How to Keep Your Workplace Germ Free
Whatever size your workplace is, it can be an easy place to catch a virus, which could spread and affect the health of others in your working environment. A study tested a variety of office germ hot spots for levels of contamination and how to combat them...
Unmasking germ hot spots for a healthier workplace
Daily cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched office surfaces and objects are essential to disrupt the transmission of germs. This article explains the significance of focusing on "hot spots" through effective hand and surface hygiene as a crucial measure in mitigating the spread of germs.
While placing hand sanitiser and signage in offices and common areas is a positive step, studies indicate that it may not be sufficient to create a substantial impact. To break the germ transmission chain, it's crucial to implement daily cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects, including doorknobs, buttons, and handrails, as they play a significant role in spreading germs throughout the day.
Offer your employees and visitors peace of mind, regardless of the surfaces they encounter during their day, providing cleaning and disinfecting solutions. This proactive approach aims to break the chain of germ transmission and ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Fascinating facts:
- Did you know that within 24 hours, the average adult comes into contact with a staggering 7,200 surfaces and touches their face about 552 times?
- Keyboards can harbour 8,900 bacteria per unit, while mobile phones carry around 6,300 bacteria each.
- Surprisingly, nearly 95% of surveyed adults fail to wash their hands for a duration sufficient to eliminate bacteria and germs.
- An interesting revelation: the average desk contains a whopping 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat!
According to Kimberly-Clark Professional, a study tested a variety of office hot spots for contamination. Here is the percentage of some further surfaces that were found to have high levels of contamination, with Adenosine Triphosphate counts of 300 or higher:
75%
tap handles
48%
microwaves
27%
keyboards
21%
fountain buttons
But there's no need to fret! See our top tips for promoting hygienic practices in your workplace
By implementing a ‘wash, wipe and sanitise’ routine, you could reduce the probability of catching colds or flu by up to 80%.
Wash
Washing hands with soap and water is one of the best preventions against the spread of germs. By encouraging everyone in the workplace to wash their hands with an antibacterial hand wash regularly, you’ll be protecting yourself and others around you too.
Antibacterial handwash is not just for the bathroom either. Keep a bottle in the kitchen for staff to use before they prepare lunch and touch kitchen appliances. It’s also good practice to wash your hands when you enter the office after the morning commute and when you return home. This simple action will prevent the spread of germs to friends or family members and your colleagues.
Wipe
Hand drying is equally important to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Providing a stock of paper towels is critical for proper hand hygiene, as they remove more of the bacteria on your hands after washing. They can be discarded in specific bins which is the best way to stop the spread of germs after hand washing.
Encourage anyone with a cold to sneeze into a tissue that can be thrown away in the bin. Keep a box of tissues on your desk to ensure there’s always one to hand should you feel a sneeze coming on. Then wash your hands and sanitise.
Why not also keep a stock of handy antibacterial wipes around the office? Use these on telephones, desks, door handles and cupboard doors. Similarly, keep a handy caddy of cleaning products in your meeting or conference rooms for cleaning tables and surfaces before and after a meeting.
Sanitise
Having a range of antibacterial cleaning products around the office for all to use is a great way to promote a healthy office. If products are well stocked and on hand, it’s far easier to get into the momentum of regular cleaning.
As winter approaches, there’s no better time to get your team involved in a clear-out and a deep clean of your workplace. It may even have a positive effect on productivity! Dig out the rubber gloves, empty drawers and pull out cupboards to tackle dust and grime.
Don’t forget to concentrate on hard surfaces such as your desk and computer. It’s shocking that there are 400 more germs on the average desk than on a toilet seat! A computer cleaning kit will help you sanitise all the nooks and crannies in your keyboard that are tricky to handle. Don’t forget about your mouse, telephone and screen which can often be overlooked.
If you’d like to create a more hygienic workplace, contact us or learn more about our range of facilities products.
Unmasking germ hot spots for a healthier workplace
Daily cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched office surfaces and objects are essential to disrupt the transmission of germs. This article explains the significance of focusing on "hot spots" through effective hand and surface hygiene as a crucial measure in mitigating the spread of germs.
While placing hand sanitiser and signage in offices and common areas is a positive step, studies indicate that it may not be sufficient to create a substantial impact. To break the germ transmission chain, it's crucial to implement daily cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects, including doorknobs, buttons, and handrails, as they play a significant role in spreading germs throughout the day.
Offer your employees and visitors peace of mind, regardless of the surfaces they encounter during their day, providing cleaning and disinfecting solutions. This proactive approach aims to break the chain of germ transmission and ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Fascinating facts:
- Did you know that within 24 hours, the average adult comes into contact with a staggering 7,200 surfaces and touches their face about 552 times?
- Keyboards can harbour 8,900 bacteria per unit, while mobile phones carry around 6,300 bacteria each.
- Surprisingly, nearly 95% of surveyed adults fail to wash their hands for a duration sufficient to eliminate bacteria and germs.
- An interesting revelation: the average desk contains a whopping 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat!
According to Kimberly-Clark Professional, a study tested a variety of office hot spots for contamination. Here is the percentage of some further surfaces that were found to have high levels of contamination, with Adenosine Triphosphate counts of 300 or higher:
75%
tap handles
48%
microwaves
27%
keyboards
21%
fountain buttons
But there's no need to fret! See our top tips for promoting hygienic practices in your workplace
By implementing a ‘wash, wipe and sanitise’ routine, you could reduce the probability of catching colds or flu by up to 80%.
Wash
Washing hands with soap and water is one of the best preventions against the spread of germs. By encouraging everyone in the workplace to wash their hands with an antibacterial hand wash regularly, you’ll be protecting yourself and others around you too.
Antibacterial handwash is not just for the bathroom either. Keep a bottle in the kitchen for staff to use before they prepare lunch and touch kitchen appliances. It’s also good practice to wash your hands when you enter the office after the morning commute and when you return home. This simple action will prevent the spread of germs to friends or family members and your colleagues.
Wipe
Hand drying is equally important to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Providing a stock of paper towels is critical for proper hand hygiene, as they remove more of the bacteria on your hands after washing. They can be discarded in specific bins which is the best way to stop the spread of germs after hand washing.
Encourage anyone with a cold to sneeze into a tissue that can be thrown away in the bin. Keep a box of tissues on your desk to ensure there’s always one to hand should you feel a sneeze coming on. Then wash your hands and sanitise.
Why not also keep a stock of handy antibacterial wipes around the office? Use these on telephones, desks, door handles and cupboard doors. Similarly, keep a handy caddy of cleaning products in your meeting or conference rooms for cleaning tables and surfaces before and after a meeting.
Sanitise
Having a range of antibacterial cleaning products around the office for all to use is a great way to promote a healthy office. If products are well stocked and on hand, it’s far easier to get into the momentum of regular cleaning.
As winter approaches, there’s no better time to get your team involved in a clear-out and a deep clean of your workplace. It may even have a positive effect on productivity! Dig out the rubber gloves, empty drawers and pull out cupboards to tackle dust and grime.
Don’t forget to concentrate on hard surfaces such as your desk and computer. It’s shocking that there are 400 more germs on the average desk than on a toilet seat! A computer cleaning kit will help you sanitise all the nooks and crannies in your keyboard that are tricky to handle. Don’t forget about your mouse, telephone and screen which can often be overlooked.
