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The importance of certified protective equipment for those returning to work

South Africa exited its extended lockdown at the beginning of the month, but the country, as well as most of the planet, is not out of the woods yet.

The way of life we knew before the COVID-19 pandemic hit is still some ways off, but more many South Africans, the phased lockdown approach currently in play still means some are venturing out of the safety of their homes in order to head to work and the risks associated with doing so.

It is why it has become increasingly important for employers and employees alike to ensure that the correct personal protective equipment is on hand as the fight to flatten the curve remains.

The new normal

It is also government-mandated, which means that when you’re choosing a face mask or any other form of PPE for yourself of others, it is essential that it has been properly certified.

One local distributor ensuring that the PPE it brings into the country is Syntech, with the firm that normally specialises in technology hardware, now pivoting to assist the country and in particular, the National Department of Health (NDoH), with the resources it needs most urgently now.

Much like hand sanitisers needing to surpass the 70 percent threshold for alcohol levels, and in turn its effectiveness at killing the coronavirus should it get on your hands, face masks too have to meet certain criteria in order to be certified and deemed safe for the workplace.

As such, not all face masks are created equal, and while some may be willing to risk using a non-certified option, it is a choice that few businesses can afford to undertake.

Necessary precautions

Looking at the face masks which Syntech currently stocks, the distributor has both domestic/office and surgical grade masks in its inventory.

For the workplace, the former will likely prove the best solution. Syntech stocks either 3-ply face masks or KN95 civilian options. The 3-ply ones carry an FDA and CE approval, along with the RSA certification standard SANS 1866. The KN95 variants are also certified, and importantly manufactured according to the Chinese GB2626-2006 standard.

Having either of these face masks available in your workplace will help offer some peace of mind to employees, many of whom anxiously await the COVID-19 pandemic to end, with the fact that they are manufactured according to strict standards offering some sort of respite.

For those in the healthcare field, Syntech’s surgical-grade masks come fully certified as well. These 3-ply masks feature two layers of non-woven fabric, with an additional third layer in the middle which can filter out more than 95 percent of pollen, bacteria, dust and smoke. For those on the front line fighting against the spread of COVID-19, they are ideally suited.

The range of PPE available via Syntech does not end at face masks though, with hand sanitisers containing 70 percent alcohol and non-contact thermometers also available for local customers and businesses.

The products will prove vital at various points in the workplace or household, with hand sanitisers needed to be scattered throughout the building and easily accessible, and the thermometers needed for security to check the temperature of those entering the building.

Here to help

Along with the peace of mind that comes with purchasing certified protective equipment, Syntech has also pledged to donate 10 percent of all mask orders as surgical mask donations to the National Department of Health.

This becomes a worthwhile initiative as it ensures that more surgical masks get into the hands of healthcare workers who are currently on the front line in this fight against COVID-19. The distributor can also assist in donating directly to the NDoH, should your business be looking for that type of avenue at this time.

To find out more about Syntech, its certified PPE, as well as the other services and solutions it is offering currently, head here.

[Image – Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash]

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