pathogen in the most expeditious manner.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product. Consumers using these disinfectants on an enveloped emerging virus should follow the directions for use on the product’s master label, paying close attention to the contact time for the product on the treated surface (i.e., how long the disinfectant should remain on the surface).

To view the list of EPA-registered disinfectant products, visit https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

COVID-19  Essential Service Action Request

RIA recognizes that some of our members may be experiencing challenges related to being pulled from job sites or being considered non-essential services. RIA has worked on members' behalf to communicate with government officials to understand the essential role restoration contractors play in maintaining the health and well-being of building occupants. RIA sent this letter to the governors of all 50 states imploring them to classify your business as essential.

In addition to this outreach, RIA, IICRC and NADCA have issued a joint statement on this issue in an effort to put even more strength behind the need for this designation.