3.16.1.2: Handwashing Policies
- Page ID
- 41693
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Handwashing Policy for Staff
Purpose
This policy ensures that all staff members practice effective hand hygiene to promote a healthy environment and reduce the spread of germs and illnesses among children and staff.
When to Wash Hands
Staff must wash their hands:
Before:
- Starting the workday or returning from a break.
- Preparing or serving food.
- Eating or drinking.
- Handling clean dishes or utensils.
- Administering medication.
After:
- Using the restroom.
- Assisting a child with toileting or diapering.
- Handling soiled clothing, diapers, or other materials.
- Sneezing, coughing, or blowing the nose.
- Touching the face, hair, or body.
- Cleaning or handling garbage.
- Coming into contact with blood, bodily fluids, or potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Playing outdoors or handling pets.
Handwashing Procedure
- Prepare:
- Roll up sleeves and remove any jewelry from hands and wrists.
- Wet Hands:
- Turn on warm running water and wet your hands thoroughly.
- Apply Soap:
- Apply liquid or foam soap to your hands.
- Scrub:
- Rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all surfaces are cleaned, including:
- Palms
- Backs of hands
- Between fingers
- Under nails
- Wrists
- Rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all surfaces are cleaned, including:
- Rinse:
- Rinse hands under warm running water to remove all soap and debris.
- Dry:
- Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use paper towel.
- Turn Off Faucet:
- Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and discard it in the trash.
Hand Sanitizer Use
- Hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) may be used only when soap and water are not available.
- Staff must still wash hands with soap and water as soon as possible after using hand sanitizer.
Responsibilities
- Staff: Follow the handwashing policy consistently and serve as role models for children by demonstrating proper handwashing techniques.
- Directors/Administrators: Ensure soap, paper towels, and other supplies are always available and maintain clean and functional handwashing facilities.
- Training: Staff will receive regular training on proper handwashing procedures and the importance of hand hygiene.
Assisting Children with Handwashing
Staff must assist children with handwashing to help them develop proper hygiene habits and ensure thorough cleaning.
When Assisting Children:
- Model Proper Handwashing:
- Demonstrate the correct handwashing steps for children to follow.
- Ensure Safety:
- Adjust the sink height (using a step stool if needed) to allow children to reach the faucet comfortably.
- Guide the Process:
- Help children turn on the water, apply soap, and rub their hands together for at least 20 seconds, ensuring they wash all hand surfaces.
- Supervise and Encourage:
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage children to take their time and wash thoroughly.
- Rinse and Dry:
- Help children rinse hands under warm water and dry them with a single-use paper towel.
- Assist children in using a paper towel to turn off the faucet if needed.
- Promote Independence:
- Gradually encourage children to complete the steps independently while ensuring they maintain proper hygiene.
Compliance
Failure to follow this handwashing policy may result in corrective action, as it directly impacts the health and safety of children and staff.
This policy is in alignment with health and safety regulations and reflects best practices for early childhood care settings.