“Spring cleaning” has taken on a whole new meaning. Due to COVID-19, cleaning has become a new priority in office spaces, and using the proper disinfectants is essential during a pandemic. In order for offices to reopen, sanitization must be a priority. Here are some tips to make sure that your office is a safe place for employees when they return to work:
Identify which areas are at risk. The spaces where employees come into contact most should be a top priority on your cleaning to-do list: waiting rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are hot spots for germs. Keeping these close-contact areas clean is the key to successfully preventing the spread of infection.
Frequently clean and disinfect high-traffic areas. To disinfect a surface, use isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) or diluted bleach water. Routinely-used surfaces like keyboards, phones, and chairs should be disinfected often. You may want to hire a janitorial service for your business to stay on top of cleaning.
Provide access to cleaning solutions. In areas like elevators or doorways, keep bottles of hand sanitizer nearby. Another option is to give employees their own disinfecting products so that they can clean up after themselves. It’s important to have hot water and soap so that everyone can wash their hands regularly. To prevent an outbreak, proper sanitization is a must.
Keep the air circulating. Stagnant air allows for germs to spread more easily. Make sure that your office has functioning ventilation systems. If possible, it’s a good idea to open a window to let outside air in.
Communicate to your employees. Let them know you are taking the proper precautions so that they feel safe coming to work. Keep them up-to-date on how your workplace is following the new restrictions.
Consider replacing reusable items with single-use items. Communal items are a bad recipe for bacteria. With single-use items, contact between employees is reduced. Instead of a shared water cooler, try to provide water bottles. That snack jar in the break room could be replaced by individual bags of chips or candies.
Enforce social distancing measures. In the office, keep at least two metres/six feet apart between employees – the tables and chairs may need to be rearranged. Tell your employees that no hugs or handshakes are allowed.
Lastly, encourage those who feel sick or have a sick family member, to stay home. Some workplaces are enforcing temperature checks before they allow employees inside the office. For everyone’s safety, it’s important for your employees to know that they don’t have to come to work if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
If you want to guarantee that your business has a safe office space, consider hiring us to clean it for you. We provide deep cleaning that will make sure your workplace is sanitized and safe for your employees. Feeling confident that your office is clean is good for you, your business, and your employees. Eco-friendly and efficient, our janitorial services for businesses in Kelowna are unmatched.