As it gets colder outside and the heating gets turned up both at home and in work, we are now entering Cold and flu season, so we thought we would give you some tips to reduce the risk of colds and flu in your office, focus on cleaning frequently touched surfaces. One of the biggest causes of colds and flu is cross contamination from common surfaces and equipment, such as desks, keyboards, printers, mice, phones, monitors, and storage cabinets. Shared kitchen appliances, such as kettles, fridges, microwaves, and cupboards.
Reception areas can also harbour germs, as they are the first point of contact for visitors entering the office. Employers should make sure there are always hand sanitisers or wipes at the reception desk for visitors to use, and ensure that the area is regularly cleaned with an EPA-approved disinfectant. Toilets are another common germ hotspot in the workplace. Bacteria and viruses can be transferred from surfaces such as faucet handles, toilet flush buttons, and door handles. Airborne germs can also spread when toilets are flushed, and can infect other users of the restroom.
To combat the spread of germs in toilets, employers should provide enough hand sanitiser stations, soap dispensers, and disinfectant wipes to keep surfaces, door handles and other germ hotspots neat and bacteria-free.
Here are some key areas to prioritize:
- Desks and Workstations: Wipe down all surfaces, including keyboards, mice, and phone receivers.
- Door handles and knobs: These are high-touch areas where germs can easily spread germs
- Light switches and handles: Clean these regularly to minimize contamination.
- Shared equipment: Disinfect shared items like printers, copiers, and coffee machines.
- Shared spaces: Pay extra attention to common areas like kitchens, break rooms, and conference rooms.
Additional Tips:
- Encourage hand hygiene: Promote frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
- Disinfect regularly: Use EPA-registered disinfectants to kill germs effectively.
- Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in your office to improve air quality.
- Sick Leave Policy: Encourage employees to stay home when they’re sick to prevent spreading illness.
By implementing these cleaning practices and encouraging healthy habits, you can significantly reduce the spread of colds and flu in your office.
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