Sanitisation in 2025: The silent shield protecting South African workplaces

Imagine a bustling Cape Town restaurant filled with tourists, a Sandton office where handshakes seal deals, or a Durban preschool where tots play and touch everything in sight. What do they have in common? Each faces invisible threats – bacteria, viruses, and contaminants thriving in shared spaces.

Sanitisation has always mattered, but in 2025, it’s non-negotiable. As South Africa aligns with global health standards, businesses must enforce strict hygiene protocols to protect employees, customers, and communities. With antibiotic-resistant bacteria on the rise and COVID-19’s lasting impact, proper sanitisation is about more than compliance – it’s about responsibility.

According to Jeffrey Madkins, marketing manager at Unilever Professional, businesses across South Africa are under pressure to uphold the highest cleanliness standards.  “The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act place clear responsibility on businesses to ensure safe, hygienic environments,” he says. “Yet, many companies unknowingly still fall short.”

Madkins shares six key sanitisation strategies every organisation – whether hospitality, retail, education or corporate – should consider adopting to protect public health and stay compliant:

1. Frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces

South Africa’s warm climate fuels bacterial growth, making surface sanitisation essential. Door handles, lift buttons, and card machines are everyday hotspots for germs. Looking clean doesn’t mean germ-free. Thus, a strict disinfection schedule with SABS-approved cleaners like Handy Andy or Domestos is key to reducing cross-contamination.

2. Equipment sanitisation before reuse

Whether it’s a kitchen slicer in a Johannesburg deli or a workstation in a Durban call centre, shared equipment is one of the most overlooked contamination risks. Businesses must implement structured sanitisation to ensure proper disinfection before reuse. This is especially crucial in the food industry, where HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) guidelines mandate strict cleaning protocols.

3. Regular (HVAC) system maintenance 

Poorly maintained heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems can become breeding grounds for mould, bacteria, and airborne viruses. Inadequate air quality is a silent contributor to respiratory illnesses in the workplace, and regular servicing of air filtration systems is essential to prevent the circulation of pollutants.

4. Safe food handling and storage practices
Foodborne illnesses remain a major public health concern in South Africa, with listeriosis and salmonella outbreaks making headlines in recent years. Cold chain management is crucial, and restaurants and retailers must store food at safe temperatures and follow health regulations to prevent contamination. Proper stock rotation, labelled expiry dates, and temperature-controlled storage should be standard practice.

5. Scheduled waste disposal to prevent contamination
Improper waste disposal can have devastating effects, from attracting pests to spreading disease. Organisations must go beyond basic waste management by implementing sorted recycling and hazardous waste disposal practices. They have to integrate waste disposal into their sanitisation plans, including regular collection, proper segregation, and using the correct cleaning solutions to prevent bacterial buildup in waste areas.

6. Enforcing strict staff hygiene protocols
Hand hygiene is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent illness. South African regulations now demand stricter compliance with workplace hygiene policies, especially in food handling and medical settings. Employers must ensure staff are trained in proper handwashing techniques and that sanitising stations are available in high-traffic areas. Failure to enforce these standards can lead to fines, reputational damage, and health code violations.

In a world shaped by health crises, sanitisation is no longer just about compliance; it’s a brand differentiator. Customers choose businesses that prioritise hygiene, employees are more productive in clean workspaces, and schools see better attendance when hygiene measures are enforced. 

“The pandemic permanently changed how people view cleanliness,” notes Madkins. “Organisations that prioritise sanitisation in 2025 aren’t just protecting public health… they’re safeguarding their own future. And, in an economy where trust is everything, a clean business is a successful business,” he concludes.

For more information on how Unilever Professional can support your cleaning needs, visit https://www.unileverprofessional.co.za/