Avoiding Contamination in the Office: 5 Quick Facts
Posted on Jun 29th 2020
As the new normal shifts from working from home back to commuting to the office, work life isn’t necessarily back to normal.
Higher Alcohol is Not Always Better: These strange times have a lot of people reaching for the highest percentage of isopropyl-alcohol they can find, but more isn’t always better. 99% isopropyl alcohol evaporates too quickly, not leaving much time to penetrate cell walls and kill germs. It’s also important to note that, if given the option, washing hands is more effective than using isopropyl alcohol. If you are in need of supplies, we offer disinfecting wipes for electronics, as well as disinfecting wipes for hands and surfaces, and of course, hand sanitizer.
Temperature Checks: The CDC recommends organizations to require temperature checks before the employee enters the facility. The easiest and most sanitary way to do this is via infrared thermometers. For added security, some employers are sending each employee home with a digital thermometer to take their temperature before arriving at work, thus reducing the risk of infecting others.
Masks: Employees in close contact with each other and/or in highly trafficked areas may be required to wear masks for the foreseeable future. For low-risk environments, a cloth or disposable protective mask will do. In high-risk environments, a KN95 mask may be a better option. You can view our selection here. Be sure to wash and sanitize your hands every time you touch your mask to avoid contamination.
Ensure Proper Glove Use: While gloves can protect you from germs, they can also provide a false sense of security and spread germs if not removed correctly. When wearing gloves, it is crucial to avoid touching your face, as viruses can adhere to gloves. When it’s time to remove the gloves, do so by removing the first glove (let’s say, the left glove) with the right gloved hand, and removing the right glove by reaching inside, and peeling it inside out, without touching the outside. This way, the left hand does not get contaminated while removing the right glove. If you are in need of some gloves for the office, we have different sizes available here.
Keep Social Distancing: Even with all of the above, there is no better way to stay safe than to keep 6 feet apart from others whenever possible. While we don’t recommend wearing noodle hats, it never hurts to gently remind coworkers that you’re trying to maintain a safe distance. Rather than standing around a coworker’s computer, opt for a screen share.
Whether one is balancing working from home while schooling their kids or heading back to the office, working through this pandemic is not easy. There are ways to stay safe, and we are happy to be able to provide the necessary products to help our customers maintain a healthy environment.
Click here to see our selection of personal protective equipment.