Aprons whilst serving food

My understanding is that there is no requirement in environmental health guidance or legislation for aprons to be worn. You do not see chefs/waiters/waitresses wearing plastic aprons in restaurants! I imagine it might be wanted to protect clothing from food splashes, but it serves no IPC or food hygiene purpose that I'm aware of. And when you consider where rolls of aprons are often kept in storage, it's not even that we could say they will be cleaner than the clothing worn.

thank you very much Graham!

I've investigated this with our IPC team, however, I have been advised that according to our Standard Precautions Policy staff have to wear disposable aprons when handing out meal trays (see below response from IPC). I agree that it seems unnecessary - it would be really helpful to have some evidence to indicate that it is not necessary so I can go back to IPC on this. Does anyone have any national guidance or research evidence on this to state that they are not necessary?

• Green disposable plastic aprons should be worn when handing out meal trays and when assisting patients with their meals.
• This is considered an infection prevention and control measure to reduce the risk of contamination and protect both patients and staff.

Even if hands and uniforms are clean, the apron provides an additional barrier and helps maintain best practice standards.

I have checked the National IPC Manual for England (v2.12) which states PPE use should be based on risk assessment; aprons/gowns are to protect clothing when contamination with blood/body fluids is anticipated, when sterility is required for medical procedures, and when transmission based precautions apply for patients in isolation. It advises that the decision weather to wear an apron or gown should be based on an assessment of the anticipated levels of body fluid exposure. It does not mandate blanket apron use for routine food service.

It might also help your cause to calculate cost (and carbon!) savings by making changes?