{"id":14520,"date":"2016-02-02T11:23:40","date_gmt":"2016-02-02T18:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qasigns-blog.signs.com\/?p=14520"},"modified":"2026-06-10T23:54:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:54:44","slug":"handwashing-laws-for-all-50-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qasigns-blog.signs.com\/blog\/handwashing-laws-for-all-50-states\/","title":{"rendered":"Handwashing Laws For All 50 States"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The health and safety of your customers is the highest priority when operating a business. In order to protect their wellbeing, laws have been established to maintain a standard of cleanliness and prevent the spread of disease. One such regulation emphasizes hand-washing and the need to post signage in designated areas to indicate this law.<\/p>

Before jumping into the signage laws and requirements for each individual state, we\u2019ve answered some frequently asked questions about handwashing signs.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\nWhy Worry About Washing Your Hands?\n<\/h2>
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A good chunk of both FDA documents involves the importance of food establishment employees washing their hands since they handle people\u2019s food and can contaminate it, which can lead to foodborne illness. There is a long list of when employees are required to wash their hands, such as after using the restroom, entering the food preparation area, engaging in the actual preparing of food, coughing, sneezing, etc.<\/p>

Diseases are spread by bacteria and germs that are transferred to our hands after we touch surfaces that are exposed to raw meat, after we use the restroom, and even contact with other people. The\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>\u00a0(CDC) explains that salmonella, the norovirus, and adenovirus can all be spread by unclean hands. Preventing the spread of diseases is crucial in maintaining a healthy, reputable business. By incorporating handwashing procedures you will considerably improve the wellbeing of employees and customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\nWhat is the Proper Way to Wash Your Hands?\n<\/h2>
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As you probably already know since you wash your hands every day, there are certain steps you must take to properly wash your hands. The\u00a0basic handwashing steps<\/a>\u00a0the FDA tells restaurant employees to follow are:<\/p>

  1. Rinse your hands under clean, warm running water.<\/li>
  2. Apply soap and rub over your hands and fingers and under fingernails for 10-15 seconds.<\/li>
  3. Thoroughly rinse your hands under clean, warm running water.<\/li>
  4. Completely dry your hands with a clean, dry paper towel, a heated dryer or a clean, dry hand towel.<\/li><\/ol>

    Most states typically use these handwashing steps as their basis to train their employees on how to correctly and effectively wash their hands while at work.<\/p>

    This method of handwashing will increase the effectiveness of removing bacteria and germs from hands. It\u2019s important that employees\u00a0use antibacterial soap<\/a>\u00a0to aid in adequately cleaning hands to aid in the process.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nWould Using Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Be More Effective Than Handwashing?\n<\/h2>
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    Though sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol concentration are effective in removing bacteria, they are not sufficient in removing heavily soiled hands. The\u00a0CDC<\/a>\u00a0suggests that properly washing hands with soap and water will remove caked on dirt and grime better than hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers can be used immediately after washing your hands to provide extra insurance that you have thoroughly cleaned your hands.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nWhere Do These Rules Come From?\n<\/h2>
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    The national FDA Food Code is basis for regulations regarding hygiene in restaurants. States can adopt the FDA Food Code outright or adjust this code to the needs of the state. Some \u00a0states, counties, and cities have drafted their own food codes and rules or regulations regarding handwashing signage specific to their geographical area. Across the board, most handwashing signage laws are similar in every state since most base their rules off the FDA Food Code. Many state health departments also have created and offer handwashing signs you can print off and use in your food establishment for free. We have provided links to handwashing posters if a state organization offers them below, and we also outlined each state\u2019s food code and handwashing signage rules in the content below, as well as some city or county specific regulations as examples of local laws that may exist. No matter where you are located we encourage restaurant and food establishment owners and operators to verify that there are no additional county or city laws they must follow.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nDo These Rules Change?\n<\/h2>
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    The FDA Food Code is updated roughly every 4 years with the possibility of additional supplements being added between the release of updated versions. The most recent addition was released in 2013. You can view the most recent as well as older editions of the Food Code on the\u00a0FDA website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nDo I Have to Post Signage Notifying Employees About Handwashing Procedures?\n<\/h2>
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    Though there are a handful of states that do not explicitly require handwashing signage to be posted, it is recommended that you provide a sign to promote a safe and healthy work environment. It also undoubtedly helps in gaining the trust of your patrons and customers!<\/p>

