For many, the new normality over these past months has been adapting, very quickly, to working from home over an extended period.

For many others this ‘normality’ has seen them being placed on the government job retention scheme. And for some, continuing to work in their normal environment has had to dramatically change.

But as Government restrictions are easing, thousands of businesses are being urged to return to the workplace if it is possible to do so. While it is restricted mostly to manufacturing and retail at present, office workers may soon be returning to their usual work environment and must prepare for the eventuality.

So, how can you prepare?

Here are some of DPI’s top office hygiene tips and preparation guidelines, helping to get your business back to business.

Improved Hand Washing

If the Government’s constant reminders weren’t enough, common sense should tell you that hand washing is incredibly important, regardless of whether we’re in the midst of a global pandemic.

Even though 84% of office workers claim to wash their hands after visiting the loo, another study suggests it’s only actually half of that. Now consider the 32% of people who sometimes or always hot-desk and those 49% who eat at their desks – the potential for germs and viral infections to spread is high.

Try to improve hand hygiene by introducing simple initiatives such as reminders near sinks and basins that encourage workers to wash, dry, and sanitise their hands. Consider installing no-touch soap dispensers which help to promote hand hygiene by eliminating the need for contact and – subsequently – the spread of germs.

Hand sanitisers to combat spreading should also be available around the office and will act as reminders to those who ‘forgot’ to wash in the bathrooms to give themselves a clean.

Look into Door Handle Use

Measures are already being put in place to explore the possibility of keeping doors open to reduce the number of surfaces people have to touch.

There are some concerns over the impact this may have on fire safety, security and wellness, so it will be interesting to see how these are tackled, but in the meantime regular door handle cleaning can help limit contamination.

Another office hygiene tip is to investigate antibacterial door handles, which provide a barrier between clean hands and dirty door handles, preventing cross-contamination.

Designate Areas for Eating and Drinking

As lives get busier and days get longer, more and more employees find themselves sitting at their desks to eat their lunch.

Another office hygiene tip to enforce going forward is the prohibition of eating and drinking within the workspace. It can be unhygienic and aids the spread of infection, especially if hand washing is poor.

Designating a specific area for food and drink can be challenging for smaller businesses as office space is already tight, but it is an important investment. It is also important to ensure that these areas are kept as clean as possible, communal areas like these are breeding grounds for bacteria and contamination.

Educate your Employees

Some people are, for lack of a better term – messy – and this no doubt extends to those you work with. So, be sure to inform them of hygiene changes and improvements.

When you’ve set up everything to keep your office clean, take the time to educate your employees, otherwise all that hard work might have been for nothing. Set ground rules for office hygiene, and make sure they adhere to it. It not only keeps them safe, but others too.

It is essential to effectively communicate office hygiene and safety changes to workers in advance so that they can discuss any concerns they may have. Be as flexible as possible and be prepared to make changes based on individual concerns.

Engagement, involvement, and transparency will build confidence and trust and ensure that workers feel safe and secure in returning to the workplace.

And if you need help enforcing the new changes, DPI’s range of partitions can help…

DPI’s Antibacterial Partitioning

In response to the recent workplace changes, DPI has begun to manufacture bespoke partitions.

The partitions can be wall-mounted or free-standing displays, used to inform, warn, segregate and isolate different parts of an environment.

Custom-made to suit any requirement, the partitions are made from sturdy aluminium frames that house a customisable push-fit fabric inside. The fabric can be customised so that any image can be applied, whether it be your branding, hygiene information, or a pretty picture.

Alternatively, a clear, flexible material can be fitted to allow for full visibility during social distancing, perfect for office and factory segregation.

Not only do the partitions help keep employees socially distant, they can also aid in improving office hygiene.

DPI can apply an antibacterial treatment to the printed fabric to prevent the spread of germs, plus both the partition frame and push fabric can be easily cleaned for improved hygiene. Frames and clear fabrics can be wiped down with anti-bacterial cleaning products while printed fabrics can be removed and washed between uses.

Helping You Improve Hygiene and Stick to The Rules

During the Coronavirus epidemic, DPI wants to do its bit to help break the chain of infection.

As a manufacturer of aluminium displays that utilise simple push fit fabrics or graphic images, we can apply our tried and tested manufacturing processes to create bespoke partitioning and portable walls and rooms.

All our products can be fully customised with branding and messaging to clearly communicate instructions or other important information needed and the antibacterial coating helps further protect safety.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our range of bespoke partitioning or need any more office hygiene tips, please get in touch. We’d be more than happy to help.