Q. We are looking at installing some of the new style air-blade dryers for our restrooms. We want to eliminate paper towels to save money and the new machines dry your hands really fast. Is there any problem with these machines that you know about?
A. Historically, air dryers were discouraged because they were so slow that people didn't truly dry their hands. With the advent of high-powered dryers there has been some conversion to them, especially for those wishing to reduce waste due to paper towels. When the new style of fast-drying hand dryers came along they were very impressive at first glance. However, that has been some of the problem with a few designs. People become so impressed with how fast they dry hands that they overlook the need to maintain and clean them.
When drying hands in these air dryers, the water coming off your hands has to go somewhere. And, due to poor hand washing, that water is combined with soil left behind on the hands. Several units have a collection section in the base where the water blown off of the hands collects to evaporate. When there is heavy usage, more water collects causing the potential for the water to become airborne. The base also has been a place for soil that may contain micro contamination to build up.
If these units are used at your facility, it is a good idea to culture them as part of your Environmental Monitoring Program to confirm that they are not presenting a contamination issue in your facility. I would caution anyone using an air dryer to ensure that they are on an appropriate cleaning schedule with an effective method.
Another issue that may impact your decision to switch to air dryers is the Global Food Safety Initiative audits. Regarding SQF, Section 5.2.11.2 reads:
Hand wash basins shall be constructed of stainless steel or similar non-corrodible material and as a minimum supplied with: a potable water supplied at an appropriate temperature; liquid soap contained within a fixed dispenser; paper towels in a hands free cleanable dispenser; and a means of containing used paper towels.
As written, SQF requires paper towels, not air dryers. So if you are entering into a GFSI audit process and it contains this requirement, the air-dryer system may not be the right choice for your plant.
When you evaluate some of the new technology for use in your facility, there should be a group of people available to review the item. There are local health codes, customer audit criteria, cleaning requirements, and maintenance issues to consider. Many of the new devices have a role in reducing waste and making life easier. However, their usage often becomes restricted by other concerns, of which the food industry has many. Everything used in our food facilities must be thoroughly evaluated before being introduced in order to derail any negative impact on the facility and our food safety programs.
Do you have a question for Al St. Cyr? If so, e-mail him at astcyr@aibonline.org.
The author is Head of Food Safety Education, AIB International.