Addressing Personal Hygiene As A Workplace Safety Issue

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HOW TO APPROACH
PERSONAL HYGIENE AS A
SAFETY MEETING TOPIC
WEEKLYSAFETY ▶ BLOG ▶ CONDUCT ▶
Personal hygiene should not interfere with anyone’s ability to complete their job as effectively,
and safely, as expected. When employees report for work, they have a right to a clean and
safe workplace.
Every workplace has a hygiene standard that demonstrates the values of the
organization. When employees exhibit good personal hygiene at work, this helps:
promote good health and well-being for all personnel.
prevent the spread of illness.
limit distractions and safety concerns due to poor hygiene and housekeeping
issues.
set a good example for others.
provide an atmosphere of cleanliness, orderliness and safety.
make the workplace more pleasant for others.
reduce stress due to tension among employees who have different opinions on
personal hygiene and job site cleanliness.
Reminders concerning personal hygiene, and why it's important as part of your
workplace safety program, can be provided as a topic during a safety meeting or toolbox
talk. Areas of guidance that you can bring up during the safety meeting include clothing,
PPE, cleanliness, odor, hand washing, eating and keeping common areas clean.
If you aren't sure how to approach the subject or what areas are important to
concentrate on, here are some good tips on reminders you can provide to your crews
during the safety meeting.
CLOTHING
Keep your work clothes clean and in good condition. Holes in clothing increase the
likelihood that hazardous or contaminated substances may come in contact with your
skin that may cause irritation. Ripped clothing, or clothes that do not fit properly, may
pose a caught-in hazard when working around machinery. Wash dirty or soiled clothing
before wearing again.
If you work in a wet environment, change your shoes every other day to give them time
to dry out. Clean dirt and debris off of work boots regularly.
Do not wear PPE that is damaged, torn, worn out or excessively dirty. Store PPE in a
clean and dry area, until required for use, to prevent contamination. Do not reuse
single-use PPE like one-time use face masks or disposable gloves. Do not touch
contaminated PPE with your bare hands.
BODY HYGIENE
It may not bother an individual to have less than ideal personal hygiene, but when in a
working environment it can have an impact on other personnel. When odors become a
problem, they can affect co-workers’ ability to concentrate on their own tasks on the job.
Bathe, shower and wash your hair regularly. Use soap to bathe. Use deodorant or
antiperspirant daily, especially if you tend to sweat during the course of the work day.
Keep your hands neat and clean. Wash your hands often. Never use solvents to clean
your hands.
Avoid wearing too much perfume or cologne. Some people may have allergies and the
strong scent may be irritating. Perfume, cologne, and scented lotions should be kept to a
minimum while at work.
Maintain your dental health. Bad breath may not be apparent to you, but it can be
offensive to other workers.
Wear clean socks to work each day. Cotton socks are best because they “breathe” and
absorb moisture.
Cuts and burns must be covered at all times with appropriate first aid dressings. Make
sure cuts, burns or lacerations are kept clean to prevent infection.
ILLNESS PREVENTION
Do not come to work if you are feeling sick.
Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, with your hand, with a tissue, or with the
inside of your elbow. Always wash your hands afterwards. Throw away used tissues
immediately.
Wash your hands with soap and water (not just water). If soap is not available then use a
hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
Always wash your hands…
before and after your work shift.
after visiting the restroom.
before and after wearing gloves.
if your hands become dirty or come in contact with hazardous or contaminated
substances.
after sneezing or coughing into your hands or a tissue
before and after eating
after handling trash or after any cleanup activity
after handling money
after touching dirty equipment
WORK AREA CLEANLINESS
Keep your work area tidy, and clean up after yourself, including after using the restroom
or any other common areas. Throw away garbage, wipe down surfaces, and pick up
anything that fell on the floor or the ground. Throw away trash at the end of your work
shift that may have accumulated throughout the day, including food wrappers, used
paper towels or tissues, beverage containers, etc.
Do not keep any food at work that is not in a sealed container. Throw away any uneaten
food, that is kept at work or in a work fridge, at the end of every week. Wash reusable
dishes daily, including mugs, insulated thermos containers and utensils.
OSHA Standard 1926.25(c) Containers shall be provided for the collection and
separation of waste, trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse. Containers used
for garbage and other oily, flammable, or hazardous wastes, such as caustics,
acids, harmful dusts, etc. shall be equipped with covers. Garbage and other
waste shall be disposed of at frequent and regular intervals.
Use garbage cans and do not litter. Trash bins should be emptied regularly and not
allowed to overflow. Trash should never be spilling onto the floor.
Wipe down the microwave after using. Always place a paper towel, paper plate or other
cover on the top of any food cooking in a microwave to prevent splatter.
If you notice ants, vermin, or droppings in any work or common area, notify
management immediately.
OSHA Standard 1910.141(a)(4)(ii) All sweepings, solid or liquid wastes, refuse,

and garbage shall be removed in such a manner as to avoid creating a menace
to health and as often as necessary or appropriate to maintain the place of
employment in a sanitary condition.

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OSHA Standard 1910.141(a)(4)(ii) All sweepings, solid or liquid wastes, refuse,

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