Breakroom cleanliness: Why your office kitchen might be making employees sick

Office breakrooms serve as central areas where employees get drinks, heat their meals, and take brief breaks. The space functions as both a communal gathering point and an essential part of the day-to-day work experience. But what if this central area is secretly jeopardising employee health? 

Even though cleaning services operate regularly, the office kitchen persists as one of the workplace’s dirtiest areas. Shared spaces become breeding grounds for bacteria because people neglect to clean up spills and maintain proper hygiene standards.  

Why maintaining hygiene is key

A single surface has the potential to cause widespread contamination throughout an office. Bacteria hotspots in shared office spaces, such as breakrooms and kitchens, harbour high germ counts. Why? The reasons are simple:
 

• Numerous hands touch common surfaces each day in these spaces.
• People handle and store food for consumption while neglecting proper hygiene measures in most instances.
• Cleaning responsibilities may be ambiguous or inconsistent
• Microwaves, fridges and coffee machines seldom receive thorough regular cleaning 

Improper maintenance poses health threats by facilitating the transmission of foodborne diseases and viruses, like colds and flu, through cross-contamination. 

Hidden risks in office kitchens

The cleanliness of surfaces can be deceiving, and here are five often overlooked hygiene risks that may be causing illness among your team. 

1. Microwave handles and buttons

Staff room microwave ovens stand out as the most utilised appliances while also being some of the dirtiest items in the space. Numerous individuals use the handle and keypad each day without disinfecting their hands beforehand. The inside of microwaves can remain dirty for several days, which results in ideal conditions for bacterial and mould growth. 

Fix: Use a disinfectant to clean the microwave’s handle, buttons, and interior daily. Distribute cleaning tasks among employees or contract a professional cleaning business that covers appliance maintenance in their services.  

2. Fridge doors and forgotten leftovers

Shared fridges typically turn into storage areas for neglected food items. Leaking packages, expired dairy, and mouldy containers produce strong odours when they contaminate shelf surfaces. Handles are also high-touch points rarely sanitised. 

Fix: Carry out weekly inspections of your fridge to dispose of outdated food items and clean the shelves. Store items in labelled containers while maintaining regular disinfection of the fridge handle. 

3. Sink areas and dish sponges

The sink remains active throughout the day as people rinse dishes, wash their hands, and clean food items there. Sink basins, tap handles, and sponges become bacteria magnets due to casual cleaning practices.  

Fix: Clean sink surfaces daily using antibacterial soap and change dish sponges every week. Your cleaning routine will improve if you start using disposable wipes or brushes that can go through the dishwasher. 

4. Coffee makers and water coolers

Despite their innocent appearance, coffee machines and water dispensers harbour bacteria and mildew within their internal parts and touchpoints when not maintained properly. This becomes more concerning because employees frequently refill their bottles or cups without washing them on a regular basis.