Contagion hotspots, or areas where germs are most likely to accumulate, can often be overlooked during routine commercial cleaning in Carmel, IN. This oversight can lead to increased sickness among employees, affecting attendance and overall office morale. Identifying and regularly disinfecting these hotspots is essential in creating a safer workplace and ensuring the well-being of everyone who passes through your office doors.
As businesses continue to adapt to new health standards, understanding where these breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses are located within your office can significantly reduce the risk of workplace-related illnesses.
What are the germ hotspots in the workplace?
Contagion hotspots in the workplace are typically high-touch areas that many different people contact throughout the day. These include door handles, elevator buttons, and shared office equipment like printers and copiers. It’s important to instruct your janitors to focus on these areas during cleaning and ensure that germs are not spread from person to person.
1. Door handles & light switches
Every time someone enters an office or turns on a light, they touch surfaces that potentially hundreds of others have touched before them without cleaning their hands. These frequent touch points are prime locations for germs to settle and multiply. Regular disinfecting of these areas reduces the load of bacteria and viruses, effectively lowering the risk of transmission among staff.
2. Elevator buttons & staircase railings
In multi-story buildings, elevator buttons and staircase railings are touched by nearly everyone in the building but are not cleaned as frequently as they should be. Special attention should be paid to these areas, especially during peak flu season or when an increased risk of contagion is present.
3. Kitchen & break room appliances
The office kitchen or break room is a communal area frequented by employees for meals and breaks. Appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, and vending machines are used multiple times throughout the day and can harbor a surprising amount of pathogens on handles and buttons. Implementing a cleaning schedule that includes wiping down these surfaces with disinfectant at least once a day can help keep these communal spaces safe.
4. Restroom surfaces
Restrooms are high-priority areas that need to be kept clean to prevent the spread of pathogens. Surfaces such as faucet handles, toilet flush levers, and soap dispensers are touched frequently and can become hotbeds for germs if not regularly disinfected. Employing a rigorous and frequent cleaning regimen in restrooms is crucial for office health.
5. Office desks, phones & keyboards
An individual’s desk, phone, and keyboard can be among the dirtiest places in an office. Studies have shown that these personal spaces often contain more bacteria per square inch than an office toilet seat. Since employees spend most of their day at their desks, these areas should not be neglected. Encouraging employees to maintain personal cleanliness and providing them with disinfectant wipes can help minimize germ presence and lessen the workload of your janitorial professionals.
6. Shared electronics & remote controls
In conference rooms, shared electronic devices such as tablets, remote controls for projectors, and telephones are often used by multiple people but rarely cleaned. These items can easily become vectors for disease transmission. Including electronics cleaning as part of the regular office cleaning checklist can mitigate this risk.
7. Water cooler & drinking fountains
Water coolers and drinking fountains are pivotal communal features in many workplaces, yet they can become significant germ transfer points. The buttons or levers that dispense water are frequently touched by many hands throughout the day, making them susceptible to bacterial and viral contamination. To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to include these areas in regular cleaning protocols.
Who provides dependable commercial cleaning in Carmel, IN & beyond?
Whether you’re located near White River, on the west side of town, or anywhere in between, the leading team of janitors is just one quick call away. With more than a decade of experience, trained, insured, and vetted janitors, and the latest in commercial cleaning products and equipment, C&C Cleaning boasts all the characteristics that characterize the best commercial cleaners.
If you’re looking to change your janitorial service provider, debunk the usual commercial cleaning myths, or implement a routine office electronics cleaning plan, turn to our professionals for help and we’ll go above and beyond to keep you satisfied and your workplace running smoothly. Don’t risk workplace contagion, reach out to us today!