With flu season in full swing, it’s a great time to look at your workplace hygiene. As reported by CleanLink, with open plan and shared office spaces like coworking becoming more and more popular, there are also more and more opportunities for infection to spread.
With people working in closely-packed spaces, sharing office equipment, and even hot-desking, there are ample opportunities for bacteria and viruses to pass from person to person. Even in more traditional office spaces, studies have shown that germs are present on an alarming number of surfaces.
Surprisingly, the restrooms are potentially one of the cleanest places in the office because they are cleaned and properly disinfected regularly. Implementing excellent workplace hygiene can help keep workers healthier and reduce the number of sick days lost to infections like cold, flu, and stomach bugs.
Here are our tips on keeping your workplace clean and healthy this cold and flu season:
Provide Hand Sanitizer
The spread of workplace germs is mostly down to the number of surfaces people touch with their hands. One study by the University of Arizona demonstrated that infections can spread at an alarming rate, with just one employee entering the office carrying the germs on their hands.
Placing hand sanitizers and wipes around the office in high-traffic areas like kitchens and meeting rooms can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. One common mistake is placing hand sanitizers in the restrooms. Proper handwashing is more effective than sanitizer. Keep sanitizing kits for areas where people can’t or won’t wash their hands.
Clean and Disinfect Surfaces More Frequently
Restrooms are typically cleaned and disinfected several times in a day. Desks and other office surfaces like door handles are often only lightly dusted once per day, with a more thorough clean much less frequently.
Cleaning and disinfecting high-traffic areas, desks, and other surfaces regularly can reduce the spread of germs. It’s especially important during cold and flu season. The increased cost involved with cleaning surfaces more frequently will be offset with the reduction in sickness absence.
Refrigerators, microwaves, coffee machines, and even photocopier buttons are also office hotspots where germs can linger. A comprehensive cleaning program includes regular cleaning of all kitchen appliances.
Pay Attention to Items on Desks
Desk surfaces themselves often harbor a lot of germs, but other items like mouse mats, computer mice and even stationary can harbor nasty viruses and bacteria.
One of the worst culprits are telephones – desk telephones and mobile telephones both tend to be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Cleaning these items regularly, along with the use of hand sanitizer, can stop the spread of .
At Team Clean, we offer cleaning solutions for offices throughout the Philadelphia area. Our eleven-point office check system ensures a thorough clean each time. Why not get a quote and see how we can help you stop the spread of germs in your office? One of the worst culprits are telephones – desk telephones and mobile telephones both tend to be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Cleaning these items regularly, along with the use of hand sanitizer, can stop the spread of . At Team Clean, we offer cleaning solutions for offices throughout the Philadelphia area. Our eleven-point office check system ensures a thorough clean each time. Why not get a quote and see how we can help you stop the spread of germs in your office?
