Mold inside of schools and offices can have a range of effects, from unsightly to deadly, depending on the strain, and has been directly linked to several preventable deaths over the last few months in both school dorms and medical care facilities.
Addressing Mold Cleaning Challenges
A mold cleanup was recently completed by the facilities maintenance staff at Oklahoma University after a series of complaints were filed by students concerned with the potential health issues.
Student absenteeism is a critical component of school funding and is directly influenced, almost exclusively, by student health, much of which may be correlated to hand hygiene and school surface sanitation.
How Hand Hygiene May Impact Absenteeism in Schools
School-aged children are highly susceptible to several germs commonly found on surfaces throughout every school and facility in the United States, including:
Influenza - The flu.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 8.4% of children (6.2 million) in the United States have asthma, a debilitating condition that can be caused or complicated by indoor environmental conditions often directly connected to cleaning and cleanliness.
Cleaning for health sometimes referred to as green cleaning, is an alternative approach to facilities maintenance and janitorial services which focuses on the use of safer cleaning products, and scientifically advanced equipment to reduce the exposure to toxic chemicals and natural resource waste.
As the flu season ramps up, facilities managers and custodial staff are increasing the frequency of cleaning activities to combat the challenges of the, often deadly, influenza virus.
Increasing Cleaning & Disinfection Services to Combat Rising Instances of the Flu
Over the last few weeks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a sharp spike in confirmed cases of influenza, as well as widespread rates of infection across 48 states.
Several studies have linked the cleanliness of the workplace to improved occupant health and increased productivity.
Your Work Environment and Your Health
From first impressions to employee health and morale--cleaner offices translate into increased profit margins for businesses, and better grades for students.
Statistically speaking, your office desk and everything on it is teaming with more germs and bacteria per square inch than the office toilet seat, underscoring the importance of regular cleaning and hand hygiene.
Your Office Desk Could Be Dangerous
Before we begin, it's important to keep a few well-documented facts in mind:
Germs are everywhere.
98% of office workers are affected by contagious diseases acquired from the workplace as a direct result of poor cleaning and sanitation practices, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars per year in healthcare costs and absences.
The Cost of Cutting Corners When Cleaning
The temptation to cut corners--it happens to all of us.
Statistically speaking and regardless of outward appearance, your workplace is likely teaming with germs and bacteria that are making you sick, slow, and struggle with everyday tasks.
Why Your Office Needs Professional Cleaning Services
Workplace cleanliness is a literal conundrum.
Janitorial turnover rates in the United States average out at about 200% annually--translating to a complete restaffing of custodial workers twice per year--an unsustainable business model by any definition.
Is Janitorial Turnover An Issue?
In the janitorial industry, employee turnover averages about 200%, typically due to a lack of best practices with the janitorial provider or direct employer.