With the rise of so many illnesses and the world coming face-to-face with a pandemic, it is high time that we revisit our sanitation and hygiene practices at work, whether you do it from home, from the office or at the field. Nevertheless, it is a must to observe cleanliness at all times to keep you and the people around you healthy and fit and safe from infectious diseases.
As they say, “prevention is better than cure.” Make it your goal to put hygiene and sanitation as an important part of your corporate culture. Start with doing a checklist that you can do and instil with your colleagues and your team.
Come up with a policy on hygiene
Have you laid down some rules on how you and your team should follow sanitation and hygiene in your office? Inculcate strict handwashing, cleaning after working, and wearing clean and safe clothing, depending on your industry and corporate culture. Your policy may provide toiletries or materials to your team, install hygiene signages or reminders around your office or put anti-bacterial sanitizers in designated areas. If you still do not have such a policy in place, discuss it with your team. If you have one, make sure to review it regularly if it is still relevant and updated.
Designate different areas for different activities
Make sure that your office has a pantry, a toilet, and a supplies room. Given that, eat only in the pantry and not on your work desk. Keep food in a clean and safe place. Supply every work station with a trash can and segregate biodegradable from non-biodegradable garbage. Don’t mix dirty items from clean ones.
Equip your toilet and sink with cleaning tools and materials
Your toilet and sink must be clean at all times. Equip it with cleaning tools. Furnish your office with soap, detergent and disinfectant to be used in keeping bacteria and other kinds of germs away from every area of your workplace. Change common washcloths, towels and rugs regularly.
Assign someone to take charge of cleanliness
As your organisation grows, have someone who oversees the cleanliness of your office. If you cannot hire a cleaner, check third-party services that provide such services. Assign someone to regularly monitor the cleanliness of your office. If you work alone or if you are working from home, put cleaning as part of your schedule.
Have a yearly check-up for you and your team
Cleanliness starts with your body. Apart from good hygiene habits, take care of your physique through regular check-ups. Also, if there are vaccinations available, extend such benefit to your team.
Make your workplace bacteria-free and safe for you and your team. Put cleanliness, good hygiene and sanitation as among the top priorities in your corporate culture. It’s for your own safety and that of your organisation. In the end, you will reap the fruits of your endeavours, keeping you healthy and strong.