As the world limps back and adjusts to a new normal, there are new processes and systems in place to deal with post-COVID dynamics in shared spaces. With people getting back to work in offices, there is greater focus on workplace hygiene, given that the average workplace has over 40 shared touchpoints.

In this new normal, the workplace needs to ensure employees are safely distanced and there are more considerations on how to reduce shared touchpoints, especially surfaces, which have to be cleaned regularly.

How will your workplace prioritise the safety of employees? Here are a number of procedures and design ideas that management can put in place to reduce touchpoints and increase peace of mind.

Contactless Kitchens

A space that draws a lot of traffic throughout the workday, the workplace kitchen is a particularly vulnerable area when it comes to contamination. Recent research has shown that 75 percent of workplace tap handles tested have high levels of contamination. Keeping this in mind, contactless solutions such as the new HydroTap Touch-Free Wave will be crucial in designing the workplace of the future.

Pure tasting, filtered, boiling, chilled and sparkling water can be obtained with a wave of the hand and zero contact points. Zip HydroTap Touch-Free Wave offers a hygienic solution with filtered water benefiting the health of staff too. HydroTap Touch-Free Wave will be crucial for workplaces in delivering safe, hygienic solutions, without sacrificing convenience.

Contactless Bathrooms

The workplace bathroom is naturally one of the first areas we think of when it comes to creating contactless spaces to ensure better hygiene. Sensors are used to activate the toilet flush, soap and water dispensers and driers. Indeed, these are all helpful ways of reducing touchpoints in the workplace. To further prevent contamination spread from bathroom doors, install hand sanitiser dispensers at the entry and exit points of the bathroom.

Keyless entry

Door handles are one of the most touched points in the workplace; therefore, it is crucial to address this problem. Workplaces can install swinging or automatic doors to reduce contact. They may also utilise keycards or voice activated entries. There is no doubt that this is the way of the future for both convenience and hygiene.

Ditch Hot Desking

Hot desking, or flexible workplace scheduling, was first introduced to increase space efficiencies in offices. However, in the post COVID world where one is trying to reduce contact, it is wise to return to a traditional designated work area. Liberty Sanger, a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn who specialises in workplace injuries, told ABC Radio National's Life Matters: "Hot-desking is out. It's just going to be too hard to make sure that you've got a clean environment where the infection has been removed.” Each individual having their own space is the most practical way of reducing shared touchpoints.

A workplace with less touch points will give staff peace of mind that they will be working in the healthiest and safest environment possible. This is invaluable as they prepare to return to work. Invest in touch-free solutions for your workplace now.

Experience the Zip Difference today with Zip HydroTap Touch Free Wave and take the next step to a safer workplace.

References:

news.com.au May 6, 2020. Coronavirus Australia: No more hot-desking or office cookie jar as companies shift to ‘COVID-safe’ workplaces.

Zanda Architectural Hardware. March 7, 2019. The door handle is the most touched thing in your home.

Public, R. for Global Sign Internet Group. February 8, 2019. Totally Green Reasons to Go Paperless in 2019.