Woman using a damp sponge to clean dust collected on a window sill. Original image sourced from US Government department: Public Health Image Library, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under US law this image is copyright free, please credit the government department whenever you can”.
If you’re finally making plans to return to your office, you’re probably facing many fears, most of them
connected with COVID-19 spread. While it’s healthy to be careful as you return to normal, there are
things you can do to reduce that fear. Proper cleaning and safety protocols need to be followed to
ensure the safety of every worker. Here are a few tips on how to keep your workplace clean and safe.
Put up signage
Putting up digital signage is one of the easiest ways to ensure everyone who steps into your office space
is aware of the restrictions and safety rules that your business follows. If these guidelines are visible to
users and present in noticeable locations, people will always be reminded how important it is to stay
clean.
Eliminate hazards
Your workplace needs to be in compliance with OSHA standards, rules, and regulations (or the equivalent
of these standards in your country) and all physical and chemical hazards need to be taken care of. You
can use your above-mentioned signage to remind workers of proper body mechanics, equipment and
vehicle safety, PPE necessities, and how to avoid slips, trips, and falls. Offer bonuses to workers who
identify and report potential safety and hygiene issues so you can step in and solve them quickly and
efficiently.
Clean common areas
This is common sense, but cleaning common areas of the office (kitchen, meeting rooms, bathrooms,
break rooms, etc.) is important if you want to boost safety and limit the spread of viruses. These areas
get a lot of human contacts, especially places like worktops, door handles, and keyboards, so keeping
them clean can kill any disease particles.
Order professional cleaning
If you took some serious amount of time away from the office, getting professional deep cleaning might
be a great decision, no matter if you want to tackle your own office or other shared spaces. Pros know
which places need the most attention and you can later have clear control over the hygiene of your
space. Keeping your offices and other workplaces clean from the outside is also smart, especially if you
want to attract new customers. And in some climates, like scorching Australia’s temperatures and salty
winds from the ocean, proper outdoor maintenance is crucial for the longevity of your building as well. If
you have dirty façades, get professional pressure cleaning in Sydney and extend the longevity of your
structure and minimize future costly repairs. Also, your offices will leave a great first impression on
clients, buyers and workers.
Go paperless
Creating a paperless office has many benefits for your working environment: it reduces cost and waste,
keeps the premises clutter-free, and minimizes contact between workers. With fewer paper documents
to store, you will free up space for other things and create a clean and efficient workspace. And sharing
and collaboration will also become easier because digital documents can quickly reach people without
the need to come in contact with others.
Provide hygiene supplies
This step is especially important during this time of the pandemic, so make sure to supply all your rooms
with proper hygiene supplies. EPA-registered disinfectants can easily be included in offices, meeting
rooms, kitchens, waiting rooms, and bathrooms. With hand sanitizer and wet wipes, all surfaces and
hands can be kept clean during work hours.
Train your workers
All workers have to go through safety training they can understand. This training should be available for
new workers, as well as to workers who need a refresh course and those who change jobs within the
company.
Provide employees with safety gear
And finally, there’s no proper safety without safety gear. All employees need to use safe tools and
equipment that has been properly maintained. Proper head protection, eye protection, ear protection,
clothing, footwear, and gloves are often necessary for field workers, but office workers also need to be
provided with some “safety” gear like proper chairs, adjustable desks, and ergonomic keyboards.
If everyone does their part in keeping their workplace safe and clean, we can all have stress-free
workdays knowing we will come home healthy and unharmed.
