As cold and flu season approaches, facilities managers across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin are facing a familiar challenge: how to maintain a safe, healthy environment for their employees, clients, and customers. Whether you’re managing a healthcare facility in Schaumburg Illinois, a corporate office in Indianapolis, Indiana or a warehouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the importance of thorough cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting cannot be overstated. OSHA requirements and local state regulations mandate specific conditions are met. The cost of an OSHA infraction can vary from $15,000 per violation to $150,000 for willful or repeated violations. This does not include the intangible costs which include a loss of business reputation and likely profitability decline.
At Bee Line Support, a certified medical-grade cleaning company, we understand that ensuring a safe environment is more than just a routine task—it’s a critical responsibility, especially during cold and flu season. In this guide, we’ll explore why facilities managers should prioritize cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting as part of their comprehensive strategy for maintaining workplace safety.
What’s the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting?
Cleaning removes dirt and dust from surfaces, typically using soap, detergent, and water. Cleaning tasks include vacuuming common areas, sweeping breakrooms, mopping restrooms, dusting window sills and surfaces. Regularly emptying trash bins and recycling containers is another part of routine cleaning services. A good janitorial team will ensure that workspaces are tidy and free from clutter. Interior and exterior window cleaning is another routine service performed by cleaning crews. Streak-free and spotless windows leave a lasting impression on customers and staff and help create a hygienic environment.
Cleaning frequency is recommended in proportion to the size and scale of the facility. In most cases, daily cleaning is recommended. In summary, while cleaning eliminates visible messes it does not necessarily kill the germs that could spread illness.
Sanitizing typically involves using chemical agents and is the process of reducing the number of harmful microorganisms on surfaces that come into frequent contact with people in healthcare settings, offices, warehouses, and public facilities. For example, in a hospital setting this would mean the thorough disinfection of high-touch surfaces such as bed rails, door handles, light switches, and medical equipment to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Restrooms, hallways, and common areas are regularly sanitized to prevent the spread of germs. Waste management, including proper disposal of biohazard and medical waste, is also a key aspect of hospital cleaning services. There are a wide range of sanitizing chemical agents on the market, Bee Line buys all of it’s cleaning solutions from Diversey
Disinfecting is the process of using hospital-grade disinfectants that meet regulatory standards to limit the number of harmful bacteria, viruses and microorganisms to a safe level. Disinfecting differs from regular cleaning, as it goes beyond surface-level dirt, smudge, spots and stain removal and actively destroys pathogens that could pose a health risk, creating a sterile environment. There are specific application processes that must be performed in order to eliminate the germs. Bee Line is a certified medical-grade cleaning company. We hold a Certificate of Mastery in Infection Prevention (CMIP) through the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE). The best way to ensure your facility is compliant with all state and federal regulations is to partner with a professional commercial cleaning company like Bee Line.
Why Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting is Crucial for Facilities Managers
The spread of illnesses such as the common cold, flu, norovirus and other respiratory infections spikes during the colder months. Winter storms are common in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. With that comes freezing temperatures, snow and ice. Winter temperatures can make people more susceptible to illness by weakening the immune system and reducing the body’s ability to fight off infections. Viruses thrive in environments where people are in close proximity, such as hospitals, schools, offices, and sports training facilities. Germs on high-touch areas such as door handles, chair armrests and touchscreens can survive on surfaces for hours or even days.
Facility managers must be proactive in limiting the spread of germs to keep staff and visitors healthy. This is especially critical in healthcare settings like Fort Wayne, Indiana hospitals and Oak Creek, Wisconsin surgical centers, where patients are particularly vulnerable to infections.
Protecting Your Academic Institutions and Minimizing Absenteeism
One of the biggest challenges during cold and flu season for schools and businesses is managing student and staff absenteeism. When germs spread into environments like an elementary school in Fort Wayne, Indiana the results are an increase in sick days, reduced productivity, and even temporary shutdowns.
In corporate settings, banks, and financial institutions, cleanliness is more than just a matter of health—it’s a matter of perception. A clean, sanitized, and disinfected environment reflects professionalism and instills confidence in clients and visitors. During cold and flu season, visibly clean facilities are especially important, as people are more aware of hygiene and health concerns. A well-maintained office can reassure employees and visitors that their well-being is a top priority, contributing to a positive work environment and enhancing your company’s reputation.
