CSG CLEANING INSIGHTS

Hygiene in the workplace depends on more than handwashing alone. It requires clean washrooms, maintained hygiene equipment, suitable consumables, regular attention to high-touch surfaces and structured cleaning routines across the facility. The importance of regular handwashing and good hygiene habits has received significant attention in recent years, and for good reason. South African health authorities continue to emphasise the role of hand hygiene in preventing disease. The Gauteng Department of Health describes regular hand hygiene as a simple but powerful routine that supports health at home, in the workplace and across the wider community. At CSG Cleaning, our teams see every day how strong hygiene practices help protect customers, visitors, staff and the properties we manage from unnecessary contamination. Hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to break the chain of infection, but it works best when supported by the right facilities, equipment, cleaning routines and workplace culture. For facilities that need a dependable, managed solution, commercial hygiene equipment can help ensure essential washroom equipment remains available, maintained and suited to the needs of the workplace. Why Handwashing Is Still One of the Most Effective Hygiene Practices Workplace hygiene starts with personal hygiene. Washing your hands thoroughly is still one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases easily spread through contaminated hands. Throughout the day, our hands pick up an incredible number of microorganisms (germs) from: Door handles and railings Shared equipment Phones, keyboards and desks Cash, documents and packaging 84.5% of healthcare workers’ mobile phones were found to carry bacterial contamination, highlighting how easily frequently handled devices can contribute to the spread of microorganisms. We also touch our faces far more often than we realise, including our mouths, noses and eyes, which makes them easy entry points for these

The importance of hygiene in schools lies in creating a safe, healthy environment for learners, teachers and support staff. Classrooms are busy, high-contact spaces where desks, shared equipment and common areas are constantly in use, increasing the risk of germs and infections spreading when hygiene is not managed properly. By prioritising cleanliness and implementing structured school hygiene practices, schools can significantly reduce illness, absenteeism and disruption to learning. A structured educational facility cleaning programme can align classroom, restroom and shared-area cleaning with the school timetable, usage patterns and hygiene requirements. Why School Hygiene Matters In learning environments, infections spread rapidly because of: Shared surfaces (desks, keyboards, railings, toys) Frequent close interaction between learners Inconsistent or inadequate cleaning and disinfection routines Without a proper school hygiene programme that focuses on both cleaning and disinfecting, students and staff are exposed to harmful germs every time they touch contaminated surfaces. A consistent, well-planned cleaning and disinfection schedule can: Reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria Lower absenteeism among learners and staff Create a more comfortable, focused learning environment In short, school hygiene is not a “nice-to-have” – it’s a key part of safeguarding the school community. High-Touch Surfaces: An Essential Focus for School Hygiene South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases recommends regularly disinfecting classrooms, desks and high-touch surfaces, while shared items such as toys, books and learning materials should be cleaned daily. In educational environments, some of the most contaminated surfaces typically include: Desks and workstations Keyboards, mice and shared devices Door handles and railings Classroom equipment and toys Taps, flush handles and bathroom surfaces Schools should establish clear, written procedures for: Daily cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces Increased frequency in high-usage areas (bathrooms, staff rooms, computer labs, canteens) Using appropriate cleaning products suited to educational environments Well-designed school hygiene protocols

The importance of hand hygiene in public health lies in its ability to prevent the spread of infections across workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities and public spaces, yet it is still not practised consistently enough. Global initiatives like World Hand Hygiene Day (5 May) exist for a reason: they highlight just how powerful clean hands are in protecting communities. Despite widespread awareness, gaps remain. Many facilities still lack basic hand hygiene infrastructure; others have the equipment but not the culture or habits to support regular use. Bridging this gap is essential if we want to reduce infections and protect employees, customers, patients and visitors. The Importance of Hand Hygiene in Preventing Infections Good hand hygiene in public health is a frontline defence against disease transmission. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), effective hand hygiene can: Reduce diarrhoeal illness by approximately 30% Reduce acute respiratory infections by approximately 17% Help protect people across workplaces, schools, public spaces and other shared environments Hands pick up microorganisms from every surface we touch: door handles, railings, equipment, cash, shared tools and devices. Without proper hygiene, these germs are easily transferred to our faces, food, colleagues and families. An observational study found that participants touched their faces an average of 23 times per hour, with 44% of those touches involving the mouth, nose or eyes. This shows how easily contaminated hands can create a pathway for microorganisms. Simple, consistent practices make a measurable difference: Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds Using alcohol-based hand sanitiser when water is not available Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces alongside hand hygiene When embedded into daily routines, these habits help break chains of transmission in offices, schools, malls, factories and healthcare settings. The Role of Facility Managers and Organisations Facility managers and business leaders are