Avian Flu H5N1 has brought a spotlight back to the world of personal protective equipment. In fact, the CDC released new recommendations in May with specific PPE protocols.
However, proper PPE is an evergreen tool for own protection as well as food safety regardless of new potential contaminants.
Recently, Nelson-Jameson joined the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association for a discussion where a panel of dairy industry experts discussed H5N1’s effect on PPE, innovations, and hidden costs when not using the best choices in PPE. Read on to learn more.
From Toes to Above the Nose
Protecting every area of the body with PPE is incredibly important when working with food ingredients. From boots to gloves to eyewear, protection helps prevent cross-contamination and injury. However, comfort and ease of use can be equally important.
And head and eye protection is exceptionally important with H5N1, as humans who have been impacted by H5N1 tend to have symptoms appearing in their eyes. The CDC has made the recommendation that safety goggles or face shields be worn.
Pete Butorac, Technical Sales Manager specializing in Safety/PPE for Nelson-Jameson, joined the panel to discuss the importance of eye protection among other protective headgear and offered some tips on what to look for during the evaluation of eye and head PPE.
Here are some tips on what to look for in eyewear:
- Anti-fog bond
- Scratch resistance
- Interchangeable prescription lenses
- UV protection
- Full circumstance coverage
- Lightweight materials
Features to look for in head PPE:
- Air vents that can be toggled on and off
- Rear head coverage
- Add-on ear muffs
- Cooling inserts
- Reflective stickers for visibility
- Color-coding system to prevent cross-contamination
During the panel, Butorac emphasized the importance of comfrot in addition to protection.
“The easier it is and the more comfortable it is, the more likely it is to be used—and that's ultimately what we need everybody to do is use the stuff that's going to protect them.”
Hands-on Protection and Hidden Costs
Gloves are among the most consumable pieces of PPE in the dairy industry, but the cost goes far beyond the glove itself. As one panelist pointed out, gloves can cause obvious dermal issues and often-overlooked muscle issues. Glove tears can lead to increased glove thickness, which is more taxing on the hand and can lead to costly injuries.
Additionally, the hand is the most common site affected by occupational skin disease, impacting almost 2 million people with costs of up to $2 billion annually.
What to look for in protective gloves:
- Adequate gripping ability and cut resistance
- Chemical protection
- Flexivle and lightweight
- Touch screen compatible
- Suitable for extremely high and low temperatures
High-quality gloves benefit both employees and employers. Employees can minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins while reducing pain and discomfort, which improves job satisfaction. Quality hand protection also improves organizational efficiency by reducing waste and employee time off for recovery.
With thousands of options with different materials, textures, lengths, colors, and shelf life, gloves are not one-size-fits-all. So be sure to find a supplier that is and can meet all of your unique needs.
Your One-Stop Shop for PPE
Avian Flu H5N1 has resurfaced the conversation around PPE. It’s as important as ever to ensure that your team has equipment that is equal parts safety and comfort.
Nelson-Jameson is your single-source distributor for PPE, combining the expertise and technical support to protect your entire team while consolidating your supply management!
