The COVID-19 pandemic made clear the value of workplace cleanliness. Having disinfectants handy for cleaning surfaces is commonplace now. But even before the pandemic, employees had expectations that they would be safe while they were at work — from spills and tripping hazards to communicable diseases. Conveying that feeling of workplace safety is no accident — it takes careful planning to set up and follow procedures that ensure a sanitary and healthy environment at work.
Determine the Specific Needs of Your Workplace
A factory will have different cleaning considerations than a medical facility and both will differ from office spaces. The first step in keeping your workplace sanitary and healthy is to determine what will work best for your work environment.
Medical facilities require more rigorous standards than most other work environments, but every type of workplace should have sanitary surfaces in common areas to minimize the spread of pathogens. All work environments should have measures in place to mop up spills on floors that could potentially result in falls.
Keeping Your Workplace Sanitary
If you don’t employ a cleaning service, you’ll need to schedule the cleaning tasks and assign responsibilities to employees. For example, in a small store, it’s not uncommon for employees to take turns with cleaning duties. A schedule that is posted in a break area might be all you need to help keep things clean and sanitary.
In larger spaces, employers typically hire a service while employees are expected to do their part in keeping things clean by disposing of food waste in the kitchen or break areas and not contributing to messes that could lead to an unhealthy work environment.
In all types of environments, it’s important to identify high traffic and high touch areas. Surfaces in areas where employees gather, such as break rooms and conference rooms, should be disinfected regularly, possibly several times a day depending on the use of the space. Don’t forget to frequently sanitize stairway railings, elevators, and restrooms too.
Have Clear Guidelines about Food in the Workplace
In some workplace situations, having a sandwich at your workstation is okay. If you’re at a desk you might get a few crumbs on your keyboard, but you’re not likely to put anyone else at risk. However, in a medical facility, you could definitely put yourself at risk by eating anywhere but the breakroom. In factories or areas where machinery is used, a minor spill could ruin an expensive piece of equipment and potentially result in personal injury. For these reasons rules must be in place about where food and drinks can be consumed.
Have Supplies Available
Keep cleaning supplies in designated areas and communicate these locations to employees. Items like paper towels, cleaning solutions, hand sanitizers, and gloves and masks should be readily available. When choosing cleaning supplies, go green and select products that will not contribute to indoor air pollution.
Create a Clean Workplace Culture
Fostering a clean workplace culture is crucial. Here are some tips:
- Train Employees: Educate employees on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning practices. Training sessions involving both management and staff can ensure everyone learns good practices together.
- Promote Hygiene: Emphasize the importance of hygiene and disinfection. Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of viruses such as colds, flu, and COVID-19.
- Provide Resources: Ensure hand sanitizers and soap are available in restrooms, kitchens, and break rooms. Post reminders to wash hands in common areas.
- Invest in Cleaning Products: Use high-quality, non-toxic cleaning products to support a clean workplace environment.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
A professional cleaning service can help maintain a sanitary workplace, allowing employees to focus on their work.These services handle the major cleaning tasks, including restroom cleaning, floor maintenance, and sanitation of shared spaces, while employees manage smaller responsibilities like proper trash disposal and personal hygiene.
Read about reasons to go green here.
Story by Julia Osgood
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
