Mitigating the spread of communicable viruses like COVID-19 often starts in our homes and workplaces. As we begin to return to work, it’s imperative that offices take special care to sanitize common areas and to encourage employees to do the same for personal work stations and office supplies. Here are efficient ways to clean and sterilize workplace surface areas to prevent the spread of germs.
Minimize the Spread
Consider every surface a person may come into contact with on a typical workday. From the coffee pot handle to elevator buttons to the conference room telephone – offices are communal spaces where we all interact with each other and the surrounding environment. We tend to prioritize wiping down tables, desks and kitchen appliances, but sometimes forget to sanitize handles and buttons.
Create a checklist in which someone on staff is wiping down touch pads, telephones, intercoms, and office appliance control panels. These places are frequently touched by all and can be the first place where germs are spread.
Emphasize the Importance of Hand Washing
Post signs up in the office bathroom and kitchen with hand washing diagrams. Provide plenty of antibacterial soap and paper towels to promote efficient hand sanitization efforts. In addition, try to keep a ready supply of hand sanitizer and wipes. Ensure these items are available to everyone in the office and encourage the frequent use of them.
Focus on the Breakroom
Your staff may pass through the breakroom multiple times a day. Microwaves, refrigerators, dishwasher door handles, and table surfaces host myriad germs that can be easily picked up through even the briefest of contact. Request that employees wipe down any breakroom surface after use and ensure all communal dishes are washed in the dishwasher after each use.
Create a breakroom checklist that includes tasks such as wiping down the toaster oven, cleaning the refrigerator, and running the sanitize setting on the dishwasher at least once a week. Consider asking staff to bring their own dishware and label their items accordingly so as not to share cutlery, cups, or plates.
Personal Stations Need Extra Care
Provide cleaning wipes to staff members and ask that they wipe down their desk, keyboards, cell phone screens, and monitors before leaving work each day. Encourage social distancing (and masks, of course) in the workplace and recommend that employees refrain from using each other’s desk phones, headsets, and writing utensils.
While it takes some additional effort to keep workplaces clean and germ free, the payoff is well worth it. Fostering a healthy work environment is crucial to your staff’s mental and physical well-being. No one wants to worry about bringing an illness home to their families because of spending a day at the office.
At EON Office, we cater to your organization’s needs and offer the highest quality office supplies, including cleaning and sanitizing products. Convenient online ordering helps ensure you get the the items your office needs the most. Contact us today to learn more.
