Beyond clean surfaces: Discover the unseen benefits of janitorial services for a thriving workplace.
The Integral Role of Janitorial Services in Workplace Health and Productivity
Maintaining cleanliness in today's dynamic workspace environments is not just about presenting a professional image.
It's intrinsically linked to the health and well-being of employees, visitors, and stakeholders.
Regular janitorial services are pivotal in ensuring office spaces remain conducive to productivity, morale, and overall health.
Janitorial services offer more than just aesthetic appeal.
They are an investment in the health of employees and the longevity of business assets.
Companies that prioritize regular cleaning and sanitation are likely to see improvements in employee health, productivity, and overall satisfaction.
Reduction of Disease Transmission
Office environments can be a hotspot for germs.
Keyboards, doorknobs, and communal areas like kitchens or restrooms can harbor millions of bacteria.
Regular cleaning and sanitation reduce the risk of common illnesses like colds and flu, ensuring a healthier workforce.
Research from the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia studied the amount and type of bacteria on personal faculty keyboards and shared keyboards and other surfaces around the university. They found that keyboards can have high levels of bacteria on them and that shared keyboards tend to have more bacteria than those used by only one person.
Even more disturbing, research by University of Arizona researchers also found that the average desktop has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. That study took samples from offices across the United States, and also showed that women’s desks tended to harbor more bacteria than men’s.
A study at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital found that two deadly drug-resistant types of bacteria (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) could survive for up to 24 hours on a keyboard, while another common but less deadly bug (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) could survive for an hour.[1]
Improved Air Quality
Dust, pollen, and other allergens can accumulate in office spaces.
Regular cleaning ensures the removal of these allergens, promoting better respiratory health and reducing the risk of allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
According to the American College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology;
Clean [..] regularly, using a central vacuum or a vacuum with a HEPA filter. If you are allergic, wear an N95 filter mask while dusting, sweeping or vacuuming. (It can take more than two hours for the dust to settle after a thorough cleaning—so, if possible, clean when the allergic patient is away, and avoid cleaning the bedroom of an allergic person at night.)[2]
Mental Health and Productivity
A clean and organized workspace can significantly boost morale and productivity.
Clutter and dirt can be distracting and even stressful for some individuals.
Janitorial services help maintain a pleasant environment conducive to concentration and task completion.[3]
Prevention of Pest Infestations
Regular cleaning can deter pests such as rodents and insects, especially in kitchens and restrooms.
These pests can carry diseases, contaminate food, and pose other health risks.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
Serious, even fatal, diseases can be spread or triggered by pests such as vectors, other insects, rodents, or microbes.
Infectious diseases such as Zika virus, Lyme disease, and rabies can be carried and spread by vectors. Disease vectors include mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents and other animals.
Indoor household pests such as cockroaches can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. You can use EPA-registered products to control these pests. EPA also provides information to the public about properly using these products in homes and schools.[4]
Reducing Workplace Accidents
Clean floors and organized spaces minimize the risk of slip and fall accidents.
Ensuring that pathways are clear and that spillages are promptly addressed can significantly improve office safety.
According to the National Safety Council;
Falls on floors occur in various ways and from various causes. A person can slip on a spill or trip over an object, resulting in loss of balance and a fall. A slip is a sudden loss of footing on a walkway surface resulting in an unexpected slide of the foot. This slide may lead to a severe loss of balance that can result in a fall. A trip is caused by an abrupt change in elevation causing a momentary interruption in leg swing while the body is in forward motion. The main reason people can walk on ice but slip on a wet surface in a facility is attributed to the change in the coefficient of friction caused by the wet surface. People can compensate for a different walking surface but they must first know there is a change. Clear spills, distractions or deteriorating peripheral vision may make it difficult to notice a change, resulting in a slip and fall.[5]
Prolonged Lifespan of Facilities and Assets
Regular maintenance and cleaning can prolong the life of office assets, such as carpets, equipment, and furniture.
This saves costs in the long run and ensures a consistent and healthy environment for staff.
Negligent facilities maintenance planning can result in real problems. Large capital investments can be squandered when buildings and equipment deteriorate or warranties are invalidated. Failure to maintain school facilities adequately also discourages future investment in the public education system. However, school facilities maintenance is concerned about more than just resource management. It is about providing clean and safe environments for children. It is also about creating a physical setting that is appropriate and adequate for learning. A classroom with broken windows and cold drafts doesn’t foster effective learning. But neither does an apparently state-of-the art school that is plagued with uncontrollable swings in indoor temperature.[6]
Supporting the Broader Health Community
By maintaining a sanitized workspace, businesses play their part in reducing the spread of infectious diseases, relieving the burden on healthcare facilities, and promoting community health.[7]
References
- Are There More Bacteria on Computer Keyboards Than Toilet Seats? (2010, April 29). National Center for Health Research. https://www.center4research.org/bacteria-computer-keyboards-toilet-seats/
- nadolpho. (n.d.). Dust Allergy | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. ACAAI Public Website. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/dust-allergies/
- 5 Steps to Keeping a Clean and Organized Office. (n.d.). Business.com. https://www.business.com/articles/organize-your-workspace/
- US EPA, O. (2020, March 25). Public Health Issues Caused by Pests. Www.epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/public-health-issues-caused-pests
- (2017). Slip, trips and falls on floors [Review of Slip, trips and falls on floors]. Iowa Department of Human Services; National Safety Council. https://hhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/portals/1/userfiles/143/injury%20prevention%20day/slips%20trips%20%26%20falls%20on%20floors%20%28nsc%29.pdf
- Grover J Whitehurst Director. (2003). School Facilities Maintenance Task Force National Forum on Education Statistics and the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO ® ). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003347.pdf
- Teng, X., Teng, Y.-M., Wu, K.-S., & Chang, B.-G. (2021). Corporate Social Responsibility in Public Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Quarantine Hotel in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.620930
Takeaway
In the modern workspace, cleanliness goes beyond first impressions—it's a cornerstone of employee well-being and operational excellence.
Elevate your office environment and invest in the health and productivity of your team.
Don't wait; prioritize professional janitorial services today and witness the transformation in your workplace.
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 on-site 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
