Discussion
Hi
At work we have to hotdesk (i.e sit at a different desk each day) - this is because we don;t have enough desks for each staff member and its based on the idea that some people will be working at home and others will be off work.
We rarely have issues with not enough desks being available but what we do have issues with is cleanliness.
Our cleaners do not clean each individua desk (I don't think ist in their contracts)
This means whenever I use a different desk I have to spend 10 minutes cleaning it every morning. The real issue though is the hygenie side of it
- some keboards will be really dusty because no one has cleaned them for days.
- the telephones will be greasy because of peoples sweat (eugh).
What are your thoughts? Should the employer be doing more or am I whinging?
I should add most people (as in almost no one) cleans their desk each day so most desks are dirty and I imagine all sorts of crap is on the keyboard/phone etc.
Just imagine is swine flu hit, our whole dept would be taken out in a week, lol.
At work we have to hotdesk (i.e sit at a different desk each day) - this is because we don;t have enough desks for each staff member and its based on the idea that some people will be working at home and others will be off work.
We rarely have issues with not enough desks being available but what we do have issues with is cleanliness.
Our cleaners do not clean each individua desk (I don't think ist in their contracts)
This means whenever I use a different desk I have to spend 10 minutes cleaning it every morning. The real issue though is the hygenie side of it
- some keboards will be really dusty because no one has cleaned them for days.
- the telephones will be greasy because of peoples sweat (eugh).
What are your thoughts? Should the employer be doing more or am I whinging?
I should add most people (as in almost no one) cleans their desk each day so most desks are dirty and I imagine all sorts of crap is on the keyboard/phone etc.
Just imagine is swine flu hit, our whole dept would be taken out in a week, lol.
We do have work mobiles but they wouldnt take kindly to me making expensive phone calls when I could be using a landline!
WRT to cleaning, we have 1 guy in each night to clean the office and all he has time to do is vacuum, replace bin bags and clean the toilets/kitchen.
To clean every desk would probably require a hefty outlay and they won't do that!
WRT to cleaning, we have 1 guy in each night to clean the office and all he has time to do is vacuum, replace bin bags and clean the toilets/kitchen.
To clean every desk would probably require a hefty outlay and they won't do that!
said:
Researchers Find Average Desk Harbors 400 Times More Bacteria Than Average Toilet Seat
OAKLAND, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/15/2002 -- Working late again? You’re not alone, according to a new study by University of Arizona germ guru Dr. Charles Gerba. You have plenty of bacteria keeping you company.
The study, the first of its kind to measure normal bacterial levels inside offices across America, found paper isn’t all that’s piling up on desks. In fact, the average desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.
“For bacteria, a desk is really the laptop of luxury,” said Gerba. “They can feast all day from breakfast to lunch and even dinner.” Gerba and his researchers found that unless desks were wiped clean with a disinfectant during the day, bacteria levels climbed higher and higher, peaking after lunch.
Office Rankings
The study, funded by a grant from The Clorox Company, found that surfaces in personal work areas such as offices and cubes, had higher bacteria levels than surfaces in common areas. Telephones came in as the #1 home for office germs, followed by desks, water fountain handles, microwave door handles and computer keyboards.
Surprisingly, toilet seats consistently had the lowest bacteria levels of the 12 surfaces tested in the study.
“We don’t think twice about eating at our desks, even though the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen table and 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet,” Gerba said. “Without cleaning, a small area on your desk or phone can sustain millions of bacteria that could potentially cause illness.”
With more people spending more time at their desks – the average workweek has increased to 47.1 hours according to the Families and Work Institute – bacteria are finding plenty to snack on.
Study Highlights
For the study, Gerba and his team separated office workers into two groups. One group used disinfecting wipes to clean their desks, phones and computers; the other did not. Within two days, the wipes users were found to have a 99.9 percent reduction in bacteria levels.
The study team evaluated a variety of office locations, environments and surfaces. Study sites included private offices, cubicles and common work areas in offices located in New York, San Francisco, Tucson and Tampa. A total of 7,000 samples were collected nationwide and analyzed at the University of Arizona laboratories.
I'd bring your own keyboard, mouse and phone..OAKLAND, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/15/2002 -- Working late again? You’re not alone, according to a new study by University of Arizona germ guru Dr. Charles Gerba. You have plenty of bacteria keeping you company.
The study, the first of its kind to measure normal bacterial levels inside offices across America, found paper isn’t all that’s piling up on desks. In fact, the average desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.
“For bacteria, a desk is really the laptop of luxury,” said Gerba. “They can feast all day from breakfast to lunch and even dinner.” Gerba and his researchers found that unless desks were wiped clean with a disinfectant during the day, bacteria levels climbed higher and higher, peaking after lunch.
Office Rankings
The study, funded by a grant from The Clorox Company, found that surfaces in personal work areas such as offices and cubes, had higher bacteria levels than surfaces in common areas. Telephones came in as the #1 home for office germs, followed by desks, water fountain handles, microwave door handles and computer keyboards.
Surprisingly, toilet seats consistently had the lowest bacteria levels of the 12 surfaces tested in the study.
“We don’t think twice about eating at our desks, even though the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen table and 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet,” Gerba said. “Without cleaning, a small area on your desk or phone can sustain millions of bacteria that could potentially cause illness.”
With more people spending more time at their desks – the average workweek has increased to 47.1 hours according to the Families and Work Institute – bacteria are finding plenty to snack on.
