There have been plenty of changes to how we live in the past year. Many of these social changes and financial changes were influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been mounting calls by the public for better cleanliness and sanitation, especially since this is a contributing factor to people getting sick.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that serious respiratory diseases and other health complications can arise from a dirty working environment. Touching contaminated objects while touching your face is also another way to quickly become infected. You can even pass on what you get from touching these items.
Fortunately, there are many ways of keeping your workplace safe from disease-causing microbes and viral particles. Through consistent maintenance, cleaning, and safety precautions, it’s easier to prevent the spread of diseases. One can’t place too much emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation during these drying times. So what are some crucial strategies that can help in maximizing cleanliness at the workplace? What should you focus on first? Here’s what you need to know.
Addressing Biological Hazards
One of the best ways of ensuring that everyone is safe and healthy in the workplace is by addressing biological hazards and contaminants. This is especially important since this can have a significant influence on employees' health and working conditions.
Many factors come into play that can affect the mode of transmission. Employers need to ensure that their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are functional. If the moisture and humidity in the area are not balanced, this can lead to the growth of molds, which can cause health complications.
Certain studies would suggest that a workplace that doesn’t have proper ventilation can increase the risk of infection from COVID-19. That said, investing in better ventilation can keep the workforce safe.
Another major contributor to the health of the workforce is pests. This is especially true since pests can carry vector-borne diseases, such as mosquitoes and rodents. At the same time, pests like termites can also compromise the structural integrity of your facilities. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry too much about critters since professional tick and pest control treatments can control mosquitoes and other disease-causing pests in your area.
Educating Your Workforce on Proper Etiquette
Another crucial way of maximizing cleanliness and sanitation at the workplace is by educating and training the workforce on proper cleanliness and sanitation etiquette. The best way of preventing any form of infection in the workplace is by preventing it outright. Considering that the transmission mode for many air-borne diseases is through coughing and sneezing, proper etiquette is the best way of mitigating any form of transmission.
In the workplace, there are many ways of practicing better hygiene etiquette. Suppose you’re not sure what standards can help you gauge your establishment’s way of handling safety precautions. In that case, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has existing measures in place that can streamline the process of protecting workers from COVID-19.
Cleaning Workstations Regularly
Finally, another critical part of the workplace that needs to be cleaned is the workstations. Many workers spend most of their time in front of their stations. Some even return from different parts of the office, possibly catching something along the way. Because of this, the equipment needs to be sanitized by the end of the day.
Employers and management personnel should encourage their employees and cleaning staff to have their own sanitizers with them at all times to routinely clean surfaces that they have touched. This includes keyboards, remote control devices, mouses, and monitors for laptops and computers. Countertops and the doorknob of entrances should also be sanitized.
According to certain studies, many pathogens and disease-causing microbes are easily destroyed by disinfectants and cleaning agents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest using the usual cleaning products for countertops and many surfaces.
Keeping your business clean and sanitized should be a priority for many organizations. Working conditions and the environment that you expose your employees to can have a significant impact on productivity. At the same time, these hazards can have a substantial impact on employees' health, which can have legal implications if not addressed as soon as possible.
Still, it’s essential to consider that information regarding the pandemic is constantly changing, and you should start adapting to changes. Adaptability and being quick on your feet during the pandemic is the best way of maintaining business continuity. This is one of the main reasons why emphasizing cleanliness and sanitation can help ensure that everything is operational.
