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We have all heard that there are more germs on a computer keyboard than on a toilet seat. Often dismissed as an urban legend, this truism was demonstrated as far back as 2008 when British consumer group WHICH? said tests at its London offices showed at least one employee keyboard was five times dirtier than one of the office toilet seats.
The BBC reported at the time that out of the other 32 keyboards swabbed, four were regarded as a potential health hazard and a microbiologist deemed the offending keyboard above to be so dirty it was removed and quarantined.
“Most estimates of the number of germs that commonly live on an office keyboard put the number at well over two million.
This is because the germs that live around our desk are a reflection of the micro-organisms that live within our own bodies,” said Alan Fainman, Managing Director of Bidvest Steiner.
Where does the dirt come from?
“Poor office hygiene such as failing to wash hands regularly is the cause of dirty keyboards and the situation is aggravated by the improper use of wipes by poorly-trained cleaning staff,” Fainman added.
Illustrating the need for properly-trained outsourced health and hygiene professionals, Fainman said cross-contamination resulting from using one wipe for a variety of purposes is a leading cause of illness at work.
“I am convinced that employee absenteeism could be substantially reduced if, in addition to the simple act of handwashing, cleaning staff avoided cleaning surfaces as diverse as keyboards, floors and toilets with the same wipe,” Fainman said.
The humble wipe is probably as old as the first sapling that was used to clean the first cave dwelling. However, today it has evolved into a high-tech cleaning device that should be replaced with a new wipe when it has reached the specified number of uses and that is also colour-coded so cleaning staff know which wipe to use for which surface.
Fainman underscored the need for whistle-blowing to be extended to all areas of corporate life.
“Employees today are required by legislation to report acts of financial irregularity. Because the consequences of poor office hygiene can literally be deadly, employees should also blow the whistle on cleaning practices that threaten their health,” he explained.
Bidvest Steiner advises employees to take an interest in the way their work stations are cleaned and to take note of the wipe being used to wipe down their keyboards and desks.
“If you see the same wipe being used to clean any other surface, immediately report this to your line manager. It would help to mention that the two million germs on your keyboard could very easily hitch a ride to the boss’s office, courtesy of a dirty wipe,” concluded Fainman.
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The BBC reported at the time that out of the other 32 keyboards swabbed, four were regarded as a potential health hazard and a microbiologist deemed the offending keyboard above to be so dirty it was removed and quarantined.
“Most estimates of the number of germs that commonly live on an office keyboard put the number at well over two million.
This is because the germs that live around our desk are a reflection of the micro-organisms that live within our own bodies,” said Alan Fainman, Managing Director of Bidvest Steiner.
Where does the dirt come from?
“Poor office hygiene such as failing to wash hands regularly is the cause of dirty keyboards and the situation is aggravated by the improper use of wipes by poorly-trained cleaning staff,” Fainman added.
Illustrating the need for properly-trained outsourced health and hygiene professionals, Fainman said cross-contamination resulting from using one wipe for a variety of purposes is a leading cause of illness at work.
“I am convinced that employee absenteeism could be substantially reduced if, in addition to the simple act of handwashing, cleaning staff avoided cleaning surfaces as diverse as keyboards, floors and toilets with the same wipe,” Fainman said.
The humble wipe is probably as old as the first sapling that was used to clean the first cave dwelling. However, today it has evolved into a high-tech cleaning device that should be replaced with a new wipe when it has reached the specified number of uses and that is also colour-coded so cleaning staff know which wipe to use for which surface.
Fainman underscored the need for whistle-blowing to be extended to all areas of corporate life.
“Employees today are required by legislation to report acts of financial irregularity. Because the consequences of poor office hygiene can literally be deadly, employees should also blow the whistle on cleaning practices that threaten their health,” he explained.
Bidvest Steiner advises employees to take an interest in the way their work stations are cleaned and to take note of the wipe being used to wipe down their keyboards and desks.
“If you see the same wipe being used to clean any other surface, immediately report this to your line manager. It would help to mention that the two million germs on your keyboard could very easily hitch a ride to the boss’s office, courtesy of a dirty wipe,” concluded Fainman.
Follow Women24 on Twitter.
