Everyone wants to be healthy and avoid germs, especially since we spend so much time in the office. It's not typically our first thought when we get u
Everyone wants to be healthy and avoid germs, especially since we spend so much time in the office. It’s not typically our first thought when we get up in the morning and head to work, but it should be: “How can I protect myself from getting sick today?”
If you’re a facilities manager, there are many more things you can do above simple hand-washing to reduce germs at work. Here are 5 suggestions you might consider:
1. Use industrial cleaning supplies
A lot of times, cleaning is considered more of an annoyance than anything else. If someone has to clean something up on their break or after they leave for the day, they’ll just grab whatever product’s under their sink. Those everyday products aren’t necessarily industrial-strength. Facilities managers need industrial cleaning supplies to take care of germs, especially if they’re in heavy traffic areas like break rooms or restrooms. These industrial products will remove the toughest stains and kill the most germs.
2. Inspect bathrooms regularly
Let’s face it: nobody wants to go into a filthy bathroom, but if it doesn’t get inspected, that can easily happen. In fact, some people will purposefully put off cleaning the bathroom until there’s a real problem just so they don’t have to deal with it for as long as possible. Garbage cans should be emptied and disposed of properly, toilets should be scrubbed down daily and industrial products should be used in heavily trafficked areas like sinks and floor mats.
3. Don’t forget about the lunchroom
Many facilities managers don’t focus too much on the lunchroom even though it can easily become a breeding ground for germs. There are many people who eat at work so if they don’t take care of their dishes or toss out their garbage properly, you’ll have a problem on your hands. Make sure industrial cleaning supplies are being used so there aren’t any stains or odors in equipment surfaces around the area.
4. Get industrial air filters
Another way for facilities managers to reduce germs is by investing in industrial air filters. If there’s a lot of airflow in an industrial space, like a warehouse or industrial kitchen, industrial air cleaners can help control odors and keep dust from floating around. They also remove chemicals from the environment so they don’t settle on people’s skin and clothing when they leave work for home.
5. Remove barriers for hand washing
People who need to wash their hands—like those in industrial kitchens where they’re constantly using shared equipment. Facilities managers should ensure there’s plenty of room around industrial sinks to make sure nobody gets water everywhere when they turn them on or adjust the temperature. They should also make sure the soap dispensers aren’t empty and that towels and lint rollers are readily available (and restocked), as well as paper towels for drying hands.
Make these efforts, and it’ll be like you never left work.
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