Over the past year and a half, the general public has gained much more awareness of the need for PPE, or personal protective equipment. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have purchased and crafted many ways to protect themselves, but not all of those methods truly qualify as PPE. Learn what is not considered personal protective equipment to understand better the safest ways to protect yourself.
Ill-Fitting Protective Gear
Your medical mask may count as PPE, but if it has gaps or loose elastic, it is not protecting you anymore. Any medical PPE gear that does not fit properly (or that you don’t wear properly) is no longer protective. You must wear masks over the nose and mouth to protect the wearer and the people around them.
Coveralls and Aprons
If you wear an extra layer of clothing solely to protect the garments underneath from getting dirty, that layer does not count as PPE. However, if you wear that layer to protect your clothes and skin from coming into contact with contaminants or hazardous chemicals, it qualifies as PPE.
Cloth Masks
Multi-layered cloth masks and face coverings do help to prevent the transmission of disease and infection. However, as of November 2020, OSHA does not recognize them as proper PPE.
Reused Gloves
Most medical PPE gear is designed for one-time use. If you touch any potential contaminants while wearing disposable gloves, you must dispose of them before touching any other surfaces. Gloves that have touched contaminated surfaces or any bodily fluids are no longer PPE, and you must replace them with a fresh pair to prevent cross-contamination.
When you arm yourself against disease and infection, you need to know what kind of equipment you’ll need. American Screening Corp offers a great deal of medical PPE gear, from masks to lab coats. Now that you know what is not considered personal protective equipment, you’ll have a better understanding of what does constitute PPE and why it matters.
