Since the beginning of the pandemic, 3M has played a critical role in the global response to COVID-19. In addition to offering personal protective equipment and vital medical solutions to help the health care industry, 3M has been working to restore those missed moments we've collectively lost – like heading to Target Field for a Minnesota Twins baseball game.

But reopening a facility in today’s environment is a complex challenge, especially with a communal space full of tradition – and people.

Jordan Gannon, sales trainer, and Zach Doebler, application engineer, both with 3M's Commercial Solutions Division (CSD), understand the difficulties of navigating coronavirus cleaning and disinfection protocols – like making sure the appropriate social distancing measures are in place and personnel are properly trained. That’s why CSD was excited to partner with the Minnesota Twins to implement the new 3MTM Clean & Protect Certified Badge Program.

"We were seeing these unique challenges coming up because of the pandemic and we asked ourselves, 'What is our role here?'" said Jordan. "We manufacture graphics, we have a cleaning and disinfection business, we have a whole health care business with technologies that really matter right now, we are one of the largest producers of PPE and we know a thing or two about filter technologies. We looked at all the things we do at 3M and thought maybe there is a solution we can offer to customers that doesn't exist right now. And next thing you know, 3M Clean & Protect was born."

The Minnesota Twins were eager to get fans back to the stadium and worked closely with 3M to implement the new program.

It started by evaluating the Twins' current products, determining what was most important to the franchise and understanding what their current procedures were. "We work to be a true partner to make sure we are giving them the right solution for their facility. We know no facility is the same and no cleaning procedure is the same," said Zach.

The new Clean & Protect Certified Badge Program provides a framework to help ensure each facility gets the solutions it needs.

"Before, the Minnesota Twins had a lot of different products coming from a lot of different manufacturers," said Zach. "Now we’re able to provide the Twins with one sole source of information, with one technical team offering products that were often developed to work together. That’s made this a beneficial solution."

A play by play

The Clean & Protect Certified Badge Program was designed to provide facility management teams with effective cleaning and disinfecting solutions and training to allow for a smoother return to normal operations. Although teams are working hard behind the scenes to reopen carefully, being able to provide a visual cue that illustrates their commitment to clean is important, too. The program includes four components to promote cleanliness, confidence and compliance in facilities.

1. Cleaning & Disinfection Solutions: Customers can choose from a wide range of 3M solutions to enhance their existing cleaning and disinfection protocols including cleaning chemical solutions, EPA-approved disinfectants, including those for COVID-19, and cleaning tools and chemical dispensers.
2. Cleaning Verification & Monitoring Systems: Customers can measure the cleanliness of their facilities in real-time and track and monitor changes over time, with the 3M™ Clean-Trace™ ATP Monitoring System, a technology the CSD team leveraged from the 3M Health Care Business Group.
3. Training: Making sure staff are properly trained on disinfection best practices is key to successfully navigating new procedures and protocols. As part of the program, customers are required to complete specially designed online training modules from the 3M Cleaning Academy.
4. Social Distancing & Wayfinding Graphics: Clearly communicating facility practices to occupants is essential to keeping all who enter a facility informed. Customers have access to a wide range of floor and surface graphics and safety marketing tapes and tools to clearly outline their expectations.

Major league protection

As we all do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prepare to embrace a new normal, putting the proper tools, products and training in place now is key. With the 3M Clean & Protect Certified Badge Program, fans and employees at Target Field can trust the stadium's surfaces are cleaned, disinfected, protected and backed by 3M Science.

For more information about the 3M Clean & Protect Certified Badge Program, please visit 3M.com/CleanAndProtect.