Best Hygiene Practices for Onsite Corporate Massage

Hygiene and infection control are at the top of everyone’s minds at the moment. Assurances with corporate massage and hygiene protocols are a top priority and need to be strictly adhered to for the continuation of best practice within the corporate massage industry and workplace wellness programs.

An infection & hygiene control policy is an essential requirement to help businesses and event management companies understand the best practice needed to minimise the risk to clients, staff, and practitioners acquiring a healthcare-related infection.

Hand Hygiene is Top Priority for Onsite Workplace Massage

Hand hygiene is considered a primary measure to reduce the spread of infection. Massage and allied health practitioners need to perform the correct hand hygiene techniques, these are outlined in accordance with the World Health Organisation Guidelines. Hand hygiene refers to any action of hand cleansing, such as handwashing with soap and water or hand rubbing with the use of an alcohol-based sanitiser.

Hand hygiene is essential before and after contact with each client in addition to hourly breaks to thoroughly wash hands with soap and water. To further promote correct hand hygiene, it is necessary to keep nails short and clean.

As workplace or chair massage is provided through clothing, no skin on skin contact is necessary. This will only be provided with the permission of the participant and in the absence of any cuts, abrasions, or skin conditions.

Clean and Sterile Equipment for Onsite Chair Massage

The majority of corporate massage in workplaces or events requires the use of a professional ergonomic massage chair.  To minimise the potential risk of contamination and transference of microorganisms, no linen or cloth is used with any chair or roaming massage. Single use paper tissue or head protector is provided then changed for each client and thoughtfully disposed of. It is the responsibility of massage practitioners to thoroughly clean their chairs with sterilising agents and disinfect at the end of each day’s session. The chair must also be cleaned with antibacterial wipes or alcohol-based sterilising products before and after each client.

Practitioners are also advised to clean all frequently touched surfaces in the room being utilised for the massages – using cleaning and sterilising agents such as; tables, door handles, and light switches.

This ensures proper hygiene standards of cleanliness and the safety of both client and practitioner.

Hygiene Etiquette and safety for Practitioners and Massage Participants

Current standard practice is to cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Sneezing or coughing into your elbow or shoulder and away from any other person.

To minimise the risk of transmission of infection to others, any practitioner or participating client presenting with the signs and symptoms of a cold, fever or suspected acute respiratory infection must notify the massage therapist or staff co-ordinator before attending any onsite workplace massage or event. Anyone who becomes sick, or present with the signs and symptoms of during any visit will need to separate themselves from other individuals immediately.

Practitioners reserve the right to refuse massage provision to all participants who show symptoms of illness.

Why Is Hygiene Important in The Workplace?

Hygiene is important in the workplace because it contributes to a healthy workforce. A healthy workforce is happier and more productive. A healthy workplace also means workers take less sick leave. Which will reduce the huge cost that sick leave places on small business – it is reported that it costs SMEs $20,000 a year.

Best Hygiene Practice

All Corporate Hands practitioners adhere to the Association of Massage Therapists. Massage Therapy Code of Conduct, including guidelines surrounding Hygiene and Infection Control.  They have all completed the Australian Health Department’s COVID-19 Infection Control Training for health care workers. We also require each practitioner to hold a current senior first aid certificate before any corporate or event booking with us.