Clean Hands, Safe Food: A Guide to Hand Washing
Clean hands play a major role in preventing food-borne illness in Canadian food workplaces. When you wash your hands properly and at the right times, you reduce cross-contamination risks and help keep your kitchen safe.
This blog explains the moments that matter most, the right technique and how to build better habits during busy shifts.
Why Is Hand Washing Important for Food Safety?
In food service, your hands come into contact with tools, surfaces and ingredients throughout your shift. Without proper hand washing, bacteria can easily move from one place to another, increasing the risk of food-borne illness. Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and Norovirus spread quickly, especially in busy kitchens where staff work close together.
When you take a moment to wash your hands correctly, you help protect your team, your customers and the business you represent.
When Should Food Workers Wash Their Hands?
Timing makes a big difference. You should wash your hands:
- Before starting a shift
- Before handling ready-to-eat food
- Before putting on gloves
- After using the washroom
- After touching raw meat, poultry or seafood
- After coughing, sneezing or touching your face
- After taking out garbage
- After cleaning tasks and handling chemicals
- After touching your phone or other personal items
- Anytime your hands feel dirty
Small reminders around the workplace help keep these habits front-of-mind, especially when service gets busy.
How to Wash Hands Properly
A proper wash takes at least 20 seconds. Here’s a simple method you can rely on:
- Wet hands with warm running water
- Add soap
- Rub palms together to build a good lather
- Clean between your fingers, thumbs and under your nails
- Scrub the backs of your hands and wrists
- Rinse thoroughly under warm water
- Dry hands completely with a paper towel or approved air dryer
- Turn off taps using a paper towel to prevent recontamination
Drying your hands is just as important as washing them. Bacteria transfer more easily when hands are wet, so hands should never be dried on your apron or uniform.
Common Hand Washing Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced food workers pick up habits that weaken hand hygiene. Watch for:
- Rinsing instead of washing: Water alone doesn’t remove bacteria
- Skipping steps during rush periods: Peak times are when hand hygiene matters most
- Using gloves as a substitute for washing: Gloves still get contaminated
- Touching personal items mid-shift: Phones and wallets carry high levels of bacteria
Small slip-ups can lead to bigger risks, so keeping these pitfalls in mind helps maintain safer food handling practices.
Hand Washing and Glove Use
Gloves are useful in many situations, but they only work when paired with clean hands. Make sure you wash your hands before putting gloves on and change them:
- When switching tasks
- After touching raw food
- When torn or contaminated
- After touching your face or coughing
Think of gloves as an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for good hygiene.
Building Strong Hand Hygiene Habits at Work
Food service moves fast, so hand washing needs to become second nature. A few strategies can make this easier:
- Keep sinks easy to access
- Stock soap and paper towels consistently
- Include hygiene reminders in pre-shift meetings
- Encourage leads and supervisors to model good habits
- Review hand hygiene expectations during training
Strong habits make the kitchen safer and help keep customers confident in the food you serve.
Want more food safety tips? Look no further than the Userve blog:
- Food Expiration Dates: Do They Really Matter?
- Sanitize vs Disinfect: What’s the Difference?
- How to Prevent a Norovirus Outbreak: 5 Tips for Safer Food Service
- Pest Control for Food Businesses: Common Pests and How to Stop Them
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hand washing so important in food service?
It removes bacteria that can make people sick and helps prevent cross-contamination.
How long should a proper wash take?
At least 20 seconds of scrubbing, plus full drying time.
Can hand sanitizer replace washing?
No. Hand sanitizer helps, but it can’t remove dirt, grease or raw food residue.
Do gloves mean I can skip washing?
No. Gloves must be used with clean hands to protect food.
What type of water should I use?
Warm water helps build a better lather and encourages longer washing.
