Keep it clean
Bill Tansley, Technical Specialist BREG with JohnsonDiversey UK, discusses approaches to preventing and controlling infections
Infections can be bad for business. Employees need time off work, which leads to disruption, missed opportunities and reduced productivity. The reputation of the business can suffer and if customers are directly affected, or infected, the results can be damaging to the bottom line. Some basic cleaning precautions can help limit the potential risks.
We are all familiar with the idea that viruses such as influenza, norovirus and even the common cold are more frequent during winter. And we have all heard about the potential problems associated with less common, but potentially more serious, infections such as MRSA and C. Diff.
Many of these infections spread through hand contact or by water droplets, in the air and on surfaces, originating from coughs, sneezes and vomiting. The potential for transmission is increased when people are closer together indoors and some estimates suggest that upwards of 60 per cent of illnesses are contracted at work.
Cleaning product suppliers are constantly working with their customers, including contract cleaners, to develop tools and equipment, which perform better and make it easier to eliminate and prevent the spread of infections. Different products may be required for hard surfaces and fabrics. There is no single “magic bullet”.
Improving the personal hygiene, especially hand care, of staff and visitors may be the most important and simplest precaution to help reduce infections. Washroom hygiene is an essential part of any cleaning regime although it is often taken for granted. It is still a surprise to learn that many people do not know how to wash their hands properly.
Training staff and providing signage to remind them and visitors to keep their hands clean is a good idea. Even basic measures make a difference.
Good quality liquid hand soaps in a wall mounted dispenser are easy to use and maintain, help keep the washroom tidy and are all that is needed for hygienic results. Scented products are pleasant and more likely to be used. When soap is impractical, for example when water supplies are limited, an alcohol based hand rub gel, which disinfects and kills many pathogens, is a good alternative.
Areas where food is prepared or consumed are also important. Separate areas should be used for preparing and serving cooked and uncooked food. For most cleaning a QAC sanitiser, which cleans and kills germs, that complies with the EN1276 standard should be used regularly on surfaces but especially if there is an increased risk of infections that can spread rapidly in enclosed spaces.
Products for professional use contain no perfumes and should offer “broad spectrum” performance which means they can be used on different surfaces and against a number of potential bugs.
A recent innovation in sanitising are products containing accelerated hydrogen peroxide which provide powerful disinfection against many viruses, bacteria and fungi without compromising on cleaning performance. They do not contain quaternary ammonium compounds or chlorine based ingredients, which means they can be used on most washable surfaces, including fabrics. Hydrogen peroxide based products break down to oxygen and water after use and a mildly acidic formulation can help to prevent the build up of limescale with regular use.
Tools based around innovative microfibre and ultra microfibre technology have grown in popularity for general cleaning in recent years. Simple and efficient, the ultra microfibre cloth is often more effective at removing dirt and bacteria than traditional methods such as mop and bucket. It can be used when dry or damp and requires little or no chemicals, which means it is versatile, cost effective and sustainable.
Microfibres can be used with or without chemicals while ultra microfibres can remove 99.9 per cent of bacteria from surfaces without the need for chemicals. Colour coded cloths should be used for cleaning different surfaces to reduce confusion and the risk of cross-contamination. Many microfibre tools form part of the trolley systems that help staff to stay organised by holding items in the correct position for ergonomic working, easy access and safe handling.
Infection control has become an issue in organisations that introduce “hot desking”, where people share desks and other equipment such as telephones and computers. Keyboards and handsets can harbour bugs that might infect the next person to use them.
Routine cleaning can be tricky which is why it helps if staff observe good personal hygiene to reduce the chances of leaving infective agents on surfaces. A sensible precaution is to wipe the most frequently touched parts of the handset and keyboard before using them.
Further information at www.johnsondiversey.co.uk
