Being in a workplace with poor hygiene can be a health hazard for employees. This year, with the global pandemic, it is an absolute must to have a hygienic workplace for employees, customers, clients and guests. The following are 5 steps to consider to improve workplace hygiene:
1) Improve general sanitation by using antimicrobial cleaners and products that go beyond just surface cleaning
Antimicrobial cleansers are designed to provide more than just a surface clean. They destroy harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi found on surfaces in restrooms, kitchens and other workplace areas. This is important in facilities where food is handled or prepared; however, the benefits aren’t just limited to the commercial kitchen–an antimicrobial cleaning has become essential for sanitizing high-touch areas within a facility. The use of antimicrobial cleaners reduces the incidence of workplace illnesses.
Antimicrobial cleaners also reduce the occurrence of workplace infections that can be transferred through contact with surfaces in restrooms, kitchens, break rooms and other areas where employees gather.
2) Ensuring regular sanitizing of high-touch surfaces
This was touched on above but sanitizing high-touch surfaces is now an essential cleaning item. A commercial cleaning service, like Mid-American Cleaning Contractors, can provide you with this type of sanitization and ensure that the workplace is both clean and healthy. We learned how easily a virus can be transmitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Making sure that high-touch surfaces remain sanitized is essential in maintaining a healthy workplace.
3) Ensure clean water supply for drinking fountains or coffee machines
We often take clean water for granted. Ask yourself this if you have a water cooler, when was the last time the water cooler was cleaned and sanitized? It’s important for your workplace to have clean water available at all times. More often than not, mildew and algae can grow beneath the water jug. Drinking tainted water can lead to employees taking more sick days and that could mean a potential dip in productivity. Clean water sources are necessary in keeping employees healthy and productive throughout the workday.
4) Promote better restroom hygiene with routine cleanings and touch-free devices
Installing motion-sensing faucets, soap dispensers, and towel dispensers have multiple benefits. They promote hand washing, save water, and dispense a set amount of soap and paper towels, thereby reducing overuse and waste. As we all know, proper handwashing helps prevent transmission and infection of viral and bacterial diseases.
Most importantly, the easiest way to ensure that your employees feel like the bathroom is hygienic is by, in fact, keeping your bathrooms hygienic. A professional cleaning service trains their cleaners how to properly address the sanitary needs of a bathroom. Regular service visits are necessary to keep the bathroom areas healthy.
5) Provide Clean Air
It’s important to keep the air in your facility clean. This can be done by installing high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filters or ventilated return ducts. HEPA filters remove 99% of all particles one micron and larger from circulating through the office; this includes bacteria, mold spores, viruses, pet dander dust mites etc.- which means cleaner air for everyone!
Regular cleaning and replacing of air filters is another easy maintenance item that often gets forgotten, though it shouldn’t. Neglect can lead to a buildup of these contaminants and drastically reduce the effectiveness of the filter. Routine maintenance and cleaning of your forced-air system is a quick and easy way to keep the air in your facility clean.
6) Provide Sanitizers and stock cleaning supplies like disinfectant wipes
In addition to providing a workplace that is clean and healthy, it’s important for the facility manager to provide employees with hygienic workplace supplies. For example, make sure all kitchens have sanitary hand dish soap available as well as neatly stocked trash cans.
Keeping hand sanitizer around the office, preferably a touch-free receptacle, promotes good hygiene and also reduces the spread of germs. Stocking cleaning items like disinfectant wipes, in easily accessible spaces also allows your employees to sanitize high-touch surfaces on their own, which puts them at ease. and promotes workplace health.
The way in which a client or employee perceives the cleanliness of your facility can have an impact on how they perceive you and your company. Many of these items can be implemented easily in your facility. Contact us today for a consultation about which sanitation tips make sense for your company so we can create an effective plan together.
