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The 5 Dirtiest Areas in the Office
10 July 2020
...and how to take care of them!
Many are aware of the countless germs hiding in bathroom areas - particularly across handles and taps. However, busy shared environments such as office workspaces are also known to harbour germs across various surfaces.
The areas highlighted below are known to be some of the dirtiest areas found in the workplace. By educating staff and building the awareness of these germ hotspots, employees can work together to help create a safer environment.
Keyboards
With employees spending most of their time at their desks, it is unsurprising that a survey by Viking found the bacteria Staphyloccos (which causes Staph Infection) on 60% of desks in one workplace.
Keyboards are at the centre of people talking over them, coughing, and sneezing. The risk of microbiological activity can also become a lot higher if computers are shared amongst various employees.
One way to prevent the growth of germs is to continuously use an alcohol-based sanitiser throughout the day and wiping down a keyboard with an antibacterial wipe at the end of a working day.
If employees often take their lunch break at their desk, encourage them to move keyboards away from them while they eat and immediately take care of any crumbs or spillages.
Lift buttons
Various studies have been conducted on the types of germs found on lift buttons, and often the results show areas of microbiological growth.
Although this growth can be prevented relatively easily by ensuring that strict handwashing procedures are in place, you cannot rely on every lift-user to have good hand hygiene.
Consider getting into the habit of using your (clothes) elbows to press a button, or by using a pen.
Otherwise, make sure to properly wash your hands after pressing a button to prevent the further spread of germs around the office.
Light switches
Similar to lift buttons, light switches are often used by various employees throughout the day, leading to a risk of germ spreading around the workplace.
They can also build up a layer of grease if used often.
Consider wiping down light switches daily, or encouraging employees to use a disinfectant wipe when turning the lights off at the end of the day.
Kitchen sink (and sponge!)
With various staff members sharing a sink to wash cutlery and cups, it is critical to ensure that the area is always kept clean, dry, and tidy.
Sponges are also a germ hotspot and should be replaced weekly to prevent bacteria growth.
Ensure all cups are properly cleaned (not just rinsed!), dried, and stored away, particularly if an employee falls ill.
Door handles
Door handles are prone to harbouring and spreading bacteria due to their constant, shared use throughout the day.
A study by Rentokil Intial found that 1 out of 4 office workers do not wash their hands after using the toilet.
These germs can then be spread onto a germ hotspot such as a handle, and then around the office.
Ensure that door handles are wiped down often with an antibacterial wipe, or left open to avoid use wherever possible.
If you’re worried about the maintenance of your office to prevent the transmission of germs, contact us to book your disinfectant fogging service here. The disinfectant product we use has recently passed EN14476 Standard for Coronavirus which enables for claims for efficacy to be made against all enveloped viruses, including all coronaviruses and SARS-Cov-2.
The coastal region of Northumberland attracts thousands of locals and tourists every year. With miles of coastline and countryside to explore, we've put together some of our favourite Northumberland local food delicacies and where to find them below. MMCS Commercial Cleaning is a cleaning company in the north east. Using environmentally-friendly products, our regular holiday let changeover service in Northumberland involves a thorough clean after the departure of a guest as well as the top up of toiletries. We also provide fresh linen and towelling in our bedmaking service to create a clean, safe and welcoming environment for your next guest. Our carpet cleaning services removes up to 80 per cent of stains and makes your carpets look , feel and smell new again. With a quick drying time, get a hassle-free quote today. Where is Northumberland? Northumberland is a county in North East England that borders Scotland. It is bordered by land on three sides, with the fourth side bordering the North Sea with over 100 kilometres of coastline. Fun fact: Early Grey tea originated in Northumberland Northumberland food: local delicacies and where to find them Berwick cockles Despite its name, a Berwick cockle is a white sweet with red stripes. The original sweets were made in Berwick-upon-Tweed from 1801 to 2010 by the Cowe family. The sweets were originally hard mints then became 'crumbly' mints in recent years. They are still manufactured and can be bought online. Lindisfarne Oysters Lindisfarne Oysters are a famous Northumberland food that can be enjoyed all year round. The oysters start in a hatchery then are transferred to the beds in Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve until they grow to the size of a thumbnail. They can take up to four years to reach this size and are grown in fine mesh bags just off Holy Island. Lindisfarne is also well known for its mead, a locally made drink of honey wine blended with local water, grape juice, herbs and spirits. Said to have links to the mead once made by monks who lived on the island, the wine can be tasted and purchased on the island today. Smoked kippers Smoked kippers are a famous Northumberland food that are still produced traditionally. Alleged to be popular with the Royal Family, L Robson & Sons prepare the dish using recipes that are over a century old while Swallowfish, located in Seahouses, still use the original smokehouses that have smoked herrings since 1843 using traditional oak sawdust without additives or preservatives. Ham and pease pudding stottie A stottie is a flat, round bread loaf that comes from the Geordie word "stot," meaning to bounce, reflecting the bread's texture. Known as the marmite of the north, pease pudding is a savoury spread made of split yellow peas, with water, salt and spices, and often cooked with a bacon or ham joint. Made with locally sourced ingredients, the Big River Bakery in Shieldfield has been voted as having the best ham and pease pudding stottie in the north. While this article focused on Northumberland local food delicacies and where to find them, y ou can find a range of Northumberland trip ideas on our blog.
