Commercial Hygiene: What Offices and Food Businesses Need to Focus On

Maintaining high standards of commercial hygiene is essential for every business — whether you manage a busy office, café, or food processing facility. A clean, safe environment not only protects your staff and customers but also strengthens your reputation and ensures compliance with Australian health and safety regulations.

1. Personal Hygiene

Focus Areas:

• Handwashing: Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after handling shared surfaces or waste.
• Clean Clothing: Ensure all staff wear clean uniforms or clothing daily. In food environments, hair should be tied back and wounds properly covered.
• Hygiene Training: Provide ongoing training to remind staff about proper hygiene and food safety procedures.

Tip: Display handwashing signs and provide hand sanitiser stations around the workplace for easy access.

2. Environmental Cleaning

A hygienic workspace depends on regular and thorough cleaning. Bacteria and viruses can easily spread through high-touch surfaces and shared areas.

Focus Areas:

• High-Touch Surfaces: Regularly disinfect doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards, and countertops.
• Shared Kitchens & Break Rooms: Clean benches, coffee machines, fridges, and microwaves daily.
• Restrooms: Keep restrooms clean, well-stocked, and sanitised throughout the day.

Tips: Implementing a daily cleaning checklist helps ensure no area is overlooked.

3. Food Handling and Preparation (For Food Businesses)

For restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses, hygiene is directly linked to food safety.

Focus Areas:

• Clean Equipment & Surfaces: Use food-grade cleaning and sanitising products after each use.
• Temperature Control: Keep cold foods below 5°C and hot foods above 60°C.
• Zoning: Separate raw and cooked food areas to reduce contamination risk.
• Inspections & Records: Maintain regular inspections and temperature logs for compliance with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

Tip: Schedule deep cleans during quieter periods to ensure every surface and appliance is properly sanitised.

4. Food Storage and Waste Management

Good storage and waste practices are key to maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination.

Focus Areas:

• FIFO System: Use the “First In, First Out” method to ensure older stock is used before new stock.
• Clean Storage Areas: Regularly clean shelves, containers, and refrigeration units.
• Waste Disposal: Use bins with lids, empty them frequently, and sanitise waste areas.
• Pest Prevention: Keep all storage areas clean and inspect regularly to avoid infestations.

Tip: Implement recycling and composting programs to reduce waste and environmental impact.

5. Customer and Staff Areas

Visible cleanliness builds customer confidence. Whether in a café or office, well-maintained spaces create a professional and welcoming atmosphere.

Focus Areas:

• Dining Areas: Wipe tables and chairs after every use and clean floors regularly.
• Office Spaces: Keep desks, meeting rooms, and communal areas tidy and dust-free.

Visible Hygiene Practices: Customers appreciate seeing active cleaning efforts — it builds trust and shows your commitment to hygiene.

6. Regular Cleaning Schedule

Consistency is what separates a clean business from a truly hygienic one. Develop a structured cleaning plan that covers daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.

Example Schedule:

• Daily: Disinfect work areas, clean restrooms, empty bins.
• Weekly: Wipe walls, deep clean fridges, and sanitise storage areas.
• Monthly: Full deep clean, pest control check, and ventilation maintenance.

7. Compliance and Safety Standards

Every business must meet relevant hygiene and safety regulations to operate safely.

• Food Industry: Follow FSANZ and local council food safety requirements.
• Offices and Workplaces: Adhere to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) regulations for cleaning, waste management, and staff wellbeing.

Staying compliant not only prevents fines but also promotes long-term trust and professionalism.

8. Cleaning Storage Room and Chemical Safety

A dedicated and well-organised cleaning storage room is an essential part of maintaining hygiene and safety in commercial premises.

Why Separation Is Important

Cleaning chemicals and equipment should never be stored near food or food-contact surfaces. Chemicals, mops, and dirty cleaning cloths can easily cause cross-contamination if stored near food, utensils, or packaging.

Best Practices for Cleaning Storage Areas

• Separate Room or Enclosed Area:
  Store all cleaning products, tools, and equipment in a designated room or cupboard away from food storage and preparation areas.
• Proper Labelling:
  Label all chemicals clearly with their name, dilution instructions, and hazard warnings. Never remove manufacturer labels.
• Secure Storage:
  Keep cleaning chemicals in locked cupboards or rooms to prevent unauthorised access, especially in food service areas.
• Ventilation:
  Ensure the cleaning storage area has adequate ventilation to prevent fumes from building up.
• Avoid Mixing Chemicals:
  Always store incompatible products separately (for example, acids away from bleach).
• Separate Equipment by Area:
  Use colour-coded mops, cloths, and buckets — for example, red for restrooms, blue for general areas, and green for kitchens — to prevent cross-use.
• Spill Kits and PPE:
  Keep spill kits, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) available for safe handling.

For Food Businesses (FSANZ Guidelines)

According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), all cleaning materials and chemicals must be:

• Stored separately from food and food-contact surfaces
• Clearly identified
• Used in a way that does not contaminate food or equipment

For Office and Commercial Premises

Even in offices, cleaning materials should be kept separate from staff kitchens or food storage areas. This reduces chemical exposure risks and maintains a safer, healthier environment.

Why Commercial Hygiene Matters

Good hygiene goes beyond cleanliness — it ensures safety, productivity, and peace of mind. A hygienic environment:

• Prevents the spread of germs and illness
• Enhances customer satisfaction
• Boosts staff morale and efficiency
• Demonstrates your brand’s professionalism and care

Investing in commercial hygiene services and consistent cleaning routines is one of the most effective ways to protect your business and reputation.

Need Help Maintaining Hygiene in Your Business?

At WHO Inc, we understand the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards in both offices and food industry environments. Whether you need reliable cleaning products, supplies, or guidance on compliance, our team is here to help you create a safe and spotless workplace.

👉 Visit www.whoinc.com.au to explore our range of cleaning and hygiene supplies for commercial kitchens, offices, and hospitality businesses.