Often taken for granted in day-to-day cleaning, high-touch and high-traffic amenities at your workplace – touched by dozens of hands every day – and exposed desk can become silent vehicles for harmful viruses and bacteria spreading across your workplace. Cross-contamination through these areas and more often go unnoticed; however, its symptoms of employee sick days and compliance failures can be significantly felt. One solution to this is professional, extensive cleaning that goes beyond a surface-level shine. With the right cleaning protocol and equipment, professional cleaners can protect the office workforce against invisible threats that compromise our health and productivity. Learn more about how professional facility cleaning Perth services can protect employees with our team at PCCS!
Cross-Contamination in Workplaces
Cross-contamination occurs when harmful pathogens are transferred between individuals, surfaces, or equipment. While this can happen anywhere, workplaces are particularly high risk areas, given high foot traffic and shared facilities with individual habits on hygiene.
Some of the largest culprits in the office are coffee pots – a Nature study showed that these handles hold anywhere from 35 – 67 different types of bacteria. The majority of these bacteria were found to be harmful to health as well as resistant to antibiotics, a fact of great concern given their high exposure and overlap with common areas, the likes of drink stations or cafeterias.
Another hotspot is desks. Employees spend the majority of their time at their desks, and sometimes, this can lead to less than hygienic work stations. One study suggests that there can be 400 times more germs and bacteria there than on a toilet seat.
When these areas aren’t properly cleaned, employee health can suffer, leading to increased sick days and decreased productivity. More than that, businesses risk reputational damage and regulatory penalties if hygiene standards are not met.
How Facility Cleaning in Perth Mitigates Risks
Professional facility cleaning services in Perth implement specialized strategies designed to prevent cross-contamination at its source. This includes the following:
Specialist Cleaning
Many professional cleaners in Perth rely on specific tools not only to make their work easier, but also to properly eradicate pathogens. Electrostatic sprayers, for instance, are widely used to ensure that disinfectants adhere evenly to surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas. UV-C light sterilisation, another advanced method, is preferred for neutralising microorganisms given it does so without the use of harsh chemicals.
Specialised cleaning products are also very helpful. Hospital-grade disinfectants, which are formulated to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses, are excellent for high-risk and high-touch areas like restrooms and kitchens. Meanwhile, microfiber cloths are better than traditional ones due to their ability to trap and remove microbes rather than spreading them.
Customised Cleaning Protocols
No two workplaces are the same, and cleaning protocols should reflect this sensibility. Professional cleaners often work closely with businesses to determine the best cleaning schedules based on their needs. For example, offices with high employee turnover may require daily sanitisation of shared workspaces, while factories handling raw materials might need deep cleaning of machinery and storage areas.
Focused Training for Cleaning Staff
Professional cleaning companies often train their staff in the science behind hygiene. They’re educated on the correct use of cleaning agents, the safe handling of contaminated materials, how pathogens survive on different surfaces, and the like. This knowledge allows the cleaning staff to create a thorough and effective cleaning process that significantly reduces health risks in the workplace.
Effective Waste Management
Proper waste disposal is as important as proper facility cleaning. Improperly handled waste, particularly in sectors like healthcare or food services, can become a nexus of bacterial culture that develops in concentration. Professional cleaners need to adhere to waste segregation protocols which are also quite strict in Perth, ensuring that all kinds of waste are managed and disposed of safely and hygienically.
Key Takeaway
Cross-contamination poses huge risks to businesses and their workforce. One or two outbreaks can already have significant effects on the business’ bottom line. That’s why it’s important to partner with professional cleaning services that can help maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of the workplace. With experts like these coming in a few times a week or a month, businesses can ensure their operations remain safe, compliant, and efficient.
Looking for expert facility cleaning in Perth? Perth Commercial Cleaning Services offers tailored solutions that combine advanced cleaning techniques and a well-trained and experienced staff. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your workplace from cross-contamination.
