Keeping your property and workspaces as clean as possible may seem like a minor aesthetic concern. While the cleanliness of your workplace and off-site workspaces may impact public image, there are many additional reasons to keep your property and work areas in pristine condition when possible. In fact, these are some of the many benefits that your business can take advantage of by doing so.
Reduce Workplace Injuries
A dirty work environment can lead to various types of workplace injuries. For example, a dirty floor may be slick and may lead to slip-and-fall accidents. A cluttered construction site that is not cleaned regularly may become infested with rodents carrying diseases or may lead to serious injuries related to the improper or unsafe use of heavy equipment. These are only a few of the many ways that a dirty workplace can lead to injuries that may otherwise be avoidable. Keep in mind that workplace injuries can impact morale and productivity.
Increase Attendance
When your office, retail, restaurant or another similar type of workplace is not cleaned regularly, pathogens may spread more easily. One sick employee or customer may result in widespread illness, such as may be the case with a stomach bug or the flu. While customers who get sick at your business site may develop a bad impression of your company and may no longer buy your products or services, sick employees may be equally problematic. When numerous employees call in sick, productivity may decline. Your ability to fill orders, serve customers properly and complete other essential tasks may be in jeopardy.
Reduce Liability at Sites
You are legally required to provide employees with a safe workplace, and you may be held responsible if you do not take appropriate steps to do so. They may sue you for damages to cover lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and more. You likewise may face liability risks associated with the general public. For example, if you fail to clean the streets and driveways at a construction site regularly with road brooms, construction debris that damages cars or that injures people may present a liability risk.
Because of the importance of having a clean workplace, you should implement cleanliness standards and have a regular cleaning schedule. More than that, your employees should have access to all of the supplies and equipment necessary to thoroughly and efficiently complete their required tasks. You may also outsource cleaning tasks to a third party.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.