Every workplace must be sanitary and safe for employees and visitors alike. This is true for all workplaces, not just those that handle food and personal care goods.
A solid workplace hygiene policy is the best way to ensure employees keep the workplace clean.
Each workplace will have its own set of hygiene requirements. Certain tasks or industries may also pose risks that necessitate additional safeguards beyond those discussed below. However, the following are some key areas that all workplaces should consider when developing a workplace hygiene policy.
Why is workplace hygiene important?
Workplace hygiene is essential because it helps to maintain a healthy workforce. Employees that are happy and healthy perform better. A healthy workplace also means that employees take fewer sick days.
How do you maintain workplace hygiene?
Implement a hygiene policy
Provide a written hygiene policy to employees. Inform them of your intentions and expectations for a clean work environment. This indicates to them that you, too, are concerned about workplace hygiene.
Provide a clean bathroom
A sanitary workplace requires a clean bathroom. Make sure the bathroom has plenty of soap, toilet paper, and hand towels.
Provide clean wipes, sanitiser and tissues
Provide items like these to assist your staff in maintaining a clean and sanitary workspace. If such items are easily accessible, employees are more likely to use them.
Regular cleaning
Maintain a regular cleaning schedule in your workplace. This helps to prevent the spread of infection, and a clean workplace also helps to maintain morale and professionalism.
What is basic workplace hygiene?
Personal hygiene, work area cleanliness, clean restroom facilities, and a clean kitchen are the four components of basic workplace hygiene.
Why is workplace personal hygiene important?
Employee personal hygiene refers to their cleanliness, appearance, and habits. For obvious reasons, employee personal hygiene can be a sensitive issue for business owners. Employees will understand what is expected of them if there is an official policy in place.
Showering, using deodorant or perfume, grooming facial hair, and washing hair are all examples of criteria. Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers are also very important in preventing the spread of illnesses.
What is the importance of keeping work areas clean?
Workplace hygiene policies should also require employees to clean and maintain their own workstations or work areas.
The hygiene policy could include regular disinfectant cleaning of surfaces. This would result in a significant decrease in infections and illnesses. Policies typically include keeping the area clean and clutter-free.
Restroom hygiene in the workplace
Provide hand soap, toilet paper, and hand drying towels or equipment in the restrooms. Encourage your employees to practice personal hygiene after using the restrooms.
Some businesses hire an outside cleaning service to clean their restrooms. If staff are required to maintain the facilities, the workplace hygiene policy may include specifications such as the frequency of cleaning and the sort of materials to use for cleaning the floor, toilet bowls, and sinks.