Standard Precautions For Infection Control

To have a robust approach to infection control, businesses need a two-stage approach:

1. Cleaning, to remove surface dirt and grime,
2. Disinfection, to eliminate any remaining germs. 

Some workplaces are able to take a relatively ‘low touch’ approach to disinfection. Where the right cleaning products and a clean microfibre cloth are enough to protect against the spread of infection sufficiently. 

However, some businesses, especially those with hard-to-reach areas or serving vulnerable or at-risk groups of people, need more innovative disinfection approaches.

Electrostatic application systems apply a positive charge to disinfectant, so it’s naturally ‘attracted’ to all the surfaces it needs to disinfect and protect. This has the dual benefit of helping to improve coverage and reducing wastage.

These shared "touchpoints" in a typical workplace, along with ideal temperatures for bacterial growth, mean infections can easily spread if the right infection control measures aren't in place.

Failing to meet standard infection control precautions can have a significant impact on the productivity of your business. For example, if employees fall ill due to infection, it can lead to absences, creating disruptions to your daily operations and increasing the strain on the remaining staff

Taking a thorough approach to infection prevention and control, alongside encouraging effective hygiene practices amongst your staff, can go a long way to minimise your risk.

One of the most common culprits is computer screens. 

The electrostatic charge on many monitors is a natural magnet for dust. And if you ever sneeze or cough at your desk, it might be disconcerting to know that microscopic droplets of bacteria have most likely made their way onto your screen. 

Having a dirty computer screen is not only an issue for infection control. Dirt and smudges can also impact the clarity and readability of what’s on your screen, causing other health issues such as eye strain. 

But cleaning computer screens is quite an intricate task - and more complicated than it seems at face value.

It’s important not to make the mistake of assuming all computer screens are the same - as some are made from glass, others from plastic, and the latest Apple products have a nano-textured glass coating. 

Using the wrong cleaning products on your screen can cause irreparable damage, so it’s always wise to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions or work with a professional cleaning company.

And you’d be right. There really is a lot more to ensuring a clean and hygienic workplace than a lot of people think. It’s why a lot of businesses choose to outsource their cleaning to professionals. 

But in the spirit of transparency and to help demystify our process, we’ve outlined below a 6-step framework that businesses can use to ensure they approach cleaning effectively:

• Step 1: Planning
  Take a look at which surfaces and equipment need cleaning, and make sure you have the right tools and cleaning products for the job. 
  
  
• Step 2: Cleaning
  Remove loose debris and dirt, and clean your surfaces with the appropriate products.
  
  
• Step 3: Rinsing
  This step helps remove cleaning product residue, which, if traditional cleaning products (rather than green cleaning products) are used, can cause irritation for some people.
  
  
• Step 4: Disinfection
  Essential for eliminating unseen germs and pathogens, especially in frequently touched areas.
  
  
• Step 5: Ensure a safe surface
  Depending on which type of disinfectant is used, this second rinsing stage ensures that all disinfectant residue is removed.
  
  
• Step 6: Drying
  We recommend allowing surfaces to air dry wherever possible. But for environments like hotels or restaurants, a clean cloth might be faster and more effective.
  
  

From busy changing rooms to sweat-covered cardio machines and mirrors that just seem to attract smudges and smears - there’s a lot to consider when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting a gym.

And it all needs to be completed at a time when it’s minimally disruptive to gym users. 

Gym cleaning also comes with the added pressure of ensuring your premises are Instagram and TikTok friendly, as it could be potentially damaging to your business if workout videos are shared online and show an untidy or unclean space. 

One of the most effective strategies for ensuring a clean gym, is to encourage gym users to clean up after themselves and wipe down any machines after they’ve finished using them. Providing easy access to wipes and sprays at strategic locations around the gym is crucial for achieving this. 

But this is only part of the solution. It’s also important to thoroughly clean and disinfect your gym equipment and shared spaces. 

At Green FM, we pride ourselves on being flexible in our approach - being able to schedule our gym cleaning services so they don’t interrupt peak times when your gym is at its busiest.  

We also use the latest innovations in cleaning technology to clean those ‘hard to reach’ areas of complex gym equipment, and our use of green cleaning products means there will be no harmful residue left on any of your surfaces. 

