Blenkharn Environmental and the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum have long recognised the importance of hand hygiene for waste handlers, and the current deficiencies in hand hygiene performance.

Alcohol hand rubs have found a place in hand hygiene, with little recognition of the need for clean hands if hand rubs are to be effective, or of the need for an adequate dose.

Quite correctly HSA Ireland advise waste handlers to “Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling waste“. Unfortunately, there is no mention of how, or how often, and no guidance on the arrangements for staff working away from base.

It is rare that hospital waste compounds are equipped with wash hand basins. Waste handlers, drivers and roundsmen frequently complain that access to handwashing facilities at customer sites is restricted; in some instances they are specifically barred from using hygiene facilities and forced to use the facilities in cafes and service stations, and in public toilets. So much for the caring health services.

Compact vehicle-mounted hand wash facilities are available but uses often complain that they are unreliable in use. Notwithstanding these difficulties – it seems that users may be at fault and the maintenance of an effective handwash station might be a routine part of daily vehicle checks – these should be made available on all waste carrying vehicles with alcohol hand rubs as a supplement only. Where this really is not possible, the use of large size moistened medicated hand wipes followed by hand rub might suffice.