PROTECTING YOUR WORKFORCE WITH P.P.E
IN THE SECOND OR THIRD WAVE OF CORONAVIRUS
The news about the discovery & approval of highly efficient vaccines against COVID-19 has put a smile on all our faces.
However, initially only the elderly, the vulnerable or frontline health workers will be able to get a vaccine. Mass distribution to the entire population is unlikely before Summer or Autumn 2021. Most UK workers will remain at risk from the virus until such time.
Many firms are wondering how best to protect their workforce during the current second wave, especially with the increased risk of virus transmission around Christmas. Understanding the new rules, regulations and responsibilities that your company faces can be a minefield.
Our dedicated blog will help you understand what equipment you must provide for your staff, along with what measures you can take to prevent infection in the workplace and disruption to your business.
For many workplaces, PPE has always been a large part of their health and safety procedures.
PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment, is a broad term used to describe protective clothing or coverings designed to shield the wearer against potential health and safety risks.
This includes protective items such as face masks, shields, goggles, aprons and gloves, along with clothing items such as helmets, high-vis jackets, overalls, knee pads, waterproofs and safety footwear.
With the Coronavirus pandemic, a looser definition of PPE is now common, also including devices that control the spread of infection, such as digital thermometers, pulse oximeters, UV steriliser boxes, touch-free tools and sanitiser wipes, gels or dispensers.
It is recommended that you follow these health and safety measures to make your workplace as secure from COVID as possible…
- Risk assessment - identify which work situations may cause transmission of Coronavirus and who is at risk, then either remove the situation or control the risk.
- Physical distancing – keep people 2m or at least 1m apart in your workplace, especially in lifts or corridors, using floor tape, signage, screens, limited one-way movement & by working side-by-side rather than face-to-face.
- Staggered arrival and departure times - reduce crowding into, out of and inside your workplace, using longer opening hours, managed office occupancy levels, flexible break times and flexible working hours to enable this.
- Cleaning, hygiene and handwashing - keep the workplace clean, free of germs and ensure regular handwashing or sanitising, specially upon entry to building, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading between people and surfaces.
- No sharing – avoid sharing of pens, documents, computer keyboards, mice, phone handsets, security passes and other objects in the office or workplace.
- Face protection – face masks or coverings are required by law on public transport and in customer-facing businesses; they are not mandatory in workplaces without customers but are still recommended.
- Ventilation – open windows or use other ventilation in the office and hold meetings outdoors to reduce the risk of airborne virus transmission.
- Contain outbreaks of virus – assist the Test and Trace service by keeping a temporary record of staff attendance in your workplace for 21 days and by providing data in case of outbreak.
- Talk to workers and consider their wellbeing - discuss protective measures and ideas for health and safety in the workplace with your employees, ensuring that they understand their responsibilities and how best to protect themselves; also engage with them regularly to monitor their health and welfare.
For more info, see webpage:
www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/index.htmSee specific guidance for 14 different types of workplaces at webpage:
www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19Employees working from home, for any reason, must also be considered as part of the same health and safety measures. This is especially so considering that they’ll sometimes be expected to travel to your office, or other places, for meetings or work-related activities.
You should protect your remote or vulnerable workers from infection, no matter where they work from, through implementing measures such as:
- sanitising of objects or surfaces in home office,
- regular hand washing or sanitising,
- using a touch-free tool outside,
- physical distancing,
- wearing high-quality face protection in public spaces,
- temperature checks,
- oxygen saturation monitoring,
- regular contact to discuss wellbeing, etc.
You should also provide any equipment they need to work from home, such as laptop or mobile device for videoconferencing.
The following PPE items are being used by businesses to successfully protect their workforce from Coronavirus…
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Surgical Masks
Simple, disposable, blue face masks which protect people around you from coughs & sneezes.
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Respirator Masks
Advanced, reusable, white face masks which filter the air you breathe, thus protecting you from airborne viruses such as COVID-19.
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Face Shields
Can be worn comfortably over glasses or a mask, providing protection for all parts of the face.
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Safety Goggles
Can be worn comfortably over glasses or a mask, providing full protection for the eyes.
For more info, see webpage:
www.monzamedical.com/buy-face-mask-
Sanitiser Dispenser Station
Allows your staff & guests to instantly sanitise their hands each time they enter your building, simply by pressing the foot pedal; this not only promotes healthy habits, but also enhances your work environment, with its smart & stylish look.
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Hand Sanitiser Gel with 75% Alcohol
Rub over hands regularly to kill any trace of Coronavirus; should be made available in multiple locations throughout the workplace, to maintain a sanitary environment.
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Clinell Sanitiser Wipes
As used in hospitals, these are proven effective against Coronavirus & kill 99.99% of all pathogens; ideal for use in clinics, care homes, salons, hospitality venues or communal spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, dining tables, meeting rooms or office desks.
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Ultraviolet Sterilisation Box
Ideal for sterilising any item in a clinic, care home, salon or office which has to be used by more than one person, or for sterilising personal items when returning home, such as keys, wallet, pen, jewellery, smartphone.
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Touch-free Tool
Ideal for sterilising any item in a clinic, care home, salon or office which has to be used by more than one person, or for sterilising personal items when returning home, such as keys, wallet, pen, jewellery, smartphone.
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Disposable Aprons or Gowns
Protect both body & clothes against fluids, dirt or oils which may contain harmful germs or bacteria; available in various different materials, according to preference.
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Disposable Gloves
Reduce the spread of diseases by preventing skin contact with surfaces or people; available in nitrile, rubber, plastic or other materials.
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Digital Thermometer
For instant, contactless temperature checks of employees & visitors upon arrival, allowing you to prevent anyone with clear symptoms of Coronavirus from entering your premises & spreading infection.
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Pulse Oximeter
Gives an instant accurate display of blood oxygen saturation rate & pulse, enabling you to instantly check for serious symptoms of COVID-19 amongst any of your staff or guests.
For more info, see webpage:
www.monzamedical.com/buy-ppe-for-workFor info on any PPE item or guidance on how to protect your workforce, speak to a Monza Medical expert today by calling +44 (0)207 193 1930 or by whatsapp on +44 (0)797 111 2344.
