Campaigning for better hygiene
June 1st 2010 Albany steps up its national campaign for improved hygiene
Albany Hygiene Facilities'nation-wide campaign to improve
awareness and knowledge of the importance of basic hygiene
moves up a gear this summer.Albany will be taking part in
major events promoting health and hygiene across Britain, such as
the BACHE Conference during June for those responsible for cleaning
in higher education, and regional meetings of the BIFM and other
bodies.The major thrust remains towards education, from primary
schools to universities.
Earlier this year, microbiologist and infectious
disease expert,Dr. Ron Cutler,
director of Biomedical Science at
Queen Mary,University of London,
and advisor to the Albany Healthy
Schools Programme,
reviewed current
infection threats and how
to manage them for an
exclusive Association of
Teachers and Lecturers
Conference seminar. His
presentation provided an
insight into future trends and
offered practical guidance to schools.
School hygiene has never been more
important with organisms such as E. coli, norovirus and swine flu all
posing a serious threat to a school's health every day.Thousands of
school days are lost every year through avoidable illness.
Cutler's presentation also included the launch of findings from a
recent pilot study of hygiene audits carried out in 20 schools,
revealing gaps in hygiene needs, practical recommendations and
possible solutions.
Hygiene education and management in schools and further and
higher education are the most effective ways to break the chain of
infection. By adopting measures to protect students and staff,
hygiene education will ultimately reduce the number of school days
lost each year due to avoidable illness.
"Starting hygiene education from a young age is important both
to create a safer school environment and to establish a habit of
hygiene. Learning appropriate hygiene practices, such as cleaning
hands, can be a powerful way of reducing the risk of cross infection
and helping combat viruses," comments Cutler.
Albany takes the view that there is a need in all key communities –
education, medicine, social services, emergency services and
commerce – to raise awareness of the need for improved hygiene
and from it reduced risk of infection.
To help assess hygiene needs and risks,Albany is offering free
hygiene audits throughout
education and commerce. More articles from Albany Hygiene Facilities: | 
