Cold and flu season is approaching, and that means it’s time to get your facility ready. Cold and flu season can lead to missed workdays, slowed operations and germs spreading throughout shared spaces. A little preparation can go a long way in reducing disruptions and keeping your co-workers and customers healthy. Here are five tips for getting your facility ready for cold and flu season.
Stock Cleaning Supplies
The first step in getting your facility cold and flu season ready is to stock up on essential cleaning supplies. Shortages can lead to downtime and compromised health and safety, so it’s best to be proactive rather than reactive when ordering supplies. Keep cleaning chemicals, sanitizers, trash can liners, paper products and other janitorial supplies on hand. Store them in an organized area that allows your team to easily locate and retrieve them. Confirm current inventory levels before ordering to identify any gaps.
Prepare Your Team
Cleaning programs are only as efficient as the people carrying them out. Review cleaning processes and confirm that custodial teams understand their responsibilities. Remind co-workers to stay home when ill, and review the fundamentals, including proper handwashing, correct product use, and appropriate PPE for handling chemicals and completing cleaning tasks.
Have Proper Signage and Hygiene Stations
Visual reminders around your facility reinforce healthy habits among co-workers and customers. Post signage reminding co-workers and visitors to wash their hands properly and cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing. Ensure handwashing stations and hand sanitizer stations are in convenient, accessible locations. Keep dispensers stocked with paper towels, facial tissues, hand soap and hand sanitizer.
Focus on High-Touch Surfaces and High-Traffic Areas
Surfaces that people touch often and areas where people gather tend to be hotspots for germs. Give extra attention to high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, time clocks, equipment handles and levers, and tables when sanitizing. Clean high-traffic areas like lobbies, restrooms, breakrooms and workspaces frequently. Increasing the cleaning frequency of these areas helps limit the spread of germs.
Improve Air Quality
Poor air quality and ventilation contribute to the spread of airborne pathogens and respiratory viruses, which makes improving your facility’s indoor air quality crucial. Start by changing air filters on schedule and cleaning air ducts and vents regularly. Opt for sustainable cleaning products, which support a healthy indoor environment and improve air quality by cleaning efficiently without producing toxic fumes or using harsh chemicals. When preparing for cold and flu season, always prioritize air quality.
With thoughtful preparation, your facility can remain clean and healthy, and your operations can remain efficient throughout cold and flu season. Veritiv Pollock is an expert commercial cleaning and facility solutions partner ready to help businesses keep healthy and safe environments for their co-workers and customers. Learn more about our cleaning solutions here or contact us online to get started!
