Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is the steps that we all take, every day, to keep ourselves clean and healthy. There are over 500 different species of bacteria that live in and on the human body. Poor standards of hygiene — such as not washing your hands — spread dirt and bacteria to everything we touch, including the food we eat.

Wash your hands for 20 seconds. If you need to cough or sneeze, always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (or the crook of your arm), dispose of used tissues immediately, and wash (or sanitise) your hands right away. Washing hands regularly is one of the simplest actions that protects everyone on board.

To keep your cabin clean and tidy: keep surfaces clear and clean, stow shoes and clothes away, and launder clothes and bed linens regularly. Also shower and wash your hair regularly, brush your teeth at least twice a day, wear clean clothes and use the laundry services, and dispose of waste correctly.

Clean and cover all wounds — this reduces the risk of infection and the transfer of bacteria. Treatment should be sought immediately for even minor injuries, cuts, rashes and abrasions.

Potentially harmful bacteria include E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella.

• Personal hygiene = daily steps to stay clean and healthy; >500 bacterial species live on the human body.
• Wash hands for 20 seconds. Cough/sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm; bin it and wash hands at once.
• Cabin: clear/clean surfaces, stow clothes and shoes, launder regularly.
• Brush teeth at least twice a day; shower, wash hair, wear clean clothes.
• Clean and cover wounds; seek treatment immediately for minor cuts, rashes and abrasions.
• Harmful bacteria: E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella.

1. Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended) — health protection and hygiene on board, including food and catering provisions.