Facility management and COVID-19 are at war. The coronavirus pandemic disrupted even the most well-managed workplaces and turned normalcy on its head. Since the pandemic took hold, facilities managers have battled back to explore new opportunities for remote work or socially distant workplaces. The fight rages on as COVID-19 continues to spread and new facility management practices emerge to combat it.

Here’s a look at the top considerations facilities managers face as they strive to keep employees safe and prevent further disruption.

Building sanitization

The primary role of facility management in dealing with COVID-19 is to create a safe work environment. This starts with sanitization. Facility managers need to evaluate janitorial schedules, daily cleaning practices, spot sterilization, and workplace-specific sanitization standards—then determine if that’s enough.

For many facilities managers, building sanitization means exploring new products and practices that address coronavirus-specific concerns. Are there measures in place to sanitize shared equipment like copiers and kitchen appliances? Is your current janitorial provider using products proven to kill COVID-19 on contact?