Northumberland Dark Sky Park has the largest expanse of protected dark skies in the UK. Covering an area of over 500 square miles, 96 per cent of the park has low levels of light pollution and has been awarded Gold Tier status for being the best place to stargaze in the UK. Whether you're a local or passing through the county, experience the star studded skies Northumberland has to offer. Discover our Northumberland Dark Sky Park and top stargazing tips with our guide. MMCS Commercial Cleaning is a cleaning company in the north east. Using environmentally-friendly products, our regular holiday let changeover service in Northumberland involves a thorough clean after the departure of a guest as well as the top up of toiletries. We also provide fresh linen and towelling in our bedmaking service to create a clean, safe and welcoming environment for your next guest. Get in touch to book your service today . Our carpet cleaning service removes up to 80 per cent of stains and makes your carpets look new again. With a low drying time, get in touch for a quote today. Northumberland Dark Sky Park Kielder Observatory Found in the centre of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, Kielder Observatory is open all year round. The venue hosts events all year round for regular stargazers and those who doing it for the first time. In the winter visitors can view galaxies during the dark skies in winter, while summer is the perfect opportunity to spot clusters, shooting stars and the sun's surface. Stonehaugh Astronomy Stonehaugh Astronomy is based in Kielder and hosts events to enjoy the largest protected dark sky in Europe. Led by local astronomer Liam Reed, regular events are held in his observatory and at the nearby Stonehaugh Dark Sky Pavilion. Twice Brewed Inn Located within the Northumberland Dark Sky Park, the Twice Brewed Inn is based next to Hadrian’s Wall and is a popular bed and breakfast destination for astronomers. Guests can enjoy a presentation before heading out for a laser guided tour of the constellations and use large telescopes to spot planets, galaxies and star clusters. The venue benefits from minimal light pollution and allows for thousands of stars to be spotted clearly compared to neighbouring towns and cities. The venue also has an interactive 360 immersive dome that brings the universe to life and showcases 3 shows for children of all ages to enjoy. Stargazing tips Wear plenty of layers to keep warm Give your eyes time to adapt to the darkness by avoiding looking at your phone for at least half an hour Keep an eye out for bright ‘stars’ that don’t twinkle as it’s most likely a planet Check the moon phase before you stargaze as if the moon is full and bright, its brightness will reduce the number of many meteors you can see While this article focused on stargazing in Northumberland you can find more Northumberland trip ideas on our blog.
The coastal region of Northumberland attracts thousands of locals and tourists every year. With miles of coastline and countryside to explore, we've put together some recommended valleys in Northumberland to visit any time of the year. MMCS Commercial Cleaning is a cleaning company in the north east. Using environmentally-friendly products, our regular holiday let changeover service in Northumberland involves a thorough clean after the departure of a guest as well as the top up of toiletries. We also provide fresh linen and towelling in our bedmaking service to create a clean, safe and welcoming environment for your next guest. Our carpet cleaning services removes up to 80 per cent of stains and makes your carpets look , feel and smell new again. With a quick drying time, get a hassle-free quote today. Where is Northumberland? Northumberland is a county in North East England. Bordering Scotland, the county is surrounded by land on three sides, with the fourth side bordering the North Sea with over 100 kilometres of coastline. Fun fact: With 70 castles, Northumberland is the most castled region in England Valleys in Northumberland Ingram valley Nestled within Breamish Valley, Ingram valley is the perfect beauty spot to enjoy the Northumberland countryside with views of the Cheviot Hills, formed over 480 million years ago, in the distance, The river walk is perfect for picnics and the local village of Ingram can be visited at the end of your adventure. The valley is also home to the multi award winning National Park Experience ‘The Ingram Valley Farm Safari’ , making it the perfect day out whatever the weather. Parking is available right by the river at Ingram Bridge car park NE66 4LT. Breamish valley The rolling hills of Breamish Valley make it the perfect scenic setting or a picnic after a long walk. Dotted with prehistoric hillforts, the invigorating hill walk has high, exposed hill tops that a perfect to explore on warmer days. Adventorous walkers can also access the nearby Linhope Spout waterfall, which is just a short walk beyond Hartside. Parking is available at Ingram Bridge car park NE66 4LT. with footpath access to Ingram Church, Café and Exhibition. Allen valleys Known for their biodiversity, The Allen Valleys have large areas of important habitats like upland hay meadows. Perfect for hikers, climbers and walkers, the valleys are filled with grassy hills to explore and rocky ridges to climb while enjoying gorgeous countryside views. Parking is available at the National Trust car park at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge NE47 7BP. While this article focused on valleys in Northumberland, y ou can find more Northumberland trip ideas on our blog.