Fight the flu this season with hot desk hygiene

As the weather starts to cool and the cold and flu season sets in, it's a timely reminder for both employers and workers to prioritise the importance of workplace hygiene practices, particularly within hot desking and agile work environments.

The flu season in Queensland typically runs from May to October, peaking in August. This period poses a heightened risk of illness transmission, making it essential to adopt preventive measures to safeguard against germs and maintain a healthy workspace.

Not so hot: Hot desk computer mice have 41% higher bacteria levels

A recent study from Initial Washroom Hygiene highlights concerns about the hygiene levels in hot-desking workplaces compared to those with fixed desks. Hot-desking, where employees switch desks daily instead of having assigned workstations, has gained popularity but may contain more bacteria, increasing the risk of cross-contamination and illness spread.

The study involved over 100 employees initially in a fixed-desk setup, then transitioning to hot-desking for four months. Using ATP bioluminescence readers, experts measured bacteria levels on various surfaces across 40 workstations. Results showed that hot-desking offices had on average, 18% higher bacteria levels compared to fixed-desk setups.

Key contributors to this difference were communal computer mice, which had 41% higher bacteria reading in hot-desking environments, and desk surfaces, which showed 32% higher microbial activity in hot-desking offices.

Despite this, less than half of employees in hot-desk offices reported using provided antibacterial wipes to clean their work areas.

What can you do?

Employers and workers can implement a variety of simple yet effective strategies to mitigate the spread of germs and illnesses in hot desking environments. These measures include:

• encouraging individuals to stay home if they are feeling unwell
• promoting the use of personal equipment to minimise device sharing
• regular sanitisation of workspaces using disinfectant wipes or surface cleaners
• maintaining clutter-free workspaces
• practicing good hand hygiene
• encouraging workers to eat in designated places and not at their desks.

Print and hang up the hot desking hygiene factsheet

Download and display the hot desking hygiene factsheet (PDF) in your workplace to promote healthy habits for your workers.

Remember, hot desking hygiene is not just about self-protection, it's about safeguarding everyone around us, especially those who are vulnerable or may have compromised immune systems. By implementing these simple measures, you can ensure a healthier and more productive workplace for all.

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Sources

Winter hot desk hygiene by WorkSafe Queensland, April, 2024.

Hot-desking offices have dirtier desks, says study by European Cleaning Journal, 28th June, 2017.

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