Study Highlights
For the study, Gerba and his team separated office workers into two groups. One group used disinfecting wipes to clean their desks, phones and computers; the other did not. Within two days, the wipes users were found to have a 99.9 percent reduction in bacteria levels.
The study team evaluated a variety of office locations, environments and surfaces. Study sites included private offices, cubicles and common work areas in offices located in New York, San Francisco, Tucson and Tampa. A total of 7,000 samples were collected nationwide and analyzed at the University of Arizona laboratories.
When we hotdesked, we had a headset given to each of us which was our own. Yes you looked like a prick, but it was surprisingly convenient, plus you could block out the sounds of the office around you properly.
In this day and age employers can't and should not be f
king around with peoples health and comfort. Just raise it with your supervisor, if the company has a OH&S policy he/she will (must) send it up the chain. It might be that nobody is aware there is some sort of issue and you might be the first person to mention it and everyone will be issued with a keyboard and headset. Easy.
king around with peoples health and comfort. Just raise it with your supervisor, if the company has a OH&S policy he/she will (must) send it up the chain. It might be that nobody is aware there is some sort of issue and you might be the first person to mention it and everyone will be issued with a keyboard and headset. Easy. Mojooo said:
ffs, i'll be getting a kb and mouse then!
dunno if i will be able to get a phone that works with out system
Actually, you'd probably be able to. You'll just be shocked at what the retail cost is. Plus, it won't be maintained by the company, which will be a complete ballsache for you. Just get yourself a headset and a box of wipes to give the phone some semblance of hygiene before you touch it.dunno if i will be able to get a phone that works with out system
. To wipe a desk takes less than 10seconds.
With regards to Bacteria. I am not too bothered about the bacteria because I cannot see it and I don;t fear they will kill me - but it IS an issue in the long run.
I am more concerned about all the crap that I can literally see there on the keyboard everyday.
The phones as well, seriously this one time I put the phone to my ear and then I reaslised my hands were greasy because of all the filth on the phone.
I am more concerned about all the crap that I can literally see there on the keyboard everyday.
The phones as well, seriously this one time I put the phone to my ear and then I reaslised my hands were greasy because of all the filth on the phone.
Mojooo said:
With regards to Bacteria. I am not too bothered about the bacteria because I cannot see it and I don;t fear they will kill me - but it IS an issue in the long run.
I am more concerned about all the crap that I can literally see there on the keyboard everyday.
The phones as well, seriously this one time I put the phone to my ear and then I reaslised my hands were greasy because of all the filth on the phone.
OH NOES! Just give it a wipe with some antibacterial wipe thing. Ask the company for a stash of them if it's that bad.I am more concerned about all the crap that I can literally see there on the keyboard everyday.
The phones as well, seriously this one time I put the phone to my ear and then I reaslised my hands were greasy because of all the filth on the phone.
Chemical decontamination procedures should be initiated at once while the
cabinet continues to operate to prevent escape of contaminants from the
desk.
a. Spray or wipe walls, work surfaces, and equipment with a solution of
decontaminant which is appropriate for the agent involved. Examples of
appropriate decontaminants for use in biological safety cabinets include
iodophors or 70% alcohol when working with human blood and body
fluids. A 10% bleach solution can be used but stronger bleach solutions
will corrode the stainless steel work surfaces if left on longer than 30
minutes. Since the gloves the operator is wearing are not punctureresistant, additional care is necessary if the spill involves broken glass or
other sharp material.
b. Flood the top work surface tray, and if a Class II biological safety
desk, the drain pans and catch basins below the work surface, with a
decontaminant and allow to stand 10-15 minutes. The contact time
should be extended to 30 minutes for large spill or spill containing large
amounts of proteinaceous material.
c. Remove excess decontaminant from the tray by wiping with a sponge or
cloth soaked in a decontaminant. For Class II biological safety desks,
rain the tray into the catch basin below the work surface, lift out tray
and removable front intake grille, and wipe off top and bottom
(underside) surfaces with a sponge or cloth soaked in a decontaminant.
Then replace in position and drain decontaminant from cabinet base into
appropriate container and autoclave according to standard procedures.
Gloves, cloth or sponge should be discarded in an autoclave pan and
autoclaved.
cabinet continues to operate to prevent escape of contaminants from the
desk.
a. Spray or wipe walls, work surfaces, and equipment with a solution of
decontaminant which is appropriate for the agent involved. Examples of
appropriate decontaminants for use in biological safety cabinets include
iodophors or 70% alcohol when working with human blood and body
fluids. A 10% bleach solution can be used but stronger bleach solutions
will corrode the stainless steel work surfaces if left on longer than 30
minutes. Since the gloves the operator is wearing are not punctureresistant, additional care is necessary if the spill involves broken glass or
other sharp material.
b. Flood the top work surface tray, and if a Class II biological safety
desk, the drain pans and catch basins below the work surface, with a
decontaminant and allow to stand 10-15 minutes. The contact time
should be extended to 30 minutes for large spill or spill containing large
amounts of proteinaceous material.
c. Remove excess decontaminant from the tray by wiping with a sponge or
cloth soaked in a decontaminant. For Class II biological safety desks,
rain the tray into the catch basin below the work surface, lift out tray
and removable front intake grille, and wipe off top and bottom
(underside) surfaces with a sponge or cloth soaked in a decontaminant.
Then replace in position and drain decontaminant from cabinet base into
appropriate container and autoclave according to standard procedures.
Gloves, cloth or sponge should be discarded in an autoclave pan and
autoclaved.
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