hand washing procedure hand washing is the first crucial step to good hygiene that is often overlooked or done incorrectly in this lesson we will be taking a close look at the importance of hand washing and the steps to follow for perfectly clean hands let's get started with the importance of hand washing [Music] think of all the different pots pans surfaces plates clothes and handles that you touch every day more than likely all those surfaces are covered with bacteria or invisible germs that stick to your hands and transfer onto everything else that you touch your cleaning role in the kitchen is very important and it is your job to stop the cycle of cross-contamination or germs hopping from one place onto another the first step to stop this cycle of contamination is to wash your hands often and thoroughly now that you know why hand washing is important let's find out the steps to follow for perfectly clean hands step one wet your hands wrists and forearms with clean running water above 45 degrees celsius and apply soap step 2 rub your hands together to make a lava step 3 continue rubbing your hands wrists and forearms for at least 20 seconds pay special attention to the creases in your wrist palms and fingers and in between the fingers [Music] step 4 pay special attention to your nails and cuticles if your establishment provides a nail brush use it but do not hurt your fingers because this can cause even worse contamination by causing an open wound make sure your nails are short because germs love to hide in between your fingertips and nails step 5 rinse your hands well under warm running water being careful not to touch the taps it is even better if the taps at the hand washing station are operated by a sensor [Music] step 6 dry your hands very well using a clean disposable paper towel and throw the towel away use a pedal operated bin so that you don't touch the lid which is sure to be full of germs and step 7 sanitize your hands with antibacterial food safe hand sanitizer and allow to air dry this will further disinfect your hands remember to throw the paper towel away before you sanitize if you throw it away after you've sanitized your hands will be recontaminated with germs when it comes to the hand washing station it is important that you only use it for washing hands and not for washing or rinsing anything else doing this can contaminate this station with germs and bacteria meaning your hands won't be clean after washing so when is it important to wash your hands and how many times in one day should you wash your hands you should always wash your hands between different tasks and as often as possible particularly after visiting the toilet because your hands are exposed to many more bacteria in the bathroom [Music] before and after putting on or changing a dressing because wounds can be infected and the infection can cause contamination after dealing with a sick person as some serious illnesses are spread through touch after sneezing or coughing one sneeze can contain up to 100 000 germs which are then transferred onto your hands after handling waste or used tissues these are items which are often contaminated with high numbers of bacteria as a rule you can never be too safe when in doubt rather give your hands a good wash before continuing your tasks well done on finishing this lesson on the hand washing procedure [Music] you