Importance of Hand Sanitizer in the Workplace

Do you know that there are around 10 million bacteria that live on your office desk, making it 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat? Employees are constantly engaged in writing reports, opening doors, using restrooms and shaking hands with new customers. Such activities expose them to several harmful germs, bacteria’s and viruses which may be highly infectious. Illness caused by these harmful germs is directly linked to the loss of productivity amongst the employees. With these facts, we understand the importance of hand sanitizer and the importance of implementing effective hand hygiene schedules at work. The best way to do so is by incorporating touch less sanitizing dispensers around the workspace.

Employees use different modes of transport in order to reach the workplace. While travelling, they may come in contact with several germs and bacteria’s. These harmful germs can enter workspaces quite conveniently. Illness can spread throughout the office through just one dirty doorknob. A study indicates that within 2 to 4 hours, a virus placed on a doorknob was picked by 40 to 60 percent of the workers. Therefore, it is pertinent that an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser is placed right before the entrance of a workplace. Dirty door knobs, handles, elevator buttons should also regularly be disinfected to avoid cross-contamination.

Employees spend the majority of their time, sitting on their desks. During this time they eat, drink, sneeze and cough in the same space. Their desks become a breeding place for germs, viruses and bacteria’s, which can be transmitted to other people. These deadly microorganisms can live on surfaces for up to 3 days. Laptops, computers, phones, and computer mouse must be sterilized frequently and employees must have an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser close to them so that they can keep their hands clean.

Germs get easily spread around the conference and meeting rooms because of the lack of ventilation. Employees spend long duration of their time in these rooms with clients, colleagues, or other visitors who shake their hands or share their documents with. Having a hand sanitizer dispenser inside or right outside the meeting room can help in reducing the spread of germs.

Incidentally, kitchens have the highest concentration of germs in office spaces. Unwashed vegetables, stale food, dirty kitchen towels and appliances can lead to the growth of bacteria in kitchens. Besides keeping kitchen and cafeterias clean, it is also important to keep hand sanitizers around these spaces so that employees can avoid getting infectious diseases by consuming the bacteria’s around them.

Importance of Hand Sanitizer in the Workplace

Hand sanitizers are quite useful in offices and work environments because they can prevent the spread of infection and diseases. Illness can increase the number of sick leaves taken by employees. It helps in maintaining the health of employees, employers will not only provide a safer and healthier work environment but will also boost employee morale and motivate them to work harder. 

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been an effective tool to fight infections of harmful germs. Those sanitizers are particularly important for convenient use in the office.

Hand Sanitizer Does Not Work as Well With:

• Visible dirt or grease on items
• Harsh chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides
• Fresh, wet mucus

Employers can also include educational seminars and meetings related to sanitation, hand hygiene and general cleanliness.

Employers have the chance to set the right example for their workers. The values set by them will encourage the team and employees to follow sanitation guidelines.

Sanitizing the Workplace

Using hand sanitizer kills many harmful germs that could infect workers with flu and other deadly viruses. In order to keep the workplace a healthy, it’s imperative that employers take into account the health of its employees. Providing hand sanitizer to employees, at their desks and communal areas, it is just as essential as providing the right equipment and tools to do their job.

Conclusion

Implementing hand hygiene routines around the office space is effective as long as workers regularly indulge in them. With the COVID-19 pandemic, cleanliness in office spaces has taken a whole new meaning. Employers are now under obligation to provide a clean and healthy environment to their employees. They can do so by carefully examining which areas in their office need changes. Employees can also be motivated to wear face shields or masks to avoid the spread of germs.