Why Is Good Health & Hygiene At Work Important?

Cleanliness in the workplace should always be a top priority to keep you, your employees and your visitors safe. With this in mind, having spent more than 17 years specialising in commercial cleaning in Milton Keynes, we have extensive knowledge of the best processes to keep your site immaculate. Our guide will not only answer “why is good health and hygiene at work important?” but also run through how to implement an easy routine.

Why Is Good Health & Hygiene At Work Important? Your Questions Answered

Following the pandemic, maintaining a high level of cleanliness has become a routine for most of us. Disinfecting surfaces after coming into contact and frequently sanitising our hands has quickly become standard in everyday life.

So, to ensure that every employee is aware of how an unclean workplace can impact them and you have an idea on how to put a routine in place, we’re going to take a closer look at the following points:

• The Importance Of A Clean Workplace
• Workplace Cleaning Schedule

The Importance Of A Clean Workplace

Although cleanliness is key to preventing the spread of viruses, there are several other ways that an unclean workplace can impact your business. Ensuring that your corporate premises remain clean, hygienic and tidy can mean the difference between a company that thrives and one that struggles to attract new business. Find out more about why cleanliness is vital in running a successful business below:

First Impressions Count

As a business owner, you must do everything in your power to ensure that the first impression of your business is always positive. Whether it may be your website’s appearance, your staff’s friendliness or the workplace itself, every aspect of your company must be presented to the highest level. The cleanliness of your premises is one of the key contributing factors towards guaranteeing a positive first impression as it allows you to showcase your professionalism and attention to detail. It creates immediate trust with visitors, from clients to potential team members, instilling the idea that you will take as much care with how you present your services or products as you do with your premises. An unclean, messy workplace, on the other hand, will do nothing but dampen your reputation, creating the impression that your expertise will be of the same lousy quality.

Clear Surroundings, Clear Mind

A clean surrounding equals a clear mind, which means that if you implement strict cleanliness, you will be rewarded with dedicated, hard-working individuals. Why? Because a dirty, messy atmosphere can have a significant impact on wellbeing, eventually having a negative effect on your overall company morale and productivity. According to Psychology Today, an unclean workplace can make it harder to think efficiently because the mess of your surroundings is replicated as “mental clutter.” This “mental clutter” causes your neural networks to become clogged up with irrelevant information, making it trickier to focus on a task without becoming distracted.

Along with impacting productivity, an unclean workplace can also alter how comfortable employees feel while working. The average working day is around eight hours, meaning most people spend more time awake at work than at home. If you work in a cluttered and messy environment, you will likely begin feeling more stressed, leading to dislike for your role. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that employees feel comfortable in the workplace. Another way you can work towards this is by allowing staff to personalise their desk with accessories that reflect their personality. Whether this may be stationery or plants, even the smallest of touches can make a huge impact!

Health & Safety Compliance

A messy environment means a host of hazards that staff and visitors must avoid to prevent injuries. Whether it may be the risk of tripping or slipping, a workplace filled with clutter or spillages will dramatically increase the likelihood of an accident. This alone can have a significant impact on the reputation of your business, especially if the individual was to claim against you, also leading to huge expenses.

However, if you implement a strict cleaning routine, it will be easier to ensure that you continue to comply with your industry’s health and safety regulations. It will also mean that you will have full control over any potential risks in the workplace and have a set process on what to do should any arise. Head to the HSE website for more information on corporate health and safety policies.

Healthy Employees = Happy Employees

Healthy employees indeed mean happy employees, but this is only possible if you limit the spread of germs. All viruses, even the common cold we all seem to catch over the winter, can be limited if cleanliness is high. This is because the moment someone infected with the cold either coughs or sneezes, all of the tiny particles of the virus are dispersed into the air. These droplets of germs then remain airborne until they fall into a surface or are inhaled by another individual. Health Engine has a great guide to cold and flu in the workplace, providing more information on this topic.

Once you have put in place a system that prevents the spread of germs and bacteria, you will find that employees will fall ill far less often. This not only means that they feel well and are therefore more productive, but it can also keep sick days to a minimum, saving your company time and money.

Dirt Impacts The Air Quality

Another factor that contributes to the health of staff and is impacted by cleanliness is the air quality in the workplace. As mentioned above, germs travel through the air and, when in an indoor environment, can thrive far quicker than outdoors. This will make it considerably easier for viruses to be caught merely by breathing the same air as those infected. Not only this, but poor air quality can also negatively impact those with respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies, and skin conditions. Again, increasing the likelihood of sick days.

Longevity Of Premises

Much like anything, if you take care of your corporate premises and ensure that it is well-maintained, they will last you considerably longer. Company assets do often come alongside a high price tag which means that you must ensure that you can a return on investment. Regular cleaning will boost longevity and save you money on replacements, carpets, furniture or even electronic devices. It will also mean that they stay in good condition, preventing your building from being filled with old, worn items, creating a positive first impression.

