Proper hand washing is an example of what category of safety behaviour?

Proper hand washing falls under the category of maintenance of accepted hygiene practices because it directly relates to personal cleanliness and health standards that prevent the transmission of harmful pathogens. This behavior is crucial in various settings, especially in food handling, healthcare, and community health, where the risk of contamination and infection is significant. Hand washing effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses from the hands, thereby maintaining a hygienic environment and protecting not only the individual but also others from potential illness.

While other categories, such as safe work habits or housekeeping standards, are important for overall safety management, they do not specifically address personal hygiene practices to the same degree as proper hand washing does. Thus, the focus on hygiene makes this answer the most accurate in encapsulating the intention and importance of the activity.