Understanding How Germs Spreads in Your Office

A major concern for many businesses today during the pandemic is how grems spread and what steps businesses need to take to help minimize the spread of germs. As more people return to the workplace and with an increase of in-person customers to stores, employers in every industry has been taking extra steps to provide safer and healthier enviroment for their employees.

Germs can spread quickly, especially in places of businesses where surfaces get touched more frequently by many people. By understanding how germs spread, you can better understand what can be done to help reduce the spread of germs in your workplace.

How Germs Spread at the Workplace

Viruses, germs and bacteria accumulate on surfaces around the workplace and can also spread by airborne transmission. Hot spots known to harbor germs in the office include carpeting, fixtures, door knobs and handles, office equipment, and bathrooms.

• The average employee touches 300 surfaces every 30 mintures.

• Studies have shown that one door contaminated with an artifical virus spread to almost 50% of the hands of employees and surfaces in the office within 4 hours.

• There can be up to 100% reduction in bacteria after cleaning a keyboard with antibacterial cleaning solutions.

Every company wants their employees healthy and a clean workplace, especially during these challenging times. As an employer, you can help keep germs at bay by paying special attention to the follwoing areas:

High-Touch Areas

Studies show that the average office desk has more bacteria that a toilet seat. The average workplace desk has more than ten million bacteria, which is 400 times more than on the average toilet seat.

Items such as computer keyboards, headsets, and office furniture can become unsanitary quickly with regular use. Bacteria can multiply every day if a surface is not cleaned with high-quality commercial cleaning supplies.

Germs Spread from the Restroom

One of the most obvious areas where germs are present is the restroom. Office restrooms are known to contain a multitude of bacteria and germs that can be spread easily due to its usage throughout the day.

Hand washing goes a long way for workplace hygiene, but the most effective way to limit germs effects is with regular professional cleaning services. Commercial cleaners use high quality professional-grade cleaning chemicals and are trained to properly wipe down all surfaces in bathrooms and your entire office.

Staying Healthy

To keep germs in check and avoid illness, encourage employees to clean their workspaces often. A good rule of thumb is to wipe down high-touch points such as desktops, monitors, keyboards, computer mouse, and phones at least once a day with proper disinfectants, not just with soap and water.

Other spots for germs include doorknobs, elevrator buttons, vending machine buttons, coffee pots, microwaves, and refrigerators in the break room.

While it is impossible to wipe down every surface you touch, washing your hands and using hand sanitizer can help kill the bacteria you pick up during the day.