Five Strategies to Prevent Flu in the Workplace

The U.S. Department of Health estimates that 5 to 20 percent of Americans will contract the flu each year, with more than 200,000 hospitalized for flu-related complications. By identifying the main areas where viruses and bacteria thrive, facility managers can focus disinfection efforts and keep building occupants safe and healthy throughout the flu season.

“People often contract the flu by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their own mouth or nose,” said Dave Mesko, senior marketing director for Cintas Corp. “By focusing cleaning programs on specific areas throughout the building known to harbor bacteria, facility managers can do their part to keep guests and employees healthy.”

Here are five tips for targeting germ hotspots in the workplace:

1. Disinfect high-touch surfaces. The Journal of Medical Virology estimates that viruses and bacteria can remain on hard surfaces for up to 18 hours. To reduce illness, ensure that high-touch surfaces such as door handles, desks, keyboards, and phones are disinfected regularly. Use a combination of antimicrobial cleaners and disinfectants to remove and kill pathogenic microorganisms that thrive in these areas. Increase cleaning frequencies of high-touch surfaces during the flu season to protect guests and staff against infection.
2. Deep clean restrooms. The buildup of harmful germs in restrooms can easily transfer to guests’ hands and cause illness. To thoroughly sanitize restroom surfaces, implement a deep cleaning system that reaches all corners and sanitizes grout lines, walls, sinks, faucets, and commodes.
3. Be mindful of matting. While matting can be an effective method to trap and contain germs, soiled floor mats can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and microbes. In fact, research has shown that about 96 percent of footwear contains traces of fecal matter and other dangerous bacteria. To ensure that illness-causing bacteria do not transfer back onto shoes or into air, keep matting in top condition.
4. Don’t forget flooring. Flooring can contain more than 2 million bacteria per square inch, making it one of the top germ hotspots. To reduce overall bacteria levels throughout the facility, use clean mops and tools specifically designed to prevent cross-contamination by separating dirty water from clean water.
5. Promote handwashing. With more than 50,000 bacteria per square inch, hands are an area where germs commonly thrive. Encouraging frequent handwashing is the single most effective method for reducing the spread of illness among guests and employees. Provide antimicrobial hand soap at sinks throughout the facility. In areas without sinks, consider installing hand sanitizer dispensers or disinfecting wipe stations. Remind employees and guests about the importance of handwashing and how it contributes to infection-prevention programs.

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