Protection Against COVID-19: How To Choose The Right PPE For Your Employees

Does your business require employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)?   

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly changed how businesses handle healthcare matters at work. Startups, small businesses, and corporations have strengthened their company health protocols according to government guidelines.   

A crucial aspect of health and safety protocols that employers must prioritize is the proper selection of PPE for their employees. This article will discuss this matter in detail.   

Face Mask  

Wearing face masks is important in workplaces, especially in small office spaces. During the height of the pandemic, respirator masks, like N95, provide the highest level of protection, according to experts.  

After mass vaccination, many businesses returning to their offices from work-from-home (WFH) setup still require employees to undergo temperature screening and wearing of face masks. Health and safety guidelines differ from one local area to another depending on the area’s number of active cases.  

While cases are declining, wearing face masks in enclosed spaces is still imperative. Business owners don’t want to compromise their operations because of widespread infection among employees.  

But wearing disposable face masks poses environmental concerns regarding proper disposal. That’s why manufacturers try to find ways to make face masks reusable. Check out this helpful company to find out more about reusable face masks.   

Face Shield   

Wearing a face shield is common in performing medical procedures, like surgeries. They protect the face from blood, mucus, and other body fluids. Moreover, they also protect healthcare personnel from bone fragments and other surgical debris.  

If your business is related to healthcare, such as nursing homes, clinics, and hospitals, you can implement the wearing of face shields. Face shields protect the face from the forehead, the eyes, nose, and mouth. Therefore, they provide extra protection against COVID-19 and other airborne infections.  

Face shields may also be a requirement in manufacturing and other facilities where possible harmful chemicals or substances may accidentally come in contact with the face.  

So, when choosing face shields for employees, polycarbonate is the preferred material for the lens plate. Polycarbonate helmet-style face shields have excellent impact resistance and optical clarity. If you’re looking for a less costly lens plate material, then polyester (PET) is for you.  

Face shields with molded headbands are applicable for welders and emergency medical personnel needing durable protection. For in-house medical teams and office employees, a simple foam headband that rests on the forehead does an excellent job of holding the lens plate in place.  

Gloves  

Gloves are applicable in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings. Surgeons, dentists, and nurses performing minor and major surgical operations must wear sterile gloves. On the other hand, pharmaceutical and food industry employers can require employees to wear gloves as a part of their health and safety protocol.  

Employers can choose from different glove materials, such as nitrile, latex, and vinyl. Nitrile rubber, a synthetic compound, is made of acrylonitrile and butadiene. This glove material is common in food, sanitation, and medical industries because of its strength, durability, and temperature tolerance.  

While gloves can help reduce the transmission of coronavirus, gloves can spread the virus if used incorrectly. Furthermore, gloves shouldn’t replace proper hand hygiene. Employers must also be aware that improper disposal of gloves can harm the environment because they end up in landfills.  

Gowns  

Gowns, PPE clothing, or overalls can provide protection against COVID-19. The gowns must be large enough to cover the body areas needing protection. If your business is a medical laboratory or a mortuary, your employees need extra protection against body fluids and chemical exposure.   

Employers must check the product labels of gowns before procurement. The product label must describe the gown’s intended use. Check the gown’s level of protection according to the standard risk levels.  

The different types of gowns include surgical gowns and non-surgical isolation gowns. Healthcare workers wear surgical gowns during operations to protect themselves and patients from transferring germs and body fluids. On the other hand, non-surgical isolation gowns are suitable for low-risk COVID-related situations.   

Employers must remind their employees to check the gown’s expiration date, especially for surgical gowns. This information is shown in the product labeling as shelf life.  

Medical uniform set, vector isolated illustration. Nursing, surgical scrub, hat, mask, underscrub tee, shoes, Hospital medical staff sanitary clothing.

Conclusion  

Choosing the right and suitable personal protective equipment for your employees can help ensure protection against infectious diseases brought about by close contact and airborne routes.  

Whether business owners want their employees to continue wearing face masks, face shields, or protective suits, choosing a quality PPE is highly recommended. It’s best to buy personal protective equipment from a reputable supplier who can provide high-quality items at reasonable prices.

June McGown