Getting Sick at Work? Antibacterial Binders Could Be the Cure

Use antibacterial insert binders to defend your health in the workplace war on disease-causing germs.

Each person in your workplace is host to a large soup can’s worth of bacteria according to Popular Science magazine. That’s about 2kg of potentially illness-causing, disease-spreading bacteria per person. While we would hope that everyone else maintains the same high level of personal hygiene as us, the truth is that standards vary from person to person. All of these people with all of their germs without a guaranteed standard of hygiene, crowded together into your workplace, is a recipe of disease – no wonder you keep getting sick!

It’s a small world

Even clean workplaces are teeming with microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and moulds too small to be seen with the naked eye. Given time and the right conditions, otherwise harmless microorganisms can multiply into a workplace health risk. Because we can’t see it, we aren’t as careful as we should be, and often they go unchecked and uncleaned.

Spread like wildfire

The problem is that these microorganisms lurk around on often-touched surfaces and spread from one person to the next unknowingly. Some surfaces, like kitchen counters, get a lot of attention and are kept relatively clean and bacteria-free. But other surfaces are neglected through unawareness. Research conducted by the University of Buffalo in New York found that two common bacteria that cause strep throat, ear infections and colds can survive on dry surfaces for weeks and even months. One of the researchers, senior author Dr Anders Hakansson, said that "commonly handled objects that are contaminated with these biofilm bacteria could act as reservoirs of bacteria for hours, weeks or months, spreading potential infections to individuals who come into contact with them"!

De-file-ment

You’d be forgiven for not thinking about your filing system when considering workplace hygiene, but as some of the most touched surfaces in your business, your binders could be a source of disease-causing germs. Each time a different person takes out a folder they are inadvertently transferring colonies of bacteria, mould and fungi from their hands to the cover and its contents. If they lay it down on their desk, it’s coming into contact with even more germs. When they’ve finished with that folder, it’s unlikely that they’re giving it a good clean with an antibacterial wipe. Instead, all of the invisible microorganisms it’s come into contact with are travelling back to your filing storage unit or shelf with it, where they can multiply into a pathogenic problem.

Prevention is better than cure

The best way to combat this potential workplace health hazard is proactively. SafeSkin antibacterial insert binders offer a built-in solution so that you don’t have to worry or do anything more. The antimicrobial protection, which is added during the manufacturing process, inhibits the growth of bacteria, mould, fungi, mildew, and even odours and stains, on the binder surface. Because it’s built-in, it’s like the binders do the cleaning for you! Now there’s less chance of germs moving from person to person and surface to surface, reducing the risk of disease in your workplace.

Sick and tired

Your employer has a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for you, with adequate infection control procedures. If these procedures aren’t in place or are lacking, illness can spread quickly, easily and persistently across your workplace. You have too much to do to be getting sick all the time. There’s the inconvenience of either being sick at work or having to take time off, and spreading your sickness to family and friends. And you don’t want to be surrounded by sick people in your workplace, with all the runny noses, red eyes and coughing. Illness is bad for business, with sick leave costing companies more than just money. A sick workplace is less productive, but it is also less attractive to customers and less likely to retain good staff. It’s in the best interests of your business to put measures in place to prevent illness as best as possible.

In a bind

By choosing SafeSkin you’re getting antibacterial protection in a high-quality PVC insert binder. The clear cover on the front, back and spine allows you to insert your customised cover, and the rings snap shut to secure your documents. Sizes range from 25mm to 65mm spine depending on your filing needs. Your documents will be protected and you’ll minimise the spread of germs that could cause illness.

While you’re hard at work, SafeSkin is hard at work protecting you. Order SafeSkin binders now for your workplace.