Maintaining personal hygiene at work is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of germs. Ensuring that you and your colleagues have effective hand hygiene can reduce the amount of sick days you have.
On average your hands have more than 150 different types of bacteria on them. Improving how often you wash your hands can reduce the spread of them around your workplace.
Why Is Effective Hand Washing Important?
Washing your hands is a simple task that you will do multiple times throughout the day. However, you might not be effectively cleaning your hands.
Your hands may look clean but can still be carrying germs. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water is important to maintain personal hygiene at work.
When Should You Wash Your Hands
There isn’t a limit on how often you wash your hands to keep personal hygiene at work. However, you shouldn’t wait for your hands to be visibly dirty before you wash them. You should wash your hands:
- When you get into work
- After using public transport
- Before preparing and eating food
- After coughing or sneezing
6 Steps to Effective Hand Hygiene
Step 1: Wet your hands under clean water.
Step 2: Use antibacterial soap and lather well with your hands.
Step 3: Rub the palms of your hands together to ensure you are washing all parts of your hands. Remember to clean the backs of your hands, including your knuckles, between your fingers and your thumbs.
Step 4: Rinse your hands off under running water. Make sure that all the soap has been removed from your hands.
Step 5: Dry your hands thoroughly using either a hand dryer or paper hand towels.
Step 6: Turn the tap off with either your elbow or the paper towel to avoid contaminating your hands again.
Washing your hands should take at least 20 seconds. This is the amount of time it takes to remove the germs and bacteria from your hands. An easy way to clean your hands for 20 seconds is to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice to yourself.
How to Clean Your Hands without Soap and Water
The best way to remove germs from your hands is to use soap and water. However, sometimes you can’t always do this, especially if you work on the go.
Using hand sanitiser is a great way to keep your hands clean. Ensure that the sanitiser you are using is at least 60% alcohol. This means it is effective against bacteria on your hands.
Similar to effective hand washing, you should make sure you are using hand sanitiser correctly.
Step 1: Apply sanitiser to your hands
Step 2: Rub your palms together
Step 3: Make sure you clean between your fingers, back of hands and thumbs
Step 4: Continue to rub your hands together until they are dry
Step 5: When you are next near a sink, wash your hands with soap and water
How You Can Keep Good Hygiene in the Workplace
Sinks
Make sure sinks are accessible to all of your employees. You should check there are working sinks in every bathroom and kitchen. As well as this, keep stocked up on antibacterial soap and ways to dry hands.
Hand sanitiser
Placing hand sanitiser at each workstation and at high-touch areas will mean you can always keep your hands clean. This ensures that employees have everything they need to effectively clean their hands.
Visual reminders
Visual reminders, such as signs and posters, are a great way to remind you and your employees to maintain effective hand washing. Not only does this mean your hygiene at work is better, it also means less germs are being spread.
Maintain Effective Hand Washing with Galleon Supplies
Implementing effective hand hygiene is essential for a healthy and productive workplace. The best way to do this is with proper hand washing facilities and practices.
At Galleon Supplies, we provide all the products you need to maintain a hygienic workplace. From antibacterial soaps to other hygiene essentials, we have everything you need. Get in touch with our friendly team for more information.