Workplace Cleaning Schedule

Now that you know why it is important to keep your workplace clean, it is time to implement a schedule. This will require a combination of professional cleaning and effort from your staff for maximum results. Below we have put together a checklist of the key cleaning tasks you must consider, each of which clicks through to a short explanation of what to remember:
Enlist Professional Cleaners
Stock Up On Cleaning Supplies
Set Up Sanitising Stations
Encourage A Tidy Desk Policy
Disinfect Bacteria Hotspots
Ensure Bins Are Emptied
Organise Cables & Electricals
Prevent Food Mess
Regularly Clean Air Vents
Schedule Carpet Cleaning

Enlist Professional Cleaners

Even the smallest commercial properties require professional cleaners to meet all health and safety standards. Companies specialising in cleaning will have the highest grade of products and equipment, guaranteeing immaculate results. They will be able to achieve a standard that simply is not attainable through only your staff cleaning.

Here at Facilities Company, we have been offering site and office cleaning in Milton Keynes for several years, so we would be happy to create a tailored cleaning schedule. This can include general commercial cleaning, washroom supplies, window cleaning, and much more. Feel free to contact our team for more information!

Stock Up On Cleaning Supplies

Even if you schedule commercial cleaners to visit your workplace daily, ensuring that you have your supply of cleaning products is still essential. These will be used so that staff can, for example, clear up any spillages or dust their desktops, allowing the environment to remain presentable at all times. Items that you should always have are:

• A Vacuum Cleaner
• Broom / Dustpan & Brush
• Rubber Gloves
• Mop & Bucket
• Bin Bags
• Disinfectant Spray
• Multi-Purpose Cleaner
• Sponges & Cleaning Cloths
• Antibacterial Wipes
• Washing-Up Liquid
• Scourer

Set Up Sanitising Stations

Hand sanitiser should always be dotted around the workplace for regular and extra safety. Setting up sanitising stations in the most commonly used areas, such as at the doorway, in any communal areas, and in meeting rooms, is highly recommended. Employees should also ideally have their hand sanitiser that they can use periodically throughout the day.

Encourage A Tidy Desk Policy

If you work in an office environment, then it is more than likely that every employee has a workstation. In this instance, a desk policy will most definitely work to your advantage. This will involve encouraging every staff member to take responsibility for their desk, ensuring that it is left clean at the end of each day. Not only will the tidy desk policy help the overall environment to remain free from clutter, but it’ll also give employees a fresh start each morning. They will be able to get stuck into their work straight away without having to filter through paperwork or tidy away rubbish from the previous day.

Disinfect Bacteria Hotspots

Several areas in the workplace are known for being hotspots for the growth of bacteria. They are also regularly touched by almost everyone, which means that they quickly cause germs to spread from one person to another. These hotspots should be disinfected at least once a day and include the following areas:

• Door Handles
• Phones
• Mouse & Keyboard
• Water Cooler
• Printers & Photocopiers
• Fridge

Ensure Bins Are Emptied

At the end of every day, all bins around the workplace must be emptied and replaced with a new bin bag. If employees have bins at their desks, include this in the tidy desk policy. Alternatively, you could set up a schedule where staff members take turns to take out the rubbish.

Organise Cables & Electricals

One of the most common tripping hazards is cables trailing across the floor. Although this is not necessarily included in workplace cleanliness, it is essential in ensuring that surroundings remain safe and free from risks. So, with this in mind, we recommend tucking away any cables that could obstruct walkways. Also, ensure that any electricals have been organised and are stored in a safe area. Encourage all staff to put away items as soon as they have finished using them to prevent clutter.

Prevent Food Mess

It isn’t uncommon for a busy day to result in a quick lunch in front of the computer; however, you should always aim to keep this at a minimum. Not only does food often come alongside unwanted smells, but it also leaves crumbs and spillages on the desk, risking attracting unwanted pests. To resolve this, it is always advised to keep all lunch breaks in allocated areas, whether staff rooms, kitchens or communal areas.

Regularly Clean Air Vents

As previously mentioned, your workplace’s air quality can significantly impact employees’ health. While opening the window and allowing fresh air to flow through is beneficial, this is not always possible in all offices. This is why regular cleaning of air vents is vital as any dust, dirt, and debris can be removed. If you have opted for office cleaning in Milton Keynes with the Facilities Company team, this can be included in your package.

Schedule Carpet Cleaning

With constant footfall, carpets will inevitably begin to experience wear and tear. While it is impossible to keep carpets in immaculate condition at all times, you can prevent stains and long-term damage through regular cleaning. The team at Facilities Company offer reputable carpet cleaning in Milton Keynes at an affordable price without compromising on quality. This allows you to maintain a positive first impression and avoid replacement.

Keeping Your Workplace In Immaculate Condition!

It is hugely beneficial for your business to take extra care when it comes to cleaning, helping you succeed in your industry whilst keeping your employees happy and healthy. If you need assistance with any commercial cleaning in Milton Keynes, please do not hesitate to contact us!