Appropriate Hand

Hygiene
Reduce the Risk
of
Getting Sick and Spreading Germs

New York University

Environmental Health and Safety
 Why Should I
Wash My Hands?
Hand Hygiene/Hand Washing is
the single most effective method to
reduce the risk of spreading germs.

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 When Should I
Wash My Hands?
 Before starting your day, before and after lunch, and
generally, when you feel it necessary, wash with soap
and water.

 When hands are dirty, contaminated or soiled, wash

with soap and water.
*Especially important after coughing, sneezing or using a
tissue

 If soap and water are not readily available, use an

alcohol-based (60% or higher) hand-rub for routine
scrubbing
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 How Should I
Wash My Hands?
Proper Techniques for Hand Washing

Step 1
Wet hands first
with warm water
*avoid hot water

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 Proper Techniques for Hand Washing

Step 2
Apply 3-5 ml (2 - 3 pumps) of soap to hands.

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 Proper Techniques for Hand Washing
Step 3
Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds,
covering all surfaces of the hands and in-
between fingers.

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 Proper Techniques for Hand Washing

Step 4
Rinse hands with Step 5
water. Dry thoroughly using
paper towels, leaving
faucet on.
.

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 Proper Techniques for Hand Washing

Step 6
Use a new paper Step 7
towel to turn off Discard used paper
faucet. towels in trash.

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 Remember….

Source: http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/stopgerms/posters.aspx

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 Resources
• http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/index.html
• http://www.nyu.edu/shc/flu
• Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-care Settings.
MMWR 2002; vol. 51, no. RR-16.
• http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable
/influenza/
• New York University Student Health Center
http://www.nyu.edu/shc/
• New York University Environmental Health and Safety
www.nyu.edu/ehs : 212-998-1450

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