Abstract: A system for monitoring hand washing compliance that includes a plurality of sensors installed in a space to detect the presence of or proximity of personnel to key areas; and a controller operatively coupled to the sensors, the controller being programmed to analyze sensor inputs to determine if personnel are washing their hands in a manner compliant with a set of requirements, and a networked data storage and reporting system operatively coupled to the controller and configured to provide reports of hand washing compliance. The sensors are installed on a ceiling over the space and an LED light illuminates a hand washing area for an interval of time that begins in response to detection by one of the plurality of sensors that a user is in proximity to the sink and ends when hand washing compliance is complete.