Workplace hygiene: is your office an infection hotspot?

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In light of the global SARS CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we all know the importance of personal and professional hygiene to reduce the spread of infection. As people begin to return to offices and other communal workspaces, it is essential that employers prioritise creating an infection-free area so that employees can lead fulfilling and productive working-lives without the fear and anxiety of infections. The advice in this article can help but talking to experienced  office and commercial cleaners is highly advised too.

Did you know that workplaces are full of infection hotspots? Desk surfaces, air conditioning, communal kitchens with mug and cutlery sharing, changing rooms, door knobs and shared toilets are the perfect environment for bugs to enter and spread. In this post we discuss how infections can spread in the workplace, and easy steps to eradicate them.

Tips for eradicating infection from your workplace and creating a safe environment

Although there is always a small chance that some bugs can get through, luckily there are many easy and cost-effective measures you can take to ensure that your workplace remains a clean, hygienic and significantly reduce the risk of infection.

General areas

  • Regular deep cleaning of desks, computers, drawers, cupboards
    • Commercial grade products applied by professionals where possible
  • Regular cleaning and dusting of high-volume small surfaces such as:
    • Door knobs
    • Window handles
    • Photocopier buttons
    • Stair bannisters
    • Lift buttons
  • Anti-microbial wipes (or spray and wipe) between uses
    • Use disposable wipes/paper rather than a multi-use cleaning cloth
  • Regular hoovering of carpeted floors
    • Intermittent deep carpet and floor treatment with commercial grade disinfectant solutions
  • Washing and wiping windows, blinds and curtains

Kitchens and tearooms

  • Regular deep cleaning of worktop and food preparation surfaces:
    • Commercial grade products applied by professionals where possible
  • Regular deep cleaning of food storage and heating areas:
    • Fridge
    • Microwave
    • Kettle
    • Sink
  • Regular mopping of floors
    • Intermittent deep floor treatment with commercial grade disinfectant solutions
  • Avoid sharing cutlery, mugs, plates etc.
  • Train staff and put up signs for regular handwashing with good technique

Toilets

  • Daily deep cleaning of toilets, urinals and sinks:
    • Commercial grade products applied by professionals where possible
  • Regular disinfectant spraying and wiping of:
    • Sinks
    • Mirrors
    • Handles, flushes and locks
  • Regular mopping of floors
    • Intermittent deep floor treatment with commercial grade disinfectant solutions
  • Train staff and put up signs for regular handwashing with good technique

Due to the high volume and increased infection risk in offices, it is unlikely that household cleaning techniques will be sufficient to achieve all the above recommendations. A regular commercial hygiene program with high quality detergents and professional products is recommended.

Workplace hygiene: a worthwhile investment

Given the stark focus and high anxiety surrounding workplace hygiene as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no surprise that workers place high value on employers who can guarantee and demonstrate the highest standards of infection control, especially in communal areas. A clean and safe working environment will not only reduce the transmission of harmful infection, but is likely to reassure staff leading to higher satisfaction, productivity and retention.

This post is on behalf of Complete Cleaning, an experienced in every aspect of commercial cleaning in Cambridge.