Three Ways to Reduce Sickness in a Warehouse Environment
An open warehouse environment poses a challenge in terms of infection control. Employees touch many surfaces and move a great deal through the environment on any given shift, much more than in a traditional office environment. It’s vital to focus on curbing the spread of germs in order to protect your workforce.
Help Employees Maintain Hand Hygiene
It’s well-known that handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene is a critical component of any cleaning program, and the need for accessible, effective hygiene products is magnified in workplaces where there’s more interaction and movement amongst employees. In addition to keeping soap stocked in restrooms, handwashing education makes a difference. Posters remind employees of the importance of proper hand hygiene and educate them on the most effective ways to clean their hands. According to the Bradley Healthy Handwashing Survey, nearly 40% of Americans say they’re more likely to wash their hands after seeing a sign that requires employees to wash before returning to work. Outside the restroom, hand sanitizer should be located in high-traffic common areas, like break rooms. In a recent study, hand sanitizing stations, bottles, and wipes were distributed in highly-populated workplaces. The study found that there was a 13 percent decrease in unscheduled time off.
Account for Key Workspaces
Janitorial programs that are planned around square footage may not accurately capture how much cleaning is required. Instead, it’s important to focus on the number of workspaces that need to be cleaned. By using equipment and processes that save time, cleaners can work more quickly without sacrificing employee health.
Take Care of Touch Points
Many cleaning programs include touch point cleaning, but too often, it’s an afterthought. Touch points can hold on to germs for longer periods of time than hands. According to the CDC, the flu virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours. To get rid of germs, it takes more than simply wiping them down. Cleaning with a combination of microfiber cloths and disinfectants is the most effective way to kill bacteria and physically remove viruses. Another common mistake in touch point cleaning is failing to consider the range of touch points in a facility. When people think of touch points, they most commonly think of door handles, elevator buttons, and countertops. However, warehouse environments contain many more touch points, such as machinery and equipment. Including these in the cleaning scope of work ensures they won’t be neglected.
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