    In a nutshell, what you need to know is that the basic requirements for restaurants are to have a sign that tells your employees to wash their hands and then place a sign in every restroom and at every handwashing sink in your establishment. And if you have any questions about what your state or local signage rules are or if you need a handwashing poster to use \u2014 that\u2019s free \u2014 contact your state Health Department or Department of Agriculture, since these two organizations typically oversee the state\u2019s food safety regulations, and then contact your city and county public health officials as one final check.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nIs There A Difference Between the Signs I Post In Kitchen Areas vs. Bathrooms?\n<\/h2>
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    There is no difference between signage posted in these areas. Generic handwashing signs can be posted in restrooms, food preparation areas, and other locations where sink facilities are located. In the case of area-specific signs, like those that say \u201cafter using the restroom\u201d, make sure to place them in their designated location.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nWhat Are The Consequences If I Don\u2019t Post Proper Handwashing Signage?\n<\/h2>
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    Aside from the obvious hygiene implications, not posting signs could result in legal issues depending on the specific laws and regulations of your state. In order to meet health standards, it may be necessary to post signage. Restaurants that neglect to do so may be subject to further inspection and correction depending on the local or state authority. Section 8-4 of the\u00a0FDA\u2019s food code<\/a>\u00a0outlines the general procedures for inspection that many states have adopted.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nAre There Additional Signs That Are Required For My Restaurant?\n<\/h2>
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    Yes, there are other signs that are required for posting in restaurants. You need a sign with your restaurant\u2019s name on it, one announcing your hours, one showing a lunch or dinner special, restroom signs and more. But, aside from these signs, there are even more that your restaurant is required by law to post, including maximum capacity signs, exit signs, labor law signs,\u00a0no smoking signs<\/a>, etc. We will be specifically looking at handwashing signage and laws in this article but, if you\u2019re looking for more information on other necessary signs for your restaurant, you can check with your local health department for specific requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \nLegal Disclaimer\n<\/h2>
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    We did our best during our research to find all applicable handwashing signage laws for each state and we linked to laws and other helpful resources when we could. But, we don\u2019t claim to be lawyers and can\u2019t be held responsible for the information on this page, so it is your responsibility as the reader to ensure that the law and source are correct before you act on the advice given regarding your state. This also includes customizing the sign templates we\u2019ve provided and buying our signs to ensure they adhere to your state\u2019s rules.<\/p>

    If you\u2019re looking for specific handwashing sign laws we have provided a map for you to click below to jump directly to your state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Usa\n\n<\/a>

    \nAlabama \n<\/h2>
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    Alabama\u2019s requirements for employee handwashing signage are pretty straightforward. It\u2019s mentioned at the very least in the\u00a0Foodservice Employee Health Handbook<\/a>\u00a0(FEHH \u2013 current date of 9\/30\/13) produced by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and states:<\/p>

    \u201cPost signage that notifies employees of the handwashing requirement.\u201d<\/b><\/p>

    Even this quick mention of signage is simply a suggestion on how to help employees comply with the larger requirement of washing hands while in the workplace. It is worth noting that the FEHH is either taken from or based off of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code.<\/p>

    Further, the same FEHH resource outlines when employees\u00a0should<\/i>\u00a0wash hands and is as follows:<\/p>

    \u201cEmployees should wash hands immediately after engaging in activities that contaminate the hands, for example:<\/p>

    o Entering a food preparation area.<\/p>

    o Before putting on clean, single-use gloves for working with food.<\/p>

    o Before food preparation.<\/p>

    o Before handling clean equipment and serving utensils.<\/p>

    o Changing tasks and switching between handling raw foods and working with RTE (ready-to-eat) foods.<\/p>

    o After handling soiled dishes, equipment, or utensils.<\/p>

    o After touching bare human body parts, for example, parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms.<\/p>

    o After using the toilet\u00a0ADPH, FEHH, 9\/30\/13 17.<\/b><\/p>

    o After coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose, using tobacco, eating, or drinking.<\/p>

    o After caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals such as molluscan shellfish or crustacean in display tanks.\u201d<\/p>

    There are also some other times when employees should wash hands in this\u00a0super helpful guide<\/a>\u00a0that include:<\/p>

    \u201cWhen should employees wash their hands?<\/p>

    Before beginning work and after:<\/p>