I didn’t wash my hands after #2! (Video)

My most recent videos are turning into a little series on hygiene. Remember, these videos are for you to use in your Toolbox Safety Talks or your Safety Huddles at the beginning of each day or week. In my last video blog post, I showed and explained how to properly wash your hands. In this video, I hope to make a powerful statement about what so many people (well, I should keep my comments to “men” here because I spend no time in the Ladies Room in public venues). But -oh man- some guys are pretty nasty. I’ve been at airports, restaurants and other venues where a guy will use the bathroom (#1) and just walk out of the restroom without washing his hands. It is a much rarer occurrence, but there are those guys who will use the bathroom (#2) and then just walk out without washing their hands properly with soap and water.

How many of your have seen the Seinfeld episode where Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriend’s dad owned a pizza shop? The character’s name was “Poppy”. Anyway, Jerry went to the pizza shop to meet Poppy and to eat dinner with his girlfriend. While Jerry was in the restroom Poppy came out of the stall and went to the mirror and fixed his collar all the while bragging how special and delicious he was going to personally prepare the pizza for Jerry. The only problem was, Poppy walked out of the restroom without washing his hands! This video was inspired by that episode (and all the times I’ve sadly seen men leave the rest room without washing their hands -mostly after #1). So, in the Seinfeld episode it shows Poppy kneading the dough and then finally Jerry refuses to try the pizza and breaks up with his girlfriend and never explains to her the reason why he broke up with her. It made for great comedy, but …

Do you wash your hands after using the bathroom?
What could happen if you don’t? Answer: Hepatitis A.

How can you best use this safety video to its maximum potential in a short safety talk or a longer training? This is how:

1. Set it up. Tease your audience before you show any video by asking or telling them to look for something specific. (This is very effective in getting them curious and drawing them in so they pay more attention.)
2. Debrief the video. Always be sure to ask questions about what they saw, challenge them to make improvements or take action in their lives, and/or poll your audience. In this specific safety video, one of the questions you should ask is, “With a show of hands, how many people have seen someone leave the stall and then leave the restroom without washing their hands?” You could ask this several times:  Women only.  Men only. #1 and #2. Be creative and learn to master the art of Debriefing a video.

Until next time,

Steve

Spanish OSHA Guy!