|
 Looking
for answers to OSHA Questions? Check out our OSHA Center!
| |
What constitutes a "good" hand washing?
A thorough hand washing consists of the following steps which should last
approximately 1- 2 full minutes:
 Wet both hands
and forearms with warm water. - Apply a generous amount of disinfecting soap in the palm of one hand;
chlorhexadine scrub and povidone-iodine scrub are excellent examples.
- Using a vigorous motion, scrub each side of the hand, between the fingers
and at least halfway up the arm. Be sure to wash under any rings.
- If there is debris under the fingernails, use a hard plastic pick or stuff
brush to remove the material while the soap is still on the hands.
- Rinse both hands thoroughly with warm or tepid water.
- Dry both hands and arms with a towel or air dryer because moisture will
attract more microorganisms from the air.
Since running water is not always available (like when in the field) a tube
of sanitizing cream or wet-wipes should be kept in the mobile unit to help with
cleaning up after the procedures. This is not a substitute for hand washing, but
a great interim step until you get to a place with a suitable sink.
 Back to OSHA Questions
The information on these pages is excerpted from
The Veterinary Safety & Health Digest,
Copyright 2000 Philip J. Seibert, Jr., CVT All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced for distribution without prior
permission from the publisher. |
