Self-care most certainly comes into play when you are trying to stop yourself from succumbing to the “office ‘flu”. You use hand sanitiser, are wary of communal areas, and stay on high alert for the sneezer in your workplace who never seems to cover their mouth.
However, there’s something extra that can help reduce the risk of office sickness, and that’s using a “infection control-style” commercial cleaner is better than DIY methods. Read on to learn what those might be, and why they are worthwhile for your workplace.
Daily Surface Disinfecting & Cleaning
You might think it’s going a little overboard to clean and disinfect surfaces in your workplace every day, but think how many people are in your business? How many people touch the bathroom door, the kitchen benches, and the office phones?
Any surfaces in communal areas, and even your own cubicle, should be considered for daily cleaning and disinfecting. A commercial cleaning company can be of assistance by cleaning them with an all-purpose cleaner, followed up with disinfectant spray.
Cleaning Hands Often
Whether you’re the one doing the commercial cleaning, or you want to avoid sickness in your office, then cleaning your hands often can help. Commercial cleaners should change their gloves at least every half an hour in a workplace. Staff, on the other hand, should clean their hands several times throughout the working day.
According to the CDC, washing hands with soap and water can reduce food-borne illnesses, respiratory infections, and similar, by up to 50 percent.
Dusting Surfaces
Any commercial cleaning expert will know that dusting forms an integral part of the office cleaning process. Counters, heating units, shelves, ledges, vents, and almost anything in your office can harbour dust. Do you know what’s in that dust? Illness-transmitting skin cells. The sooner you take care of the dust, the sooner you can enjoy peace of mind that you’re reducing your risk of sickness in the office.
Daily Rubbish Removal
Let’s say Barbara in accounts has come down with a pretty nasty cold. She’s coughing, sneezing, congested, and generally unwell. For some reason, Barbara decides to come to work and eats a pottle of yoghurt in the communal area. She scoops out the yoghurt, licks the lid, and puts the whole lot in the bin.
Ben, a healthy lad from sales, throws his rubbish in next and touches the yoghurt pottle and lid. Ben now has Barbara’s germs, and there’s every chance that he can now catch Barbara’s cold. Daily rubbish emptying can have more of an impact on worker illness than you might think. Disinfect and clean bins daily to reduce the spread.
Most adults will get two to three colds per year, and the cost to employers is in the billions. Reduce the risk of illness in your office by emphasising commercial cleaning and self-care. You’ll feel better for it.