15 Workplace Hygiene Tips to Prevent Illnesses

Maintaining good hygiene in the workplace is crucial for promoting the health and well-being of employees. Poor hygiene can lead to the spread of illnesses, reduced productivity, and higher absenteeism rates.

Whether it’s a flu outbreak or general day-to-day cleanliness, taking steps to ensure proper hygiene can create a safer and healthier environment for everyone.

Here are 15 essential workplace hygiene tips to help prevent illnesses and keep your workforce healthy and productive.

1. Wash Hands Regularly

One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs is regular handwashing. Encourage employees to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the restroom, handling food, or touching shared surfaces.

Best Practices:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
• Install hand sanitizer stations throughout the workplace.

2. Disinfect Commonly Touched Surfaces

Germs and viruses can live on surfaces for hours or even days. High-touch surfaces like door handles, keyboards, phones, and communal equipment should be disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of germs.

Action Steps:

• Clean and disinfect shared equipment such as photocopiers and printers.
• Wipe down desks, keyboards, and office phones with disinfectant wipes.
• Ensure cleaning staff focuses on high-traffic areas and surfaces.

3. Practice Respiratory Hygiene

Encourage proper respiratory hygiene by asking employees to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. This helps prevent the spread of airborne germs.

How to Promote Respiratory Hygiene:

• Provide tissues and waste bins throughout the office.
• Post reminders in visible areas about proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.
• Ensure that employees dispose of tissues immediately after use.

4. Encourage Employees to Stay Home When Sick

One of the most effective ways to prevent illnesses from spreading is for sick employees to stay home. Encourage a culture where employees feel comfortable taking time off when they’re unwell.

Tips:

• Offer flexible sick leave policies to reduce the pressure on employees to come in when ill.
• Encourage remote work options for employees recovering from mild illnesses.
• Remind employees that staying home helps protect their colleagues.

5. Clean and Maintain Air Quality

Good indoor air quality is essential for preventing the spread of airborne viruses and bacteria. Poor air circulation can lead to a buildup of germs, allergens, and pollutants that affect employee health.

How to Improve Air Quality:

• Ensure that the office has proper ventilation and air filtration systems.
• Change air filters regularly to reduce dust and allergens.
• Use air purifiers in enclosed spaces to maintain clean air.

6. Encourage the Use of Personal Desk Supplies

Shared office supplies, such as staplers, pens, and scissors, can be a breeding ground for germs. Encourage employees to use their own personal supplies to reduce the spread of illness.

Tips for Personal Supplies:

• Provide each employee with their own set of office supplies.
• Label items to avoid confusion or unintentional sharing.
• Clean and sanitize personal supplies regularly.

7. Promote a Clean Desk Policy

A clean desk not only promotes productivity but also helps reduce the accumulation of dust and germs. Encourage employees to clean and tidy their workstations daily.

Steps to Implement a Clean Desk Policy:

• Provide disinfecting wipes for employees to clean their desks at the end of the day.
• Limit clutter that can collect dust and germs.
• Encourage employees to clear away food and drink containers promptly.

8. Provide Hand Sanitizer in Common Areas

Place hand sanitizers in strategic locations throughout the workplace, such as near entrances, elevators, conference rooms, and break areas. This makes it easy for employees to clean their hands after touching shared surfaces.

Where to Place Hand Sanitizer:

• Reception areas and lobbies
• Shared kitchens and break rooms
• Conference and meeting rooms

9. Keep the Break Room Clean

Shared kitchens and break rooms are hot spots for germs, especially around communal appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee machines. Ensure that these areas are cleaned daily and that employees take responsibility for tidying up after themselves.

Break Room Hygiene Tips:

• Encourage employees to wipe down kitchen surfaces after use.
• Provide cleaning supplies such as paper towels and disinfectants.
• Regularly clean and empty the refrigerator to prevent contamination.

10. Educate Employees About Proper Hygiene Practices

Create a culture of hygiene by providing regular training and reminders about best hygiene practices. Educated employees are more likely to maintain good personal hygiene and follow cleaning protocols.

How to Educate Employees:

• Share educational materials like posters, flyers, and emails on workplace hygiene.
• Host short training sessions on the importance of handwashing, surface cleaning, and respiratory hygiene.
• Encourage team leaders to reinforce hygiene habits among their teams.

11. Offer Touchless Solutions

Touchless solutions reduce the need for employees to touch shared surfaces, which can help limit the spread of germs. Consider implementing touchless technology wherever possible.

Touchless Solutions to Consider:

• Install automatic hand sanitizer dispensers.
• Use touchless soap dispensers and paper towel holders in restrooms.
• Implement motion-sensor lighting to reduce contact with light switches.

12. Clean Restrooms Frequently

Restrooms are a critical area when it comes to hygiene. They should be cleaned multiple times a day to ensure they remain sanitary for all employees.

Restroom Hygiene Practices:

• Stock restrooms with soap, hand sanitizer, and paper towels.
• Ensure restrooms are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Encourage employees to report any issues such as broken soap dispensers or low supplies.

13. Provide Masks and Gloves When Necessary

In times of high risk, such as during a flu season or health outbreaks, providing masks and gloves to employees can help reduce the spread of contagious illnesses.

When to Provide PPE:

• During seasonal flu outbreaks or pandemic situations.
• For employees working in close contact or shared spaces.
• When handling shared equipment or conducting face-to-face meetings.

14. Manage Trash and Waste Properly

Overflowing trash bins can become a source of bacteria and germs. Ensure that trash is disposed of properly and that waste bins are emptied regularly to maintain a clean environment.

Best Practices:

• Provide separate bins for different types of waste, including recycling.
• Make sure all trash bins have lids to contain waste and prevent spills.
• Empty bins regularly, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens and restrooms.

15. Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance

A well-rested and healthy workforce is less likely to get sick. Encouraging employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance and manage stress levels can help boost their immune systems and reduce absenteeism.

Work-Life Balance Tips:

• Offer flexible working hours to reduce stress.
• Encourage employees to take breaks and use their vacation days.
• Promote wellness programs that focus on physical activity, mental health, and nutrition.

By following these 15 hygiene tips, employers can create a healthier and more productive work environment. Encouraging good personal hygiene, keeping shared spaces clean, and educating employees on the importance of workplace hygiene will help prevent the spread of illness, reduce absenteeism, and contribute to overall employee well-being.