COVID-19 continues to heighten our awareness of our surroundings and the cleanliness of shared spaces. This is especially true for common areas within the workplace.
We have become more conscious about using hand sanitizer, washing our hands more frequently, not touching our faces and wearing masks. When in public spaces, we seek refuge in areas with limited foot traffic and try to remain six feet apart from others. When the business we have entered does not seem to look or “feel” clean, we are doubtful about returning.
This sentiment rings especially true with business owners who are striving to keep business going. They are working to keep pace with our new reality. They want to be open and stay open amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to do so, their customers and employees must observe a clean space. Common areas are the most challenging to keep up on sanitizing and disinfecting, but they are critical in keeping businesses open and safe.
Here are some tips for managing common areas during COVID-19.
Determine Foot Traffic Patterns
Since the start of the pandemic, foot traffic patterns have become less obvious. While more businesses are able to reopen, things still are not as predictable as before. Nonetheless, trying to figure out traffic patterns within your businesses’ every day operations can help ensure that common areas are better protected.
Try answering the following questions:
Is daily foot traffic volume consistent?
Is foot traffic heavier on certain days and/or certain times of the day?
Are there more than just employees entering and exiting the building?
Are there other patrons, customers and even various contractors using the building?
Do they crowd common areas? If so, are their times they do more than others?
Does your business support or supply necessary means to those considered “at risk?”
Do they have a process for tracking people entering/exiting the building in the event potential infectious activity occurs?
Knowing and observing the patterns of foot traffic within your business is an effective way of controlling the spread of COVID-19. Being able to track patrons of your business will help assist “contact tracing.” The CDC traces those who are actually infected and those who may have come in contact with those who have been infected. This will also help you respond confidently to appropriate cleaning and disinfecting cycles for your common areas. You will find that some areas require hourly touch point disinfectant rotations, but others only require a weekly standard cleaning.
Determine High Touch Surfaces
Now that you have identified high traffic areas, it’s time to determine high touch surface areas. Obviously, areas most frequently touched carry a higher potential for germ activity and transfer. Once identified, it’s important to clean and disinfect these areas on a regular basis.
Simply walk through your business “as a visitor” to analyze high touch point areas specific to your building. This will help you develop a list of high touch point areas that need to be cleaned and disinfected more frequently.
As discussed in Dirtiest Places in Your Office, these are common areas that should be disinfected on a regular basis:
Elevator buttons
Desktop
Computer and phone
Copiers, fax machines, postage meters and all other office equipment
All kitchenette and dining area touch surfaces
Microwave and refrigerator doors
Coffee maker
Vending machines
Water cooler
Door handles
Restrooms touch surfaces
Now that you have a list compiled, determine the appropriate method of cleaning for each area. Refer to the CDC's website for assistance with cleaning and disinfecting your facility. It also provides you with a list of products that have been tested to combat COVID-19.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Company
Taking on weekly, daily, and certainly hourly disinfecting tasks can take away from business productivity and core goals. If you have not already, think about outsourcing your cleaning and disinfecting needs to a professional cleaning company.
Make sure to research and find a trusted and experienced commercial cleaning company that will give you peace of mind. Here are expectations you should have of your professional cleaning company.
Signage
Take all necessary steps to ensure people are not congregating together in common areas. Place signage stating people are not permitted to gather in large groups. Make sure to check these areas periodically throughout the day to enforce this rule.
Also make sure that people know that they are required to remain six feet apart from each other. This will also require reminder signage for people. By now it should be a habit for most people, but some may still need reminders to do these things. Signage may also be required by state and local mandates.
Stay Informed
Knowledge is the best tool you have to fight against COVID-19. Keep up to date on the latest recommendations of the CDC. They provide a daily updated coronavirus summary and their coronavirus index, which provides more tools for prevention.
Keep up on state and local mandates so that you can adjust your plans accordingly. When changes are made to any procedures make sure everyone within the organization is aware. You may also want to monitor your local news to see if there are any reported infections in your area.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
