C&M
HAND HYGIENE
Hand hygiene in winter months Hand hygiene is more important than ever in the cooler months when colds, flu and other illnesses are rife. But washing hands when out and about can be more problematical in winter, says Stuart Hands from Tork manufacturer, Essity. THIS is going to be a winter like no other.
hygiene becomes more of a challenge in winter.
therefore be made to ensure that washrooms
After a two-year cycle of repeated COVID-19
Our hands are more likely to become chapped
can be used quickly, seamlessly and intuitively
lockdowns, restrictions have now been lifted
and sore in the colder weather, and this makes
and that hand hygiene can be carried out swiftly
which means that public venues have re-
frequent hand washing and drying a potentially
and comfortably.
opened for business. Mask-wearing - previously
painful process.
compulsory - is now optional and social-
Hand hygiene can only really be executed
distancing has become a guideline rather than a
in the washroom while out and about, but
requirement. And venues such as retail centres,
publicly-used washrooms are busier than ever
restaurants, bars, and pubs are filling up fast in
at this time of year with festive shoppers, diners,
the run-up to Christmas - the first we have been
drinkers, and revellers. Long queues in congested
allowed to celebrate since 2019.
washrooms present us with a quandary. While
Yet there are still significant risks involved
we might be anxious to wash and dry our hands
when visiting a crowded commercial space. And
thoroughly to prevent ourselves and others
those risks become greater than ever during
from becoming ill, fears of catching COVID may
the winter months. Plummeting temperatures
make us less willing to wait for long periods in an
create the ideal conditions for illnesses to thrive.
enclosed space for our turn at the hand hygiene
Besides the ever-present threat of COVID-19,
facilities. So some of us may be tempted to
the flu season is now in full swing and colds
execute a cursory hand wash and then leave in
are starting to circulate once again. Meanwhile,
a hurry with our hands still damp. This will lead
the winter weather drives shoppers, diners and
to more people circulating with inadequately
drinkers indoors where the risk of infection is
washed hands - which could become an issue
greater than it is outside. And natural ventilation
if they go on to handle cutlery and glasses in
in the form of open doors and windows - said to
hospitality venues or pick up items in shops. And
lasting supply of soap will help to speed up
be helpful for reducing the spread of COVID-19 -
damp hands also create a moist environment in
hand washing. The Tork Skincare Dispenser is
is not a viable option in the winter. So, everyone
which germs can breed.
a good option in busy shops and restaurants
needs to be on their guard and do whatever
There are other reasons why washroom
they can to keep themselves and others safe.
congestion needs to be avoided. Queues will
The importance of hand hygiene has become
potentially cause frustration among visitors
An easy-to use soap dispenser with a long-
because it requires a particularly low push-force to access the soap inside. When washrooms are filled with festive
more widely understood during the global
whose irritation may be reflected in poor
shoppers, diners and drinkers there is a risk
pandemic, and hand sanitiser dispensers are
satisfaction scores. And time spent in the
that supplies of toilet paper, hand towels
now a common sight in restaurants, retail
toilets will keep customers away from the bar,
and soaps will run out too quickly. When this
centres and public buildings. And reminders to
restaurant or shop floor where they could be
occurs, people will be forced to wait longer to
wash our hands can be seen everywhere in the
spending money, which will of course will have
use those cubicles and sinks where supplies
form of signs, posters and stickers. But hand
a knock-on effect on profits. All efforts should
remain in place. The Tork Skincare Dispenser contains 2500 shots of Tork Foam Soap per refill compared with around 1000 in most liquid soap systems. This ensures a long-lasting supply and avoids the risk of run-outs. A high-capacity hand towel dispenser will also help to speed up washroom use because it will allow visitors to take a towel and move on, drying their hands as they go while freeing up the unit for the next user. The Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser caters for more than 1000 guests between refills and can deliver a towel in just three seconds. Mild soaps, soft towels and moisturisers will help to improve skin health and prevent people’s hands becoming chapped and sore
20 NOVEMBER 2021
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