Purefize - Co-working

As the pandemic is getting more and more under control, HR departments all over the world are working to find the best way to allow people to gradually return to work yet protect them not only from the Corona virus but also other infectious diseases.

Right now, what most people want is safety. How can you provide that and at the same time connect people to be able to create and innovate?

“A new dilemma is emerging for employers whereby staff are afraid to return to their co-located workplace…”

Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director, HAYS Australia and New Zealand

Germ reduction key to better productivity and satisfaction

Not only do hundreds of thousands of people die from pathogens every year, but contagious diseases also have a significant impact on state and individual economies every year. Billions of working days are lost each year to illnesses such as colds and flu, E. coli, MRSA, and norovirus.

In the post-COVID world of working from home, many companies will downsize and integrate more hot-desking. We will return to work, but not necessarily to a desk of our own. It means even greater focus on cleaning practices.

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How does disease spread in an office?

We know viruses (e.g. COVID-19) spread from person to person through small droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Viruses can survive on surfaces for a period from a few hours to several days. They spread when we touch infected surfaces and can be transmitted if we then touch our noses, eyes, or mouths.

This means that we need to focus not only on people themselves but also on the surfaces we use frequently at work.

DESK
The average desk harbors more than 10 million bacteria, which is about 400 more than the average toilet seat.

KEYBOARD
About 7,500 organisms hide in your keyboard.

HANDS
About 80 % of common infections are transmitted by touch. Our hands are a real germ motorway. That is why frequent washing is so important.

COFFEE MUG
Communal coffee mugs may not be the best to use in the office. One study found that even when they’re washed and dried, about 90% had significant germs, including some with fecal matter.

PEN
You might want to think twice about letting a co-worker use your pen. On average, surface germs lurk for up to 72 hours.

COMMON AREAS
Conference room armrests, doorknobs and light switches are touched by many hands and cleaned occasionally at best.

SNEEZING
When you sneeze, the germ-infested droplets can travel as far as 8 meters.

TOUCHING YOUR FACE
Studies suggest that you may be touching your face around 23 times per hour. Your eyes and mouth are areas where viruses can easily enter your body.

MOBILE PHONE
Your mobile phone is a real germ haven and may carry 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

Make sure that clean also means healthy

The pandemic has made us all aware that even if the surfaces around you look clean, they harbor a myriad of viruses and bacteria, invisible to the naked eye. Standard cleaning methods are often not enough to remove all the germs. Regular sanitizing and disinfecting should therefore be an essential part of every business’s routine to create a healthy working environment and improved well-being among co-workers.

Greater blend of people = greater exposure to pathogens

UV hygiene technology – a great tool for a safer office

Have you ever seen how your office is kept clean? What gets cleaned and what doesn't? What kind of items the cleaning staff uses? Do they for example use fresh wipes for every new surface? Do they use a sanitizing spray? And how about yourself? Do you wash your hands frequently and thoroughly every time, especially after going to the bathroom? Do you eat in the canteen area, or do you sometimes eat at your desk?

Today more than ever, it is important that all companies take the appropriate measures to help protect their employees against the threat of harmful microbes.

Ultraviolet light has a long history as a disinfectant. The question, however, is how best to harness it to fight the spread of the virus and protect human health in the post-COVID office.

At LightLab, we have been working with UV disinfection for several years and we can help you to create a safe, clean, and welcoming workplace.

Some examples of UV hygiene solutions for offices

Here are a few ideas about how PureFize broadband UV technology can be used to reduce germicidal spread in office settings. If you want to know how we can solve your specific needs, contact us by filling out the form above.