Selecting PPE that performs
James Lee, Managing Director of Cromwell Polythene, shares advice on choosing reliable Personal Protective Equipment.
It is essential that cleaning teams, who work so hard to protect us, have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent the spread of infection. When it comes to choosing the right products, safety, comfort, and effective performance are key – and these qualities are central to our Wave range of PPE.
Fit for purpose
There has never been more choice available. The pandemic created a surge in demand, which in turn, saw an influx of new products entering the market. Not all are fit for purpose, match their claims in terms of efficacy, or are suitable for the intended work environment.
Our PPE range includes disposable gloves suitable for a range of sectors including cleaning, healthcare, food and hygiene, waste management and recycling, agricultural and automotive sectors. They are food safe, which means they’re highly effective for sanitising requirements within food contact areas.
The gloves are both latex and powder free, helping to minimise the occurrence of skin irritation. They provide the comfort and performance attributes of latex, but at a lower cost and without the allergy issues with which the material is often associated.
Options available include blue nitrile examination gloves, which have strong barrier properties and high resistance to oils, fats, and chemicals; synthetic examination gloves; and vinyl general purpose gloves.
The gloves are packed in such a way that they are dispensed ‘cuff first’. This has clear hygienic advantages, helping to minimise contamination of equipment or the environment. All of the gloves are tested to BS EN 455, the standard for medical gloves for single use, in addition to a number of other EN and ISO quality management standards.
Minimising infection risk
Coronavirus is still very much a threat, and hygiene is one of the best lines of defence we have to protect ourselves.
Our Wave range also includes water-soluble strip laundry bags for the safe containment of soiled linen. The bags have a water-soluble seal and a tie string for securing the bags. The strip and tie part of the bag dissolves in water allowing the contents to discharge into the wash. The bag itself is taken out with the wash and can be recycled.
Cromwell supply other forms of PPE such as disposable aprons and protective plastic sheeting for receptions and
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other areas of work. As sectors start to reopen, it’s worth considering adding additional bins and liners for the safe collection and disposal of PPE items, to avoid littering and minimise infection risk.
Industry standards
Unfortunately, this demand for protective essential items has led to some companies offering inferior products that have no guarantee of meeting industry safety standards. Businesses should ensure that they are purchasing products which meet European Standards (EN), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and carry CE markings where appropriate, to ensure they meet the highest reliability, quality, sustainability, and safety standards.
In the UK, the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) Accreditation schemes for cotton mops, soft tissue, and plastic refuse sacks ensure that they are fit for purpose and that the dimensions and count of products are as indicated on the label (i.e. ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’). Many of our products hold the CHSA rating as standard. As well as the CHSA quality standards, buying through CHSA distributors is your guarantee you are getting what you paid for, and quality products.
www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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