Stop germs in their tracks. Commercial disinfecting services will keep your workplace and employees happy and healthy.
When was the last time you booked commercial disinfecting services for your business? If you’re like many, the thought only recently crossed your mind. With coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading rapidly across the country, now is the time to make sure your workplace is free of germs and viruses. Sure, wiping down surfaces each day will reduce some pathogens, but it won’t get rid of them all. For superior infection control, it’s time to look beyond store-bought supplies and seek help from germ-fighting experts.
Breaking Down the Science of Germs
Many businesses already have a cleaning routine in place. Perhaps your employees clean the bathroom at the end of a shift. Maybe you have disinfecting wipes at each station. You may even mop regularly. However, this is not enough to kill all viruses and bacteria the may be lurking at work.
Take a quick look around your workplace. Notice all the high-touch surfaces and imagine what you may find under a microscope. Computer keyboards, telephones, light switches, and doorknobs are literal Petri dishes. To further complicate matters, many viruses can live on surfaces for hours or even days. On average, the flu can survive in your office for up to 48 hours!
Germs spread like wildfire. When a person sneezes, coughs, or even blows their nose, pathogens escape in the form of droplets. A single sneeze can propel droplets anywhere from 13-200 feet at the rate of 200 mph or faster. And each droplet can contain thousands of microbes. It’s easy to understand why respiratory illnesses are so contagious.
Now, here’s something even scarier to consider. The coronavirus of 2020 (COVID-19) is new to the world of science. No one knows precisely how long the virus can live outside the body, and carriers can spread the disease even if they are asymptomatic. Scientists still have much to learn more about this fast-spreading, sometimes fatal illness. It’s more important than ever to disinfect your business completely to prevent an outbreak.
It takes powerful disinfecting chemicals to kill environmental germs. Dangerous pathogens are just waiting for an opportunity to infect someone—and your employees or clients may be next on the list. Taking the time to eliminate these harmful germs from all surfaces—metal, wood, carpet, tile, etc.—is the best way to protect your staff.
The Correlation Between Commercial Disinfecting and Staying Well
Avoiding germs is a must. But since you cannot see these microscopic pathogens with the naked eye, it’s nearly impossible to do. Properly disinfecting your workplace is the only way to ensure both you and your employees don’t come down sick.
Disinfecting involves using chemicals to eradicate viruses and bacteria. These specialized cleaning products contain antimicrobial agents that kill dangerous pathogens on contact. Some products even eliminate spores and fungus.
Different disinfecting products serve different purposes. Some contain high-concentrations of alcohol to eliminate germs on hands. Disinfecting wipes rely on ammonium compounds to clean surfaces. Oxidizing agents damage the cell membrane, leading to cell death. Air disinfectants work by trapping and killing pathogens in open spaces.
The International Sanitary Supply Association recommends wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when disinfecting the workplace. This equipment protects anyone entering the space from possible exposure. Your workers need access to gloves, eye protection, disposable gowns, and shoe covers. Wearing a surgical mask is also highly recommended.
While disinfecting your business is important all year long, it’s especially crucial during outbreaks. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the only way to ensure your company is germ-free is with comprehensive disinfecting.
Are Disinfecting and Sanitizing the Same?
It may surprise you to learn that there is a huge difference between disinfecting and sanitizing. Although you may hear both terms tossed around in the news, these cleaning processes are not the same.
As previously stated, disinfecting involves killing pathogens on surfaces. After the cell dies, it can no longer infect anyone. It’s interesting to note that disinfecting doesn’t always include cleaning or removing dirt. The only goal of this process is to kill germs.
Sanitizing, on the other hand, only reduces the total number of germs. This process often includes a combination of cleaning and disinfecting. However, some live specimens may still remain. Even though sanitizing brings germs down to a safe level, infection is still possible.
Tips for Keeping Your Workplace Healthy
Everyone plays a role in stopping the spread of harmful pathogens. Before coronavirus appeared on the scene, most adults would catch 1-2 colds a year. Most people, however, recover from a cold after 3-7 days. The flu, which is more prevalent during the cold, dry months, leads to even more sick days. Employees often miss a full week or more due to a lingering fever, fatigue, and general malice.
Patients take much longer to recover from COVID-19. Transmission from person-to-person is also more likely. This virus can lead to serious respiratory problems. Health officials ask sick individuals to quarantine themselves for at least 14 days before returning to work. Since this virus is brand new, it’s best to take extra precautions to avoid getting sick.
Imagine if everyone in your office got sick at once. You would lose a lot of money, and productivity would plummet. However, following a few healthy tips can prevent or slow the transmission of pathogens.
Here’s what OSHA recommends to help prevent an outbreak:
- Wash your hands the right way. Every doctor “scrubs up” before surgery, and you should follow a similar protocol. Make sure you vigorously wash your hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. Pay attention to the areas between the fingers and under your nails.
- Provide hand sanitizer to employees. Although washing your hands with soap is best, make sure your workers have access to hand sanitizer when water isn’t available. Hand sanitizers need to be at least 60 percent alcohol to kill germs.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Viruses can’t infect your body unless they find a way to get inside—and your eyes, nose, and mouth are perfect entryways. If you must touch your face, make sure you clean your hands first to prevent transmission.
- Wipe down surfaces throughout the day. Disinfecting wipes are an excellent tool for killing germs on contact. Be sure to pay attention to high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and touch screens.
- Sneeze into a tissue or sleeve. Instead of sneezing into your hands, grab a tissue or use the crook of your elbow to “catch” germs. Always toss the soiled tissue into a trashcan and wash your hands immediately.
- Call in sick. Encourage employees to take sick days if they are not feeling well. However, some illnesses, including COVID-19, are contagious before symptoms begin.
- Hire a disinfecting service. The only way to ensure every inch of your workplace is clean is by hiring a professional service. They’ll use high-potency disinfectants to eliminate germs on surfaces and in the air. Effective cleaning should reduce the overall pathogen load and lessen the risk of infection.
Protect Your Workplace from Germs
Germs and viruses are everywhere. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t protect your employees and clients. DNC Facility Services offers specialized disinfecting services to all types of businesses. We welcome clients from a variety of workplace environments, including airports, schools, buses, and gyms. Our proven products and techniques kill cold viruses, flu viruses, and many types of bacteria.
DNC Facility Services proudly offers our much-requested and highly-effective infection control service. Instead of only cleaning the surface, we kill the germs. Our team will pay close attention to all high-touch areas, ensuring no pathogens survive. We’ll disinfect all nooks and crannies, including those hard-to-reach areas. Killing the source reduces the risk of transmission and infection.
Our team at DNC Facility Services has been in the business since 1982. We only send out highly-experienced workers to each job, and we invest in training each new hire for at least two weeks. Many of our employees have been with us for years! Projecting your workforce from illness is a must, and we want to help keep your workplace safe and healthy. Contact us to learn how our commercial disinfecting services can stop pathogens in their tracks.