The 6 Golden Rules of Office Hygiene

Posted on 4th October 2022 by jask Media

When it comes to working in an office it is key to keep everything as clean as possible, not just for yourself but for your co-workers as well. Here are 6 Golden rules of Office Hygiene.

1. Eat away from your desk

One of the top pet peeves of office etiquette is colleagues leaving dirty plates on their desks. From half-eaten sandwiches to ketchup smears, people hate seeing it. Eating at your desk can be surprisingly unsanitary, subjecting both yourself and your colleagues to stomach-churning bacteria.

Have you ever wondered how many germs are scattered all over your keyboard, computer mouse, telephone, or even the pens you borrow? Then you go to pick up a sandwich, transferring all of the nasty bacteria that’s been gathering on your keyboard to your food and subsequently, into your system, potentially making you poorly.eating at desk

You also don’t want to be finding old crumbs or soggy lettuce leaves trapped under mouse mats. Instead, wash your hands before and after eating and have your meals in designated eating areas; they’re likely to be considerably cleaner than your desk.

 

2. Dispose of food packaging immediately

While general rubbish can be left until the end of the day, it’s important to dispose of all packaging which has come into contact with food or drink. This stops a buildup of smelly rubbish developing in the office. A smelly office isn’t a pleasant environment to work in. Think of your fellow colleagues and chuck your food smeared packaging in the bin.

 

3. Cover coughs and sneezes

Offices provide the perfect environment for germs to spread. They’re large spaces, filled with a significant number of people, all using germ infested equipment and disgustingly, not everyone washes their hands when they finish in the loo. Therefore, it’s no surprise that employees are contracting stomach bugs, coughs and colds.

To help prevent the spread of bacteria, use a tissue to cover your mouth when you cough, likewise, cover your nose when you sneeze, especially if you have a cold. Put the tissue in the bin and wash your hands immediately, this stops your cold-causing germs being transferred onto door handles, ensuring you don’t pass it around the entire office.sneezing

 

4. Dry your hands thoroughly after you wash them

Wet hands after washing can cause an increase in the spread of bacteria. This is mainly due to bacteria being maintained in a physiological state, making them better able to survive in a new environment. Basically, the germs will live on despite you washing your hands in the first place. Make sure you dry your hands with paper towels (preferably), if not, a simple hand dryer would do the job, but don’t leave your hands to drip dry.

 

5. Change communal dishcloths and sponges regularly

Water isn’t the only thing that sponges can soak up. As food waste gradually expires, it acquires bacteria. The moist nature of the sponge makes it the ultimate breeding ground for bacteria to multiply. To ensure you’re using clean sponges, leave them to soak in a solution of mild bleach and clean water at the end of each working day, and completely replace them once a month.brushing teeth

 

6. Maintain personal hygiene

This rule isn’t only good for you, but your colleagues as well. No one wants to spend 8 hours a day next to someone who smells a bit like body odour and doesn’t clean their teeth. For many offices, personal appearance is a fundamental aspect of company policy. Healthy hygiene habits include:

  • Showering regularly.
  • Keeping nails a suitable length and cleaning under them.
  • Thoroughly brushing your teeth.
  • Washing your hands before and after mealtimes and after trips to the bathroom.

 

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Now that you know The 6 Golden Rules of Office Hygiene, to arrange commercial cleaning in Rotherham, get in touch today. Call us on 0114 358 6204 or 01709 230 152 to discuss your cleaning requirements or send us a message via the website and we’ll get back to you right away.