To prevent the spread of disease and cross contamination, restrooms in public and industrial facilities are now taking several steps.  For instance, more restrooms are becoming door-less, having a “maze type” entry so that no door handles need to be pulled or pushed. 

In addition, many industrial restrooms are now installing “touchless” fixtures. First developed more than 20 years ago, these systems use infra-red detection systems to flush toilets and urinals, dispense soap and paper, and dry hands. 

Some industrial facilities are going even further, installing restroom fixtures that are not only touchless but use no water at all.  So, not only is there no need to touch fixtures or handles, these waterless systems are also more sustainable and environmentally preferable.

“All kinds of industrial [and other] facilities are installing waterless urinals,” says Klaus Reinhardt, managing partner of Waterless Co., Vista, CA. “Doing so, they eliminate touching since there are no handles to pull, and save as much as 45,000 gallons of water per urinal, per year.”

In addition to using less water and eliminating touching, tests indicate waterless urinals have less surface bacterial growth because bacteria requires moisture to grow. “Many experts believe this makes waterless urinals healthier than conventional urinals, helping to prevent cross contamination and keeping workers healthy,” Reinhardt says.

Prevention Involves Proper Handwashing

Studies indicate that as many as 25 percent of those exiting a public restroom leave with bacteria on their hands, potentially spreading illness and cross contamination. Effective hand washing, according to researchers at the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), is still the most effective way to prevent this. 

However, realizing that many workers do not wash their hands and that this appears to be an ongoing problem, industrial facility managers must take additional steps to protect the health of their workers. These include the use of more thorough cleaning systems, installation of touchless restroom fixtures, and the use of touch free fixtures.

“In many industrial facilities, restrooms are almost a centerpiece, reflecting the cleanliness and upkeep of a facility,” says Reinhardt. “However, they must go beyond this and reflect the facility’s concern about the health of their workers and the environment.”

For more information on waterless urinals and their many benefits, please contact a Waterless Co representative here.