As South Africa’s lockdown restrictions continue to relax, more and more employees are returning to full-time work in the manufacturing, tourism, industrial, and commercial sectors. This makes good hygiene protocols and well-placed functional hygiene equipment even more important in the workplace, albeit in an office environment, production plant or warehouse environment. Returning employees need to feel safe and confident to return to their offices and once again interact with their colleagues.
While soap and water can effectively clean hands, there are additional guidelines to follow that can keep workspaces safe and hygienic, no matter the industry.
1. Strategically placed hand sanitiser stations
Place hand sanitiser stations around the premises, especially in high-traffic areas, so that employees can easily access them. Place them at entrance and exit doors, elevators, escalators, and outside bathroom doors. What’s more, you can offer employees peace of mind with touchless hand sanitiser stations—the fewer objects to touch in public, the better.
2. Make soap and paper towels easily accessible
Ensure everyone on the premises has access to areas where they can wash their hands when necessary. Keep bathrooms stocked with liquid soap and paper towels to avoid any cross-contamination.
3. Signs to indicate social distancing
Use posters and signs to remind employees to keep a safe distance from colleagues, at least 1.5 metres. This rule should be followed in all instances, from common areas and cafeterias to workstations, meeting rooms, warehouses, and elevators.
4. Redesign workspaces
It can be difficult to maintain social distancing in some work environments. Use dividers to create barriers between employees. Re-look and revise seating arrangements so that employees aren’t too close together.
5. Disinfect, and deep clean surfaces and facilities
Specialist hygiene companies should regularly disinfect and wipe down commonly touched surfaces and deep clean shared facilities, such as bathrooms and kitchens with approved chemicals and methods.
For peace of mind, contact us to find out how we can personalise our services to suit your business and promote employee wellness as employees return to work.