3 Touchless Technologies to Prevent the Spread of Sickness in the Workplace

As a facilities manager, your number-one priority is maintaining the safety and cleanliness of your workplace. Helping to contain to spread of germs is not just the right thing to do, but also impacts overall productivity and profits. According to ISSA, the most common cause of short-term employee absences are illnesses such as the common cold, flu, upset stomach, and headaches. We’ve found 3 technologies to help you prevent the spread of sickness in the workplace.

In addition to customized commercial cleaning, new advancements in cleaning technology help protect workers by utilizing zero-contact methods to minimize bacteria transmission across workspaces.

From touchless hand sanitization stations to improved indoor air quality, it’s never been easier to keep your workplace clean and employees healthy. Here are three technologies on the cutting edge of sustainable workplace cleanliness.

1. Nanotechnology (i.e., bacteria-resistant surface shields)

A big word for a simple concept, nanotechnology is simply the use of invisible material barriers to break down bacteria. One common use of nanotechnology is nano-septic film, which can be placed over hard surfaces such as desks, light switches, countertops, and door handles to minimize bacteria growth.

Activated by light, nano-film inactivates pathogens for up to 90 days by trapping contaminants and neutralizing the spread of fungi and viruses. For companies looking to go green or simply cut down on single-use cleaning products such as disinfectant spray and paper towels, nano-film is a great choice.

Aerosolized disinfectant is another form of nano-technology, and works by completely ‘fogging’, or covering, hard surfaces with bacteria-resistant microparticles. Once the disinfectant dries, it forms an invisible barrier across the surface for up to 90 days. During this time, the rate of surface contamination and germ viability is decreased significantly.

2. Touchless tech

At the beginning of COVID-19, businesses scrambled to provide touchless options to high-contact items such as hand sanitizer pumps, soap dispensers and hand drying stations.

The use of touchless tech has made disinfecting significantly simpler, thanks to motion-activation. By placing an alcohol-based sanitizer at the intersection of high-traffic office areas, facility managers can more efficiently stem infections disease transmission and reduce the rate of employees calling out sick. The addition of touchless technology to these sanitization stations can dramatically reduce a common contact point where germs are spread.

3. Air purification/humidification

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of some pollutants is 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors.

Installing an air purification system can greatly reduce the number of dangerous pollutants, while a portable medical-grade air purifier requires no permanent installation and can still remove up to 99.99% of harmful contaminants.

Another important factor to consider is indoor humidity levels. A 2009 study by the National Academy of Sciences found that increased humidity dramatically reduced the rate of bacteria growth and virus transmission, successfully lowering the risk of workplace illness and number of sick days reported.

By keeping office air moist and well-circulated, facility managers can help employees breathe easy while reducing the spread of airborne pathogens.

The best offense is a good defense

At Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Minnesota, we believe a combination of professional-grade cleaning and daily disinfecting practices give facility managers the best chance at keeping their employees performing in peak health.

We take care of the cleaning so you can focus on managing the other important items that need your attention. Call today to schedule your FREE no-obligation consultation and discover the difference a well-maintained workspace can make.