Why You Should Pay Attention to the Human Sense of Touch
We’ve all experienced the “yuck” factor that happens when pushing elevator and microwave buttons or door handles and coming away with sticky, dirty fingers. Not only do we feel a bit disgusted, but we also worry what germs we may be catching. After all, if one or two things are dirty, everything is suspect.
Facility services teams should always be focused on keeping their buildings clean and pristine. Now, with so many people back in offices, on campus, and returning to restaurants and entertainment venues –new COVID-19 variants are still circulating so you need to be even more vigilant.
One survey found 42% of workers are worried about returning to the workplace for fear of contracting COVID-19. Combine that with peoples’ strong (76%) preference for working from home, and it’s clear what janitorial mishaps can be costly: low occupancy, lost tenants, and lost revenue.
More People in Fewer Spaces
And what about the impact of hybrid work, which seems to show no signs of slowing down? Many people who come into the office just a few days a week will no longer have their own desk. About 52% of companies expect to shrink their office space over the next three years, largely because of remote and hybrid work. This is sure to increase the amount of hotel desking, with people using any available desk.
You may be surprised to learn that desks are one of the germiest places in the office. They have about 21,000 bacteria, viruses, and fungi per square inch. That’s 400 times more than a toilet seat. The more people share desks, the more germs there will be.
Frequent, Proactive Cleaning
Clearly, frequent and proactive surface cleaning is a must. Facility services teams can determine just how often based on occupancy levels, highly trafficked areas, and by simply observing.
As a result of COVID-19, many custodial organizations are now using high-level disinfectants on high-touch areas. While this is good for maintaining healthy environments, it can also create a residue that feels strange to the touch. To avoid this, follow-up with another lower-level disinfectant that smooths out the surface and feels clean.
To alleviate concerns and help people to feel more comfortable while in your facilities:
- Keep hand wipes at the ready. Have them available at building and room entrances so occupants can grab them to wipe desks, door handles, buttons, café tables, and other surfaces.
- Put door hangers on every office door that say “Please Disinfect” on one side, and “Space is Clean” on the other. Employees leaving the room can flip it to the “Please disinfect” side. When they return, they’ll see “Space is Clean” and feel better using the facility.
- Be visible. Have your custodial staff clean areas and wipe down surfaces when occupants are present. As the old adage “seeing is believing” infers, people will feel more confident that you’re working hard to keep them safe.
- Use signage. Don’t be afraid to post signs suggesting occupants and visitors wash hands and wipe surfaces. Studies have shown that diligent washing, wiping and sanitizing can help office workers reduce their rates of cold, flu and stomach illness by up to 80%.
To learn how UG2 is making facilities across the country clean and pristine, get in touch with TeamUG2.