The cold is setting in and with it the cold and flu season. If freelance or teleworking people can avoid rush hour transport and open spaces crowded with sick colleagues, how can we not succumb in turn when we belong to the other category of workers? Based on several hygiene studies at work, the public relations agency Digital PR Agency has just published a press release revealing a series of best practices to put in place to survive in the office this winter.
1/ Clean your computer keyboard and mouse every day
According to experts at Digital PR Agency, more than 8,369 germs per square centimeter are present on your keyboard and 4,257 on your mouse. “With an average of 4,257 germs per square centimeter and the average mouse measuring around 25 cm², there could be as many as 42,570 germs on your computer mouse right now.”they warn. Also, to minimize the risk of illness, you should wash them every evening before leaving work. For cleaning, they recommend using disinfectant wipes or a cloth sprayed with a mild solution.
2/ Clean your desk surface daily
Desks can quickly accumulate dust, crumbs and germs, especially when they are shared. On average, an office hosts 53,241 germs per square centimeter. Also, and especially if you happen to eat there, clean it daily with a wipe or disinfectant spray. Don’t forget to dust often neglected areas, like behind your screen and around your knick-knacks if you have them.
3/ Clean your phone and headset every day
Phones and headsets are frequently used items and can quickly become contaminated with bacteria. Even more so if they are shared. Clean them daily with disinfectant wipes. The mouthpiece and earpiece area are particularly at risk. As for the headset, if the earpiece has foam parts, for example, you could buy spare parts to replace them every week. Or just use warm water or hydrogen peroxide to clean the foam parts.
4/ Wash your computer screen once a week
Since computer screens are touched less than other objects, deep cleaning is required less often. However, they too can accumulate dust, dirt, fingerprints, germs and bacteria. To wash them, use a microfiber cloth and a suitable cleaning product. Once a week should be enough to ensure good visibility and a germ-free environment.
What about shared spaces?
If you work in a small business without a cleaner, also consider cleaning light switches and door handles daily. In fact, these contain 30 times more germs than a toilet seat. Regarding shared appliances in the kitchen, such as the microwave, refrigerator or coffee machine, clean them weekly to avoid the accumulation of dirt and bacteria. “Wipe all surfaces and major touch points with antibacterial and disinfectant sprays or wipes to maintain the cleanliness of common areas,” the release advises. On this occasion, also think about the trash cans. In fact, office trash cans can harbor bacteria like salmonella, e-coli and listeria. “Empty kitchen bins every two weeks and general waste bins at least once a week. Clean the interior with disinfectant spray or wipes weekly to keep them hygienic,” experts also recommend.
Carpets and office floors need to be washed every two weeks. Every month, consider a deep cleaning. Also every four weeks, think about office chairs. “To keep your chairs looking and smelling fresh, vacuum fabric chairs monthly and wipe down leather or vinyl chairs with an appropriate cleaning product,” notes the agency. .
Finally, every three months, clean the air vents and replace the air filters to ensure good air circulation in the office and reduce the amount of dust and allergens. “Air quality is essential for a healthy office and can be another important cause of allergies throughout the year. Keeping the air clean and fresh is an easy way to eliminate germs and airborne pollutants in the office, and should never be forgotten in your cleaning schedule. »
Source: www.topsante.com
