Add as a preferred source on Google

Hand Hygiene Tips for National Handwashing Awareness Week

  • 12/04/15

Cincinnati, Ohio — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of germs that cause infection and illness. In honor of National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 6 – 12), Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) offers four handwashing tips to help maintain a healthier workplace this cold and flu season.

National Handwashing Awareness Week aims to “spread the word not germs” by promoting the importance of proper handwashing. To help promote proper hand-hygiene practices, consider the following:

1. Know when to wash. While it’s important to regularly wash your hands, it’s even more important to wash your hands after certain activities such as using the toilet; before, during and after preparing food; touching an animal; blowing your nose; coughing; or sneezing. It can also be beneficial to wash hands after coming into contact with frequently touched items, such as door handles or light switches.

2. Don’t skip the soap. Washing hands with soap and water is the best and most effective way to reduce the number of microbes and germs on hands. Studies show that you should scrub your hands, including areas between fingers and around the base of your hands, with soap for a minimum of 15-30 seconds in order to effectively remove germs.

3. Dry hands completely. According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, hand drying is essential to staving off bacteria after handwashing as germs are more easily transferred to and from wet hands.

4. Dry hands with paper towels. Studies conducted by the Mayo Clinic (Minn.) and University of Westminster (London) show that paper towels can help remove bacteria, unlike air dryers which can increase bacteria counts. Paper towels are also less likely to contaminate other restroom users as air dryers have also been shown to spread bacteria between three and six feet from the device.

Even if employees practice proper hand hygiene, it’s important for facilities to plan for additional cleaning and disinfection during winter months. Combat cold and flu season by using the proper cleaning tools, cleaning chemicals and cleaning processes to keep employees healthy and safe.

To complement a handwashing program, businesses should disinfect high-tough surfaces such as door handles, elevator buttons, desks, keyboards and phones regularly. Because viruses and bacteria are estimated to remain on hard surfaces for up to 18 hours, be sure to use a combination of anti-microbial cleaners and disinfectants to remove and kill pathogenic micro-organisms that thrive in these areas. Also remember to use separate microfiber mops and towels between zones to remove bacteria and reduce cross contamination.

Featured

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

Digital Edition