A clean work environment is a haven of productivity and health. For facility managers and business owners, cleanliness should be a top consideration. A well-maintained commercial building creates a positive perception of the business. Implementing best practices can be surprisingly simple! Discover why workplace hygiene is important and how you can create a strong strategy for your building.

What Is Workplace Hygiene?

Workplace hygiene encompasses safety and cleanliness standards that contribute to a healthier business environment for staff and visitors. It aims to reduce and control environmental factors that may cause work-related illness or discomfort. Regular sanitization of workspaces reduces germs and infection. Other aspects of workplace cleanliness include air quality, sanitation and food safety. 

Certain areas in a commercial building require stricter sanitation practices, including:

• Desks and workspaces: A study from the University of Arizona shows office desks harbor 400 times more bacteria than toilet seats! 
• Kitchens and canteens: Food preparation, storage and consumption areas need robust hygiene protocols.
• Toilets and restrooms: Unhygienic restrooms are a leading culprit of germ transmission.
• Communal or high-traffic zones: High-traffic areas need regular and consistent sanitizing.

Employees and visitors also contribute. Practices like washing hands and keeping a tidy desk help cultivate a healthy working environment. 

Why Is Workplace Hygiene Important?

Maintaining a clean workplace benefits the business and its employees. Good cleanliness affects physical and mental well-being. A company’s hygiene strategy can impact its bottom line in several big ways:

• Increases employee productivity
• Reduces the spread of illness
• Fosters trust with customers
• Upholds industry standards
• Saves money by maintaining company assets and preventing accidents/injuries

In a nutshell, workplace hygiene is a crucial aspect of your company’s long-term success. You can’t afford to slack off on cleaning & maintenance tasks, no matter how trivial they might seem at the time.

Let’s explore these benefits in more detail so you get the full picture.

Increases Employee Productivity

Cleaning and sanitizing work areas prevents the spread of germs that cause illness. Less illness means fewer sick days, which translates to more time for employees to be productive. Healthy staff are happier and can perform better than those who are ill. An unwell employee may go to the bathroom more often or take frequent breaks. Although these may seem insignificant, they can add up and impact productivity. 

Staff are more motivated to work in a sanitary environment. It improves their mental wellness, decreasing stress and anxiety. Focusing on a job is far easier when not surrounded by dirt and clutter. A healthy workplace contributes to a positive culture and boosts morale.

Reduces Illness

Germs travel via touch, indirect contact or through the air. Workplaces are hubs of activity and provide ample ways for bacteria to pass from one person to another. Consistent disinfecting of workspaces eliminates the avenues for disease to spread. When multiple people touch a single item, like a door handle, it becomes a hotspot for germs.  

Practicing effective hygiene may also prevent allergies and respiratory issues. Regular cleaning reduces the risk of mold, dust and allergens. Bacteria in shared equipment and communal areas may also trigger skin conditions. Implementing sanitation best practices prevents bacteria growth.  

Keeps the Workspace Organized

Hygiene also entails keeping work areas neat. A well-organized space makes it simple for staff to move around and find what they need. Increased visibility makes it easier to spot potential hazards. Removing hazards or cleaning up spills reduces the risk of injury.

Saves Money

Companies lose money through decreased productivity and absenteeism. As such, reducing illness and increasing productivity through better cleanliness saves money. A hazard-free workspace also means fewer workplace accidents and decreased personal injury claims. 

Maintains Company Assets

A workplace houses equipment, furnishings, electronics and other assets. Keeping the assets and environment clean prolongs their life span. Using appropriate cleaning agents for specific items ensures longevity. It also saves the company money over time, reducing the need for replacement. 

Encourages Trust

In the world of business, looks count. A clean work environment portrays a professional image to clients. The state of a building contributes to visitors’ positive or negative impressions of the facility.

Meets Health and Safety Regulations

Every organization must meet specific health and safety standards. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act regulates healthy working conditions. Maintaining hygiene in the office helps employers comply with these regulations and avoid penalties. 

The Top Workplace Hygiene Tips

Navigating hygiene as a building manager can seem like a headache, but it’s easier than you think! Follow these simple guidelines to create a safe and healthy environment:

1. Create a Maintenance Plan

Put together a maintenance checklist to track hygiene tasks. Breaking down tasks by area and frequency makes them easier to track. Create a schedule for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning activities. For example, bathrooms may need to be sanitized three times a day, while carpets can be vacuumed twice a week. Factor in regular deep cleaning for areas that need it. A detailed plan keeps you organized and makes tasks more manageable.

2. Train Employees 

Employees have an essential role in good workplace hygiene. Establish clear, easy-to-understand policies and educate staff on hygiene habits. A clean desk policy can help reduce workspace clutter. Prohibiting food in certain areas, such as desks, may also prevent the spread of bacteria. 

Install signs in visible spaces to remind staff about best practices. Some examples include:

• Step-by-step instructions on effective handwashing in the bathroom.
• Reminders to wash dishes and utensils after preparing food in the kitchen.
• Infographics showing how germs spread accompanying a request to dispose of tissues in trash cans.

3. Pay Attention to High-Risk Areas

Identify excessive-touch and high-traffic areas to ensure regular disinfection. High-touch surfaces include door handles, light switches, taps and elevator buttons. Examples of heavy-traffic areas include waiting, break, reception or meeting rooms. Sanitize these areas often to eliminate germs. Placing hand sanitizers at strategic locations can reduce germ transmission.

4. Hire a Professional Cleaning Service

The best way to ensure your building’s cleanliness is to leave it to the professionals. A commercial cleaning company complies with hygiene protocols and health regulations. It has the right equipment and cleaning products for the job, reducing the expense of purchasing cleaning supplies. You can often create a custom cleaning plan that suits your needs and budget. Cleaning companies operate at flexible hours to accommodate operating hours and minimize downtime. 

Professional cleaning businesses often offer a full suite of services, such as:

• Top-to-bottom office cleaning.
• Building disinfecting.
• Carpet, floor and window cleaning.
• Power washing.
• Janitorial services.