As we move forward in the Covid-19 pandemic and all of its current and future mutations, we face a need to keep the economy running while protecting people’s health. Even people who have received the vaccine are catching mutated strains of the Covid-19 virus, such as the delta variant. To keep the employees of any business safe so that lives will be protected and jobs will be saved, we need every protection available.
This is why it has become necessary to find out how to ensure safety in the manufacturing industry through proper PPE use. If we can keep the virus from spreading, we will not only protect people in their immediate circumstances, but we will also reduce the number of deadly mutations, and just vaccinating and wearing masks will not be enough. While they are a great place to start, we will need every defense PPE equipment we can provide us with, and that is why we discuss them in this article.
Face Masks and Face shields
While having their employees wear a single-layer face mask is acceptable by most companies, it is recommended by the CDC that all face masks have at least two layers of breathable fabric. A face mask should also completely cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps, and have a nose wire to prevent any leakage out of the top of the mask.
The CDC is still evaluating face shields. Still, they are currently being used by many because of their ability to deflect invisible aerosol droplets that may contain the Covid-19 virus. A face shield should cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around each side of your face.
N95 respirators
As a better alternative to a mask, an N95 filtering facepiece respirator is a particulate-filtering respirator. This respirator gets its name because it filters at least 95% of airborne particles. As with the mask, the N95 respirator should cover the nose and mouth while also fitting snugly against your face.
Safety Goggles
The Covid-19 virus can enter the body through mucous membranes. And while a mask or respirator can cover the nose and mouth, there should also be protection for the eyes, lined with mucous membranes. For this reason, it is important to wear safety goggles that wrap around the sides of your eyes and fit snugly against the face.
Gloves
Disposable nitrile gloves are a very popular non-puncturable solution to protecting your hands from the Covid-19 virus. Latex gloves are another smart alternative, and they are also slightly more biodegradable than nitrile gloves. Other recommended materials for gloves are polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and neoprene. These gloves are all disposable, and it is important to replace them throughout the day.
Global Sourcing Can Help
If your company is looking for a reliable source of PPE, Global Sourcing can help. Recently, we were able to provide 100,000 FDA-approved and CE-certified masks in as little as five days to an area that Covid-19 heavily impacted. If you need help fast, you can count on us to deliver!