Essential Protocols for Health, Hygiene, and Safety

Posted on Nov 30, 2025 in Medicine & Health

Personal Health and Hygiene Standards

Systems Exposed to Common Diseases

The systems and organs most commonly exposed to diseases include the:

  • Cardiovascular system
  • Respiratory system
  • Digestive system
  • Excretory system
  • Genital system
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Endocrine system
  • Immune system
  • Nervous system and sense organs
  • Skin

Essential Hygiene Habits

Maintaining good health requires adherence to several key habits:

  • Personal Hygiene: Daily cleanliness routines.
  • Physical Activity: Understanding health effects and risk prevention associated with exercise.
  • Drug Addiction: Awareness of types and preventive measures.
  • Prophylaxis: Prevention of infectious diseases.

Immediate Health Attention Protocols

Immediate health attention involves:

  • Evaluation of urgency.
  • Addressing physical, chemical, and mechanical injuries.
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Hygiene Practices in the Home Environment

General Home Hygiene and Disinfection

Home hygiene is the sum of all measures aimed at preventing infections. Disinfection is a procedure that should never be skipped during cleaning; otherwise, the cycle of health is incomplete, posing a risk of contamination.

Kitchen Hygiene Standards

Strict personal hygiene is mandatory in the kitchen:

  • Maintain clean hands, short nails, and clean hair (wear a hat if possible).
  • Keep the inside of the refrigerator and oven extremely clean.
  • Change kitchen cloths frequently.
  • Food preparation and storage surfaces must be subjected to permanent sanitation.

Bathroom Hygiene and Disease Prevention

Ensure strict adherence to the rule of hand hygiene after using the bathroom. The first line of defense against disease transmission is proper hygiene. Paper towels should be personal for each family member, and care should be taken to dry or dispose of them properly after use. All bathroom surfaces, including faucets, should be cleaned and disinfected.

When to Wash Your Hands

Handwashing is critical at specific times:

After:

  • Going to the bathroom.
  • Handling garbage.
  • Coughing or sneezing.
  • Moving or changing a child.
  • Cleaning.
  • Drinking or using a device previously handled by someone with a cold.
  • The end of the workday.

Before:

  • Preparing dinner.
  • Feeding a child.
  • Eating.

Hygiene Protocols with Pets

To avoid contamination, wash hands thoroughly and dry them with paper towels after playing with animals. Do not feed pets near the dining table or food preparation surfaces. Pets should not sleep in the kitchen or in areas where children play.

Emergency Planning and Response

Classification of Emergencies

Emergencies are typically classified as:

  • Minor Incident (Conato emergency)
  • Partial Emergency
  • General Emergency
  • Evacuation Signal Code (partial or general facility)

Emergency Response Teams

Emergency teams consist of human personnel duly trained and organized for the prevention and extinction of incidents within the facility. Teams are named according to their function:

  • Procedures Teams (EPI)
  • Second Intervention Teams (ESI)
  • Alarm and Evacuation Teams (SEA)
  • First Aid Teams (EPA)
  • Intervention Chief
  • Fire Protection Chief

Safety Conditions in Buildings

Buildings must maintain specific safety conditions:

  • Fire Fighting Facilities: Regular maintenance of fire extinguishers, equipped fire hose reels (BIE), and fire hydrants.
  • General Facilities: Maintenance of air, water, air conditioning, electrical systems, transformer stations (if applicable), heating, and emergency lighting.

Mandatory Training and Briefings

Briefings must be held for all employees of the establishment. These sessions will explain the Emergency Plan (EP), and each employee will receive a booklet detailing self-protection slogans. These courses should be scheduled at least once a year.

Implementing a Security Process Program

The implementation of a security process should follow a specific order of priority:

  1. Inventory of factors that influence potential risk.
  2. Inventory of technical means available for protection.
  3. Assessment of the risk level.
  4. Preparation of action plans.
  5. Writing the manual override and detailed action plans.
  6. Incorporation of technical means designed for use in action plans (e.g., alarms, signals).
  7. Writing prevention and emergency action slogans for the establishment staff and users.
  8. Preparation of location plans (e.g., “You Are Here” maps).
  9. Writing prevention and emergency action slogans for the components of the emergency plan equipment.
  10. Briefings for all establishment staff.
  11. Selection, education, and training of emergency equipment components.