Why wash your hands? It’s the law & it saves lives! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand-washing is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others. Every year, at least 76 million Americans get a food-borne illness 300,000 reported cases result in hospitalizations 300,000 reported cases result in hospitalizations 5,000 reported cases result in death 5,000 reported cases result in death Please protect yourself, others and our customers by washing and sanitizing your hands properly and often!
Don’t Be This Person…
GMP Policy on Hand Cleanliness Hands MUST be kept clean according to proper hand-washing techniques Employees who handle post-blanch product must wear approved gloves that are cleaned, sanitized, and replaced often Violators of this policy and all other GMP requirement will result in disciplinary action
Proper Hand-Washing Techniques Wet your hands with warm, running water Apply liquid or bar soap Rub your hands vigorously Lather well for at least 20 sec Lather well for at least 20 sec Scrub all surfaces, including: Scrub all surfaces, including: backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and especially under your fingernails Completely dry your hands with a clean disposable paper towel Use the towel to turn off the faucet and dispose it
When I wash my hands, do I have to use soap? YES!! Hand-washing with soap is the single most cost-effective health intervention method. Lathering up with soap is part of the proper hand- washing technique. Washing with water alone is NOT good enough. Scientific evidence shows that hand-washing with soap is an exceptionally efficacious method in preventing food-borne illnesses as well as other diseases.
Hygienic Glove Usage Gloves are worn to protect post-blanched food from contamination. Gloves get dirty too! They should be put on only after hands are washed and then sanitized often. Gloves must be changed at if they develop a tear and at a minimum at least daily Do not store your gloves in your back pocket, please store them properly or discard & replace.
Proper Use of Hand Sanitizers Hand sanitizers are ineffective on visibly soiled hands and are NOT a replacement for hand-washing. According to the CDC, only use sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol Put ½ tablespoon or more in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they are dry.
While at work when should I wash my hands? After using the restroom Upon entry into a food production/repack area After touching your face, eyes, ears, nose, mouth or hair After blowing your nose After coughing/sneezing into your hands After a break (lunch, smoke, been outside, etc.) Before and after treating wounds/cuts After handling garbage or other ‘dirty’ materials After touching the floor or anything has been on the floor When they may have become become soiled/contaminated When in doubt wash your hands
Fact or Myth? Washing your hands several times a day will decrease your immunity to bacteria and viruses. MYTH—killing germs on your hands will not decrease your immunity but it will help prevent the spread of infections. MYTH—killing germs on your hands will not decrease your immunity but it will help prevent the spread of infections. Alcohol-based sanitizers can cause bacterial mutation to create ‘super bugs’. MYTH—dead bacteria can’t mutate MYTH—dead bacteria can’t mutate Wearing gloves is not a substitute to hand washing or the use of sanitizers. FACT—If gloves are worn, you must wash and sanitize your hands AND you must wash and sanitize your gloves. FACT—If gloves are worn, you must wash and sanitize your hands AND you must wash and sanitize your gloves. If my hands look clean then I don’t have to wash them. Visibly clean hands can contain harmful pathogens. However, on visibly clean hands sanitizer can be used in between regular hand-washing. Visibly clean hands can contain harmful pathogens. However, on visibly clean hands sanitizer can be used in between regular hand-washing.