The Impact of Cleaning on the Health of Office Workers

The Impact of Cleaning on the Health of Office Workers

Enhanced cleaning and targeted disinfection positively impact facility occupant health by reducing dust and pathogens, resulting in the improvement of indoor environment quality.

The Impact of Cleaning on the Health of Office Workers

The Impact of Indoor Environment Quality on Occupant Health

Indoor surfaces and air have a major impact on occupant health, wellness, and productivity, specifically regarding the elimination of pathogens and dust found in the air and on surfaces.

Cleaning has been shown to positively impact occupant complaints regarding health issues derived from contaminants commonly found in public facilities.

According to a widely published study;

114 nonsmokers who had reported mucosal irritation complaints in a survey were selected to participate in a double-blind intervention study.

The offices of the intervention group were given a comprehensive cleaning, whereas the offices of the control group got a superficial cleaning as a placebo treatment.

Dust concentration, health complaints, and nasal congestion were recorded before and after intervention or placebo.

In the intervention group, the mean dust concentration was 67 microg/m3 before intervention and 50 microg/m3 after cleaning.

The results of the study found that;

The intervention group reported a reduction in mucosal irritation complaints compared with no change in the control group.

The authors of the study concluded that;

This experimental field trial shows that comprehensive cleaning reduces the airborne dust in offices, and also can reduce mucosal symptoms and nasal congestion.

The Effect of Cleaning on Dust and the Health of Office Workers

 

The Importance of Workplace Cleanliness

Workplace cleanliness is beneficial both to the organization and the individual for several reasons, including:

  • The prevention of pathogen transmission.
  • The reduction of workplace-related stress, and;
  • A decrease in workplace-related injuries and accidents due to slips and falls.

Pathogen Transmission

Illness derived from the workplace costs U.S. businesses hundreds of billions of dollars per year in lost production and unplanned time off.

An even larger issue, and one of specific concern as we begin to exit pandemic lockdowns, are workers who come into the office sick, costing U.S. businesses several hundreds of billions of dollars on top of the cost of illness-related absences.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that productivity losses linked to absenteeism cost employers $225.8 billion annually in the United States, or $1,685 per employee.

According to the Harvard Business Review, more employees are working when they are sick, costing employers about $150 billion to $250 billion or 60 percent of the total cost of worker illness.

Additionally, chronic diseases, a rapidly-aging workforce and factors like stress, fatigue and depression all affect employers’ revenue.

Worker Illness and Injury Costs U.S. Employers $225.8 Billion Annually

 

Workplace-Related Stress

Work-related stress issues are another challenge facing businesses--clearly exasperated by fear surrounding the pandemic and frustrations navigating lockdowns and quarantine procedures.

Recently, workplace stress has been linked to office clutter, low-quality facility cleaning procedures, and the poor perception of management's ability to enact and enforce health and safety guidelines during the pandemic--specifically mask-wearing and social distancing.

A recent assessment of 15 separate studies which analyzed the impact of workplace-related stress on society found the financial burden to be 'considerable', with some estimates ranging up to nearly $190 billion per year.

The total estimated cost of WRS was observed to be considerable and ranged substantially from US$221.13 million to $187 billion.

Productivity-related losses were observed to proportionally contribute the majority of the total cost of WRS (between 70 to 90%), with health care and medical costs constituting the remaining 10 to 30%.

The evidence reviewed here suggests a sizable financial burden imposed by WRS on society.

The cost of work-related stress to society: A systematic review

 

Workplace-Related Injuries

Workplace-related injuries due to slips, trips, and falls account for more than one-third of workplace accidents and emergency room visits, and nearly two-thirds of lost workdays each year--more than half of which is attributable to slippery walkways and work surfaces--resulting in billions of dollars in damages.

According to the National Safety Council, slips, trips and falls are one of the most common and costly workplace incidents across all industries.

In fact, they account for 35 percent of incidents, 36 percent of emergency department visits and 65 percent of lost workdays.

Additionally and more staggering, OSHA says slips, trips and falls account for 15 percent of all accidental deaths, second only to automobile fatalities.

The total cost burden to businesses for workplace injuries and illnesses was nearly $60 billion in 2014, according to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.

Slips and trips (without fall) and falls (same level) accounted for over $11 billion of that total, or almost 20 percent.

Adding to this cost is the fact an employee suffering from a slip, trip or fall incident misses an average of 38 work-days, costing millions of dollars to organizations in lost productivity while also driving up insurance costs.

Business cost of slips, trips and falls

 

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Office

To maintain a clean office and ensure maximum occupant health and safety:

  • Conduct regular cleaning of all facility spaces from the top down, including dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and targeted disinfection.
  • Use products suitable for the surface, microbe(s) that are being targeted, and deemed safe for facility demographics.
  • Check and maintain supply availability for all cleaning and disinfection products, and all soap, paper, and hand sanitation products used in the restroom, and;
  • Use signs to promote good hand hygiene, warn of slip and fall hazards, and inform occupants of cleaning and infection prevention and control practices and safety measures.

 

Takeaway

Cleaning clearly has a direct impact on the health and welfare of office workers, as well as the financial health of the organization.

Commonsense measures that focus on:

  • Enhanced cleaning for health practices.
  • Targeted disinfection.
  • Clutter removal.
  • Indoor air and environment quality, and;
  • Open communication;

Will ensure desirable cleaning outcomes and maximum occupant satisfaction.

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, 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

In Palmdale, CA or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756


Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley