Health & Hygiene Requirements for Food Handlers (Show all)

Are the hand washing facilities: permanent fixtures; provided with a supply of warm running potable water through a single spout; of an adequate size; and used only for the washing of hands, arms and faces?

Guidance		Hand washing facilities must be: permanent fixtures; connected to, or otherwise provided with, a supply of warm, running potable water; of a size that allows easy and effective hand washing; and clearly designated for the sole purpose of washing hands, arms and faces (see Standard 3.2.3 cl 14(2) of the Code). All hand washing facilities must be permanent fixtures unless the premise is temporary. All hand washing facilities must be supplied with warm running water. If a separate hot and cold water supply is provided, a mixer tap or common outlet is required. Hand washing facilities must be big enough to enable them to be used by food handlers. There must be enough distance under the water spout for food handlers to have room to effectively wash their hands, arms and face. In regard to basin size, for guidance purposes only, a basin of 11 litres capacity with minimum dimensions of 500 mm by 400 mm ‘off the wall’ will be adequate for most food handlers. ‘Designated’ means that the facilities must be identifiable in some way that indicates that they are for the sole purpose of washing hands, arms and face (e.g. a sign that says ‘hand wash basin’ placed above the basin).
Non-compliance	Minor	N/A
	Major	The hand washing facility is not provided with a supply of warm running potable water through a single spout. E.g. the hand wash facility is only provides cold water or the hand wash facility has separate with a hot and cold water spouts. The hand washing facility is too small to allow easy and affective hand washing. E.g. the hand wash basin is 5L in size and food handlers cannot move their hands underneath the spout or wash their arms and face. The hand washing facility is not being used for the designated purpose of washing hands, arms and face. E.g. the hand wash facility is being used to wash utensils or empty milk jugs.
	Critical	The hand washing facility is not a permanent fixture with a supply of warm running potable water. The hand wash facility is not provided with a supply of running potable water. E.g. water to the hand wash facility has been disconnected or plumbing is damaged.