With flu season in full swing , cross contamination and janitorial services are more important than ever.
Poor cleaning practices combined with sick employees and poor hand hygiene can quickly lead to increased absenteeism.
What should your commercial cleaning company be doing to protect your workplace from seasonal viruses and bacterial infections?
And if you are searching for a new Michigan janitorial company , how can you be sure they take cleaning for health seriously?
Your First Defense Against the Spread of the Flu In Your Workplace
Encourage employees to stay home when sick. Coming to work ill often creates a domino effect that increases absenteeism.
It is also important to educate employees on proper handwashing techniques. Posting reminders in restrooms can help reinforce good habits.
The CDC recommends washing hands:
- Before, during and after food preparation
- Before eating
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick
- Before and after treating wounds
- After using the restroom
- After changing diapers
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After touching animals or animal waste
- After handling pet food
- After touching garbage
How do you wash your hands to effectively reduce the spread of germs?
Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
Lather by rubbing hands together including backs of hands and under nails.
Scrub for at least 20 seconds (about two rounds of the Happy Birthday song).
Rinse thoroughly under clean water.
Dry with a clean towel or air dryer.
Is Your Commercial Cleaning Company Spreading the Flu With Poor Practices?
Even if your employees follow best practices, poor janitorial procedures can still spread germs.
For example:
Was the cloth used on the restroom toilet seat also used to clean your desk? Was the same mop used in the restroom later used in a classroom?
Janitorial practices have a direct impact on building health.
Best practices to avoid cross contamination include:
- Color-coded cleaning cloths to separate areas
- Focus on high-touch surfaces
- Frequent mop water changes
- Prioritized cleaning of high-contact floors
- Using the correct chemicals for each surface
- Keeping janitorial closets clean and organized
- Maintaining cleaning equipment properly
- Frequent hand washing by cleaning staff
- Using entryway mats to capture contaminants
Why Cleaning For Health Is Critical
Cleaning for appearance and cleaning for health are not the same. A professional cleaning service must do both.
Cleaning for health focuses on what you cannot see — bacteria and pathogens such as influenza viruses, E. coli, C. difficile, MRSA and Enterococcus.
Best practices include HEPA filtration vacuums, proper chemical usage and correct dwell times.
Touch Points & Hot Spots Are Critical
Touch points include door handles, keyboards, faucets, telephones and shared equipment.
These surfaces become germ hotspots because many people interact with them.
Cleaning these areas regularly greatly reduces germ spread and protects workplace health.
The Bottom Line In Preventing Flu & Other Diseases
Whether you need medical cleaning, school cleaning, office cleaning, industrial cleaning or hospital cleaning, your cleaning company must follow professional cleaning-for-health standards.
If your janitorial company cannot explain concepts like touch points, dwell times and cross contamination, it may be time to find a better partner.
