Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment, also referred to as “PPE”, has been a staple in the medical community for decades. When visiting a medical office or hospital in the past you probably noticed the staff wearing latex gloves and disposable face masks. This is to not only keep patients but also staff safe while they are performing their work. The equipment is designed to keep potentially infectious droplets away from your body, specifically in key areas which include your hands, eyes, nose and mouth.
The New Normal
We have entered a time where everything we once found “normal” at a medical office now must essentially be incorporated into our everyday life. The CDC recently issued guidelines regarding face coverings, and recommends all individuals to utilize them when in public, “To reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.” Source: cdc.gov.
Helpful Tips
Always keep a face mask (cloth or disposable) in the glove box of your car. Other areas to store extras include your backpack, briefcase, or purse. This way you have a backup in the event one gets lost or broken. Disposable face masks are convenient to use for one day, then throw in the bin. Cloth masks are more environmentally friendly as you can wash them and get multiple uses from a single mask.
Keeping your face covered is a great way to reduce the spread but keeping your hands clean is also an important part of the CDC guidelines. While you’re on the go it is not always possible to clean your hands with soap and water, and when in this situation the CDC recommends using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content. Logomark offers a wide range of hand sanitizers with 62%-75% alcohol, including versions that have a citrus scent and others which contain Aloe Vera that helps keep your skin healthy and smooth. We offer travel size capacities from 0.5oz up to 1gal. capacity desktop pump dispensers and all of our hand sanitizers meet FDA standards.
CDC recommendations include washing or sanitizing your hands before eating or touching your face and after sneezing, coughing or leaving a public space. Hand wipes are convenient and portable and another great way to easily clean your hands while out and about. Logomark has both non-alcohol antibacterial and 75% alcohol wipe options. In addition to using sanitizers and wipes, latex gloves are a great way to keep your hands safe and clean in between washes.
Once-a-day cleaning of frequently touched surfaces is another important way you can protect yourself and others from spreading COVID-19. Some high-traffic surfaces include door handles, light switches, countertops, tables, railings and phones.
According to the CDC, “The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus”, and Logomark’s Personal Protection Kits include many of the essentials recommended by the CDC to prevent exposure. These kits are available in a variety of combinations and include a variety of contents including 3-ply face masks, 2ml 75% alcohol sanitizer packs, 75% alcohol single-wipe packs, shoe covers, vinyl gloves, thermometer test strips and antimicrobial door openers.
Safety Measures In The Workplace
Companies are continually looking for additional ways to maintain safe work environments for their employees. Besides face masks, gloves and sanitizers employers have begun to use thermometer temperature checks at the beginning of each work shift in order to detect possible illnesses. Infrared thermometer ‘guns’ are the most popular as they offer a no-touch option in which the user simply points the thermometer at the subject’s forehead and it will give a digital read out of the body temperature.
New technologies have been developed which include wall mounted wireless thermometers that automatically scan individuals, removing the need to touch the device, giving its users a completely touchless experience. Logomark has both ‘gun’ and wall mount infrared thermometers available (wall mount option in stock Aug. 2020).
Face shields and goggles are also being used by employers for staff in high traffic areas and workers in close proximity to each other. Both options protect the eyes, but face shields also protect the mouth and nose and are a great alternative for individuals who have trouble breathing through traditional face masks.
The ever-growing need for PPE has shifted the priorities of businesses and people worldwide, and we are here to assist in getting everyone back to enjoying life and focusing on what really matters. We have recently launched a new personal protection category on Logomark.com, which includes many of the PPE items featured above as well as others including safety glasses, antibacterial pens and much more!
Sources:
- CDC.gov (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html).