Workplace cleanliness is nothing to sneeze at.

5 Ways to prevent the spread of infection in any facility.

By and large, society is healthier than ever before. The United States in particular is no longer forced to deal with things like polio, typhus, cholera and other diseases, not only because of advancements in medicine, but also thanks to one big step in our evolution: sanitation.

Simply put, sanitation is the effort to control and maintain the spread of illness, but what are the best ways to help prevent the spread of infection within the confines of a factory, hospital, school or any other facility?

Here are five proven tips that can help:

5. Cleaner Cleaning Equipment

It’s cleaning 101: If you’re using dirty cleaning equipment, are you really cleaning? The answer is: no, not really. Cleaning equipment is on the infection-prevention front line, actually directly touching and collecting the germs that can cause illness. Without a regular washing, your equipment isn’t helping to prevent infection as much as it could. In the end, cleaner cleaning equipment is more effective at helping to prevent sickness in your facility.

Here are a few tips on how to clean your cleaning equipment.

4. Air Filtration

By now, everyone knows that many common (and uncommon) illnesses spread through the air. Pathogens such as bacteria, fungal spores and viruses can go from person to person through the simple act of breathing. Often, a certain degree of sickness in any facility is to be expected, but by installing an effective, efficient air filtration system, the spread of infection can be curbed dramatically.

Air filtration is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of airborne infection.

3. Clean Surfaces

Another necessity when it comes to infection control is the regular cleaning and disinfection of any surface that people or animals touch. Counters, tabletops, doorknobs, walls, floors, the list goes on. Because, when we touch surfaces, we unwittingly leave behind countless bacteria and, potentially, viruses. Obviously, not every surface can be scrubbed down after every person makes contact with it, but a regular surface-cleaning regimen in your cleaning program can help to decrease the spread of infection.

Here are some expert tips on how to prevent the spread of infection through cleaner surfaces.

2. Disinfected Food Areas

It’s almost inevitable. Anywhere food is prepared and/or consumed is bound to get dirty. From the largest kitchens down to the office microwave, there are plenty of ways food particles can get into even the tiniest nooks and crannies. The problem is that food decays, producing bacteria and even attracting unwanted critters, none of which are conducive to infection prevention. But by thoroughly and regularly cleaning any food-preparation area, the spread of infection can be slowed.

If anyone understands the importance of a clean food preparation area, it's the poultry industry.

1. Personal Hygiene

Some of the biggest culprits when it comes to spreading infection in any facility are people. Even the cleanest people carry a significant amount of bacteria, fungi and viruses, and can spread illness to other people without even realizing it. However, through persistent personal hygiene such as routine hand washing, covering our mouths when coughing and sneezing, and regular bathing, we not only help to prevent catching an illness, we’re helping to prevent the spreading illness to others. Basically, clean people make for cleaner, healthier facilities, so make sure your facility promotes personal hygiene as much as possible through signage, brochures or any other type of polite reminder to stay clean.

Kids can be even more likely to spread infection from person to person. Here are some tips on how to keep your kids and yourself healthy.

To find out how Advance can help prevent the spread of infection in your facility, go to AdvanceUS.com.