With antibiotic-resistant infections continuing to rise, it has never been more important to keep workplaces safe and compliant. Every organisation, from offices and schools to healthcare and food production, has a responsibility to protect staff, visitors, and the wider public from the spread of infection.
To do this well, you first need to understand what risks exist in your environment and how to manage them. That’s why UK law requires all businesses to carry out risk assessments, including the risk of infection.
Whether your workplace is low-risk, like an office, or higher-risk, such as a care home or clinic, knowing which infection control measures and products to use can make a real difference. Before we look at the supplies that help protect people, it’s useful to understand how infections spread in the first place.
Jump to:
- The Chain of Infection
- Standards and Regulations: Why They Matter
- Key Infection Control Products and Why They Matter
- Further Guidance
The Chain of Infection
Infections don’t happen by chance, they follow a predictable pattern known as the chain of infection. This model shows the six steps germs must go through to spread from one person or surface to another. The good news? If we can break the chain at any point, we stop the infection in its tracks.
The table below explains each link, along with everyday ways you can break it.
| The links | How to break the chain |
|---|---|
| The Microorganism (the germ: virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite) | Kill germs before they spread. This can mean cleaning with disinfectants, sterilising equipment, using medicines (only when prescribed), or protecting people with vaccines. |
| The Reservoir/Source (where germs live: people, animals, body fluids, food, water, soil, or surfaces) | Keep places clean and safe. Disinfect surfaces, store and prepare food properly, control pests, and look after wounds or isolate infections when needed. |
| Portal of Exit (how germs leave: through coughs, sneezes, blood, skin, or waste) | Stop germs escaping. Cover coughs and sneezes, wear masks if required, dispose of tissues and dressings safely, and wash hands after handling waste. |
| Mode of Transmission (how germs travel: touching people, surfaces, air, food, or water) | Block the journey. Wash or sanitise hands often, clean high-touch surfaces, use PPE when needed, improve ventilation, and handle food and shared items safely. |
| Portal of Entry (how germs get in: eyes, mouth, nose, cuts, or medical devices) | Protect entry points. Wear PPE like gloves or masks, keep wounds covered, practise safe food and water hygiene, and handle needles or sharps carefully. |
| Susceptible Host (the person at risk: anyone with lower immunity, underlying illness, or no protection) | Make people stronger and safer. Vaccinate where possible, stay healthy with good sleep, diet, and exercise, give extra protection to vulnerable groups, and educate people on how to protect themselves. |
Standards and Regulations: Why They Matter
Once you understand how infections spread, the next step is knowing whether the products you use are proven to work. This is where standards and regulations come in. They set the benchmarks for safety, effectiveness, and quality; and help you make informed choices rather than just trusting a label.
BS EN Standards
British and European Norms (EN) are independent laboratory tests that confirm products really do what they claim. Unlike general marketing terms such as “antibacterial” or “kills 99.9% of germs,” a BS EN number shows the product has been tested under strict conditions against specific types of microbes.
For example, EN 1276 confirms bactericidal activity, and EN 14476 demonstrates effectiveness against viruses. But these are just two of many standards relevant to infection control. The table below outlines the key ones you’re most likely to come across and what they mean.
| Standard | What it Covers | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1276 | Bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and sanitisers | Confirms the product kills common bacteria within set contact times |
| EN 13727 | Bactericidal activity in the medical area | Higher-level testing for disinfectants used in healthcare |
| EN 13624 | Fungicidal and yeasticidal activity | Tests effectiveness against yeasts and fungi |
| EN 14476 | Virucidal activity | Confirms the product is effective against viruses, including enveloped viruses |
| EN 16615 | Four-field test for disinfectant wipes | Simulates wiping action to prove wipes reduce contamination on surfaces |
| EN 1650 | Fungicidal activity for general use | Confirms fungicidal effectiveness in non-medical environments |
| EN 1500 | Hygienic handrub standard | Ensures alcohol-based hand sanitisers are effective in reducing bacteria on hands |
| EN 1499 | Hygienic handwash standard | Ensures soaps and washes meet antibacterial claims |
| EN 166 | Personal eye protection | Defines requirements for protective goggles/visors |
| EN 14683 | Medical face masks | Confirms masks protect against bacteria (BFE%) and fluids |
| EN 149 | Respiratory protective devices (FFP masks) | Tests respirators for particle filtration and leakage |
| EN 374 | Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms | Confirms gloves resist penetration of bacteria, fungi, and some chemicals |
ISO Standards
ISO is a global body that sets standards across industries, from healthcare to manufacturing. In infection control, ISO standards show that a company consistently produces safe, high-quality products. They don’t test for a specific germ, but they give you confidence in how products are made.
