Personal Hygiene & Handwashing – Food Safety SOP

Personal Hygiene & Handwashing

Standard Operating Procedure

Category: Food Safety & Hygiene
Applies to: All staff handling food and beverages
Reference: UK Food Standards Agency Guidelines

Overview

Personal hygiene is critical to food safety at Little Coffee Bean Co. It is easy to spread bacteria to food without realising – these bacteria are invisible and could make customers seriously ill. This SOP outlines the mandatory personal hygiene standards all staff must follow when working with food and beverages.

Before You Start Working with Food

✓ Always Wash Your Hands

  • Wash hands thoroughly before starting work
  • Use warm water and soap
  • Wash for at least 20 seconds
  • Dry with paper towels or hand dryer

✓ Wear Clean Clothes

  • Start each shift in clean clothing
  • Uniforms must be laundered regularly
  • Remove outdoor clothing before starting work

✓ Wear an Apron

  • Required when handling unwrapped food
  • Must be clean and in good condition
  • Change if soiled during shift

✓ Remove Watches and Jewellery

  • Take off watches before food handling
  • Remove rings (except plain wedding bands)
  • No bracelets or bangles
  • Small stud earrings only

✓ Tie Hair Back

  • Long hair must be tied back securely
  • Consider wearing a hat or hairnet
  • Keep hair neat and tidy
  • Facial hair should be well-groomed

⚠️ Report Illness Immediately

You MUST tell your manager if you have:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach upset
  • High temperature/fever

DO NOT work with food if you have any of these symptoms. You must be symptom-free for 48 hours before returning to work.

When You Are Working with Food

✗ No Smoking

  • Smoking is prohibited in all food preparation and service areas
  • Wash hands thoroughly after smoking breaks
  • Change apron if you’ve been smoking

✗ No Eating or Drinking

  • Do not eat or drink in food preparation areas
  • Take breaks in designated staff areas only
  • Wash hands before returning to work

✗ Avoid Touching Your Face

  • Do not touch your face, nose, mouth, or hair
  • Avoid coughing or sneezing over food
  • If you must sneeze/cough, turn away and wash hands immediately

✓ Cover All Cuts and Wounds

  • All cuts must be covered with a brightly coloured waterproof dressing
  • Blue plasters are used so they’re easily visible if they fall off
  • Report any lost plasters to your manager immediately
  • Wear disposable gloves over plasters when handling food

When to Wash Your Hands

You MUST wash your hands:

  • Before starting work
  • After using the toilet
  • After handling raw food
  • After touching your face, nose, or hair
  • After handling rubbish or cleaning
  • After eating, drinking, or smoking
  • After coughing or sneezing
  • Between handling different food types
  • After handling money

Proper Handwashing Technique

  1. Wet hands with warm running water
  2. Apply soap and lather well
  3. Scrub all surfaces:
    • Palms and backs of hands
    • Between fingers
    • Under nails
    • Wrists
  4. Wash for at least 20 seconds
  5. Rinse thoroughly under running water
  6. Dry completely with paper towels or hand dryer

Compliance & Consequences

Personal hygiene standards are non-negotiable and are a legal requirement under UK food safety law. Failure to comply may result in:

  • Verbal warning
  • Written warning
  • Removal from food handling duties
  • Disciplinary action up to and including dismissal

Related SOPs

  • Safer Food Better Business Pack (SFBB)
  • Hygiene Inspections / Inspection Checklist
  • Food Allergen Training
  • Staff Induction

Questions? Contact your Store Manager or Area Manager for clarification on any aspect of this SOP.

This SOP is based on UK Food Standards Agency guidelines and forms part of your employment contract with Little Coffee Bean Co.