Blog, Motor vehicles
Why van and truck drivers should wash their hands before entering the vehicle
May
Keeping the cab safe from infectious diseases and dangerous chemicals…
It’s a well know fact that motor vehicle drivers are constantly coming into contact with potentially harmful bacteria and viruses when they’re out on the road. Fleet and truck drivers have been constantly reminded of the importance of hand washing with soap and water – particularly since the pandemic.
But there is a hazard that’s hidden in plain site – something that ALL drivers come into contact with on a regular basis. Diesel or petrol pumps and even EV charging points, according to a recent report on the Birmingham Mail website.
The article by James Rodger centres on a recent survey of filling stations across England, with results being broken down on a north, south and Midlands basis. It was carried out by Sysco, an industrial hygiene consultancy.
When you learn what’s on the pump handles…
Director Tomas Gabor was quoted in this disturbing article, which revealed the number of unpleasant bugs that were discovered. Just to let you know, the initials CFU are short for “Colony Forming Unit”. It’s a term used in microbiology, being a measure of the number of viable cells, or organisms, capable of forming a visible colony on a culture medium.
- A clean toilet seat, for example, supposedly registers below 100 CFU/cm2
- The survey revealed a count of 1720 CFU, which was described as “significantly higher than typical levels expected” – which might be seen as a bit of an understatement!
Why soap and water is far more effective than gels
The Mail also quotes guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which warns that the “quick fix” of hand wipes or gels, not only aren’t as good as a soap and water wash, they don’t work at all with some germs – and are of little value when hands are visibly dirty.
‘“Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations.” Sanitisers, gels and wipes “do not get rid of all types of germs” and “may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy” they warn.’
The CDC is also quoted as saying that Clostridioides difficile, Cryptosporidium, norovirus (a great concern over the last few months) and potentially dangerous chemicals can only be removed by “proper” washing.
All of which suggests that when a driver leaves his vehicle, an effective soap and water hand wash before re-entering is very likely to be hugely beneficial.
Petrol and diesel drivers warned ‘wear gloves’ before using pumps this week »
Conclusion
A 20 second soap and water hand wash is clearly the best way of ensuring effective hand hygiene upon returning to your vehicle. It achieves levels of cleanliness that, in many circumstances, gels and wipes cannot hope to match – especially when hands are visibly dirty.
Hot water hand washing sinks for vehicles
The Teal range of automotive hand washing units for vans, truck and lorries enable you and your workforce to be able to enjoy a hot water hand wash wherever it’s needed!
Easy to fit and maintain, they are available with 12v or 24v power supply.
Whatever your requirement, if you’re on the move, there’s a Teal unit that will do the job!
Perfect for lorries, trucks, powered trailers, service vans, sleeper cabs, dog vans, paramedics, ambulances, breakdown vehicles, gulley emptiers (wet waste), waste lorries (dry waste), local authority services, food vans, mobile workshops, mobile libraries and van fitters.