Ensuring associate safety – proper hand washing

We’ve been hearing about the importance of washing our hands to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but do we all fully understand why, how and when? Let’s take a look …

Why

Proper hand washing can reduce the risk of respiratory infection by 21%! The lighter areas of the image below show a blacklight reactive gel that stimulates germs present on hands.

When

When it comes to handwashing, more is better, especially during key situations, including:

• Before touching your eyes nose or mouth
• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• After using the restroom
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface (door handle, table, gas pump, shopping cart, etc.) that may be touched by many others

Washing with soap and water is best, but when not available, using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for 15 seconds is a good substitute until you can get to a sink.

How

The key to proper hand washing is not just the time you spend (at least 20 seconds), but what you do during that time is critical.

Why – bonus

Ever wonder why regular soap and water are so powerful against the novel coronavirus?  Here’s your answer:

Soap is made up of two-sided molecules, one side attracted to water, the other to fat. The novel coronavirus has a fat-based outer envelope, which gets torn apart by soap molecules and the friction from proper handwashing for 20 seconds. Without its outer layer – the virus particles become harmless.

We are committed to providing a successful and safe return to work for all associates. Leadership and TMS team members across NA have guidelines to ensure associates are adhering to COVID-19 processes, countermeasures and safety requirements.

We are all responsible for ensuring one another’s safety – if you witness someone not following safety protocols, please discuss with them or contact your TMS representative. Any associate refusing to follow behaviors outlined in the NA Risk Minimization Playbook will face disciplinary actions, which range from warnings to termination, please see your local Associate Handbook for more details.