During this time of heightened awareness surrounding hand hygiene, we’ve all heard that regular hand washing with soap and warm water is the most effective way of preventing the spread of viruses such as Influenza and COVID-19. But when a sink and soap are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control has recommended that hand sanitizer is the next best option. Below are four things you should know before considering how to implement hand sanitizer in your workplace…
1. Should I Provide Hand Sanitizer In The Workplace?
Did you know up to 90% of office workers come to work even when they’re sick? This creates a hotbed of germs and bacteria within the workplace that can quickly spread between employees and customers. Providing your employees with the proper hand sanitizer can be one of the best tools to stopping the spread of germs and keeping you healthy.
2. Which Hand Sanitizer Should I Choose?
The CDC recommends the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Studies have shown that lower concentrated or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less effective at killing germs. The US Food and Drug Administration has also released warnings against methanol being used as an ingredient for hand sanitizer “due to its toxic side effects” and should be avoided.
3. Where Should I Place The Hand Sanitizer?
Now that you have hand sanitizer available for your team, placement is the next key. Placing hand sanitizers in strategic locations within the office can further encourage regular use and help create a healthier environment. Below are a few things to keep in mind when deciding where to place them:
- Make sure all hand sanitizer units are easily accessible, within sight, and ADA compliant.
- Pay attention to high-touch and high-traffic areas, as these become breeding grounds for germs.
- Entrances and exits are a perfect place to provide hand sanitizers. Research shows that over half of your employees can be infected from one germy doorknob within a four-hour window.
- Areas where food is prepared and consumed, such as cafeterias and breakrooms, should also be considered as digestion of germs can lead to infection.
4. How Do I Educate and Encourage Proper Use?
Providing your team with the right hand sanitizer is only half of the battle. Regular use is essential and beneficial when done properly. Creating a full hand hygiene program can improve the health of your employees by keeping them educated. This can be done by providing pamphlets to your team, as well as having educational labels near the dispensers that includes information on the World Health Organizations Recommended Method for proper application.
WellBeing Hygiene is here to help you accomplish all of the above with our Hand Sanitizer Service Program. Under our full-service model, our team will provide a complete site survey to help you determine the best placement of units, install and maintain the dispensers, and provide scheduled refills of our sanitizer solution that contains over 60% alcohol. We are here to educate and support your employees and customers while keeping your workplace healthy. Click Here to learn more about our hand hygiene services.
