For more sustainable disinfection in the workplace
Alcohol-free at the workplace
KNOWLEDGE and RESOURCES for those PROMOTING A BETTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT

an introduction to
sustainable hygiene solutions

Sustainability has become a matter of course for most businesses.

Around the world, people have created a movement in which we all participate by reducing CO2 emissions to avoid global warming.

At Hygiene of Sweden, we have been working for over a decade on what we call green biotechnology. We challenge traditional, established and sometimes unquestioned standards to find new, more sustainable circular solutions.

We identified in the early 2000s the problem of using ethanol to disinfect hands. There are challenges in the production, handling and use of ethanol.

Even as a waste, it is difficult to manage and becomes hazardous waste after its expiry date, requiring new hazardous shipments and a destruction associated with new costs. Both for the user and the environment.

Clean hands are a prerequisite for good health and low infection rates.

This leaflet provides more information on the benefits of choosing non-alcoholic drinks.

A healthier working environment

Clean hands are essential for a healthy workplace. 8 out of 10 infections are spread by our own hands. Replacing alcohol-based hand and surface disinfection with alcohol-free disinfection has several benefits for the work environment.

Reducing the spread of infection leads to reduced sick leave.

Dry hands have become a widespread problem and make fewer people want to put alcohol on their skin because it stings. By avoiding solvents, the skin remains intact and no hand cream is needed.

BioPolymer+ does not dry out skin and remains active after drying (RISE study, 80 touches on a surface).

Improved workplace hygiene reduces the spread of infection, which in turn leads to a healthier workplace.

Fewer infections reduce the need to use antibiotics, thereby reducing the problem of multi-resistant bacteria.

Over the next two decades, the number of deaths due to multidrug-resistant bacteria is predicted to skyrocket. This is why one of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals includes clean hands.

By working with alcohol-free hand disinfection, you are meeting six of the UN’s seventeen goals.

Systematic health and safety management

Systematic work environment management (AFS 2001:1), regulations
The regulations on systematic health and safety management apply to all employers. Systematic work environment management means investigating, implementing and monitoring activities to prevent accidents and ill health.

The Health and Safety Executive

The Swedish parliament has decided on a non-toxic environment

“Humans, animals and plants are exposed to hazardous substances that are released during the production, use and disposal of goods, chemical products and materials. To protect human health and biodiversity, the dispersion of hazardous substances needs to be prevented and reduced. The levels need to correspond to the environmental status sought in the environmental quality objective of a non-toxic environment.”

INCLUDING HAND DISINFECTION

Hand disinfection is essential to reduce the spread of infection, but not everyone is able, willing or allowed to use ethanol-based disinfectants.

Here are some examples

Ethanol allergy

Asthma and sensitive airways

Sensitive skin

Personal preference

Religious reasons

Challenges of alcohol abuse

By choosing an alcohol-free option, you offer a hand sanitizer that more people can use. This in turn means a reduction in the spread of infection and a healthier working environment for everyone.

Health and safety policy

All companies, regardless of their size and field of activity, should have a health and safety policy. The policy should show what you want and how you will get there.

The requirement is included in the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulations on systematic work environment management.

The regulations on how systematic work environment management should be implemented can be read on the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s website. www.av.se

§7 Extracts

“All workers need to have a basic understanding of the risks involved in their work and what can promote occupational health.”

Choosing alcohol-free disinfection and avoiding flammable, explosive, volatile liquids in your business simplifies risk management. Occupational health is promoted through more effective infection control.

STUDY SHOWS LINK BETWEEN VOC AND SICK LEAVE

The operational capability of the Norwegian defense system is at all times dependent on healthy and
combat-ready personnel. A study was carried out to evaluate the results of a major
field trials with different disinfection products in Hemsedal municipality, Norway.

The conclusion of the study was:
“The results of the big data analysis show that non-alcoholic disinfection products
reduces the content of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) during the intervention period.
by 30-60%, compared to alcohol-based disinfectants. Controlled
laboratory experiments support the big data analysis from field trials in Hemsedal.”

“The analyses from the surveys show that the employees experience a better indoor climate, and the
increased well-being during working hours when using non-alcoholic disinfectants.
The results also show a statistically significant correlation between reported
long-term sick leave, VOCs and temperature. These findings are relevant to employees’
performance, well-being, the environment and sick leave in all organizations.”

Winter vomiting – the horror of the season

Traditional hand sanitizer is not effective against Norovirus and therefore soap and water is recommended during the outbreak period which normally occurs in November and March.

However, an alcohol-free hand disinfectant such as BioPolymer+ is also effective against Norovirus, which causes winter vomiting.

