Winter brings a plethora of allergies, not to mention the discomfort people with asthma often experience. We’ll often see people coughing and wheezing around the workplace, alongside experiencing other respiratory issues.
We tend to focus solely on the weather, apart from focusing on curing our ailments, and even though that’s the most sensible approach, we sometimes overlook the factors causing them. For instance, the triggers in our environment, places we visit, or even in our workplace. By understanding these triggers, we’re in a better position to manage our allergies from the get-go. Even though we can’t control the allergens in the places we visit, we can certainly do something about them in the workplace.
By keeping a clean and disinfected workplace, we can minimize transmissions and health problems that may arise from one that isn’t as well taken care of.
Potential Workplace Triggers
There is always more than one trigger in any workplace that might cause asthma or other respiratory allergies among teams. And knowing about them can better help us combat them.
Some common workplace allergens include the following:
- Dust Mites: Dust can be found almost everywhere around us. Desks, chairs, carpets, and even on our machines. Dust will often end up causing wheezes, coughs, and sneezes.
- Pollen: Pollen often ends up inside our workplaces from the outdoors. When doors open as people walk in or out, that’s when pollen can find its way in. We may not realize it, but sometimes we even bring pollen indoors through our clothes and personal belongings, often leading to allergic symptoms.
- Pet Dander: Some people bring their pets to work from time to time, whereas other offices might have a dedicated office pet. In situations like these, pet dander may become an issue.
- Mold: Offices often tend to be poorly ventilated areas, and even with proper ventilation, damp places like washrooms and pantries often become targets of mold and mildew growth. When these fungi release spores, they can often cause breathing difficulty for those with asthma or other allergies.
How Commercial Cleaning Services Can Help
As much as we might feel we have the cleaning department covered, it may not be enough to eradicate all these workplace allergens. The reason for this is simply because cleaning teams are specialized in the area and deploy proper tools and equipment in the cleaning process. Some of these include:
- Thorough Vacuuming & Dusting: With industrial-level vacuum cleaners that are equipped with HEPA filters, commercial cleaners are able to capture even the tiniest dust and pollen particles that regular vacuum cleaners simply cannot.
- Remediating Mold: Commercial cleaning teams, with their experience, are well-aware of places that are or can be prone to any mold growth. By using industrial-level products and specialized cleaning methods, cleaning teams eradicate mold right from the roots, and prevent it from re-growing.
- Carpet Cleaning: Carpets are often tricky to clean thoroughly. And even upon cleaning, some particles may end up being missed. Professional cleaners use steam cleaning to thoroughly clean carpets, thus removing any stubborn particles, and improving overall air quality indoors.
- Duct Cleaning: Air ducts are often prone to accumulating high amounts of dust, and are difficult to reach when it comes to cleaning. If this dust is let to remain in place, it ends up circulating within the entire workplace. Cleaning teams are able to thoroughly clean these ducts, which in turn remove any particles and reduce the chances of any contamination.
- Eco-Friendly Products: Commercial cleaning teams will always use licensed products that are free from harsh chemicals that are not suitable for human contact. These products will not cause breathing irritation or skin reactions.
According to Compass Cleaning Solutions, opting for the services of a commercial cleaning crew will always cost businesses less due to a healthier workplace. With reduced allergen exposure and improved indoor air quality, people in workplaces are not only less prone to falling sick but also more focused and productive in their tasks. Managers can also be assured that the workplace is clean and that the company will save on healthcare costs in the future.
Having a clean workplace is not only a way to ensure the well-being of workers but also keeps businesses from potentially violating safety regulations. With healthier employees, businesses will also notice a reduced rate of absenteeism among teams and even build a much more solid impression when someone drops by for a visit the first time.
