The inability to keep your office equipment clean could have an odd effect on your staff. It can affect their productivity, and make them feel uncomfortable around the office. This blog will look at why it is important to keep your office equipment clean and the best ways to do so.
When should the equipment be cleaned and why?
Cleaning the office equipment’s hardware makes the complete machine run extra efficiently and maintains it jogging longer. Regular cleaning protects your investment, also important documents and records saved on your computer. Every few days or so, give the display an excellent wipe and empty the crumbs out of the keyboard. Those easy responsibilities will lessen the threat of it breaking and overall assist the laptop to work better.
You need to additionally clean the dirt out of fan vents frequently, which could save the equipment from overheating and doubtlessly breaking, causing you to lose all your precious files saved on it. Joseph Sharp, co-proprietor of Lead Tech Service in Wilmington says cleansing the dirt out of the vent fans should be done by a specialist.
“To actually clean the hardware, I would take it to (…) shop” says Sharp. “We all use something called a data vac and we blow out the machine.”
Sharp advises doing this at least once a year.
On the other hand, this is also a risk to your staff’s health. Dust can be observed on computers with ease. However, germs and bacteria can pile up even if the computer is outwardly clean.
If you usually eat and use a computer simultaneously, there are even extra probabilities of germs accumulating in your keyboard and mouse.
The bacteria, mould, and dirt collected through the years can pose a health hazard, like allergic reactions, viral infection or even cause asthma.
What should you look out for in your office?
A recent study emphasized the significance of workplace cleaning since happier employees work in cleaner environments. A spotless workplace improves morale and productivity while giving workers a safe place to do their jobs. So, a clean office means less wasted money.
Now that many people are returning to their places of employment after the extraordinary pandemic, it might be time for you to think about hiring an equipment cleaning service.
Here are the main things to watch out for:
- Touchscreens – these types of equipment are constantly being touched by your employees. Studies confirm that touchscreens harness a troubling amount of germs, including infected faecal matter.
- Phones – People’s faces and lips immediately transmit germs through to the phone. According to research, the office phone is the piece of technology that is least likely to get cleaned.
- Keyboards – A computer keyboard can become clogged with anything, including crumbs, hair, and dead skin cells.
- Mouse – Because the mouse frequently comes into contact with your employees’ hands, it can continually pick up germs.
- Photocopiers – Employees that use photocopiers spend a lot of time around them when using them. They might need to touch it and lean on it in order to interact with it.
What are some common germs in the workplace? Are they that dangerous?
Although we might think germs in the workplace are mostly harmless, that is not always the case. Here are some examples of the most common germs in the workplace:
Norovirus (also known as stomach flu)
Gastroenteritis, which is brought on by norovirus, is an inflammation of the intestines and stomach. Vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea are the most typical symptoms.
Staphylococcus aureus
When someone touches contaminated surfaces, Staphylococcus aureus, often known as Staph, can enter cuts, scrapes, or places where the skin is perforated. Skin infections could result from this. In more severe instances, this may result in abscesses, skin crusting, heated, puffy skin, blood poisoning, and pneumonia.
Influenza usually referred to as “the flu,”
An airborne respiratory virus called influenza affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Coughing, a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, a lack of energy, a fever, cold sweats, headaches, and muscle pains are all signs of the flu. Coughing and/or sneezing are the two easiest ways for this virus, which is highly contagious, to move from one person to another.
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
E. coli is a type of bacteria that is spread by faeces and can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pains, and vomiting in severe cases. A study carried out on touchscreens at a fast food restaurant revealed every single touchscreen equipment carried at least some faecal matter.
Rotavirus
Diarrhoea is a symptom of rotavirus infection. After being exposed to the virus for two days, rotavirus infection typically begins. Fever and vomiting are the first signs, followed by watery diarrhoea lasting three to seven days.
Viral Hepatitis A
The Hepatitis A Virus can survive on environmental surfaces and is shed from an infected individual in high quantities, making it simple to spread to hands. It is an extremely contagious liver infection that inflames your liver and impairs its functionality.
We hope you enjoyed our blog post about how important it is to clean office equipment. While it might not seem like an important topic, it can have serious consequences for your office! So for the sake of your employees and the health of your business, make sure your office equipment is cleaned on a regular basis. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for reading, we would love to hear from you!