For the current spread of winter vomiting, see the website of the Swedish Public Health Agency.
https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se

Facts about winter vomiting

Winter vomiting is caused by calicivirus. The virus is highly contagious and a sick person can excrete large amounts of virus in their stools and through vomiting.

Viruses can survive for a long time in the environment and can be transmitted from textiles, for example.

The incubation period is 12-48 hours and the symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever. You can also be a carrier of the virus without having symptoms.

The virus can be spread in different ways: through direct or indirect contact with infected people, through food handled and contaminated by a person who is or has recently been ill, through raw seafood or vegetables contaminated by sewage.

 

STAFF AND COVID-19

The employer has a general obligation to avoid the spread of infection.
Ensure that staff can wash or disinfect their hands.

The Health and Safety Executive

 

 

DAMAGED material
– UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

Today we see destroyed wooden, laminate, and even stone floors. Stained handles, doors and textiles. In the elevator, the color of the buttons has disappeared, buttons where you enter the code have faded, the steering wheel in the car has dried up, and so on.

Touch points often exposed by hands with ethanol are damaged but also when it drips from dispensers onto floors and other surfaces.

BioPolymer+ is pH adapted to surfaces and hands. The formula contains no solvents and is not based on oxidizing technology. It simply means that no particles dissolve, colors fade or metals corrode.

From both an economic and sustainability perspective, choosing non-alcoholic beverages is therefore beneficial. When there is no need to replace furnishings, it means longer durability and less CO2 emissions.

The total cost of a product also includes the cost of damaged materials, production, transportation, installation, waste disposal, etc.

 

COMMON INTERFACES

OFFICE
You share space and tools with other employees.

THE FIKA ROOM
Staff share space and equipment for storing and heating food and drink.

TOILETS
No one knows what happens to alcohol behind closed doors.

RECEPTION/CASH DESK
Customers bring their bacteria and handle the same equipment as all previous visitors.

ELEVATOR AND STAIRS
Staff in different companies share the same cramped, rarely cleaned spaces.

GENERAL AREAS
Staff interact with each other and use the same handles and access systems in public areas.

SUSTAINABILITY

Choosing alcohol-free disinfection has several environmental benefits. BioPolymer+ is developed using so-called green biotechnology, with sustainability in mind during development and production. Here are some concrete sustainability benefits of choosing alcohol-free;

Very low levels of chemicals (Active ingredient 0.0495% compared to ethanol 80%. That’s 1/1600th part).

No dangerous ADR transports

No need to manufacture fire-rated cabinets for storage.

100% organic and degradable ingredients

The packaging can be recycled without rinsing with water before handling.

The liquid can be handled in more environmentally friendly packaging, such as bag-in-box, as it is not flammable.

Does not dissolve the skin, so there is no need to consume unnecessary hand cream.

Non-dissolving, corrosive or fading – creates no need to replace fittings, instruments or other materials

Does not become hazardous waste at expiry date

Find out more about the sustainability benefits of the Environmental Product Declaration EPD at www.biopolymerplus.com.

 

Leave a small footprint with your hands by choosing non-alcoholic.
Read more about the UN’s sustainability work https://www.globalamalen.se

Clean PEAK SCREENS WITH BIOPOLYMER+ TO AVOID DAMAGE

 

 

Security

BioPolymer+ is an unclassified product according to the UN classification of chemicals. This means that the product does not need to be labeled with a pictogram to indicate that the product is, for example, a foodstuff. is flammable, explosive, corrosive or carcinogenic.

Managing unclassified chemicals facilitates transport, storage and rules for use. Current rules for handling ethanol-based products can be found at MSB, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.

In some environments it is particularly appropriate or legally required to avoid chemicals that are subject to labeling. For example, in pressure chambers in hospitals where ethanol cannot be handled. This is because ethanol is already highly flammable and increased pressure makes it even easier to ignite.

Non-alcoholic means
No abuse
Non-flammable
Non-explosive

Reduce unnecessary risks of accidents or planned actions by avoiding classified chemicals in the workplace.

Read more about the GHS on the UN website.

For EU and Swedish rules on the labeling of chemicals, see the website of the Swedish Chemicals Agency.

For current safety data sheets on Hygiene of Sweden’s products contact lab@hygieneofsweden.com

Biocides must be used safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

For updated rules on handling flammable liquids, see MSB.se.

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT

In a blind test conducted at a fair organized by LYRECO, 48 visitors from different municipalities around Karlstad participated.

Participants tried hand disinfection from two different dispensers (A and B) and then participated in a survey by scanning a QR code on their phone.

