Hand Washing Teaching Tools

Proper hand washing is necessary in areas of food service, health-care and industries requiring human contact. The responsibilities and procedures are often outlined during training sessions held prior to employment or as a part of continuing training for employees. The tools needed to properly conduct training can be found via a number of readily available sources.

Posters

• The Occupation Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety while providing posters, booklets and other training aids to job sites throughout the country. Employees and workplace visitors receive a visual demonstration of proper hand wash technique displayed on posters positioned in workplace bathrooms and hand-wash areas.

Videos

• Medical training organizations such as nursing schools demonstrate proper hand wash technique through video presentations. Food service organizations such as restaurants and cafeterias train their employees through the use of video demonstration. In many cases, the food handler card necessary for employment in the food service industry cannot be awarded without the cardholder viewing a hand wash demonstration.

Demonstrators

• Many training sessions make use of a trained individual to demonstrate proper hand wash technique. The demonstrator may be a worker within the organization or a training representative from an outside contractor. Training usually concludes when all in attendance have successfully followed the demonstrators method, and completed a proper hand wash.

Fact Sheets

• The state of Massachusetts provides documents highlighting the basic responsibilities and procedures surrounding the importance of proper hand hygiene. A number of states and private organizations also produce these one-page training aids. These fact sheets act as constant reminders of the responsibility of all who enter the work space. Like posters, proper positioning in a work or restroom area can maximize the effectiveness of the fact sheet.