How To Use Disinfectants In The Workplace

Published on August 6, 2021
Employee in PPE disinfecting the workplace

How do you use disinfectants in the workplace? 

  1. Disinfect hands and footwear
  2. Place dispensers in common areas
  3. Perform a routine cleaning daily
  4. Thoroughly clean areas used by sick people
  5. Wear the proper PPE when disinfecting

With COVID-19 and its new variants spreading around and quarantine protocols getting stricter, disinfection has never been more important. Cleaning and sanitation should always be the priority of business owners no matter what. Exposure to people in the office is inevitable — so it’s extremely critical to be safe during the new normal and beyond. Make sure to purchase quality equipment for your office from a safety equipment supplier in the Philippines. Here are some valuable tips on how to use disinfectants in the workplace to keep the workplace clean, hygienic, and safe, at all times. Read on! 

Disinfect Hands And Footwear

By now, you probably already know the extreme importance of disinfecting and washing hands. Make sure to strictly implement this in the workplace. You don’t know where your customers and employees have been, so it’s vital to provide disinfecting stations in your workplace. But apart from that, you also need to pay attention to footwear. The virus can remain on surfaces for several hours, so this is important.

Other than providing shoe covers for your employees, you can also disinfect shoes by placing a rubber mat like the ones from Dels Apparel at the entryways of your workplace. 

These come with a sanitation mat and a tray to pour your disinfecting solution in. It’s easy to use because people can just rub their footwear on the mat before coming in. Remember to replace the disinfectant frequently or when it’s soiled. With a rubber mat, you can reduce the spread of the virus in your workplace.

Place Dispensers In Common Areas
Place Dispensers In Common Areas

To encourage workers and customers to disinfect their hands as much as possible, you need to place as many dispensers as you can around the workplace. If you can, opt for contactless and automatic dispensers. This way, contaminated hands won’t leave a trace of viruses and germs on the dispenser—which helps further stop the spread of it. The good thing with these containers is that they’re convenient to use too!

For instance, if you’re installing wall-type automatic dispensers, all a user has to do is place their hand under the sensor and the disinfectant will come out. This helps prevent any leakage too, so you don’t have to refill often.

Other than that, touchless spray dispensers can also be conveniently placed on top of kitchen counters, cashier counters, office desks, and more. It works similarly but is a more portable option.

For the entryways, businesses will also benefit from having a scanner with a dispenser. Apart from the disinfectant, users can also scan their body temperature for contact tracing.

Perform A Routine Cleaning Daily

To remain COVID and virus-free, it is recommended to have your workplace routinely disinfected daily. You might need to do it more if you’re managing high-traffic establishments such as a hospital, grocery store, government office, or the like. 

When routine cleaning, prioritize high-contact surfaces such as the following:

  • Doorknobs
  • Railings
  • Telephones
  • Light switches
  • Coffee machines
  • Photocopiers
  • Faucets
  • Toilet flush
  • Touchscreen displays

To make cleaning easier, you can make a checklist with these touchpoints.

There are plenty of disinfecting solutions that are useful in getting rid of viruses on surfaces. If you need a reliable one, you can contact your health safety supplier in the Philippines so you can ensure that they’re effective. Surface disinfectants contain substances such as alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and more. Not all of these are gentle on the hands, so wearing the proper PPE before cleaning is recommended. Furthermore, handle the disinfectants with care because some of these are flammable.

Thoroughly Clean Areas Used By Sick People
Person in PPE disinfecting a table

There is a chance that some of your employees might get sick. If someone is sick or has tested positive with COVID-19 recently, make sure to thoroughly disinfect all areas they have occupied. When doing this, make sure to close the areas to others until the disinfection is finished. To reduce downtime, this can be done between shifts or after store hours. 

Here are some tips when cleaning and disinfecting an area occupied by a sick person:

  • Wear the proper PPE before disinfecting.
  • Vacuum all surfaces thoroughly.
  • Wash beddings, linens, carpets, and rugs.
  • Provide proper ventilation and air circulation before cleaning with disinfecting solutions.
  • Wipe and disinfect all high-contact areas and surfaces used by the sick person.
  • Source your disinfectant from legitimate suppliers to ensure their effectiveness.
  • Follow the instructions on the label of your disinfectant to ensure its proper use.

Wear The Proper PPE When Disinfecting

As mentioned before, disinfectants can be harsh on the skin. When you’re handling bleach and other irritating substances, it is recommended to wear safety gloves first. You can opt for disposable gloves but make sure to throw them away properly after use. Otherwise, reusable gloves are also available. Just make sure to give them a thorough wash to get rid of any virus. Other than that, don’t forget to wear a face mask before using disinfectants.

If you’re cleaning an area that is possibly contaminated by viruses, it is also recommended to wear a gown when cleaning and handling trash. This puts an additional barrier between you and the contaminants, so you can keep your clothes virus-free. You can pair this with a shoe cover too if you want to protect your shoes. 

Key Takeaway

With people coming and going to your workplace, it is vital to have the right cleaning regime to keep it virus-free! With these tips and the right health safety products, you can protect your employees and customers.

Now that you know how to use disinfectants in the workplace, you can order all the necessary supplies you need from Dels Apparel! They provide all types of health safety items such as safety gloves, gowns, touchless dispensers, thermal scanners, rubber mats, and more.