Hand Washing and Sanitizing Procedure

  1. Purpose: Hand washing and hand sanitizing for hand hygiene is the act of cleaning one’s hands with water and soap for the purpose of removing soil and dirt and thereafter using a sanitizing liquid to remove microorganisms to prevent contamination. 
  2. Scope: This outlines the procedure for proper hand washing and sanitizing.
  1. Procedure:
    1. Upon entering the facility it is a requirement to wash and sanitize hands.
    2. Hands are to be washed and sanitized after:
      Eating lunch
      Visiting an ablution facility
      Smoking
      Completion of a task
      Removing waste
      Performing a cleaning procedure
      Coughing or sneezing
      Whenever hands have become soiled or contaminated
      Before and after administering first aid
      And before the handling/inspection of food
  1. One should first rinse hands with warm water, keeping hands below wrists and forearms, to prevent contaminated water from moving from the hands down to the wrists and arms.
  2. Use enough of liquid soap, to completely cover the hands.
  3. Rub wet, soapy hands together, outside the running water, for at least 20 seconds as shown in the Hand Washing Techniques below.

  4. Be sure the cover the thumb, the wrist, the areas between the fingers, and under fingernails. Artificial nails, chipped nail polish and long nail harbour microorganisms.
  5. Rinse off hands with warm running water.
  6. Dry thoroughly with a single sheet of paper towel and discard the used paper towel into the bins provided.
  7. A sanitizer should be used after washing hands with soap and water or when hands are not visibly dirty for a quick clean up.
  8. Apply alcohol based sanitizer to palm of hand (1 – 2 pumps).
  9. Rubs hands together, covering the entire surface of hands, between fingers and under nails, until dry.
  10. Allow hands to air dry.
  11. Your hands are now safe to proceed with your work.
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