5 Ways to Improve Office Hygiene
15 June 2020
With many employees returning to the shared workplace it is now, more than ever, crucial to incorporate tougher measures on hygiene.
Whether you are part of a large office area which has hotdesking measures, or a smaller workplace with less traffic, these 5 changes will help prevent the transmission of germs across surfaces and amongst staff members.
Handwashing
Handwashing with soap is one of the most effective ways of removing germs from hands.
Put up posters near all accessible sinks which clearly demonstrate how to wash hands properly.
With many free resources available online, a poster acts well as a visual reminder to encourage staff to wash their hands correctly, and for the recommended time of around 20 seconds (or singing Happy Birthday twice!).
By helping staff follow the correct hand washing procedure, this will help limit the transmission of germs - particularly in high germ areas such as the bathroom and kitchen.
Stock up
In order to help staff abide by stricter handwashing procedures, ensure that you have all the necessary products needed for them to do so.
While this does not mean stockpiling all the necessities, it does include making sure that you have enough soap, paper towels, and hand sanitiser on-site for your staff to use as required.
If you notice that certain products run out quicker than others, consider nominating a member of staff to carry out daily or weekly stock checks to prevent a potential shortage.
Keep facilities clean
Staff members may be reluctant to wash their hands more often than usual if the facilities are cluttered or dirty.
Encourage daily inspections to ensure that facilities are clean and presentable.
By keeping on top of housekeeping, your staff members will be more likely to spend more time on hygiene practices.
If you do not have the resources to do this, consider hiring a professional cleaner to carry out crucial housekeeping to help you and your staff focus on work in a safe environment.
Quality over quantity
As mentioned before, there is no need to stockpile all the cleaning products required to help improve hygiene in the workplace.
Certain poor quality soaps can be drying or smell unpleasant, which can be offputting for workers who are using it regularly.
Consider investing in better quality soap for your employees which are less harsh on the skin.
Look out for products which contain the ingredient SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) as this can have a particularly drying effect on the skin.
Instead, look out for products containing glycerin and plant oils (such as olive oil, aloe vera, and vegetable oils) to help add moisture into the skin.
Personal workspace facilities
If your staff hotdesk at the office, it is crucial to ensure that staff are able to disinfect their workspace throughout the day.
Equip staff with antibacterial wipes (per desk) and encourage them to use the wipes often, particularly in areas which are likely to harbour the most germs.
If necessary, provide your staff with checklists with a reminder of things to wipe down, focusing on items such as keyboards, mousepads, phones and headsets.
At MMCS Ltd, our disinfectant fogging service is environmentally friendly and removes all germs whilst leaving a 24-hour long active residue on surfaces. Get in touch to book your service here.
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