Bugs at Workplace: How To Protect Yourself?

Bugs aren't just the tiny creature that crawls around. They're also the problems and challenges that can mess up how things run smoothly. These bugs can be big and cause major issues for everyone.

Have you ever thought about how often you come into contact with germs each day? Do you find yourself getting sick frequently, like with cold or coughs? Are you noticing more people missing work or coming in sick? All these issues can lead to a drop in productivity. Our bodies are a home for trillions of bacteria, outnumbering our cells. It has led to more companies starting wellness programs to help employees stay healthy and productive.

Dealing with these tiny invaders is essential, not just for your peace of mind but also for maintaining a clean and healthy workspace. Bugs like flies, mosquitoes, and ants can spread germs and make the environment less pleasant for everyone. So, it's essential to understand how to keep them at bay.

Keeping your workspace clean is key. Crumbs and spills can attract bugs, so regularly cleaning up messes and emptying trash cans can help prevent infestations. Sealing off entry points, like gaps around windows and doors, can also stop bugs from getting in. Using screens on windows and doors can let fresh air in while keeping bugs out.

Causes of bugs and flies at the workplace

• Food: Leftover food, crumbs, and spills can attract bugs and flies. Please make sure to store all food correctly and maintain cleanliness in the dining areas by cleaning them regularly.
• Trash: Overflowing trash cans or unsealed bins attract flies. Ensure regular disposal and keep bins closed.
• Plants: Overwatered plants can attract fungus gnats while flowering plants can attract bees and other insects. Properly maintain plants and remove any dead or decaying leaves.
• Moisture: Damp areas such as leaky pipes or standing water can attract bugs. Fix any leaks and ensure that areas prone to dampness are properly ventilated.
• Clutter: Piles of papers or boxes can provide hiding spots for bugs and flies. Keep work areas clean and organized to reduce hiding spots.
• Building Structure: Gaps or cracks in walls, windows, or doors can allow bugs to enter the workplace. Seal any openings to prevent bugs from entering.
• Weather Conditions: Certain weather conditions, such as high humidity or warm temperatures, can increase bug activity. Consider using screens on windows or doors to keep bugs out.

Enumerated below is a list of diseases and the simple measures to avoid them-

Dengue

• Symptoms: High Fever, Headache, Muscle Pain, Vomiting, Skin Rash, etc.
• Prevention: Insect-repellent plants like Citronella can be planted at workplaces or homes. Covering the entire body might be useful too.

Viral fever

• Symptoms: Fever, Dizziness, Chills, Headache, Body Pain, Weakness, etc.
• Prevention: Wash your hands when required, cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing, bandage your cuts, avoid contact with other people’s used products like napkins, don’t pick at wounds, etc.

Stomach infections/Viral gastroenteritis

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, Stomach Cramps, Nausea, Vomiting, Muscle Aches, Headache, Low-Grade Fever.
• Prevention: Drink fluids throughout the day, consume solids and liquids high in potassium like bananas, eat regularly in small quantities, etc.

Cold/cough

• Symptoms: Runny Nose, Sore Throat, Cough, Congestion, Body Aches, Headache, Sneezing, Fever, etc.
• Prevention: Avoid contact with people suffering from an infection, make your space germ-free with disinfectants, use hand sanitizer, eat healthy, sleep well, exercise, etc.

Fungal infections

• Symptoms: Skin changes, Redness, Itching, Peeling Skin, etc.
• Prevention: Keep your skin dry and clean, change your innerwear daily, wash your socks and sneakers regularly, etc.

According to a study, an office lavatory has 49 germs per square inch, and desktops, and phones outnumber the figure multiple times with 21,000 germs per square inch and 25,000 germs per square inch, respectively. Desks, phones, computer keyboards, and mice are leading germ transmission points as people come in contact frequently. According to a report by WebMD, enumerated below is a list of places categorically high with germs.

• Faucet handles
• Microwave door handles
• Keyboards
• Refrigerator door handles
• Vending machine buttons

How the infection is transmitted?

• Coughing and sneezing release germs into the air, which are then inhaled by others. The microbes can remain for up to three days on the surface.
• Our hands are responsible for 80% of the transfer of pathogens by touching contaminated objects and not cleaning up, as required.
• Transmission can occur through skin contact, by coming in touch with someone’s overalls, through direct touch, or by coming in contact with their body fluids, in some form.

How can workplaces curb the transmission effectively?

• Clean your keyboard regularly: Keyboards are high transmission points, and most cleaning companies tend not to mess with gadgets while cleaning. Use an alcohol-based disinfectant periodically to get rid of the germs.
• Watch your face: we happen to touch are face regularly, transporting all the germs acquired to our respiratory and digestive tracts. Cleaning up hands frequently is required as they are the principal transmission points.
• Disinfect the utensils: every workplace has coffee/tea vending machines, and cups served to employees throughout the day. Proper hygiene should be maintained while consuming anything to dodge infections.
• Seal Entry Points: Bugs and flies can enter the workplace through small cracks and openings. Seal gaps around windows, doors, and pipes to prevent them from getting inside. Consider installing screens on windows and doors to keep pests out while allowing ventilation.
• Proper Waste Management: Improper waste management can attract bugs and flies. Ensure that all trash is disposed of and that garbage cans are kept clean and covered. Consider using trash cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent pests from accessing the contents.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Please be mindful of the hygiene of your colleagues and take appropriate measures if necessary.
• Get your office space cleaned up properly every day, with periodic disinfectant cleaning.

Bugs and flies can be a nuisance in the workplace, but with the right approach, you can effectively dodge these unfavorable rendezvous. By maintaining cleanliness, sealing entry points, practicing proper waste management, using natural remedies, and seeking professional help when needed, you can keep your workplace bug-free and conducive to productivity.

Truworth Wellness is committed to implementing a healthy and safe workplace for corporate companies, to let everyone shine with their full potential.