Hand Hygiene in the Workplace: Reducing Illness and Absence

The Cost of Poor Hand Hygiene

Poor hand hygiene in workplaces has measurable costs:

The average UK worker takes 4.4 sick days per year, many caused by preventable infections

Gastrointestinal and respiratory infections—largely transmitted via hands—account for most short-term illness absence

Each sick day costs employers an average of £100 in direct costs, plus indirect impacts on productivity

Improving hand hygiene can significantly reduce these costs while creating a healthier workplace.

The Science of Hand Transmission

Understanding how illness spreads helps explain why hand hygiene matters:

How Germs Transfer

An infected person coughs or sneezes, depositing germs on their hands

They touch surfaces—door handles, keyboards, shared equipment

Germs survive on surfaces for hours to days depending on type

Others touch the contaminated surfaces

They touch their face—mouth, nose, eyes—introducing germs

The average person touches their face 16 times per hour, providing constant opportunities for transmission.

Breaking the Chain

Hand hygiene interrupts this transmission chain at multiple points:

The infected person's hands are cleaned, reducing contamination

Surface contamination decreases

Even if surfaces are contaminated, clean hands reduce transmission

Effective Handwashing

Not all handwashing is equally effective.

The Right Technique

Proper handwashing takes approximately 20 seconds:

Wet hands with water

Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces

Rub hands palm to palm

Interlace fingers and rub between them

Clasp fingers and rub backs of fingers

Rub thumbs and tips of fingers

Rinse thoroughly

Dry completely with paper towel

Many people wash for only 5-10 seconds, missing crucial steps.

When to Wash

Key moments for handwashing at work:

After using the toilet

Before and after eating

After blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing

After handling shared equipment

Before and after meetings with handshakes

When hands are visibly dirty

Why Drying Matters

Wet hands spread germs more easily than dry hands. Thorough drying with paper towels is most effective—they physically remove remaining germs and create friction that dislodges bacteria.

Hand Sanitiser: When and How

Hand sanitisers are valuable supplements to handwashing, not replacements.

When Sanitiser Works

Alcohol-based sanitisers (60%+ alcohol) effectively kill most bacteria and many viruses when:

Hands are not visibly dirty

Used correctly (covering all surfaces, allowing to dry)

Applied in sufficient quantity

When Sanitiser Doesn't Work

Sanitiser is less effective:

On visibly dirty hands

Against some viruses (norovirus is partially resistant)

If dried before covering all surfaces

If hands are wet

Best Use

Provide sanitiser at:

Building entrances

Meeting room doors

Shared equipment areas

Canteens and break rooms

Position it where people will use it without going out of their way.

Creating a Hand Hygiene Culture

Facilities alone don't improve hygiene—behaviour change is essential.

Making It Easy

People wash hands when it's convenient:

Adequate sinks in accessible locations

Short queues at peak times

Soap dispensers that work reliably

Paper towels always stocked

Every friction point reduces compliance.

Making It Normal

Social norms influence behaviour:

Leaders who model good hygiene

Visible prompts (not preachy posters, but subtle cues)

Peer reinforcement of expectations

Regular reminders without nagging

Making It Understood

When people understand why, they comply more consistently:

Brief education on transmission

Connection to team health (not just individual)

Genuine interest in staff wellbeing

Measuring Impact

Improved hand hygiene should reduce illness absence. Track:

Sick days before and after interventions

Particularly gastrointestinal and respiratory illness

Seasonal patterns (winter illnesses)

Even modest improvements—10-20% reduction in related sick days—deliver significant value.

How Doves Supports Hand Hygiene

Our services contribute to hand hygiene in several ways:

Quality Products: Soap that works well and feels pleasant encourages use

Reliable Supply: Dispensers that are never empty

Well-Maintained Equipment: Functioning taps, dispensers, and dryers

Strategic Placement: Sanitiser stations in key locations

Air Care: Pleasant environment encourages facility use