Attention to Building Hygiene Can Cut Down on Working Days Lost From Flu

Copyright (c) 2011 Alison Withers

Generally it is in the winter months when people are more vulnerable to coughs, colds and flu viruses.

Many work buildings have ventilation and ducted air systems and the need to have heating on can create an atmosphere in which viruses are more likely to multiply and spread.

When people are struggling to work at a time of worry and concern for their future jobs as well as rising costs because of the current economic situation morale and perhaps also resistance to infection may well be affected.

It is therefore sensible for employers to pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene in their buildings and can also be a good opportunity to identify and take care of any areas needing maintenance and refurbishment.

Maintaining building hygiene is also about educating employees in good habits and practises, like making sure that door knobs, computer keyboards, telephone receivers and washroom surfaces are regularly cleaned and ensuring people are washing their hands after using the rest room.

It is also, however, about keeping ventilation duct systems and their filters clear and free from dust and the other debris that can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. This can also have the benefit of making sure the system is running as efficiently as possible and not adding to the building's energy costs.

Facilities managers have begun to understand the value of a periodic deep hygiene clean in the buildings they are responsible for to avoid areas getting out of control from an infection risk perspective.

Using the services of a specialist cleaning company can help. They have many years of expertise in hygiene cleaning in some of the most challenging of environments, like a commercial kitchen, and have the tools to give a thorough deep clean wherever it is needed to keep on top of cleanliness and infection control throughout any premises.

Their technicians are trained in Health and Safety and handling of hazardous substances, as well as how to work safely with minimum disturbance of the day to day life going on in the buildings they are cleaning.

Professional cleaning companies will also supply a certificate and report of inspection for company records on completion of a contract, which can be important for both insurance purposes as well as for demonstration that the company has an acceptable health and safety policy and strategy in place and actually carries it out.

Although the routine daily office clean can keep things under control and tidy a thorough specialist, professional clean at least once a year can provide the peace of mind that everything including the less visible places in a building is truly hygienically clean.

As well as minimising lost working days through illness, ensuring a clean, safe environment for employees, users and customers can help to improve morale, and therefore productivity and efficiency.


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A thorough, professional building hygiene deep clean at regular intervals can help minimise staff absence through illness, especially during the winter months when people are more vulnerable to colds and flu. By Ali Withers.