Running a successful business means paying attention to the health and safety of your employees. Each year, a significant number of workdays are lost due to sickness, costing businesses and the overall economy. While the exact number of days lost varies from year to year, the impact is significant.
From small businesses to major corporations, employers know that having healthy employees is essential for success. You can help look after their physical well-being with a simple strategy: reducing germs in the office with UV light disinfection.
In this post, we’ll look at the most common germs found in any given office setting. We’ll also offer a simple, long-term solution for preventing germs from spreading throughout your office environment so that your staff can work safely.
To install an automated disinfection system that will help keep your employees safe from harmful bacteria and viruses, contact us today and get a quote for your office space.
What Germs Are Likely Lurking in Your Office?
The office is a breeding ground for germs, and while they may not always be visible to the naked eye, they are certainly there. Knowing the most common germs found in office spaces can help you take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your colleagues healthy.
Some of the most prevalent culprits include:
Flu viruses are incredibly common in the office setting, particularly during the flu season. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue. Recovery can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on the severity of the illness and the individual’s overall health.
Staphylococcus aureus, often simply referred to as “staph,” is a type of bacteria that can cause a range of illnesses, from minor skin infections to serious conditions like pneumonia and meningitis. Symptoms can vary widely but often include redness, swelling, and pain at the site of infection. Recovery times will depend on the severity of the infection and can range from a few days for minor skin infections to several weeks or even months for more serious conditions.
E. coli is a type of bacteria that is commonly associated with food poisoning but can also be found on office surfaces. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most people recover within 5 to 7 days, but in some cases, E. coli can lead to more serious complications that require longer recovery periods.
Aspergillus is a type of mold that can cause lung infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include cough, fever, chest pain, and breathlessness. Aspergillus infections can be serious and may require several weeks or months of treatment to fully recover.
Candida is a type of yeast that can cause infections in various parts of the body. Most commonly, it causes infections in the mouth and throat. Symptoms can include itching, soreness, and white patches on the inside of the mouth. Most candida infections can be treated successfully within a week or two with antifungal medication, but in severe cases, it may take longer.
Stop the Spread of Germs in Your Office
Offices can be breeding grounds for germs, with countless people sharing the same spaces and surfaces. Once a single person is infected, it’s only a matter of time before others begin to feel the effects. Germs can be spread to many people either through the air or by simple contact.
To prevent the spread of germs by contact, regularly disinfect the workspace to kill pathogens on surfaces, and ensure employees wash their hands frequently.
However, even the most diligent employee can’t avoid contact with germs entirely, as they spread easily through coughing and sneezing. This is the advantage of UV light disinfection. A UV light system suspended from the ceiling targets airborne germs, destroying 99% of them as they float through the air. The UV-C light penetrates the cells of microorganisms and disrupts the structure of their DNA, rendering them inactive and unable to reproduce.
Office Building UV Light Disinfection
After recognizing how many germs and bacteria are currently thriving in your office, it’s clear that UV light disinfection can be a highly effective tool to reduce their spread. Not only will this help provide a healthier work environment for your employees, but also give them peace of mind knowing that you take their health seriously.
Investing in UV light technology makes it easier to conduct business without fear of being exposed to dangerous germs. To learn more about how UV light disinfection can keep your office healthy and safe, contact us for a quote today.