Using hand sanitisers at work cuts illness

The use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers within the workplace can help keep employees free of colds, fevers and coughs, according to research from German scientists.

A study in the online journal BMC Infectious Diseases led by Nils-Olaf Hübner, MD at the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University of Greifswald, found that regular use of a hand sanitiser could significantly reduce absenteeism among staff.

The researchers evaluated the rate of absenteeism of 129 employees and found incidences of common cold, fever and cough were significantly reduced by using the disinfectant.

"Absenteeism and reduced productivity at work is a major problem for national economies worldwide,” said Hübner.

He said that colds or gastrointestinal illness were assumed to be less costly to employers than chronic conditions and their economic impact was often underestimated.

However, he added that the high prevalence of these illnesses in working-age groups have the potential to cause substantial health-related productivity losses because of absence and productivity loss from impaired work performance.

www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/pm/articles/2010/08/hand-sanitiser-at-work-reduces-absence-rates.htm