Focus on Hygiene Essentials
irritation on prolonged contact. One of the most useful standards we currently have in this respect is the Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
For a procurement professional purchasing face coverings on behalf of a workforce or to stock in their stores this is a highly recommended standard to look for.
4) Face coverings stop working after a single use TRUE AND FALSE! Single use paper masks should never be reworn, and should always be replaced as they become damp. As soon as a mask becomes damp, its filtration qualities may diminish. Higher quality three-layer face coverings can be worn for a longer period of time, but protection levels may still vary. In all cases, however, reusable face coverings should be washed daily and at a temperature which should be instructed on pack.
5) Breathing valves add extra protection GENERALLY FALSE! Many people navigate towards face coverings with breathing valves, under the impression they with help compensate against low breathability. However, breather valves actually feature a one-way system – they filter air drawn through them but do not stop bacteria and viruses being exhaled. Furthermore, in order to remain clean, breather valves must be changed regularly – increasing the risk of the user contaminating themselves.
A face covering with a good bacterial filtration efficiency will not only allow satisfactory breathability, it also provides ease of maintenance through washing alone.
6) Only medical-grade masks will do FALSE! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that the general public wear medical masks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.
Purchasing medical-grade masks for an entire workforce could prove expensive so considering the guidance it’s well worth choosing a more cost-effective reusable face covering alternative which has been tested for bacterial filtration efficiency >90%, meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and is Centextbel COVID-19 approved.
7) Seam or seamless… there’s no difference! FALSE! With such a wide variety of face coverings available, it’s often hard to know what style to go for and you may be under the impression that design and style plays no part in how protected you are. WRONG! The use of seams in the centre part of a face covering actually creates potential for leakage – especially given that it is directly in the middle of the face in line with CWA 17553 Annex A recommendation to not make vertical seams, along the nose, mouth and chin.
If the seam is not robust, or begins to breakdown through wear and tear, then the stretch of the face covering could open this up, allowing the passage of airborne bacteria and viruses to bypass the filtering effect.
8) It’s better to buy cheap and disposable GENERALLY FALSE! The type of face covering you procure for your staff will depend very much on your own business circumstances. For anyone wearing a face covering for more than a few hours a day, a reusable mask will almost always end up being more cost-effective. Face coverings should be valued on a cost-per-wear basis. But it’s not just about money, there is also significant reduction of potential waste by wearing reusable face coverings compared to single use disposables. Even with the hope of a vaccine on the horizon, face covering usage is unlikely to go away anytime soon. As such, it is important to get it right, as soon as possible, helping to protect, helping to reduce potential waste and ultimately helping to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
Grahame Gardner Supporting the NHS with charity hygiene bags
Grahame Gardner has created a new charitable tote bag that people can buy with all profits being donated to the NHS.
The Healthcare Heroes bags help keyworkers manage infection control when they finish their shift, so they can quickly, easily and safely put in their dirty uniform at the end of the day to take home and wash, along with the bag.
The 100% cotton bags are 28x43cm and can easily fit a pair of scrubs inside. Available in grey or navy, both with a unique design printed on the front.
100% of the profits are donated into the NHS via Leicester Hospitals Charity.
www.grahamegardner.co.uk
Alexandra Workwear Clear face covering for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community
Alexandra Workwear has designed and manufactured a clear face covering for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The adjustable face covering is available in black and navy and is made from 94% polyester and 6% spandex. It features an anti-fogging lip window and is both breathable and anti-bacterial.
The MK60 Transparent Face Covering is sold in packs of 10.
www.alexandra.co.uk
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk January 2021 | 69 |
MK60 Transparent Face Covering
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