Policy statement:
6.1 Hand washing is the single most important procedure for the prevention of cross infection and forms the basis of all universal precautions.
Mandatory Procedures
6.2 Any cuts or abrasions must be covered by an impervious waterproof dressing whilst at work.
6.3 Staff undertaking personal care tasks who develop skin conditions resulting in cracked skin or open sores must seek medical treatment as soon as possible and take advice as to whether they are fit to continue undertaking this type of work.
6.4 Staff should be aware that a skin irritation could be an allergic reaction to supplied protective gloves or the powder within them, or to a particular brand of gloves. Gloucestershire County Council employees should seek advice from the Occupational Health Unit. It should be noted that managers have a responsibility to provide a range of gloves appropriate to the task to be undertaken.
6.5 Appropriate protective gloves must be worn when handling household chemicals or body waste.
Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Unit - Gloucestershire County Council Safety, Health and Environment website.
Health and Safety Executive - COSHH - Health and Safety Executive, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
6.6 Hands should be washed:
- On arrival and leaving a person’s home/room/ bedside
- Before and after providing personal care
- After using the toilet
- Gloves should be worn when handling potentially contaminated articles e.g. commodes, dirty laundry etc. Once gloves have been removed, wash hands
- Before and after meal breaks
- Before and after preparing or assisting with food
- When hands are visibly dirty
- After bed making
- After removing gloves
N.B. wearing protective gloves is not an alternative to hand washing.
6.7 Hands should be dried thoroughly preferably on paper towels. Wet surfaces transfer micro-organisms more effectively than dry ones and organisms will be removed by friction on the paper towel. (Ansari et al 1991).
Practice Guidance:
6.8 Proper hand washing involves the use of hot water with liquid soap on hands that are already wet. Particular attention should be paid to the thumbs, the tips of fingers, the wrists and the skin and webs between the fingers. See hand washing diagrams in appendix 1 for the recommended technique. For routine hand washing, soap and hot water is sufficient.
6.9 Nail varnish, false nails including acrylic nails, and jewellery should not be worn, except a plain wedding ring but this should be removed when washing hands.
6.10 Staff routinely performing personal care tasks should keep their nails cut short.
6.11 Short sleeves or long sleeves, which can be rolled up, should be worn as long sleeves deter thorough hand decontamination. See Dress code Appendix 2