- ISO 13485 – quality management for medical devices
- ISO 9001 – general quality management across industries
These are about trust in the supply chain, knowing products are manufactured and handled to international best practice.
COSHH
In the UK, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations protect workers from the risks of harmful substances, including cleaning chemicals. Employers are legally required to assess risks, train staff, and make sure products are used safely.
This might mean checking dilution rates, providing gloves or eye protection, or ensuring staff know what to do if a spill occurs. COSHH isn’t just red tape, it’s about making sure infection control products protect people without creating new hazards.
To make this easier, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available on all of our chemical product pages, so you always have the information you need for safe handling and risk assessments.
Key Infection Control Products and Why They Matter
Hand hygiene
Hands are the main way infections are spread, with up to 80% of common illnesses transmitted this way. Effective hand hygiene is about more than just soap: alcohol-based hand rubs, handwashing facilities, and hygienic drying (paper towels or air dryers) all play a role. Providing moisturisers can also help, as sore or cracked skin discourages good handwashing habits.
Respiratory hygiene
Coughs and sneezes can release thousands of droplets into the air, many of which land on nearby surfaces or are inhaled by others. Infection control here focuses on simple but effective measures: tissues, covered bins for disposal, well-fitting masks where appropriate, and good ventilation to reduce airborne particles.
Surface cleaning and disinfection
Pathogens can survive on hard surfaces for hours or even days. Desks, doorknobs, taps, and shared equipment are all high-touch points where germs can spread. Detergents remove dirt, while disinfectants (tested to EN standards) kill microbes. Disinfectant wipes are especially effective for quick cleaning of surfaces between uses.
Equipment decontamination
Reusable equipment, from medical devices to catering tools, can carry microorganisms if not cleaned properly. Depending on the setting, this might involve detergent wipes, thermal disinfection, or full sterilisation processes. Using single-use equipment where practical also reduces the risk.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE acts as a physical barrier between people and potential infection. Gloves, aprons, masks, visors, and gowns all have specific roles depending on the task and the risk involved. The key is to choose products that meet the correct standards and to ensure staff are trained to use them correctly.
Waste and sharps management
Safe disposal of waste is critical to preventing infection. This includes everything from clinical waste bags for contaminated materials to UN-approved sharps bins for needles and other sharp instruments. Proper segregation and disposal protect staff, waste handlers, and the wider community.
Laundry hygiene
Soiled linen can be a hidden source of infection, carrying bacteria, viruses, and spores. Best practice is to handle laundry as little as possible, transport it in sealed soluble bags, and wash it at the correct temperatures with suitable detergents to ensure decontamination.
Spill response
Accidental spills of blood or body fluids present an immediate infection risk. Having a spill kit available, including absorbent granules, chlorine-based disinfectants, and PPE, means staff can respond quickly and safely, reducing the risk of wider contamination.
Further Guidance
Different industries face different infection control risks, and there are laws and guidance documents tailored to each. Below are some trusted resources to help you find information relevant to your sector:
| Sector | Relevant Guidance & Laws |
|---|---|
| Individuals & Households | NHS: Best way to wash your hands • UKHSA: Living safely with infections |
| All Businesses | HSE: Preventing infections at work • HSE: COSHH overview |
| Healthcare Providers | NHS England: National Infection Prevention and Control Manual |
| Schools & Childcare | UKHSA: Health protection in schools and childcare facilities |
| Food Manufacturing & Catering | Food Standards Agency: Safer food, better business |
| Care Homes & Social Care | UKHSA: Infection prevention and control resource for adult social care |
| Funeral Directors & Mortuaries | HSE:Managing infection risks when handling the deceased |
Final Thoughts
Infection control isn’t about one single product or policy; it’s about understanding how infections spread, following trusted standards, and choosing the right supplies to protect people in every setting. Whether you run a school, manage a care home, work in healthcare, or simply want to keep your workplace safe, the right products make it easier to meet your responsibilities and give peace of mind to staff, visitors, and the public. By combining good practice with supplies that meet recognised standards, you can be confident you’re breaking the chain of infection.