When should you wash your hands in a shop, regardless of gloves?

• A. Before starting work, after using the restroom, after handling raw foods, after touching money or trash, after coughing or sneezing, after breaks, and anytime hands become dirty
• B. After breaks
• C. Before starting work
• D. After coughing or sneezing

Answer: (A)

Handwashing is essential to stop the spread of germs in a shop. You should wash your hands at these times because each moment can allow microbes to move onto foods, equipment, or other people, even if you’re wearing gloves. Washing before starting work sets a clean baseline. After using the restroom removes germs from bathroom areas. After handling raw foods prevents transferring bacteria to ready-to-eat items. After touching money or trash cleans hands that have contacted dirty surfaces. After coughing or sneezing removes respiratory droplets. After breaks accounts for exposure during breaks and any chance you’ve touched your face or contaminated surfaces. And anytime hands become dirty catches any dirt, grease, or contaminants before they reach food or contact surfaces. Gloves aren’t a substitute for washing; they can have small holes or become contaminated during removal, so wash hands and change gloves as needed, including before putting gloves on and after taking them off.