Guidelines for Placement of Hand

Sanitizers Non-Health Care Facilities

Occupational Safety And Environmental Health Guideline (8/20/09)

             

This Guideline is issued jointly by the Office of Emergency Preparedness, the Chief Health Officer, Operational Safety and Community Health, Fire Safety Services and the Office of Risk Management to provide minimum standards for guidance and consistency in use and placement of hand sanitizer dispensers at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and regional campuses. This guideline is not applicable to state regulated health care facilities.

                                                       

SUMMARY:   Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. However, recognizing that washing hands with soap and water is not always an option, we recommend placing non-alcohol based hand sanitizer dispensers in your facilities.

To help limit the spread of H1N1 during the 2009-10 academic year, the University Committee on Hand Sanitizing recommends all departments purchase benzalkonium chloride (BAK) hand sanitizers. BAK’s are non-alcohol based sanitizers that studies have shown are effective at killing the influenza virus in lieu of the flammable alcohol based material.

REFERENCES: Reference Guidance on Alcohol Based Sanitizers Non-State Regulated Health Care Facilities:

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth Bureau, Fire Marshal Bulletin – 12, Alcohol Based Hand Rub Solutions.

Alcohol based hand sanitizers are classified as a Class I Flammable Liquid. Therefore we cannot recommend their use in non-healthcare facilities:

  • When considering the use of alcohol based hand rub (ABHR), facility representatives shall consider the potential misuse of the product, the potential hazard due to the facility occupancy, past history of fires and other circumstances.

  • Dispensers containing this product should not be located in a required corridor or exit, or any area open to a required corridor or exit.

  • This product must be isolated from high temperatures and possible ignition sources such as, but not limited to, open-flame, electrical equipment, switches or receptacles

  • The storage of quantities (10 gallons or more), and dispensing of this product shall comply with the requirements the Michigan Flammable and Combustible Liquids Rules

Reference for State Regulated Health Care Facilities:

See Department of Labor & Economic Growth Bureau of Fire Services Policies and Procedures 2-22 for specific guidelines.

PROCEDURES:   Placement: Unit should consider placing BAK’s at dining facilities, shared equipment spaces (computer labs), residence halls, athletic facilities, buses, child care centers, public spaces/lobbies entrance areas and other high traffic areas.  Specific dispenser placement considerations should be given to insure chosen location does not obstruct or otherwise impede egress from the space

Purchasing: Departments may purchase hand sanitizers containing .13% benzalkonium chloride (BAK) from several University contract suppliers.  Orders may be placed through M-Marketsite or directly with the supplier. Products under contract have discount pricing, are available on M-Marketsite, and use ShortCodes. By using U-M contracts, faculty and staff will avoid having to use their P-Cards to purchase from retail stores or on-line companies.

The suppliers that are currently stocking .13% BAK hand sanitizers are Fisher, Bostwick-Braun, Grainger, and Sysco Food Service. Before quantity purchases are made, faculty and staff are encouraged to call the suppliers as larger discounts may be available. 

Supplier contact names, product information, and phone numbers, are posted at:

http://www.procurement.umich.edu/Contracts/emergency_BAK.pdf. Examples of brand name items under contract are: Hands2Go, PIP, Softhands, and ToughGuy. Departments are encouraged to visit this site as it is updated on regular basis. Faculty and staff may also contact Bonny Webber, Manager Contract Management, Procurement Services, 734-647-6346 for assistance.

How to Use:

  • Apply product to the palm of one hand

  • Rub hands together

  • Rub the products over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry

  • Do not towel dry

When to Use:

    • Before preparing or eating food

    • Before and after tending to someone who is sick

    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing