Hand Hygiene at Work: Soap, Sanitiser and Dispensers Compared

Good workplace hand hygiene protects your staff, your customers and your reputation. It cuts the spread of colds, flu and stomach bugs. It lowers sickness absence. It also helps you meet your legal duties as an employer.

The hard part is choosing the right products. Should you stock soap, sanitiser or both? Which dispenser fits your washrooms, kitchens and reception areas? This guide compares each option in plain terms, so you can build a hand hygiene setup that works.

Why Workplace Hand Hygiene Matters

Hands touch door handles, keyboards, phones, tools and food. Germs move from surface to hand to face in seconds. A shared office, a busy kitchen or a school corridor gives them plenty of chances to spread.

The law also sets a baseline. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must provide suitable washing facilities. These need clean running water, soap and a way to dry hands. Food businesses face extra rules on top of this.

So workplace hand hygiene is not optional. The only question is how well you do it.

Soap and Water: The Gold Standard

Soap and water remain the best method for most situations. Soap lifts dirt, grease and germs off the skin. Water rinses them away. The NHS advises washing for at least 20 seconds.

When to choose soap and water:

• Hands look dirty or feel greasy

• After using the toilet

• Before and after handling food

• After handling waste, cleaning chemicals or raw meat

• During an outbreak of norovirus or other stomach bugs

Alcohol-based products do not work well against every germ. Norovirus and C. difficile are two examples. Soap and water is the only reliable choice in those cases.

Types of hand soap

Staff who wash often should use a mild soap. Sore, cracked skin can hold more germs, and people avoid washing when it hurts.

Browse our full range of hand wash products to find the right fit for your site.

Hand Sanitiser: Fast, Handy and Limited

Hand sanitiser gives you a quick clean when a sink is not nearby. It works in seconds and needs no towel. That makes it ideal for reception desks, shop floors, meeting rooms and site vehicles.

Choose a sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol. Check that it meets recognised standards such as BS EN 1500 for hygienic hand rub. Rub it over every part of your hands until they feel dry, which usually takes 20 to 30 seconds.

Sanitiser has limits:

• It does not remove visible dirt or grease

• It is less effective on soiled hands

• It does not work against some germs, such as norovirus

• It is not a replacement for handwashing in food preparation areas

Think of sanitiser as a helpful extra, not a replacement. Use it between washes and at entry points. Keep soap and water as your main method.

Explore our hygiene range for sanitisers and related products.

Soap vs Sanitiser: Quick Comparison

The best workplace hand hygiene plan uses both. Soap handles the heavy work. Sanitiser fills the gaps.

Hand Hygiene Dispensers: Why They Matter

The right product can still fail if the dispenser is poor. A broken pump, an empty unit or a messy bar of soap puts people off. Good dispensers keep products clean, controlled and always available.

Dispensers also help you manage costs. They release a set amount each time, which cuts waste. They stop people from topping up half-empty bottles, which can spread germs.

Manual push dispensers

Users press a lever or pump to release the product. These units are simple, low cost and reliable. They suit offices, schools and low-traffic washrooms.

Touch-free (sensor) dispensers

A sensor releases the product when a hand moves underneath. Nobody touches the unit, so there is less cross-contamination. They cost more upfront and need batteries. They suit busy washrooms, healthcare areas, food sites and premium venues.

Cartridge-fed dispensers

These use sealed refill cartridges. The product stays clean from factory to hand, and refills take seconds. They suit sites that want maximum hygiene and easy training for cleaning staff.

Bulk-fill dispensers

Staff pour liquid from a larger container into the unit. Running costs are often lower. However, they need regular cleaning to prevent contamination. They suit teams with a strong cleaning routine.

Wall-mounted and countertop units

Wall-mounted units save space and stay secure. Countertop units suit reception areas and small offices where drilling is not possible.

See our complete selection of dispensers and washroom supplies.

Which Setup Suits Your Workplace?

These are starting points. Always follow your own risk assessment and any sector guidance that applies to you.

Practical Tips to Improve Workplace Hand Hygiene

1. Place dispensers where people need them. Put them near toilets, kitchens, entrances and break rooms.

2. Check stock every day. An empty dispenser undoes all your good work.

3. Use clear signs. Show the correct handwashing steps beside every sink.

4. Keep paper towels or dryers working. Damp hands pick up and spread germs.

5. Train new starters. Show them when to wash and when sanitiser is enough.

6. Protect skin. Offer a mild soap and a hand cream to staff who wash often.

7. Audit regularly. Add hand hygiene checks to your cleaning schedule.

Pair these steps with a regular inspection routine. Our guide on how to create a cleaning audit checklist shows you how.

Common Workplace Hand Hygiene Mistakes

• Relying on sanitiser alone in kitchens or washrooms

• Topping up partly empty dispensers instead of replacing the refill

• Buying harsh soap that dries out staff hands

• Placing dispensers in awkward spots

• Forgetting to check refills during busy periods

• Skipping signage and staff training

Fix these, and your workplace hand hygiene standards will improve fast.

Stock Up on Workplace Hand Hygiene Essentials

UKCS Group supplies soap, sanitiser, dispensers and washroom products to offices, schools, hotels, restaurants and more. Our team can help you match the right products to your site, and we offer tailor-made solutions for repeat orders.

• Shop now: Hand Wash

• Browse: Dispensers

• Buying for a business? Apply for a trade account

• Need advice? Contact our team or call 0207 183 1310

Final Thoughts

Strong workplace hand hygiene comes from using the right tool in the right place. Use soap and water as your main method. Add sanitiser where sinks are out of reach. Choose dispensers that keep products clean, easy to use and always stocked.

Ready to upgrade your washrooms and work areas? Shop UKCS hand wash and dispensers today, or open a trade account for business pricing and a dedicated account manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hand sanitiser as good as soap at work?

No. Soap and water is better when hands are dirty, greasy or after using the toilet. It also works against germs that sanitiser may miss, such as norovirus. Use sanitiser when you cannot reach a sink.

How long should staff wash their hands?

Staff should wash for at least 20 seconds. They should lather the palms, backs of the hands, between the fingers and under the nails. They should then rinse and dry well.

What alcohol percentage should workplace hand sanitiser contain?

Choose a sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol. Look for products that meet BS EN 1500 for hygienic hand rub.

Which dispenser is best for a food business?

Touch-free or cartridge-fed dispensers suit food businesses well. They cut contact and keep the product clean. Place them at dedicated hand wash basins, and always back them with hot water and paper towels.

Where should I place hand hygiene dispensers?

Place them at washroom exits, kitchen entrances, reception areas, break rooms and building entry points. Put them where people naturally pause or pass.

Does my workplace have to provide soap?

Yes. UK workplace regulations require employers to provide suitable washing facilities, including clean water, soap and a way to dry hands.

Last updated: November 2026