FMJ.CO.UK WASHROOMS FEATURE
JUNE 2021 31
people’s anxiety levels, which were already
running high.
Stark reminders to hand-wash and adhere
to one-way systems created a general sense
of unease. Some washroom managers
attempted to enforce social distancing by
taping oˆ alternate wash basins and urinals.
But this gave a “crime-scene” feel to the
premises which was hardly likely to reassure
an already nervous washroom user.
The suggested “one in, one out” strategy
made sense, but it was o‘ en hard to tell
from the outside whether or not anyone
was already inside the premises. This led to
frustrated people forming queues outside
empty facilities.
In some cases, a green/red indicator – either
an electronic version or a manual slider –
was used to designate occupation status.
Washroom visitors were asked to switch the
display to red on entering and green when
they exited, but many either forgot to do so
or le‘ the indicator switched to red to avoid
touching a potentially-contaminated slider
a‘ er washing their hands.
REOPENING STRATEGIES
So as we open up our facilities once
again, it is clear that this time around
our washrooms need to combine
positive messaging with workable
strategies in a pleasant and
reassuring environment.
Obvious signs that facilities
are being well managed and
safely run will have a more
positive eˆ ect than dire
warnings about COVID-19.
Where details of cleaning
schedules are clearly displayed
this will instil confidence in the
visitor, particularly if the messaging
includes contact numbers to allow
people to report any run-outs or other
hygiene issues.
Doors and windows should be le‘ open
where practically possible to improve
ventilation and to allow visitors to tell
whether or not anyone else is inside. Hand
sanitiser dispensers placed at washroom
doors will act as an extra safeguard upon
leaving the premises, and a continuous
supply of soap and paper will prevent people
from having to waste time hunting for a
cubicle with toilet paper or a sink that has a
soap supply.
Hand hygiene is crucial a‘ er using the
toilet. All the advice states that the hands
should be washed for at least 20 seconds
to keep people safe from COVID-19. While
this practice cannot be sped up, easy-to-use
systems that allow for a swi‘ washroom
throughput will enable people to exit more
quickly.
The provision of hand
towels makes sense in a
world where social
distancing, visitor
confidence
and a speedy
throughput
are all of
paramount
importance.
We are now
being faced
with a situation
in which fewer
people are
allowed to use the
washroom at once to
facilitate social distancing.
But we are also expected to
wash and dry our hands for longer
and more thoroughly to keep ourselves
COVID-safe.
It is possible to extract hand towels from
the dispenser and use them on the go,
whereas air dryers require the visitor to
remain in situ while the air does the work for
them. And this could lead to queues, logjams
and an increased level of risk.
COVID-19 has made all of us more nervous
about touching washroom fixtures and
surfaces and this has led to an increased
use of touch-free taps, flush systems and
dispensers. It has also made people more
reluctant to touch cubicle door handles and
outer door panels.
According to a United Minds survey carried
out on behalf of of Tork, an Essity brand
38 per cent of UK survey respondents say
they are less likely to visit places that do not
oˆ er paper hand towels as a hand drying
alternative. When asked specifically about
hand drying, 59 per cent of the survey
respondents said they wished more facilities
oˆ ered paper towels as an alternative to air
dryers. And nearly 29 per cent expressed a
new preference for hand towels in the wake
of the pandemic.
There are several other ways in which
washroom use can be sped up while
providing a reassuring environment for
the public. Bins placed near the exits will
enable visitors to withdraw a towel from the
dispenser and move away from the unit,
drying their hands as they go.
The provision of a hand sanitiser dispenser
outside the washroom will oˆ er visitors
an extra level of protection while helping
to prevent bottlenecks and logjams. And a
mini hand towel dispenser by the outer door
will encourage people to use a towel as a
barrier when using the door handle, while
the removal of mirrors from sink units will
discourage people from lingering.
Many restaurants and bars now oˆ er the
facility to order food or drinks via an app.
It therefore seems a logical step to add
a “virtual toilet queue” function to these
apps to prevent people from having to form
physical queues.
It is not surprising that some people still
feel wary of re-entering shopping centres,
stadiums, gyms and restaurants a‘ er so
many months spent in lockdown. It is
therefore crucial to rebuild public confidence
and ensure visitor safety by coming up with
practical and workable washroom strategies.
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