The spread of germs in schools and other facilities leads to the loss of school and workdays--measured in the tens of millions.
Limiting the Spread of Germs in Schools and Facilities
Limiting the spread of germs in schools and other facilities can help prevent millions of lost school and work days every year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the common cold results in nearly 22 million lost school days.
Sick days aren't the only issue.
Last years flu season was financially devastating for U.S. businesses.
According to USA Today;
[...] a nastier-than-usual outbreak is not only creating health problems for many Americans — burdening hospitals, nursing homes, and schools — it could take a $15.4 billion hit on U.S. businesses, according to a new estimate issued Friday.
The nasty flu season could cost U.S. businesses $15B in lost productivity
While high-performance cleaning services go a long way towards eliminating the majority of germs and bacteria, more needs to be done during the day to protect the health and safety of students, staff, and other building occupants.
Knowledgeable and proactive action on the part of students, teachers, and other workers eliminates germs between scheduled cleanings, as well as decrease the likelihood that one or several individuals will come in contact with a contaminated surface and become ill.
Wash Your Hands
Proper hand hygiene is the single most crucial step in the prevention of the spread of germs.
- Scrub hands for at least 20, but preferably 40 or more seconds with warm water and liquid foaming soap.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly.
- Dry your hands thoroughly with a paper towel, down and away from your body.
- Use hand sanitizer after you have dried your hands to eliminate any remaining germs.
Remember to always wash your hands:
- Before eating.
- After using the restroom, and;
- After coming into contact with a sick person or known contaminated surface.
Group Engagement Matters
Group engagement will ensure the maximum efficacy of a high-performance cleaning program.
- Make sure everyone is disposing of garbage, used tissues, paper towels, and food waste in the correct trash can.
- Eliminate clutter on high-touch and horizontal surfaces to simplify the janitor's job and ensure maximum surface coverage.
Keep in mind that janitors, whether in-house or outsourced, typically work on a very tight schedule and complicating their job by leaving trash lying around or cutter all over counters and desks increases the likelihood that something will be missed and someone will get sick because of that oversight.
With that in mind, you and your team or class can assist the janitorial staff and help increase the health and safety of your classroom or workplace by:
- Wiping down high-contact surfaces throughout the day with a disinfectant wipe, and;
- Cleaning and disinfecting rarely cleaned high-contact surfaces, like water faucet or cabinet handles.
Avoidance
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, the flu virus can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours.
- Avoid the use of communal objects in the office and classrooms.
- Stay away from people who you know are sick, as much as possible.
Remember, if you're sick, stay home.
Staying home and getting some extra sleep, taking medicine, and avoiding stress will help speed up recovery time.
If you can't avoid work, work from home.
References & Resources
- 5 ways to prevent infection spread in waiting rooms
- Six ways to stop the spread of infections at work
- Reducing the Spread of Illness in Child Care
Takeaway
Maintaining a clean, healthy classroom or office facility is possible, as long as everyone does their part and follows few basic guidelines, like washing their hands, cleaning up after themselves, and helping the custodial team out by wiping down high-contact surfaces between cleaning cycles.
A small investment of time on the part of students, teachers, and office workers will go a long way towards eliminating the tens of millions of school and work days lost each year due to illness acquired in the classroom or office.
If you have questions about what you and your team or students can do to help improve the health and safety of your working or learning environment, one of the best resources available is your school or office janitorial staff.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help limit the spread of germs and bacteria at your school or business--contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
