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Say Hello to Hands-Free Door Pulls and Fewer Germs

Jillian Sward

Nov 8, 2022 • 5 min read

Did you know that one door knob with viral germs can spread to 40 to 60 percent of workers and other surfaces within hours? With the concern for virus transmission rising, businesses are looking for hands-free door solutions to build a better and healthier environment for customers and employees.

Rockwood hands-free door pulls provide a safe way to interact with doors. Facility managers can install these pulls to reduce the spread of germs, creating a more hygienic workplace for all.

How Hands-Free Door Pulls Help Businesses

There’s always that one door that seems too suspect to touch with your bare hands. From the bathroom to the front door of a busy shop to the sticky break room door knob, these areas need hands-free door hardware.

Inhibits spread of germs
Easy to operate with your foot or arm
Durable and long-lasting

One study in 2014 found that viral germs spread to 40 to 60% of all office workers with traces found on other objects and surfaces within the office building. The virus was later found on tabletops, door knobs, light switches, phones, and computer equipment.

Hands-free door solutions completely remove the fear of having to touch these high-traffic door handles. Primary entrances are often the worst culprits for germs.

As workplaces implement new processes and safer business practices to avoid the spread of germs, hands-free door operation has quickly become one of the best ways to create a more hygienic environment.

Stop the Spread of Germs with Hands-Free Door Pulls

There are so many benefits to hands-free door operation. One of the most often touched surfaces in the workplace is door hardware.

Hands-free door openings remove skin-to-surface touch points that may cause the spread of germs. However, it’s also more convenient to open doors without your hands for other reasons.

Benefits of Hands-Free Door Pulls

Safer Business Entrances

If you don’t want to constantly fight against germs, changing your door hardware to hands-free is the perfect place to start. Safe entryways and exits should be essential for your public spaces, but it’s also important for high-traffic areas within your building, particularly employee bathrooms and conference rooms.

In busy areas, door handle bacteria is a significant problem. Grabbing the door handle in public spaces can be daunting for people who hate germs, which is why hands-free solutions like foot handles and arm pulls are much safer.

Reduce Sanitation Needs

While you may want to constantly sanitize surfaces and dedicate sanitation stations throughout your building to stop the spread of germs, many businesses have noticed an increase in sanitation costs.

Hands-free door hardware can reduce the need to continuously sanitize all surfaces and help protect employees who may take on sanitation duties on their own to reduce the spread of the germs.

Combat Office Contagions

Multiple studies have found that E.coli and noroviruses are commonly found on door knobs. Even with the best hygiene, you may get sick just because you touched the same door knob as someone else battling a cold.

To stop the spread of germs, hands-free door implementation makes sense. Since customers and employees no longer have to touch the door handle, they’re not spreading as many germs on other surfaces or to others inside the workplace.

Convenient Entryways

The latest hands-free door hardware is much easier to operate than before. For example, you can easily hook your arm, toes, or foot to open the door.

Arm pulls can also be installed above a traditional door pull for a quick, hands-free option. These sturdy pulls are made with stainless steel and may also come with through bolt fasteners to ensure long-lasting durability.

Hands-Free Door Pull Types: Foot & Arm Pulls

The most common way to open a door is with your hand, or is it? New low-touch foot handles and arm pulls offer easy ways to open doors without skin-to-surface touch points.

Foot Pull

In the past, touch-free foot handles were typically installed in restrooms. However, previous models weren’t always convenient to use.

With a new design, Rockwood created a sturdier foot pull with a stainless steel grip that made it easy to place your foot on the grip and pull the door open. In addition, the design allowed you to put your toe underneath the door pull to open the door.

Arm Pulls

The beauty of an arm pull is that you don’t have to use your hand and fingers to touch the door handle. Instead, you can slip your wrist or arm through the pull to open the door.

Create Safer Entrances for Your Building with Hands-Free Solutions

The first impression of your business is to build confidence and trust with your customers and clients. Hands-free door operation is convenient and easy to implement with Rockwood door hardware.

Learn more about Rockwood hands-free solutions or contact Rockwood support for easy ordering and more options.

Rockwood Hands-Free Door Pulls are part of a continuum of Safer2Open™ low-touch and touchless door hardware solutions from ASSA ABLOY.