Contents
– Importance of Hand Hygiene in the Workplace
– Hand hygiene: what to look for
– Materials for hand hygiene in the workplace
– Hand hygiene regulations
Hand hygiene in the workplace, as at home, is essential. Whatever the sector of activity, simple gestures are crucial. Poor hand hygiene can cause small epidemics and slow down the company’s activity very suddenly. It is therefore essential to regularly inform staff of the good practices to follow.
Importance of hand hygiene in the workplace
Hand washing and hand wiping are sensitive moments of health and hygiene within a company.
– Some studies show that 25% of people do not wash their hands after using the toilet, 20% limit themselves to a rough rinse with water, and 10% do not wipe them.
– 80% of hospital infections are due to poor hand hygiene.
Hand hygiene is not just an issue for sensitive sectors such as the medical and food industries. Nor is it reserved for health crises such as influenza A episodes. Hand hygiene is the first line of defense against epidemics that cause many sick days in companies.
It is not just an issue for sensitive sectors such as the medical and food industries. Nor is it reserved for health crises such as influenza A episodes. Hand hygiene is the first line of defense against epidemics that cause many sick days in companies.
Good to know: viruses, germs, and bacteria are most often transmitted through the hands. All these nuisances are the cause of numerous pathologies ranging from the common cold to digestive tract infections.
Hand hygiene: what to look for
Hand hygiene in the workplace is not limited to basic cleanliness. It is important to disinfect all items handled by multiple people, such as:
– Door handles,
– light switches,
– elevator buttons,
– window openings,
– telephones, computer equipment
– reception counters,
– water fountains and other dispensers for water, candy bars, or drinks.
In addition, to avoid allergy problems, carpets, curtains, rugs, or curtains must also be disinfected. These fabrics are also the support of many bacteria proliferation.
Materials for hand hygiene in companies
Today, there are many devices for respecting the sanitary rules inherent to life in a community.
Healthy soaps in smartly designed dispensers can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting viruses and other bacteria. The models available on the market now meet all specific needs.
The different models of dispensers can vary in their design, color, or capacity. Thus, we find:
– Classic ranges for offices: designed for the simplest use near the toilet, for example.
– Ranges for workshops (car garages, technical controls, craftsmen’s stores…).
There are standards for the food industry, or hospitals and supermarkets, public gyms, or hotels.
For instance, various solutions exist for wiping:
– rolls of cloth, very absorbent and more environmentally friendly than disposable solutions,
– single sheet paper dispensers of various qualities, easy to catch and particularly adapted for dirty work.
Hand hygiene regulations
Companies are not legally required to post “handwashing requirements” in restrooms or at workstation exits.
Nevertheless, figures show that it is better to remind users of restrooms and other collective hygiene areas of some obvious facts. Better to be too careful than not careful enough…
Read more:
A Guide to Good Personal Hygiene;
Bits of Advice for a Good Oral Hygiene;
Ear Hygiene: Dealing with Earwax;
How Often Should I Wash My Hands?
