Prevent Spread Of Infection In Commercial Businesses

Absent workers cost the U.S. economy $227 billion each year in lost productivity, according to the Integrated Benefits Institute, and a failure to address high-touch surfaces or clean at appropriate frequencies can exacerbate the issue significantly for any individual office.

For example, in a study conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of environmental science at The University of Arizona, a bacterial test-virus was placed on the push plate of a lobby door office with 80 people. Within four hours, the virus was detected on half of the workers' hands and 56 percent of the building surfaces. After implementing hand sanitizers, stocking soap dispensers and cleaning/disinfecting high-touch surfaces, however, only 10 percent of workers had the virus on their hands and only 9 percent of surfaces were contaminated within four hours.

• $1,685: The average loss in productivity per employee, annually, for missed work.
• $280: The estimated cost incurred by a business anytime an employee gets a cold, according to Dr. Charles Gerba.
• 73 percent of employees who reported getting an illness after a coworker went to work sick.
• 80 to 90 percent: The reduced spread of contagious viruses after proper cleaning is conducted in an office.
• 400: The average workplace desk can get up to 400 times dirtier than the typical toilet seat.
• 60: The percentage of employees who eat at their workplace desk.