The history of Remote workers with handwashing started over 150 years ago.
The evolution of handwashing practices at remote work sites has resulted in new and innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life for your workforce.
Washing your hands has always been a part of basic hygiene, and it is encouraged in the workplace to promote health and safety. Now, in light of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential for workers to be able to wash their hands frequently. That is easy enough to accomplish at most workplaces, where bathrooms and running water are easily accessible.
It is more of a challenge at remote work sites.
Those who worked in these areas once had little choice for cleanliness beyond the most primitive options.
Nowadays, there are more effective options. WaterFleet for example, has created innovative, environmentally-friendly solutions to provide even the most remote workers with clean sanitation facilities, including handwashing stations.
However, let’s examine the history of handwashing at remote work sites and how it can be handled at your work site today.
How Does Handwashing Save Lives?
Historically speaking, frequent handwashing has a relatively short history.
Only in the last 150 years have most people had access to clean water and soap. It is perhaps no coincidence that during that time period, the average life expectancy went from less than 50 to closer to 80 years.
Improvements in sanitation have lessened exposure to viruses and germs, increasing the quality of life for people in industrialized nations.
Some diseases have been almost eradicated in areas with adequate access to clean water and other sanitation devices. Cholera is still the second leading cause of death in children under the age of five in areas of the world where clean water is a struggle, yet it is rare in the U.S.
Cholera lives inside water if not treated properly.
At remote work sites, the history of handwashing is shorter.
Far too many work sites provided only the most primitive solutions for workers. As a result, diseases often spread unchecked through remote work sites. For example, hundreds of workers died of disease while building the Transcontinental Railroad.
Even more recently, if handwashing was provided, the stale and contaminated water source was often more unsanitary than skipping washing altogether. Water usually had to be trucked into remote sites, and its use was primarily for drinking, with little spared for cleanliness.
Waterless hand cleaning was often the only option available. Waterless hand cleaners were designed to substitute when soap and water were unavailable, but they are less than ideal for remote work sites. In addition to germs and bacteria, those working in remote areas often have dirt, grease, and other debris on their hands.
And yes, the lives of those who worked in remote areas around the country had vastly improved thanks to innovative housing, water, and sanitation solutions.
However, there is still room for further improvement.
The novel coronavirus has brought handwashing to the forefront of the national conversation, but WaterFleet recognized the importance of such necessities long before the pandemic.
Handwashing is crucial in preventing the spread of disease, and WaterFleet facilitates it by providing clean facilities with handwashing stations.
Our innovative systems ensure that your workforce has access to clean, safe water for hand hygiene, essential for maintaining health and safety standards on-site.
Is handwashing effective?
Soap and water are superior in cleaning debris, viruses, and bacteria.
Soap disrupts the bond between pathogens and the skin, neutralizing viruses and bacteria and physically removing them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), numerous public service announcements have reminded us that the recommended time to wash your hands is twenty seconds.
Before companies like Waterfleet started providing potable water at remote work sites, the water needed for workers to perform the simple act of adequate handwashing was not available in many areas.
Did you know? The recommended time to wash your hands is twenty seconds.
Stay Informed and Take Action at Your Worksite!
Handwashing is more than just a habit—it’s a vital practice that safeguards health and safety, especially at worksite locations. A healthy workforce is a more productive workforce, and hydration and sanitation play a crucial role in keeping employees healthy. At WaterFleet, we promote good hygiene and provide reliable, clean water solutions tailored to your workers’ needs. If you want to enhance hygiene standards at your worksite or learn more about our services, we’re here to help!
Contact us today to discover how we can support your worksite’s hygiene initiatives with effective handwashing solutions. Together, we can create a healthier, safer environment for all.