Keeping A Safe And Clean Workplace After Lockdown: What Should You Do?

After a year of remote work and many Zoom conversations, the workforce is eager to return to the office. It's implied that business owners have an essential role in safeguarding their employees, customers, guests, and visitors against COVID-19 and its variants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's regularly revised cleaning recommendations (CDC), it would be best if you were mindful of cleaning your office after lockdown. This advice applies whether you own a large retail store, an industrial complex, or an outpatient clinic.

In this post, QueenBee will show you how to keep a safe and clean workplace after a lockdown, as well as a thorough guideline.

1. Disinfecting vs. Cleaning

Understanding the difference between cleaning and disinfecting is an excellent place to start. Both are crucial in preventing germs from spreading in the workplace, serving different and complementary purposes.

Cleaning

Cleaning is the act of wiping or washing dirt off of surfaces and objects, which may or may not be visible. Disinfecting, on the other hand, is focused on utilizing chemical agents to destroy bacteria.

Cleaning, to put it simply, should be done regularly to maintain excellent workplace hygiene. Cleaning can be done using soap and water, detergents, or even diluted general-purpose disinfectants. It serves a critical function in decreasing the number of microorganisms on surfaces, lowering the danger of viral transmission. However, ordinary cleaning will not eliminate all or even the majority of germs.

Disinfection 

This is where disinfection comes into play. It's a far more thorough cleaning technique, which may include using more potent surface disinfectants or 'walk through' fog or mist spray systems. Because of industrial chemicals, disinfection is a more time-consuming procedure that generally demands that the premises be left empty for a while to guarantee there are no health issues.

As a result, thoroughly disinfecting premises daily is neither practicable nor feasible, and it is not required by official guidance. Instead, disinfecting should be done regularly or when COVID-19 instances have been verified.

2. Total cleaning for a COVID-free workplace 

As a general guideline, the Canberra government recommends wiping down commonly handled surfaces at least twice a day, one at the start and one at the end of the day. This would imply double the standard pre-COVID cleaning procedure for many businesses.

However, government guidelines are that businesses use their discretion to clean the most frequently touched surfaces more than twice daily, particularly in common areas of giant offices and places of work where many people pass through. It focuses on bathrooms and kitchens in particular.

Maintaining excellent hygiene standards in your office is critical for combating the spread of dangerous diseases that can occur through contact, droplet, or airborne transmission. Adopting a comprehensive approach to hygiene that includes air, hand, and surface hygiene reduce the risk of transmission in your workplace.

3. Taking Care of Covid Hygiene in the Workplace

Hand sanitizer and handwashing

Handwashing and hand sanitizer use is critical to maintaining your workplace Covid-free. The current recommendation is to provide plenty of handwashing facilities, as well as soap and paper towels. In addition to bathroom facilities, you should consider installing hand sanitizer stations, especially in places where handwashing is not practicable (e.g., delivery points, entry points, etc.)

Other workplace hygiene measures

Posters and signs promoting and explaining proper hygiene practices, such as handwashing procedures, should be posted. Workers should be discouraged from shaking hands and urged to wash their hands often. They should also take care to sneeze into a sleeve or tissue that is promptly discarded. Sharing tools like pens, touch displays, milk bottles, and snacks should be avoided.

Keeping the workplace clean

Keeping the workplace clean

Examine your existing cleaning routine. Do you need to clean more regularly or in places that haven't been cleaned before? Consider a cleaning regimen that involves deep cleaning (a thorough washing of all commonly handled surfaces at least once a day) and occasional cleaning (cleaning at different times throughout the day).

Although every workplace is different, you should probably clean more regularly. Always keep surfaces clean and neat. Also, don't forget to clean workstations and equipment between users whenever possible.

You'll also need to discover contact hotspots, such as surfaces that are often touched, such as Doors, lift buttons, control panels, beverage dispensers, kitchen equipment, phones, touch displays and keyboards, deliveries, etc.

If you can't ensure they're cleaned after each usage, ensure they're cleaned as often as feasible. After each day, workstations should be emptied and cleaned.

4. Obtaining expert guidance about office cleaning 

Returning to work is a top priority for many businesses and organizations, and defining the 'new normal' will take time. Hygiene solutions may help reduce cross-contamination hazards and keep your colleagues and customers safe and healthy, making the transition time less stressful for both employees and companies. 

Whether you have a significant workplace with many levels or a tiny office with just you and your coworkers, keeping it clean and sanitary is critical to your staff's health and well-being. These office cleaning services will assist you in creating a fresh, clean environment that your workers will like working in.

A professional cleaning service offers surface and personal hygiene solutions intended to safeguard colleagues and guests by providing a safer working environment. The solution combines industry-leading hand hygiene and air purification products with professional surface disinfection services that your firm cannot handle on its own. 

Conclusion

Aside from reducing the spread of COVID-19, several studies show that a well-organized, clean working environment boosts productivity and employee happiness. It also minimizes on-the-job injuries, saving Canberra companies tons of sick days and paid leave each year. Regular cleaning equipment will also help extend the life of expensive assets by avoiding dust and grime accumulation and promoting periodic inspections. Cleaning and organizing the office after lockdown is critical components of an office's success.

QueenBee Cleaning Pty LTD

• 42A Bougainville St Forrest ACT 2603
• 3/5 Daphne close Kingswood NSW 2747

• Hotline: 1800 1 CLEAN (25326)
• Email: info@queenbeecleaning.com.au