Flu outbreaks are a big no-no for any business, as they can disrupt operations, adversely affect productivity, and minimise profit. For this reason, it is important for every business to always be prepared to combat a flu outbreak, especially during flu season. In Singapore, flu season tends to occur during the cooler periods of the year, i.e., between December and February and between May and July.
One of the most effective ways to prevent a flu outbreak in your workplace is to clean your office regularly and maintain sanitary office hygiene habits. Keep in mind that viruses and germs can spread through the air, on surfaces, and via people. As such, combating a flu outbreak should be a collaborative effort of everyone in your company.
Below, we discuss three essential office hygiene tips businesses should follow to prevent the spread of flu in the workplace.
1. Always disinfect commonly touched surfaces
Viruses on light switches, sink faucets, door handles, and stair handrails can rapidly spread in an office. Do not forget printers, copiers, and elevator buttons. Cleaning these hard surfaces with disinfectant wipes regularly can minimise surface contamination that may lead to the spread of viruses and germs among humans. If you have a janitorial team in your workplace, they should use the appropriate disinfectant products for the suitable spaces.
However, it is best to provide adequate supplies of disinfectant wipes throughout your workplace to enable all your employees to help lessen the spread of viruses proactively. Based on a study conducted by the University of Arizona, enforcing a “wash, wipe, and sanitise” protocol in the office can minimise the probability of catching a common cold or flu by about 80%. To further prevent a flu outbreak, always remind your employees to disinfect their desktops, chair arms, and keyboard, especially during flu season.
2. Post reminders for hand washing
It goes without saying that hand washing is specifically very important during flu season. Hand washing is basically your first line of defence against bacteria and viruses. However, sometimes, some employees still need a bit of reminding. Infections usually spread in an office when people touch a surface or an object contaminated with a virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
People who are infected with the virus can likewise spread it to others by touching the latter with their unwashed hands. To avoid infections from spreading in your office and consequently disrupting business operations, remind yourself and your employees to always follow these simple guidelines recommended by health experts:
- Thoroughly wash your hands from time to time, throughout the day.
- Using soap, lather and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands under lukewarm, running water.
- Dry your hands using clean tissue paper or a towel.
3. Schedule a regular deep cleaning
As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria in your office is to have it cleaned regularly. Particularly, you should hire professional janitorial cleaning services to schedule office deep cleanings on a regular or scheduled basis. A clean workplace can help to significantly lessen germs and viruses and stop their spread among humans. Proper cleaning can also curb the spread of food-borne diseases that may end up in your office, bathrooms and kitchen.
Working with professional cleaners is the most efficient way to make your office cleaner and more sanitary since they know the right methods for cleaning different spaces and use premium cleaning products and equipment. For instance, if a dirty, foul-smelling carpet is currently inconveniencing your office, the only way to solve your problem is to hire professional office carpet cleaning in Singapore. Regular vacuuming is insufficient because specialised materials are needed to do the job.
Conclusion
Practising office hygiene and regular cleaning can make a huge difference when it comes to preventing the spread of flu and other illnesses in the workplace. Indeed, if your office is thoroughly and regularly cleaned, you and your employees are less likely to get sick, even during flu season. If you do not want a flu outbreak to disrupt your business operations, affect your productivity, and reduce your revenue, investing in professional cleaning services for your office is a must-do!
For excellent yet cheap office cleaning services in Singapore, Abba is the cleaning expert you can count on! As a leading office cleaning specialist in the country, we will provide you with the highest cleaning standards to make sure your workplace is spotless and safe from any disease outbreak. Among the best services we offer are commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, disinfection services, pest control, and a lot more.
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