Is Your Office Ready for Flu Season?

While we in Phoenix are certainly enjoying the break from the triple-digit heat, the arrival of fall brings a less welcome visitor: flu season. In a commercial environment, one sick employee can quickly turn into an empty office, missed deadlines, and a significant drop in productivity.

At Bacahui Services, we believe the best defense is a good offense. While we can’t force your employees to get their flu shots, we can help you create an environment that minimizes the spread of germs. Here is how professional janitorial services play a critical role in keeping your workforce healthy this season.

The "High-Touch" Danger Zones
You might think the restroom is the germiest place in your building, but studies often show that the average office desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat! This is because restrooms are cleaned frequently, while personal workspaces often go neglected.

During flu season, Bacahui Services places special emphasis on sanitizing "high-touch" points that are often overlooked in a standard quick clean. These include:

• Door Handles and Push Plates: Touched by almost everyone entering or leaving the building.
• Light Switches: A common transfer point for bacteria.
• Breakroom Appliances: The handle of the refrigerator, the microwave buttons, and the coffee pot are prime breeding grounds for germs.
• Elevator Buttons: High traffic means high risk.
• Shared Electronics: Copier buttons and conference room remotes.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Knowing the Difference
There is a big difference between a surface looking clean and a surface being sanitary.

• Cleaning removes visible dirt, dust, and debris. It makes things look nice.
• Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs, viruses, and bacteria on surfaces.

Effective commercial cleaning requires both. We use hospital-grade disinfectants and proper dwell times (the amount of time a product must sit wet on a surface to work) to ensure we are actually killing the flu virus, not just spreading it around with a rag.

Color-Coded for Safety
Cross-contamination is a major issue in office cleaning. You definitely don’t want the same cloth used in the restroom to be used on your conference table. Bacahui Services utilizes a strict color-coded microfiber system. This ensures that cloths used for restrooms, breakrooms, and general office areas are kept distinct and laundered separately, preventing the spread of bacteria between zones.

Protect Your Bottom Line
The flu costs US businesses billions of dollars annually in sick days and lost productivity. By investing in a comprehensive sanitization plan this fall, you are investing in an insurance policy for your productivity.

Don't wait for the first sneeze! Contact Bacahui Services today to discuss our flu-season sanitization protocols and keep your team healthy and working.