Helping Employersemployees Fight Back Against Occupational Asthma

Summer heat is cranking up. That’s bad news
if you’re trying to cut costs via air conditioning use. It’s good news if
you’ve had it with the pesky allergy season. Stratus Building Solutions, the
nation’s leading green commercial
cleaning franchise, was proud to be a powerful resource
and ally for allergy sufferers this spring.

This spring’s pollen tsunami produced blankets
of unsightly residue on cars, pathways and ponds. The affects of pollen
aren’t simply superficial. A paint expert in Richmond says accumulated
pollen on vehicles can lead to lasting damage. Then there’s the
health issues allergy season delivers. The runny noses, the hacking, the watery
eyes and the gut-wrenching sneezing: they’re not just annoying by-products of
nature’s circle of life. Pollen-related health issues are responsible for
millions of hours of lost productivity.

The danger isn’t relegated to outside. Inside,
including in homes and millions of office spaces, is a haven for debilitating
allergies. Americans miss 24.5 million workdays each year due to “occupational
asthma.” Unfortunately, employees are literally becoming allergic
to work. Stratus Building Solutions spent the winter and spring months,
arming facilities — office parks, daycares, retail, gyms, and even medical
clinics — with vital products, information and solutions, to diffuse the
dangers.

A useful Office Allergy Checklist earned
Stratus Building Solutions some prominent coverage on a wide range of
platforms. That includes on ABC15
in Phoenix, the nation’s fifth largest city. Viewers were educated
on the causes of the excruciatingly long allergy season and the steps Stratus
Building Solutions takes to mitigate the misery.

Stratus Building Solutions was also positioned
as allergy experts on Fox
42 in Omaha, NE. Master Franchisor Jim Morrison provided insight
into best practices to rid the workplace of allergens. The toaster oven and
the top and bottom of a microwave are just some of the places Morrison says
get overlooked when getting rid of allergens.

A popular Canadian-based news website,
TechnoStalls, also highlighted Stratus Building Solutions’ powerful
suggestions. Check out Stratus Building Solutions’ Office Allergy checklist
for yourself:

• Stop Sprayin’ and Prayin’ – Ditch the reliance
  on fragrances, disinfectant sprays, chemical cleaners, etc. to mask smells
  and clean spills.  Alkaline and acid cleaners contain dangerous
  chemicals and people are allergic to various scents. Use green, plant-based
  disinfectant wipes and consider a “scent-free” policy to combat these issues.
   And if an employee wears a strong perfume or cologne, it might be time
  to privately ask them to stop.  Strong scents can aggravate allergies
  and make colleagues sick.

• Reward Early Birds and Promote Clean Eating –
  Pollen gets worse later in the day so encourage employees to arrive early.
   Spicy/bold foods trigger more histamines – sending people into allergy
  fits. So, make sure you know about your employees’ food allergies that may
  require your office to have a separate refrigerator or microwave to keep food
  separate. If you bring in lunch,  consider catering with allergy-fighting
  foods, such as fish, walnuts, peppers and strawberries.
    

• Vent Away – Effective filtration is critical
  during allergy season.   Conduct an indoor air quality test to make
  sure air is recirculated so you’re not sucking in outdoor allergens.
    Also, minimize workplace humidity (to less than 50%) and
  frequently clean poorly ventilated areas to protect against
  mold.

• Plan Projects – Don’t compound the pollen
  problem with other projects/items that spark allergic reactions.
    Save office improvement projects requiring painting for the
  holidays when many aren’t working because all types of paint can cause
  allergy issues.   Many folks have latex allergies so eliminate all
  latex from the office, especially rubber latex products such as rubber bands,
  balloons, medical supplies and plastic bottles.  And if possible, during
  allergy season, ask the lawn crews to come as early as possible (when pollen
  isn’t as bad) or late when everyone’s gone home.

• Celebrate a “Dust Your Desk Day” – Throw an
  office cleaning party to eliminate the desk clutter that’s collecting dust
  and allergens.  Check up on cleaning crews to make certain they’re
  tackling your offices dustiest places that rarely get cleaned (keyboards,
  mice/pads, monitors, computer cords/plugs, window blinds, upholstered
  furniture, and cubical partitions)

Stratus Building Solutions are experts in the field of keeping
employees, employers, and of course, office guests safe in the environment
they spend a majority of their time. Summer is here, but that doesn’t mean
bacteria and viruses are taking a break. You need a cleaning service that
knows how to keep your facility safe and healthy no matter the
circumstance.