Did you know that there are around 10 million bacteria that live on your office desk, making it 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat? Employees are constantly engaging in writing reports, opening doors, using restrooms and shaking hands with new clients. Such activities expose them to several harmful germs, bacterias and viruses which may be highly infectious. Illnesses caused by these harmful germs is directly linked to loss of productivity by employees. With these facts, we understand the importance of hand sanitizer and the Importance of implementing effective hand hygiene programs at work. The best way to do so is by incorporating touchless sanitizer dispensers around the workspace.
Key locations for hand sanitizers
Entrances
Employees use several modes of transport in order to reach their offices. While travelling, they may come in contact with several germs and bacteria’s. These harmful germs can enter workspaces very easily.
Illness can spread throughout the office though just one dirty doorknob. A study even indicates that within 2 to 4 hours, a virus placed on a doorknob was picked by 40 to 60 percent of the workers. Therefore, it is pertinent that an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser is placed right before the entrance of a workplace. Dirty door knobs, handles, elevator buttons should also regularly be disinfected to avoid cross-contamination.
Employee Desks
Employees spend the majority of their day, sitting on their desks. During this time they eat, drink, sneeze and cough in the same space. Their desks become a breeding ground for germs, viruses and bacteria’s, which can transfer to other people. These deadly microorganisms can live on surfaces for up to 3 days. Laptops, computers, phones, and computer mouse must be sterilized frequently and employees must have an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser close to them so that they can keep their hands clean.
Meeting Rooms
Germs easily spread around conference and meeting rooms because of the lack of ventilation. Employees spend long durations of times in these rooms with clients, colleagues, or other visitors who they shake hands or share documents with. A lot of germs swap around the room during this time. Having a hand sanitizer station inside or right outside the meeting room can help in reducing the spread of germs.
Cafeterias and Kitchens
Ironically, kitchens and breakrooms have the highest concentration of germs in office spaces. Unwashed vegetables, stale food, dirty kitchen towels and appliances can lead to the growth of bacteria in kitchens. Besides keeping kitchen and cafeterias clean, it is also important to keep hand sanitizers around these spaces so that employees can avoid getting infectious diseases by consuming the bacteria’s around them.
Other High Traffic Areas
In every office space, there are several other high traffic areas that too need hand sanitizer stations. For example, office gyms, recreational centers, lobbies, hallways, reception, parking booths, etc, require proper sanitation booths.
Suitable for which workspace
Hospitals are one of the only workspaces that have understood the dire need of sanitation. They place hand sanitizers in every room, corridor, and reception because they understand its importance in the prevention of diseases. There are so many sectors that too can benefit from installing hand sanitizer dispensers.
They are most beneficial to places in which people are in constant contact with others. For example, hand sanitizer stations in schools can help reduce the spread of germs drastically because children are likely to forget to wash their hands. Playing, sharing stationery, or eating lunch together can spread infections and diseases in schools.
Thousands of travelers move around the airport every day. They go through security checks, boarding, immigration, etc. During this time they are constantly touching things that may contain deadly viruses and bacteria’s. Sanitizing these machines and booths, providing hand sanitizers to flyers can curb the spread of diseases.
Sanitizers can also be incorporated in retail shops such as grocery stores and malls, restaurants, bars, and cafes. They can also prove to be beneficial in banks because bankers and cashiers deal with bundles of cash which tends to be incredibly unclean. The importance of hand sanitizer can be seen while dealing with cash since it often carries hundreds of microorganisms and traces of diseases. It is important to use a sanitizer after dealing with money because people may use their hands to eat food or touch their nose, eyes or mouths which could lead to several illnesses.
Importance of hand sanitizer in the Workplace
Hand sanitizers are especially useful in offices and work environments because they can prevent the spread of infection and diseases, which will ultimately lower the levels of absenteeism and presenteeism. Illnesses increase the number of sick leaves taken by employees. By helping in maintaining the health of employees, employers will not only provide a safer and healthier work environment but will also boost employee morale and motivate them to work harder.
Providing posters, leaflets, internal newsletters and information boards near dispensers with reminders to clean their hands will help employees take safety measures for their and their colleagues’ health. Employers can also include educational seminars and meetings related to sanitation, hand hygiene, and general cleanliness. These events will help employees understand and improve their health.
Employers have the chance to set the right example for their workers. The values set by them will encourage the team and employees to follow sanitation guidelines and learn the importance of hand sanitizer. Employers must stock up on adequate hand hygiene products especially during times of crises and flu seasons. They can also encourage employees to also take sick leaves if they are severely ill to keep the germs away from other workers.
Conclusion
Implementing hand hygiene regimes around office spaces is only effective as long as workers regularly indulge in them. With the COVID19 pandemic, cleanliness in office spaces has taken a whole new meaning. Employers are now obligated to provide a clean and healthy environment for their employees. They can do so by carefully examining what areas in their office need changes. Employees can also be motivated to wear face shields or masks to avoid the spread of germs. If you are interested in learning more about hygiene products and the importance of hand sanitizers, check out our sanitizer dispensers in the product section.
