There are many workplaces where hygiene is of utmost importance. Although it’s important that everyone maintains good hygiene standards, it’s essential to certain industries. For example, in health care or the food production industry, inadequate hygiene could spread illness and have devastating effects. But even those sectors who don’t have the health of vulnerable people on their hands should strive for better conditions to protect their workers. There are many ways that cleanliness can be improved in working environments. You need to take a look at your current surroundings and procedures to work out how you can make your business premises cleaner and safer.

Examining the Building

Sometimes to make improvements you need to make some significant changes. The first thing you can do to find ways to get better hygiene in your workplace is to take a look at the interiors. There are lots of surfaces, fixtures and fittings that aren’t conducive to keeping a clean environment. For example, an exposed brick wall might harbor bacteria more than a smooth surface with no gaps for germs to hide in. Take a look at the walls, floors and ceilings to see if they could be improved. You might benefit from using industrial resin flooring systems or making other changes that will discourage bacteria and make things easier to clean.

Provide Washing Facilities

You need to make sure that your employees have plenty of opportunities to wash their hands, even if they don’t work with dangerous or sensitive substances. In some cases, you might need to supply showers or other disinfecting stations for clothes and shoes. Even in an ordinary office, it’s important to have wash basins with soap and perhaps even anti-bacterial gel or foam available at certain points throughout the office. You should make sure you check the legal requirements for washbasins, as you are required to have a certain number per employee. Providing tissues and adequate disposal also helps with personal hygiene, especially during cold and flu season.

Have a Cleaning Schedule

Not every company hires an external cleaning firm or a full-time cleaner to maintain their premises. If you do, you should make sure that someone checks that they have done the job properly. If you don’t have an official cleaner, it’s vital to ensure that there is someone who is in charge of hygiene in the workplace. Many small businesses choose to create a rota to ensure that everyone takes their turn at cleaning.

Encourage Sick Days

No boss wants their team to take days off all the time but letting your team have their sick days could be beneficial. Naturally, you don’t want them to stay home every time they’re hungover or a bit too tired. But it could be much better for your staff to take the time they need to recover from an illness, instead of coming back to work too soon and infecting everyone else. Ill people won’t perform at their best if they do come to work, so it’s better to let the odd sick day go.