Avoid Germs at the Office
While you may think you are sick and tired of work, it could be true that work really is making you sick. Germs abound in the workplace and lurk on nearly every surface you touch. The interactions you experience in the office may not only be communicating important pieces of information to help you do your job, but they may also be spreading germs. There are precautions you can take to help you avoid germs at the office.
Contents
Steps
- Use and store hand sanitizer in your desk or in your personal area. It is important to use hand sanitizer several times per day. Be generous with it, as well, and offer it to co-workers and visitors to your office. If you notice someone sneezes or coughs, offer the sanitizer as soon as they are done coughing or sneezing.
- Wipe your desk and other office items down with antibacterial wipes each day. Even though you are the only one to use your desk and items on it, it's always wise to wipe them down to rid them of germs. Additionally, if you use other items in the office, such as a copy machine, fax machine, other phones, the coffee pot or door handles, wipe them down to help rid them of germs. If possible, stick to using only your own office items.
- Give clients or customers different writing utensils than the ones you regularly use. Keep your stash private.
- Refrain from chewing on your pen or putting other office items in your mouth, such as paper clips or rubber bands, as you prepare to use them. These items will have been used by many people, and contain many different kinds of bacteria and viruses. Be careful.
- Wash your hands several times per day, especially after each time you use the restroom. Use soap and warm water. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to help remove all germs.
- Aim for your elbow or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. By avoiding infecting your hands, you are helping to slow the spread of germs. Additionally, your sleeve or elbow is a larger surface that may absorb more germs than your hands.
- Stay home if you are ill. Even though attendance is important, your co-workers don't want to catch the flu or whatever other bug you're carrying. Additionally, you give your body a chance to recuperate sooner when you stay home and take care of yourself better. Stay home and that way you can get back to the office sooner to give 100 percent to your job.
Tips
- Keep wipes and other sanitation materials on your desk or in your working space at all times.
Warnings
- Offices and work areas are used by many people. Because of this fact, none of these methods are completely foolproof.
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