Worker health and safety starts in the washroom

ONE OF the primary functions of a washroom is to ensure its occupants leave it with clean hands. As well as ensuring all equipment is in good working order, businesses should consider how their washrooms can better promote hand hygiene behaviour. After all, the simple act of washing or sanitising hands has been proven to prevent the spread of germs, which in turn can lower absenteeism and boost productivity.

Promoting hand hygiene 

But it is not just a case of providing soap and water. There are many factors which can influence and help maximise compliance, from the types of dispensers installed, to the soap formulations that they are equipped with. This is especially true for washrooms in heavy or industrial environments, which create tough soils that are difficult to remove from the skin without damaging it. 

In fact, according to figures by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), process, plant and machine operatives have much higher rates of work-related dermatitis than managerial and administrative occupations. Painters and decorators, carpenters, and joiners, and those in the construction and building trades all suffer from more than twice the industry rate of contact dermatitis too. 

Due to the type of work undertaken, the potential for small cuts, scratches, and exposure to substances such as oils, grease, dust, and paint is high. This means workers in these sectors require heavy duty hand cleaners to remove such soils. Unfortunately, hand hygiene solutions supplied often range from vigorous scrubbing with ordinary soap and water, to harsh chemical cleaners.

Protecting hardworking hands

These outdated ways of cleaning hands can do more harm than good. They can both damage skin and cause occupational dermatitis, resulting in irritation, redness, cracking, and blistering. 

Washrooms and other areas for hand hygiene need to be stocked with heavy-duty hand cleaners which not only remove tough dirt or grime, but that also care for skin. Rather than applying excessive chemicals onto existing soils, the latest products use high levels of natural ingredients to remove heavy soils with minimum fuss. Look for hand cleaners that are also pH neutral and enriched with moisturising agents to protect skin health. 

As well as having robust, durable dispensers in washrooms, ensure opportunities for hand hygiene are available in other areas, where they are most needed around a site. This could mean installing additional handwashing stations in work zones, or simply supplying hand cleaners in different formats. For example, GOJO Hand & Surface Scrubbing Wipes offer a quick, easy, and effective solution, removing heavy dirt and grime from hands, arms, tools and objects, materials, and surfaces, without the need for water.

Having the right products, available when and where you need them, and supplying effective, skin-kind formulations will create a positive user experience. This will go a long way in influencing hygienic behaviour and building compliance. After all, if workers can’t access solutions or believe that they will dry-out skin or aggravate dermatitis, they are likely to avoid or abandon the practice altogether. 

Chris Wakefield is MD UK and Ireland of GOJO Industries-Europe 

For more information: 

www.gojo.com

Tel: 01908 588444