As temperatures fall, COVID-19 numbers are rising. Many European countries report alarming peaks. This makes it all the more important to constantly draw the attention of employees, customers and guests in offices, industry, healthcare and the hotel sector to the importance of proper hand hygiene. We have developed special educational materials for this purpose.
Growing anxiety across Europe
The situation is alarming: Coronavirus infection rates in England and France are rising rapidly, in the Netherlands there is even a first partial lockdown and in Germany there are also new peaks. Politicians around the world keep repeating that we can all help to prevent the situation from escalating by wearing masks, by keeping our distance from each other and by washing and sanitising our hands. The latter is very important. Because most infections are transmitted via the hands and hand cleanliness is considered to be the most effective means of breaking the chains of infection. [1]
In the professional environment, employers should therefore consistently focus on education. Especially in areas such as offices, hotels, healthcare facilities and industry, where many people come into contact with each other. Here it is all the more important to consistently follow the hygiene rules. To remind employees again and again how important it is to wash their hands, we have developed special posters that draw attention to a correct hand washing routine.
Advantages of a good hygiene routine
Hang our posters, which have been tailored for various industries, in washrooms and wherever food is prepared or consumed and water and soap are available. This will remind employees of when and how to wash their hands. Don’t forget that all of the following steps should be completed for an effective hand washing routine:
- holding hands under running water
- take soap
- intensively foam the palms of your hands
- rub hands together and cover all areas with soap
- rinse hands to remove all soap residue. Dry hands thoroughly with disposable towels.
Our tip: Provide your employees with the perfect formulated soap. Traditional soaps can dry out the hands and promote skin diseases. As an alternative, there are foam soaps which are extremely mild to the skin and very economic to implement. This is due to the tiny air bubbles in the foam, which increase the volume and the product's effectiveness. It is also easier and quicker to spread on the hands.
Hygiene in situations where no water or soap is available
In areas where hands cannot be cleaned with soap and water, it is important to offer hand sanitising dispenser systems to employees. To ensure that your hygiene concept really works, however, the dispenser systems should be positioned in the right places in the company. We have developed information material for the perfect placement. Using our checklist, you can check whether your hygiene concept takes all the important points into account.
In addition, do not forget to instruct your cleaning teams to pay more attention to thorough surface disinfection. A new study suggests that the Coronavirus is quite robust on surfaces. On smooth surfaces it can survive up to 28 days under certain laboratory conditions, as shown by the Australian science authority Csiro in the "Virology Journal". However, regular use of sanitising sprays for surfaces helps to ensure greater freedom from worries in everyday working life.
Stay healthy!
[1] “The effectiveness of hand hygiene procedures in reducing the risks of infections in home and community settings including handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers” Sally F. Bloomfield et al.
