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PPE and Workplace Changes After COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses hard, and they’ve all needed to adapt. Even after COVID cases declined, some workplace changes are here to stay. More people are working remotely, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is now a major consideration for many businesses that may have never considered a need for PPE before. Disposable gloves and other PPE play an important role in the future of work trends for 2022 and beyond.
More Businesses Have Realized a Need for a PPE Program
Businesses and their employees have played a key role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. When possible, many employees started working remotely from home rather than coming into the office or another workplace. For businesses where working remotely wasn’t possible, leaders needed to adjust by improving ventilation systems, rearranging layouts to optimize social distancing, and enforcing the use of PPE, including disposable gloves, masks, and face shields, to protect individuals.
At the start of the pandemic, many businesses and organizations did not already have a PPE program in place. They had never had a reason (or a legal compulsion) to adopt one before, so when the need arose, they needed to make a plan—and quickly. Many businesses also did not have a supply of PPE in stock and ready to use, and they needed to hustle to find items that fit all of their employees properly.
Now, many businesses realize they need to have a robust PPE program in place for future COVID-19 spikes or any other public health issues that may arise. They also have discovered the importance of wearing gloves and having gear already in stock. This will help businesses respond more quickly and efficiently in urgent situations, help keep everyone safe, and prevent disruptions to work.
Comfortable PPE Encourages Use Among Staff
In order to abide by state and federal regulations and keep individuals safe, employers have needed to enforce wearing PPE in the workplace. The United States’ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines that employers are responsible for providing PPE for their employees. Businesses quickly discovered that not all team members were happy about having to wear PPE at work, and that comfort is key when it comes to making PPE more tolerable for reticent staff.
In order for disposable gloves and other gear to be effective, they need to fit each individual appropriately. Businesses are stocking gloves and additional PPE in a variety of sizes and styles to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. When PPE fits comfortably, it is not only more effective, but employees are also more willing to wear the equipment without intervention.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to a PPE Program
Wearing PPE in the workplace is important, but what works for one business may not work for yours. PPE that fits one employee might not fit another employee effectively. Every business and every employee has unique needs, and it’s important to be prepared. Keep Glove America in mind when you’re ordering supplies for your PPE program. We sell disposable gloves of all materials and sizes at competitive bulk prices, as well as PPE accessories like headgear and sleeves.