Surviving Germs at Work

Germs are a common nuisance wherever you place your hands at any workplace. From a simple handshake, to picking up a co-worker's telephone, to opening the office door, chances are there are germs present.

Aside from the risk of bacterial and viral infections, there is also the potential to spread allergens such as pollens and mold.

Despite the risk to yourself and to others, there are ways to show consideration and maintain a clean, safe and healthy workplace environment.

The most important factor is to ensure you look after yourself: when using the bathroom, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Instead of using paper towels, which others may have touched first, use the hot-air hand dryer. Paper towels are messy and can end up on the floor and not in a trash bin.

Hand dryers use electricity, which may be better in the long run.

Repeating the process of washing hands is also important to remain free from bacterial and viral infections such as influenza and the common cold. Using tissues when blowing noses, sneezing and coughing can help prevent the spread of airborne particles that may otherwise become harmful in the workplace. Offering a box of tissues can also prevent the spread of these particles by co-workers, customers and clients.

Maintaining a small arsenal of cleaning products will also prevent the spread of germs. Keep a small bottle of instant hand sanitizer handy. There are hand sanitizers currently on the market that will not dry out your skin. Unscented lotions can also prevent the skin from drying and cracking.

If there is an open wound or a cut that needs attention, keeping a first-aid kit on hand can prevent blood from spreading to other work surfaces. Keeping cuts and other open wounds clean and bandaged can protect you from infection and protect your co-workers from the unnecessary spread of germs and other contaminants.

Allergens are also of concern in the workplace. Those with sensitivity to smell will not appreciate heavy perfume and after-shave fragrances. It is best to be considerate of others, especially when a good fragrance can smell both pleasant and appeal to everyone.

There is also a concern regarding body odor, both from the body and from clothes that have not been cleaned. To prevent the possible embarrassment of being called into the manager's office, it is easiest to take a bath or shower before work. If the culprit is your clothes, it would be wise to have the clothing items dry cleaned or washed. Your co-workers will appreciate your effort to be considerate and come to work smelling fresh and nice.

Cleanliness in the workplace

Lastly, there is the workplace itself. A desk can quickly become cluttered when you are busy and there are meetings to attend and customers to wait upon.

When your immediate environment becomes dirty and unclean, it is easiest to take a few minutes to clean up after yourself. Wash all dishes and coffee cups that have been sitting out. Dust off any wooden surfaces and wash off all surfaces, especially if they are touched by people other than yourself.

If you work at a computer, clean off the area regularly to prevent the spread of germs. Use a can of compressed air to clean food particles, dust and other potential contaminants out of the keyboard and from the telephone touch pad.

It is easiest to protect yourself and to show consideration in the workplace, even when time is limited by following the aforementioned steps to maintaining a clean, healthy and germ-free workspace. Your co-workers will appreciate you all the more for it.

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