What must hand wash sinks be equipped with according to health regulations?

Hand wash sinks are critical in maintaining food safety and preventing the spread of pathogens in food service environments. According to health regulations, these sinks must be equipped with several essential elements to ensure proper hand hygiene practices.

First, soap is a fundamental requirement as it is necessary for effectively removing dirt, grease, and microorganisms from hands. The presence of soap allows for a thorough cleaning process, which is vital in food handling areas where sanitary practices are essential.

Second, paper towels or disposable towels are required as a drying method. Proper hand drying is important because wet hands can transfer bacteria more easily than dry hands. Using disposable towels helps minimize the risk of cross-contamination, which can occur when reusable towels are used by multiple individuals.

Hot water is also a requirement, as it enhances the effectiveness of soap in cleaning and sanitizing hands. Warm water allows soap to lather better, which is key for removing contaminants from skin surfaces.

Including all these components — soap, hot water, and a method to dry hands (like paper towels) —into a single hand wash sink setup ensures adherence to health regulations and promotes good hygiene practices. Therefore, the correct answer encapsulates the need for all these elements, confirming that all specified items must be present at hand wash sinks.