Holiday gatherings allow office staff to relax and celebrate their accomplishments over the last year, but certain precautions should be taken to ensure a safe celebration for everyone.
Infection Prevention and Control for Holiday Office Gatherings
Holiday office parties are fantastic.
Getting sick isn't.
When large groups of people gather indoors to mingle in close quarters, the chances of spreading infectious disease increases exponentially, especially in the middle of cold and flu season.
Ensuring your facility meets the highest standards of cleanliness and that all attendees adhere to established health and safety guidelines will significantly reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.
Areas to Focus On
Ideally, your entire facility should be thoroughly sanitized from top to bottom regularly, but before the holiday party, there are several areas in particular where you and your team should invest their efforts.
Lobby and Reception Area
The lobby and reception area are critical for several reasons:
- Floors, entryways, walkway and entry mats, and sidewalks leading up to the building are common areas for slip, trip, and fall accidents.
- Several surfaces, including door handles, buttons, stair rails, counters, tables, phones, and computers, are considered high touch surfaces where germs are commonly found and are quickly spread, and;
- For guests who have never been to your building before, this area represents your best foot forward and the first and, likely, lasting impression your organization will make on them, so it's critical to ensure it is immaculate.
To ensure the highest quality outcomes:
- Clean up the parking lot, sidewalks leading up to the building and service all outdoor walkway mats.
- Sweep, mop, or vacuum the floor in the entryway.
- Clean and service all indoor entry and walkway mats, and;
- Use a commercial-grade detergent and disinfectant with a microfiber towel to wipe down all horizontal and high-touch surfaces.
Kitchen and Dining
Food prep and dining areas can pass more germs than just COVID and influenza.
Norovirus runs just as rampant as the cold and flu in the wintertime, so proper surface sanitation is paramount before, during, and after food is prepared, served, and consumed.
- Consider all areas potentially contaminated and clean and disinfect with commercial-grade detergents and disinfectant products.
- If available, clean the kitchen with a combination scrubber-vac and disinfectant sprayer, and;
- Ensure guests have easy access to paper towels and hand sanitizer.
Restrooms
Clean restrooms are likely the most critical component to facility health and occupant safety.
Dirty restrooms leave an immediate impression on occupants--if they are dirty and smell, they assume you don't care about your employees, customers, or brand.
Clean, well-stocked restrooms also positively contribute to desirable handwashing habits, which is critical in stopping the spread of germs and bacteria.
Before and after the party:
- Scrub the bathroom top to bottom with a commercial-grade detergent, then wipe down with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
- Empty the trashcan.
- Ensure all toilets, urinals, and sinks are functioning correctly.
- Locate and eliminate all sources of odors and use an odor-neutralizer if necessary.
- Fully stock all soap dispensers, toilet paper, and paper towels, and;
- Have someone periodically check on the restrooms to pick up any messes, check on the status of paper and soap supplies, and wipe down the counters and sinks.
References & Resources
- Infection Control Tips For Holiday Office Gatherings
- How NOT to Celebrate the Holidays at the Office
Takeaway
Pairing an ongoing enhanced cleaning and infection prevention program with a special, pre-holiday cleaning check-up will maximize facility health and occupant safety while significantly reducing the likelihood of germs spreading due to a contaminated surface.
Adding a porter service to check on the restrooms and tidy up around the guests will ensure everyone can relax and have a great time in a clean and safe environment.
Outsourcing is a proven method for cost-effectively onboarding these highly in-demand skills and technologies at a fraction of the cost of managing the same service level in-house.
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
