How to Prevent the Spread of Germs in the Workplace

The average adult in the United States experiences between two and three cold illnesses per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Catching a cold is certainly no fun, as it forces you to remain cooped up indoors until you recover. The good news is that you can lower your risk of infectious illness (including the common cold virus) by reevaluating your workplace.

Stay at Home When Sick

Want to know the single most effective technique for preventing the spread of germs in the workplace? It's staying at home when you are sick. The CDC recommends workers stay at home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms have passed. Granted, some employees are stuck in the mindset that they must work, but doing so will only hurt their efforts by placing other workers at risk for illness.

Avoid Germ-Ridden Areas

There are certain items and areas in the workplace that are notorious for being ridden with germs. This includes telephones, elevator buttons, doorknobs, water faucets, and vending machine buttons. You don't have to necessarily avoid touching them, rather wash your hands with soap and water after doing so. Employers can also reduce the spread of germs by sanitizing these areas on a regular basis.

Create Handwashing Stations

In addition to having sick workers stay at home, another highly effective technique for reducing the spread of germs is to create various "handwashing stations" throughout the workplace. When done correctly, handwashing will kill between 99 and 99.9% of germs, making it invaluable in promoting a safe, germ-free workplace. But employees must be given access to areas where they can effectively wash their hands, which is why it's important for employers to create handwashing stations.

Local Health Department Assistance

The CDC recommends employers work with their local health department to develop a "pandemic flu plan" for their respective communities. Hopefully, you will never experience a flu pandemic in your workplace, but as the saying goes: it's better to be safe than sorry. Creating a pandemic flu plan will allow you to mitigate the damage should a flu outbreak occur.

Telecommuting Opportunities

Granted, this isn't going to necessarily protect against the spread of germs in the workplace, but offering telecommuting opportunities for workers will allow them to continue working even if they are sick and unable to make it to the workplace.