How to wash your hands properly

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Step 1

Wet your hands thoroughly under warm running water and squirt liquid soap onto the palm of one hand.
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Step 2

Rub your hands together to make lather.
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Step 3

Rub the palm of one hand along the back of the other and along the fingers. Then repeat with the other hand.
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Step 4

Rub in between each of your fingers on both hands and round your thumbs.
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Step 5

Rinse off the soap with clean water.
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Step 6

Dry hands thoroughly on a disposable towel

This should take 30 seconds.

Remember that everyone who handles food washes his or her hands before starting work, after a break, after going to the toilet, after emptying a bin and before starting a new task.

Employee hygiene and health
The role of food handlers in the production of safe and wholesome food can't be overstated. In dealing with packaging and raw materials through to the finished products, these people have the ability to make or break any quality management system. Training workers in the hygienic handling of foods, giving them a basic understanding of the nature of micro-organisms, chemical and physical hazards, and providing a written code of sanitary conduct leads a processor towards control of food safety.

The following is an example of a code of conduct for food handlers:

  • Persons carrying a disease or who have wounds, skin infections, sores or diarrhea shouldn't be working with food and should inform their supervisor that these conditions exist.
  • All food handlers should have a medical examination prior to their employment.
  • All food handlers must attend training sessions covering the guidelines for safe food handling, personal hygiene and the reasons for these guidelines. (Contact your local health authority for a course in your area.)
  • All persons, including visitors, must wash their hands with soap and warm running water upon entering the processing area and as required throughout production.
  • All persons, including visitors, entering the processing area must wear clean protective clothing, a hair covering and appropriate footwear for use only in the plant. This clothing isn't to be worn outside, in smoking or eating areas or in washrooms.
  • All jewelry, except medic alerts, must be removed prior to entering the processing area.
  • Tobacco, gum, and eating or drinking are not permitted in the processing area.

How to was your hands properly.doc