World Hand Hygiene Day

Learn how employers can use World Hand Hygiene Day to promote good hand hygiene to employees.

The workplace benefits of good hand hygiene

Encouraging proper hand hygiene at work can:

• Reduce the spread of illnesses, leading to fewer sick days
• Improve workplace cleanliness and hygiene
• Enhance employee wellbeing and confidence in workplace safety
• Support infection control measures, particularly in high-risk environments
• Promote a culture of health and responsibility among staff

Engaging staff on world hand hygiene day

As an employer, you can take simple and effective steps to promote World Hand Hygiene Day:

Launch a handwashing awareness campaign

Display posters and reminders in washrooms and communal areas. Doing this will encourage employees to wash their hands regularly.

Run interactive demonstrations

Invite an expert to show employees the best way to wash their hands. They can also explain why good hygiene is important.

Encourage employees to take part

Use quizzes and workplace challenges to keep your employees engaged.

Use digital reminders

Share hand hygiene tips through emails, newsletters and internal messaging platforms.

Hand hygiene beyond World Hand Hygiene Day

Employers should encourage good hygiene habits throughout the year. Here are some ways to create a cleaner and healthier work environment:

Keep hand hygiene supplies stocked

Make sure employees have access to soap, hand sanitiser and tissues in areas like kitchens, bathrooms and meeting spaces.

Provide infection control education

Share clear, practical guidance about handwashing techniques and preventing the spread of germs.

Promote workplace cleanliness

Encourage employees to keep their desks and shared spaces clean. Support this by providing disinfectant wipes and setting hygiene expectations for communal areas.

Ensure access to handwashing facilities

Provide soap, hand sanitiser, and drying stations for employees. If you have customers and service users, make sure they can also maintain good hygiene.

Display reminders in washrooms and communal areas to encourage employees to wash their hands properly.

Get Involved

Find out how your workplace can get involved in World Hand Hygiene Day and access resources on the World Health Organisation website (opens in new window).

For more information about a range of health and wellbeing topics, visit our Health A-Z.

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