How to Support Employee Health From the Ground Up. Literally.

In the age of COVID-19, matters of facility hygiene and indoor air quality have taken on an unprecedented importance. It’s no big surprise, then, that we’ve seen many clients increasing their cleaning budgets by nearly a third.

The current climate demands that employee and tenant health remain a top priority for facility managers. Carpet, cubicle, and furniture cleaning are no longer seen as simple, everyday procedures. Rather, building users are scrutinizing cleaning on all levels, from frequency to efficacy.

With the increased responsibility for facility managers, however, comes increased opportunity — to show off how much and how well they care for the health of their building occupants. To take advantage of this opportunity, facility managers must first recognize how they can have a direct, positive influence on the well-being of every building visitor and resident. Specifically, facility managers can have an immediate impact in the following areas:

1. Reducing static and airborne mold and mildew.

Mold spores can do more than damage assets like drywall, carpets, and window treatments. They can also cause respiratory distress in people with certain sensitivities. Consequently, facility managers must frequently check their buildings for any evidence of mold. Additionally, they should avoid choosing cleaning solutions that add too much moisture to the air.

For instance, hot-water carpet cleaning introduces excessive levels of liquid into textile surfaces. If not properly dried, this can turn your building into an attractive breeding ground for mold. To avoid this problem, opt for dry polymer-based carpet cleaning processes. At MilliCare , our dry carpet cleaning reduces the water load necessary by 99.5% compared to traditional hot-water methods.

2. Lessening the likelihood of surface pathogens spread.

While the CDC’s latest guidance notes that the risk of COVID-19 infection from touching a surface is fairly low, cleaning and disinfection continue to play an important role in facility health. Proper cleaning processes are essential in helping protect building occupants from seasonal colds, flu, and other pathogens, especially as people remain concerned about transferring viruses and bacteria through high-touch surfaces. In most cases, thorough cleaning is enough. But when disinfection is needed, choosing an effective disinfectant is essential. But it's also important to consider toxicity levels when making your selection. For instance, MilliCare uses Sporicidin, a hospital-grade disinfectant solution that has very low toxicity levels. Sporicidin is on the EPA list N, which means it’s approved to kill COVID-19. It can be applied to high-touch surfaces, or to your carpet, other flooring, and upholstery after cleaning.

3. Preventing slips and falls.

Did you know that slip-and-fall accidents in workplaces and commercial stores happen frequently? If an employee gets hurt, the result could be a workers’ compensation claim. And if a shopper or visitor takes a tumble due to corporate negligence, the company’s insurance could be hit with a personal injury accusation. Keeping hard floors dry to prevent injury should be a priority for facility managers.

A proper entryway system that limits incoming moisture and slick debris will provide the first line of defense against falls. That way, wet messes will be eliminated in the foyer at the front door rather than make their way to hard indoor floors.

Keeping a pristine building has always been on the agenda for facility managers. In the past year, however, building occupants have become increasingly and understandably concerned about building cleanliness and hygiene. Facility managers can make a positive impression by choosing the best cleaning methods and providers to protect the employees and tenants within their spaces.