SAFE METHOD:
HANDWASHING
Effective handwashing is essential to help prevent bacteria
spreading to food.
Make sure that all staff who work with food wash their hands properly before handling or preparing
food. Harmful bacteria can spread very easily from people’s hands to food, work surfaces, equipment
etc. Effective handwashing helps to prevent this. Following the steps below will make sure hands are
washed properly.
 WASHING HANDS EFFECTIVELY
 Step 1:                                                             Step 2:
 Wet your hands thoroughly under                                     Rub your hands together palm
 warm running water and squirt                                       to palm to make a lather.
 liquid soap onto your palm.
 Step 3:                                                             Step 4:
 Rub the palm of one hand along                                      Put your palms together with
 the back of the other and along                                     fingers interlocked and rub in
 the fingers. Repeat with the                                        between each of the fingers
 other hand.                                                         thoroughly.
 Step 5:                                                             Step 6:
 Rub around your thumbs on each                                      Rinse off the soap with clean
 hand and then rub the fingertips                                    water and dry your hands
 of each hand against your palms.                                    thoroughly on a disposable towel.
                                                                     Turn off the tap with the towel
                                                                     and then throw the towel away.
 CHECK IT
 For hands to be washed               Do you use liquid soap?
 properly, you need warm              Yes	      	No	            	 If no, what do you use?
 running water, liquid soap and
 preferably disposable towels.
                                      Do you use disposable towels?
                                      Yes	      	No	            	 If no, what do you use?
Food Standards Agency l food.gov.uk/sfbb
 WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS
 Before touching or handling any food, especially ready-to-eat food.
 When entering the kitchen e.g. after a break or going to the toilet.
 After touching or emptying bins.
 After any cleaning.
 After touching a cut or changing a dressing.
 After touching items such as phones, light switches, door handles,
 cash registers and money.
 THINK TWICE!
 If you use disposable gloves in your business, they should never be used as an alternative to effective handwashing.
 When using disposable gloves make sure you:
 •	 Wash your hands thoroughly before putting them on and after taking them off.
 •	 Always change them regularly, especially between handling raw food and ready-to-eat food.
 •	 Throw them away after use or if damaged.
 Hygienic hand rubs and gels can be useful when used as an additional precaution, but should never be used as
 a replacement for effective handwashing.
          WHAT TO DO IF THINGS GO WRONG                                  HOW TO STOP THIS HAPPENING AGAIN
 •	 If you think a member of staff has not washed their             •	 Make sure that hand basins are convenient with plenty
    hands, make sure they wash them straight away and                  of soap and disposable towels.
    emphasise how important it is to wash their hands               •	 Train staff again on this safe method.
    when working with food.
                                                                    •	 Improve staff supervision.
Food Standards Agency l food.gov.uk/sfbb