Dirty desks contributing to winter health warnings
Health & Safety update 07/10/2011
New research has revealed that dirty workplace desks could play
a contributing factor to winter illnesses.
Office supplies company Viking studied 2,000 workers across the
country and found that the germs harboured on messy, dirty desks
were concealing harmful bacteria.
The majority of workers – 56 per cent – reported that at least
one of their colleagues had a 'really messy' desk.
Accountants were found to have the dirtiest desks, with
sixty-four per cent, followed by lawyers with 61 per cent. At the
other end of the spectrum, bankers and estate agents had the
cleanest desks.
Swabs taken from 300 of the dirtiest desks revealed that
bacteria such as bacillus, staphylococcus and micrococcus were
present, all of which can lead to illnesses. Mould was discovered
under the computer keyboard on several desks, which can be a health
risk.
Hygiene expert at Viking and chartered environmental health
practitioner, Dr Lisa Ackerley, said, “This research has shown that
there are some very unhygienic desks right now in the UK, which is
very worrying those who work in open plan offices tend to starting
coming down with illnesses this time of year.
“Keeping equipment such as keyboards, phones and desks as germ
free as possible is even more important during the cold and flu
season,” added Dr Ackerley.
The main cause of the dirty desks was found to be workers eating
and drinking at their desks. Viking revealed that two-thirds of
employees ate lunch at their desks and then failed to clean up
after themselves.
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