The test was conducted as a blind test where A was alcohol-free foam and B was Sweden’s market-leading supplier of hand sanitizer (85%).

Responses were submitted completely anonymously.

94% of participants said they preferred to apply alcohol-free to their skin.

94% preferred non-alcoholic

REFERENCE

“We at Cedergrenska have chosen Hygiene of Sweden as our supplier for alcohol-free hand disinfection. Both because it is a more sustainable option but also to avoid unnecessary risks in the school environment such as fire, abuse and the spread of infection. The fact that the formulation is also effective against Norovirus is important to us as winter vomiting is often spread in schools during the season.

Installations of dispensers have been made at e.g. canteens to improve hand hygiene. This has been very popular with both students and teachers. Not everyone visits the toilet before lunch but everyone reads the menu and passes the dispenser before eating. Then you take some foam in your hand and leave the bacteria outside the dining room.

Since last year, our head office Cedergrenska Tornet is also equipped with dispensers in entrances and offices with the alcohol-free solution in dispensers branded with our logo to blend in with the environment and give visitors a good first impression.”

Niklas Pålsson
CEO Cedergrenska AB, Qualified high school teacher Economics & History

 

Public transport/carpooling

Increased investments in public transport are being made to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals for more sustainable commuting. While traveling, meeting other people on the train, bus or subway and touching common surfaces such as handrails, armrests or access systems increases exposure to viruses and bacteria.

Due to the increased cost of driving, carpooling to and from work is also increasing.

“Every day about 4 500 000 people travel by car, and about 950 000 people travel by bus. 230 000 tons of goods are transported by road every day.”

 

Reduced sickness absence – a pure saving!

Improving hygiene and preventing the spread of infection reduces the risk of short-term sick leave.

Less short-term sick leave statistically leads to less long-term sick leave.

According to calculations, one day of sick leave (according to botavdraget.se) costs about 10% of the gross salary during short-term sick leave, i.e.. 3660kr, calculated on an average salary for teachers in 2022, 36 600kr/month.

A day of sick leave costs about 10% of gross salary per day of sick leave.

 

Indirect costs of sick leave

Simply calculating the direct cost of sick leave is insufficient. The hidden costs cover a wide range of factors:

The time it takes for a replacement to learn a new role and become productive.

The possible reduction in service and product quality.

Reduced effectiveness of the team.

The loss of business and – possibly – reputation.

The cost of recruiting a replacement.

The resources covering training and support for other staff.

The cost of overtime that may apply to colleagues to cover.

Time spent by the manager holding various meetings and discussions on sickness absence and preparing new and former colleagues for changes.

 

OFFICIAL HAND HYGIENE DAY ON 5 MAY EACH YEAR

The World Health Organization’s Hand Hygiene Day on 5 May is an annual international campaign promoting the importance of good hand hygiene. This day focuses on raising awareness of how dental hygiene can prevent the spread of diseases and save lives. Hand hygiene is crucial as our hands are one of the main sources of spread of bacteria and viruses.

By washing our hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizers, we can effectively reduce the risk of infecting ourselves and others.

Proper hand hygiene reduces the spread of diseases like colds, flu, diarrhea and infections like MRSA. It also helps to prevent more serious diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases in children. It is particularly important to perform hand hygiene in situations where we come into contact with infection, such as after using the toilet, before eating, when handling food or when caring for sick people.

By celebrating Whos Hand Hygiene Day, we spread knowledge and awareness of the importance of hand hygiene,
and thus we can all make a positive difference in creating a cleaner and healthier world.

Curiosity: May 5, or the 5th of the 5th, was chosen as Hand Hygiene Day because each hand has five fingers; five + five.

 

 

ALCOHOL-FREE in traffic

“At MHF, we have noticed an increased number of false activations of alcolocks in cars during the pandemic. If you get in the car and clean your hands with ethanol, a volatile liquid, on wipes or as a gel, it can trigger the alcolock.

Ethanol or isopropanol in the cup can affect the reading of the breathalyzer. The alcolock then stops the car from being used and in some cases this leads to very difficult situations.

We have had nurses who have contacted us after a home service round in the countryside late at night in winter and who cannot leave the site because the barrier has been activated due to the use of an alcohol-based disinfectant.

Therefore, we are very much in favor of alcohol-free hand sanitizers, as they facilitate our goal of installing more alcolocks. This will ultimately mean less drunk driving and fewer accidents.”

– Lars-Olov Sjöström, Head of Road Safety, MHF Sweden

COILING THE CROSS

Performance in sport, just like in work, requires preparation. Staying healthy means being able to plan your preparations and maintain continuity.

