The cool night air blows through the trees. Windows and doors of homes are closed. Blankets are being pulled out of storage and we scrummage through the drawer to find our favourite jumper. Winter is almost here. It is a wonderful time when we get to snuggle under blankets, eat some wonderful soup and sit in front of a log fire or warm heater.
But, winter also brings with it the dreaded influenza virus. There are many reports that state that we could be facing a flu pandemic this year. The Queensland Times reports “Already this year the number of influenza cases across West Moreton has tripled compared with the same period last year and residents are being told to organise vaccinations this week.”
“The infection causes an average of 13,500 hospitalisations each year and more than 3,000 deaths, according to the Australian Federal Health Department.” Helen Spelitis from the Queensland Times reports.
Many businesses will be impacted with staff away sick, or staff coming to work and spreading the virus. Businesses will suffer from reduced production, increased absenteeism, and reduced staff morale. Businesses must be vigilant in ensuring that they do all they can to prevent the spread of this virus.
How Can I Protect My Staff?
There is a lot of advice about staff vaccinations and keeping sick staff at home to prevent the spreading of the virus. While this is good advice it is not the only option in making your workplace safe. The other option is to ensure that the workplace is hygienically cleaned regularly.
Karen Rowan, Health Editor for Live Science wrote an interesting article in November 2012. The below is an extract from this:
“During cold and flu season, we’re inundated with messages to wash our hands frequently. But to avoid getting sick, it’s also important that we stop touching our noses and mouths all the time, a new study shows.
Every time people touch their mouth or nose, they transfer bacteria and viruses between their face and their hand. This “self-inoculation,” or transfer of germs from one body part to another, is a primary way that germs wind up spreading from contaminated surfaces to people’s faces, and from sick people to often-touched surfaces.”
She went on to say that researchers found that people touched their faces an average of 3.6 times per hour, and common objects an average of 3.3 times per hour.
“There are many opportunities in between hand-washing episodes for people to re-contaminate their hands,” said study researcher Dr Wladimir Alonso, a global health researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
This research proves the importance that all surfaces need to be cleaned and sanitised regularly. The phone piece that you breathe into, the keyboard that you type on, the door handle that everyone touches. All surfaces in your workplace need to be sanitised to prevent the spread of this very contagious virus.
What are your cleaners doing to prepare your office for this coming flu season?
Are they using the right products in the correct manner?
Are they working in a way that minimises the spread of germs?
Is their equipment well maintained and cleaned regularly?
Do they have a hygiene plan in place?
If your cleaners cannot satisfy you with their answers to the above question then you’d better find a cleaning company that can.
Solutions 4 Cleaning takes its knowledge of cleaning medical facilities and applies it to an office environment. Our focus is ensuring that your workplace looks clean and is healthy while considering your budget. By working with the right products in an efficient manner we can deliver a superior clean providing you with a happier, healthier, more productive workplace.
Solutions 4 Cleaning believe that to prevent the spread of flu or other illnesses through your workplace a hygiene plan is imperative.
What Is a Hygiene Plan?
A hygiene plan is a customised cleaning plan for your specific workplace. It will put into action a preventive cleaning process to reduce the transfer of germs.
Solutions 4 Cleaning will:
• Discuss your current cleaning situation.
• Do microbial swabbing to determine problem areas in your workplace.
• Supply you a detailed hygiene plan that will look at reducing the risks of microbial transfer.
We’re offering 10 free hygiene plans for the month of May. So, call us today and we will put your plan in place.
Don’t let winter impact your business. Make your workplace a healthy environment for you, your staff, and your customers.