OH&S Outlines Information on how to Clean Shared PPE
Share:
As the construction industry ramps back up this summer, there is a focus on cleanliness and safety in shared workspaces, particularly around how to keep shared equipment clean. The health crisis has forced many of us to rethink how we clean and maintain our facilities and our gear. By now we all know to wash our hands, but what should be done with shared PPE, such as full body harnesses and fall protection lanyards?
Unfortunately, the sanitizers used to wipe down our hands are not safe to use on many pieces of equipment, and neither are bleach and other harsh cleaning products. Fall protection equipment in particular relies on the integrity of the material in order to function, so any harsh cleaners or chemicals can’t be used to sanitize these items. So how can you clean shared safety equipment effectively?
How to Clean Personal Safety Equipment
Start by checking the manufacturer’s product instructions for care and maintenance of any safety equipment. Cleaning most types of equipment doesn’t require any special products—just clean tap water and mild soap such as liquid dish detergent.
How Often to Clean Equipment
As long as the contagion is making the rounds, it’s safest to clean the equipment in between each use.
Shared Equipment Policies
If workers must share communal equipment, cleaning the gear between each use before passing it on to the next employee is essential for safety during the pandemic. As strange as it may sound, treating low-cost personal safety equipment such as work gloves and safety glasses as disposable items may be another approach to minimizing the spread of germs.
