Keeping a commercial building clean is about more than just making a good first impression. The cleaning may actually play a role in the overall health and safety that guests and employees receive there. A new infographic from Deb Group illustrates just how important cleaning is in a commercial building. We have highlighted some of the key findings below for you to review.
Public Restrooms Are Germ Pits
Approximately 25% of public restroom dispensers have remnants of fecal bacteria on them. This includes soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, toiletry dispensers, etc. Cold water faucets contain about 32,000 bacteria per inch (bpi), while hot water faucets contain 18,000 bpi. Surprisingly, toilet seats only contain 3,200 bpi. Thorough cleaning for public restrooms is crucial in maintaining the health of anyone who may use them in the future.
Many Workers Experience "Occupational Dermatitis"
Occupational dermatitis is just a fancy name for skin irritation at the workplace. About one in four workers is exposed to skin irritants on the job at some point in time. This may result in a number of symptoms, including:
• Swelling
• Infection
• Warts
• Eczema
• Redness
• Irritation
• Inflammation
Occupational dermatitis is not always avoidable, but the occurrence of it can be minimized with proper sanitation and cleaning. If your workers will be exposed to skin irritants regularly, invest in pre-work creams and proper safety gear to reduce the occupational dermatitis in the workplace. Provide proper cleansers to help employees get rid of the irritants when they are no longer around them. Foam sanitizers and reconditioning creams should also be available for post-irritation care.
Hand Washing Is Simple and Effective
One of the easiest ways to keep a building clean and germ-free is to encourage employees to wash their hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom. Over 80% of infectious diseases are spread through the hands, either by touching another person’s hand or touching a surface that someone will interact with. Bacteria can live on the hands for up to 80 minutes if the hands are not washed properly, multiplying to the point that the washing is practically useless.
The average person washes his hands for 10 seconds, but that time should be more than doubled. Teach your employees to say the alphabet while washing their hands, making the process last for about 20 seconds instead of 10. This will ensure that they get rid of the germs before they start passing them around the office.
