June 10, 2020
How Disinfectant Fogging Machines Can Improve Hygiene
Workplace hygiene is always important, but especially so during a pandemic!
According to medical experts COVID-19 is very contagious. People can acquire it from the coughs and sneezes of an infected person, or by touching their face after having touched contaminated surfaces.
Keeping your workplace clean and hygienic is therefore a top priority, as it reduces the risk of the virus spreading. To make this happen, employers should develop strong infection control policies and provide hygienic facilities. Equipment such as disinfectant fogging machines can help make this easier.
Here’s what employers need to do to sanitise workplaces, and how these machines work.
Workplace hygiene and sanitising measures
Creating a hygienic place of business requires providing adequate facilities. This includes running water, soap, paper towel, tissues, sanitiser and rubbish bins.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting are also essential. Both measures are needed together, because while cleaning with water and detergent removes germs, disinfecting goes one step further in killing them.
SafeWork recommends the following measures:
- Clean the workplace at least daily, and between shifts if you run them.
- Disinfect surfaces after they have been cleaned. Use industrial-grade disinfectants for this, such as a 1000ppm bleach solution.
- Leave the disinfectant in place long enough to take effect. This should be at least ten minutes.
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces touched by customers or visitors.
Using disinfectant fogging machines
Sanitising practices require a lot of vigilance and work, and can be made easier by using disinfectant equipment.
High-quality industrial fogging and misting sanitisers can make disinfecting workplaces much quicker, more efficient and more effective.
These machines spray minute biocide particles that can reach areas that could be difficult to disinfect manually. The fine particles also remain suspended long enough to kill airborne pathogens.
A disinfectant fogging machine such as the Fanmaster ULV Fogger Sanitiser can also be used for other purposes if required – such as when applying insecticides and fungicides.
Direction for employees and visitors
According to SafeWork guidance, in addition to sanitising workplaces, employers should direct workers to:
- Wash and thoroughly dry hands regularly, such as after visiting the bathroom and coughing or sneezing.
- Sneeze or cough into their elbow, or into a tissue (discarded afterwards).
- Avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands.
- Use a 70%-alcohol hand sanitiser where hand-washing is difficult.
SafeWork recommends putting up reminders for workers, such as signage or posters.
Business owners and employers should also provide hand sanitiser or hand-washing facilities for visitors and customers to use where appropriate.
For more information or to discuss the use of disinfectant fogging machines for your workplace, please get in touch with our team.