If you’re in charge of a workplace or an office building, then you’re also responsible for ensuring that it’s fit for the task. This means that it has to be kept clean, safe, and healthy for those who work there, as well as anyone who visits. Dirt, debris, dust, and grime can have a wide range of negative effects on the motivation, productivity, mood, and even the health of those in the workplace, so here are a few tips on how to best stay on top of it.
Start With Regular Office Cleanings
First of all, you should consider a routine cleaning of the office to be the bare minimum. Working with commercial cleaning service providers can ensure that the office feels comfortable and looks professional. The majority of your attention may need to go to high-traffic areas like the bathrooms, any kitchen areas, and your flooring, but the whole office should be cleaned for dust and glitter, as well as wiped down to prevent the spread of allergens and germs. For the more minor tasks, you can make that a shared responsibility for the whole team, such as emptying trash cans and wiping down desks. Provide hygienic wipes for areas like keyboards, phones, and monitors that tend to accumulate grime fast.
Declutter Common Areas Routinely
Clutter is one of the biggest causes of unhygienic and dirty offices. The more clutter there is, the easier it is for dust to build up. While your team might be responsible for their own desks, shared spaces such as break rooms, meeting rooms, and supply closets should be treated as a team effort. To that end, you should set a schedule for decluttering and tidying these areas weekly. Wipe surfaces, organise supplies, toss expired food, and restock essentials like coffee, paper goods, or printer ink. Not only is clutter bad for hygiene and cleanliness, but it also makes it harder for people to find what they need.
Keep Your HVAC Maintained
In any office, climate control is important. Whether it’s too cold or too warm, anything outside of your team’s comfort zone is going to massively impact their productivity. The same goes for good airflow, helping to maintain the air quality in the office. Dirty filters, inconsistent airflow, or uneven temperatures can lead to complaints and distractions. Schedule seasonal maintenance for your HVAC system, including filter changes, duct inspections, and thermostat service. Don’t ignore any odd noises, smells, or inconsistencies coming from your HVAC appliances, as they can tend to be signs of deeper issues beneath. Not only can this affect the comfort of the office, but you might have to end up spending a lot more to make a fix or replacement that could have been prevented with a little attention earlier.
Don’t Neglect The Exterior, Either
While a lot of the points above might focus on keeping the interior clean and hygienic, as it is where your workers are going to spend most of their time, don’t think you can neglect the exterior, either. For one, having a clean and well-maintained office exterior reflects well on your brand and professionalism. What’s more, things like slippery pathways, fallen debris, or tree branches snapping off can become safety hazards. As such, take care to mow any grass you have, trim bushes, cut back trees, and weed your flowerbeds. Fallen leaves can be a major hassle in autumn and winter, but with a Worx leaf mulcher, you can not only clear up the weeds but also keep your flower beds healthy with fresh mulch. A clean, green exterior creates a welcoming environment before clients even walk in.
Keep Your Restrooms Stocked And Functional
There are few spaces where it matters more to make cleanliness and hygiene a priority than your restrooms. A bad restroom experience can easily sour a visitor on the whole office, not to mention employees who need to use them more regularly. Daily checks are essential: clean surfaces, stocked paper products, functional soap dispensers, and working fixtures. Address issues like leaks, weak flushes, or unpleasant odours immediately, as what might seem like a small issue to you can easily impact the motivation and thus the whole working day of your employees. There are also steps you can take to raise hygiene standards, such as installing touchless faucets and soap dispensers.
Ergonomics Matters As Well
Creating an office that is comfortable and good for the health of the people working in it goes further than just making sure that you clean it properly, as well. Ergonomics plays a big role. As such, take the time to look at furniture such as desks, chairs, and monitor setups to ensure that they’re not causing any more physical strain than necessary. Encourage employees to adjust chairs, screens, and lighting for posture and eye comfort. Offer optional accessories like footrests, standing desks, or keyboard supports. Older furniture should be replaced by options that have ergonomic features like lumbar support and adjustable heights. If you support your employees, they’re more likely to stay productive and energised throughout the day.
Make Accessibility And Safety Checks
Compliance with health, safety, and accessibility regulations should drive much of the decision-making as to how you maintain your workspace. As such, you should check exit signs, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and emergency lights at least once a quarter. Make sure all walkways are clear, cords are secured, and any uneven flooring is repaired promptly. Any entrances, restrooms, and seating arrangements should keep accessibility in mind. A little investment in simple safety provisions, such as slip-resistant mats and clear signage, can help to reduce accidents and improve employee confidence in the safety of the place where they work. If visitors and employees feel safe, then they’re able to stay focused on the reason that they’re there.
With the tips above, you can make sure that you’re doing what’s necessary to ensure that your office provides a clean, reliable, and comforting workplace for those inside it, which can have a profound impact on their work, as well.
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