Complete Workplace Hygiene Policy Template & Standards Guide

All workplace environments need to be hygienic and safe for both employees and visitors. This applies to all businesses, not just workplaces involved in handling food and personal products. A solid workplace hygiene policy template is the best way to ensure employees maintain a clean workplace while meeting OSHA compliance requirements.

Each workplace will require different office cleaning standards. Certain tasks or industries may also create risks which require additional protection than those discussed below. However, below are some key areas all workplaces should consider for their comprehensive workplace hygiene policy.

Why Workplace Hygiene Policy Templates Matter

Hygiene is important in the workplace because it contributes to a healthy workforce. A healthy workforce is happier and more productive. Studies show that every dollar invested in workplace cleanliness saves $3-7 in reduced sick leave, lower healthcare costs, and improved productivity rates. A healthy workplace also means workers take less sick leave, creating a more stable work environment.

According to research from the University of Arizona, the average office desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, highlighting the critical need for proper workplace sanitization guidelines.

Essential Employee Hygiene Requirements

Implementing a comprehensive hygiene policy is the foundation of workplace cleanliness. Provide staff with a written workplace hygiene policy template that clearly outlines your intentions and expectations of a clean workplace. This helps communicate to staff that you take workplace hygiene seriously. This hygiene policy can be communicated through posters, digital reminders, and inclusion in employee handbooks.

Basic Employee Hygiene Requirements Include:

• Regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Using hand sanitizer when handwashing facilities aren’t available
• Covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows
• Staying home when feeling ill
• Maintaining clean work attire and personal grooming standards

Office Cleaning Standards Checklist

Provide Clean Restroom Facilities

It is pivotal for maintaining office cleaning standards to have clean bathrooms. Ensure that bathrooms are well-stocked with antibacterial soap, toilet paper, and hand towels. OSHA requirements mandate that each lavatory must have hot and cold running water (or tepid water), soap dispensers, and proper hand-drying equipment.

Supply Hygiene Materials Throughout the Workplace

Provide items such as disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, and tissues to help your staff maintain clean and hygienic workspaces. Employees are more likely to maintain cleanliness when these supplies are readily available at workstations and common areas.

Implement Regular Professional Cleaning

Make sure your workplace is regularly cleaned by trained professionals. This helps prevent the spread of infection, and a professionally cleaned workplace maintains morale and a sense of professionalism. Consider hiring commercial cleaning services to handle deep cleaning tasks while employees focus on their core responsibilities.

Post-COVID Workplace Sanitization Guidelines

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace sanitization guidelines have evolved significantly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends enhanced cleaning protocols that include:

• Frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces (door handles, elevator buttons, shared equipment)
• Mandatory hand sanitizing stations throughout offices
• Improved air circulation and ventilation systems
• Daily cleaning of keyboards, phones, and workstations
• Enhanced cleaning of common areas like break rooms and conference rooms

These updated protocols ensure your workplace meets current health standards and employee expectations for safety. For comprehensive implementation, consider our post-construction cleaning services for newly renovated offices or deep cleaning services for thorough sanitization.

What Are the Basic Hygiene Standards in a Workplace?

Basic office cleaning standards can be categorized into four essential areas: personal hygiene, work area cleanliness, clean restroom facilities, and hygienic kitchen/break room areas.

Personal Hygiene in the Workplace

Personal hygiene refers to the cleanliness, appearance, and habits of employees. Employee hygiene requirements can be a sensitive issue for business owners, but an official policy helps ease awkwardness as employees understand expectations clearly.

Personal hygiene criteria may include regular showering, appropriate use of deodorant, proper grooming of facial hair, and regular hair washing. Hand washing and use of hand sanitizers have great importance as protection against the spread of workplace illnesses.

Workplace Restroom Hygiene Standards

Provide toilets with hand soap, toilet paper, and hand-drying equipment. Encourage workers to practice proper hygiene after using facilities. Some businesses hire external cleaning services for restroom maintenance. If employees maintain facilities themselves, your workplace hygiene policy should include cleaning frequency details and appropriate cleaning products for floors, toilet bowls, and sinks. Learn more about maintaining proper restroom standards with our residential cleaning services expertise applied to office environments.

Office Kitchen and Break Room Hygiene

As shared environments, kitchens and break rooms are vital areas where good hygiene must be observed. Regular cleaning and maintenance of utensils and equipment is essential in any workplace hygiene policy template.

Focus on high-use areas such as refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and sinks. Establish clear guidelines for food storage, requiring employees to remove leftovers before they spoil. Provide dedicated cleaning supplies and establish accountability systems for maintaining these shared spaces. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides approved disinfectant lists for effective workplace sanitization.

OSHA Workplace Hygiene Compliance Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates specific workplace hygiene standards that all employers must follow. OSHA requires that workplaces be kept “clean to the extent that the nature of the work allows.” Key compliance requirements include:

• Proper waste management and disposal systems
• Adequate drainage in wet work areas
• Clean, dry floors free from hazards
• Sanitary food service facilities where applicable
• Appropriate personal protective equipment when needed

Modern Hygiene Monitoring Solutions

Advanced workplace hygiene now includes innovative technology solutions such as touchless soap and sanitizer dispensers, UV sanitizing systems for common areas, digital monitoring tools that track cleaning schedules, automated air freshening and purification systems, and smart sensors that monitor restroom supply levels.

These technologies help ensure consistent hygiene standards across all facility areas while reducing manual monitoring requirements. For guidance on implementing modern cleaning solutions, consult with professional commercial cleaning services that specialize in advanced hygiene protocols.

Commercial Office Cleaning Checklist

For businesses implementing comprehensive hygiene standards, consider this essential cleaning checklist:

Daily Tasks:

• Empty all trash receptacles
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces
• Clean and restock restrooms
• Sanitize kitchen/break room areas
• Vacuum high-traffic areas

Weekly Tasks:

• Deep clean carpets in common areas
• Sanitize office equipment and electronics
• Clean windows and glass surfaces
• Dust furniture and fixtures

Monthly Tasks:

• Deep clean HVAC vents
• Inspect and clean light fixtures
• Professional carpet cleaning
• Comprehensive restroom deep cleaning

For businesses requiring intensive cleanup after renovations or construction, specialized move-in/move-out cleaning services ensure your workspace meets health standards immediately.

Implementation and Professional Support

Creating an effective workplace hygiene policy requires careful planning and consistent implementation. While employees should maintain basic cleanliness and personal hygiene standards, comprehensive facility cleaning should be handled by trained professionals.

Professional commercial cleaning services can ensure your office meets all hygiene requirements and OSHA compliance standards while your team focuses on core business activities. This approach maximizes both cleanliness effectiveness and employee productivity.

For businesses that prepare food or operate commercial kitchens, additional state and industry-specific regulations may apply beyond these general workplace hygiene guidelines. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides comprehensive food safety guidelines for workplace food service areas.