Today we're going to take a look at the new normal in office design and how floor dividers can help.
We've been in the custom sign industry in Ontario for over 10 years and we'd love to share our expertise with you.
In this post we'll talk about not only why using floor dividers in your office space is important, but we'll also show you the types of floor dividers available. Plus we'll give you some extra tips for keeping your office space healthy. So let's get going.
Learn how floor dividers can help stop the spread of Airborne Pathogens
Office Separation: How Floor Dividers Can Help
The New Reality - The Need to Re-Design
Almost every area of your daily life has been impacted by COVID-19, including office life. Now that more workers are returning to their offices, business owners, institutions, and organizations are having to re-think the use of interior space.
Before the pandemic, the majority of offices favoured an open floor-plan that encouraged collaboration and teamwork. Office furniture often consisted of long tables with plenty of seating where groups could freely gather to meet and brainstorm new ideas. We now understand that these open plans actually facilitate the transmission of the corona virus and need to be re-designed.
As we have learned, COVID-19 is transmitted mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when someone who has the virus coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can travel through the air and land in the mouths or noses of people who are close to them (within about 6 feet) and can be inhaled into the lungs.
Watch How COVID-19 is transmitted through the air
Floor Dividers Can Limit the Spread Of COVID-19
Because COVID-19 spreads easily through the air, it is necessary to design office spaces that limit the spread. One of the most effective ways of protecting people sharing an indoor office space is through the installation of floor dividers. By doing this, individuals are separated and any traveling particles, with the potential to travel from person to person, are contained.
Installing high plexiglass barriers will limit the spread of particles between workers and keep you and your staff safer. Plexiglass floor dividers are a cost-effective and highly adaptable solution to setting up safe spaces for you to work.
Floor dividers are a cost-effective way to keep you and your staff healthy
Advantages of Office Floor Dividers
They Keep You Safe:
Office floor dividers can keep you safe from the spread of airborne pathogens.
They Are Portable:
The great thing about plexiglass floor dividers is that they are not permanent. Unlike a permanent wall, if you need to re-design your office layout, you can easily move them to suit your new space.
They Give the Sense of an Open Space:
Plexiglass floor dividers are see-through, so that you can still get the sense of being together with your co-workers in an open space, even though you are safely separated.
They Are Customizable:
You can order floor dividers in any size you need, including width and height, to suit your particular space.
In addition to floor dividers, you can also attach plexiglass barriers to desks and countertops or even hang them from the ceiling. You can also have your company logo engraved on them.
You can also attach plexiglass barriers to desk and counter tops
Easy to Clean and Disinfect:
Office floor dividers are easy to disinfect and wipe clean to further prevent the spread of germs. They can also be covered with an antimicrobial coating to help cut down on sterilizing time.
Transform Your Communal Spaces into Extra Work Areas:
With physical distancing, your communal spaces like conference rooms, kitchens and break rooms, will not be getting the same use as they did in the past.
You could take this unused space and re-purpose it as extra work space to spread your employees out even more. This can easily be done by adding floor dividers to section off these rooms.
Floor dividers can be used to section off large communal spaces
Other Tips for Keeping Your Office Space Safe
Turn Off the AC and Open the Windows:
Even though it hasn't been proven the COVID-19 spreads through air conditioning and ventilation systems it can be a risk since other viruses can be spread in this manner.
Shutting off the air conditioning and opening the windows can help to reduce that risk. We understand that this is only possible if you have access to the HVAC system in your building and if your windows can be opened as some buildings don't allow for this.
Develop Safety Protocols:
It is a good idea to develop safety protocols for your office such as:
Wearing masks while indoors
Regularly cleaning and disinfection work and communal areas
Temperature checks at the beginning of each shift
Mandatory paid time off for COVID testing if your staff has symptoms
Maintaining physical distancing
Frequent hand washing and sanitizing
Wearing masks can help stop the spread
Use Revolving Schedules:
Having a smaller number of employees in your office area at any given time will also help to lower the risk of transmission.
Having some people start and end their shift early and others starting and ending later will decrease the number of people in your office at any given time.
Allow Some People to Work from Home:
If there are roles within your organization that lend themselves well to working remotely, then this should also be encouraged in order to cut down on the number of people in your office.
You could also set up part-time schedules where people work a couple of days a week at home and a come into the office for the rest of their time.
Improve Your Airflow:
You may want to look into upgrading your HVAC system to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Having fresh air and good airflow can help prevent the spread of the virus when you are in an enclosed space. UV sterilizers installed in your ventilation system will kill any virus that is present in your ducts.
In addition to installing floor dividers, you may want to upgrade your HVAC system
Looking for Floor Dividers? Contact AGC Signs
AGC Signs can custom-make any type, size, and style of floor dividers for your workplace. In addition to floor dividers, we also provide a wide selection of customized plexiglass barriers that are perfect for any work environment including:
Vehicle Barriers and more!
Contact us today. Let us know what you need, and we will make it for you.
"Both Adrian and Rhonda provided exceptional customer service in a timely manner while assisting us with placing our order for Plexiglas screens. We were delighted with the design and quality of their product which exceeded our expectations. AGC Signs comes highly recommend by the Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre."
- Maralyn Tassone
