Disinfecting in the Work Environment

A clean, healthy, and safe work environment has become a non-negotiable issue in the last few years, especially if we are going to continue working in an ongoing pandemic, and eventually, post-pandemic world. There are two critical components to maintaining a healthy environment – cleaning and disinfecting. They may sound like the same thing, but each has a specific function that the other doesn’t, and thus they are both necessary for effective germ control.

Disinfecting in the Work Environment

Cleaning is the physical removal of dirt, dust, and other debris from a surface. Some microbial pathogens are also removed by this process, thereby reducing the number present on the surface. But cleaning does not disinfect. Disinfection means killing the pathogens so they can no longer cause harm, not just simply removing them (while likely still alive) from a surface or air. It is best to apply an EPA registered disinfectant to kill or inactivate over 99% of pathogens present.

How Frequently Should You Disinfect?

The general rule for frequency is based on use. According to the CDC, you should disinfect “high-touch” surfaces on a regular basis. These include surfaces like door handles, light switches, countertops, desks, and keyboards. This is a bit of a judgment call, though, as the type of work environment will determine how often “regular” is (daily, weekly, every other day, etc.) and how often others are touching those “high-touch” surfaces. (In a busy doctor’s office, for example, computer keyboards and phones would be considered high-touch surfaces that need cleaning at least daily, since they are used multiple times a day every day.)

Remember that the purpose of disinfecting in the work environment is to break the chain of infection. This is done by eliminating the environment from the infection equation. Disinfecting high-touch surfaces limits the pathogen’s ability to multiply, which equals a decreased risk of transmission by touch.

Disinfecting in Work Environment – Guidelines

It’s tempting to assume that the more disinfectant applied to a work environment, the more it reduces the risk of infection. This is true to an extent, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every work environment is different and has its own unique factors to consider. These factors include:

• How frequently is the surface touched by someone’s hands?
• Who or what comes in contact with that surface?
• What disinfectant is being used and what are its potential hazards?

Here are some answers. The CDC recommends high-touch surfaces be both cleaned and disinfected. Other places that are not as frequently used can be disinfected less often. This structured approach can help prevent the misuse of disinfectants and reduce the cost of maintaining a clean and safe work environment.

Importance Of Disinfecting in Work Environment

Contact is an important consideration when applying disinfectant. It should be considered when the areas being disinfected involve food preparation and consumption. Always follow the product label carefully. Disinfectants can be toxic to people if they come into contact with food and are then ingested.

While there are some products approved for disinfecting food prep surfaces, most require a rinse with water after the proper contact time has passed. Also consider the overall amount of disinfectant being applied to the work environment.

Not all disinfectants are created equally, in terms of both their chemistry and application. A disinfectant that is meant to kill microorganisms can also cause harm to larger organisms, namely the human body. Harsher products like bleach or peroxide can damage the body as well as the surfaces they are applied to.

It is very important to understand the disinfectant you are using and the hazards associated with it. The application method can also present health risks. For example, whole area applications like fogging use a micro-droplet to disburse the disinfectant. These droplets can be easily inhaled into the lungs if people are in close proximity during the application.

Regular Cleaning and Disinfection Equals a Healthy Work Environment

In light of current events in the matter of public health, it has never been more important to maintain a clean and safe work environment. Understanding how and when to properly apply disinfectants will help ensure a safe and healthy work environment that doesn’t turn into a health hazard.