Cleanliness in the workplace should always be a priority, but this is even more so the case now that there’s widespread transmission of COVID-19, a virus strain under the family of Coronaviruses. Viruses thrive where lives reside, so spaces like offices and other commercial establishments can be vulnerable to COVID-19. If you manage or own an office or any commercial building, it is essential to promote preventive measures to make your workplace safe.
20 Preventive Tips to Minimize COVID-19 Spread in the Workplace
As much as possible, you should perform preventive and responsive measures to workplace health-related threats like COVID-19. It is indispensable, as the safety and security of your workers depend on these measures. The health-safety of your office also has a direct effect on productivity and morale in the workplace. The better your system is at work, the more your people will be encouraged to work hard and continue with their projects.
To give you an idea, here are 20 preventive tips you and your people can do in the workplace minimize the spread of COVID-19:
1. Make sure that your office area is clean.
One of the top preventive tips in managing COVID-19 in the workplace is maintaining the cleanliness of the area. Always disinfect the workstations in the office, especially high-touch surfaces like keyboards, doorknobs, counters, and bathroom fixtures, among others.
2. Regularly disinfect all areas in the workplace.
The workstations shouldn’t be the only spaces to disinfect. As much as possible, all areas in the workplace should be disinfected daily (at the minimum).
3. Perform thermal scanning before employees are allowed to enter the workplace.
If the employees’ temperature is beyond the normal body temperature, lead them straight to your clinic and do not let them come in to work sick.
4. Monitor the health of the employees.
If any of the employees have symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently traveled to areas or countries with transmission cases, encourage them to get tested for the virus.
5. Close-off areas used by ill employees.
As soon as you have suspected COVID-19 cases in the workplace, close off the area used by the employee until proper cleaning and disinfecting has been done.
6. Encourage employees to stay home when sick.
If any of the employees feel ill, do not risk the possibility of contamination. Ask them to stay and recuperate at home.
7. Maintain flexible policies for work-from-home employees.
As much as possible, try to give employees the option to work from home.
8. Promote the avoidance of group-sharing for personal items.
Personal items that are used by the office like utensils and tableware, towels, and other similar items should be monitored. If possible, make sure to clean and disinfect those before using them.
9. Shared spaces should have good airflow.
Shared spaces like the company lobby, common area, and pantry should have good airflow. Moreover, having excellent airflow helps in preventing the incubation of the virus in your workplace.
10. Use a humidifier at work.
Keeping the humidity up will keep the nose’s protective membranes from drying out. It makes it easier for them to keep dangerous pathogens out. Try to maintain mid to high humidity levels at work.
11. Encourage good hand hygiene at work.
Encourage your employees to wash their hands with soap and water regularly and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers until their hands feel dry.
12. Provide alcohol solutions to employees.
Employees will find it easier to comply with health-related instructions if they receive the proper equipment. Additionally, encourage hand cleanliness in the office by providing free solutions that are at least %70 alcohol.
13. Avoid touching the face with unwashed hands.
As much as possible, people in the workplace should avoid touching their face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
14. Maintain social distancing.
Should there by anyone coughing or sneezing in the workplace, let the employees know that they should be at least 1 meter away from that person.
15. Practice good respiratory hygiene.
There are times when sneezing or coughing is hard to prevent. In such cases, make sure to cover the mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a tissue.
16. Practice throwing tissues in a closed bin immediately after use.
Immediately after the tissue has been used, make sure to dispose of it properly in closed bins.
17. Your cleaning staff should wear protective and disposable gears during the cleaning process.
If you have a cleaning staff, make sure that they wear proper gear while cleaning your office.
18. Keep yourself posted for guidelines and updates related to COVID-1.
If there are going to be any guidelines related to COVID-19 prevention, make sure to read and disseminate it to the employees.
19. Properly brief the employees regarding the virus.
Cascade all necessary briefs and information related to the virus to your employees, especially preventive tips, to avoid its spread in the workplace.
20. Work with local health departments to make sure that protocols are followed.
If the city has provided new protocols related to cleaning commercial establishments and workplaces, make sure to enforce these in the office.
Promote a Healthy Workplace with the Help of these Tips
There’s a lot you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. But above everything else, the essential aspect of maintaining the safety of any workplace is promoting cleanliness.
In such times, having a professional and experienced cleaning company like Prestige Property Services is an excellent option for you. We are the premier commercial cleaning company for Janitorial Services in Los Angeles and Orange County. From office cleaning to day porter services, know more about us by contacting 714-224-0301. You may also reach out to us at info@prestigepropertyservices.com to know more about how we can help.
