Hand Sanitizer’s Benefits in the Workplace

As flu season approaches, and with the added menace of the H1N1 flu strain, many people are concerned about illness prevention. Scientists and doctors tell people to repeatedly wash their hands; in the workplace, however, it may not be possible to leave your desk or area of work to wash one’s hands as often as doctors recommend. Therefore, many workplaces provide or encourage the use of hand sanitizers. What are the benefits of hand sanitizers in the workplace?

Since the workplace exposes an employee to a wide range of potential vectors for infection, hand sanitizer can help prevent contracting an illness. This can be especially true if one works in customer service, as many people think nothing of placing a credit card in their mouth and then handing it over.

As long as the alcohol content of the solution surpasses 60%, the sanitizer will kill about 99% of germs. However, the hand sanitizer must be used properly. Make sure to use a generous amount, and don’t forget any area of your hands—even your fingernails should be covered.

Officials have confirmed that hand sanitizer can also defend against the spread of the H1N1 virus. Liberal use of hand sanitizer by employees has been shown to decrease absenteeism. Therefore, use of hand sanitizers, while not by any means a replacement of soap and water, has many benefits for the workplace. Not only will the employees be healthier overall, but also the company will not suffer as much, financially, from absenteeism due to illness. For the workplace, hand sanitizer is an inexpensive yet vital investment.