of specific ways to make and use the present disclosure and do not delimit the scope of the present disclosure the present disclosure illustrates either singly or jointly the specific hand washing motion and the sound of running water or the combination of the specific hand washing motion and the presence of alcohol odor may indicate that hand washing is occurring the present disclosure may also measure the duration of hand washing which may be in addition to the detection of hand washing thus the present disclosure may further enhance compliance with hand washing regulations since a traditionally accepted minimum duration of hand washing is required to sufficiently clean one 39 s hands the presently disclosed subject matter describes detection of towel or air dryer drying of the hands using accelerometry data which may be used to indicate the termination of the hand washing session any combination of sensed activities may be implemented to sense the intended activity of hand washing in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure a method of sensing the hand washing or drying motion which may use an accelerometer or gyroscope which may be but is not limited to being located near the user 39 s pectoral muscle for example the hand washing sensor accelerometer or gyroscope set which may be but is not limited to may be housed in a badge worn on the lapel of a uniform in proximity to one of the user 39 s pectoral muscles the pectoral muscles exhibit a unique motion during hand washing and drying this method of sensing hand washing and drying.