Highly trafficked areas, enclosed spaces, and communal items can be to blame for the transmission of many germs within an office. As staff return to work in the COVID-19 era, it’s crucial to implement a daily cleaning regime and use the highest quality janitorial supplies. Here are some tips for keeping your staff healthy and safe as we reenter the workplace.
Daily Disinfecting
Disinfecting office surfaces on a daily basis will help combat germs that spread from touch. There are still uncertainties around how COVID-19 is spread, but keeping high-touch surfaces germ-free may help mitigate the transmission. High-touch surfaces include doorknobs, handles, telephones, keyboards, light switches, elevator buttons, desktops, faucets, toilets, keypads, and the like. Keep disinfectant wipes near these areas, and encourage employees to clean the surface after each use.
The CDC recommends using soap and water to clean surfaces – like tabletops, chairs, refrigerator shelves, etc. – followed with a disinfectant. Effective disinfectants may include ethanol, hydrogen peroxide or quaternary ammonium. The CDC also recommends leaving the surface wet for a period of 30 to 60 seconds to ensure the product is fully effective.
Full-Strength Janitorial Products
When using cleaning products to disinfect the office, take care to read the instructions for use on each label. Many disinfectants need extended contact time to kill all germs. Moreover, certain chemicals shouldn’t be mixed with others, and some require a well-ventilated space to keep the user safe. Cleaning electronics or glass surfaces requires a solution that is at least 70% alcohol, whereas cleaning fabric-covered surfaces requires other janitorial supplies, as well as laundering and vacuuming.
Contingency Cleaning Plan For Illness
If someone in your office tests positive for COVID-19, you’ll need to have a cleaning contingency plan in place to keep the rest of your staff safe. Close off the area or areas where the infected person has been. Businesses should determine at their own discretion whether they need to shut down the entire operation, or just close off exposed areas.
Open all windows and doors to that area to encourage ventilation. Wait at least 24 hours before entering the area to disinfect it. Disinfect all surfaces, vacuum with a HEPA filter, and keep the area closed off to other employees. Clean and disinfect all other common areas that the infected employee may have used.
We are all operating in a working environment that continues to feel unfamiliar and uncertain. However, there are practices that can help keep the workplace safe and clean in the face of this global pandemic. Stocking appropriate janitorial supplies, conducting a daily cleaning regimen, and having a plan in place in case someone contracts COVID-19 can help employees stay safe and keep normal operations running. EON Office provides high-quality janitorial supplies to help keep your staff healthy and space clean. Contact us for more information.
