Articles

GBAC and Microbial Warfare

Categories: Cleaning for Health & Safety, Innovations, Trends & Technology, ISSA Insights

We are Microbial Warriors™. While we may not recognize it, each day we respond to situations that involve biological or infectious disease agents.

Experts warn that we are not ready to keep the United States—and the world—safe from the next pandemic. Global health experts such as Bill Gates, former World Health Organization Director Dr. Margaret Chan, and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden have expressed concern that not enough is being done to prepare for a disease outbreak, leaving our worldwide community vulnerable. The current system for responding to infectious diseases is broken.*

Our mission

ISSA and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) have recognized the need for change and believe it can be achieved by working together. To quote ISSA Executive Director John Barrett, “ISSA and GBAC have come together to make the world a safer, healthier, and better place. The merger clearly complements ISSA’s mission to change the way the world views cleaning and advance the professionalism of the cleaning industry.”

Those in the cleaning profession have an essential role in this mission. We are the frontline specialists asked to clean, sanitize, and disinfect areas where infectious diseases beyond bloodborne pathogens may be present. These environments may include, but are certainly not limited to:

• A school where there is a flu or measles outbreak
• A restaurant with a hepatitis A event
• An assisted care facility where there is a norovirus outbreak
• An airport or hotel where a traveler arrives infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Being trained to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from these events helps us all become successful Microbial Warriors.

Our vendors and manufacturers have a critical role in this mission as well. They come forward with innovative ideas and solutions that make our jobs more effective and efficient. Working collectively, we can improve how we react to infectious diseases and create a world that is not only healthy but thriving.

Who is GBAC?

 Now a division of ISSA, GBAC^® STARted from a conversation among individuals with backgrounds in biosafety/infection control, forensic restoration, and bio-decontamination/remediation and cleaning. This conversation identified gaps within those industries and that through collaboration, those gaps could be closed.

Why do we need GBAC?

By learning from each other, we can continue to increase our knowledge and skills to improve how we respond to potential biological threats and dangers in our increasingly integrated world. We can provide a critical service in global public health preparedness to make the world a better place. This is the mission of GBAC.

What will GBAC do for me?

Set yourself apart from your competitors! Over the next year, ISSA-GBAC will be rolling out new training and certifications, company accreditations, licensing programs, and special projects that you can become involved in. A series of articles in ISSA publications will introduce you to GBAC and members of the GBAC Scientific Advisory Board. These articles will also discuss our services such as GBAC educational events, which you can attend to learn more about GBAC standards and technical field guides.

Join me and other members of the GBAC Scientific Advisory Board at the inaugural ISSA-GBAC Bio-Response Fundamentals training at the ISSA Show in November. Become a designated GBAC Forensic Restoration Technician and learn about other GBAC programs, such as the Certified Forensic Operator training, Rapid Response, and more. Check out the GBAC website at www.gbac.org to become familiar with our board members, connect with us on Facebook, and ask us questions. We are here to serve you and our community.

I am truly honored and excited to be your ISSA-GBAC executive director. There is so much for us do, and I believe that together we will accomplish our mission!

*From The World Is Not Ready for the Next Pandemic by Bryan Walsh (Time, May 15, 2017).

About the Author.

Patricia (Patty) Olinger, JM—founder and CEO of BEAMS LLC Consulting, specializing in quality management, UN SDGs, business enhancement coaching and biorisk management. Olinger was one of the founding members of GBAC, a division of ISSA, and served for several years as the executive director of GBAC.