The consequences of improper cleaning
Cleaning is much more than making a room look aesthetic and organised. Good health, wellbeing and safety are all dependent on cleaning. There are countless examples of how improper cleaning has caused harm. This includes harm by : food poisoning ; pest infestations; falling on slippery surfaces as well as viral outbreaks due to poor sanitation and disinfection.
Below, we have listed some of the most common hazards caused by poor cleaning. This will help you understand the importance of efficient cleaning and how to prevent such hazards in an effective way.
Food poisoning
This is a major risk in the food industry and can severely impact not only the health of customers and employees but also the business itself. A major case of food poisoning can cause damage to reputation, loss of customers, legal claims and financial loss. Proper storage, sanitation, handling and cleaning in a food environment is essential to prevent ill-health of customers and trouble for your business.
Spread of viruses and bacteria
As you can see in the video below, microbes are spread really easily! This can have many negative impacts though as there is a risk of spreading harmful pathogens such as covid-19, measles, chicken pox and influenza.
Pest infestations
Poor cleaning and storage are 2 things that pests will use to their advantage. Make sure you prevent pest infestations by following simple preventative measures such as: removing waste daily, removing sources of standing water, cleaning vents and gutters, sweeping, storing food in sealed containers and removing clutter from indoor spaces.
Presence of dust and other particulates
Although microscopic in size, their impact on health can be huge! Prolonged exposure to dust and harmful particulates can have negative impacts on the respiratory system – especially for babies and young children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions and heart conditions. Make sure you frequently clean dust from surfaces in the home by dusting, vacuuming and ventilating rooms. If you are often surrounded by dust and particulates when working – including (but not limited to) those who work with spray paints, sanding, mining and construction workers – then make sure your workspace is well ventilated and that you have been provided appropriate PPE.
Many thanks to Mark Rober for creating and sharing the ‘How to see germs spread experiment’ . If you wish to see more of his content click here.