Administrative Policies -- Policy 0032

State of Vermont
Agency of Administration
Department of Buildings & General Services

Policy 0032

Title: Use of Cleaning Products in State Facilities and Leased Properties
Date of Issue: July 1, 2004
Supersedes: Initial Policy

PURPOSE

In order to comply with Executive Orders 06-94 and 14-03, the State of Vermont will specify, buy and use where feasible, only Environmentally Preferable Custodial Cleaning Products in state owned and leased facilities.

Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Products (EPP) are defined as products that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purposes.

Products on the Environmentally Preferable Custodial Cleaning contracts meet or exceed the criteria established. Products that do not meet the stringent criteria have been included on secondary contracts after screening for health and environmental safety criteria and comparison with products formulated for similar use to obtain less "toxic" products.

Use of any non Environmentally Preferable Custodial Cleaning Product not presently on contract must have a waiver signed and on-file with the Risk Management, Environmental Safety & Occupational Health Coordinator and the work location where product is being used.

POLICY

State Contracts: Only the products designated on state contracts are authorized for use unless a waiver is on file. Unless otherwise stated, waivers will only be approved for products with existing EPP contract vendors. When utilizing products, custodians and contract janitorial staff will follow manufacturer's instructions for use. For a complete list of current contracts visit: http:/www.bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/currentcontracts and click on Custodial Supplies.
The following steps should be taken toward obtaining safe and effective products:

Step A. Environmentally Preferable (EP) contract items should be selected when available for the intended use. These products have been selected as they meet the established safety, health and environmental criteria, and were found to clean effectively when tested in state buildings. There may be options for the same type of use on other EP custodial product contracts.

Step B. Secondary contract(s) may be used when there is not a product that meets requirements on any of the EP contracts. In general, the products listed on secondary contracts do not meet the EP criteria, but may be needed for occasional use on heavier cleaning purposes.

Step C. A waiver request must be submitted to the Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Coordinator for review when there is not a product on contract that meets need (waiver form attached).
Purchasing: Products shall be ordered following regular purchasing procedures for items available on contract. The Purchasing Agent for this commodity is Dona Bosley who may be contacted at (802) 828-2217 or email at dona.bosley@state.vt.us for questions and issues.
Risk Management: All contracts have product training requirements that require the vendor to provide some service and training on use of products. This is in addition to any training provided by your immediate supervisor. Additional safety and health training should be facilitated through Mike Blanchet at (802) 828- 4616 or email at mike.blanchet@state.vt.us. Mike is the Risk Management, Environmental Safety & Occupational Health Coordinator.
Bleach: The storage of a small amount of bleach as the preferred method of disinfecting a blood spill is permitted. A small amount is defined as one quart. Surfaces which may have been contaminated by blood from emergency medical situations shall be disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) 1/10 - 1/100 (¼ cup of bleach per gallon of water) solution for at least 10 minutes as soon as feasible after contact.
Critical Product Exclusion Criteria: The mandatory exclusions for all cleaning products used by state employees or contractors within state facilities are as follows. For a complete list of requirements, click here
- No Persistent, Bioaccumulative And Toxic Chemicals NOTE: biocides in disinfectants are exempt from this criterion.
- No Carcinogens, Mutagens And Teratogens
- No Ozone-Depleting Compounds
- Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC.s)
- No Hazardous Waste Characteristics
- No Phosphate or Phosphonates
- No Combination Cleaner-Disinfectants