No matter where you work, chances are you are surrounded by surfaces covered with germs: phones, computer keyboards and mice, copier and elevator buttons, door knobs, sink faucets, coffee pot handles, stair rails, and many more. Even a desktop can have more germs than a toilet seat.
If you touch a contaminated surface, then touch your eye, nose, or mouth, you are at risk of getting infected — we all touch our faces often, without realizing it. No wonder a virus can spread through a building in 2 – 4 hours.
The best way to keep yourself and your coworkers from getting sick is to wash your hands thoroughly and often. Make hand washing a habit, part of your routine throughout the day. According to the CDC you should wash your hands:
- As soon as you get to work
- Before and after eating or preparing food
- After using the restroom
- After handling trash
- Between meetings
- When using shared office equipment like copiers
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- Whenever your hands are dirty
- After shaking hands with someone
Also from the CDC, how to wash your hands properly:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the Happy Birthday song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Finally, here are some suggestions for employers and managers to help encourage good hand hygiene at work:
- Provide employees with wipes, disinfectants, cleaners, and hand sanitizer.
- Post signs encouraging frequent hand washing.
- Send an office-wide e-mail encouraging hygienic activities at work and at home.
- Incorporate hand hygiene into existing health and safety programs.
- Keep restrooms, kitchens, and break areas supplied with cleaning products and hand soaps.