However, the warm, humid conditions can also create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens. Without the right approach to cleaning and disinfection, these areas may pose a health risk to your guests.

This is why swimming pools, steam rooms and sauna areas need dedicated attention from cleaning professionals to make sure they are safe and hygienic. . 

It’s also important to pay attention to poolside areas. Tiled floors can quickly become slippery if not well maintained, becoming a health and safety hazard. 

At Green FM, as part of our pool cleaning service we treat all poolside areas with anti-slip treatments, to help ensure that guests can navigate their way around your spa areas safely.

A poorly maintained hotel risks receiving negative reviews, lost bookings and damage to your hotel’s reputation. 

To help ensure that guests receive the experience they expect and deserve, hotel cleaning requires a professional touch.

At Green FM, we can manage the professional cleaning and disinfection of all areas of your hotel - from lobbies and restaurants to guest rooms and washrooms.

We also appreciate that hotel cleaning schedules also need to be flexible, adapting to occupancy rates at the same time as causing minimal disruption to guests.

It’s certainly the approach we follow for the vast majority of our clients. 

However, every business is different, with unique cleaning needs. And for some businesses, steam cleaning might be the right solution for some cleaning tasks. 

Steam cleaning uses high-temperature steam to sanitise surfaces, eliminating germs, bacteria, and allergens – all without the need for harsh chemicals. 

It's safe for a wide range of surfaces, making it a viable option for cleaning offices, hotels, gyms, restaurants or educational establishments. 

• And that’s without us going into detail about risk assessments and COSHH assessments. 
  
  This is why a lot of businesses choose to outsource their cleaning to a commercial cleaning contractor. 
  
  However, not all cleaning companies are created equal.
  
  To get the right fit for your business and ensure you receive the high-quality cleaning you expect, some careful research is needed.
  
  To help, we’ve put together a brief list of 7 things you might want to consider when looking for a commercial cleaning company: .
  
  
• Tailored cleaning services
  A one-size-fits-all cleaning never works. It’s important your cleaning partner is able to tailor their services to your unique requirements, and offers flexibility on the times that they clean to ensure minimal disruption to your business.
  
  
• Certifications and accreditations
  Look for companies that have relevant ISO certifications, and are members of relevant  industry bodies like BICSc and IWFM.
  
  
• Sustainable practices
  Look for cleaning partners committed to eco-friendly cleaning products, waste reduction, and energy conservation.
  
  
• Investment in employees
  It’s also important to check your cleaning partner has strong health and safety policies, ethical employment practices, and pays employees a living wage.
  
  
• The use of the latest technology
  Cleaning technology evolves constantly. Choose a company that uses the latest approaches for more efficient, effective, and environmentally conscious cleaning.
  
  
• Transparent pricing
  Avoid hidden costs and complex proposals. Insist on clear, upfront pricing so you can budget effectively.
  
  
• References and testimonials
  Look for case studies and positive testimonials from current or previous clients, to help give you peace of mind about the quality of the cleaning services on offer. 

Green Facilities Management is an ISO-certified cleaning company that have been delivering tailored, eco-friendly cleaning solutions to businesses across the capital for more than 20 years.  

Our certifications and accreditations demonstrate our commitment to the highest industry standards. 

We understand that every business is unique, which is why we design custom cleaning plans tailored to your precise needs. 

We also recognise the importance of environmental responsibility, and our eco-conscious cleaning approach delivers high quality results without the use of harsh chemicals. 

The harsh chemical disinfectants used by other cleaning companies may be effective for infection control, but can be harmful to employees, guests and the environment.

The advanced eco-friendly cleaning technologies used by Green FM offer powerful disinfection solutions without this downside. 

Infect Protect is one of the eco-friendly disinfectants we regularly use. It creates an invisible, long-lasting protective coating on surfaces, continuously eliminating up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses for up to 90 days.

A clean, disinfected workplace minimises health risks for employees and reassures customers that you prioritise their wellbeing.

If you're looking for a commercial cleaning partner to become your infection prevention and control ally, speak to Green Facilities Management. 

We deliver ISO-certified cleaning and disinfection services that protect your business without harming the planet.

With over 20 years of cleaning expertise, you can trust Green FM to create a safe and hygienic workplace environment.