PURPOSE:

This procedure has been developed for preventive disinfection of aircraft cabin and other frequently touched aircraft parts by passengers during aircraft operation in the COVID-19 Pandemic period in line with Buddha Air COVID-19 Prevention Protocol and CAA Nepal Directive. 

MATERIALS REQUIREMENT

•    Approved Disinfectant
•    Clean Dry Lint FreeCloth
•    Masks
•    Water Proof/Plastic Aprons
•    Protective Eye Gear
•    Rubber Gloves
•    Waste Bags
•    Waterproof boots
•    Spray bottle

These materials' inadequate amount shall be supplied continuously to all the stations with information to the respective contact personnel by GSD except for Approved Disinfectant which shall be supplied by Technical Supplies and Stores Division.

 

PROCEDURE FOR AIRCRAFT PREVENTIVE DISINFECTION:

1. No one shall enter the aircraft without their hand sanitized or washed properly and wearing the mask properly.
2. Dedicated trained personnel [Cleaning Staff, Helpers, and Loaders] shall only enter the aircraft after wearing all the required protective gear like masks, protective eye gear, gloves, apron, and protective eye gear for the purpose of aircraft routine cleaning and disinfection.
3. Dedicated Trained Personnel is grouped in FOUR and such personnel in the group-wise should only be assigned for aircraft cleaning and disinfection as far as practicable.
4. Different personnel within the group shall be assigned for different areas as far as practicable in order to prevent possible cross-contamination.
5. Separate clothes and mops should be used for the aisle, lavatory [if used during the flight] and gallery, and mark them.
6. Before the commencement of aircraft cleaning and disinfection, the cargo door, passenger door, and service door of an aircraft should be in the open position for proper ventilation.
7. Disinfection of aircraft shall only be commenced after the completion of aircraft routine cleaning after each flight and at the end of the day’s flight.
8. “Instruction for Use” and “Safety /Precaution” labeled on the container of Approved Disinfectant shall always be followed.
9. During disinfection, surfaces should be rubbed using clothes soaked with disinfectant, and after a period of reaction [5 minutes in the case of Approved Disinfectant Netbiokem DSAM], a regular cleaning process should be carried out to avoid erosive effect on cabin components due to long time exposure to the disinfectant with a clean dry cloth.
10. All disposable protective equipment, after their use, should be placed in double waste bags for disposal.
11. Other protective equipment can be sterilized by washing them with detergent and hot water or soaked in Diluted Bleach solution, rinse and dry it.
12. Reusable goggles should be promptly sterilized and dried every time after use. Goggles with an anti-fogging film should avoid being wiped with disinfectant.
13. Cleaning staff should sanitize their hands properly either by using sanitizer or washing hands with soap before and after removing their protective gear.
14. The aircraft routine cleaning and preventive disinfection after each flight during aircraft line operation shall be monitored by the respective cabin crew and make required-entry onboard Aircraft Preventive Disinfection log after the successful completion of the task.
15. In the case of aircraft routine cleaning and preventive disinfection after the last flight of the day, such tasks should only be initiated only after complete disembarkation of all passengers and crew members. In this case, the monitoring and logging should be performed by the respective technician/engineer.

 

DISINFECTION OF KEY AREAS SHOULD PROCEED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

After each flight:

• Aisles: Overhead bins, reading lights, air outlets, cabin attendant call switch, seats (tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles)

• Lavatories: [If used during the flight in the unavoidable situation as reported by Cabin Crew]: The disinfection in lavatory should be progressed from contaminated to clean areas as follow: toilet bowls, waste bins, hand basins, lavatory sidewalls, door surfaces, doorknobs, ashtrays (if installed), and latches. 

• Galleys: Galley facilities, lockers/drawers, and waste bins. Additional areas as applicable if the crew members are changed during the aircraft line operation.

• Flight Deck: Armrest, Seat Harness Buckle, Control Column handle & Switches, Engine/Flight Control Levers, instrument panels.

• Cabin Attendant Seats: Seat Harness, Communication Phone.

• Railings: Passenger Door Railings

 

At the end of each day flight

• Aisles: Overhead bins, reading lights, air outlets, cabin attendant call switch, sidewall panels, windows, seats (tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles), cabinets/lockers, cabin attendant seats. 

• Lavatories: The disinfection in lavatory should be progressed as follow: toilet bowls, waste bins, hand basins, lavatory sidewalls, door surfaces, doorknobs, ashtrays (if installed), and latches. 

• Galleys: Lockers/drawers, and waste bins.

• Flight Deck Seats:  Armrest, Seat Harness Buckle, Control Column handle & Switches, Engine/Flight Control Levers

• Cabin Attendant Seats: Seat Harness, Communication Phone

• Railings: Passenger Door Railings

 

Everyone is encouraged to report any discrepancies in the workplace to one’s superior and Corporate Safety Department so that the required remedial action shall be taken for the sake of the benefit of all. 

At the same time, Flight Crew, Cabin Crew, and Techincal Staff are encouraged to report for any areas to be disinfected to the concerned staff. Upon notification by cabin crew on the identified suspected cases on board, thorough disinfection should be carried out.