Hand Hygiene in the Workplace
Hand washing in the workplace
Germs that naturally live on the skin are often passed from one person to another by physical contact, so it’s important that staff, visitors and customers etc…. cut the risk of spreading infections by regularly washing their hands.
A recent study carried in 2006 out by University of Hertfordshire showed an incredible statistic on hand washing that 88% of hospital staff did not wash their hands between patients!
If this picture were reflected throughout Britain, it would mean more than 63,000 doctors and nurses were failing to wash their hands. It is this transfer of germs that can cause infections and illness.
Another study revealed that 70% of people in the workplace who use the washroom, do not wash their hands.
Absolutely incredible isn’t it?
My personal feeling is that in this day and age, people are lazy and don’t feel they have the time to stop and wash their hands for half a minute. Everyone is always in a rush these days.
This is exactly why there are more illness’s and infections these days.
Did you know…….
Up to half of all men and a quarter of women fail to wash their hands after they’ve been to the toilet!
Deadly bacteria such as MRSA and E-coli as well as salmonella food poisoning are spread as a result of poor hand washing, which the survey showed many people didn’t know. Under half (46%) of 18 to 24 year olds realised that E-coli could be spread this way and one in two (48%) didn’t know MRSA could also be passed on through poor hand washing. Men are less aware of this than women – just over two thirds of men (67%) knew about MRSA as opposed to 80% of women.
We have between 2 and 10 million bacteria between the fingertips and elbow!
Damp hands spread 1000 time’s more germs than dry hands!
The number of germs under your fingertips doubles after going to the toilet
germs can stay alive on hands for up to 3 hours!
Millions of germs hide under your bracelet and watch. There could be as many germs under your ring as there are people in Europe!
It is especially important to wash hands:
- Before eating (both snacks and meals)
- Before preparing food
- After using the toilet or washroom
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- Before and after treating or dressing a wound
- After handling an animal or animal waste
- After handling garbage
- Whenever you notice your hands are dirty
It is also important to remember the following points in germs and hand washing:
- Remove all rings and jewellery before washing hands
- Keep nails short as this will make it easier to clean your hands properly.
- Pay special attention to germs that may be trapped under nails and crevices
- The full procedure to wash hands should be for at least 30 seconds to make sure all bacteria has been eliminated from your hands
Here is the correct 10 point procedure for washing your hands:
1. Wet hands with warm water and apply soap
2. Rub hands together, palm to palm to make a lather
3. Right palm over back of left hand and then left palm over right hand
4. Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced
5. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked
6. Hold right thumb in left hand and rub. Repeat with left thumb in right hand
7. Rub clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa
8. Rinse well in running water to remove all traces of soap
9. Dry hands thoroughly, ideally using a disposable paper towel
10. Allow hands to dry thoroughly after cleansing (before you come into contact with anything)
Another important issue is drying your hands after washing them. Drying hands is the most vitally important activity in reducing the spread of infection. Staff, customers and visitors need to be aware of the problems and how to reduce the risks they pose.
The Enmotion automated hand towel dispenser provides one of the most hygienic solutions available. Unlike warm air hand dryers which use recycled air, dispersing bacteria around the washroom and back on to hands, a hand towel dispenser uses a clean hygienic sheet each time. In addition, an automated dispenser greatly reduces the possibility of cross-contamination during hand drying.
For more information go to www.hygieneandworkwear.co.uk/pages/enmotion.php
Good hand hygiene helps prevent infection
So as you can see, one of the easiest ways of preventing infections being passed on is by good hand hygiene. Many infections could be prevented by correct hand washing and drying to remove the germs that are picked up through our daily tasks.
If it is just a general office environment, all you need is a regular lotion soap like the GOJO TFX Touch Free Premium foam hand wash with added skin conditioners. Or if you are in healthcare or the food industry, it is recommended that you use an Anti-bac soap like the GOJO TFX Touch Free Anti-bac foam soap.
See our full Skin and Handcare ranges: www.hygieneandworkwear.co.uk/pages/skincare.php
Until the next post . . . . .
August 16th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Direct Hygiene and Workwear now have some FREE Handwashing in The Workplace posters available or download, just signup for their newsletter, and download.
http://www.hygieneandworkwear.co.uk/pages/gen/posters-form.php
December 13th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Part 3 | Patients revolt against hospital secrecy Consumers Union wages national campaign to reduce infections Gov. Gregoire’s expert panel report (PDF) State department of health lab study (PDF) Q
June 4th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Great post! Just wanted to let you know you have a new subscriber- me!
June 13th, 2009 at 3:33 am
The best information i have found exactly here. Keep going Thank you