It is never too late to prepare your office, school, or warehouse for flu season, even if it has already begun. Scheduling your facility for a deep cleaning is also a great way to allocate some unused budget before the end of the year.
Public facilities are always a potential hotbed for the spread of influenza due to the high levels of use and traffic. However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the spread of influenza within those spaces. Facility managers can help protect their inhabitants and visitors by adopting a few time-tested flu prevention techniques. One of those techniques is touch point cleaning, and we will discuss its importance below.
Flu Prevention Begins With Good Hygiene
One positive of the pandemic is many people have adopted better habits when it comes to hygiene. Hand sanitizing stations have become the norm and more and more people are washing their hands regularly to prevent the spread of illness. It is important that your office or education facility continue to encourage good hygiene this flu season.
Make sure restrooms remain well stocked, sanitization stations are available throughout, and your janitorial staff is focused on high-traffic areas. Preventing the spread of flu at your facility can be as simple as having your janitorial staff wipe down entranceways, hallways, and other high traffic areas a few times a day. Your flu prevention efforts should be more than that, but this is a great place to start.
Touch Point Cleaning at Your Facility
Every facility has surfaces that are exposed to heavy human contact. Those surfaces include:
- Light switches
- Door knobs
- Faucets
- Push plates
- Elevator buttons
- Railings
- Break rooms
- Restrooms
Without proper touch-point cleaning, those surfaces can become a breeding ground for the flu virus and other pathogens. A routine schedule should be established for the cleaning and disinfection of all high-contact areas.
A day porter can be put in charge of addressing touch points throughout your facility each day. Their presence alone will provide your employees with peace of mind that you are dedicated to their health and wellbeing.
Flu Prevention Education and Clinics
Do not overlook the importance of flu prevention education. Make sure that your cleaning staff is adequately trained on all aspects of touch point cleaning and that your employees understand the importance of proper hand hygiene.
Supreme Maintenance Organization trains all of its staff on the latest CDC recommendations for prevention of workplace illness. They understand the importance of following protocols and upholding our service level agreement with all of our clients.
Public facilities such as offices or educational facilities should schedule a flu shot clinic for their staff. This is another great way to prevent the flu in your facility and educate your staff on recommended prevention techniques.
Flu and cold season requires a full court press to prevent illness in the workplace. Is your facility doing all you can to protect the health and wellbeing of your employees?
Contact Supreme Maintenance Organization to schedule a free consultation for janitorial services!
