Handwashing – Key to Reducing the Risk in the Workplace

Our workplaces have changed over time, and are looking much different than they did even ten years ago with regards to cleanliness. As concerns over spreading diseases mount, there are a couple of things that can help stop the spread of germs: a clean office and clean hands. Arelli Cleaning can provide an integral role with your commercial office cleaning services to keep your facility and workspace as clean and disinfected as possible and they have some handwashing tips to keep you even more protected.

“Germs” is a catchall phrase that refers to the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease or illness. Washing hands well and often is the best way to prevent germs from leading to infections and sickness. The spread of germs happens when we touch people, surfaces, or items that are contaminated and continue to pass along those germs as we touch more people and things. For this reason, a cleaning service company that regularly performs disinfection and sanitization services is critical to workplace health & safety.

Whether it’s your own residence or commercial office workspace, washing your hands is the most effective method to prevent the spread of germs to yourself and others and only requires three things: soap, running water, and friction. To properly wash your hands; wet your hands with warm water, apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces, rub hands palm to palm, rub the back of each hand with the palm of the other hand with fingers interlaced, rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced, rub with back of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked, rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand using a rotational movement, rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in a circular motion, rub each wrist with opposite hand.

Once your hands have been properly washed, you will dry your hands (either with a single-use paper towel, a clean hand towel, or an air dryer if available). Unless the faucet and bathroom doors are touchless, use a paper towel to turn the taps off and open the door to avoid recontamination. Arelli cleaning follows strict protocols that have been defined by Health Canada and the CDC centers for disease control and prevention.

Commercial office cleaning is a process that varies in time, depending on the size and type of office facility, but your hand washing process and procedure should not change and be a minimum of 20 seconds but could take as long as 60 seconds from start to finish. To help keep track of the amount of time you’re spending lathering and rinsing, try singing a children’s lullaby-like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or sing the “Happy Birthday” song in your head twice as you wash your hands to ensure you are lathering the soap around for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Frequent hand washing (especially before any activity that involves putting your hands on or near your face, before and after eating, after using the bathroom or touching communal objects and surfaces) along with a regular visit from a cleaning service company can truly make a difference in protecting yourself, coworkers, and family. Please contact Arelli Cleaning today, for all your commercial office cleaning needs in Brampton, Mississauga all surrounding areas including the GTA, to receive a complimentary quote.