Computer mice are the dirtiest office desk items, carrying more than three times the amount of germs as the average toilet seat.
A study into office hygiene found keyboards were the second grubbiest item ahead of office phones because of the trend for eating “al desk” – at office desks – while continuing to work.
Researchers found the trend was making offices less hygienic and was exposing workers to harmful germs.
Hygiene specialists Initial swabbed 158 items from 40 desks at three offices and compared the results with data from toilets in other buildings.
They found that four in ten desks harboured at least one item with very high levels of bacteria which posed a risk to health.
The results also revealed that average levels of bacteria on male office workers’ desks were more than 40 percent higher than on females’ desks.
April 7th, 2012 at 5:52 am
This should not surprise us, as the custom is washed daily, weekly inter-day or at least the bathroom, but clean and sanitize our keyboards never do. What should make us reflect, then, how many diseases could be avoided if we take into consideration a number of recommendations and initiated a campaign of personal hygiene of utensils and equipment in our offices
April 7th, 2012 at 5:53 am
you are right but how we cant go without computer in present situation where communication needs faster
April 7th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Lots of this can be avoided using common sense and good hygenic pratices.
April 7th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I notice the men had dirtier desk, is it because men are dirtier people or spend more time working
April 7th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
yes..ofcourse..because normally all people take care in process area, especially in food industry i have experience that take maximum care to dispose wastes, different cleaning and sanitation methods in process area..these are not take care in offices..especially the office phones is using so many peoples and having no cleaning procedure…need to be develop for all areas..
April 9th, 2012 at 10:50 am
I disagree. Depend on how you implement HACCP. In my previous assignment, the 5S were implemented which is all about good housekeeping and applicable to all departments. Then followed by GMP which includes again our cafetria, kitchen, and canteen. In this case, almost all office are aware of cGMP as they are also invited in the training. The practices they leanred are applied in thier daily works even at home. I could say that 70 % in offices in Philipines are cleaner compared to production. And they are using sanitizer’s (pocket size) and carry with them.
Here in UAE is different, HACCP focusing mainly Food production/preparation. Other department are not interested in Hygiene Trainings. Therefore, some are not aware what is hygiene.
April 10th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
My desk is not dirty!
April 10th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
very interesting…I hope they’d involve mobile phones in this study.
April 10th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
surprisingly interested information, especially for poor mice
April 11th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Agreed. Let us resolve to change this habit of eating while working, which is even otherwise not good for health.
August 11th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
It totally depends on personal commitment and awareness. For example, The first thing I do in the morning is sanitize my work area using an alcohol based sanitizer that is always in my drawers. This includes, tables, keyboard and mouse. It doesnt matter whether we eat at our office desks or in the canteen. What really matters is taking an initiative to keep our workplace clean and not depending on others.