Six ways to ensure cleanliness at the workplace is always on point

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cleanliness at the workplace

Six ways to ensure cleanliness at the workplace is always on point

Our health is linked to what we consume, and the environment we work in also plays a significant role. cleanliness at the workplace in a clean environment reduces the number of sick leaves and increases the likelihood of more productivity. 

Workplace hygiene is more than just dressing up professionally when it comes to workplace hygiene. Cleanliness and personal hygiene are of utmost importance and are always a part of a company’s policy.  

In addition to playing an active role in a company’s reputation, hygiene signifies a worker’s or visitor’s health. 

Most employers are unaware that workplace hygiene influences employees’ performance and working capability. 

An unclean work environment exposes workers to germs and viruses, eventually leading to absenteeism. Apart from employees, clients are also likely to pay you a visit which means they can get turned off by an unorganized, dirty workplace. 

You must have heard the phrase ‘First impression is the last impression,’ and it holds particularly true regarding poor workplace hygiene. 

A company’s reputation matters the most to the employer, so when the working environment is not up to hygienic standards, it is more likely to create problems, especially if a client gets sick. 

So how can one ensure a clean workplace? Besides incorporating rules and regulations that adhere to its hygiene policy, it is essential to understand potential workplace hazards that expose workers to germs and viruses. 

You could consider studying for an industrial hygiene master’s online degree to help you develop strategies that ensure a safe workplace and prevent unhygienic practices.

Ensuring the workplace is clean and organized is the responsibility of both the employer and employee. Let’s look at it can be guaranteed.

  1. Use Hand Sanitizers- cleanliness at the workplace 

One of the positive outcomes of the global pandemic has been the frequent use of hand sanitizers. While hand sanitizers are primarily seen in washrooms, employers have realized the value of placing them in the communal areas of the office. 

In a closed working environment, any individual is prone to contracting germs which eventually leads to sickness. 

So, how often should you be using a hand sanitizer in the office? You can use it multiple times, but using it three to five times is good enough as a general rule of thumb. 

Most of us fail to realize that materials like desks, telephones, office printers, and almost every other space in the office are home to millions of germs and bacteria. 

The best way to avoid germs is through regular handwashing but running to the washroom every time isn’t feasible, so hand sanitizers are a practical option. 

Using a high alcohol content hand sanitizer instantly kills bacteria and ensures clean hands. 

2. Good Ventilation System- cleanliness at the workplace 

Indoor air quality might not be a top priority for everyone. However, it does play a vital role in health. (ihacvet.com)  

How does a sound ventilation system impact our health, and is it linked to productivity? Most of our time is spent indoors working if both the indoor quality and the temperature are at a comfortable level, workers are more likely to be relaxed, leading to efficient work. 

It might be an unknown fact, but a good ventilation system impacts decision-making skills, concentration, and stamina. 

We often overlook that surfaces are not the only breeding ground for viruses; pathogens also spread in the air that can enter the body systems causing various diseases. 

Poor air quality causes eye irritation, breathing problems, and in a few cases, sick building syndrome – a condition where people experience various symptoms as long as they are working in an unclean environment. 

A good ventilation system helps people stay healthy, creating a pleasant space for everyone in the workplace. 

3. Educate the staff=- cleanliness at the workplace 

Setting up a schedule and taking every precautionary measure might not be enough if your employees are not taking part in ensuring a clean working environment. 

This eventually impacts the workplace standard; however, to overcome this, it is mandatory that employers either organize an effective educational program or hold department meetings to discuss potential hazards. 

As an employer, educating your employees on the benefits of cleanliness is essential for maintaining good health. 

A few reminders for employees include ensuring the workspace is regularly cleaned, adhering to the company’s hygiene policy, frequently using a hand sanitizer, and washing utensils like mugs daily. 

Communication is key; that means making sure everyone understands their role in the importance of safety, health, and a clean work environment.  

4. Designate the eating area

Food particles are among the biggest sources of germs, so it is vital to designate a specific eating area. The benefit is that it prevents odor, and most significantly, it keeps your workstation clean.

Sometimes you have to work through your break, which is unavoidable because eating at your workstation is. 

In such circumstances, keep cleaning wipes with you to wipe down the keyboard and monitor if they have been subjected to your dirty hands. 

Eating at the workstation leads to a foul smell throughout the room, which contributes to poor air quality, and as discussed earlier, unclean air leads to breathing problems. 

5. Waste management

One of the aspects of maintaining workplace hygiene is ensuring that garbage is disposed of regularly. 

Over-flowing trash bins are home to flies and unwanted smells that depict poor hygiene and adversely affect everyone’s health.  

One of the practices of maintaining a clean working environment is to ensure the timely emptying of bins, cleaning the insides of the bin to remove any signs of bad smell, and replacing bin liners.    

Paper is one of the office’s significant wastes because it is often not recycled as it should be. 

A few ways of managing paper would be taking notes on a tablet or a laptop during meetings, using both sides of paper when printing or copying, and using emails instead of paper memos.

6. Hire Cleaning Services

It can be easy to accumulate dust and bacteria in the workplace, especially in the absence of professional cleaners. The benefit of hiring cleaning services is that with expert training and experience, your office will be thoroughly cleaned.   

Your office will be up to the cleaning standards, leaving a good first impression on every visitor. 

Hiring professional cleaning services keeps your office like a well-oiled machine. The cleaner the office is, the more likelihood of employees making efforts to keep their personal space, desks, and essential documents organized. 

Conclusion

Just as we expect a clean environment at home, our workplace is no different. Having a clean work environment impacts health and the company’s image. 

One of the back draws of having an unclean workplace is that it demotivates employees and deters them from working efficiently. Aside from boosting productivity, cleanliness highly contributes to overall job satisfaction. 

An untidy environment is home to various germs and bacteria, making a clean work environment vital. 

 

 

 

  

 

         

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