We have been working with Aboutime.  Run by a husband and wife team – they work hard to clean other people’s homes and businesses.

As part of the programme we surveyed loads of people, over 1000, to see just how clean their homes are; or if they argue about, how often they clean etc.

We did one in the office environment as well.  Just look at the person beside you, chances are they have washed their hands at all!  Remember that when you’re drinking that lovely cup of coffee they brought you in the morning!

Check out the release below

SURVEY DISCOVERS ONLY TWO IN FIVE OFFICE WORKERS WASH THEIR HANDS

Office disease spreads as survey reveals lack of hygiene care.

With 60% of your day spent in the office, an alarming survey reveals only two in five of your work colleagues are washing their hands following a toilet visit. In a new survey of 200 employees across a range of roles, Aboutime Home and Workplace Cleaning Services has discovered this is the weak link in the fight against the spread of infectious diseases!

With over 40% of us or our colleagues not washing their hands, it is of little surprise that sick leave, colds and flu and strange new viruses are all on the increase. More worrying is Aboutime also found over 65% of companies don’t encourage basic levels of hygiene.

Naturally the type of work was reflected in the amount of times people washed their hands during any given day.  75% of construction workers; 63% of office workers and 57% of customer services personnel wash their hands less than 3 times per day! 93% of medical employees and 87% of food service employees showed a much higher level of awareness, washing their hands anything up to 10 times per day.

“You have to think of the keyboards, kitchen plates, cups, cutlery and phones – all can, when tested, be sources of the worst kind of bacteria including faecal” said Patricia O’Neill, owner of Aboutime Home and Workplace Cleaning Services.

“In your own home you control the environment and can guarantee hygiene for your surfaces, protecting both you and your loved ones. Unfortunately once you enter the workplace you rely on others to protect your health. You need to wash your hands at least 4 to 5 times daily and wash in the right way.  The temperature of the water, type of soap/detergent used and length of time washing, all contribute towards the first line of defence in the fight against germs in the workplace” she concluded.

With a high annual level of absenteeism by Irish workers due to sickness, costing millions to the Irish economy, such a simple step of encouraging hand washing, signage in the hand basin areas, good soap and detergents on view and excellent hand drying equipment would help reduce the number of days taken. The Department of Health recognises the benefits of hand washing in the prevention of the spreading of germs and the control of disease, and it regularly promotes the basic departmental guidelines on health. We should add to this effort in our workplaces.

“Hand washing is a personal and professional responsibility, it should be done routinely.  Let’s face it – its common sense, easy and effective hygiene control” concluded Patricia O’Neill of Aboutime.