The average office is teeming with all kinds of bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye. These bacteria often live in specific spaces: what those of us in the office cleaning industry refer to as germ hotspots. Typically, these hotspots are either high-touch spaces or areas with environmental conditions perfect for bacterial growth.
The result? Your average office is filled with more than 500 different species of bacteria, with many of them hanging out in your office kitchen, your bathrooms, or your desktop. Some of these bacteria are more common and more harmful than others, and it’s important to partner with an office cleaning company that can tackle the worst bacterial problems in your workplace.
Below, the office cleaning experts at JAN-PRO® list six of the most common and dangerous bacteria found in the modern workplace, along with what you can do to deal with them:
Escherichia Coli
Coli is one of the most common bacteria for cases of food poisoning, so it is often found in your office kitchen or bathroom. Poor employee hygiene or unprofessional office cleaning can easily see it spread to other areas.
Staphylococcus Aureus
Aureus can be a major risk for infection in the modern office. It is spread by breathing and by touch, so it’s most commonly found on places like door handles, computer keyboards, and phone receivers.
Actinomycetales
Workers with weak immune systems are at high risk of Actinomycetales. These bacteria normally live in soil or water, but they are one of the easiest bacteria to spread in the workplace.
Salmonella
Another common culprit in cases of food poisoning, Salmonella is found at varying levels in most office kitchens, harbored in areas like cleaning sponges, the kitchen sink, or fridge handles.
Helicobacter Pylori
The effects of H. pylori are less severe than other types of bacteria, triggering stomach pains and gastritis. H. pylori is found in the stomachs of half the world’s population, so there’s a strong chance a member of your staff is a carrier.
Clostridium Difficile
Normally found in soil or the digestive tracts of humans and animals, C. diff can trigger nasty bouts of food poisoning. Traces are usually spread by bad employee hygiene.
The solution to all of these bacteria? Proper office cleaning and disinfection. Regular use of a full-spectrum disinfection system like EnviroShield® throughout your office will eliminate 99.9999% of bacteria on contact and ensure a safer, healthier workplace.
Contact your local JAN-PRO® office today at 866-355-1064 for a free office cleaning service consultation.