While many corporations are going to remote work, some deal with proprietary systems or sensitive materials that require individuals or shifts of workers to remain on-site to accomplish their job correctly. We aim to help everyone stay healthy in the office while sharing common workspaces as champions of a pleasant work experience.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cleaning Guidelines
While the transmission of the virus may appear inescapable, appropriate cleaning and disinfection practices may considerably decrease or eliminate the danger of a viral count of COVID-19 on workplace surfaces and items. As employers, our collective responsibility is to keep the workplace clean and ensure that every employee feels secure coming in every day.
The CDC has supplied thorough recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting workplaces, as well as a list of EPA-Approved disinfectants believed to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). While the CDC's interim recommendations should be read, understood, and strictly followed, there are a few essential factors you should be aware of before you begin:
1. For cleaning and disinfection, use disposable gloves, gowns, and a mask (similar to a cloth face covering). Remove them with care and dispose of them immediately after disinfection and garbage disposal.
2. Always clean before commencing the disinfection process. Cleaning surfaces with a detergent or soap and water solution eliminates particles that may contain the danger of COVID-19. This decreases the viral load before disinfection, allowing the disinfectant to be more efficient in eliminating the residual virus.
3. Disinfect items that come in contact with patients or high-risk individuals first. Items include hard surfaces, non-porous medical equipment, and non-porous tools and toys.
4. Always use EPA-Approved disinfectants in areas where patients and high-risk individuals work, or surface contact is possible.
5. Alcohol-based hand cleaners aren't always effective against the virus, so skip that step. Wipe with soap or disinfecting wipes before proceeding to the next step.
6. Although the virus is fragile, disinfect surfaces with a nanospray that can reach the virus in microscopic places.
7. If possible, follow up with a safe and effective deodoriser.
8. Follow all label instructions and precautions.
Returning to the Office? Here's How You Can Keep Your Workplace Safe
Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to your co-workers and yourself in the future:
1. Stay home when you're sick. This should be obvious, but that doesn't mean it always happens. Employers may want to institute a protocol where employees must stay home when they experience any symptoms of the virus, even if symptoms are mild and even if they improve.
2. Carefully wash your hands (under running water and not a hand-dryer, since the warm air can hold and spread the virus) for at least 20 seconds with soap or an alcohol-based hand cleaner before and after you cough or sneeze, after you touch your face, and before you prepare food and after you eat or cook.
This may get a little tiresome and repetitive, but it's a good habit to get into, regardless of the viral threat.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. And yes, this means if you have to cough or sneeze, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
4. Separate shared surfaces by using vented laptop stands, tablet stands, and desktop standing desks.
5. Visitors should be prohibited or kept to a minimum unless absolutely necessary. Personal packages should not be delivered to the office. Limit some, if not all, food and coffee and locker usage within the workplace to reduce the number of shared surfaces.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these tips have equipped you to understand better and handle potential COVID-19 outbreaks and reduce the spread of the virus in your workplace. The best COVID-19 prevention and response comes from staying informed at the end of the day.
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