Whether it’s the winter weather or a coronavirus from abroad, it appears that illness is on the rise; how can you combat poor health and absence through hygiene?
It is therefore critical that businesses and their employees are aware of both the common winter illnesses and the new COVID-19 virus, how they are transmitted in the workplace, and what steps they can take to reduce their risk of contracting them.
Simple changes to personal and workplace hygiene habits, or even office layout, could help us stay healthy and bug-free. This article will look at advice for businesses and their employees, as well as the specialized cleaning routines that offices should implement to ensure a healthy working environment for their employees.
Here are some tips for keeping your workplace healthy and protecting your employees from illness.
Encourage good hand hygiene practices
Staff should wash their hands with good quality soap on a regular basis, and hand sanitizer stations should always be available. The most effective hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol and can form a gentle but long-lasting barrier across hands, protecting against germs for several hours after use.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, which is roughly the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday to yourself twice!
Cleaning routines
Ensure that communal areas, such as a shared kitchen and restrooms, are cleaned on a regular and thorough basis. Companies with an open-plan working environment and only basic workday cleaning practices should schedule a professional deep clean at least twice a year to prevent the buildup of hidden embedded dirt and contamination.
Cleaning the desk
Provide anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizing gels to encourage employees to clean their desk areas on a regular basis. Ensure that desk items are cleaned on a regular basis.
Spread prevention
To avoid further contamination of the workforce, ensure that employees who contract a virus stay away from the office for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have subsided. There are also things your employees can do to keep themselves and others safe.
Maintain good hygiene
It is critical to thoroughly wash your hands after using the restroom and before preparing food. It is recommended that you wash your hands twice as long as it takes to sing the happy birthday song (approximately 30 seconds). Cleaning your desk and associated equipment on a regular basis also helps to reduce germs in the office.
Stop distributing
When using communal areas, avoid sharing items such as tea towels. These items can harbor high levels of bacteria and are frequently not cleaned on a regular basis. Tissue paper or hand towels from proper wall-mounted dispensers are good alternatives.
Deep cleaning is an important tool
To effectively and quickly eliminate infectious outbreaks, all facilities should have a strategic cleaning plan in place to effectively and quickly eliminate infectious outbreaks. Specialist technicians are highly trained and well-equipped, with extensive experience in providing high-quality disinfection services.
Specialist cleaning in an office will help reduce the likelihood of common employee illnesses occurring. If an outbreak of an illness does occur, it is recommended that premises managers contact a specialist cleaning provider, who will be able to deploy the appropriate service to disinfect the area.
Summary
In addition to using specialized cleaners and cutting-edge cleaning technology, it is critical to encourage both employees and visitors to offices to take personal responsibility by adhering to proper hygienic practices. By taking these simple precautions, facility and office managers can ensure a sanitary environment and look forward to a more productive winter season.