Disinfecting furniture and workplace equipment may not seem like the most exciting office cleaning task, but it’s a downright necessity during the busy cold and flu season in Wisconsin.
For businesses, it’s a task that should be high on the facility maintenance checklist. More than 35,000,000 Americans got sick with influenza last year, according to the Center for Disease Control. While desk managers may throw their hands up as the desks and floor empty due to illness, there are ways a business can prevent the spread of colds and flu in the workplace.
- Businesses should add regular disinfections and cleaning of common areas to the daily cleaning list (i.e. disinfecting printer controls, cleaning storage cabinet handles, etc.)
- Workplaces should keep a regular schedule of daily or twice-a-day restroom cleaning (with disinfection products)
- Businesses should invest in disinfecting products that can be left in common areas for employees (i.e. hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, etc.)
- Time should be built into the daily routine for employees to disinfect consoles and cubicles, especially at the end of the work day.
- Businesses should purchase cleaning products that eliminate germs on common surfaces. These products should be integrated into cleaning procedures (with proper protective equipment provided to cleaning personnel).
- Workplaces should schedule a regular deep clean with local cleaning service. This deep clean can be done after or hours or when traffic in the building is low.
- Electronics are a hot bed for germs, especially phones and computers, even though disinfection can be particularly difficult (especially without damaging the unit). To stem the spread of infection, businesses should provide cleaning products and training that keep electronics clean and working well.
- During seasonal maintenance, businesses should replace and clean air filters that impact workplace air quality. These air filters may be in HVAC systems and air purifiers.
- Businesses should set a more vigorous cleaning schedule for kitchens and conference rooms. These spaces are full of surfaces that play a part in the spread of illness.
- The reception area should be at the top of the office cleaning list. This area should be disinfected daily or several times a day. Door handles, chairs, counter tops, phones, and other surfaces need to be clean to protect employees and visitors.
