According to the Office for National Statistics one of the most common reasons for sickness absence in recent years were minor illnesses including coughs and colds. In respect of awareness Covid-19 changed the world we live in and even the toughest guys disinfect or wash their hand persistently singing ‘Happy birthday to you’ or a similar 20-second song.
What is really happening?
Looking at your workday, writing up reports, shake hands with a new client, open doors and much more; many of these activities expose your hands to harmful germs and bacteria. In addition, many of your colleagues will come to work even when they feel unwell. Bearing in mind that 80 percent of all infections are transmitted by hands this makes offices a hotbed for germs and bacteria.
What can you do?
Implement an effective hand hygiene program at your office and reduce absenteeism and associated costs by 40 percent. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way however it isn’t always a viable option. By placing hand sanitiser in strategic locations; easily accessible and always within sight near and around high-touch surfaces, you can make the office a healthier working environment.
Where to install hand sanitisers?
Although most people believe it’s important to wash their hands many of them are skipping soap and rinsing with only water. This makes it extra important to provide hand sanitiser in the following areas:
- Toilets
- Entrance and exit
- Kitchen and break room
- Meeting rooms
- Employee desks
- High traffic areas
How to choose the right sanitiser?
While providing hand sanitiser at key locations is essential to combating employee illness and absenteeism, it works best to provide the right type of sanitiser.
- Make sure to use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Most adults prefer foam hand sanitisers.
- Sanitisers that contain moisturisers prevent skin dryness.
- Perfume- and dye-free sanitisers reduce potential allergic reactions.
Encouraging hand hygiene
A complete hand hygiene program goes beyond providing the right products.
Posters, leaflets, internal newsletters will remind employees to clean hands and offer quick, easy facts about hand hygiene.
Lead change with an example and encourage workers to use sanitiser often by doing so yourself.
Healty workplace
Using hand sanitiser reduces microbial counts and kills many harmful germs that could infect workers with viruses. In order to keep the workplace a healthy and thriving environment, it’s critical that surfaces are also cleaned regularly, systematically and with effective products.
Professional advice
If you are considering to install the right dispensers Speclean can offer valuable and site specific advice, installation and ongoing maintenance to keep your office clean and healthy every day.