FM newsroom – office, professional cleaning. Cold and flu season has arrived, accompanied by a troubling surge in norovirus cases. What proactive measures can businesses take to safeguard their employees from these illnesses?
Maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace is essential as workplace illnesses impact more than just the person who falls sick; they affect everyone around them, leading to costly productivity losses. While businesses can take steps to reduce the risks, partnering with professional commercial cleaning services can streamline the process, CleanLink points out.
Encourage Regular Hand Hygiene
Handwashing became a priority during the pandemic but has since slipped from focus. However, it remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Encouraging employees to wash their hands regularly is a small act with a significant impact. Placing reminder signs in restrooms and near sinks helps raise awareness.
Installing hand sanitising stations in high-traffic areas is another practical step. Ensure that alcohol-based hand sanitisers contain at least 60% alcohol, as these can quickly reduce the number of germs on the hands in many situations.
Disinfect High-Touch Areas
Frequently touched surfaces—such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, keyboards, and phones—can harbour harmful germs. A clutter-free office environment is a good start, but prioritising the professional disinfection of these areas is inevitable. Routine cleaning removes dirt and germs while disinfecting with EPA-approved products eliminates remaining viruses.
High-touch electronics, including phones and computer keyboards, should be cleaned regularly with disinfecting wipes. Professional cleaners are trained to use EPA-approved disinfectants and observe proper dwell times—the duration disinfectants need to remain on surfaces to be effective—to ensure thorough sanitisation.
Ensure Adequate Supply Stocking
Offices should always be stocked with essential supplies such as tissues, disinfectant wipes, soap, and hand sanitiser. While this may seem straightforward, busy employees may overlook the need to restock these items.
Partnering with a commercial cleaning service can ensure these supplies are regularly replenished, keeping workplaces well-equipped to handle seasonal illness challenges. A steady supply of tissues and sanitising products can make a significant difference in maintaining a healthy workplace.
Promote Employee Health
Encouraging employees to stay home when feeling unwell and providing flexible work options to minimise in-office interactions can also put an end to the spread of germs.
By adopting these strategies, businesses can create a healthier work environment, minimise disruptions, and navigate the flu and norovirus season with greater resilience.
