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The science of hygiene
29th of November 2024 Article by Charlotte Parr
Charlotte Parr of Portfolio explores the impact of buildings on people's health and explains why it's important that we stick to the same hygiene standards that we had during the pandemic - and why a science-led approach is so vital.
As winter approaches, workplaces face a renewed challenge in maintaining hygiene standards amid seasonal surges of colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. These challenges highlight the critical need for robust hygiene practices to keep employees healthy and productive - even more so considering the gradual slide back into pre-pandemic routines of poor hygiene.
Studies show that poor indoor air quality and inadequate cleaning practices can contribute to Sick Building Syndrome. This is when, for no obvious reasons, people working in buildings experience symptoms of discomfort such as headaches, dry throat or sore eyes. Symptoms increase in severity in line with time spent in the building and improve over time or disappear when those people are away from the building.
Sick Building Syndrome can be a major challenge for businesses. Absenteeism due to illness costs billions in lost productivity. Multiple studies have indicated that a healthier indoor environment can lead to a 2 per cent drop in sick leave and a 1.5 per cent drop in overall absenteeism.
Healthy buildings can also improve motivation and morale and contribute to a better workplace experience. Sixty-nine per cent of owners report higher employee satisfaction and engagement following investment in healthy buildings.
But as those standards begin to slip, businesses must avoid slipping into old habits and embrace a more rigorous, science-led approach. This should go beyond surface-level cleaning to implement tailored, measurable strategies that address the realities of workplace hygiene in winter.
The science of hygiene: a data-driven approach to a safe workplace
In winter, surfaces and indoor air quality can harbour pathogens such as cold and flu viruses, which survive longer in cool, damp conditions. This makes workplaces with heavy footfall susceptible to contamination, requiring cleaning programmes that are not only frequent but scientifically informed. Understanding the type, location, and levels of microbial presence on surfaces is essential for tailoring cleaning efforts and avoiding unnecessary exposure for employees and cleaning operatives alike.
Our PRISM programme at Portfolio exemplifies this approach, placing science at the core of its strategy. Through Total Viable Count (TVC) swabbing, it allows facility managers to gather bacterial data across high-contact areas, providing a precise view of where harmful pathogens are most likely to pose a risk. This data is then logged in Portfolio's digital dashboard, where patterns of contamination are analysed, making it easier to schedule cleaning in areas that require the most attention.
Swabbing results are more than just numbers; they provide a crucial insight into workplace health risks, serving as a hygiene marker for microbial contamination levels. By implementing these proactive measures, we can help reduce pathogen levels in winter, tackling the root of contamination rather than merely managing its symptoms. This science-driven approach ensures that cleaning practices are both effective and sustainable, with data supporting each decision.
Measuring for more than just appearance
A science-led cleaning approach goes beyond the visible, acknowledging that a surface's appearance does not equate to its cleanliness. Harmful microorganisms can linger on high-touch surfaces even after routine cleaning, posing risks that are invisible to the naked eye.
TVC swabbing is therefore an essential step to validate cleanliness on a microbiological level. These swabs test for bacteria and potential hazards, building a real-time understanding of contamination levels and ensuring that cleaning is meaningful, not just superficial.
Protecting cleaning operatives
Cleaning operatives serve as the first line of defence against workplace pathogens, handling tasks that directly impact everyone's health. However, they are equally exposed to these risks, especially in environments that may host unseen pathogens. Employers have a duty of care to ensure cleaning operatives have both the tools and support needed to operate safely.
We're exploring how we could cross-reference absenteeism data with hygiene levels to detect correlations between illness rates and specific contamination points. By monitoring these trends, we may be able to pinpoint whether illness spikes correspond with microbial contamination, providing actionable insights to modify cleaning routines or deploy additional protective measures in critical areas.
This real-time analysis supports a safer workplace for both cleaning operatives and other building occupants.
In addition to adapting schedules based on data, PRISM equips cleaning operatives with technology that enhances their efficiency and confidence. High-contact areas with elevated microbial readings can be prioritised, and operatives are empowered to focus on areas that demand the most attention. This data-driven approach not only optimises cleaning effectiveness but also reduces unnecessary exposure to contaminants, reinforcing the importance of safety for those who safeguard the workplace.
Technology in action
Winter's heightened hygiene demands make technology an invaluable asset in ensuring a clean, safe workplace. A digital dashboard consolidates hygiene metrics from across the workplace, offering FMs a comprehensive view of cleaning effectiveness and pathogen presence.
Incorporating automated alerts and QR-coded task logs enables real-time monitoring and response, ensuring cleaning is executed with precision and consistency. QR codes placed in high-contact areas allow operatives to log their tasks, providing transparency and accountability while creating an audit trail for hygiene actions.
As winter brings seasonal spikes in illness, this data provides FMs with the insights needed to adjust cleaning frequency and focus, based on both occupancy trends and microbial data.
Winter offers an opportunity for FMs to demonstrate their commitment to workplace health and safety by reinforcing hygiene protocols. A science-led cleaning programme is not only an effective strategy for winter preparedness but an investment in employee wellbeing, productivity, and organisational resilience. By prioritising evidence-based hygiene measures, FMs can deliver a safer, more hygienic environment and support a healthier, more productive workforce.
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