TECHNOLOGY
Don’t get complacent in the post-COVID era
Ken Kershner, Global Commercial Director at Nuvonic, warns us against getting complacent about hygiene post-COVID, and explains the benefits of full facility disinfection across air, water and surfaces.
The world would like to forget COVID-19 and return to normal, like a pandemic never happened. That’s understandable, but we should not overcompensate and forget that bacteria, fungi and viruses of myriad types are still with us, and will continue to cause harm locally and occasionally globally.
For instance, at the time of this writing, there is an emerging scare in England.
Customers of dairy giant Müller, the manufacturer of Cadbury treats, are being asked to return specific products due to potential contamination by listeria bacteria. Consumption of foods tainted with this bacterium can lead to severe stomach illness and even death in some people.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene became a top priority in every aspect of life. As we transition to the post- COVID era, maintaining good hygiene standards should remain a priority, especially at work, where many people are in close contact. One way to do that is by implementing full facility disinfection across air, water and surfaces.
Full facility disinfection means more than scrubbing the toilets and clearing the breakroom fridge. It involves using advanced technologies, such as UV lighting, to disinfect every nook and cranny of a facility. It includes air purification systems that filter out pathogens, water filtration and disinfection systems that ensure the water supply is free from contaminants, and disinfection procedures that eliminate bacteria and viruses on all surfaces.
While many facilities did ramp up their cleaning protocols during the pandemic, it’s essential to avoid getting complacent now and assume that threats have passed. There are still many harmful pathogens that can pose a risk to workers’ health. Full facility disinfection can help to eliminate these risks and promote a healthier environment for everyone.
In addition to its health benefits, full facility disinfection also improves the work environment overall, boosting the mood and attitude of employees and customers. It creates a more welcoming atmosphere for staff and visitors, increasing satisfaction and productivity. Indeed, in a pre-pandemic study by Staples, 94% of workers said they feel more productive in a clean workspace, and 77% said they do higher-quality work in a clean environment.
18 | TOMOROMORROW'S C S CLEANIING RE NG I IRELAND Bad hygiene brings serious
consequences Governments around the world are now in the process of developing cleanliness rules and regulations to protect consumers and employees. However, these are still a work in progress, and until they’re completed, food and beverage companies must take responsibility for ensuring the safety of their products and working environments. This should include disinfection standards.
It’s not only about protecting workers; it’s also about preventing the spread of pathogens to customers through the products workers handle. Viruses and bacteria can easily be picked up from contaminated surfaces and objects, and the infectious agents can then be passed along to customers and cause widespread illness.
The outcomes can be tragic. In one case a decade ago, the Peanut Corporation of America was found to have shipped products contaminated with salmonella that sickened thousands and may have contributed to the death of nine. The company CEO was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison, and his company went under. This is a particularly egregious example, but a health incident of even mild severity can cause severe brand damage to the company responsible.
Rather than simply follow government guidelines, companies should take a proactive approach to protecting public health. They should continue to apply the hygiene practices they learned during COVID for now and long-term. By implementing robust disinfection standards, companies can play their part in promoting a safer and healthier world for everyone – while also protecting their brand.
Disinfection measures ward off
negative publicity Let's first state the obvious: the paramount concern of companies is protecting the health of their customers and workers. Let’s also acknowledge that companies do – and should – devote a lot of effort to protecting their brand reputation, a task that grows more difficult by the year. Customer expectations are now at an all-time high: they are easily disappointed, and when they are, they don’t hesitate to tell the world on social media. When someone opens a loaf of bread and finds green mould inside, a photo of that bread can go viral in minutes. From there, brand damage is sure to follow.
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