As an employer, one of your greatest and most cost-effective defenses against bacteria and viruses (like the one that causes COVID-19) is promoting healthy hand hygiene amongst your employees. In this second article of a three-part series, we’ll discuss the benefits of frequent handwashing, workplace germ hotspots, ways to make hand hygiene convenient for your employees, and some popular products to keep your employees healthy on the job.
Why Your Employees Should Wash Their Hands
How to do it and how long to wash hands to be effective.
The simple act of handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs and can reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses by 21% and infectious stomach illnesses by up to 31%. Encouraging healthy hand hygiene can reduce your employees' number of sick days and help keep projects stay on track.
To wash your hands effectively, rinse them in clean water, apply soap, lather, and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds–the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. The soap removes visible dirt and attacks viruses by breaking up the coating of fat where the virus lives. Rubbing your hands together also sloughs off germs while the water washes them away. Make sure to wash the backs of your hands, nails, cuticles, and wrists as well. Rinse your hands thoroughly and dry your hands with a paper towel (preferably). Drying your hands with a paper towel will help shed the remaining germs.
If a hand-washing station is not feasible in all areas of your facility, set up hand sanitizing stations for your business. Choose an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
The Germiest Places in Your Facility
As discussed in the first article of this series, Essential Cleaning Supplies: Solutions for Every Surface, some of the most germ-laden surfaces in a workplace are the following:
- Elevator buttons
- Office equipment
- The coffee machine
- The kitchen sink
- Your desk
- Your keyboard
- Door handles
- The restroom
When your employees do not have clean hands, germs can spread quickly. If an employee touches an infected surface and then touches their eyes, mouth, or nose, the transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses is possible.
When Employees Should Wash Their Hands
The CDC recommends washing hands frequently. Here are some specific scenarios in which your employees should wash their hands.
- After using the restroom
- After caring for someone who’s sick
- After handling your face mask
- After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
- After being in a public place such as a grocery store
- After touching pets or animals
- After touching surfaces in high-touch, communal spaces
- Before preparing food
- Before touching your face
Tips on Making Hand Hygiene Convenient for Your Employees
Integrating opportunities for hand hygiene into your employees’ daily routine can make a difference in the health of your workforce. Here are some solutions you can implement right now.
- Place hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the workplace (even better if they’re touch-free).
- Provide as many hand washing stations as possible that are equipped with soap and paper towels.
- Model good hand hygiene behaviors by covering your mouth and nose if you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. Promptly wash your hands after.
- Implement as many touchless solutions as possible including automated doors, hand dryers, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, hand sanitizer dispensers, faucets, elevator doors, garbage receptacles, and more.
- Provide reminders with posters throughout the workplace, especially in germ hotspots such as the kitchen and restroom. The CDC offers downloadable fact sheets for free.
Your Headquarters for Hand Hygiene Products
Zoro has all the hand hygiene products you need to keep employees healthy and on the job.
If your business is accustomed to purchasing brands and products that are commonly used in household settings, Zoro has the hand hygiene supplies you like! We have a full selection of hand sanitizers and hand soaps from popular brands including Purell, Softsoap, Dial, and Gojo.
Hand Sanitizers You May Like:
| Pump Bottle | Single-Use Packets | Wipes |
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Hand Soaps and Antibacterial Hand Soaps You May Like:
| Antibacterial Gel | Antibacterial Foaming | Skin Conditioner |
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If you’re a facilities manager for a back-of-the-house work environment and tend to purchase industrial products, Zoro has a wide selection to meet all of your hand hygiene needs.
Hand Sanitizers and Supplies You May Like:
| 32 oz. Pump Bottle | Single-Use Packets | Dispenser | 12 oz. Pump Bottle |
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Hand Soaps and Supplies You May Like:
| Lotion Hand Cleaner | Hand Soap | Dispenser |
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| Dispenser Refill | Gel Hand Cleaner with Pumice |
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Help protect your employees from germs and viruses by promoting healthy hand hygiene habits and providing effective products. You can find all of the hand sanitizers and hand soaps you need at Zoro. Make sure to come back to the Zoro Resource Hub to read additional articles in this series, Essential Cleaning Supplies: Solutions for Every Surface and Essential Cleaning Supplies: Solutions to Eliminate Odors. And don’t forget to shop Zoro.com for the best hand health products for your business.
Related articles:
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.