PPE (personal protective equipment) is an acronym that we’ve become overly familiar with lately. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), PPE acts as a barrier between infectious materials and an individual’s skin, mouth, nose, or eyes (mucous membranes). This provides the potential to block the transmission of viral and bacterial contaminants from blood, body fluids, or respiratory secretions.
The proper use of PPE, masks in the case against COVID-19, coupled with other infection control practices (covering your mouth when coughing/sneezing, hand-washing, and using hand sanitizer), is a critical way to minimize the spread.
In an effort to stop the spread while reopening, most states have either put executive orders in place or are strongly suggesting the use of non-medical grade face coverings when in public. So it’s important to ensure you have the right gear before heading back to work.
Luckily, there are a variety of mask options to choose from. As we are all familiar with the PPE shortage, it’s time to show your creativity in the name of safety!
Disposable masks
As the name indicates, these are meant for one-time use only and are to be disposed of after wear. It is best practice to wash your hands once you have disposed of your mask before touching your face.
Reusable fabric masks
These masks are washable so they can be kept and reused. They are an excellent alternative as numerous disposable masks may be hard to order and keep in stock. There are several options, some that can even be customizable if you would like to add your logo or an image.
Homemade masks
Household items such as extra fabric, cloth, a bandana, a scarf, etc. can be used to provide proper protection. Depending on the material and construction of your mask, these can be washed and reused as well. Check out these helpful tutorials from the CDC to ensure you are getting the right protection.
If you’re in Michigan, join the #DoingMiPart and #MIMaskChallenge, which the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services started, to show off your creations.
Contact us to learn more about our workplace readiness and how we can help safeguard your work environment.
