Hand Hygiene Matters

While you don’t have to hold the handshakes and high fives, regular and proper hand washing is key to saving yourself and your colleagues from germs that harm your health.

• Public transport is a germfest!  One in four commuters has faeces bacteria on their hands – Scrub your hands with soap and water as soon as you get to work
• DRY THEM WELL! Damp hands spread 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands.
• ONE IN FOUR – People don’t wash their hands after using the toilet at work.
• Germs can stay alive on hands for up to THREE HOURS! The number of germs on your fingertips doubles after you use the toilet.
• The 840,000 germs on your hands at any given time can spread up to 80% of common diseases.
• It has been reported that Paper Towels are MORE HYGIENIC than dryers as they’re better at removing the residual water which spread bacteria.
• Your face is the main entry point for germs. KEEP THOSE HANDS AWAY until you’ve washed them!
• Wash your Hands the Right Way!
• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
• Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice.
• Rinse hands well under running water.

Dry your hands using paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and touch other bathroom surfaces.