How To Prevent Your Team Getting Sick This Winter

October 11, 2021   

As winter approaches, so does the seasonal flu alongside the looming COVID-19 pandemic. Our immune systems become weaker as they try to regulate against the lowered temperatures, which can lead to people getting sicker much easier. Unfortunately, your office can be a breeding ground for bacteria to linger, leading to you losing team members this winter. This winter, help combat the seasonal flus and the spread of COVID-19 by establishing some rules and following some of these tips to keep everyone safe and healthy all the way through Spring.

Make It A Habit To Wash Your Hands

A tip that works well all year long and should be a habit of everyone in the office, washing your hands can make a serious difference in the transmission of bacterias and viruses that can thrive in the winter months. The Center For Disease Control (CDC) recommends the the following steps to ensure a good wash to keep everyone safe:

• Wash regularly with warm water and soap throughout the day. Don’t dry hands with a cloth towel, use paper towels when available. 
• Wash hands immediately and thoroughly after using the bathroom or kitchen, as these communal areas can be areas teeming with bacteria.
• Wash hands after coming into any contact with bodily fluids—even yours. 
• Keep an alcohol based hand sanitizer near you at all times in the event soap and water aren’t readily available. 

Keep Personal and Communal Areas Sanitized

Keeping the office clean from top to bottom can be a difficult task, but when everyone works together to avoid getting sick this Winter it can make it far more manageable. Employees should be educated on how to properly clean, disinfect, and sanitize their own areas so they can avoid the buildup of harmful bacteria & viruses in their own area. Additionally, communal areas should be regularly cleaned to avoid the regular bacterial buildup from the amount of foot traffic. This will significantly reduce the transmission of any harmful viruses and bacteria through the winter months and beyond. 

Educate Staff On Coughing Etiquette

Coughing, sneezing, and clearing your throat are natural functions of the body and are perfectly normal, you don’t have to be sick. However, these actions can quickly disperse bacteria to other people and can get coworkers sick if you’re carrying a virus but asymptomatic. Reduce the transmission of airborne pathogens by coughing and sneezing by following these tips from the CDC:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue whenever possible, and trash the tissue immediately.
• If you don’t have tissues, cover your mouth and nose with your hands or cough/sneeze directly into the crook of your elbow, and wash your hands immediately after. 

By following these tips, you can help do your part in reducing the potential spread of bacteria and viruses in the office to your coworkers. InterKleen can assist in all your janitorial needs to keep your office space bacteria free all year long. Learn more how we can assist by contacting us online or giving us a call at (561) 732-1818 today!