Many illnesses, like the common cold and influenza, are contagious. In an ideal world, employees would not come to work if they are not feeling healthy. However, many people cannot afford to take sick days. Luckily, there are measures an office space can take to prevent illnesses from spreading between employees.
Put Up Sneeze Guards
Sneeze guards are extremely versatile and can be put up in a variety of ways. For example, acrylic sneeze guards can be mounted on desks, hung from the ceiling, clipped onto cubical walls, or simply folded on top of any table-like flat surface. As the name implies, sneeze guards work by acting as a shield between the sneezer and whoever is behind the desk. Sneeze guards can also be used to prevent germs from coughs and some other airborne germs and bacteria from infecting others.
Since these barriers are made of plastic, they can be easily wiped down with antibacterial and germ-killing wipes and sprays. Try to clean these at least once a day to keep the office space as sanitary as possible.
Use Hand Sanitizer
Using hand sanitizers can kill up to 99% of germs on a person’s hands. Business owners would do well to keep hand sanitizer bottles or dispensers at various locations in the office. This can encourage employees to use it regularly throughout the day.
Also, encourage employees to wash their hands after using the bathroom, taking out the trash, or doing anything else that may spread germs and bacteria. Keeping hand sanitizer in bathrooms can also be helpful.
Wear Face Masks
Face masks can be used to slow the spread of airborne germs and bacteria. This makes it helpful in not only stopping the spread of COVID-19, but also the common cold, influenza, whooping cough, and tuberculosis. It can also help to prevent less serious symptoms, such as coughing and sneezing.
Masks, worn correctly, can stop the spread of airborne diseases by around 75%. When one person is sick in the office, it is not so important that everyone in the building wears a mask, so long as the ill person does. However, if an illness is “going around,” then employers should encourage all employees to wear masks to slow the spread.
No one likes getting sick. Taking these measures can help to reduce the chances that someone will get sick in the first place. They can also help to reduce the spread of various airborne symptoms and ailments.
