Here at Brightr, we specialise in creating clean and healthy work spaces. We Understand the role cleanliness plays in employee wellbeing and productivity, and among all cleaning priorities, one stands out for its crucial impact on workplace health: hand hygiene. If all employees understand and carry out this simple practice, the risk and spread of illness can be greatly reduced, while morale and performance can be improved.
Hand hygiene is a personal responsibility, not just in the workplace. Employers should actively promote, educate and provide the means necessary to encourage good hand hygiene habits among their staff and visitors.
Why it Matters
The average person touches their face approximately 23 times an hour, usually without even realising. With shared offices, equipment, communal areas etc, workplaces are a breeding ground for germs and their spread. Contaminated surfaces and poor hand hygiene lead to bacteria being transferred from person to person which can lead to viruses and seasonal illnesses like colds and flu.
Every year, the flu virus leads to millions of lost workdays globally. Since the Covid-19 virus emerged, we have learned how essential it is to practice good hand hygiene to prevent common illnesses. For businesses, this helps with reducing absences, improved employee health, and your workforce becoming more resilient.
The Employer’s Role
Employers play an important part in supporting hand hygiene practices. A well maintained and clean environment promotes a strong message about its commitment to its staff’s health and wellbeing.
Providing accessible handwashing facilities, well stocked with soap and hand sanitisers is a good first step. Employees are more likely to wash and sanitise their hands regularly when these tools are available to them, and conveniently located. Hands free drying, or paper towels can further reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Cleaning Practices
A robust cleaning routine is a must in partnering good hand hygiene. Clean surfaces make a significant difference in reducing germs in the workplace, and if professional grade cleaning products are used regularly the risks can be reduced further. High touch surfaces such as doorknobs, keyboards, light switches and shared equipment should be sanitised often.
Best Practice for Hand Hygiene at Work
For hand hygiene to be effective, employees need to wash their hands properly. The World Health Organization recommends washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds minimum, with a focus on scrubbing all parts of the hands including between the fingers and around the wrists, and under fingernails.
For times when soap and water isn’t available, hand sanitisers containing at least 60% alcohol are effective alternatives. Sanitisers can be placed in high traffic areas, encouraging employees to use them regularly.
Challenges
Despite the obvious benefits, promoting good hand hygiene poses some challenges. Some employees may overlook its importance or ignore best practices due to lack of awareness, or time constraints. Engaging regularly with the workforce could help to overcome these challenges.
You must also stay on top of ordering supplies and ensuring accessibility to hand washing facilities. This is where Brightr excels – we offer a service that keep soaps, sanitisers and other janitorial supplies fully stocked.
A Healthier Future
Hand hygiene is the foundations of public health and workplace safety. Its importance cannot be emphasised enough, as we have seen over recent years. At Brightr, we’re committed to helping businesses create environments where good hand hygiene is second nature.
By investing in cleaning and hygiene solutions, businesses can protect their most valuable assets – their people. Together we can ensure a ‘brightr’, healthier and more productive workplace!
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