How to tackle contagious diseases in workplace?

You and your co-workers often form a workplace huddle to discuss future strategies but have you given thought to the concept that germs might also join you?

Unknowingly, you invite millions of microorganisms to make home on your skin when you don’t follow proper hygiene guidelines. Because you are working tirelessly throughout your day, it’s only human of you to forget things at times. Certainly you have reminders set up and other ways to keep you on track throughout your working hours but still mistakes happen.

Same is the case with taking hygiene measures at your workplace, be it an office, factory, or any warehouse. You should know that because of conjugated ventilation systems, same air is circulated throughout the building making each and every one susceptible to getting ill.

Tackling communicable diseases

There are many communicable infectious diseases out there which can haunt your workplace without you even noticing. Employees are susceptible to contracting these infectious diseases in jam packed rooms, meeting areas, small cubicles, and other high audience areas.

We have always stated that germs are everywhere; it is because even places which provide health care sometimes become harbinger of bad news. According to the World health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 10 patients are affected by Hospital Acquired Infections.

Preventable deaths

Every year communicable diseases claim millions of precious lives and what’s intriguing about this fact is the ability to prevent these deaths. According to health authorities, as much as 30% reduction can be seen in deaths from such contagious diseases if businesses are more careful towards implementing proper hygiene measures. Yes! A large percentage of people contract diseases from workplaces and if there are no hygiene measures adopted, it only adds to the deteriorating situation.

Infection control routine

A meticulously planned infection control routine can help workplaces keep the staff safe and healthy, if followed strictly. For that to happen, such plans should be as clear to the staff as they are to those who are enforcing these measures. An ample supply of antibacterial cleaning products should be ensured throughout the facility so that each and every individual has access to such products.

Cleaning workplace floors

Floors should be mopped timely and regularly with a solution inclusive of recommended floor cleaners. Try and use a microfiber mop so that dirt and grime don’t stick to the mop making it dirty after just one use.

A clear indication of changing the mop is when the cleaning solution starts to change colour, this is when you change the solution and preferably mop too else you would just be adding to the cross contamination by transferring germs from one place to another.

Cleaning workplace windows

Workplaces where there is a glass façade require constant window cleaning because of the grime build-up. Dirt build up offers perfect hotspot for germs to breed and proliferate. In order to make sure that no microorganisms stay on the surface and then breed on the contaminated space, you need to clean the windows with approved window cleaners.

Cleaning workplace surfaces

There are other points out there that should also be focused such as glass tables and worktops made of glass. Cleaning staff that is responsible for cleaning such surfaces should be equipped with recommended glass cleaners to ensure that no mark remains on the surface and no germs are allowed to live on surfaces.

You don’t want to come across the ramifications of unclean surfaces because germs that cause contagious diseases love to stay on such areas. Diseases such as flu, Ebola, Hep A, Hep B, and other gastrointestinal diseases can be easily transmitted from person to person if hand hygiene is specifically ignored.  

URTI’s

Upper respiratory tract infections spread by droplets and fomite transmission. Now if people inside the workplace aren’t taking precautions like wearing a mask and washing hands with bar soap and water frequently then almost all of the office becomes susceptible to such contagious illness. Therefore it becomes important to take these precautions.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Germs like that of Ebola and other diarrheal diseases are also transferred through hands and in office spaces where restroom hygiene is ignored; there is a much greater chance of people getting infected. Therefore proper care should be taken to eliminate the germs from faucets, sinks, and other surfaces. Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that is often found in bathrooms and can make you severely ill if you are not taking precautions.

You can use all of these methods to clean different surfaces and areas as mentioned above to get rid of unwanted microorganisms.  If you still have any confusion, you can ask us right away. We’ll be more than happy to help you out.