Blog, General news, Schools and nurseries, Workforce hand washing
Why hand washing is essential during farm visits
Mar
NFU medical expert outline what it is that farmers and visitors need to be aware of
With spring arriving, many schools, nurseries and families will begin to think of organising fun and educational outdoor based activities – and in many cases farm visits can provide a diverting day out for youngsters and adults alike. It is therefore an ideal time for famers who will potentially host these visits to begin preparations that will help keep their visitors safe and free from infection, according to a recent report on the NFU website.
The article by a consultant in health protection, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals that “visiting a farm does carry some risk of catching an infection from animals or from the wider environment”.
Charlotte Flynn stated that last year UKHSA investigated 16 cryptosporidium outbreaks across the country, which were actually linked to farm visits. “Hundreds” of infections resulted said Flynn, with one just lamb feeding and handling event in the south east resulting in more than 400 people falling ill!
Such outbreaks can have serious repercussions for those who fall ill – and for the farm at the heart of any such outbreak, which could even result in legal action.
Help is at hand!
The good news is that there are “excellent resources available” to help farmers prepare in advance of opening up their land, for the first time in many cases, says the report.
The Industry Code of Practice version 3, published by Access To Farms emphasises, amongst other things, the importance of hand washing, saying that
- “Staff should understand basic health and safety information regarding their role”,
- they must identify “Areas where hand washing must occur”
- and they must know “The reasons why hand washing is important.”
A sufficient number of hand washing stations must be provided says the free to download and use PDF document – and they must be located wherever hand washing needs to take place.
“It is not acceptable to provide bowls of water for visitors to wash their hands. Using bowls of water rather than running water increases the risk of passing on contaminants.”
Gels and wipes do not work – so don’t make them available!
This may surprise people, but alcohol gels and wipes do not work at all well when it comes to potential farm-based infections. With this in mind, farms should not even make them available says the guidance.
“To do so risks visitors using wipes or gels as an alternative to hand washing.”
Hand washing stations must be positioned wherever they are most likely to be needed says the guidance -therwise they may be a pointless addition.
“If washing facilities are not conveniently located near to eating areas they may not be used by visitors.”
Teal mobile hand wash sinks – place them wherever they’re needed!
There are vehicle mounted, wall mounted, mains powered and free standing hand wash stations as well as mobile sinks for use with pre-heated hot water.
The Teal range of mobile sinks includes the MediWash, Hygienius and Hygienius ProWash, BigSynk, Super Stallette, TEALwash, Handeman Xtra, Compact Classic, HandSpa, CliniWash – and now the new WashStand Xtra.