Safe hand-washing practices in the workplace

Hands are a powerful vector for the transmission of viruses, microbes, germs and bacteria. Bacteria and viruses are particularly prevalent because we come into contact with them throughout the working day. Why should you wash your hands in the workplace? How do you wash your hands successfully? What are the sensitive contact points in the workplace? Our cleaning experts, specialized in office cleaning, have the answers.

Why should you wash your hands in the workplace? 

It's very important to wash your hands regularly throughout your working day. We recommend washing your hands every hour.
This gesture, which may seem harmless, eliminates germs that can be transmitted from person to person via the hands or points of contact. Hand-washing in the workplace can be performed with soap and water, or, if your company provides it, with a hydro-alcoholic gel.

We therefore recommend :

  • Wash your hands every hour,
  • Mandatory after an outdoor outing,
  • Before and after lunch
  • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing,
  • After going to the toilet.

In addition, there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself.
- Blow your nose or sneeze into your elbow to avoid spreading germs up to 6 meters away.
- Use a single-use handkerchief and dispose of it in a garbage can immediately after use. Microbes and viruses can remain on the handkerchief from 8:00 to 12:00, so it's important not to keep it in your pocket and to dispose of it immediately.
- Wearing a mask prevents the direct spread of the virus via the mouth or nose, so it's important to complement wearing a mask with regular hand-washing.

How do I wash my hands?

Whether you wash your hands with soap and water or with a hydroalcoholic gel, you need to be thorough to be effective.
Your handwash must last at least 30 seconds to be effective and remove all viruses, microbes and germs. Next, it's essential to dry your hands with a clean towel, with a blower or, if you don't have a towel at hand, in the open air.

What are the 6 steps to handwashing with soap and water?

1/ Palm on palm: Rub each of your palms together.
2/ Palm on back: Wash the back of each of your hands with your palms.
3/ Intertwined fingers: Rub your hands together and interlace your fingers.
4/ Palms on fingers: Rub the tops of your fingers.
5/ Thumbs: Wash your thumbs.
6/ Nails in palm: Rub your nails in your palm.

Discover the video explaining how to wash your hands in the workplace:

What are the company's sensitive contact points?

Hygiene in the office means more than simply washing your hands. It also means disinfecting your contact points on a daily basis. By "points of contact" we mean all the objects, furniture, surfaces and fabrics that you may come into contact with throughout the day.
These may include door handles, light switches, stair railings, elevator buttons, water dispensers, coffee machines, vending machines, window handles, your computer keyboard, your landline and cell phone.

When it comes to hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace, employees have different expectations. Nevertheless, 9 out of 10 French people believe that cleanliness protects the health and safety of citizens. Would you like to know your "cleanliness profile" and discover in less than 5 minutes the tips and tricks you need to live cleanly together? Take the test to find out whether you're a "Good student", "Demanding", "Detached", "Pragmatic" or "Hyper-sensitive", and don't forget to wash your hands!

Take the test on Cleanliness is fundamental

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