Are we heading back to work after Covid 19? Yes, restrictions have reduced, and the world is adjusting to the new normal. However, staying healthy and clean has now become a significant part of our day-to-day lives. What we took for granted back in 2018 is now compulsory. Washing hands, wearing masks, the use of sanitizer, and an overall clean workspace is vital. That being said, let’s look at how we can get our workspace ready to protect ourselves and our colleagues. We can learn how it spreads and the methods to mitigate the risk of Covid 19.
Let’s first delve into how the virus can spread. After all, the spread is unavoidable currently. We still don’t know everything there is to know about this virus, and research is ongoing. However, we do know that it can spread from person to person through droplets.
If someone is infected, they can, in turn, emit droplets through sneezing, coughing, and even when speaking to close contacts. It is transmitted through the air directly to another human or lands on surfaces around them. Surfaces those droplets fall on can remain viable for some time, thereby infecting someone who comes into contact with the contaminated source. The virus can enter the body once it comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth, which attaches to the upper respiratory tract cells, thus resulting in infection.
Now that we understand how it spreads let’s figure out how to help reduce the risk of spreading. As an employer, the duty of keeping the office clean and your staff safe falls on you. A clean and protected environment is vital. Regular cleaning, disinfecting, and proper protocols will enable you and your staff to keep a healthy and clean working environment. Overall, our goal should be to maintain a safe workspace in Australia.
Working in an Office
When taking a close look at many offices, employees work and share office space, such as an open-plan office concept. There are times even large desk areas are either combined or shared amongst staff. It is in these surroundings that the spread of germs can be high and risky.
The current social distancing rule could be hard to maintain, specifically with the increased sharing of office equipment such as phones, printers, and computer hardware. These shared workspaces and equipment become what we call in the cleaning world high touchpoints. The key to a clean and safe office is to disinfect and sanitize these high touchpoints regularly.
A few examples of other high-touch points in an office are:
- Tables and Chairs
- Waiting area
- Doorknobs and light switches
- Phone receivers and keypads
- Remotes, touchscreens, office equipment
- Washrooms
- Kitchen and kitchen equipment
- Elevator and elevator buttons
The areas mentioned above are some of the critical places that one should clean daily. Let’s look at a few tips on getting back into the workforce with a safe and clean working environment. It isn’t as tricky and complicated as you imagine and can be done systematically and efficiently.
A checklist for a Germ-free Office!
Tools Needed for Cleaning
- Cleaning Products, Cleaning Solutions, and Disinfectant Wipes.
- Cleaning Tools and Machinery such as Vacuums, Pressure Washers, Squeegee, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment – gloves, masks, clothes)
Areas that Need Cleaning
- Identify which parts of the Office need cleaning and disinfecting.
- Have a list of specific daily cleaning areas and workstations that will need cleaning after use.
- Weekly and Monthly cleaning requirements should be noted down and done accordingly.
- Have either a cleaning service or employees scheduled to clean specific areas of the office.
Cleaning Safely
- Safety is vital when using chemicals and cleaning equipment.
- Always remember to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when using the cleaning equipment and solutions.
- Make sure the product you’re using is safe and appropriate for the surface you’re cleaning; never mix two products.
- Clean the area before disinfecting; this will be useful in eliminating the spread of germs and is a double layer of protection.
- Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and remember to wash your hands before and after.
- Wear masks and other personal protective equipment if required for added safety.
Once you finish cleaning, always make sure you dispose of the trash appropriately. Double bag and put the garbage in general waste. If you have used reusable cleaning equipment such as mops, or other cleaning accessories, then clean the equipment thoroughly and fully dry them before using it again. Basically, disinfect all the items you will be using again and eliminate all the hazardous waste.
Necessary Changes
You could implement a few changes at the office to ensure transitioning back to work is smooth and effortless.
Find an alternate or new system to allow your employees to key in or sign into the office. A touchless system so that there is less physical contact. Further limit the areas of the office that need touching. Door handles, bathroom taps, and sanitizer dispensers can be automated using motion sensors, thus stopping cross-contamination.
Signages are the perfect way of reminding appropriate guidelines and health advisory behaviors. Place signboards with instructions to wash hands, wear masks, maintain social distancing, and even notices to disinfect each workstation. Another way of reminding your staff of essential dos and don’ts is by sending them reminders. You could do this through regular alarms, emails, or even automated messages sent to their phones.
Depending on how the office functions, you could give your employees personal equipment such as separate telephones, tablets, and even computers. These may have been shared items that can now be provided individually to not spread infections or germs from one to another.
Social Distancing
Maintain distance between workspaces and tables. You can even use desk separators and dividers to stop the spread of germs between employees whose desks are close to each other’s or share a workspace.
Have a socially distanced floor plan and assign tables according to availability. It is advisable always to keep the state’s required distance for added safety.
Limit Employees and Visitors
Limit visitors to the office. Encourage only the necessary meetings and try and handle client requirements through online video meetings.
Schedule working times and days. Have employees come to work according to a timetable to reduce overcrowding. Too many employees at the office at the same time is not ideal. Because even if you have desks spaced out, it can cause overcrowding or risk of close contact when it comes to meetings or lunchtime.
Have virtual meetings and team catchups. If your staff can work from home, well then let them. They could come back to work in a gradual process and if or when required. You could even implement flexible hours to limit overcrowding.
Hire Specialized Office Cleaners
An alternative to sanitizing and cleaning in-house is the use of specialized office cleaners. This is a long-term, cost-effective, and professional service that can come in weekly or even monthly. One of the benefits of having a professional cleaning service is that they have all the equipment and the knowledge to clean your office thoroughly according to Australian Government regulations.
Further, chemicals and high-intensity machinery can be challenging to use and need to be done correctly. One can resolve this by using a specialized office cleaner such as Star Shining Facility Solutions Melbourne. Cleaning companies such as these are your perfect solution for disinfecting and cleaning your office, especially in these Covid-19 times.
Covid-19 Disinfection
If at any point you are notified that one of your employees or visitors had or have contracted Covid -19, then you should have a contingency plan on how to deal with the situation. Do not panic and hassle yourself. Identify the locations within the office they last visited. If it was recent, make sure to seal off and disinfect the area before use. A specialized cleaning team will know the best methods to get the job done.
How can Employees do their part?
Employees should follow office protocols and use proper methods of sanitation.
Employees can help curb the spread by practicing good hygiene, for example, washing their hands regularly, using sanitizer, wearing masks, sneezing into a tissue. These are all simple practices and etiquette that employees can follow to do their part in safekeeping the office community.
Make sure they don’t report to work if they are ill or feel like they might be catching a cold. Instead, encourage your staff to get tested and to stay home till their results are cleared. A safe work environment is vital in the current global pandemic to combat the increasing spread of Covid-19.
Precaution and Consistency are Key!
We may not fully understand the situation at hand, but we should continue to keep ourselves and our employee’s health and safety at heart. It is the duty of each one of us when heading back to work after this pandemic to do our part. It doesn’t matter if we have been vaccinated or are still awaiting a vaccine. We need to take caution and keep Victoria Strong. Masking, sanitizing, and social distancing are essential office rules to battle Covid-19. Precaution together with a strong work ethic will keep your offices running efficiently and smoothly.