The Occupational Health and Safety Act has companies on guard to meet the exacting standards that have been laid out by Government. Health and Safety audits are hard work which is why we are working with you to make sure that you pass with flying colours.
Workplace hygiene considerations go beyond mere cleaning and good housekeeping to include aspects such as:
• Excessive heat or cold
• Noise and vibration
• Exposure to gases or radiation
• Poor workplace design or layout.
In addition to these, there must be biological monitoring policies and first aid measures in place to deal with workers exposed to blood, other body fluids or hazardous chemicals.
Hygiene in the workplace also extends to waste management of by-products to ensure that they are handled or disposed of safely.
Personal hygiene is the basic act of cleaning, grooming and caring for our bodies, and plays an important role in emotional as well as physical well-being. In the workplace, good personal hygiene will help to:
• Prevent contamination and infection
• Protect the health and safety of co-workers and clients
• Project a positive image of you and your company.
Most companies now cover these issues in their Employee Handbook in an effort to diffuse potential problems. However, many employers and managers still find it hard to navigate the minefield that comes with personal hygiene issues in the workplace.
It can be difficult to differentiate between what is careless or thoughtless as opposed to just different cultural practice and expectation, or even a legitimate medical issue. Managers should be encouraged to handle conversations around personal hygiene discreetly and with sensitivity. Workers should be encouraged to:
• Bathe or shower regularly
• Wash their hands regularly
• Practise good oral hygiene
• Change their clothes daily
• Use deodorant
We’re your partners in workplace hygiene to ensure that guests and staff at your workplace have access to clean and fresh facilities that reflect well on your company.
