Focus on Hygiene Essentials
Separating truth from fiction F
or those working in the medical and health sectors, wearing a PPE grade mask is now compulsory.
However, the speed of the pandemic has brought new demand for face coverings with hundreds of products in the market, huge variations in price and quality and a lack of transparency in how face coverings’ performance and safety standards are measured.
For those in retail this can understandably be problematic, making the vital role of protecting staff and customers confusing and stressful.
1) All face coverings adhere to minimum safety standards
FALSE! Unfortunately, there are currently no minimum safety standards for face coverings in the UK. More problematic, however, is the fact that there are a lot of misleading claims made about certain face covering’s performance. So, in the absence of consistent guidelines, what should you look for? A good starting point is to look for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency % (BFE) rating which is an industry-accepted test, such as EN14683, performed on filtration materials that are designed to provide protection against biological aerosols, such as face mask, surgical gowns, caps, and air filters. To be effective, a face covering’s BFE should be at least 70%, and if possible, much higher. The greater the BFE, the better
protection a face covering offers the user from airborne bacteria and viruses.
In addition, Centexbel, an independent scientific and technical research test centre in the European textile industry, has recently developed a COVID-19 approved performance label for community face coverings. We anticipate this may become more common across the market in the months to come and it is another hallmark of quality.
2) One-size-fits-all FALSE! While face coverings that most general workplaces use don’t need to be ergonomically fitted in the way they do for medical professionals, it is always better to choose a mask that is right for your face size and shape. Most quality, reusable face coverings come in a variety of sizes, which will ensure they fit snugly over the mouth and nose and therefore minimise the transfer of bacteria and droplets carrying viral load in the air. Furthermore, an appropriately fitted face covering is more comfortable too, improving the chances of the user actually wearing it.
3) All face coverings follow strict UK health and safety guidelines
FALSE! Incredibly, there are an alarming number of face coverings on the market without qualification for their suitability for skin contact which could cause serious skin
Face coverings became the must-have accessory of 2020. With approximately 70% of the population of the UK reportedly wearing face coverings in public, that’s a huge market to tap into. The face covering and other hygiene products are not going anywhere, anytime soon, so here’s our round-up of product available now.
Mike Murray, chief technical officer of the leading European flexible foam and science-based materials company, The Vita Group, separates truth from fiction when it comes to face coverings and explains the key features essential for keeping staff and customers safe.
Xpres Cover up this winter
In order to meet existing demands and guidelines, Xpres is now stocking sublimation fabric facial coverings, ideal for personalisation.
Ideal for meeting government requirements to wear face masks/ coverings indoors, the XP5238 Face Covering and XP5239 Face Covering with Filter Pocket have a white polyester print face. Each come with black elastic straps, which come with adjustable strap locks for resizing. Suited to sublimation printing, you can personalise either product to meet the needs of your customers.
Filters are not included with either product and they aren’t intended for any medical or clinical purposes. There is no assurance that it prevents transmission or infection of disease or viruses.
www.xpres.co.uk Xpres’ sublimation fabric facial coverings | 68 | January 2021
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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