Back to Work-Workplace Sanitation during Covid

The staggering decision of global lockdowns and work from home might have been a shock, but people found out ways to be safe and productive, albeit not for long. With teamwork, decision making and planning, feedback, and productivity taking a toll, businesses are looking at how to get back to work safely. They so are the isolated, fed-up work-from-home employees.  

Lindsey's Office Furniture, being a dealer of  Global Furniture, has put together some ideas to clean, sanitize, and disinfect your workplace. Also sharing a chart by the Global Furniture Company on how to specifically disinfectant your products. 

Clean your Workstation:

Clean your electronics, including your computer, keyboard, mouse, and screen, by disconnecting them from the power outlets.  And, no cleaning products should be applied directly to the devices or screens.  Use a microfiber cloth without much dampness, clean your screen; avoid paper towels and or any rough scrubs. Most of the keyboards malfunctioning are the time spent on the computers overeating meals and snacks. Take your keyboards out and gently tap them upside down, and clean with some alcohol wipes. If you don't use a mouse, one less job of cleaning. If you do, use a paper towel and a toothpick to clean your mouse. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean your laptop. If you use headphones, use an alcohol-based disinfectant wipe and clean gently and thoroughly. 

Next comes cleaning your desk and chair following the manufacturer's guide based on the type of material and upholstery they have. 

Now, let's talk about disinfecting and sanitizing:

But what's the difference?

While cleaning removes visible dirt, soil, and debris, disinfecting eliminates bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses. On the other hand, sanitizing reduces the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. It doesn't eliminate them. 

We need to have an effective housekeeping program to clean and sanitize or clean and disinfect the home office furniture. Also to keep in mind is the dwell time of the sanitizing or the disinfectant products. This is the length of time that a sanitizer or disinfectant must contact the surface and remain wet to achieve the product’s advertised kill rate. Dwell times can range from a matter of seconds to more than 10 minutes. 

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for details. The EPA website includes information on dwell times for approved disinfectants/sanitizers and

their applications.

As part of your housekeeping procedure, we suggest applying the “wipe-thrice” method to clean, sanitize/disinfect and rinse.

1. Wipe surfaces with a cleaning agent to clean off dirt

2. Apply your sanitizer/disinfectant (allowing for the recommended

dwell time)

3. Rinse the materials with a damp cloth to maximize their lifespan.

All disinfecting information contained in this document should be treated as guidelines. Always do a spot test before using any chemical on your Global Furniture and follow the product directions from the manufacturer. The same rule of thumb applies to any office furniture. 

Materials found in the Global Furniture or Lindsey's:

This also applies to the type of material you have at your (home)office.

• Laminate is commonly found on desk and table surfaces. It is a man-made product that is stronger, more durable, and easier to care for than real wood or veneer. Products from Global include both high pressure and thermally fused laminate.

• Metal finishes include Aluminum and Chrome and are found on table and chair bases. Chrome is composed of chromium that has been electroplated as a thin layer on a metal surface for its appearance. Aluminum is a non-steel alloy that is light, strong, and durable. It can be coated or polished to a mirror finish. 

• Wood can be found on wood chair frames and on table surfaces as wood veneers. Because it is a natural material, wood veneer has a rich and more varied look. It is less durable than laminate.

• Plastic can be found on chairs, chair bases, and arm caps. This includes glass-filled nylon, self-skinned urethane (SSU), and polypropylene. Thermoplastics such as PET, acrylic, and polycarbonate can be found on desks and wellness screens. All plastics are made from polymers that have been combined to achieve different characteristics.

• Painted surfaces include metal storage, table bases, and panel frames. Paint is applied by powder coat which is then heat-cured, resulting in a final product that is smooth and thick. It is a very durable finish for metal.

• Textiles Global has a large range of commercial and performance textiles, including offerings from our alliance textile programs. Performance textiles are identified by their enhanced cleaning and disinfecting properties and suitable workplace, education, and healthcare settings.

The four types of disinfectants:

 

Here's a chart with detailed information on how to disinfect your office or home office furniture. Also sharing is an appendix on the Application Notes of the disinfectants. 

Lindsey's Office Furniture is just a phone call away if you want to order any of the Global Furniture products or need any advice regarding taking care of your home office furniture. 

  Sources:

https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com/assets/files/resources/brochures/rebooting_workplace/infection_control/200041_Rebooting-InfectionControl_12-E.pdf