How to Reduce Bacterial Contamination in Your Work Space
Posted Aug 24, 2020 by Dave Scaturro
With the continuing threat of COVID-19 and a continual push to safely return to our jobs, many places of work are reopening their doors with strict guidelines in place. The risk of bacterial contamination remains a risk but has been since before the outbreak; we are just more vigilant now. Whether you are going to an office, a storefront, or even just laboring in your own at-home work space, here are a few simple tips for keeping the area you work in clean and pathogen-free.
1. Wash Your Hands and Protect Your Face
Many common viruses and bacterial infections can survive for hours, days, and longer outside the human body. About 80% of all infectious diseases are spread via your hands. Regular washing (for at least 20 seconds each time) is the most effective way to control the spread of bacterial infection in your work space.
You also want to be careful of your face to prevent unintended transmission. The average office person touches their own face multiple times per minute. Is the same true for you? Without even thinking about it, you are probably always touching your face after using your tools, typing on your keyboard, and handling door handles and faucets.
2. Keep Your Work Space Clean and Regularly Deep Clean
Take care to throw away trash and wipe down surfaces whenever there is need, which could be daily or even multiple times daily. Adhere to whatever guidelines your state has in place at the time regarding cleanliness and when it's time to handle more than just countertops, desktops, and floors. This can mean cleaning your ventilation system of dust or checking your inventory for signs of spills, damage, or other issues.
Even if you have a cleaning company come in regularly, consider equipment they probably won't clean for you, due to risk of damage, such as your tools or even your computer keyboard. Assume they didn't touch them. Clean them yourself just to be sure.
3. Stay Home When You're Sick
Sometimes a bacterial infection hryd you outside your work space, and then one of the best methods for keeping it clean is to stay out of it. If you are showing symptoms of an infectious disease, it is safer for your work space and every one you potentially work with to remain at home and rest rather than risk bringing a bug or bacteria in there with you. When such a compromise can't be made, it's time to be even more vigilant: wear a mask, wash your hands regularly, and disinfect where possible, within reason.
These are just a few of the steps you can take to stem the spread of bacterial contamination in your work space, whether it is small and private or large and shared with many other people.
For questions or to learn more about our best practices for keeping your workspace clean and protected view one of our recent entries below.