Shocking workplace health and hygiene facts

Research by the University of Arizona found the average office desktop harboured 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat. Share this shocking statistic with your colleagues and hopefully it’ll encourage them to spring clean their desk and take their workplace hygiene routine more seriously! Because the truth is, the consequences of poor hygiene in the workplace can be serious.

Maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace is essential in terms of protecting the health and wellbeing of your team. Poor hygiene has the potential to cause higher sickness rates, lower productivity and staff morale, as well as damage to brand reputation.

So take a look at our top 10 tips for keeping your workplace shipshape…

1. Cut the clutter

All public areas should be kept tidy and clear of clutter to minimise the risk of slips, trips and injuries. Having piles of disorganised documents on desks not only makes it difficult to clean, it can also be incredibly distracting for staff. Encourage staff to tidy their desks before they leave at the end of the day so they can start the next day with a clear desk and a clear mind.

2. Keep your feet on the floor

According to another study at the University of Arizona, there is an average of over 421,000 units of bacteria on a single shoe sole. Examples include clostridium difficile which can cause diarrhoea and stomach pain, staphylococcus aureus which can lead to sepsis, and pseudomonas which can be especially harmful to those who are immunocompromised. So don’t be tempted to kick back on a Friday afternoon and put your feet up on your desk when the boss isn’t watching!

3. Deep clean regularly

A quick tidy up and a wipe down of all surfaces is an everyday essential, but a deep clean should also be scheduled in regularly. All workspaces and communal areas should be thoroughly disinfected, as should door handles, phones and shared equipment such as photocopiers.

4. Pay careful attention in the kitchen

Staff kitchens, canteens and eating areas need careful attention. Any areas where food is prepared or consumed need to be kept clean at all times to avoid cross-contamination and to minimise the spread of bacteria. According to research, there are around 200 times more faecal bacteria on the average cutting board than on a toilet seat, for example. Food for thought!

5. Now wash your hands

Toilets should be kept clean at all times and all staff should be encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly. Apparently, 26% of Brits don’t always wash their hands after using the toilet, which greatly increases the risk of infection.

6. Say hello to hand sanitiser

The pandemic saw hand sanitising stations being installed at the entrances to offices right across the country. And for good reason – hand sanitiser can kill up to 99% of germs, making it an effective way of limiting the spread of viruses in the workplace.

7. Every day is bin day

Be sure to empty all bins on a daily basis and depose of the contents responsibly. Failing to do so can lead to infestations of rodents and insects which can spread disease and damage property.

8. Stock up on supplies

Ensure your workplace is always well stocked with cleaning equipment so that spillages can be dealt with immediately. Toilets should also be fully stocked at all times with soap, toilet roll, towels and sanitary products.

9. Eat responsibly

If possible, have a designated eating area and discourage workers from eating at their desk. Dropping crumbs onto keyboards is one reason why they tend to harbour so much harmful bacteria.

10. Spell it out

Add strategically placed signage to your workplace to remind people of the importance of good hygiene. Use clear visuals to remind them to wash their hands after using the toilet and to wipe down surfaces in the kitchen after preparing food.

Speak to the Occupational Health experts at YourGP

If you’re interested in finding out more about ways to boost the health and wellbeing of your team, speak to the experts at YourGP about our wide range of corporate and occupational healthcare services. We’d be happy to tailor a package to your unique business needs. Simply call 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp to make an appointment.