PRR 2020-188

Standard Operating Procedure BM-###-SOP

Approved: MM/DD/2018
COVID-19 Contamination on a Bus
(Governance: TBD)

Office of Primary Responsibility Requirement

Bus Maintenance TBD

Departments
Bus Maintenance Pg. 1 of
Affected

1.0 Purpose. A protocol to address safety and a chain of command when addressing a vehicle that has
come to a garage yard with a report of elevated risk for COVID-19 contamination. To standardize the
response and maintain a consistent approach to handling each incident.

2.0 Scope. This SOP applies to all bus maintenance employees who have any contact or responsibility
regarding a potentially contaminated vehicle.

3.0 Equipment and Tools, Materials, and References.

3.1 Equipment and Tools.

3.1.1 Painters tape.
3.1.2 Quarantine Sign
3.1.3 TriMet approved disinfectant or disinfecting wipes
3.2 References
3.2.1 TriMet Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
3.2.2 CURIS fogger SOP
3.2.3
3.3 Personal Protection Equipment
3.3.1 Single-use nitrile gloves
3.3.2 Safety glasses
3.3.3 Face shield
3.3.4 NIOSH-approved N95 respirators (aka dust masks) on a voluntary use basis (not
required)

4.0 Definitions

4.1 Elevated risk: A specific report of an individual or individuals having been on the bus who
were known to be, reported to be, or under observation for infection with COVID-19

5.0 Procedure.

5.1 If a bus reports to the spotter shack and the spotter is made aware of an elevated risk of
infection on the bus.
5.1.1 DO NOT pull the farebox. DO NOT enter the bus.

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5.1.2 Without entering the bus, while wearing gloves and safety glasses or face shield,
tape a quarantine sign on the inside of the front door glass with the print facing
out.
5.1.3 Direct the operator of the bus to park in the designated area for that garage and
shut the doors.
5.1.4 Notify the Shop Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, or Senior Mechanic on duty of
the location and number of the bus.
5.1.5 After the bus is parked, tape the doors shut from the outside.
5.1.6 Alert all yard crew of the quarantined bus.

DO NOT RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CLEARED BY THE

GARAGE MANAGER TO DO SO.

5.2 If a bus is parked in a track when Bus Maintenance employee is made aware of an elevated
risk of infection on the bus.
5.2.1 DO NOT service the bus further.
5.2.2 While wearing gloves and safety glasses or a face shield, tape a quarantine sign
on the inside of the front door glass with the print facing out.
5.2.3 Notify the Shop Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, or Senior Mechanic on duty of
the location and number of the bus.
5.2.4 Alert all yard crew of the quarantined bus.
5.2.5 Work around the bus for as long as possible.
5.2.6 When the bus must be moved. Enter the bus wearing gloves and safety glasses or
face shield. A mask or N95 respirator may be used at the discretion of the
employee. Wipe down the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and dash area with
disinfectant. Allow the space to dry per recommended dwell time.
5.2.7 Move the bus do the designated area for that garage and shut the doors.
5.2.8 Tape the doors shut from the outside.

DO NOT RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CLEARED BY THE

GARAGE MANAGER TO DO SO.

5.3 If a non-revenue vehicle is brought to the yard with an elevated risk of infection in the
vehicle.
5.3.1 DO NOT enter the vehicle. DO NOT move the vehicle.
5.3.2 While wearing gloves and safety glasses or a face shield, tape a quarantine sign
on the inside of the driver’s door window with the print facing out. Lock the
vehicle.
5.3.3 Notify the NRV Supervisor, the Shop Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, or Senior
Mechanic on duty of the location and number of the NRV.
5.3.4 Alert all yard crew of the quarantined vehicle.
DO NOT RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CLEARED BY THE
GARAGE MANAGER TO DO SO.

5.4 The Shop Supervisor, NRV Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, or Senior Mechanic will call
the Garage Manager responsible for that garage and notify them of the affected vehicle.

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5.4.1 If that Garage Manager is cannot be reached the supervisor or designee will call
the other Garage Managers.
5.4.2 If a Garage Manager cannot be reached the supervisor or designee will call the
Director of Bus Maintenance.
5.5 The Garage Manager or Director who was reached will be given the details of the
contamination. The Garage Manager will determine if a CURIS fogger or a third party
biohazard clean-up contractor will be used to perform the required cleaning. (Refer to CURIS
fogger SOP for procedure and appropriate PPE considerations.)
5.6 The Shop Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, or Senior Mechanic Will ensure that a repair
order is created stating that the bus is biohazard isolated. They will also ensure that an ACID
number has been created. (Both items may have been created by O.C.C.)
5.7 When the appropriate cleaning has been performed the Garage manager will notify the shop
office that the bus is ready to return to normal service.
DO NOT RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS CLEARED BY THE GARAGE
MANAGER TO DO SO.

In the event of a vehicle contamination that is not outlined in this SOP contact the Garage Manager
for guidance. See section 5.4 of this SOP.