FMJ.CO.UK
MONTH IN FM
TRUST WATER DISPENSERS
IN THE WORKPLACE
The importance of remaining hydrated
JULY 2021 49
is essential to the well-being of any
workforce, and particularly when good health
is critical as we continue to move forward and
overcome the impact of COVID-19.
Hydration
helps to keep the
immune system and
cognitive functions
strong, and the use
of a water dispenser
is a simple and
convenient way to
provide workplace
hydration safely and
hygienically.
The Water-
Dispenser and
Hydration
Association (WHA)
sets high quality
standards for its
Members and
provides them with
industry specific
training, information
and guidance.
Members are also
audited annually to ensure consumers can trust
that they are sourcing high quality and sustainable
products from a WHA approved supplier.
Returning sta may fear contracting Coronavirus
from touching communal surfaces including those
of the water dispenser. However, there is no more
risk of cross contamination from a water dispenser
than from
doors, light switches, toilet fittings, and communal
kitchens. In fact, it could be claimed that as the
water dispenser has a clearly identifiable water
dispensing touch point (the tap, lever or button),
simple cleaning of this area before or aŽ er use,
and/or washing hands aŽ er use ensures that the
dispenser is one
of the least risk
items in a work
area.
To limit the
number of
people using any
one particular
machine;
providing
additional areas
of hydration for
sta is something
to be considered.
Since the
beginning of
the pandemic,
Members of
the WHA have
benefited
from specific
information
relating to re-commissioning dispensers that have
been unused during lockdown to ensure that
Quality, Trust and Standards are maintained.
This information covers company delivery
vehicles, general housekeeping, safety during
site visits and use of PPE. Mandatory hygiene
and operational training and the annual audit
process have continued throughout, but of
course remotely, in line with Government
guidelines.
Clients have their part to play to ensure
that water dispensers remain as safe as
possible.
Sta€ should
be made aware of
social distancing
around the
dispenser.
Clients could
consider having
additional dispensers
to allow for
even safer social
distancing and to
encourage hydration.
Review of the location of dispensers to ensure
they are in the best place for our “new” world.
Other o€ erings such as hot water taps/boilers,
to reduce the number of people gathering in
kitchens awaiting the kettle to boil.
Social distancing could be made clear with use
of signs or floor markings by the dispensers.
Barriers could be placed
around the dispenser area to
help with this.
Simple regular cleaning of the
water dispenser with fragrancefree
food grade sanitiser as
used on other o€ ice equipment
is recommended.
The WHA has produced
Customer Factsheets to assist your
clients restart and maintain their
water dispensers. These can be
found on our website www.twha.
co.uk/hydration.
Notwithstanding dispensers
remain safe while using
sensible hygiene practices, WHA
manufacturer Members have been quick to develop
new products which give added safety measures.
These include touch-free dispensers, models
with foot pedals
and retro-fit foot
pedals, contactless
‘hover’ buttons,
sensor activated
dispense and UVCLED
technology.
There are even
coolers that can
be activated via an
app, using smart
bottles to manage
water preferences
and track hydration
levels. To view
these products,
available through WHA Distributor Members, visit
our website https://twha.co.uk/find-a-member/ for
links to manufacturer websites.
We strongly recommend that when looking for
hydration solutions for your clients, you place
membership of the WHA as an accreditation body
on your checklist of requirements in your tender
documents. Quality. Trust. Standards. We are the
WHA – the advantage is clear.
www.twha.co.uk info@twha.co.uk 01707 656 382
/
/www.twha.co.uk
link