When you exercise a lot, you also break down your body’s cells and are more susceptible to infection. Good hygiene is essential for all athletes.

Whether training for good health or training at an elite level, good hand hygiene is an effective way to prevent infections.

The Spola kröken campaign run by Systembolaget in the 70s and 80s was aimed at reducing alcohol consumption.

Now the campaign has been revamped, with Hygiene of Sweden promoting an alcohol-free alternative for hand hygiene.

Hygiene of Sweden is the official hygiene supplier to the national athletics and cross-country skiing teams.

DRY HANDS

Nurse Tove von Harten developed a rash on the back of her hand after a long period of hand sanitization.

Ethanol is a solvent that dissolves various materials and also the skin when used regularly.

Good hygiene is based on habits and regularity, so it is inevitable that hands will become dry, sooner or later, if you “spray your hands” long enough.

Today, more skin creams are sold than ever before. This is because many people increased their use of hand sanitizer during the pandemic and now have dry, cracked hands.

The skin is an important part of our immune system and avoiding alcohol keeps the skin intact. A whole skin is easier to keep clean and therefore safer from an infection control perspective.

See how Tove got rid of a rash on the back of her hand and dry hands by going alcohol-free.

Link to video

A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE – Reducing the risk of abuse

When ethanol is sold as hand hygiene, it has a content of 65-85%. Although it must be denatured when sold as a hand hygiene product, it is abused and the contents of these products are used as an intoxicant.

Choose non-alcoholic to reduce the risk of addiction.

This is one of the reasons why IOGT NTO has chosen alcohol-free hand disinfection from Hygiene of Sweden.

 

Occupational health

To implement systematic work environment management, many workplaces choose to cooperate with one of Sweden’s occupational health services.

Occupational health care or equivalent external expert assistance as referred to in section 12.

“12 § When the competence within its own operations is not sufficient for systematic work environment management or for work adaptation and rehabilitation, the employer shall engage an occupational health service or equivalent expert help from outside.”
The Health and Safety Executive

The ultimate responsibility for the health and safety of employees always remains with the employer.

Like Quality Care, switch to alcohol-free disinfection from Hygiene of Sweden for a safer working environment.

The trade organization for Sweden’s occupational health services
https://www.foretagshalsor.se/sv

 

REFERENCE

“Procedures regarding disinfection and combating the spread of infection should be a natural part of the systematic work environment management.

During the covid-19 pandemic, the market has been flooded with disinfectants, particularly those based on high concentrations of alcohol.

Alcohol has a long history of disinfection and has therefore been a natural choice in the hospital environment and during surgical procedures.

However, disinfection and protection against the future spread of infection in society places other demands on disinfectants – in addition to efficiency, it is also about the environment, i.e. sustainable production, storage and use, as well as safety, surface and skin adaptation to avoid damage to floors, materials and instruments.

Many people have also experienced dry hands during the pandemic, and cracked and dry skin is more difficult to keep clean.”
-Dr. Lars-Göran Kjellin, Founder Quality Care AB

 

Activity-based workplaces

Workplace sharing is increasing. An increasing number of companies are opting for non-fixed workstations to increase creativity and productivity. Which is good. But new ways of working face new challenges in infection control.

When we share workplaces, there is a natural increase in contact with other people, leading to an increase in the spread of infection.

Being able to easily clean our workplace when we leave one area or enter a new one becomes an important part of infection control.

A product that provides longer protection, is easy to apply (as a spray or wipe) becomes an effective way to create a safe working environment. Hygiene of Sweden has solutions that allow employees to choose where and when to clean their hands, phone or keyboard – without risking damage to either plastic or electronics.

 

 

GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, a global advocacy day dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing as an effective and affordable way to prevent disease and save lives.

Clean hands can reduce diarrheal diseases by 30%.
Clean hands can reduce acute respiratory infections by up to 20%.
Clean hands play an important role in reducing the transmission of outbreak-related pathogens such as cholera, Ebola, shigellosis, SARS, hepatitis E and COVID-19.
Improved hand hygiene reduces the risk of contracting healthcare associated infections and reduces the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Global Handwashing Day

 

Working at a distance

During an epidemic and pandemic, it is ideal if more people can carry out their work remotely. The new working environment, the home, blurs the boundaries between private and work.

Some people are better suited to it than others.

Studies show that we need a social life and that productivity at home varies depending on a number of factors.

A high level of hygiene reduces the spread of infection at work and makes it a safer place to work. This allows more people to work safely on site.

Read more about studies on telework.

The Agency for Work Environment Knowledge

 

For questions about more sustainable alternatives in disinfection, contact Hygiene of Sweden.