Paul Thrupp, Chair of the Independent Washroom Services Association (IWSA), reports.
I recently attended the Cleaning Show at The Excel in London where I participated in a panel discussing the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic.
There were many lessons learnt during the pandemic, particularly in respect of the prevention of cross contamination, immunisation, emergency preparedness and the need for sufficient stocks of PPE, hygiene products, materials, machinery and equipment.
Another key lesson was the importance of hand hygiene, with recommendations and guidelines being issued during the pandemic advising the public on how to correctly wash and sanitise their hands.
The use of hand sanitiser following vigorous hand washing was an effective solution to preventing the transmission of Covid.
During the pandemic, the IWSA, through its members, was able to support thousands of businesses and locations with the supply of effective washroom solutions, including the supply of hand sanitiser and dispensers.
However, since the pandemic, some businesses, particularly in the hospitality and transport sectors, have reduced or stopped the supply of hand sanitiser and many, many dispensers stand empty across the UK.
Hand sanitisation with products containing at least 60 per cent alcohol remain crucial for preventing the spread of illness by removing or killing germs on the skin.
Though hand sanitisation is not effective against all germs, it is a quick and convenient addition or alternative to washing hands with soap and water when those are not readily available, especially when hands are already clean and not visibly soiled.
It is such a shame that many dispensers stand empty and this is impacting effective hand cleansing throughout the UK.
It doesn’t have to be expensive to supply a hand sanitisation solution and, by consulting with washroom specialists through the IWSA, a solution which is both hygienic and cost effective can be tailormade for every business.
Generally, our advice would always be that effective hand washing is the preferred means of maintaining good hand hygiene, however the use of hand sanitisers is the best alternative for convenience, and for supporting a hand wash system.
A clean and hygienic washroom is a vital component of a positive public and private washroom experience, and your staff, clients and the public will associate the cleanliness of your washroom with other elements of your services.
The IWSA strongly recommends that you invest in effective washroom products and provide sufficient and inclusive facilities for all.
https://www.iwsa.org.uk/
About the contributor
Paul Thrupp
Chair
Independent Washroom Services Association (IWSA)