Across all kinds of industries, people work 40 hours a week, if not more, in an office. This is a large portion of their daily lives and when combined with the fact that offices are normally shared with many others, it’s only natural that germs and bacteria will find their way around. Naturally though, these can spread all kinds of nasty bugs and illnesses, which is the last thing any workplace wants. Knowing where the key areas of care are is crucial in conducting high-level internal cleaning, so here are a few hygiene hazards of the workplace to bear in mind to help you keep germs at bay.
The desk
It was discovered that the average office desk can contain 100 million germs and has more bacteria than a toilet seat, which should inspire anyone to break out the anti-bac wipes. Giving your desk a once over twice a week will help keep your desk as clean and healthy as possible.
The pen
Many have the habit of chewing on their pens which might help cope with the busy day at hand, but it won’t do your health any good. You’re holding your pen all day, so anything on your hands is transferred into your mouth when you munch on it.
This one is especially important to remember when you ask one of your colleagues for a pen.
The water-cooler
Breaks at the water cooler are a staple part of the office dynamic, but more people means more bacteria. In a study conducted by the Public Health Organisation, they found 2.7 million germs per square inch in the water dispensary.
One small tip with this is unscrewing the spout and placing it in a bowl of warm water with a slice of lemon.
The fridge
The fridge is the obvious choice when it comes to being a culprit of spreading germs. At one time, the fridge will likely house mouldy yogurts, rotting salads and sandwiches that have been forgotten about. Giving the shelves a wipe down with a soapy sponge can go a long way in keeping the fridge in check.
Baking soda and vinegar are an easy way to get rid of stubborn stains too.
Hygiene hazards of the workplace – where to find out more
Rather than try to do all your own cleaning, why not find out the many benefits of outsourcing your cleaning to a commercial cleaning contractor, expertly qualified to carry out all kinds of internal and external cleaning?
Read our blog: 3 benefits of outsourcing your commercial cleaning requirements.
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Image: The Work Fridge on a Friday at Noon-Thirty by TheeErin licensed under Creative Commons 4.0