Facilities that maintain rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols are better equipped to reduce the spread of germs, keeping employees healthy and on the job. In high-risk environments, like cleanrooms in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin or cold storage facilities in Elgin, Illinois even a minor lapse in hygiene can result in contamination or compromised products.
Best Practices for Facility Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
Facility managers should adopt a systematic approach to cleaning, ensuring all areas of the facility are regularly addressed and that proper products and techniques are used. Facility managers can setup a system that monitors the cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting of specific areas in the facility. Cleaning logs are a good tool to record regular cleaning visits and maintain as a compliance record.
Use the Right Cleaning Products
It’s important to choose cleaning and disinfecting products that are appropriate for the surfaces and situations within your facility. Not every product is suited for all environments, and some may pose risks if not used correctly. Many facility cleaners and commercial cleaning janitors are not trained in the proper cleaning techniques or chemical usage for their specific situations. The results can be surfaces cleaned with the wrong or incorrect amount of chemical or improper application of the chemical. The facility can be charged for these supply overages due to improper cleaning techniques. The primary concerns for not using the right cleaning products is increased compliance risk with state and federal regulations. Working with a professional cleaning company will eliminate all of these concerns.
Establish a Cleaning Schedule for Your Facility
A consistent cleaning schedule is the backbone of any facility maintenance plan. Regular cleaning ensures that high-traffic areas remain sanitary and helps prevent the spread of germs. In cities like Indianapolis, where large distribution centers, warehousers, and commercial factories see thousands of workers each day, keeping up with frequent cleaning and disinfection is crucial. Without a strict cleaning regimen, disposing of old food, disinfecting of door handles and sanitizing the building’s common areas could quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, leading to illness outbreaks among employees and visitors.
Bee Line Support tailors a cleaning schedule that ensures you are not overpaying for excessive cleaning while blanketing your facility with the right level of compliance cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting.
Properly Train Your Cleaning Staff
Cleaning teams need to be well-versed in how to properly clean, sanitize and disinfect surfaces. Improper sanitization could lead to dangerous outbreaks. If the cleaning staff at a Chicago sports training facility isn’t trained in the correct use of disinfectants, they might miss high-touch areas such as exercise equipment, sink knobs and toilet handles. This could lead to serious illness outbreaks such as the flu and even COVID-19 that could jeopardize the entire team’s success.
Bee Line Support created a first of its kind Medical Training Center. All of our janitorial staff receive instructional training from certified instructors on medical grade cleaning techniques, chemicals, compliance and more. The result is medical grade clean you can trust keeping everybody healthy and your business profitable.
Save Money with Bee Line Support’s Medical-Grade Cleaning Services
Given the complexity and risks involved in managing a facility’s cleaning and sanitation needs, partnering with a professional cleaning company like Bee Line Support can provide peace of mind and financial benefits.
- Cost Efficiency: By outsourcing cleaning services, facilities can avoid the costs associated with hiring, training, and managing in-house cleaning staff. Bee Line Support’s expert team can handle the job efficiently, allowing you to focus on your core business operations.
- Compliance: Bee Line Support is well-versed in OSHA, CDC, and EPA regulations, ensuring that your facility meets all legal requirements, minimizing the risk of costly fines or shutdowns.
- High Quality Cleaning Products: Bee Line Support uses state-of-the-art cleaning equipment, including high quality hospital grade disinfectants from Diversey, to thoroughly clean and disinfect spaces in high-traffic or high-risk environments, providing a higher standard of cleanliness than traditional methods.
Why Choose Bee Line Support for Your Facility's Cleaning Needs?
Maintaining a clean, sanitized, and disinfected facility is crucial not only for the health and safety of building occupants but also for the long-term success of your business. By following best practices and partnering with a certified cleaning service like Bee Line Support, facility managers across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana can ensure compliance, reduce risk, and save time and money.
Learn more how Bee Line Support can help your facility maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and safety by calling 312-BEE-LINE or ‘Get a Quote’.
About The Author
Tom Klimaszewski
author
Tom is your go-to-guy for any health and safety concerns on-site! Tom has lots of experience as a Safety and Compliance Manager in commercial cleaning, healthcare, office, airport settings, with his education in Environmental Studies. He has earned his Certificate Mastery in Infection Prevention (CMIP) and Trainer for Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician (T-CSCT), so to say he’s knowledgeable would be an understatement. When he’s not combatting germs, you can find Tom painting, writing songs, hiking, fishing, and belting out his favorite tunes at karaoke! His favorite part of working with Bee Line is the collaborative and supportive environment.