Why do only 61% of UK office workers wash their hands after a toilet break?

Portable hand wash units for the office

…and seven percent don’t ever wash!

A cleaning solution provider based in Manchester, SMC Premier Cleaning recently conducted a survey of more than 5,000 office workers in the UK regarding their hand washing habits – and the results are worrying, according to a recent report on the News Anyway website.

Perhaps inevitably, the figures for women are less grim than those for men, with 66% of them washing their hands after a toilet vest, with men only managing 53%. “The results reveal a disturbing statistic” says the article. The figures speak for themselves, with

  • 61% of those surveyed washed their hands “properly” with soap and water – so far so good, but…
  • 18% have a “quick hand wash”
  • 14% “occasionally wash their hands”
  • 7% “admitted to not washing their hands” at all!

Other factors have also been covered in the survey, including age variations, numbers that eat at their desks – and even the issues arising from having a dog in the office.

Hot desking hygiene issues

The issues surrounding hot desking have also been covered, says the article, along with the awarenesses – or lack of it – of who is actually responsible for basic hygiene in the office.

“44% had never considered the possibility that hot-desking can be unclean.”

See the full SMC Premier Cleaning Survey results »

Survey reveals that only 61% of UK office workers wash their hands after going to the toilet »


Portable sinks encourage effective hand washing in the workplace

TEAL produces an incredible range of mobile sinks and portable basins for every type of hand washing situation for use by anyone who needs to wash their hands effectively, whether they’re in an office environment, temporary accommodation or out in the field on a daily basis.

There are vehicle mounted, wall mounted, mains powered and free standing hand wash stations as well as mobile sinks with pre-heated hot water.

The TEAL range of mobile sinks includes the MediWashHygienius and Hygienius ProWashBigSynkSuper StalletteTEALwashHandeman XtraCompact Classic and WashStand.

How to choose the correct mobile sink »