Recently, the Food and Drug Administration recalled 115 different hand sanitizer products due to failing standards on randomized tests. While some of these hand sanitizers failed due to their inability to clean hands sufficiently according to FDA guidelines, others on the list were deemed “toxic” when ingested or absorbed through the skin.
Using hand sanitizer is a great way to remove germs and keep your hands clean while you’re in a public setting. When it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that if soap and water are not readily available, your next best option is using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. However, the FDA hand sanitizer recall warns us that some hand sanitizers may be ineffective or unsafe for our skin. It’s important that you’re using safe hand hygiene solutions to effectively cleanse your hands and prevent the spread of illness through your workspaces.
Hand Hygiene in the Workplace
Whether you work in an office or a factory, your work environment is highly susceptible to germ, bacteria and disease contamination. Think about all of the most frequently touched objects in your workplace, from door handles to phones and desks. These touchpoints are exposed to many hands carrying all sorts of bacteria throughout the day.
Hand hygiene is an inexpensive and effective way to prevent the spread of germs in the workplace and keep employees healthy. Here are some ways you can implement safe hand hygiene in your workplace environment:
Provide Safe Hand Sanitizer
Safe hand sanitizer gel with healthy ingredients to help combat the spread of germs should be available for employees to use throughout the office or facility. The most effective and safe hand sanitizers are alcohol-based, coating the skin with an anti-microbial barrier. Hand sanitizing stations keep hand hygiene practices top of mind with easy accessibility.
Invest in No-Touch Restroom Solutions
Increase handwashing compliance and hand hygiene in your workplace restrooms with no-touch technology. Remove touch dispensers, buttons, cranks and levers and replace them with innovative touch-free solutions to reduce cross-contamination.
Install Antibacterial Door Handles
Stop microbes from spreading through door handle contact with antibacterial technology on your door knobs and levers. Antimicrobial door and window handles provide active protection against the spread of hand germs and bacteria.
Introduce Hand Hygiene Initiatives
Promote safe hand hygiene in your workplace with simple handwashing and hand sanitizing initiatives. Encourage employees to disinfect their desks, keyboards, mouses, phones, and other surfaces regularly and invest in restroom hand washing signage!
