Module 3 · Personal hygiene
Clothing and personal habits
Lesson 13 of 26 · about 1 minutes
Your clothes can carry dirt and bacteria from outside. Wear clean, suitable clothing at work, and protective clothing where it is needed. Put it on at work and wear it only at work. Do not travel in it or wear it outside on a break. Keep your own clothes and bags away from food. Change your protective clothing if it gets dirty, for example after handling raw meat.
Everyone loses hair during the day. Tie your hair back, and cover it where your workplace requires this. Keep your nails short and clean. Avoid nail varnish and false nails, which can fall into food. Follow your workplace rules on jewellery. Many allow only a plain band.
Do not smoke or vape in food areas, and do not eat or chew gum there. These habits move bacteria from your mouth to your hands. Do not cough or sneeze over food. Do not taste food with your finger, or with a spoon you then put back in the food. Keep your phone out of food areas, or wash your hands after using it.
Key points
- Wear protective clothing only at work
- Keep hair tied back and covered where required
- No smoking, vaping, eating or gum in food areas