5 Tips for Keeping Your Workplace Sanitary and Healthy

The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment. The presence of disinfectants for wiping down surfaces is now the norm. However, the expectation for a safe workplace existed even before the pandemic — including protection from spills, falls, and infectious diseases. Ensuring a sense of safety in the workplace isn’t coincidental — it requires deliberate planning and implementation of practices that maintain a sanitary and health-conscious work setting.

Assess the Unique Requirements of Your Workplace

Different work environments, such as factories, medical centers, and office buildings, have varied cleaning needs. The initial step in fostering a healthy and sanitary workplace involves identifying strategies that are most effective for your specific setting.

Healthcare centers demand stringent cleaning protocols compared to other workplaces, yet maintaining hygienic surfaces in shared spaces is essential across all sectors to reduce the spread of germs. Additionally, workplaces must implement strategies to promptly clean up spills on the floor to prevent accidents and falls.

Contact Performance Maintenance Incorporated (PMI) to help you determine the right cleaning products for your specific work environment.

Arranging Cleaning Schedules in the Workplace

In the absence of a dedicated cleaning team, planning cleaning activities and delegating these tasks to team members is necessary. For instance, in a small shop, it’s common for staff to share cleaning duties. A cleaning roster displayed in a common area can assist in keeping the space sanitary and tidy.

In bigger workplaces, while cleaning services are often employed, staff members are expected to contribute to tidiness by disposing of food remnants in communal areas like kitchens or break rooms and not adding to messes that could lead to an unhealthy work setting.

In any workplace, it’s crucial to pinpoint areas that receive high foot traffic and frequent touches. Surfaces in spaces where staff congregate, such as break areas and meeting rooms, need to be cleaned frequently, perhaps several times throughout the day depending on the space’s activity level. Frequent sanitation of stair handrails, lift buttons, and washrooms is also vital.

Setting Clear Rules for Food in the Workplace

In some work settings, having a meal at your work area is permissible. At a desk job, this might result in minor crumbs on your keyboard, posing little risk to others. Contrastingly, in a clinical environment, consuming food outside of break areas could be hazardous. In manufacturing zones or near heavy machinery, food spills can lead to expensive equipment damage and personal injuries, necessitating strict food and beverage consumption guidelines.

Read about going green at home or at work here.

Provision of Cleaning Resources

Store cleaning resources in designated spots and make sure all staff are aware of these locations. Essential items like paper towels, cleaning agents, hand sanitizers, and protective equipment such as gloves and masks need to be readily available. Choose environmentally friendly cleaning supplies to minimize impact on indoor air quality.

Performance Maintenance Incorporated (PMI) has a line of cleaning products and janitorial supplies that will suit any workplace.

Establishing a Sanitary-Oriented Workplace Culture

Having the right supplies and a cleaning schedule is just the start; it’s also essential to involve everyone in keeping the workplace sanitary and healthy. Here are some methods to build a sanitary-focused culture:

Provide training for employees on how to use personal protective gear (PPE) and maintain cleanliness in shared spaces. Outsourcing this training can be beneficial, as it levels the playing field for both management and employees in learning best practices.
Highlight the necessity of maintaining good hygiene and regular disinfection. Handwashing frequently is crucial for preventing the transmission of common viruses, including influenza, colds, and COVID-19.
Support proper hand hygiene by making hand sanitizer and soap accessible in all washrooms, kitchen areas, and break rooms.
Install reminders in restrooms and communal areas about the importance of handwashing.

Investing in high-quality, non-toxic cleaning products is a great way to establish a culture of cleanliness. Learn more about these products at Performance Maintenance Incorporated (PMI).

Utilizing an Expert Cleaning Firm

Utilizing an expert cleaning firm allows your employees to dedicate their attention to their job roles in a hygienic and healthful setting. These firms provide comprehensive cleaning solutions, including the required supplies and manpower.

Employees still play a role in maintaining a sanitary workplace by responsibly discarding waste, frequently washing their hands, and maintaining their personal spaces. However, more extensive tasks, including restroom maintenance, floor cleaning, and disinfecting larger shared spaces, are managed by the professional cleaners.

When you’re ready to purchase janitorial supplies or hire a cleaning service, contact Performance Maintenance Incorporated (PMI).