Handy Tips about Handling Chicken:
Hygiene
Wash hands thoroughly with hot soapy water before preparing food and after handling raw meat.

After preparing raw meat, wash utensils, containers, cutting boards and kitchen surfaces with hot soapy water. Change your sponge regularly and wash well after each use, or preferably use disposable paper towels.

Bacteria

All foods contain bacteria and most are harmless. Bacteria can become a problem
if food is not stored and handled correctly. Chicken meat is a 'perishable' food, along with other meats, seafood, dairy products and other refrigerated foods.

Most food-safe bacteria thrive between
4 and 60C. Therefore, do not keep perishable foods at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
 

Courtesy Australian Chicken Meat Federation.