Like occupational hygiene discussed in the last weeks sustainability series installment, personal hygiene is just as important. The Farm Sustainability Assessment Tool code FSA 108 and FSA 109 asks, “Do you ensure that all people on the farm have access to safe drinking water and hygienic toilet and hand-washing facilities?”
- Where do workers on your farm have access to safe drinking water? Do they have clean cups and bottles to drink from?
- Do you have an adequate number of toilets for each gender working on your farm? Are the toilets kept clean? Are the toilets easily accessible by the worker?
- Do you have reasonable hand washing facilities or supplies available? Are the hand washing facilities or supplies close to the toilets and eating areas?
- Do you supply an eating area outside of areas where food can become contaminated?
- Is there an area to change in and out of barn clothes or other clothes that are soiled from work?
- Are shower facilities available if a worker’s skin can be contaminated by a hazardous substance?
Maintaining good personal hygiene will reduce the chances of contracting cold, flu and stomach illness. You can empower workers to maintain good personal hygiene by having the above-mentioned facilities readily available, where possible.
Develop a cleaning procedure to ensure personal hygiene facilities are safely cleaned. Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety outlines the required type and number of personal hygiene facilities. Use this as a guide to ensure you have the necessary facilities and supplies available.
Providing adequate drinking water, hygienic toilets and hand washing facilities will ensure your workers are comfortable and increase their morale. This is one more step in building a sustainable farm.
Reference:
- Part 4 of the Occupational Health and Safety General Regulations
