City of Philadelphia - File #: 060767

• File #: 060767
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 10/19/2006
• In control: Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight
• Title: Authorizing City Council's joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings exploring the health benefits and conveniences of installing hand sanitizer dispensers in all public elementary schools and city workplaces.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Ramos, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember Clarke

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
2/14/2007	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING HELD
2/14/2007	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING HELD
2/14/2007	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	RECESSED
2/14/2007	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	RECESSED
2/13/2007	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING NOTICES SENT
2/13/2007	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING NOTICES SENT
12/12/2006	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING NOTICES SENT
12/12/2006	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING NOTICES SENT
12/12/2006	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING HELD
12/12/2006	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	HEARING HELD
12/12/2006	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	RECESSED
12/12/2006	0	Joint Committees on Public Health & Human Services and Legislative Oversight	RECESSED
10/19/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED & REFERRED
10/19/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED & REFERRED
10/19/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
10/19/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
10/19/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass
10/19/2006	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title

Authorizing City Council’s joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings exploring the health benefits and conveniences of installing hand sanitizer dispensers in all public elementary schools and city workplaces.

Body

WHEREAS, 80% of infectious diseases are spread through hand contact, and good hand hygiene has been a proven factor in reducing bacteria and limiting the spread of germs; and

WHEREAS, The Food and Drug Administration has stated that hand sanitizers with an alcohol content between 60% and 95% are highly effective in killing common bacteria responsible for respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, the most common reasons for illness resulting in school absence; and

WHEREAS, Multiple studies of varying degrees have shown that consistent hand sanitizing with alcohol-based gels can reduce student absences between 19.8% and 41.9%,  and teacher absences approximately 10.1%; and

WHEREAS, With over 197,000 students in grades K-12, nearly 40,000 student illness absences could be avoided; and

WHEREAS, At an average cost of $12 to install and $90 to maintain gallon dispensers yearly, the productivity gained from increased student and teacher attendance outweighs the costs of installing and maintaining hand sanitizing units; and

WHEREAS, Ease of use and convenience make hand sanitizer dispensers an easier, more accessible method of hand cleansing for students than traveling to a bathroom sink, encouraging students to clean hands more often; and

WHEREAS, Hand washing programs will be easier for teachers and administration to implement using dispensers rather than traditional sinks, aiding the education of good sanitation practices to students; and

WHEREAS, Reduced student absences will also alleviate parents from missing work to care for their children, contributing to even greater work productivity levels; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Legislative Oversight are hereby authorized to hold public hearings exploring the health benefits and conveniences of installing hand sanitizer dispensers in all public elementary schools and city workplaces.

End

October 19, 2006