Disinfecting your Workplace

When the clock struck midnight and the year 2020 began, not many would have guessed that this year would set the foundation for how people lived and worked for years to come.

In just a few short months, we have watched as our society has had to adjust both at home and in the workplace to prevent the spread of germs like COVID-19.

As lock downs come to a close and employees return to their offices, there are several important changes people must both understand and come to practice daily to ensure pathogen spread is minimal. 

Below are some tips we’d like to share to help keep you and your co-workers safe.

PLANNING IS KEY.

If you aren’t much of a planner, now is the time to become one. Going back to work and staying healthy is going to take a lot of prep work. Here’s a few tips to make it smoother:

1. Plan to add more at-home prep time.

• Shower at home instead of at the gym
• Apply makeup at home so you don’t have to touch-up at work 
• Pack your lunch instead of adding an extra exposure by eating out
• Pack an extra set of clothes to change into after work and a bag to place your dirty work clothes in post-shift.

2. Write down what you need to accomplish and where you have to go.

• Try to bring the least amount of items with you. Can you leave your phone in the car or instead of bringing an entire purse or briefcase opt for a wallet or pad folio?
• Leave optional clothing items at home or in the car: jackets, sunglasses, hats, extra jewelry, scarves, sweatshirts, etc.
• Limit your exposures by utilizing the drive-thru, drop off points, and delivery services.
• Create a start of the day and end of the day checklist.
  

3. Limit the amount of things you touch throughout the day.

• Set VIP alerts on your mail settings so you’re not obsessively checking your phone to see if you have any important emails
• Use your elbow our your forearm to open doors, flip light switches or cough into
• Limit the items you carry in your pockets or in your hands (don’t take your phone, keys, or name badge  to the bathroom)

4. Practice good hygiene.

• Wash your hands before and after work
• Sanitize your hands after getting in a car, or after a point of sale
• Scrub your hands extra long every time you use the restroom or at key points throughout the day
• Wash your hands before and after prepping and eating food
• Wash your hands or sanitize after putting on or removing masks.
• Sanitize after social interactions