There are several steps you can take to do your part in reducing the transmission of disease in the workplace, according to the CDC. But the most important step is also the simplest: hand washing! But if you’re the owner or the manager, then it’s not just your own hand washing that you should be concerned about. You should also take steps to ensure that your employees follow your example.
So, What’s the Importance of Hand Washing?
Hand washing is perhaps the single most effective way to reduce the transmission of various infectious diseases, from the common cold to more serious ailments such as influenza. You can spread disease when you touch another person. Sometimes you don’t even need direct contact. You can touch an object handled by a sick person who hasn’t washed their hands, and then get sick yourself. It’s one of the more common ways that germs such as viruses and bacteria spread from one person to another.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
While hand washing should be done at regular intervals, there are times when you especially have to wash your hands properly. These times include:
- When your hands are obviously dirty
- After you’ve used the washroom
- After you sneeze in your hands or blow your nose
- Before and after eating or handling food
- Before and after drinking and smoking
- After you’ve handled animal waste or garbage
- After handling pets and other animals
- After being in contact with sick people
Hand Washing 101 — How to Wash Your Hands Properly
If you want your hands to be really clean, here’s how you do it:
- Get your hands thoroughly wet with running water.
- Place the soap in your palm and rub them together to make lather.
- Scrub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds before you rinse the soap off your hands.
- Turn off the faucet with a disposable paper towel. Do not use your clean hands to touch the faucet.
- Dry your hands with the disposable paper towel. Do not dry them on your clothes.
If you own or manage a business, you need to make sure that all your employees are aware of the proper steps for hand washing. Put up some posters in the restroom if you have to.
Unfortunately, it’s very common to have ailments such as the common cold spread all over your office, simply because just one person skipped hand washing at a critical time. That’s why the services of commercial cleaners have become highly sought after. These professionals are experienced in identifying the most common items (such as doorknobs and faucets) which can harbor germs. These pros can do it much effectively than probably anyone in your office can, because they have the tools and knowledge. With professional services, at least you know you’re doing things right, and that you’ve done all that you can in ensuring the safety and health of your personnel.
