Hand Hygiene in Offices

Hand hygiene is

“an easy, affordable, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep employees healthy” (Centers for Disease Control and Preventio n).

Infectious disease can be easily spread in offices when employers meet colleagues, clients and customers, share equipment (such as desks, keyboards, phones, photocopiers), and work in shared offices and open plan spaces [1]. Using hand sanitiser, washing hands and disinfecting surfaces can reduce the risk of catching infections [2]. The following guidelines, derived from evidence-based research, are intended for organisations, their employees and anyone with a responsibility for public health.

Hand sanitiser technologies – guide to the different sanitiser technologies
Encouraging hand hygiene – effective messaging for hand sanitisers
Sanitiser placement – guide to placing sanitisers in offices

Sources

[1] Zivich, P. N., Gancz, A. S., & Aiello, A. E. (2018). Effect of hand hygiene on infectious diseases in the office workplace: A systematic review. American journal of infection control, 46(4), 448-455.

[2] Reynolds, K. A., Beamer, P. I., Plotkin, K. R., Sifuentes, L. Y., Koenig, D. W., & Gerba, C. P. (2016). The healthy workplace project: reduced viral exposure in an office setting. Archives of environmental & occupational health, 71(3), 157-162.