The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has continue to become a growing concern and we all have to do our part with efforts to keep our employees, family, co-workers and community safe from this epidemic.
Now more than ever, we are seeing the importance of keeping the workspace clean, sanitized and the importance to communicate to your employees your commitment with their health and well-being.
Evidently, keeping everyone safe is in emphasis of every business right now with this widespread. We all have to play our part on containing and mitigating this virus while understanding the significant impact of it.
It is important not to panic but act accordingly, be conscious of what is going on and take the necessary steps to help prevent the spread of the virus. Encourage your employees to stay home if there are feeling sick. Have an open conversation with your team about the risks right now, show support and commitment.
We want to share here an older blog post of ours on “Flu Season: How Long the Virus Can Last in Commercial Buildings & The Importance of a Professional Cleaning Company”. These advices are relevant with the current health crises we are seeing now with the Coronavirus.
Here are other 3 ways to communicate with your team as an effort to keep your workplace clean during this time:
Wash Your Hands
Emphasize handwashing.
The CDC has said that keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid the spread of germs. The agency recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Employers can print and post CDC fact sheets that remind employees when to wash their hands, including:
- After using the bathroom
- Before, during and after food preparation
- Before eating food
- After blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing
- After caring for someone who is sick or after changing a child’s diaper
- After handling pets or other animals or their food and waste
- After touching garbage.
Employees should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
The CDC said alcohol-based hand sanitizers should contain 60 percent to 95 percent alcohol, but washing with soap and water is preferable, particularly if hands are visibly dirty.
How can employers help? The CDC suggests that employers provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace and ensure that adequate supplies are maintained.
“Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene,” the CDC said. Employers should also consider providing tissues and touch-free trash bins.
Practice Sneezing and Coughing Etiquette
Considering how similar viruses spread, people infected with COVID-19 may be spreading the virus through respiratory secretions when they cough or sneeze, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
To help prevent the spread of germs, the CDC recommends:
- Avoiding coughing or sneezing into your hands
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze
- Putting used tissue in a wastebasket.
Clean Your Workstation
Employers should encourage employees and the cleaning crew to routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as keyboards, remote controls, desks, countertops and doorknobs.
The SD Janitor team has vast experience helping business keeping the workspace clean and disinfected.
We recommend using professional cleaning agents that are usually used to clean work surfaces, doorknobs and countertops. We also suggest that employers provide disposable wipes so that workers can easily wipe down commonly used surfaces between the professional cleans.
Frequency is key here and we suggest offices with more than 10 employees to have a professional crew at least 3 to 5 times per week cleaning and disinfecting all areas.
A best practice, however, is to avoid contact with people who are sick. If you are ill, you should try to distance yourself from others, so you do not spread your germs.
If you have questions on how to keep your workspace and business clean, special during this time, give us a call. We are with you and we are here to assist.
The SD Janitor Team wishes you, your loved one, and your team good health in the months to come.
