Where Is It Acceptable for Food Handlers to Wash Hands In Texas?

As most food handlers know, handwashing is a crucial part of safe food service. Washing your hands can get rid of germs and bacteria that may otherwise pass onto food and other people.

While you might know the importance of handwashing in conjunction with other personal hygiene tasks, do you know where food handlers should wash their hands? You can find this information below:

Where Are You Allowed to Wash Your Hands: Food Handlers

As a service industry worker, have you ever asked or wondered: ‘Where is it acceptable for food handlers to wash hands?’ It may surprise you to learn that the first source of water you come across is not the correct answer.

All food service workers must wash their hands in a designated handwashing sink. A designated handwashing sink can be a sink that is explicitly for washing your hands. It must have everything you need for adequate handwashing, including soap and clean towels or a hand-drying dispenser. All handwashing sinks should be easy to access, free of clutter, and have an easy path to and from them.

If you’re asking where should food handlers wash their hands, you may also ask where they shouldn’t wash their hands. Food service workers should never wash their hands in sinks that are used for other purposes like thawing food, washing food, and storing items. That also means that dedicated handwashing sinks shouldn’t be used for these purposes.

When Should Food Handlers Wash Their Hands?

You now know where you are allowed to wash your hands as a food handler, but what about when to wash them? As a general rule, you must wash your hands whenever they will be contaminated – such as:

• You’re about to start food preparation
• Before you put on food-safe gloves
• In between glove changes
• When entering a food preparation area
• When switching between food types (such as raw to ready-to-eat)
• After touching a part of your body
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After eating or drinking
• After touching an animal, animal food, and animal waste
• After touching garbage
• Before cleaning utensils and equipment
• After handling dirty utensils and dishes
• After using the restroom

How Should Food Handlers Wash Their Hands

While most of us know how to wash our hands, that doesn’t mean we don’t need a reminder from time to time. The CDC has a great set of instructions, and you can also learn proper techniques in a food handler card course.

1. Run your hands under clean running water – warm or cold is fine
2. Turn the tap off and apply soap to your hands
3. Lather in the soap, making sure you’re coating the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails – for 20 seconds
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
5. Dry your hands with an air dryer or a clean towel

What Is Double Handwashing?

Double handwashing in food service can be just as crucial as washing your hands once. Double handwashing refers to washing your hands twice before performing a food-related task.

For example, a food handler might wash their hands after using the bathroom. They might then rewash their hands once they reenter the food preparation area to resume food preparation.

Learn More About Handwashing in the Texas Food Handler Certificate with TABC Pronto

Learning about food safety and hygiene can be crucial for safe food service in the service industry. If you’re getting ready to join the food industry or your Texas food handlers permit has expired, enroll in our fast online program today. TABC Pronto is an approved Texas Department of State Health Services food handler course provider for service industry workers to remain compliant. Enroll for your Texas food handlers card today!