The most traditional form of hand washing is to use a bar of soap which has shown effectiveness to reduce the number of pathogens on your hands. The process of rubbing the bar between your hands creates friction to lift away dirt and microorganisms and then, in theory, it should be rinsed away with water. In the office, it is advisable to install liquid soap dispensers and apply the same method of hand washing as you would for a bar of soap. Clean paper towels should also be provided in the bathrooms located in the office. Hand sanitiser is an excellent way to help to protect you in the office as it is another method that can be used to sanitise hands other than soap.
Modern methods are to use hand sanitiser.
More modern methods of cleansing hands have been to use hand sanitiser and it features in many workplaces. Some even protect against the spread of Covid-19 but there is some scepticism about its effectiveness with hand washing said to be the most effective method to keep hands clean.
The ‘New Normal’
We live in the ‘new normal’ now whereby we are so conscious of personal hygiene than ever due to the Covid pandemic. In a standard office space, there are so many surfaces such as telephones, computer keyboards, printers, copiers, door handles and desks that can have germs on them.
Reduced sickness in the workplace.
Better hygiene in the office should result in less sickness and a ‘deep disinfecting clean’ is certainly helpful in the battle to improve cleanliness. The use of hand sanitiser has greatly increased and everyone including visitors to the workplace should be encouraged to keep their hands clean from bacteria.
The effectiveness of hand sanitisers.
Hand sanitisers are not able to kill all sorts of germs so they shouldn’t be relied upon as a foolproof method for protection in the office. Hand washing should be encouraged after using the bathroom and before eating food to minimise the risk of pathogens entering the body through the mouth.
Discourage eating at an office desk.
Eating and drinking at the desk should be discouraged and office workers should be encouraged to eat in the kitchen areas (if available) and to wash their hands afterwards. Workers can always be encouraged to use hand sanitiser before they return to their desks and the sanitiser can be used as an additional method to sanitise hands. Food pieces and crumbs can unknowingly get on and into the keyboard and on the desk which is not the most hygienic of practices to have in the workplace.
The highest alcohol content.
From studies carried out, the most effective hand sanitisers have an alcohol content of at least 70% for ultimate protection, particularly around Covid. It is suggested that the amount of gel that is used is estimated to be a coin-sized amount. It should be rubbed into the hands and between the fingers for a thorough cleaning.
Designated locations for hand sanitiser.
There should be designated locations for hand sanitisers so that they can often be used. The most obvious and most effective place to place the hand sanitiser is in the front entrance to the building and next to the toilets. By having it more readily available it should promote usage. Staff rooms and communal areas such as kitchens can also have bottles of hand sanitiser available. Meeting rooms and locations near to or on the staff desks are also desirable places for it to be placed.
If we all make a concerted effort to improve our hand hygiene in the office, it should help to create a healthier and cleaner working environment. By using two methods for hand washing such as using liquid soap and hand sanitiser consecutively, it should help immensely to keep germs and bacteria at bay.
If you have concerns about the level of hygiene in your office then please contact us for your computer and IT cleaning services.
Contact us:
https://it-care.co.uk/services/
info@it-care.co.uk
0141- 374-2869
IT CARE LTD. – Park Lane House, 47 Broad Street, Glasgow, G40 2QW